Chapter 210
Freeman Holy Kingdom.
A kingdom that gave birth to the divine treasure known as the Saintess and one of the four kingdoms that have long served as divine nations.
Kraush was walking along the roads of the Holy Kingdom, which he hadn't visited in a long time.
[As long as Master is safe, it's fine.]
Kraush briefly recalled his conversation with Dorma.
After returning from the Unending Night, Kraush visited Dorma to share the story of Veltoa Lacroix.
Kraush had suggested to Veltoa that he visit Dorma at least once, but Veltoa responded with a lukewarm reaction.
Judging by his expression, he seemed to have no intention of visiting her at all.
Instead, he only asked Kraush to tell Dorma not to worry as he was doing well.
Kraush reluctantly delivered the message to Dorma as it was.
Upon hearing the story, Dorma simply smiled brightly and said it was fine.
'That damned old man, honestly.'
If he knew she was waiting for him so eagerly, he could at least send word.
Really, he's such an unpleasant old man.
[Treating her like a child, Dorma is older than you.]
Kraush glanced at the crow sitting quietly on his knee for once.
It seemed it had somehow read his thoughts again.
After all, he had the protective necklace made by Violen, which should have prevented such eavesdropping.
"......You said you'd come alone."
Kraush, who was displeased with Crimson Garden, raised his head at the soon-heard grumpy voice.
There stood Austria, the Saintess, looking at him with a dissatisfied expression.
The reason was simple.
Beside Kraush stood another individual.
"Hmm, am I interrupting?"
At that, he gave a slightly apologetic smile.
His name was Aslan Igrit.
A graduate ranked first in the Magic Studies Department among the second-year students and the grandson of the Flame King, one of the Ten Strongest Under the Heavens.
His somewhat decadent smile had a captivating power over those who saw it.
However, Austria, who was looking directly at that smile, was not swayed in the slightest.
That was because her unwavering gaze was fixed solely on Kraush.
For her, who had come to adore Kraush's face, it was inevitable.
"I apologize, Saintess. A friend of mine wanted to see the Freeman Festival."
Something wriggled inside Aslan's chest.
The one who wanted to see the festival was none other than his lover and spirit, Dorothy.
A lover's request is always compelling.
As soon as he heard Kraush was going to the festival, Aslan, realizing Dorothy's desire, immediately made the request.
"Stop grumbling. The more people who can serve as guards, the better. Even if he looks frail, this guy's skills are solid."
As Kraush said, Aslan's appearance did give off an uneasy feeling, as if he might collapse at any moment.
However, he wasn't ranked first in the Magic Studies Department among the second-year students for nothing.
In terms of raw power alone, he was already at the level of top-tier mages.
Even among the first-year students in the Magic Studies Department, he was already a well-known figure.
On his clothes, there was a brooch of the Lion Order attached.
As soon as the Student Unit began its official recruitment, Aslan promptly submitted an application to join the Lion Order.
[What is your reason for applying?]
And the one who received the application was none other than Charlotte.
She was the President among the second-year students in the Magic Studies Department.
If she wished, she could even establish her own order.
So, when she asked about his intentions, Aslan smiled.
[Because Kraush is in the Lion Order.]
Hearing that, Charlotte squinted her eyes.
[What is your relationship with my younger brother?]
[We're friends.]
[Come on in.]
Charlotte accepted his application without hesitation.
"Is it okay for you to let people in without properly checking, sister?"
"Do you think anyone would lie in front of Senior Charlotte?"
Kraush also accepted it without question.
After all, no one would be crazy enough to lie in front of Charlotte.
And so, Aslan joined the Lion Order.
Among the second-year students, there were three Presidents.
Kraush Balheim, President of the Martial Arts Department.
Sizelry Ephania, President of the Literature Department.
Aslan Igrit, President of the Magic Studies Department.
Excluding the Special Arts Department and Theology Department, all the Presidents had joined.
Thanks to this, the Lion Order's reputation was at its peak.
To the extent that most second-year students wanted to join the Lion Order.
'It wasn't intentional, though.'
Somehow, it turned out this way.
And now, ironically, there were also three Presidents in this space.
The President of the Theology Department was none other than Austria.
"Since things are like this, why don't you try to get along?"
Austria glanced at Aslan.
Aslan also looked at Austria.
Then, as if realizing something, Aslan slowly smiled.
"Saintess, among Kraush's few friends, I'm the closest. I think I can tell you everything you want to know about Kraush."
"Oh."
Austria's eyes wavered in surprise.
She glanced at Kraush before slowly lowering her head.
"Well, um, if you put it that way, I suppose there's no reason we can't get along."
Kraush looked at her with a slightly baffled expression.
Meanwhile, Aslan nudged Kraush's side with his elbow.
"Kraush, don't forget about Lirina."
What he shouldn't forget about, Kraush wasn't sure.
Thinking he had brought the wrong person, Kraush could only sigh.
Clunk-
After that, the carriage safely arrived at the Freeman Grand Temple.
Perhaps because the festival preparations were in full swing.
No one seemed to care about a single carriage passing by.
Thanks to that, Kraush could comfortably enter the Grand Temple with Austria.
Inside the temple, white pillars stood in rows, and golden strings adorned them.
It was a familiar sight to Kraush, who had visited before enrolling in Rahelrn Academy.
It was then.
Kraush spotted a familiar peach-colored hair.
And beside her, a tall man with jet-black hair.
As he stared at their backs, they seemed to notice him and turned their heads.
A veil fluttered in front of her.
And soon, she flinched, showing a surprised reaction.
"Oh, why are you here?"
"That's what I should be asking."
When Kraush answered, the other party also gave an awkward smile.
The Princess of Sephira.
Serang Sephira.
It was because she was there.
And beside her stood the person who had given Kraush the Heavenly Slaughter Star.
The Heavenly Dog Star, Blavi.
Even though the Heavenly Slaughter Star had disappeared, and there was no longer any reason for him to stay in Sephira, he remained as her guard.
"Young lady, it's the festival day, so I came to see my friend, Austria."
Serang and Austria had built a close relationship.
So, she confidently revealed the reason she had come.
However, Kraush couldn't look at her kindly.
"Did you see something with astrology and act on it?"
Sephira has been a family of astrologers for generations.
Those who read the stars often hear the stories contained within them and sometimes interpret them into prophecies.
It wasn't a certainty.
Kraush didn't know much about Serang.
After all, she had been killed by the World Erosion Beings without having much acquaintance with Kraush.
So when Kraush asked, she lightly shrugged her shoulders.
"Who knows?"
With a meaningful attitude, she glanced toward Austria.
As soon as he saw her reaction, Kraush made a guess.
It was clear that she had seen something through her astrology.
"Kraush, who is this?"
Then, Aslan, who had been quietly listening, asked casually.
Come to think of it, this was the first meeting between Aslan and Serang.
"This is Princess Serang Sephira of Sephira."
"Ah, I see. Nice to meet you, Princess of Sephira. I am Aslan Igrit."
"When the Star of Flame shone strongly, it must have been referring to you, Lord Aslan. I am also pleased to meet the one who leads the Star of Flame."
When Aslan greeted her politely, Serang also received his greeting with great courtesy.
'Why is she acting so differently when dealing with him?'
While Kraush was thinking that, Austria approached Serang's side.
"Serang, welcome."
"Hoo-hoo, it's been a while. Austria, you seem to look a bit more relaxed?"
"Huh? Ah, maybe it's because I go out more often now compared to when I was in Freeman."
The two exchanged greetings with familiarity.
Judging by their reactions, it seemed that, for now, she really did come to the festival to see Austria.
'I don't know the real reason, though.'
How far she had read with astrology was the key.
He would have to ask her directly later.
Meanwhile, Kraush made eye contact with Blavi.
Reading his gaze, Kraush immediately answered.
"The Heavenly Slaughter Star is being handled without any issues."
"I see."
Blavi didn't say much.
He wasn't the type to talk much to begin with.
Click-clack-
It was then.
Kraush heard the sound of multiple footsteps.
When Kraush glanced in that direction, he saw a priest leading several priestesses, walking toward them.
As soon as Kraush saw the priest at the front, he felt his presence vividly.
Because the man before him was none other than the youngest Cardinal, Mirey Beakis's father.
The Ten Strongest Under the Heavens, the Holy King, Tersada Beakis.
Recently, his name had even been mentioned for the position of Pope.
Following behind him was Mirey Beakis, who had returned to Freeman a step earlier.
As soon as she saw Kraush and Austria, she bowed her head.
It was because she owed her life to both of them.
"Lady Austria, you must have had a hard time coming such a long way."
Beneath his shining blue hair was the benevolent smile of a middle-aged man.
However, Kraush couldn't fully welcome that smile.
Because the man before him was a member of the unpredictable Opposition Faction.
'Tersada must desperately want to overturn the corrupt Holy Royal Family.'
The Holy Royal Family had now resorted to any means necessary to maintain themselves.
Thus, the birth of the Saintess and the Holy Grail was the result of that.
For someone who had nearly executed his daughter, the youngest Cardinal, due to this incident, he could no longer tolerate the Holy Royal Family of Freeman.
Kraush also didn't particularly support the Holy Royal Family of Freeman.
To be honest, Kraush would rather see Freeman fall.
However, the problem was that Austria was involved.
Austria was a symbol created by the Holy Royal Family.
Therefore, she was the most useful card to demonstrate a new revolution.
The impact of deposing the Saintess would resonate throughout the entire world.
'Religious revolution.'
The ideal dream of the Opposition Faction.
Kraush knew how meaningless it was.
"Lady Serang, thank you for participating in the festival every time."
"No, it's a day to honor the gods, so I am more than willing to participate."
After offering his courtesy to Serang, he soon made eye contact with Kraush.
"Oh, my, isn't this the young hero, Kraush Balheim?"
As soon as he saw Kraush, he showed great hospitality.
"I've heard about my daughter. Thanks to you, she was able to survive. I want to offer a personal reward, but how about a private meeting?"
Hearing his kind words, Kraush sensed that he had ulterior motives.
'Throwing a move in front of everyone?'
This was clearly an intention to have a private conversation.
Kraush's gaze turned to Austria.
She didn't particularly look at Kraush.
But from there, Kraush read her intention for him to go.
Meanwhile, Aslan and her Holy Knight, Diona, stood by her side.
Additionally, Serang and Blavi also stood by Austria.
With those four, they would surely protect Austria in Kraush's absence.
"Yes, if that's the case."
Kraush also responded to Tersada with the same very polite attitude.
Let's see what the old Holy Snake has in mind.