Turning Chapter 857

Chapter 857

From a distance, a rumbling sound began to echo.

"Ah...!"

"In this situation, even that damn sky..."

Two members of the Cavalry, supporting Kishiar, simultaneously looked up at the sky, spewing curses and sighs of despair.

Had the cracks already begun to react? He had anticipated that the cracks would open due to Hosanna's death, but facing the reality of the situation made his heart feel unbearably heavy.

At the moment he had unavoidably faced the cracks, he realized that perhaps no method would have avoided this inevitable outcome. The regret of not being able to do better gnawed at him. But what could he do? At that time, he had made the best decision he could. Now, all he could do was accept what had happened and prepare for what was next.

Thoughts raced through his mind: the current state of his allies, the best strategic positioning, methods to persuade Kishiar to stay out of it, and plans to mitigate civilian casualties in the relentless weather.

Even with a throbbing headache, Yuder tirelessly and fiercely compared the situation to memories of his past life. This situation was unlike any he had experienced before. Yet, he believed that somewhere in his memories lay crucial information that could help.

‘From now on, nothing can be taken for granted. There's no way to get through this without any harm to my allies. Still, it is paramount to minimize serious injuries and facilitate easier treatment... the impact around Charloin will be centered here…’

"Yuder."

At that moment, Kishiar interrupted his train of thought. Yuder, reacting a bit slowly, lifted his head. Even though he was covered in blood and being supported, he still kept his back straight and breath steady, which was characteristic of him, and was so elegant that it made Yuder’s heart ache.

He realized for the first time that this must be the pride Kishiar had ingrained in himself, never to be lost in any situation. A fleeting image of a man seated in the dark Peletta Castle crossed his mind, but this was not the time to dwell on that. He quickly dismissed the thought.

"Just now, you mentioned that you didn't make the last move correctly... But is that really the case?"

"...What do you mean?"

Yuder's response was delayed, his mind still clouded with unnecessary thoughts. Kishiar's gaze, though heavy, seemed to carry a different nuance from before, as if reading all of Yuder's thoughts. Yuder, feeling slightly overwhelmed, averted his gaze.

"To think of a response without fully understanding the outcome... Isn't it too early for that?"

Kishiar evidently knew what Yuder was pondering over. It wasn't a surprise, as Kishiar likely shared the same thoughts.

"What more is there to confirm here?"

"Over there."

Regulating his breath, Kishiar slowly lifted his index finger, pointing towards the sky. It seemed he desperately wanted Yuder to look in that direction. Halting his thoughts, Yuder followed the direction indicated by Kishiar's hand.

At first, all he saw was the dark sky and the hail that continued to fall, just as before. It took a moment for his blurred vision to focus, but eventually, he discerned the crack nestled amidst the chaos.

However,

'What's this?'

Something was different. The last time he checked, there had been three cracks. But now, somehow, two had vanished, leaving only one. Yuder blinked repeatedly, doubting his own eyes.

"...There were certainly three before?"

No matter how many times he looked, there was still only one crack. The remaining crack writhed, open-mouthed. The wriggling black shadows inside it sent shivers down the spine, triggering an instinctual sense of danger.

Yet, there was still only one crack. The difference this implied was significant. Yuder hurriedly turned his head back. Kishiar, whose gaze met his, faintly lifted the corners of his lips.

"...Did you see it?"

The situation perfectly matched the name.

Not all moves lead to victory. A move thought to be the best could give the enemy an opportunity, and sometimes, it could lead into a crisis.

However, if one can find something greater than just a finger and a wedding ring, then, and only then, does the ring on the ring finger truly gain meaning and life.

Yuder looked up again at the lone remaining crack. Although it seemed like a crisis with monsters about to pour out any moment, he didn't feel the same as before.

That's when he heard familiar voices nearby.

"Duke."

"Yuder!"

"Your Highness!"

Unlike them, Nathan Zuckerman and Ever, still unscathed, appeared. Behind them were the rest of the Cavalry members, minus those with Kanna earlier, and General Gino leading the Imperial Special Forces, along with his adjutant.

Nathan Zuckerman, who approached faster than anyone else, alternated his gaze between Kishiar and Yuder. He seemed about to reproach Yuder for Kishiar's injured state, despite Yuder's presence, but he just furrowed his brow and said nothing.

It was absurd, but his hesitation seemed as if he couldn't decide whom to support first. Yuder, quickly gesturing towards Kishiar, spoke up.

"The blood is not mine, and as you can see, I can stand on my own. Please attend to the Commander."

"...I wasn't going to say that, but alright."

With a short sigh, Nathan Zuckerman turned to Kishiar. The two exchanged an indiscernible look for a moment.

"My God, Your Highness..."

Finally reaching them, General Gino swallowed hard, unable to continue. He was a mess, but still better off compared to the others.

Yuder took the opportunity to step back slightly as General Gino began speaking hurriedly to Kishiar. He thought standing was fine, but moving made him dizzy, almost causing his knees to buckle.

The hand that steadied him, amidst the pervasive smell of blood, carried a completely different scent.

Turning his head, Yuder's blurry vision settled on a face all too familiar, one he never expected to see here.

"..."

"Good heavens... By God..."

It was Enon, and beside him, Lusan. When had they arrived?

Surrounded by the Cavalry members, Enon stood expressionless. His fierce gaze, so intense that even Yuder, who until moments ago was too enraged to think, flinched. His eyes slowly scanned Yuder's entire body.

A moment later, Enon turned to the Cavalry members and asked,

"My eyes seem a bit off... The burst tomato cluster here, that's not a person, is it?"

"...Enon."

Yuder muttered, but Enon didn't turn his head, instead staring demandingly at the Cavalry members for an answer. Referring to him as a burst tomato cluster was so ruthlessly candid that it was almost absurd, yet no one dared to contradict him, such was the intimidating aura emanating from his entire being.

"How strange. Where did the guy who was supposed to go to a funeral and got all dressed up go? And what on earth is this burst tomato mess? Are you telling me you brought me here to treat this?"

"It's me, Enon."

"Ha, ha. Damn. Do tomatoes talk these days?"

Even the pelting hail seemed to lose its force in front of Enon's dry laughter, a notion that likely wasn't exclusive to Yuder's perception.