Chapter 165
[Aren't you just getting better at being a con artist?]
"Squeak, squeak."
Kraush maintained his smile while listening to the noisy sounds of the outsiders.
Violen was inherently suspicious by nature.
Even if treated with goodwill, she would only grow more doubtful and step back further.
Well, it was only natural.
With half of her flowing blood belonging to the World Erosion Beings, she had lived her life constantly wary of everyone.
Though she was the child of the Mahwang, the Mahwang didn't actively take care of her.
'To the Mahwang, Violen was merely an object of curiosity.'
What would happen if a World Erosion Being and a human had a child?
For the sake of that curiosity, he willingly brought in a Barrier Master—another World Erosion Being—to conceive a child.
And the product of that was Violen.
Once Violen fulfilled his condition of interest, she no longer held any value to the Mahwang.
However, that didn't mean he withheld resources, as her living requirements were still met.
So Violen had to grow up alone.
'In any case, mages are all the same.'
Mages are those who reach the ultimate ends of curiosity and research.
Thus, they would cross ethical boundaries or lines they shouldn't cross, all in the name of exploration.
That's why, if one were to list the craziest people in the world, mages would take up all ten fingers every time.
This is why Kraush disliked the field of magic.
Even the Mahwang, the pinnacle of magic, was such a madman—how much different could others possibly be?
Thus, Kraush was constantly irritated by Abella, the Red Witch, who had regressed alongside him.
To Kraush, she was like a ticking time bomb that could go off at any moment.
Kraush decided to stop thinking about it any further.
There were too many tasks at hand to dwell on things he couldn't solve right now.
For now, it was Violen, who was right in front of him, that mattered.
"It's simple. Just create a barrier that prevents other World Erosion Beings from recognizing me."
"......What?"
Violen once again had a dumbfounded expression on her face.
Her face clearly conveyed, 'What on earth are you talking about?'
However, Kraush continued speaking without concern.
"You see, I've become a target of the World Erosion Beings. I need to block that somehow."
The Black Witch, who was observing the situation through the Mad Blade Emperor, stared directly at Kraush with both eyes.
She certainly wouldn't be unaware that he was the youngest direct descendant of Balheim.
Yet, for now, she wouldn't dare approach recklessly.
This was because the series of information revolving around Kraush was too suspicious.
Kraush, who had been fighting earlier in front of the Mad Blade Emperor, freely wielded the power of World Erosion.
Even that alone provided plenty of reasons for doubt.
The more one investigated Kraush's actions so far, the stranger they seemed.
'By now, she must have noticed that even Ebelasque and Crimson Garden are lingering around me.'
The Black Witch held the noble cause of creating the God of World Erosion.
A single mistake could ruin everything.
Naturally, she couldn't help but tread carefully.
'The situation is vastly different from when she could casually abduct Rai's son.'
Thus, for the time being, the Black Witch was merely observing Kraush's movements without approaching him.
'But that won't last much longer.'
If she's the Black Witch, she'll soon piece together the information and make her move.
'Whether that takes the form of a deal or an abduction.'
Everything depended on how Kraush handled the situation.
And for that, he needed Violen's Barrier Technique.
If he couldn't directly inspect the individuals approaching to gather information.
Naturally, it would appear even more meaningful.
'I need to become a cluster of variables that the Ixion guys can't ignore.'
Kraush stared directly at Violen.
Her face held a complicated expression in many ways.
Well, after showing the power of World Erosion as the youngest of Balheim.
And then saying he needed to avoid the eyes of the World Erosion Beings, her mind simply couldn't keep up.
"......You."
At last, Violen awkwardly moved her lips and slyly asked.
"Is your mother by any chance a World Erosion Being?"
Her eyes trembled roughly.
It was a question worth asking, born from her own doubts.
Just as she had, Kraush also possessed the blood of a World Erosion Being.
And because of that, wasn't he also connected to the World Erosion Beings somehow?
Thus, her question carried an unspoken hope that perhaps she had met someone of the same kind.
When a lonely island in the vast sea discovers another island, it's only natural to feel glad.
Seeing this, Kraush pondered for a moment.
If he wanted to, Kraush could have told her a benevolent lie.
However, he chose not to do so.
He knew the betrayal she would feel when the truth came out later would be even greater.
"No, neither of them have any connection to the World Erosion Beings."
"Ah, I see......."
The moment she heard his words, a fleeting emotion of regret passed through Violen's eyes.
Without realizing it, she had been clinging to the idea of having someone of the same kind.
Since there was no one in this world who could truly understand her situation.
That was why she couldn't hide her disappointment.
"But."
Kraush slowly rolled the same Black Flame around his hand as before.
"I do know exactly what it's like to be consumed by the World Erosion."
Kraush suppressed the frenzy of World Erosion using Doll's Eye and various devices.
World Erosion is a deadly poison to humans.
So he also knew just how vicious that poison could be.
"And I'll help you so that you won't have to fight against the World Erosion anymore."
"......"
A lack of empathy.
Violen had always been an isolated island by herself.
For someone who could only live independently without receiving help from anyone.
The appearance of someone able to help carried a weight beyond her imagination.
To meet someone who had endured and overcome the same hardships as her.
That alone could unexpectedly make a person more steadfast.
Kraush knew this better than anyone.
That was why he had intentionally approached Violen.
[To me, who belongs to neither the World Erosion Beings nor humanity, damn, neither matters at all.]
Remembering her words shouted out in anger, Kraush gazed at Violen.
"......."
Violen silently stared back at Kraush.
Various thoughts were flashing through her eyes.
Because for the first time, she had met someone who could truly understand her situation.
"......You proposed a deal to me because you figured I wouldn't accept help easily with my damn personality, didn't you?"
And her next words were, in many ways, truly like her.
"Think whatever you want."
Violen clenched her two fists tightly.
After remaining silent for a long time, she untied the hair that had been bound with a ribbon using her hand.
With that, her silver hair fell free with a swish.
She used to tie her hair up deliberately because seeing her natural hair color constantly reminded her that she was the child of a Barrier Master.
But for some reason, it no longer mattered to her now.
She lifted her chin with a snort and exhaled through her nose.
Despite her ferocious expression, her face seemed considerably more tranquil.
Because the realization that she was not on a remote island in the middle of the vast sea unexpectedly dug deep into her heart.
"......How are you supposed to make something like that? I can't even manage my World Erosion."
"Haha."
Kraush laughed at her words.
When Violen raised her eyes slightly at Kraush's laughter, he grinned maliciously.
"Well, unfortunately, next month, you'll have to put the shell back on again."
It was a way of saying that if she wanted to live like a proper person, she had to figure out how to make it.
Violen's face was filled with astonishment.
Just moments ago, he had been talking about helping her and whatnot, and now, in an instant, he was showing this attitude.
It was absolutely exasperating.
However, his words were perfect for igniting the rebellious spirit inherent in her nature.
"Damn it, fine, let's do it. I'll make something even you can't criticize! I've already bitten into the poisoned apple, so what can't I do!"
Violen screamed and turned her body sharply, stomping away.
Unlike usual, perhaps due to her short legs, she almost tripped but resolutely kept her pace.
Instead, her face was now filled with determination.
Because on a path that seemed endless, a signpost finally started to appear.
Watching her back as she walked away, Kraush massaged his face.
It was because making such an enigmatic expression had stiffened his face.
[ Why are you acting as if it's difficult when it's an expression you always make? ]
He decided to pretend he hadn't heard Crimson Garden's remark.
[ So what did you mix into that reagent? ]
Crimson Garden seemed unconvinced about the part that stabilized Violen's World Erosion.
Kraush's words were plausible, but the truth was that Kraush had only been able to handle the World Erosion thanks to the Doll's Eye and the Secret Technique, Extreme Blood Immersion Poison.
Since planting the Doll's Eye in Violen wasn't an option, there was no appropriate solution for her.
Kraush nonchalantly explained the solution to Crimson Garden's question.
Because it wasn't particularly a special story, anyway.
"Violen was almost at the completed stage of Barrier Technique from the beginning."
Violen had desperately studied Barrier Technique to survive.
Combined with magic, her Barrier Technique was indeed close to perfection, just as Kraush claimed.
However, even Violen had her shortcomings.
While she had reached a new Barrier Technique that merged magic and barriers, she lacked knowledge regarding reagents.
"So just by changing the materials used in the reagents, the results can vary drastically."
That was why he had asked Darling to prepare medicine.
The fact that Violen had accidentally used an interrogation drug, thinking it was a reagent, and achieved this result only further proved the point.
In other words, strictly speaking, Kraush wasn't even worthy of proposing a deal.
This issue had been resolved purely thanks to Darling.
[ You were born a con artist. ]
"It's just making use of everything available, isn't it?"
In any case, if both parties benefit, isn't that what matters?
* * *
After making a deal with Violen like that.
Violen came to Kraush every day.
"Hey, damn it, I succeeded this time!"
When Kraush finished his martial arts training and came outside, Violen was standing there holding a necklace in her hand.
After Kraush had smashed Arsolder Freya and the members of the Imperial Faction.
No one dared to touch him anymore.
Everyone knew that provoking him would only bring disaster.
So when they saw Violen casually throwing out rude remarks at Kraush, the kids were initially stunned.
However, Kraush didn't particularly stop her.
On the contrary, seeing him respond to her as if he were used to it, the kids also gradually became accustomed to Violen.
Moreover, the fact that she was Violen Sedney was a significant revelation.
Even if Violen tried to hide it, her name was inevitably revealed whenever the professor called roll.
Naturally, her identity was bound to be exposed at the academy.
The realization that such a cute little girl was inside the great Violen.
For a while, it became a hot topic among the kids.
But as time passed, things calmed down a bit.
"You're so cute. Violen, do you want this?"
"Sis brought cookies!"
Due to her innate appearance, it was inevitable that she monopolized the affection of the female students.
Especially, the women from the Martial Arts Department particularly doted on Violen.
Because compared to the rough and rugged people in martial arts, the delicate and pristine Violen stood out starkly.
"Damn it, what the hell is wrong with you all!"
Of course, Violen herself shrieked in exasperation.
Kraush passed through the group of women for Violen.
Thankfully, they quickly moved aside when Kraush approached.
They knew there was nothing to gain from getting involved with him.
"Give it here."
Kraush took Violen's necklace.
Then, he placed it around his neck and looked at the brooch.
[ I see. ]
If it could evade the eyes of the World Erosion Beings, it should also evade Crimson Garden's eyes.
However, it failed to evade Crimson Garden's eyes.
"It's no good."
In other words, it was a failure.
Kraush removed the necklace and returned it to Violen.
To which she muttered 'Damn it.' while grinding her teeth.
But, as if she'd somewhat expected it, she immediately turned around and dashed off.
She certainly had the competitive spirit.
Until it was perfected, she would keep bringing it like that.
A good attitude.
'Her expression is getting better and better.'
Initially, perhaps because she was uncomfortable with her original appearance, Violen had shown a very timid attitude.
To the point where she had worried about others finding out she was Violen.
However, as she became more comfortable with her appearance and others' evaluations started to ease, Violen slowly began to adapt to her current life.
And that adaptation impacted her more profoundly than she could have imagined.
Having always lived with a shell on, she didn't know how to sincerely approach people.
Especially since the World Erosion had been consuming her, she had to spend all her time narrowly escaping death and focusing solely on mastering Barrier Techniques.
Naturally, she hadn't formed a single proper human relationship, nor did she have the time to build one.
But now that her World Erosion had stabilized, and she could maintain her original appearance, her situation had completely changed.
For one, she could hear the evaluations of those around her more truthfully.
Having worn a shell, she had always reacted negatively to others' opinions, but now, she could finally show honest reactions.
This, surprisingly, helped her recover the many broken emotions within her heart.
Moreover, with her daily efforts in mastering Barrier Techniques, the situation where she couldn't divert her attention elsewhere had been resolved.
Thanks to that, she was able to turn her attention to various things around her.
The effect brought about several changes to her, far beyond her imagination.
To the point where even while creating a Barrier to avoid the gaze of the World Erosion Beings, as Mr. Kraush had requested, she found herself with time to spare.
It was then that she realized one thing.
That the task Mr. Kraush had requested was filling the emptiness that could have otherwise consumed her after she lost her goal.
That fact, unknowingly, helped her not to stop and allowed her to move forward.
"Kraush!"
Perhaps because of that, she found this time every day to be quite fulfilling.
"Again."
Even though her teeth clenched when Mr. Kraush coldly shouted "again," she looked forward to figuring out how to improve next time.
And the days when she could put him in his place made her heart flutter slightly.
Somehow, the world began to appear increasingly vast.
She never thought she would live such a fulfilling life.
"Again."
Today too, when Mr. Kraush shouted "again," she snatched the Pendant from him, turned around, and started running before stopping.
Turning her head, she saw several people had gathered around him before she knew it.
He had a knack for attracting people.
Although he was just as rough around the edges as she was.
Those near him knew well that his inner self was not like that.
Kraush shared many similarities with her.
Perhaps because of that, such a thought entered her mind.
Maybe, she too could live like that.
"...Haha."
Somehow, an absurd laugh escaped her lips.
For a moment, it was amusing that she had such a thought.
But it made her realize how much she herself was becoming stable.
On the other hand, another regret arose in her heart.
Eventually, the day would come when she would finish the Barrier Mr. Kraush had requested.
At that time, would she perhaps, fall into an uncontrollable emptiness?
Her life's goal had been solely survival.
After her mother left, and her father abandoned her, what could be the goal of her life?
"Violen."
On the days when she subtly harbored such thoughts.
As usual, after shouting "again," Mr. Kraush stopped Violen, who was about to leave.
"If you have a desire to find your mother."
Violen's pupils slowly began to widen.
"After completing the Barrier, come find me again. I'll give you a clue."
To find her mother.
It was something she had never once thought about.
Her lips moved slightly.
It meant, "How on earth do you know something like that?"
But Mr. Kraush said nothing further and turned away.
Staring blankly at his retreating figure, Violen tightly clenched the trial Pendant she had made.
"Did you learn mind-reading or something...?"
However, for some reason, she felt as if something in her heart had been filled.
Whether he did it intentionally or to urge her to complete the Barrier, she couldn't be sure.
At least, it was clear that he was filling the emptiness in her Empty Heart.
"How embarrassing."
Exhaling deeply, Violen turned her body and ran.
The Blue Pupils, which had been losing strength, were once again burning with determination.
Someday, with Barrier Techniques far more powerful than those of the Barrier Masters of the World Erosion Beings, she would secure her place in the Skyborne Generation.
Violen Jeblam.
It was a moment when her inner self was growing.