TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 24
Clatter, clatter.
Five days later.
Kraush lifted his head from watching the tirelessly moving horses once again today.
Soon, the Empire’s city wall began to come into view.
“We’re almost there.”
“Indeed.”
Hearing the Merchant Woman’s words, Kraush raised his hand to shield himself from the dazzling sunlight.
The Empire’s capital is on a similar latitude to Hardenhartz of Starlon.
Thanks to this, the closer they got to the Empire’s capital, the colder the air felt.
‘Even so, there’s still quite a long way to go before reaching the capital.’
Still, entering the Empire itself was worth acknowledging.
“Wow, tomorrow marks the end of the year. At least I’ll get to spend the New Year with people.”
“With a drug addict, you mean.”
“You know, they say sex while high on drugs is amazing.”
“I turn 14 tomorrow. That’s child harassment.”
“Oh, come on. Nobles are so promiscuous they don’t care about age, do they?”
What on earth is going on in this girl’s head?
She often said outrageous things, befitting someone who had led a rough life.
“Ah, Lord Balheim probably doesn’t know much about things like this. What do you say? Shall I show you something special for the New Year? Since it’s your first time, we could even skip protection.”
“I’d rather consider tearing your mouth open.”
“Oh, are you worried I might snatch Lord Balheim’s baby someday? Haha, just give me a mansion, and I’ll let it slide.”
Kraush decided not to respond.
“I’ll report you for harassment before I do for drug dealing.”
“Haha, come to think of it, I’ve never tried it that way! Shall we give it a shot?”
The Merchant Woman, perhaps excited by the approaching destination, eagerly drove the carriage.
Thanks to her, the carriage quickly neared the city wall of the Empire.
“Stay inside for now.”
Bringing a child along wouldn’t end well if caught by an Empire Broker.
Thus, Kraush opened the iron cage and slumped down among the sleeping Erosion Species.
Soon after, the sound of the Merchant Woman chatting with someone echoed, and the carriage began to move with a jolt.
Hours passed like that.
As Kraush waited quietly, the carriage came to a stop.
After a short while, the curtain was drawn back, and the sound of the iron cage opening reached his ears.
“Ta-da, we’ve arrived!”
She spoke proudly.
When Kraush stepped outside, an inn and the streets of the Empire came into view.
Judging by the city wall, it seemed to be a town near the wall.
Looks like they made it in safely.
“Good work.”
“Hehe, after saving me from the Bandit Group, this is nothing! Are you leaving right away?”
“I plan to.”
He thought of hiring another carriage to head straight for the capital.
Seeing this, the Merchant Woman looked a bit disappointed.
Perhaps, having spent 15 days together, she had grown attached in her own way.
“Kraush Balheim.”
Thus, Kraush revealed his name to her.
The moment she heard that name, the Merchant Woman’s eyes widened, and soon, a bright smile spread across her face.
“I’m Lara!”
“Take care.”
“If you grow lonely someday, come find me! You’re always welcome, Mr. Kraush!”
She was like this until the very end.
Still, if fate allowed, they might meet again someday.
Kraush waved a hand at her before turning to walk away.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been to the Empire.”
During this time, Crimson Garden climbed onto Kraush’s shoulder.
“Haven’t you planted a few spies in the Empire?”
“One is preparing for the Academy, and another is in the Imperial Palace. I don’t know much about these outskirts.”
Did she even have a spy in the Academy?
“Haha, by the time you arrive, they’ll be your senior.”
Well, if they enrolled now, they’d have entered a year earlier than him.
“So, who is it?”
“Wouldn’t discovering that later make it more fun?”
With those words, she soared into the sky.
Seriously, an amusing creature with many sides.
‘One more year.’
Kraush lifted his head to gaze at the sky.
Perhaps because it was winter, the sky felt exceptionally high.
‘Not much longer now.’
Feeling the imminent arrival of the Skyborne Generation, Kraush began to inquire about a carriage.
Fortunately, it wasn’t difficult to find one heading to the capital.
The Empire was vast.
Because of this, Kraush had to endure nearly a month of an endless carriage journey.
‘This is no way to live.’
Perhaps it was because, in the days of the Skyborne Generation, he primarily used spatial magic.
Carriages just didn’t suit him.
“Oh, Krad, practicing swordsmanship again today?”
“Yeah, it’s a daily routine.”
“Haha, I hope you win a prize in the Martial Arts Tournament!”
In the process, he became quite friendly with the Coachman steering the carriage.
The Coachman, calling him by the temporary alias, chuckled heartily.
“Looks like we’ll arrive tonight. You’ll just make it in time for the Martial Arts Tournament.”
Hearing this, Kraush lightly wiped the sweat from his brow.
The thought of the carriage journey ending today brought him relief.
Though the thought of the return trip already gave him a headache.
‘Maybe I just shouldn’t go back.’
For a moment, that thought crossed his mind—such was the torment of the carriage journey.
Still, he had promised to return with that chick, so there was no avoiding it.
As the carriage set off once more—
That evening, Kraush arrived at the Empire’s capital, Siraan.
Arguably the wealthiest and most advanced city in the world.
Upon arrival, Kraush straightened his back slightly.
“What a drag.”
Perhaps it was because he had no fond memories of the Empire.
Kraush let out a curt remark.
He then immediately started walking.
Though it was evening, the registration for the Martial Arts Tournament would still be open.
Since the deadline for participation was tomorrow, Kraush decided to register in advance today.
‘Before that.’
Kraush reached into his pocket and pulled out the Transformation Potion he had received from Darling.
He didn’t know what form he’d take, but as long as it wasn’t his current one, it would suffice.
‘First, to a place without people.’
Finding a suitable spot to hide, Kraush opened the lid of the potion.
The distinctive smell of the medicine stung his nose, but Kraush downed it without hesitation.
Moments later, Kraush felt his face twisting and contorting in all directions.
It must be the effect of the potion.
After waiting briefly, the sensation on his face finally disappeared.
“Crim.”
When he called for Crimson Garden, a crow descended in front of him.
“Can you see what’s in front of you?”
At that moment, Crimson Garden tilted her head and asked.
‘Can I see what’s in front of me?’
Kraush showed a puzzled expression.
“What kind of reaction is that? Just what do I look like now?”
“Exactly as I said. You look absurdly suspicious.”
Not understanding what she meant, Kraush stepped outside.
Then, as he glanced at a nearby window, Kraush froze in place.
“…What is this.”
His eyes were so narrowed they were barely visible, almost like slits.
His pitch-black hair was shaggy, resembling fluffy dog fur.
For some reason, the boy reflected in the window evoked the image of a sinister figure.
To top it off, with the crow-shaped Crimson Garden perched on his shoulder, the effect was complete.
[It seems you can see, after all.]
“Eyes are eyes, I suppose.”
Kraush looked at his transformed self with a sense of helpless disbelief.
For some reason, he felt as though he could hear Darling’s laughter echoing in his ears.
‘She did say she imagined my personality.’
Was this the kind of image she had in mind?
Kraush let out a long sigh.
No matter how his appearance changed, it didn’t matter much.
Though his face looked suspicious, it wasn’t enough of an issue to worry about.
[Now you really do resemble a crow.]
Crimson Garden chuckled softly.
That’s easy for her to say when it wasn’t her problem.
[Hurry and go register already.]
Taking her words to heart, Kraush began walking before the registration closed.
＊ ＊ ＊
The registration hall for the Martial Arts Tournament in the Ephania Empire.
Since it was hosted by the Imperial Palace, one of the Palace-managed buildings served as the venue, and the hall was packed with people.
This was because the tournament, hosted by the Empire, attracted participants from all over the world.
Thanks to this, the Martial Arts Tournament was more popular than ever.
“Hmm, quite the crowd. There are so many interesting characters here.”
At that moment, a voice as clear as a polished gem rang out.
Standing out was a doll-like girl with hair as blue as the sea.
She was dressed in luxurious clothes made from expensive fabrics.
However, she was lying flat on the second-floor railing, peering down at the first-floor registration hall.
“So many fascinating people have gathered. This is truly thrilling.”
“Princess Sizelry, please mind your posture. If His Majesty the Emperor sees this, he’ll be furious.”
“Oh, stop mentioning Father. Just imagining his yelling makes my ears ring again.”
The girl, scolding the attendant beside her, was none other than Sizelry Ephania, the 4th Princess of the Empire.
At only fourteen years old, she was the youngest in the Imperial family.
Despite her young age, the sharp intelligence in her eyes was anything but ordinary.
It was no surprise.
Even at her tender age, she was renowned throughout the Empire for her exceptional intellect.
One famous story tells of how, at seven years old, she solved a mathematical conundrum that had stumped the Empire’s scholars.
However, she had one glaring flaw.
She was as mischievous as her young age suggested.
Curious about everything, she’d investigate it thoroughly, often using her brilliant mind to escape her attendants and sneak out of the Palace.
Because of this, even those who admired her intelligence doubted her potential as a candidate for the throne.
But that was the opinion of those who didn’t truly know her.
One of her lifelong attendants, Sera Bethel, understood her better than most.
‘After all, she deliberately acts like a troublemaker to avoid being considered for the throne.’
Though she had an extraordinary mind, her body was naturally frail.
If someone like her were to get caught up in the fierce power struggles of the Empire, her fragile health would surely give out first.
Thus, she intentionally pretended to be even more of a tomboy.
She used her remarkable intellect to ensure no one could nominate her for the throne.
Sera found her both pitiable and admirable for this decision.
She believed Sizelry was better suited to a free life than one shackled to the throne.
“Hehe, these promising-looking individuals… I’ll recruit them all and send them to Rahelrn Academy as my prey!”
The problem was that her mischievous tendencies seemed to grow stronger by the day.
“Your Highness, where on earth did you learn to laugh like that? You’re ruining your pretty face.”
“Sera, the face is the most effective tool for expressing emotions. I, for one, am an expert at using this tool. Shouldn’t I be praised for that instead?”
“I feel the need to scold you.”
“You dare to reprimand the 4th Princess? You’re 14 years too early for that.”
She was truly a princess with an eccentric personality.
“Huh? Oh, look over there!”
At that moment, Sizelry pointed through the railing, having spotted something amusing.
Reluctantly, Sera approached to see what had caught her attention.
There stood a boy with closed eyes and a somber demeanor.
His appearance, coupled with the crow perched on his shoulder, gave off the impression of a dark sorcerer.
However, the sword at his waist suggested he was a swordsman.
“Doesn’t he reek of villainy? He looks just like Balheim, the Empire’s nemesis!”
“Why would Balheim be here? Still, he does seem a bit suspicious.”
Somehow, it felt as though a major incident would occur the day those eyes opened.
With that thought, Sizelry suddenly stood up and clicked her tongue.
“Oh, Sera, judging people solely by their appearance is a mistake.”
“Didn’t Your Highness just say he reeks of villainy?”
“Which is why I’m going to confirm it for myself.”
“What?”
While Sera was momentarily taken aback.
Sizelry squeezed her small body through the railing and leapt forward.
“Your Highness!”
As Sera shouted in alarm, Sizelry slid down the groove of the railing.
It was as if she were riding a slide.
While Sera looked on in shock, Sizelry quickly reached the ground.
“Now then, you villain candidate. Reveal your identity to this princess.”
With a mischievous grin on her face, she began weaving through the crowd.
She was cutting through the throng when it happened.
Due to her small stature and fragile build, she collided with the shoulder of a man who suddenly appeared at her side.
“Ah!”
As her legs faltered from the impact, she began to stumble forward.
A sudden arm jutted out, lightly brushing against her stomach just before she could fall.
As Sizelry barely avoided toppling over and flinched, she lifted her head to find herself staring into a pair of closed eyes.
It was the boy Sizelry had been keeping an eye on.
“Such a tomboy.”
Looking at Sizelry, the boy muttered curtly and helped her to her feet.
“Be more careful.”
Then, without paying her the slightest attention, he walked off through the crowd.
Momentarily at a loss for words, Sizelry tilted her head.
“Tomboy?”
She grew curious at the boy’s words, as though he knew her.