Chapter 190
The atmosphere in the Women's Society froze.
Only Kraush stared blankly at Rona Imblize.
The magical tool manufacturer, Rona Imblize.
Although she is now called a madwoman, in the future, the magical tools she created would become so valuable that even if one wanted to buy them, they wouldn't be able to.
'If I could bring Rona Imblize into the Skyborne Generation.'
The Skyborne Generation, equipped with magical tools, would undoubtedly possess unprecedented power.
The problem is now.
The issue was that she had just dropped a bombshell.
[Currently, there is someone at Rahelrn Academy who has formed a contract with a World Erosion Being.]
Normally, it would have been dismissed as nonsense.
However, recently, there was an incident that caused a commotion at Rahelrn Academy.
It involved the associate professor of Magic Studies, Jenicalen, becoming an Immortal's Servant of the World Erosion Beings.
And the kidnapping of three noble students.
Although the incident revealed the despicable actions committed by the noble students and greatly raised Felray's reputation,
the fact that Jenicalen had become an Immortal's Servant of the World Erosion Beings was not something that could be ignored.
Such an incident had occurred just recently.
And now, with Rona uttering these words in such a situation, it was no wonder everyone froze.
"......Are you serious, Rona Imblize?"
Inside the now quiet conference room,
one person broke the silence and spoke.
She, with transparent pupils beneath her blue hair, was Mirey Beakis.
She was the youngest Cardinal in the history of the Freeman Kingdom.
Facing her, Rona suddenly unbuttoned the top of her white shirt.
At her unexpected action, everyone showed confusion as she revealed the necklace nestled in her cleavage.
The necklace was in the form of a small sword brooch.
Rona pulled out the sword brooch-shaped necklace with her fingers and stretched her lips into a grin.
"There was that incident at the Academy recently, right? So I made one. A magical tool designed to detect World Erosion Beings hiding among people."
"Is that true?"
As soon as they heard those words, everyone looked surprised.
It was because no one had expected Rona to create something like that.
If what Rona said was true, the magical tool could identify all Immortal's Servants of the World Erosion Beings, who could be considered traitors to the world.
It would be a groundbreaking invention.
Kraush's gaze shifted sideways.
There stood Taria Vales, the Magic Studies Department President, observing the situation with her arms crossed.
She was a servant of Crimson Garden.
If she were to use the magical tool now, her cover could be blown instantly.
"Oh? So does that mean you've already discovered an Immortal's Servant with it?"
Even Eiling Ornoa, the Vice President of the Literature Department and a first-year student, began showing interest in the magical tool.
Under the concentrated gazes, Rona lightly rolled the magical tool in her hand before letting it go.
The magical tool naturally settled back between her cleavage.
"The one exposed would know best."
With a subtle smile, she rested her chin on her hand and observed the conference room.
The phrase "the one exposed" and her actions implied one thing.
It suggested that there was an Immortal's Servant of the World Erosion Beings present in this conference room.
Members of the Women's Society began glancing around nervously.
It was because everyone had understood the implication behind Rona's actions.
As various suspicions bloomed in their hearts,
"Then why not quickly use the magical tool to reveal the Immortal's Servant?"
Once again, Cardinal Mirey spoke, her transparent eyes glistening.
At her urging, Rona tilted her head while still resting her chin on her hand.
"But that wouldn't be fun. I think it's still not the right time to show off the superiority of my magical tool."
As if to confirm why she was called a madwoman.
Her declaration that she wouldn't immediately expose the Immortal's Servant left everyone in the conference room in disbelief.
Before they realized it, the suspicion directed at one another shifted to criticism toward Rona for not revealing the identity immediately.
Yet, even under those critical gazes, Rona remained composed.
The atmosphere in the conference room, ruined in an instant.
Only Kraush was assessing the situation.
'The situation is turning into a mess.'
And amidst this chaotic situation,
Kraush began deducing a few suspects.
While others wouldn't have doubted them,
as a regressor, Kraush noticed certain aspects others wouldn't.
But he wasn't certain.
Servants of Crimson Garden were comparatively easy to spot.
In fact, Crimson Garden intentionally made their servants stand out more.
It was her way of warning other World Erosion Beings in the surrounding area.
That this child is her servant, and they'd better prepare to face consequences if they meddle.
However, the Black Witch deliberately created servants to infiltrate Rahelrn Academy.
Naturally, even Kraush couldn't easily distinguish the servants.
"An Immortal's Servant of the World Erosion Being."
At that moment, Sigrid, who had been quietly observing, opened her mouth.
As soon as she spoke, all eyes in the room shifted to Sigrid.
After all, Sigrid was ultimately the key player in this conference.
"I don't know what Rona is thinking, but I hope she's not joking."
Sigrid smiled at Rona with her eyes.
"A mistake could lead to falsely accusing someone, right?"
Kraush felt a sense of disgust as he saw her curved pupils.
It was because she had realized the value of Rona's magical tool.
A tool capable of branding anyone she didn't like as an Immortal's Servant of the World Erosion Beings—a witch-hunting tool.
Rona's magical tool carried such a dangerous potential.
"Shall we end today's tea gathering here?"
With the mood turning somber, Sigrid suggested ending the Women's Society meeting.
Sigrid, who had remained mostly silent throughout this meeting,
likely wanted to avoid sharing information since Charlotte was present.
In response to Sigrid's suggestion, the other members of the Women's Society seemed to agree.
The already heavy atmosphere had been compounded by the subtle power struggle between Charlotte and Sigrid.
On top of that, Rona's bombshell statement had made things even more suffocating, prompting everyone to seem ready to disperse.
"Let's meet again next time."
"Today's meeting was productive as well."
Everyone exchanged farewells and began leaving the conference room one by one.
The stories discussed today would undoubtedly spread quickly across Rahelrn Academy.
Mainly, Rona's story related to the Immortal's Servant of the World Erosion Beings would dominate the rumors.
"It's over."
Even Charlotte, who had acted indifferent to the Women's Society by grooming her nails, stood up.
Following her, Kraush also rose, just as Taria brushed past him.
Kraush reached out and lightly grabbed Taria's collar.
When Taria turned to face him, Kraush gestured silently with his eyes.
It was an invitation to talk.
Taria gave a slight nod and went outside again.
As Kraush and Charlotte stepped outside, they saw the sun beginning to set.
That meant they had spent a considerable amount of time at the Women's Society.
They say women's chatter has no end once it begins, and it was exactly that.
"How was it?"
At that moment, Charlotte turned around and asked Kraush.
"It was beneficial."
If I hadn't attended this Women's Society, I would've heard about Rona's news belatedly.
It was certainly a fact that it had been a beneficial time.
"Good, then that's enough."
Charlotte moved as if that was all she needed.
What was the purpose of Charlotte bringing me to this Women's Society this time?
Kraush looked at her back, still unable to grasp her intentions, and opened his mouth.
"Sister, may I make one more request?"
Originally, it was something I intended to resolve on my own.
But for some reason, today I felt like I could ask Charlotte for help.
Charlotte, who had been walking, stopped abruptly and turned her head.
The corners of her mouth were slightly raised as always, painting her unique smile.
"Go ahead."
She spoke readily.
In the past, those words might have felt rigid, but now they carried a different meaning.
"......There is someone named Arthur Gramalte. Could you allow that guy into the Lion Order?"
Fake Arthur Gramalte.
To learn about him properly, Kraush aimed to bring him into the Lion Order he belonged to.
It would also give that side a chance to observe both him and Charlotte up close, so they would easily take the bait.
"Sure, that's not difficult."
And Charlotte agreed to Kraush's request with great ease.
There wasn't even a hint of hesitation.
Seeing that, Kraush stared blankly at Charlotte.
Throughout his life, Kraush hadn't asked Charlotte for many favors.
After all, the world Charlotte and Kraush lived in was too different.
They hadn't been close during childhood, and by the time they became adults, Charlotte had already become brighter than anyone else.
He was merely a shadow that had lost to such a star.
In the presence of a radiant light, even shadows could not exist.
But after the regression.
Entangled with Charlotte in various matters, Kraush recently found himself asking her for favors more often.
Because in this world, Charlotte was one of the most important people.
Perhaps that's why I realized it now.
Charlotte doesn't expect anything from me.
She simply grants it if I ask.
No matter what the request is, she does it without any cost.
'So that's how it was.'
Only then did Kraush feel yet another lens of his colored glasses shatter.
How he had been seeing Charlotte all this time.
How even after regressing, those lenses of perception remained stubbornly blackened.
'Me too.'
Kraush had lived his entire life being compared to Charlotte since birth.
After all, Charlotte had been a genius from the day she was born.
Perhaps that was why.
Back then, I only saw her as the world's greatest genius and Sword Star, Charlotte Balheim.
Not as my sister, but as the Sword Star, Charlotte Balheim.
So I interpreted and judged every aspect she showed me on my own terms.
I thought of and judged family and blood ties separately.
Well, it couldn't be helped.
No matter how much I admitted to being a half-penny, deep inside, I envied and resented Charlotte too much.
She shone so brightly that it was blinding, making it impossible for me to feel proud of her.
So it was a form of self-defense.
Seeing my sister, Charlotte Balheim, and the Sword Star, Charlotte Balheim, as separate people.
But today, now.
Only now could Kraush understand the meaning behind Charlotte's actions toward him all this time.
Charlotte had always regarded him as her younger brother.
Even if it was the Charlotte from before the regression.
To her, Kraush was her little brother.
It was always Kraush himself who pushed her away.
'I had no right to criticize Belorkin.'
The one person who had stayed as family, I had consistently rejected.
For some reason, laughter escaped my lips.
I was disgusted with myself for not seeing Charlotte as my sister, and I felt sorry for her.
And the fact that I realized this only after the regression was pathetic.
Before the regression, I had never treated my sister as a real sister.
After a desperate battle with the Sword Master.
After finally defeating the Sword Master and dying of exhaustion.
At the time when even the Skyborne Generation couldn't think of a way to confront the Sword Master and had retreated.
Charlotte stood before Kraush, her Balheim Family cloak billowing, and said.
[Kraush, watch carefully.]
Her sword had always shone proudly toward the sky.
[This is your sister, Charlotte Balheim.]
As always, her unique smile graced her lips.
Numerous words I should have said to her came to mind.
Words that I couldn't utter even a single one of at that moment.
"Ha."
And now I know those words will never reach her.
Because that world no longer exists.
Regret that comes too late truly torments people.
Because it makes it impossible to fill the void of that regretful day.
In Kraush's eyes, Charlotte appeared once again.
Hair as dark blue as his own.
That hair, a symbol of Balheim, swayed with the wind.
In the setting sun, Charlotte's pupils, gazing at Kraush, held an affection he hadn't seen before.
Looking at those eyes he had always thought were cold, Kraush smiled.
"Next time, I'll be the one to ask you out on a date."
At those words, Charlotte let out a light laugh.
As always, Charlotte, who thought of Kraush as her little brother, nonchalantly turned her body.
"Alright. I'll look forward to it."
Her steps as she walked away felt even lighter than before.
They were the kind of steps Charlotte often took when she was in a good mood.
Kraush's gaze, which had been quietly following her back, met the sky.
Where there is a setting sun, there is also a rising sun.
May a new world come, as much as the one that has disappeared.
Kraush, reflecting on the old world, continued to live in the new one today.