Turning

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Chapter 822

"Are you a worker at the temple? Or a servant of someone inside?"

"I, I am..."

The man stammered and averted his gaze from Myra, bowing his head. Upon closer inspection, he was drenched in cold sweat. Myra frowned at his appearance, looking as if he was on the verge of collapsing, exhausted from wandering around.

"If you are someone's servant, declare your allegiance, and if you work in the temple..."

"Oh, no, no. I am not. I am....!"

The man shook his head and stumbled back.

"I, I am....."

'What is this? It's not just fatigue... he is afraid of me?'

Myra was perceptive. Even in a tense situation, she could distinguish whether the person before her feared a strange noble or specifically feared her.

It was common for ordinary citizens and servants to fear any noble, but the fear directed at Myra herself felt unusual.

'Have I seen this man somewhere before?'

Narrowing her eyes, Myra stared intently at the unfamiliar face of the young man from the southern lands.

'It seems like I'm seeing him for the first time...'

Thinking about it, it seemed unlikely that a noble would bring such an ordinary-looking southerner as a servant to Ashrav's funeral. Could this man be the servant of the deceased Ashrav, related to the merchant who was said to be behind him?

In that case, it made sense why he was terrified upon seeing Myra.

At that moment, as Myra's gaze sharpened in front of the frozen young man.

"Damn it! Of all days, Duke Herne's carriage wheel breaks!"

"Fetch a new wheel! Or someone to fix it!"

"Lady Yellen is fighting again with other young ladies over the issue with the Second Prince!"

'What? Father's carriage broke down?'

Distracted by the shouts nearby, Myra felt a strange sense of foreboding from those words.

Duke Herne, her father. Madame Yellen, Ashrav's mother. The young ladies.

And the southern young man, hunched over as if guilty of some crime.

Sometimes, people find commonalities between seemingly unrelated elements. For Myra, this was one of those moments.

'Yes, I've seen this attitude, these eyes before... because of my father.'

Duke Herne, always surrounded by women since Myra's birth.

Despite being the head of a prestigious ducal family, his unchaste behavior was often excused as a necessity due to the short lifespans in their family.

But to Myra, these were mere excuses. If the goal was to produce many heirs while alive, it should have been through his lawful wife. However, the women her father involved himself with were not only his wife but also varied in age and social status.

Even the young ladies he brought recently were not only nobles' daughters but also merchants', mages', knights', and even commoners'. Lady Yellen, Ashrav's mother, also came from a declined baronet family in the south, having Ashrav out of wedlock before marrying and divorcing before Ashrav turned one.

Ashrav, who was at least recognized as a legitimate son, was considered fortunate. Duke Herne, known for his numerous dalliances with women, had countless unacknowledged bastards. It was doubtful if even he knew the exact number.

Some of these bastards were at least recognized to the extent that they received help to survive. However, those who did not inherit any of Herne family's distinctive traits were not even that fortunate and lived miserably, unaware of their father's identity.

Legitimate children like Myra often had to deal with problems caused by these bastards, especially when it seemed like the family might get entangled. After all, these were their half-siblings and potential competitors or scandals for the family, so it was better they handled these matters themselves rather than entrusting them to unreliable subordinates.

Myra's elder brothers, still alive at that time, had never shown any sympathy towards these bastards. However, Myra always felt a pang in her heart when she saw these unrecognized children, as their plight didn't seem much different from her own.

During the time when Emperor Keilusa was still the Crown Prince, Duke Herne had temporarily adopted a distant relative's daughter for the position of Crown Princess, solely because there was no suitable daughter in the Herne family with the appropriate age and their signature platinum hair. The girl's own wishes were completely disregarded in this process, and Myra, despite being a legitimate daughter, also faced disdain for not being useful to the family, even though the timing of her birth was beyond her control.

Duke Herne viewed his legitimate children, bastards, and even his precious daughter, born after decades, as no different from objects. Myra deeply felt this harsh reality, appalled at how one man's recognition could instantly alter a person's life and status. Therefore, she secretly took care to ensure that the bastards she met did not suffer mistreatment.

Among the many bastards, there was one who, despite not inheriting the Herne family's physical traits, was peculiarly well cared for, even having a servant assigned to him. The existence of this bastard was kept hidden, manipulated through other nobles, and Myra only learned about him much later.

What she knew about him was limited. He was a son, probably older than herself. He lived out of sight, not venturing outside, but he had tutors and even a personal servant.

Myra felt compelled to understand why this particular bastard received such unusual treatment. Her investigation led her to suspect the reason.

The bastard was of mixed heritage, likely with someone from the southern countries. Duke Herne had briefly engaged in trade with the South in his youth, and he was often accompanied by a woman of considerable status from there. Although finding information after so long was challenging, rumors persisted that she bore Herne's child. Not long after, Herne completely withdrew from the southern trade.

For the Herne family, a prestigious noble house guarding the southern part of the empire, the fact that Duke Herne fathered a child with a southern woman was a scandal that could upheave the entire empire. It was a wonder the child wasn't killed immediately after birth.

Myra decided she needed to find out where the bastard was and sought out the noble who seemed to be in charge of him. The noble was taken aback by her visit, but upon hearing the information she had gathered, he sighed as if there was no helping it.

"Little Lady. Why does it matter so much?"

"What do you mean?"

"He doesn't even know who he is. Officially, he grew up in a villa owned by my family, so in the worst case, if someone finds out, they'll think he's my bastard. He thinks the same, and in case of any eventuality, I've made sure he can't even speak a word about the Herne family. It's impossible for anyone to guess who he is."

"But isn't it better to send him back to the South rather than keep him imprisoned like this? What on earth is my father thinking?"

"I don't know. Maybe he plans to use him as a link to the South once he grows up. If that's not feasible, then there's nothing to be done."

What kind of reasoning is that? To lock away and hide a person just for a 'maybe' seems absurd. Even if he wanted to hide a potential scandal, this is treating a person like an object. Myra knew her father's nature, but this realization still took her breath away.

"This is not right. Just send him back to the South. It's better for him, especially if he doesn't even know he's of our bloodline."

Despite Myra's insistence, the noble dismissed her concerns, suggesting that her visit was more harmful than helpful, and turned her away.

As Myra was being turned away, she caught a glimpse of a skinny Southern boy cautiously entering the door. Initially startled, thinking he might be the bastard, she realized he looked more like a servant.

"Could he be the bastard's servant?"

Considering they specifically employed a Southern boy, it was a possibility.

"You there."

Myra called out to him, but the boy, startled upon making eye contact, was terrified and mumbled something in his native Southern language before running away.

"Aaaah!"

Myra returned home, deeply shaken by the look in the boy's eyes, which regarded her as some kind of monster. She planned to follow up, but the opportunity never presented itself.

A few days later, the noble and his family disappeared as if they had evaporated.

Myra could no longer find any traces of the bastard or learn more about her father's past. Her father continued living as he always had, and her few legitimate brothers died one after another at a young age for no apparent reason. As her brothers passed away, the weight on Myra's shoulders grew heavier with the many responsibilities she had to shoulder, causing her to gradually forget about that day.

However, the moment she saw the Southern young man before her now, the memories and feelings of that day resurfaced.

The image of the skinny Southern boy servant from her memories slowly overlapped with the young man in front of her.

"You…"

Just as Myra was about to speak, another explosion resounded behind her. It was as loud as when the giant temple windows had shattered, causing people to scream again.

"Ah!"

Startled, Myra stumbled, and the Southern young man regained his senses and fled. After a moment, he started to run towards the inside of the temple.

No. Just as he seemed to be running away, he suddenly vanished from sight.

"Wait...! Stop there!"

"First Princess! Are you alright?"

The one who caught and supported the shouting Myra was General Gino.

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Read up to the latest chapter (1267) and more than 1000 chapters of BL novels here

[BL] Cloudless Sky

Jin Soram, the top-ranked hunter representing South Korea's Rift Phenomenon Management Headquarters, is stronger than anyone else and lazier than anyone else. As soon as he arrives at the office, he buries himself under a blanket and falls asleep. When he goes out on a mission, he causes accidents and returns to the office, often shirking his duties.

"Do you know how it feels to play a game that's already messed up? ...Anyway, the next round will come, so this time, I'm just going to play it recklessly."

In fact, his true identity is someone who has regressed through three lives, trying to save the world from the Great Rift but failing each time. After repeating a life where he couldn't sleep peacefully even for a day, he became completely exhausted before this life even began.

"I know. You worked hard, Jin Soram."

And then there's Han Tae-un, the man who saved Soram and died in all three previous lives. As he did in every life, he comes to Soram's side once again. The Great Rift is approaching soon. It's impossible to resolve it in this life without any preparation. Soram vows to save Tae-un in this life and die himself. At least, he won't let Tae-un save a failure like himself again.

"For now, until then, let's sleep..."

As Soram sluggishly lives his life waiting for that moment, a gradual change occurs in his heart.

'I thought this was a messed-up round... but I want to live a little longer here.'

[BL] Bermuda

Leonardo Blaine, the true war hero of the Raina Logia Empire and the commander of the Armsilver 11th Squad, is dishonorably discharged for disobeying orders during the final battle that could have led the Empire to victory in the territorial war. People criticize and point fingers at him, and after being released on parole from prison, he disappears without a trace.

Three years later, his name has been forgotten by the world. The Council has been persistently pursuing him, but he has proven difficult to capture. Frustrated by this, Hugo Agrizendro, the commander of the Council's army, decides to personally apprehend him.

"Since when have you been watching me?"

Leonardo was calculative and astute, so it wouldn't be surprising if he had been observing Hugo for some time now. However, Leonardo's answer was something that even Hugo had not anticipated.

"From the very beginning."

[BL] The Mist (Same author as Turning)

In the autumn of his 18th year, after winning the high school kendo championship finals, an unexpected accident occurred.

Due to that incident, Kang Mu-heon lost one of his legs, his closest friend, and his promising future. He closed off his heart and shut himself away alone.

A few years later, the world's first real virtual reality game <THE MIST> was announced, where even those with physical disabilities could play in healthy bodies.

By chance, Kang Mu-heon encountered it and began a new life as the mage Kapros, facing unexpected meetings, reunions, and days of change....

***

"Why was someone like you born into this world to make me so miserable? Do you understand when I say it like this?! You were born with talent for the sword, a bright personality, everything - you must have been laughing at me always lagging behind! Did you even know how pathetic I felt because of your stupid hypocrisy? A genius? What does any of that matter!"

Seung-jo's cries stabbed at his heart, wailing as if he were crying even though he wasn't, but there was no time to think further. He quickly clutched my stomach, got up, and ran towards him.

He looked surprised for a moment, but he was desperate.

Just as the car was about to reach us, he shoved Seung-jo hard. Right after Seung-jo fell and rolled away with wide, startled eyes—

Screech!

Bang! With an impact that felt like his whole body was being shattered, he flew through the air.

And in that brief yet long moment of floating in space, he remembered his reflection in Seung-jo's eyes for the last time.......

***

[ Then in THE MIST, may you become the master of infinite possibilities. ]

Whoosh!

When his vision returned after everything went white, he was standing in the middle of a bustling town. Amidst the clamor, countless people were busily going about their business here and there.

He looked down at himself, standing dazed and wearing clothes of unknown origin. When he touched the sleeve, he felt the texture of fabric as real as reality. His hair felt the same, and even when he touched the wall of a nearby house, he could clearly feel the solid, cold surface.

Is this... VT?

It seemed like a joke. It truly felt as if he had come to another world and was touching everything.

As he stood there unable to think due to the shock, he suddenly remembered the biggest reason he had decided to play this game, and snapped back to attention. His two legs were still as they had been when he first stood.

'Can I really walk?'

He first stepped out with his left foot, then very slowly put strength into his heavy right foot. It felt like cold sweat was running down his spine.

And then,

He lifted it,

Moved it,

And took another step to touch the ground again.

So easily. As if there had never been any problem with this leg from the beginning.

"Ah..."

At that moment, something that was neither joy nor emotion shot up his spine. Suddenly feeling a lump in his throat, he lowered his head and leaned against the wall. His right foot, bearing his weight, was doing its job perfectly.

"..."

Holding back the tightness in his throat, he took another step.

It didn't hurt. It wasn't heavy. His leg was no longer a useless piece of wood that ached.

Damn it, to be able to walk so easily like this.

To be able to run so easily like this.

He had wished even in his dreams for the day to come when he could walk and run like this again.

And so he walked again, kept walking, slowly getting faster, until finally he started running like a madman through the entire town.

***

"Kap. ...There seems to be a misunderstanding. That's not what I meant."

Just as he was thinking he should throw a punch, Yu-wan sighed with a troubled look and said.

A misunderstanding? How could it be a misunderstanding when he said with his own mouth that he didn't think of me as a friend?

"I didn't expect to receive such a question suddenly, so my explanation was probably too brief. Let me rephrase."

Yu-wan reached out his hand, his face completely changed from before - intense yet resolute - as he stared at him. As he didn't reject the hand suddenly approaching his face and kept his gaze fixed, his cool large hand touched his cheek completely.

A shiver ran down his spine at that moment.

"I'm sorry to say this to you, but I don't see you only as a friend. ...This is the complete answer."

Check out the new project 2:

[BL] Cloudless Sky

Jin Soram, the top-ranked hunter representing South Korea's Rift Phenomenon Management Headquarters, is stronger than anyone else and lazier than anyone else. As soon as he arrives at the office, he buries himself under a blanket and falls asleep. When he goes out on a mission, he causes accidents and returns to the office, often shirking his duties.

"Do you know how it feels to play a game that's already messed up? ...Anyway, the next round will come, so this time, I'm just going to play it recklessly."

In fact, his true identity is someone who has regressed through three lives, trying to save the world from the Great Rift but failing each time. After repeating a life where he couldn't sleep peacefully even for a day, he became completely exhausted before this life even began.

"I know. You worked hard, Jin Soram."

And then there's Han Tae-un, the man who saved Soram and died in all three previous lives. As he did in every life, he comes to Soram's side once again. The Great Rift is approaching soon. It's impossible to resolve it in this life without any preparation. Soram vows to save Tae-un in this life and die himself. At least, he won't let Tae-un save a failure like himself again.

"For now, until then, let's sleep..."

As Soram sluggishly lives his life waiting for that moment, a gradual change occurs in his heart.

'I thought this was a messed-up round... but I want to live a little longer here.'