TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 60
Just as Adolf was about to kill Aslan with flames.
“Lord Aslan!”
Lirina screamed.
The moment she unconsciously stepped forward to run toward him, unable to bear the thought of his death—
It wasn’t her who moved first, but rather the crow.
‘Crim?!’
Startled, she saw the crow soaring into the air.
And she witnessed it splitting Adolf’s Flame Sphere as it transformed into Kraush.
Kraush had been using the magic of the Crimson Garden to disguise his appearance.
In the blink of an eye, Kraush snatched up Aslan and dashed toward Lirina.
“Lirina, run!”
His unusually urgent tone made her reflexively turn and start running as well.
Meanwhile, Aslan flailed in Kraush’s grasp like a paper doll.
“…I’m going to die like this.”
Aslan, gasping for breath as Kraush ran while gripping the back of his collar, muttered. Kraush unceremoniously set him down.
“Then run on your own legs.”
Aslan, finally able to breathe as his throat was released, staggered but began to run after Kraush and Lirina.
Lirina, surprised, looked at Kraush with a puzzled expression.
“Crim, you were Mr. Kraush all along?”
“Yes, staying by your side in my true form would’ve drawn too much attention.”
Hearing that, Lirina made a slightly dissatisfied face.
“You could’ve at least told me.”
“Let’s just say it was a surprise event.”
“I’d rather not have surprises like that. Prepare a different event next time.”
“I’ll make it a big one, so you can look forward to it.”
As Lirina answered curtly, Aslan tilted his head, looking at the two of them.
“You two seem pretty close.”
It was the first time Aslan had heard Lirina and Kraush directly conversing.
Perhaps that’s why their interaction seemed unexpectedly familiar, but the two merely exchanged glances and said nothing.
Boom!
As Aslan felt a strange sensation while watching them, an explosion echoed from behind.
The source of the explosion was none other than the clash between Adolf and Agatha.
Realizing this was no time for idle chatter, Aslan quickly asked Lirina.
“Lirina, Dorothy’s crystal—”
“Ah, here it is.”
Lirina rummaged through her skirt pocket and pulled out the crystal.
Seeing it, Aslan let out a sigh of relief.
The self-immolation ruse they’d staged had indeed been helpful.
“I have the Spirit King’s Egg. All that’s left is to head to the Spirit King’s Forest.”
In order for the Spirit to be reborn, the power within the Spirit King’s Forest was essential.
Thus, to resurrect Dorothy, they had no choice but to go to the Spirit King’s Forest.
Without hesitation, the three of them left the Igrit Family Mansion and began running toward the Spirit King’s Forest.
However, there was a problem.
That problem was none other than Aslan’s lack of stamina.
Lirina, being fairly active on a regular basis, managed to run decently, but Aslan had hardly moved in months, barely eating or drinking.
“Huff… Huff!”
Inevitably, his steps became slower and slower as they left the mansion.
“Tch, just get on.”
Kraush, noticing this, forcibly picked Aslan up onto his back.
He had no intention of wasting time and letting Adolf catch up to them.
“Ugh, that’s unfair. Running is hard for me too.”
“Then, Miss Lirina, you can head back. There’s no need for you to come along.”
“I have a duty to see this through to the end.”
Lirina made it clear she wouldn’t back down.
She’d been involved this far.
At the very least, she wanted to see how it all ended with her own two eyes.
“Sorry.”
“It’s fine. You’re so light I can barely feel you anyway.”
While carrying a man wasn’t exactly pleasant, it wasn’t as if he could ask Lirina to do it.
“That sounds like you’re saying I’d be heavy if you carried me.”
Kraush didn’t respond to Lirina’s remark.
Lirina pouted slightly but didn’t say anything more, thinking Aslan probably weighed less than she did.
Boom!
At that moment, another explosion was heard from the direction of the Igrit Family Mansion.
It seemed the Flame Mistress and the Flame King were still fighting.
But the outcome wouldn’t take much longer.
‘There’s no way the Flame Mistress can stop the Flame King.’
The higher you go, the more significant even the smallest gap in skill becomes.
Kraush had learned just how vast that gap could be while observing the Skyborne Generation.
It wouldn’t be long before the Flame King overcame the Flame Mistress and made his way toward them.
Knowing that man, defeating the Flame Mistress wouldn’t be enough to extinguish his anger.
Meanwhile, the city wall surrounding the Spirit King’s Forest gradually came into view.
In front of the wall’s entrance were soldiers slumped as if asleep.
And standing before the wall was none other than Crimson Garden’s bell, Mirsys.
“You’re late.”
With a sweep of her crimson hair, Crimson Garden tossed a respirator toward them.
Kraush caught the respirator and turned to Lirina.
“Miss Lirina, this is where we part ways.”
“Ah.”
Lirina understood.
Aslan, having learned magic, would be fine, but she was an ordinary person.
Entering the Spirit King’s Forest without knowledge of mana or aura would be a death sentence.
Lirina, looking reluctant, grasped both Kraush and Aslan’s shoulders firmly.
“Both of you, don’t get hurt, no matter what.”
Kraush and Aslan nodded simultaneously.
Neither of them intended to cause her further worry.
Meanwhile, Kraush glanced at Crimson Garden.
Crimson Garden was already wearing her respirator, as if prepared.
“Kid, you know I can’t stop the Flame King with this body.”
Of course, he knew.
Although confronting the Flame Mistress had been part of the plan, facing the Flame King had never been.
Even Kraush hadn’t anticipated the Flame King’s return at that exact moment.
He’d acted out of necessity to save Aslan, even though he’d originally intended for things to proceed smoothly.
“I’m sorry for causing trouble.”
Aslan apologized, his face clouded with guilt.
He seemed aware that his rash actions had brought them face-to-face with the Flame King.
But Kraush didn’t particularly blame him.
He knew all too well the deep grudge Aslan bore against the Flame King.
It wasn’t unreasonable. How could anyone remain calm while the person who ruined their entire life spouted nonsense? Only a saint could manage that.
Even Kraush knew he wouldn’t be able to hold back if Arthur spoke that way in front of him.
“At least it’s an escape magic.”
So when Kraush asked Crimson Garden, she clicked her tongue.
“Nawon, I’m not used to using magic with this body. If this is the case, I should have brought another species.”
Despite her grumbling, the fact that she didn’t say she couldn’t do it was very much like Crimson Garden.
“We’re going in.”
The three of them entered through the castle gate, seeing Lirina off.
Then, fluttering light dust of the spirits welcomed them.
In the midst of the mesmerizing swirl of light dust, Kraush took out the crystal and the Spirit King’s Egg that he had received from Lirina.
Then he handed them to Aslan.
“If you run straight this way, there’s a lake that glows faintly. Put the crystal inside the egg and immerse it there, and it will be resolved.”
This method was none other than the one Aslan had discovered in the past according to Kraush’s standards.
He had found a way to revive Dorothy after extensive research.
Although it became an impossible task as too much time had passed back then.
However, his research was not in vain, as it continued to the present through Kraush.
“…Understood.”
Aslan did not ask Kraush how he knew about that method.
He would do anything to save Dorothy.
Kraush, Aslan, and Crimson Garden continued to run after that.
The Spirit King’s Forest was so deep that its end was not visible.
Moreover, they had to constantly be cautious of the spirits that appeared intermittently.
If they irritated those spirits, a battle would surely ensue.
They kept running through the Spirit King’s Forest for a long time.
Soon after, golden light dust began to appear in Kraush and Aslan’s eyes.
The surroundings were filled with thick trees, creating a space that felt like night.
The golden dust on the trees shone like the night sky.
And below such trees, extending delicately to the horizon, was a lake.
Countless golden light dust of the spirits slowly floated on the surface of the water.
Beautiful.
That word perfectly described the mystical lake, which was called the sanctuary of the spirits.
Aslan approached the front of such a sanctuary.
His heart began to beat loudly.
He felt a sudden surge of emotion at the thought of seeing Dorothy again.
[Knock, knock.]
A girl who knocked on his window and called out to him in his memories came to mind.
Ice-blue hair and eyes.
The girl with a pretty smile visited Aslan secretly through Lirina.
[Good morning, Aslan.]
Even though it was night with the moon up, Aslan smiled at her calling it morning.
Aslan wanted to see her from his memories again.
Just as Aslan was about to step towards the lake.
Whoosh!
With a burst of flames, a wall of fire rose up, blocking Aslan’s path.
Aslan’s eyes widened in that moment.
Thud!
A sound of someone landing came from behind Kraush and Aslan.
Aslan’s eyes slowly turned back.
Vivid red hair quietly swayed between the trees.
Between those hairs, the burning red eyes looking down at Aslan were filled with anger.
Flame King, Adolf Igrit.
He had finally broken through the Flame Mistress and chased after Kraush and Aslan.
“Playing along with children’s games ends here. You fled all the way to the Spirit King’s Forest?”
Adolf seemed displeased as he raised his thick white eyebrows.
His breath was filled with anger.
However, he was barely holding back that anger.
This was the Spirit King’s Forest; if they caused too much commotion, the spirits might go wild, which would be troublesome for him as well.
“Aslan, and the kid next to you. Both of you, follow me.”
Upon hearing those words, Kraush glanced around.
Crimson Garden, that sly one, had hidden herself as soon as Adolf appeared.
Kraush gripped his sword tightly.
What to do.
Running away like this could be an option.
No matter how skilled Adolf was, he was not as proficient in all types of magic as Crimson Garden, who was a master of flame magic.
In fact, Kraush, who knew what kind of magic Crimson Garden used, was well aware that with her magic, escape was possible.
‘But.’
They hadn’t revived Dorothy yet.
Intruding into the Spirit King’s Forest like this was a one-time thing.
He was certain there wouldn’t be another chance.
After all, no one knew what kind of treatment Aslan would receive from the Igrit Family once this was over.
‘Earlier, I was blinded by rage and said I’d kill him.’
But after directly confronting his daughter Agatha, it seemed his anger had somewhat subsided.
He cherished his family deeply.
He knew well that if word got out that he had killed his own daughter and grandson, it would have a negative impact on the family.
So he would hold Aslan accountable but not kill him.
Just that Aslan might receive a punishment that would prevent him from ever leaving the Igrit Family again.
So this was essentially the last chance to save Dorothy.
“Kraush Balheim.”
At that moment, Aslan, who had been following Kraush, called out his full name.
It was an abrupt declaration of his full name, but Kraush understood what it meant.
“What, Balheim?”
Adolf turned to Kraush with wide eyes.
Mages from the Red Magic Tower ignored everything except magic, auras, and curses.
However, as one of the Ten Strongest Under the Heavens, Adolf had seen the world firsthand.
It was a world full of monsters even more fearsome than magic.
So instead of believing in the omnipotence of magic, he was wary of those who used auras.
Especially those among the aura users who were at the top, like Balheim, were on his watch list.
‘I thought he was just someone Aslan knew.’
But to think he was a Balheim.
He hadn’t expected such a person to be here.
At the same time, Adolf’s mind raced quickly.
Adolf always kept an eye on global affairs.
In particular, he closely monitored stories about the Balheim family.
Thanks to that, he recalled a recent rumor.
‘Indeed.’
It was said that the youngest of the Balheim family had defeated a World Erosion Being and succeeded in their revival.
Kraush appeared to be a teenage boy in Adolf’s eyes.
So it seemed his age matched the rumored youngest.
The thought of why a direct descendant of the Balheim family was here briefly crossed his mind.
The report on the additional deployment of the Blue Sea Knight Order was handled by the Flame Mistress, so it was possible he didn’t know.
“Honestly, I don’t really understand why you want to take the Lunar Body.”
Meanwhile, Aslan spoke, looking at the wall of fire in front of him.
Considering Kraush’s demonstrated abilities so far, it’s clear that the Lunar Body would be useful to him.
However, despite that, it was hard to understand why he needed the Lunar Body, which is akin to a curse.
The biggest reason Aslan’s life turned out this way was largely due to the Lunar Body.
“But if it’s truly necessary for you. Or if it’s necessary right now.”
Aslan, who once had lifeless eyes, now shouted to Kraush with eyes filled with determination.
“Take it.”
He waited for those words.
As the light in Kraush’s hand was lifted, Aslan stepped towards the wall of flames.
“What.”
Adolf, taken aback by what was essentially an act of self-immolation, hurriedly tried to grab Aslan.
However, it was none other than Kraush who blocked his way.
Adolf’s eyes widened in surprise.
Although he had been caught off guard, Kraush’s movements were faster than he had anticipated.
At the same time, Kraush’s figure was clearly reflected in his eyes.
Smoke was emanating from his mouth, and his entire body was heated like molten lava.
The vigor emanating from his fiercely burning body, as if fire was blazing within him, seemed to forcefully break through his limits.
‘Fast.’
A speed that was unbelievable for someone of his age.
At this rate, it seemed like Kraush had stepped into the realm of a Master.
Simultaneously, Adolf clearly felt the energy swirling within Kraush’s scabbard.
An overwhelming energy that even Adolf, known as one of the Ten Strongest Under the Heavens, couldn’t help but notice.
At that moment, black flames erupted from Kraush’s scabbard, which contained such energy.
Kagagagagagagagagagagak!
Kraush’s sword clashed against the protective magic always surrounding Adolf’s body, emitting a fierce sound.
As the intense sound spread, Adolf’s eyes contorted fiercely.
Naturally, the protective magic did not break.
However, it was a shock strong enough to make Adolf’s protective magic vibrate.
Enough to make him retract the hand that was trying to grab Aslan.
“Huh?”
A gasp escaped his lips unintentionally.
It was too absurd to believe that such power was shown by a mere kid who hadn’t even reached adulthood.
‘The Balheim family has birthed a monster.’
He was aware that a new Sword Star had been born, but he hadn’t expected another star to appear.
Is there truly a divine blessing in the bloodline of the Balheim family?
‘No, this one is different somehow.’
Especially that ominous black flame.
It was close to a curse.
‘What has this guy put into his body? It feels like he’s condensed a curse.’
If the renowned Charlotte is called a Sword Star, a pure and holy star,
This one feels like a black star dripping with darkness.
While he was thinking, Aslan had crossed the barrier of flames.
Adolf, whose attention had been on Kraush, glanced at Aslan.
As soon as he was engulfed by the flames, Aslan was in the state of jumping into a lake.
F fortunately, he didn’t seem to be dead, as bubbles were rising from the water.
Since the barrier was roughly dispelled when Aslan jumped in, he probably didn’t suffer significant injuries.
Still, he couldn’t just leave him like that.
He had to retrieve Aslan and return.
Kagagagagak!
However, his protective magic vibrated fiercely once again.
It was because Kraush’s sword had struck his protective magic again.
“Would it be fitting for one of the Ten Strongest Under the Heavens to turn their back on a junior?”
Then, he uttered a provocatively old-fashioned taunt, as if tailored to Adolf’s age.
Adolf let out a dumbfounded breath.
“My grandson has made a bad friend.”
Adolf cracked his knuckles.
It seemed he needed to catch his grandson and also roughly correct the manners of his grandson’s friend.