Chapter 907 |
Read up to the latest chapter (1346) and more than 2000 chapters of BL novelshere
Chapter 907
"Gloe, now is the time."
"Ah, yes!"
Gloe swiftly responded, retrieving a bundle of cards from her embrace. The ongoing argument between Lusan and Aton subsided momentarily. Yuder, unable to conceal his displeasure, pretended not to notice the change in Aton and spoke with his usual demeanor.
"Shall we make a bet at this juncture?"
"...A bet?"
"I usually don't label others as persistent or terrible, but I've come to think you're an exception. Nevertheless, we still have time here, so we should do something, right? That's why I've prepared this."
"..."
"So, you're suggesting a bet based on card reading now?"
"How do you bet with a reading? Stop talking nonsense and look at these cards."
Aton, furrowing his brows at Yuder's cold remark, glanced at the cards Gloe was holding. Gloe's cards were nothing special, commonly available across the continent and frequently used in various card games.
Of course, the style of the illustrations on the cards was slightly unique, and some special cards used only in games were omitted, though quite worn. However, this did not hinder their use in a game.
"You know what these cards are. Given your history with Duke Tain and gambling, that much is clear."
"..."
"Let's play a game among us here. If you can outscore even one of us, I'll stop the interrogation and leave immediately. You'll be able to rest here for a while."
"..."
"And if you manage to beat me, and not Priest or Gloe, I'll answer your questions to the best of my knowledge."
"What?"
Surprised by the unexpected proposal, even Lusan and Gloe blinked in astonishment. However, Aton, without responding, skeptically glared at Yuder.
"This is absurd. Why should I do that? What assurance do I have?"
"Then continue your fervent debate with the Priest. To be honest, after observing your conversation with the Priest, you seem heavily linked to the Black Moon Faith. So, after today, it might be best to consult with the Sun God Faith and continue the interrogation formally. It's regrettable that I won't uncover it myself, but it can't be helped."
To Aton, these words might sound like an intention to hand him over to the Sun God Faith.
'He probably doubts how close the Faith and the Cavalry are.'
According to his earlier words to Lusan, even during his infiltration of the empire, Aton never stepped foot near the Sun God temple. The hostility and intense dislike he showed towards Lusan, more than Yuder, gave an insight into how different his identity as a knight and Awakener was from his identity as a priest.
'The former might be a matter of pride for him, but the latter would feel like a denial of his entire life and roots.'
The reaction was much more definitive than expected when Lusan was summoned. Hence, there was nothing left to do but exploit the weakness with all his might.
"Officially, the Imperial Grand Temple does not acknowledge any other gods. Naturally, heretics are also objects of rejection. If they are offered the chance to interrogate a criminal like you, who willingly walked into their grasp, I imagine many would be quite delighted. Especially since you were already the talk of the town due to the affair with Duke Tain. If the temple learns something, it would be a double victory for them."
"...”
"Your name will be known in your homeland as a traitor and one who knelt before the name of another god. That is, if you're still alive by then."
Aton's eyes burned brighter than ever before, filled with fury and hatred, glaring at Yuder as if to tear him apart.
"...So you're saying you'll kill me in the most dishonorable way."
"If you're going to die anyway, what does it matter if it's honorable or not?"
"Ha. Do you think I came here without preparing for even that?"
"I merely suggested a game. If you don't like it, refuse. It's just your loss of a final chance to beat me. I don't care. The rest is up to the temple."
The Cavalry is busy. There are many things to do, so there's no time to waste on the likes of you. If you refuse, the rest is not my concern. Yuder made his stance clear.
"...If I had my sword, I would have torn you apart right here."
Yuder, unfazed by Aton's cursed tone, coldly scoffed.
"Seems you've forgotten, even with your sword, you couldn't lay a scratch on me."
"..."
"Puffing up your pride while being so weak doesn't scare anyone. Know your place."
"I could beat you here with bare fists." The moment he said that, Aton clenched his teeth, a grinding sound filling the air. His jaw tightened, and his eyes blazed with bloodshot veins. Yuder thought coldly.
'Such a definite reaction.'
If this was the attitude of one who boasted of his readiness, he should revise what readiness means.
In the Southern countries, the roles of knights and priests are akin to that of nobility in the Empire. Although he must have prepared himself for a lot when he came to the Empire as a spy, a person who lived a life of noble responsibility wouldn't want to die in the most filthy and miserable way, his identity tarnished.
That's how the nobles Yuder knew were, and Aton was no exception.
His face, which had remained proud and dignified even under prolonged interrogation, now showed significant cracks.
"....You."
"So, will you do it or not? Answer quickly. There's an interrogation to do anyway, and we need to do something in the remaining time. I'm not particularly keen on it either."
To put it mildly, he even brought someone who could read cards. Glancing at Gloe's cards, her cheeks slightly flushed.
'I did well to explain beforehand that most of what is said here is false.'
Yuder watched Aton, who struggled to respond, then sighed deeply and leaned back in his chair. His eyes, half-lidded and expressionless, fixed on Aton, causing him to stiffen.
"Think clearly. If you know what honor is, you would understand which is better to converse with – me, who will beat you honorably, or the temple. I'll give you one last chance."
"..."
"Gloe, Priest. Please sit down. Let's start the cards."
Even though Aton did not respond, Yuder issued an order. Gloe and Lusan promptly pulled chairs nearby and sat down.
"Commander's Assistant, what... kind of card game will we be playing?"
"If we're looking for the simplest game for four players, it would be 'Cloverleaf.'"
Cloverleaf was the easiest and most straightforward card game for four players. It allowed for scoring zero and ranking, and the time to get into the game was relatively short.
Gloe, with a tense face, gripped the cards tightly, then began shuffling and dealing. In that moment, Yuder noticed a faint shimmer of power emanating from her fingers but casually ignored it and spoke.
"Aton. If you manage to beat me, I will do more than just answer your questions. I'll grant you a favor to some extent. For instance, I could... agree to another duel."
"...”
Aton let out a baffled snort. His glaring eyes were a mix of incredulity and various emotions. Most were tinged with feelings deserving of harsh and negative words, but not all of them.
"You're not someone who's just interrogated a few, Yuder Aile. How old are you, really? I've never heard of someone like you."
"What would you do with my age? Even though you're older, you're no more experienced than me. What's there to boast about?"
"The cards... are all dealt."
Before Aton could react angrily, Gloe finished her task and raised her hand.
'Good. Aton hasn't realized that Gloe already used her abilities.'
Hi, if you like the story, please rate and review this novel on novelupdates. Thanks!
Read up to the latest chapter (1346) and more than 2000 chapters of BL novelshere
Check out these other novels as well!!!
[BL] A Guide From a Strange World
Nain, the prince of the Mage Royal Family, born without magical abilities, is caught by a mysterious shadow while on his journey and falls into another world. Struggling to adapt to this strange new world, one day, a powerful yet ill-tempered Esper named Ash appears. He claims to have saved Nain and promises to return him to his original world if Nain becomes his personal guide. Reluctantly, Nain and Ash enter into a partnership. What is the true intention behind Ash’s obsession with Nain? “If you’re frustrated, you should’ve just told me.” “…” “I might’ve helped solve that problem with all my might…” The man said this in a teasing tone, as if about to undo all the buttons of his shirt, playfully placing his hand near his collarbone. The sound of the police officers’ chuckles grew louder, and laughter spread around the room. Unable to tolerate their mockery any longer, Nain shouted with his face flushed bright red. “It’s not that!” Nain spoke firmly. He swore, he had never made illegal drugs like narcotics or aphrodisiacs. It was ridiculous to be suddenly dragged into this situation with such absurd accusations. “Nain.” “You know, I really…” “So, have you found someone to replace me yet?” The man whispered, his voice lowering. As expected, he had something else in mind. At that moment, Nain’s eyes wavered, and the man let out a small, amused laugh. “It’s language, right?” “I told you… right now, there’s no one but me for you.”
[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."
[BL] Desire Me If You Can
"Dane?"
"Yeah, the bastard who smashed your head with a fire extinguisher."
Greyson Miller's life goal was to find his destined mate, just like Papa and Daddy who gave birth to him.
However, despite dating countless people, he hadn't found the right one.
He even visited a supposedly skilled shaman
who told him his destined mate would be someone with a 'large chest' and connected to 'fire'.
While wondering how to make the connection,
a sudden fire broke out at a pheromone party he attended,
and as he was playing around with Omegas spreading his pheromones,
he lost consciousness after being affected by a certain extreme Omega's pheromone control.
After waking up, Greyson realized his destined mate was at the fire station,
and asked his father to help him get a job there through connections.
But from day one, he gets into physical fights with firefighters who are wary of him,
and becomes particularly entangled with that Dane Striker fellow...
[BL] Moonlit Night, Moonlit Sleep, Moonlit Cup
Baek Ri Cheong-ra, the true disciple of the Moon Lake Sect, was renowned in the martial arts world for his achievements beyond his age, his neat and beautiful appearance, and his righteous character. However, he harbored a strange and secret desire that others would surely point fingers at if they knew about it. That desire was to be completely dominated by someone. However, there was little chance of that desire being fulfilled in reality. Not only did Baek Ri Cheong-ra strongly dislike his beauty being disheveled or appearing vulgar, but his desire also had very demanding conditions (the person had to be clearly stronger than Cheong-ra, never yielding no matter how much resistance he put up, not vulgar but elegant yet with a rough and ruthless side to their personality, not someone who wanted to kill him, and above all, had to be exceptionally good-looking). Therefore, Cheong-ra thought that he would never be able to realize this desire in reality. That was until he encountered a man who seemed to be molded exactly to his ideal type. *** "Did I say I regret it?" Dang Ran-yeong said with a smile on his face, and for a moment, Cheong-ra forgot his anger. In front of him was the perfect and ideal body of a martial artist. It was a perfect muscular physique that could be called a heavenly gift. Thick pectoral muscles and solid abs were clearly visible beneath. This was because he was only wearing a red silk robe loosely draped over his bare upper body. Due to the state of his attire, which barely covered his shoulders and back, his muscular upper body was fully exposed. It was an exposure so lazy that it made the onlooker feel embarrassed. Cheong-ra's eyes wavered. Noticing Cheong-ra's gaze, Dang Ran-yeong grinned, revealing his teeth. "Young Master Baek Ri." Then, in the blink of an eye, he slammed Cheong-ra against the wall. The red robe fluttered and settled due to the swift movement that occurred without warning. Cheong-ra couldn't move an inch because of his arm that was painfully twisted behind his back. As he broke out in a cold sweat, Dang Ran-yeong pressed him even harder against the wall and spoke into his ear. "I had my suspicions before, but now I know for sure." "What is this sudden behavior...!" Cheong-ra's mouth, which was about to protest against his arm being twisted even more as if it would be pulled out of his shoulder, closed shut. A groan escaped involuntarily. Dang Ran-yeong's body, pressing against his back and immobilizing him, was as hard as a rock. Dang Ran-yeong's hand slipped inside Cheong-ra's clothes. "I never thought that behind such a pretty face and noble demeanor, you'd be a perverted bastard." The grip of his hand was so rough that it felt like the flesh would be torn off. "No! What nonsense are you spouting!" Cheong-ra barely managed to struggle with all his might, trying to break free. Dang Ran-yeong spoke so close that his lips pressed against Cheong-ra's earlobe. His thick, low-pitched voice resonated in Cheong-ra's eardrums and invaded deep into his mind. Cheong-ra's mind turned blank. Due to their excessive proximity, something heavy was pressing against the base of his tailbone. "Did you think I wouldn't notice how you look at me longingly every time I beat you up?"
[BL] The Doomed Mercenary’s Last Chance
The doomed mercenary Kinain, having lost everything due to his brother’s scheme and despairing over the death of his lover, spirals out of control.
While searching for a way to restore the city turned to stone due to his rampage, he heads to the dragon’s palace, enticed by the promise that becoming a dragon’s mate can grant him anything he desires. However,
“You’re quite unlucky, human. You could have died without pain right now.”
The dragon he meets harbors nothing but hatred for humans and plans to torment him in any way possible…
Even stranger is that Kinain, upon seeing the dragon, is reminded of his deceased lover. Despite having no resemblance in appearance or personality, the dragon’s eyes, identical to those of his lover, play a cruel trick of fate.
*
“Don’t mistake spending me rut with you as an invitation to be my mate. You’re merely a plaything to pass the time.”
“I know that. So I hope you’ll soon find a proper mate.”
The dragon finding a good mate and becoming happy was all Kinain wished for in the little time he had left.
“…You want me to find a mate quickly, huh?”
Why did it feel like the dragon’s mu*derous intent had grown even thicker?
“Then you…”
“Ugh, wait!”
“Are you going out to seduce another alpha?”
The dragon gripped Kinain’s wrist tightly, as if to break it, and whispered in a low, gloomy voice.
“No. You can’t do that. Even if I find a mate, you’ll still have to remain here.”