TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 81
‘The problem is that certain prerequisites need to be met, but that’s another story.’
Hilnider held such thoughts and looked at Kraush without erasing his smile.
“Why don’t we have an open and honest conversation?”
At the moment Hilnider spoke, Kraush looked at him with a puzzled expression.
Seeing that puzzled face, Hilnider almost let his guard down unintentionally.
However, he was also a leader who would later lead Starlon.
Even if he wasn’t as much of a genius as Sizelry Ephania, born of the Empire, he had learned many skills and read the mood to stand at the top of the political world.
‘He’s deliberately not showing any reaction in front of me.’
To entice the 1st Prince himself into taking action.
‘This is interesting. It seems the rumor that he has shed the Half-Penny label is indeed true.’
So, Hilnider decided to stop testing him at that point.
That Kraush had shed the Half-Penny label of Balheim.
Because he realized it wasn’t just a matter of blossoming talent.
“It seems you also have something to discuss with me.”
Even to this statement, Kraush’s reaction remained calm.
Seeing that reaction, it became clear.
Both when he mentioned having an open and honest conversation, and now.
Kraush showed no signs of being intimidated, even in front of the 1st Prince.
Because he already knew everything Hilnider was going to say.
“It was Hilnider who came to see me, not the other way around.”
“Yes, I thought I was the only one with something to discuss. But looking at your eyes, it seems that’s not the case.”
Hilnider gave a smooth smile.
“The reason I came here today is to see if we can form a good connection. Recently, Rahelrn Academy has been concentrating many talents, and there’s a power struggle going on within. Currently, the representative of the 4 Kingdoms’ faction is your sister.”
“You’re talking about Sister Charlotte.”
Kraush’s reaction indicated he already knew.
And if he knew that, he would also know the current situation.
“If you know that, you must also know. Charlotte is not suited for the role of a representative.”
Charlotte lives her life solely based on her own principles.
She is free-spirited, aggressive, and uncontrollable.
She is strong as an individual, but not suitable for drawing out the strength of a group.
Therefore, the current power struggle between the 4 Kingdoms and the Empire was flowing in a bad direction.
In fact, because of the overly strong Charlotte, the 4 Kingdoms couldn’t easily put forward another representative.
Meanwhile, the Empire was actively rallying around Sigrid.
It was a situation where the balance could be lost at any moment.
“Given how many talents are concentrated at Rahelrn Academy, I believe it would be dangerous if the Empire took control of the situation.”
“Is it alright to say such an important thing in front of me?”
Hilnider let out a snicker.
“You seem to have a rough idea of why I’m saying this.”
So, he stopped probing.
And as expected, Kraush spoke precisely of Hilnider’s intentions.
“Next year, enter Rahelrn Academy, take the lead of the 4 Kingdoms, and wrestle with the Empire. And Starlon will support that. Isn’t that what you want to say?”
Hilnider’s eyes curved into even more of a crescent shape.
Despite Kraush’s rather rude statement in front of the 1st Prince of Starlon, it only heightened Hilnider’s interest.
“Isn’t it a bit early for me, still the 1st Prince, to talk about Starlon’s support?”
“It’s a story for a year from now.”
At the next statement, Hilnider suppressed a chuckle.
Next year, Hilnider would definitely receive the succession from Starlon and begin the formal process of inheriting the throne.
From that point on, the scale of Hilnider’s power would completely change.
The nobles who had been lying low under him would now be able to openly give him full support.
Kraush spoke as if he anticipated this fact.
This story, which was still circulating only within the Starlon royal family.
“…Is that the interpretation from the Balheim side?”
“I don’t get along well with my family, so this is my personal opinion.”
A smile that seemed to say Hilnider knew this well was drawn on Kraush’s face.
Hilnider swallowed his feelings of disbelief.
And beyond his forced smile, a bead of cold sweat formed.
That was because, while it was certain Hilnider would inherit the throne, the fact that it would be next year was still only known to his insiders.
‘Since Rahelrn Academy was established, friction has been occurring between the 4 Kingdoms and the Empire, knowingly or unknowingly. To prevent the conflict from escalating further, I hurried to secure the throne succession and start the succession training before His Majesty steps down, so as not to be overwhelmed by future conflicts.’
Kraush already knew this fact.
Even before Hilnider brought it up.
‘And yet, he calls it a personal opinion.’
Hilnider concluded it was a lie.
Kraush was definitely receiving support from Balheim.
And through Kraush, Balheim indirectly showed Hilnider that they had an ear to the situation within the royal family.
So, he began to slowly revise his thoughts about the person named Kraush.
‘…Balheim has been supporting Kraush all along, not showing it on the surface, deliberately framing him as a Half-Penny.’
Even for Balheim, his recent growth rate was abnormal.
But if it was all about hiding his true abilities, it made sense.
‘And he recently showed such movements to pique my interest. No, not just me. It should be considered a non-specific majority with the power to approach Balheim’s youngest.’
What benefits would Balheim gain when people with power like him approached?
It meant that even if Balheim built up power with the royal family, they would not face checks from other nobles.
As Balheim has been reigning as the strongest family in Starlon, they have had to endure the snakes among the nobles, knowingly or unknowingly.
Even the Starlon royal family was maintaining a certain line, fearing that Balheim might surpass the power of the royal family.
There’s no need to mention the nobles below them.
They had no choice but to be busy checking Balheim’s power, fearing it might grow further.
‘Balheim exploited this point and created the Half-Penny Kraush.’
And recently, by reviving him, they induced Hilnider, himself, and even other kingdoms, and the Empire to reach out to him.
Just as Hilnider initially tried to make Kraush into a dog of the royal family.
It was clear that many would target the giant that is Balheim and approach Kraush.
As a result, those who came to manipulate Kraush to their liking would end up being caught in Balheim’s trap.
‘After all, everything that can be conveyed through Kraush will ultimately be in Balheim’s hands.’
The kingdoms and the Empire would throw firewood recklessly to stoke the flame that is Kraush.
Without knowing that the firewood would only strengthen the house that is Balheim.
And Kraush was looking at Hilnider with a nonchalant expression.
‘I can hear the gears turning in his head from here.’
Hilnider was quite intelligent.
Even with Balheim’s presence, he not only withstood war with the Empire with just one kingdom but also persuaded other kingdoms to push the Empire back.
It was solely Hilnider’s ability to find out about the internal issues of the Empire through information gathering and a battle of wits, and then draw out the power of other kingdoms.
Of course, even such a Hilnider could not ultimately prevent the world’s destruction.
Nevertheless, Kraush somewhat respected him.
‘And that’s the trap.’
He’s intelligent.
What does that mean?
Even with just fragmentary information, his sharp mind can deduce the entire process from which the information came.
This would certainly be a great help in running a country.
His ability to deduce processes, though not as high as Sizelry’s, was very accurate and had proven correct countless times.
It wasn’t for nothing that he was almost certain to inherit the throne at such a young age.
So, Kraush used this to his advantage.
There’s no way Hilnider could have thought that a 14-year-old boy would fearlessly reveal important information from his memories of regression.
‘It’s inevitable that the thought of Balheim being my backing would naturally form in his mind.’
He had no confidence in a battle of wits with the likes of Hilnider or Sizelry.
Kraush knew well that opening his mouth in the midst of the real geniuses’ strategic battle would only lead to entanglement.
‘So, he just boldly made his move.’
He let Hilnider’s brilliant mind interpret his move however it wanted.
Just as a criminal cannot understand a genius.
It was exploiting the fact that a genius cannot understand a criminal.
“Hmph.”
Hilnider, covering his face, let out a breath.
‘Should I say I’ve been nicely caught, or should I say I’m glad I figured it out because I was the first one here?’
As Kraush had anticipated, he had thoroughly sorted everything out in his mind.
“You deliberately told me. I guess it’s safe to say that Balheim isn’t hostile towards Starlon, right?”
“Balheim in the Starlon Kingdom has no reason to be hostile towards Starlon.”
“I see, that’s reassuring to hear. I also like Balheim, which has produced many heroes.”
Hilnider, smiling as if reassured, asked.
“So, what do you think of my proposal?”
It was the proposal Hilnider had directly mentioned earlier.
Despite knowing that Balheim was using Kraush, his proposal remained unchanged.
Kraush tapped his armrest with his index finger for a moment.
Then he soon smiled gently.
“How about this for your proposal?”
“…It seems you have a different idea?”
Kraush’s intention was Balheim’s intention.
So, as he waited calmly, Kraush spoke.
“Kraush Balheim is nothing but a Half-Penny. The Butcher Dog during Hardenhartz was in a terrible state because it was being chased by the Empire, and in this case of Nakcheon, it was only defeated with the help of a Master-level talent like Lakradiyon and the Pendalord.”
Curiosity filled his eyes.
“…You must know you can’t cover the sun with your hand, right?”
“Yes, you can’t cover the sun with your hand. But if that hand is the royal family of Starlon, it’s quite large, isn’t it? Adding Balheim’s hand to it would be fine too.”
“Hmm, even so, such rumors won’t last a year.”
The world is vast.
So, while true information spreads, false information also runs rampant.
That’s why empires and kingdoms thoroughly verify the authenticity of information.
No matter how much information is concealed, once it spreads, its authenticity will eventually be determined.
Hilnider’s one year meant this.
“It’s fine. That will be enough until I enter the Academy.”
Hilnider’s eyes widened.
“…If rumors start spreading from the time you enter the Academy, and it turns out that all the information that was considered false is actually true, the attention of the kingdoms and the empire will naturally focus on you, making you the center of attention. The 4 Kingdoms and the Empire will be eager to get in touch with you and will send students to do so.”
Rumors are like fire.
They flare up brilliantly and then quickly die out.
So, Kraush is deliberately trying to suppress that fire now.
So that later it can flare up even more brilliantly, captivating everyone.
Especially if Starlon and Balheim tried to suppress the information, it would only add more credibility to it.
Hilnider gave a wry smile.
“Ha ha, well, I thought I could raise you big with the active support of the royal family. But it turns out you were already a hidden giant.”
This meant everything was already prepared.
Starlon was just adding its spoon to the mix.
“It’s a relief that Balheim is on the side of the Starlon Kingdom.”
“Balheim always considers it a relief to be with the understanding royal family of Starlon.”
Kraush playfully flattered him.
“Alright. I’ll give it a shot. Today’s meeting was very impressive.”
Hilnider stood up, signaling the end of the conversation.
He had much to do back at the royal palace.
“Are you sure you don’t want to eat before you go?”
“Isn’t it better to catch rumors quickly from the start?”
“I won’t deny it.”
Hilnider smiled at Kraush’s honesty.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he turned to him.
“By the way, how strong are you really right now?”
While using rumors is good, to stand at the center of Rahelrn Academy, one’s strength is ultimately the most important.
So, when he asked, Kraush gave a short laugh.
“No one at the Academy can beat me.”
In him, Hilnider caught a glimpse of Charlotte.
She was arrogant, but she had the skills to match that arrogance.
However, that was just individual strength; fundamentally, she was someone who couldn’t cooperate.
But what about Kraush?
Not only did he make the same arrogant statement as Charlotte without hesitation, but he also made statements that surprised even Hilnider, like just now.
Perhaps the real star of Balheim was quietly waiting for the right moment, holding its breath.
“…I might need to revise my evaluation of Balheim.”
He deliberately conveyed his expectations to Kraush and then turned away.
Having clearly imprinted the new figure of Kraush Balheim in a corner of his mind.
As Hilnider left, Kraush relaxed slightly, slumping into his chair.
Then, covering his forehead, he quietly sighed.
“…Crimson Garden.”
[Nawon, I have no interest in such things.]
Crimson Garden, who had appeared before he knew it, sat down in the spot where Hilnider had just been.
“Let’s see how far that man’s wild guesses go.”
[Why don’t I just tell you?]
“If I rely on you too much, I won’t be able to do anything without you.”
Crimson Garden stared at Kraush for a moment.
Realizing why he was so fixated on doing things on his own, after what he had been through.
[How many people have you lost by your side so far, kid?]
What Kraush was doing now was clearly an action to prepare for problems that arise every time he loses someone.
So, when Crimson Garden asked with a somber expression, Kraush didn’t give a particular answer.
In the Skyborne Generation, he had faced destruction head-on with everyone, swallowing every curse imaginable to save those guys.
To Kraush, the number of people lost was meaningless.
“I’m just spending time trying to keep up with those genius bastards.”
[Haa, you stubborn fool.]
Thus, Kraush began to review the conversation he had with Hilnider with Crimson Garden.
Hilnider could derive conclusions in an instant.
But Kraush had to go back to the beginning of their conversation and trace it over again to understand.
As mentioned earlier, just as a genius cannot understand the thoughts of a criminal.
Conversely, a criminal cannot understand the thoughts of a genius.
[Later.]
As they were talking, Crimson Garden continued.
[When you have nothing left to lose, think about it once more.]
Kraush gave a wry smile.
Thinking it was a very distant matter.