Chapter 1024

When Inon had handed over the translated final page of the journal, he had said to Yuder, “This one might be the real one for you.”

It was likely because some of the content within resembled the experiences Yuder had gone through himself.

As Yuder remained still, staring at the final line and lost in thought, Kishiar quietly asked,

“Did the apothecary say anything else?”

“He didn’t claim the contents of the journal were absolutely true or false. But he did say that the first Duke of Ta-in ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) and Luma both believed every word the founding Emperor said.”

Reading through it now, Yuder felt those words had not been misplaced.

“I see. That means... unlike Oblik van Ta-in or Luma, the apothecary himself didn’t entirely dismiss the possibility that some of the information written here might not be wholly accurate.”

“...Is that how it works?”

Yuder was still trying to grasp the nuance when Kishiar began explaining.

“What’s written here is a deeply personal recollection, written long after the founding Emperor passed away. Time dulls everything. And...”

Kishiar extended his hand, pointing to the portion of the final page where the Emperor’s last words had been transcribed.

“This part. Oblik van Ta-in wasn’t present with the founding Emperor from the very beginning of his final moments. He wrote that he had gone away and returned midway, seeing and hearing the Emperor’s last words to Luma from afar. If that’s the case, then this testament likely wasn’t the Emperor’s full statement. Don’t you think?”

“...Ah.”

Yuder nodded as he looked at the spot Kishiar’s finger indicated.

“That makes sense. Which means any full statement or context about what was really said would...”

“Would be better known to the Archmage Luma. We don’t know how much he shared with Oblik van Ta-in, but we already know the two diverged in their research paths later on.”

“......”

The deeper he thought, the harder it all seemed. As Yuder frowned, a pale smile appeared on Kishiar’s lips.

“Well, whatever information Luma alone possessed, we won’t know now. Unless, when we return to the capital, we can find something in the research site the apothecary mentioned...”

But even that wasn’t guaranteed. Inon himself, who was supposedly created by Luma, hadn’t known—so he hadn’t added much more even after translating the journal.

“That’s why we should set aside what we don’t know, and focus only on summarizing what this final journal entry gives us.”

Kishiar moved his hand over the translated papers, raising a single finger.

“First. Oblik van Ta-in wanted to bring his father back to life. He was searching for a way to receive a ‘second chance’—something the founding Emperor himself mentioned. For now, the most logical interpretation is that this ‘chance’ is similar to the second game opportunity you experienced.”

“Yes.”

Kishiar raised a second finger.

“Second. Based on the contents of the journal and what Baron Coelt told us of his actual life, Oblik seems to have pursued methods to reverse time. Eventually, he even began studying the forgotten history before the Great Ruin. Later on, his research appeared to evolve toward uncovering the secrets of the monsters emerging from beyond the rifts. He believed, up to the very end, that the rifts and monsters were somehow related to turning back time. If so...”

Kishiar trailed off before continuing slowly.

“There may have been someone else in the pre-Ruin history who also returned through time or obtained a second chance. Maybe that individual was tied to the monsters and rifts, which is why both Oblik and Luma became so interested. Well, that’s only a theory for now.”

“No... I think it makes sense.”

“Then, lastly—third.”

Kishiar extended his third finger. Unlike before, he didn’t speak immediately, but stayed silent for a long time.

“...Commander?”

Only when Yuder finally prompted him did Kishiar speak. His voice was low and sunken.

“If what’s written here really is the founding Emperor’s final words, then it seems he roughly knew when and how he would die. He said it was Luma who gave him that ‘chance,’ though he didn’t say how. Still... it suggests that his shortened life might have been the price he paid for that second chance.”

“......”

Yuder turned his head. And met a pair of red eyes that had been watching him—not the journal—this entire time.

Eyes as dark and heavy as Yuder had ever seen.

When had they become like that?

A blade-sharp wind seemed to cut down from above. A sensation like heavy stones tumbling down engulfed him.

But this wasn’t Yuder’s emotion. It was something passed through Kishiar’s gaze...

‘......’

And in that moment, the red eyes vanished beneath his closing eyelids. Along with them, the suffocating weight that had crashed into Yuder's chest disappeared entirely.

The man who had shut his eyes now leaned his head gently onto Yuder’s shoulder. Yuder could no longer see his expression, but his breaths came close, deep, and steady.

Thump, thump, thump.

His heart beat fiercely. In all his life, Yuder had never felt so strongly that he had to speak—that he must say something, anything, right now.

Even if that sensation had faded, even if Kishiar had closed off that emotion—it had been real. That depth of feeling still remained in him. Knowing that, how could he let it pass like nothing had happened?

He had to trace the source and say something.

‘So... is the problem the part suggesting the Emperor died young as the price of his second chance?’

Yuder gently placed his hand over the one Kishiar had resting on the journal and began to speak.

“As for the founding Emperor... I don’t know what really happened to him. But I’ve never once thought I was destined to die young since returning here. I don’t plan to die anytime soon, either... and if there had been a chance of that happening, I would have told you right away.”

“......”

“It’s not certain yet. It’s just speculation based on an old record.”

The man resting his head on Yuder’s shoulder exhaled softly.

“...Yeah. I suppose you’re right.”

It sounded like a laugh—or maybe a sigh. It made Yuder’s chest ripple with unease. Was Kishiar recovering slightly? Or was it just a reflex?

Yuder pressed his hand a little more firmly over Kishiar’s. Normally, he would have turned his hand around and held Yuder’s back. But now, he didn’t respond at all.

‘If only I had Kishiar’s way with words...’

After a moment, Kishiar whispered, voice so quiet it barely reached Yuder’s ears.

“To be this old and still so terrible at handling emotions... how disgraceful. Sorry I scared you.”

“...You didn’t.”

“I felt your panic and still couldn’t suppress it right away. That’s my fault. So... let me stay like this for a while. Is that okay?”

Yuder nodded instead of answering.

The sound of the carriage wheels continued for a long while. The sunlight spilling through the windows remained unchanged. Lively voices occasionally drifted in through gaps in the wooden frame. Everything looked just as it always did—an ordinary, peaceful scene.

A peace that Yuder, Kishiar, and all the others had created together.

Listening to those sounds, Yuder slowly exhaled and spoke.

“Commander.”

“......”

“I know it may sound strange, coming from someone who died once and came back... but to be honest, I still don’t understand the true emotion behind the founding Emperor’s calm final words.”

“......”

“If it were me... I don’t think I could have been so calm. Probably not.”

“......”

“So... would you please tell me what you’re thinking? Whatever it is, I’d like to know too.”