Turning-Chapter 931

"The previous enemy came from the sky, but this time, the enemy will likely come from the sea."

No one could perfectly predict natural disasters with human power. The same was true for the frequency and location of monster outbreaks. There were areas where monsters rarely appeared, but even that was known only through long-accumulated experience. No great magic or brilliant mind could foresee danger and prepare for it flawlessly.

Even Yuder, who had seen the disasters of the future, could not escape that limitation. After arriving in the South this time, he had already witnessed many phenomena different from what he remembered. The unusual vibrations now happening under the sea were strikingly similar to the early stages of the great southern earthquake from his previous life, yet the timing was several years earlier.

Taking all these variables into account, he tried to prepare for everything as much as possible, and though Kishiar's words were also his own will, if it had been Yuder speaking, he would not have stated it so decisively. It was too difficult to convince people of certainty based solely on present elements when the assurance came from future knowledge.

Nevertheless, everyone present now nodded without a trace of doubt at Kishiar's words.

Yuder thought that was precisely Kishiar's strength.

Just because one honestly revealed their intentions didn't guarantee the other side would fully accept them. Gaining and maintaining trust while working entangled with others was an incredibly difficult task.

Even so, Kishiar, in his own way, had accomplished it all, despite the tough circumstances where he couldn't even properly step forward after the day of hail. Even suspicious and seemingly unrealistic affirmations, when laid atop the groundwork he had prepared beforehand, felt completely natural. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

When he smiled, no matter how serious the situation, it felt as if everything had already been prepared. The heavy, difficult task of bearing the faith, expectations, anxiety, and fear of so many people here seemed not just light but even joyful to him.

'If I hadn't known that it was because of the long years he was forced to be suppressed and do nothing, I would have thought it was just something inexplicable.'

But now he knew. He knew how thoroughly Kishiar had prepared to face such a situation willingly, and what he dreamed of and hoped to achieve.

Because he knew, Yuder did not stop the one who must lead everyone from stepping forward first into this dangerous situation. Even though he clearly remembered that Kishiar had only recently recovered from a serious injury.

It wasn't because he optimistically believed it wouldn't be dangerous, or that he wouldn't get hurt. The reasons might differ, but Kishiar probably held similar thoughts toward Yuder—and neither of them said anything for the same reason.

Because they both knew how important today was, they worried but did not block each other’s path.

Yuder saw Princess Mayra moving quickly to protect and evacuate the southern people, and Meghna disappearing ahead at a brisk pace to deliver a report to General Gino. Kanna, Ever, and Steber divided up their assigned members and received permission with seamless coordination as if they had planned it beforehand.

Yuder’s task here was simple. He was the only one who remembered exactly how the southern great earthquake had started in his previous life and knew better than anyone else where the most dangerous place would be.

He now intended to head there.

'The Shalama Sea, the initial starting point of the southern great earthquake.'

The Shalama Sea was the name used by fishermen for the coastal waters in front of the southern area centered around Sharloin. It included all the regions most heavily damaged in his ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) previous life. It had little sandy shore and incredibly deep waters. For that reason, it was also famous for rare marine life gathering there.

'The coastline looks like a place meant to trap water, with depressions here and there, and the seabed is very deep while the land levels are low.'

As he had previously told Kishiar, if a storm surged or a giant wave arose, the nearby areas could be submerged instantly due to the geography. The only reason it hadn't happened before was simply that the region rarely experienced rain or earthquakes—nothing more, nothing less.

The excessively long peace had made people forget to stay alert. In his previous life, because there had been no preparation for a potential disaster, those who couldn't evacuate properly suffered tremendous losses.

Most of the populous villages in the South were located along the coast. When the earthquake swept them away at once, the scale of the damage was, naturally, enormous.

At that time, among the four areas Yuder had pointed out, including Sharloin, three were completely destroyed and submerged by waves, and the last collapsed entirely as the ground, weakened by the disaster, gave way and swallowed the entire village.

But it didn't end there. After the coastal areas became a chaotic flood due to the undersea earthquake, aftershocks spread like clockwork to surrounding regions. Yet, what truly tormented the survivors was not just the aftershocks but the monsters swept ashore from the depths and the subsequent plagues caused by injured people and rotting corpses.

Monsters from deep underwater almost never encountered humans normally. However, with the coastline submerged, they could continue to affect the land nearby.

It had taken a very long time to completely exterminate those monsters that had worsened the suffering of people already devastated by the earthquake.

'Ultimately, everything started from the Shalama Sea—the first enormous earthquake that would engulf the entire South. If I can block that properly, I can almost completely prevent the chain of disasters.'

"Yuder."

Yuder lifted his head at the voice calling him. Steber stood before him with several members gathered. They were all Awakeners specialized in manipulating water. They were also the ones Yuder had previously told Steber to immediately gather and bring to him if something like today happened.

"You’re here."

"Hmm. So it’s come to this. It's a bit strange moving together like this for the first time. I just hope this old man won't drag the young folks down. Are you really sure it's okay for me to join?"

Steber gave a small laugh. His words were light, but his gaze was serious.

He was the man who, in Yuder’s previous life, had been unable to ascend to vice-commander despite his outstanding skill and popularity because of Yuder himself. In this life, because he often remained in the capital for family reasons, he hadn’t had many opportunities to demonstrate his abilities, which had caused him to doubt himself quite a bit.

But Yuder was more certain than Steber himself that his abilities would be more useful today than anyone else’s.

"The Commander didn’t select the vice-commander based on age. Even if you make a mistake, I’m here—what’s there to worry about?"

"Haha, true enough. Right. With the spirit of our Cavalry gathered here, we might actually be much safer than the others. I just whined because I’m feeling nervous."

Steber chuckled awkwardly.

"Just do as we discussed before. No more, no less. Focus on that."

"Got it."

"Please depart first. I’ll follow shortly."

"Understood."

Watching Steber hurry off with the water-handling members, Yuder approached Kishiar.

"Commander."

"Steber's team already sent ahead?"

"Yes."

Without needing words, Kishiar, who already knew where Yuder was headed, smiled.

"Good. Then let’s finish our final checks and head out too."

To avoid repeating the unexpected mistakes that had occurred during the day of hail due to everyone moving too hastily, Kishiar remained until the end, thoroughly checking everything around.

Only after confirming everything perfectly—the guards left to protect the branch, the prison situation, the medical department, emergency dispatch routes, and evacuation information—did he finally step out the branch's gates.

"Let’s go."

Yuder followed behind Kishiar, who walked ahead confidently, wearing at his side the sword that now marked him as the new Swordmaster and the chosen of the Divine Sword. The sight stirred new feelings inside Yuder.

Far ahead, from beyond the cloudy sky, the rumbling sound continued to echo repeatedly.

As if someone were calling, toward the thundering sound, they leapt forward without hesitation.