TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 82
After Hilnider’s visit.
Kraush spent several days training alone at the Green Pine Mansion’s training ground.
And the most significant part of his training was handling none other than the Rain Thunder Prime.
The Rain Thunder Prime was a sword far trickier than it seemed.
Because the blade’s edge couldn’t remain consistent due to its ability to adapt freely based on the output of the aura.
‘Even Charlotte, not to mention Belorkin, handled this kind of output naturally.’
The problem was that Kraush, having been born with a relatively small amount of aura, was too accustomed to achieving high efficiency with minimal output.
So Kraush began to fix his habits.
Specifically, by maintaining a constant stream of aura, like Charlotte.
“…I’m going to die at this rate.”
Thanks to that, Kraush once again collapsed to the ground, completely drained of aura.
He realized anew just how absurd Charlotte’s sustained aura stream was.
Lying there, Kraush stared blankly at the sky passing over the training ground.
He planned to rest until his headache and dizziness subsided.
‘It’s hot.’
Was it because it was midsummer?
The ground was incredibly hot.
Although his Lunar Body skill counteracted some of the heat, it wasn’t purely an advantage.
Under the sun, Kraush felt his senses dull compared to before.
‘I never thought there wouldn’t be any drawbacks. If I could just maintain Annihilation Erosion constantly, the sun wouldn’t be an issue.’
But that also meant that without using Annihilation Erosion, he would quickly become exhausted under the sun—a fact he couldn’t deny.
Kraush crossed his arms while still lying down.
In that case, the solution was simple.
Increase the amount of World Erosion available as fuel for Annihilation Erosion.
Of course, increasing the amount of World Erosion would also amplify the scale of the Frenzy, to the point where even the Doll’s Eye he received from Bianca might one day fail to suppress it.
‘When that day comes, I’ll have to find another way to restrain it.’
Damn, plugging one hole only to have another leak.
Thinking how troublesome it all was, Kraush internally decided on his next course of action.
At the very least, he resolved to absorb enough World Erosion to overcome the drawbacks of the Lunar Body.
Doing so would also allow him to handle greater amounts of World Erosion at once, making him even stronger.
But recklessly absorbing World Erosion was not an option.
‘If the World Erosion’s saturation level decreases, the purification officers will suspect something.’
Ordinary World Erosion was out of the question.
There was no benefit in drawing suspicion unnecessarily.
‘In the end.’
The only place he could go was the Forbidden Zone.
The Forbidden Zone was where World Erosion was most rampant.
Absorbing World Erosion there wouldn’t deplete it.
However, the Forbidden Zone was strictly managed by kingdoms, empires, and countless noble families.
He couldn’t just enter it on a whim.
“So, Crimson Garden, what do you think?”
Kraush asked as he looked at Crimson Garden, who was sitting beside him. She clicked her tongue in response.
“Even Mirsys can’t help anymore. After overextending last time, she’s now under Sephira’s watchful eyes.”
Kraush’s expression showed his disappointment.
The assistance of Mirsys, a 3rd Class Officer of Sephira, had proven quite useful.
As Kraush pondered deeply, he soon remembered one particular fact.
‘Come to think of it, isn’t this around the time Balheim participates in the Forbidden Zone support?’
If he joined the support initiative, he would surely gain access to the Forbidden Zone.
‘The issue is.’
The promise he made with Hilnider.
Kraush had agreed to maintain his Half-Penny status until enrolling at Rahelrn Academy.
He needed to avoid drawing attention as much as possible.
‘For now, staying unnoticed is the best course of action.’
As Kraush rolled his eyes in thought, a person suddenly came to mind.
Someone sharp, with a decent sense of discretion.
And by now, they should have returned.
Deciding to meet that person, Kraush rose to his feet.
‘I should still have some of the potions Darling gave me.’
On the day Darling gave him the elixirs.
Darling had packed several potions for him, saying he might need them in her absence.
Among them was a potion that allowed him to change his appearance, one he had used before.
And there wasn’t just one or two of them—she had provided an ample supply.
‘What an eccentric taste she has.’
Either way, using them now would certainly be useful.
With that in mind, Kraush decided to grab them from his room and then meet someone to accompany him to the Forbidden Zone.
At that moment, in the distance—
He spotted the back of a girl standing motionless in front of a magic tool designed to cool the room.
Her hair fluttered in the breeze, yet she firmly gripped the vent of the magic tool, a sight that made him chuckle.
At the same time, he felt a pang of guilt.
She was struggling because she wasn’t accustomed to Balheim’s summer.
Hardenhartz wasn’t particularly hot, even in summer.
“Bianca.”
When he called her name, Bianca finally turned to look at him.
Her hair, blown back to reveal her forehead, was damp with beads of sweat.
Kraush took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped her forehead.
Bianca, following his movements, quietly held his hands with both of hers and pressed them against her face.
“Mr. Kraush, your hands are cool.”
Of course, it was due to his Lunar Body.
Judging by Bianca’s expression, she seemed truly worn out from the heat.
Should he take her somewhere cooler?
‘I’ll check where the Forbidden Zone support mission leads. If it’s up north, I’ll take her there.’
As long as it wasn’t inside the Forbidden Zone, there shouldn’t be any problem.
Unlike Kraush, Bianca wasn’t as widely recognized outside Hardenhartz.
Changing her hair color slightly should suffice.
With that thought, Kraush patted her head once before withdrawing his hand.
“Where are you going?”
“To the main house for a quick errand.”
Since this matter required going to the main house, Kraush replied as such.
Bianca naturally followed him like a chick trailing its mother.
She hadn’t yet grown out of her chick-like tendencies.
“I’m going to wash up.”
“Should I join you?”
“Of course not. Just get ready. I’ll be quick.”
“Alright.”
Only after saying that did Bianca scurry away from his side.
Though her unsteady steps due to the heat worried him, he trusted she wouldn’t fall.
“Aliod, I’ll be heading to the main house. Prepare the carriage with a cooling magic tool.”
“Yes, I’ll get it ready right away.”
After instructing Aliod, Kraush quickly showered and changed into fresh clothes.
Then, he took Bianca and boarded the carriage, catching sight of Crimson Garden through the window.
Kraush had now grown quite accustomed to this group.
[Kraush.]
While Bianca, who was sitting beside Kraush, opened her book, Crimson Garden suddenly called out to him.
Whenever she called him like this, it usually meant trouble was brewing.
Was something going to happen again today?
As Kraush turned to look at her, Crimson Garden continued speaking.
[The Princess of Sephira has made a move.]
Kraush’s brows furrowed slightly.
As expected, it wasn’t good news.
Sephira, the organization dedicated to investigating World Erosion.
Their princess had taken action.
“…Her escort knight?”
[A new one was recently assigned to her. Naturally, they’re accompanying her.]
Kraush clicked his tongue in irritation.
So, it was finally time for that side to start moving as well.
‘What should I do?’
Kraush fell deep into thought for a moment.
He was pondering how to deal with the princess and that man, who would undoubtedly cause problems later.
However, he soon arrived at a simple conclusion.
‘…At this level, how could I hope to stop them?’
From his skills to the current situation, nothing was in his favor yet.
Thus, Kraush decided that for now, there wasn’t much he could do about him.
“Avoiding them if possible would certainly be easier.”
[If you’re heading toward the Forbidden Zone, the chances of crossing paths are high, though.]
“There are countless Forbidden Zones, and by sheer coincidence, that woman and her escort knight will appear at the very place I’m heading? Ha.”
No matter how unlucky one might be.
[Hmm, I have warned you.]
…No matter how unlucky one might be.
But unfortunately, Kraush knew himself all too well.
‘…And I am unlucky.’
He silently decided to prepare himself just in case.
* * *
Balheim’s Main House.
Returning to the main house after a long time, Kraush didn’t head toward the main building.
Instead, he made his way to the area where the various knight orders resided.
The Balheim Family’s knight orders consisted of a total of nine groups.
As such, the facilities where they lived were massive in scale.
From training grounds and dormitories to training facilities for raising new knights.
These facilities occupied a vast section of the main house.
Because of this, the areas Kraush passed through were filled with knights of the Balheim Family.
As soon as Kraush’s carriage passed by, the knights immediately saluted in its direction.
It was only natural since the carriage bore the direct emblem of the Balheim Family.
“Who was scheduled to arrive today?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t heard anything.”
As the knights who had saluted murmured among themselves while watching the carriage pass.
The carriage came to a halt in front of a particular building.
On the structure was engraved the emblem of five swords.
The headquarters of the Blue Sea Knight Order, the Fifth Sword of Balheim.
Kraush stepped out of the carriage first, then helped Bianca down before standing in front of the building.
At that moment, someone came rushing out with hurried footsteps.
“Mr. Kraush Balheim, welcome! I am Masha, the secretary of the Blue Sea Knight Order.”
She greeted Kraush with a bright smile despite having dashed out in haste.
However, her expression betrayed her extreme nervousness.
Well, from their perspective, the sudden, unannounced visit from the son of the Balheim Family patriarch must have felt like a bolt from the blue.
It was nothing short of a catastrophe for them.
Kraush wanted to tell her not to worry, but he sensed that even such words would only make her more uneasy.
So, he decided to get straight to the point.
“I’d like to meet with the Vice Commander of the Blue Sea Knight Order.”
“Ah, I’ll guide you to them right away!”
Eager to avoid any missteps, she quickly complied.
She immediately sent a staff member of the Blue Sea Knight Order ahead to notify the Vice Commander.
Meanwhile, Kraush followed Masha’s lead with unhurried steps.
Although knights occasionally appeared and chatted as they walked through the corridors.
They promptly cleared the hallways upon seeing Masha’s stern, tiger-like expression.
This secretary seemed to have a surprisingly strong grip on the Blue Sea Knight Order.
‘I don’t know much about the knight orders, after all.’
Come to think of it, Lakradiyon had once expressed a desire to become Kraush’s knight.
Perhaps it was time to properly familiarize himself with the knight orders.
With a knight order, combating World Erosion would be much more efficient.
They were far more useful than the Skyborne Generation.
‘I could probably leave the commander’s role to Lakradiyon.’
In that case, the question was what to name the knight order.
Kraush glanced at Bianca.
“Bianca, if I were to establish a knight order, do you have any ideas for a name?”
For some reason, Masha, who was leading the way, flinched at his words.
Her eyes wavered anxiously.
‘Considering Mr. Kraush’s previous affiliation with the Blue Sea Knight Order and now this visit, could he be planning to absorb the entire order…?’
As Masha silently battled her misunderstanding, Kraush kept his attention on Bianca.
“A knight order?”
“Yes, a knight order.”
“Why not just name it after yourself, Mr. Kraush?”
“How could a knight order named after me be appropriate?”
Maybe I should just call it the Chick Knight Order.
“How about… the Black Sea?”
Out of nowhere, Masha made a suggestion.
Kraush turned to her, surprised by the unexpected input, and she cleared her throat awkwardly.
“Ahem, I-I overstepped.”
From Masha’s perspective, suggesting the name Black Sea was her way of hoping that some remnant of the Blue Sea Knight Order would remain intact.
Kraush, however, found that Black Sea didn’t sound too bad.
“This is the Vice Commander’s office.”
By then, Masha’s guidance had come to an end.
She knocked on the door, and a response came from inside before she opened it.
Kraush strode confidently into the open room.
Inside was a man dressed in the uniform of the Blue Sea Knight Order.
Kraush recognized him by name.
Not long ago in Halgram, he had been the one responsible for dealing with Kraush—the Vice Commander of the Blue Sea Knight Order.
Reblian Fenox.
And today, he was the person Kraush intended to make an inconvenient request to.
* * *
Reblian Fenox was a composed individual.
A person admired for their swift work, strict adherence to their superior’s orders, and never once abusing authority over junior knights.
At the same time, his flexibility in handling situations appropriately made him perfectly suited for the role of Vice Commander.
In fact, the Commander of the Blue Sea Knight Order placed the highest trust in Reblian, the Vice Commander.
Such a man, Reblian, was now face-to-face with Kraush, a direct line member of Balheim.
From the first time they’d met in the Magic City of Halgram, it was clear he had a peculiar personality, unlike other direct line members.
At first, Reblian had wondered what someone like him was doing in the Blue Sea Knight Order, but since it was a matter involving Balheim’s direct line, he had set aside his doubts and silently allowed Kraush to act as he pleased.
And yet, what a surprise it had been.
After Kraush’s visit, Aslan, a direct member of the Igrit Family, suddenly ceased his suicide attempts, and Kraush himself unexpectedly awakened Flame Magic.
Naturally, as the knight assigned to Kraush on behalf of the Igrit Family, Reblian was well aware that Kraush was involved in the matter.
Even afterward, Kraush continued to exhibit unusual behavior.
For that reason, Reblian had gradually been gathering information about Kraush, and he had even heard the news that Kraush had visited the Demonic Bastion and defeated Nakcheon, the Ghost of the Demonic Bastion.
Recently, rumors had started to spread that the story was nothing but an exaggerated fabrication.
But Reblian, who had seen Kraush in person, knew.
He knew it was no mere rumor.
“……You wish to join the Blue Sea Knight Order while concealing your identity and participate in the next Forbidden Zone mission?”
Reblian repeated the words Kraush had just said to confirm them.
Kraush nodded indifferently in response.
“Yes, just as I said.”
A trace of doubt flickered in Reblian’s eyes.
He wondered why someone of Balheim’s direct line would go out of their way to do something like this.
However, he did not voice his doubt.
Just as he had quietly accepted his appointment as the Vice Commander of the Blue Sea Knight Order after being pushed out of the seat of power in the Fenox family, this time too, he simply resolved to follow orders.
After all, the Blue Sea Knight Order existed solely for the sake of Balheim.
A request from Balheim’s direct line was as good as a command.
“Understood. I will make the necessary preparations.”
Reblian’s prompt reply brought a satisfied smile to Kraush’s face.
As expected, he was a remarkable individual, even upon second impression.
‘If I ever establish a new knight order or anything of the sort, he’d be the first one I’d recruit. Leaving him in the Vice Commander’s position in the Blue Sea Knight Order feels like a waste.’
He was exactly the kind of person Kraush would want by his side.
However, for now, Kraush decided to leave it at that.
“How should I register your name?”
At the mention of a name, Kraush paused to contemplate briefly.
Then, a faintly sly smile appeared on his lips.
“Register me as Krad.”
Krad, the leader of the Night Ravens who had vanished after winning first place in the Empire’s Martial Arts Tournament.
He had reappeared, this time in Balheim’s Blue Sea Knight Order.