TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 29
Kraush first met Ebelasque because of Arthur.
One day, Arthur brought Ebelasque to the barracks where the Skyborne Generation resided.
Unable to do anything on her own, she found everyone intimidating.
Correction.
To be precise, she avoided everyone.
This was because she never stepped outside the barracks.
From the start, the Skyborne Generation did not have a favorable view of her, a World Erosion Being.
They only kept her nearby, assuming she would prove useful since Arthur brought her.
Kraush also barely spoke to her at first.
He only knew one thing: she was the world’s sole Necromancer.
However, one day, Kraush also opened a line of conversation with her.
“You’re even more cursed than I am, aren’t you? Weakling.”
It started with Ebelasque’s characteristic, condescending tone.
Kraush looked at the man before him.
A man whose presence was barely perceptible.
He was none other than Number 12, one of Ebelasque’s corpses.
On his chest was a single tattoo of a crow.
‘So this is the family that’s said to control the Empire’s shadow world.’
To think they turned out to be just a group made up of corpses.
Well, in a way, Necromancers might be the most effective assassins.
Unlike assassins, corpses would reveal no information even if captured.
‘So that’s why they were named the Night Crow.’
A crow scavenging corpses.
A term that perfectly described Ebelasque, the Necromancer.
“What an impressive naming sense.”
“Huh? What?”
When Number 12 turned around, Kraush quickly waved his hands to signify it was nothing.
With a somewhat indifferent reaction, Number 12 resumed walking.
He was currently taking Kraush somewhere.
‘Come to think of it.’
Kraush glanced at Crimson Garden perched on his shoulder.
Crimson Garden was also a World Erosion Being like Ebelasque.
She might already know about Ebelasque.
“Crim, do you know Ebelasque?”
[I don’t bother with those weaker than me.]
An arrogant response came back.
And Kraush knew that statement was true.
‘Well, World Erosion Beings aren’t comrades to begin with.’
It wasn’t surprising that she didn’t know her.
“We’re here.”
At that moment, Number 12 stopped in his tracks.
In front of him was an old door and building.
It was far too shabby to be the place where the world’s only Necromancer resided.
Just then, with a clicking sound from inside, Number 12 opened the door.
What unfolded was an overly decorated space.
Its interior was completely different from its exterior.
Looking at the room filled with vanity, Kraush clicked his tongue.
‘She doesn’t even step out from one corner of her room anyway.’
She probably did all this simply because she wanted a grand and impressive home.
Thinking that she hadn’t changed one bit, Kraush continued to follow Number 12’s lead.
And when they reached a certain room, Number 12 spoke.
“I’ve brought you this far, so now tell me. How exactly do you plan to retrieve my heart?”
Watching Ebelasque speak through Number 12’s mouth, Kraush wore a disinterested expression.
“Didn’t you listen to me properly? You’re not a goldfish, are you?”
“G-Goldfish?”
“I told you, my skill requires me to meet you directly to confirm it. Open the door before I break it down.”
Kraush frowned deeply, as if annoyed at having to repeat himself.
It was because he realized she was doing this to avoid letting him in.
[Such a nasty personality. If someone saw how kindly she treats that little white chick, they’d think she’s a different person altogether.]
Ignoring Crimson Garden, who chuckled beside him, he focused on the matter at hand.
Ebelasque had to be dealt with firmly.
This was something Kraush had thoroughly learned back then.
If you tried to speak nicely, she would puff herself up, thinking she was above everyone else.
That was something he couldn’t stand to see.
“Eek, hic!”
From inside the door came a startled sound, followed moments later by the door cracking open just a sliver.
Taking the opportunity, Kraush shoved his hand through the gap and pushed the door fully open.
He hated anything that dragged on unnecessarily.
“Kyaa!”
With a scream, the woman tumbled to the floor, her head immediately burrowing into the blanket strewn on the ground.
Watching her, Kraush grabbed a nearby chair and sat down heavily.
The state of the room was a complete mess.
Half-eaten food was scattered everywhere, and the towering piles of books seemed ready to collapse at any moment.
The disastrous room stood in stark contrast to the spotless hallway outside, and Kraush looked around with a disdainful expression.
“Clean up your living space.”
“M-Mind your own business!”
Embarrassed at having her room seen, her face turned red as she lifted her head sharply.
But as if uncomfortable meeting anyone’s gaze, she quickly lowered her head again.
Her black and crimson-streaked hair swayed with the motion.
Her hair was so unkempt that it reached the floor.
On top of that, her stretched-out shirt, distorted by her overly full chest, made her look even worse.
Truly, she was in a state too shameful to show others.
And yet, she was the world’s only Necromancer.
Ebelasque Benapoch.
And her disheveled state was entirely of her choosing.
“Enough. Just lift your head for a moment.”
“W-What are you planning to do?”
“I told you, didn’t I? My skill requires direct observation.”
Reluctantly, she raised her head.
Her violet eyes met his gaze.
Just from making eye contact, she seemed anxious and unsure of what to do.
It was clear that meeting others’ eyes made her extremely uncomfortable.
Then, as if realizing something, she widened her eyes.
“Because your eyes are small, it doesn’t feel like you’re looking at me.”
It was likely due to Kraush’s disguise.
Ignoring her pointless comment, Kraush activated the Black Hood.
‘The target is the heart.’
The heart that should originally belong to her.
At that moment, five dials appeared before Kraush’s eyes.
Seeing them, Kraush was convinced once again.
‘The true owner of the heart is Ebelasque.’
Even if the Empire’s Royal Family possesses her heart.
The real owner is ultimately Ebelasque, which is why the Black Hood was activated.
That means, if the dials are unlocked, it’s possible to retrieve Ebelasque’s Heart with the Black Hood.
“So, how is it?”
Ebelasque asked with an anxious expression.
A thousand years since being captured by the Empire’s Royal Family.
Used as their tool, she always wanted to reclaim her heart.
And the reason she wanted to reclaim her heart was simple.
Because she didn’t want to work.
The Empire provided her with a room and convenience, but she didn’t want to work.
Her wish was simply to laze around in her room, reading books.
Therefore, Ebelasque readily let Kraush in.
Wondering if this boy, who seemed to see through her, might know something.
And if he didn’t, she would just turn him into a corpse and add him to the assassination squad.
Besides, with a crow on his shoulder, he was perfect.
‘But isn’t he staring at the crow too much?’
When her eyes met the crow’s, Ebelasque glared back as if she wouldn’t be intimidated by a mere bird.
However, when the crow looked at her, scoffed, and spread its wings, she flinched and turned her head away.
That crow was scary too.
“It’s possible.”
In the meantime, Kraush gave her the answer she wanted to hear.
“Really?”
“Yes, but you, Ebelasque, must give me permission to transfer your heart to me.”
There are two ways to unlock the dials.
One is the orthodox method, following the conditions of the dials to unlock them.
The second is obtaining the other party’s permission; if they fully consent with their heart, all the dials will disappear.
‘But this is trickier than I thought.’
Even if they verbally agree, if they don’t give full psychological consent, the dials won’t disappear.
And that psychological aspect was more of a hindrance than expected.
Because a person’s heart cannot be manipulated at will.
“Permission, how do I give permission? I’ll give it!”
Ebelasque hastily exclaimed.
But her dials still numbered five.
Saying you’ll transfer your heart is easy, but actually giving it is hard.
“It has to be more than just words; you have to truly feel it.”
“Uh, really?”
“Yes, truly.”
Ebelasque made a puzzled expression.
Seeing this, Kraush clicked his tongue and stood up.
Then he sat down squarely in front of her, who was sitting on the floor.
As she faced Kraush directly in front of her and was taken aback, Kraush patted her shoulder.
“Ebelasque, imagine this carefully from now on.”
“Uh, okay.”
“You don’t want to work, right?”
“Of course!”
Ebelasque answered with the most vigorous voice she had used so far.
That was just like her.
“If you get your heart back, you can spend every day lounging around in this room. You can have the corpses take care of you. In a room with the perfect temperature, you can read books and eat whatever you want, wasting your time away.”
Ebelasque swallowed hard.
It was a natural reaction since she had always wanted such a future.
“But if you don’t get your heart back, you’ll have to help the Empire’s Royal Family with their work for the rest of your life. You’ll have to work every day, and work some more.”
And her complexion worsened.
Having experienced it for a thousand years, she was certain it would be the same this time.
“…I feel like throwing up.”
She reacted as if the mere thought made her nauseous.
“Do you want to live like that, working every day?”
“No, no. I don’t want to work anymore.”
“Then you need to sincerely transfer your heart to me. For a life where you never have to work.”
As Kraush whispered, Ebelasque’s eyes wavered.
Then she cautiously looked up at Kraush.
If she handed her heart to this boy, she would never have to work again.
At the very least, she wouldn’t live like she did now.
She didn’t want to kill someone on someone else’s orders anymore.
With that thought, she said to Kraush.
“I’ll transfer my heart.”
“More convincingly.”
“I’ll transfer my heart!”
“More, tell me exactly what you want from me.”
When Kraush urged her again, she closed her eyes tightly and bowed her head.
“Please, take my heart!”
And that was the moment.
All the dials in front of her eyes were released in an instant.
“It’s done.”
“Is it, is it done?”
As she looked up in surprise, Kraush nodded.
‘What an easy girl.’
Opening one’s heart was a more complicated process than expected, but this showed how strong Ebelasque’s desire not to work was.
“Then give it back to me right away!”
“Why should I?”
But Kraush just tilted his head, arms crossed.
As Ebelasque widened her eyes, Kraush said with a dumbfounded look.
“This is a deal. Ebelasque, I’ll return your heart to you after the job is done.”
It was shameless to demand the bundle after being saved from the water.
“A job? You want me to work again? You devil! Bad guy! No! I said I don’t want to work!”
Then she started rolling on the floor.
The sight of a grown adult woman doing this was utterly pathetic.
And Kraush, not intending to watch this for long, slammed the floor with his aura.
Startled, she stopped rolling and looked around cautiously.
“Act your age. I’ll grant your wish, and you’ll grant mine. Then the deal is done. You’ll be free.”
When Kraush glared at her, asking why she didn’t understand this simple thing, she clenched her fists tightly.
“Wh, what do you want?”
Realizing something, she covered her chest.
“N, no way! I’m not into kids! Come back when you’re older!”
[What a lewd girl.]
Kraush looked at her with contempt.
“All you do is read erotic novels, and that’s why you say such things.”
Ebelasque stiffened.
“I, I don’t read those!”
“Then hide the title of the novel you’re sitting on before you talk.”
“Eek!”
She hurriedly shoved the novel under the blanket.
Kraush, looking at her pathetically, returned to his seat.
“The deal is as I mentioned before. What plan did Sigrid tell you about? And helping to stop it. That’s all you need to regain your heart and freedom.”
Kraush spoke to Ebelasque as if to say no more foolish actions.
“So, tell me what Sigrid had you do.”
Upon hearing Kraush’s words, Ebelasque hesitated for a moment.
Sigrid had retrieved the heart that had been passed down through the Royal Family and held it in her own hands.
Until she regained her heart, she could never escape from Sigrid.
To escape from her, Kraush’s help was absolutely necessary.
“Sera Bethel.”
At that moment, the name of Sizelry Ephania’s attendant came out of her mouth.
“She said to kill her and use her corpse to kill Sizelry Ephania.”
And a more absurd plan than expected came out.