Turning Chapter 1052
Previously on Turning...
“So this was here, too.”
Yuder carefully retrieved the object. The wooden fragment was etched with minuscule, intricate characters that remained indecipherable to him, just as before. Kishiar offered a smile, seemingly sharing the same observation.
“So it’s not only the pharmacist who possesses them, it seems.”
“Apparently not. Commander, have you ever encountered records like these being used in a place such as this before?”
As he posed the question, his fingers idly grazed the engraved lettering.
In that precise moment, the characters seemed to blur, and a faint glimmer flickered within Yuder’s insight. Before he could even process what it was, an ungraspable surge of content suddenly overwhelmed his mind.
—If you have returned to this place once more, and if your objective here is one that cannot be easily achieved, then lingering here would be the least of your priorities...
“Yuder?”
—Thump.
Startled by Kishiar’s voice, Yuder flinched, and the wooden fragment slipped from his now-frozen fingers. Only then did his senses fully reorient, and the fleeting thought, °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •°, vanished as rapidly as it had appeared.
“Ah.”
What on earth had that been?
“What’s wrong? Your eyes turned golden.”
Kishiar’s gaze swept over him, laced with a cautious expression. Yuder found himself struggling to articulate the bizarre event in a coherent manner.
“When I touched the inscription with my fingers, it felt as though I glimpsed something—like a peculiar thought crossed my mind. It’s difficult to explain… It startled me a bit.”
“It appears it’s more than just a record, then. It seems to have been imbued with some form of unknown magic.”
Kishiar directed his attention toward Inon. The man, disturbingly engrossed, was crouched amongst the wooden fragments, barely discernible.
“Inon. There’s something here.”
“…….”
“Inon.”
Despite Yuder’s call, Inon remained unresponsive. After a moment of quiet deliberation, Kishiar reached out.
“Allow me to examine it as well.”
Yuder maintained a state of readiness, poised to react should any unforeseen event arise. However, it soon became evident that Kishiar did not share the same peculiar experience. He meticulously turned the wooden piece over and over, scrutinizing it with narrowed eyes.
“No matter how many times I handle it, nothing occurs for me. It is certainly not an ordinary wooden fragment. There is an extremely faint magical current present on the surface… But that is all.”
“Isn’t the text written in an archaic script? Since you can read it, perhaps you could simply read it aloud…”
“Regrettably, it is not purely archaic script. Even I find it challenging to decipher. It is not uncommon for mages to employ personal ciphers known only to themselves.”
“I see.”
“There must be a specific methodology required to interpret this. The pharmacist likely possesses the means to unlock it with ease. As for you, your insight is probably allowing you to perceive it partially.”
Kishiar possessed magical abilities. He might have been able to investigate it more thoroughly with magecraft, but he did not appear inclined to pursue it further. Given that Inon would likely provide all the answers once he regained his focus, Yuder conceded that Kishiar’s cautious approach was indeed fitting.
Yet, even Kishiar could discern nothing from it, and still, I did—without any effort. This ‘insight’… it truly is perplexing.
When Inon had initially discussed magical insight, he had stated it was a power attainable only by great mages. Up until this point, Yuder hadn't truly grasped its significance. At best, it had aided his vision in dim light.
But now, having effortlessly seen through Grand Mage Luma’s magic on two occasions, despite lacking profound magical knowledge himself, he couldn't deny having acquired something extraordinary. It didn't feel entirely pleasant, perhaps because it wasn't something he had earned through his own efforts—more akin to a gift bestowed upon him.
If I hadn't absorbed Kishiar’s mana, I wouldn't even possess this… But now I comprehend why Inon described it as marvelous.
Although touching the wooden fragment had felt somewhat peculiar, it hadn't felt dangerous. Perhaps it would be acceptable to examine it once more before Inon fully recovered.
“I am going to attempt looking at this again. I do not anticipate any negative outcomes, but if I seem distracted, please assist me in regaining my focus.”
“You shouldn’t even need to ask. I will be watching. Proceed with caution.”
Evidently, Kishiar concurred with his assessment and did not hinder his actions. Yuder extended his hand and once again picked up the wooden fragment. The instant his fingers made contact with the inscribed lettering, his vision wavered, and more information began to permeate his consciousness.
—The extent of the future I can foresee is severely restricted, but if you have journeyed here in search of me, I can at least surmise the reason.
—My Guardian. Do you believe the time has come to fulfill the task I entrusted to you?
As if perusing a text, silent words streamed through his mind like a swift wind. Yuder bit his lip, striving to maintain his concentration as the golden luminescence in his eyes intensified. An ever-increasing volume of information flooded his awareness—far more than before.
—The realm where I instructed you to gather and safeguard the surviving populace… That particular land was the least affected by the currents of change.
—We erected seven barriers there to prolong the balance for as long as feasible. It was akin to supporting a precarious plate with pillars.—Perpetuity is an illusion. Perhaps the destiny of mortals is to fight against the inevitable, even with the foreknowledge of defeat.—If the dreaded era my old companion foresaw has truly returned, then we shall finally ascertain the worth of that desperate endeavor.—Alas, my presence will not grace that revelation.The words surged through his consciousness with the speed of light. Curiously, it resonated as if spoken.A serene, unfathomable warmth emanated from that silent presence, consistently echoing within his mind.—This is the reason I placed all my trust in you.—However, our pact is not eternal. Nothing is.—Guardian. Should you still deem that promise worthy of fulfillment——If you have arrived here believing that land remains worth defending——Then, divest yourself of your corporeal form and return to your origin.—So that, at the very least, the domain you protect——Within the scope of our capabilities——Shall not succumb, until the bitter end...“Hey!”Yuder was jolted from his reverie by a sudden grasp on his shoulders. Inon stood before him—when had he arrived?“Wake up! You can’t stay still for a moment when I leave you alone!”“Are you alright?”Kishiar, standing beside Inon, gently placed a hand on Yuder and inquired. Yuder blinked slowly, then nodded.“...Yes. I believe I am unharmed.”“You’re going to be the end of me, I swear! What in the world did you witness? And where did you even find this?”Inon snatched the wooden shard from Yuder’s grasp.“It was within the desk’s drawer. I touched it inadvertently, and it was as if the message simply materialized in my mind. I wanted to examine it more closely.”“This can only be deciphered by channeling mana in Grand Mage Luma’s unique method. I had no inkling that someone with your perception could read it so readily… Damnation.”“It didn’t feel perilous… did it?”At Yuder’s question, Inon’s brow furrowed.“Just touching it is harmless! But if an inexperienced mage attempts to probe it with flawed magic, it spells disaster. It will drain all their mana and claim their life.”“…”Yuder’s gaze instinctively drifted towards Kishiar’s expression.It was a profound relief that Kishiar had refrained from attempting to use magic on the fragment.Indeed, choosing not to investigate it in the manner of a mage was a prudent decision. Kishiar, accustomed to handling ancient magical artifacts, undoubtedly understood the inherent dangers and necessary precautions for such items.Yuder let out a soft breath and spoke.“If the information I received is accurate, then that wooden fragment… it appears to be a message Grand Mage Luma left for you.”“…What?”Inon froze, his expression one Yuder had never encountered before.