TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 83
“Yes, I’ll assign you to the 6th Company of the Blue Sea Knight Order. Once you’re registered as a knight, you’ll be assigned two squires and nine soldiers. How would you like to handle this part?”
“Exclude that. Follow the route used when Wandering Knights join Balheim.”
That referred to a process where Wandering Knights brought in from outside would undergo a three-month probationary period before being assigned squires and soldiers.
“You’re referring to the probationary process for Wandering Knights. Understood.”
Reblian, quick on the uptake, smoothly adjusted to the request.
“What about the age?”
“Ah, it might need some tweaking. The appearance looks young, but let’s say around eighteen.”
“Would it be all right if I preview the appearance as a test?”
“If that’s the case, we could change the appearance and proceed with assigning me to the 6th Company today itself.”
There was no reason to delay.
“Understood. If I just report to the Commander, I can process this quickly and get it done today. What about the room?”
“There’s an empty one, right? I’ll make sure not to clash unnecessarily with the knight members.”
Then Kraush thought of Bianca.
“Ah, Bianca will be with me too. Say it’s a condition for the Wandering Knight joining the Knight Order. Just explain that I have no choice but to take care of my relatively young sister.”
“Understood, I’ll prepare for that as well.”
“Sorry, I’m making quite a few requests.”
As Reblian promptly began preparations for each request, Kraush gave a faint smile, which made Reblian blink in surprise.
Then, realizing he hadn’t responded, Reblian straightened his posture belatedly.
“I apologize. It’s my first time receiving an apology for such matters from someone of your stature, so I was a bit taken aback.”
Knights are part of the most hierarchical and disciplined professions.
For someone like Reblian, who lived among such knights, Kraush’s apology came as a surprise.
Kraush observed him for a moment before letting out a faint, bitter smile.
“Reblian, even the Balheim Direct Line are just people.”
While they might be treated as lofty, godlike figures by others, to Kraush, they were all the same.
In the face of destruction, it didn’t matter if you were from Balheim, a knight, or a commoner—everyone met the same end.
“I’ve made you handle a lot of work, so it’s only fair to apologize, and since you’ve handled my requests well, it’s only right to thank you.”
Others might think differently, but…
This was just who Kraush was.
“…I see. I was short-sighted.”
“All right, then as I mentioned earlier, I’ll show you the appearance I’ll be using for now.”
Kraush immediately revealed his appearance as Krad in front of Reblian.
“Ah, um, yes, understood.”
Seeing the Krad appearance, with closed eyes and deep black hair, Reblian looked slightly unsettled.
Kraush understood his reaction.
Honestly, this appearance did look quite suspicious.
The saving grace was that his recent growth had made him tall enough to appear somewhat older despite his youthful face.
It must have been partly due to his unique aura.
“Then I’ll report to the Commander and be back.”
While Reblian left the room.
Kraush turned to look at Bianca.
“Mr. Kraush, I can’t see your eyes.”
“I can see ahead just fine, so don’t worry.”
Bianca didn’t seem particularly bothered by Kraush’s change in appearance.
For her, Kraush’s physical appearance was never of much importance.
What mattered to her was simply that Kraush was there.
“By the way, Bianca, I think you should change your hair color too. Are you okay with that?”
Though she was being introduced as his younger sister for now, Bianca’s hair color was quite conspicuous.
While her face wasn’t widely recognized within Balheim, her distinctively white hair, characteristic of Hardenhartz, stood out.
“The same color as Mr. Kraush’s?”
“Well, since I plan to pass you off as my younger sister.”
“Then, that’s fine.”
Thankfully, she agreed.
A glance at Crimson Garden confirmed that she nodded in agreement as well.
Changing hair color was a simple matter with magic.
Crimson Garden approached Bianca and lightly lifted her wing. In that instant, Bianca’s hair turned black.
As her newly black hair swayed softly, it significantly altered Bianca’s overall atmosphere.
While Bianca’s face had recently become more expressive, her demeanor remained stoic.
Perhaps because of this, if the white-haired Bianca had resembled a flower blooming amidst snow, the black-haired Bianca evoked the image of a Black Rose.
Her hair had grown so much recently that the strands now fluttered noticeably across her back.
As she touched her newly black hair, Bianca hesitated slightly and turned to look at Kraush.
“Does it suit me?”
With a hint of worry, Bianca asked.
“It suits you well.”
He meant it wholeheartedly.
Considering Bianca’s level of beauty, there wasn’t much that wouldn’t suit her.
With her recent growth spurt, the black hair gave Bianca a slightly more mature appearance compared to before.
Bianca raised the corners of her mouth slightly before turning her back to Kraush.
“Mr. Kraush, please tie it for me.”
Perhaps the darker color made her feel warmer.
Kraush took the ribbon from Bianca and carefully gathered her hair to tie it.
As a result, Bianca’s hair now resembled a ponytail, swaying lightly before she sat down beside Kraush.
Leaning her head against Kraush’s shoulder, she smiled faintly.
“We match.”
Kraush wasn’t sure what she found so delightful.
Yet, seeing her feet swinging happily beneath her chair, he refrained from saying anything.
[＊ ＊ ＊]
Thanks to Reblian’s efficient handling of matters, Kraush was assigned an empty dormitory room as a Wandering Knight.
Balheim offered excellent welfare for its knights.
With personal bathrooms, a kitchen counter, and even three rooms, living comfortably seemed guaranteed.
“Crim, do you want one of the rooms for yourself?”
[Do as you wish.]
Even when he tried to show consideration, she grumbled.
Kraush casually placed the luggage Aliod had thoughtfully packed into the room.
“Bianca, is there a particular room you’d like?”
“Which room will Mr. Kraush use?”
Kraush picked a room at random.
Bianca nodded and chose the room next to his.
She didn’t seem picky about the room either.
“It feels like a newlywed house.”
For some reason, Bianca’s voice sounded unusually cheerful.
Where did she even learn to say something like that?
Kraush made a mental note to provide Bianca’s personal maid, Ellie, with another round of training soon.
Knock, knock–
Just then, a knock came from outside the dormitory door.
When Kraush opened the door to see what it was, the first thing he noticed was the scar on the forehead and the bald head accompanying it.
The man had a rough-looking face and was a head taller than Kraush, standing imposingly in the doorway.
“You’re the new recruit recommended by the Vice Commander, right?”
His low voice echoed as if trying to establish dominance right from the start.
To think someone would come looking for him as soon as he arrived.
It seemed like rumors spread quickly within the Blue Sea Knight Order.
“Yeah. I’m Kraush.”
“I’m Ziek. When we have a new member join the Blue Sea Knight Order, there’s something we do. I’d like you to follow me for a moment.”
Speaking in a tone that carried a hint of intimidation, he firmly gripped the door with his thick hand.
‘Just from the look of it, he seems like he’s trying to assert dominance or something.’
Come to think of it, I’d heard that this kind of territorial behavior was quite common among knights.
Besides, Kraush was nominally from the Wandering Knight background.
To those who had climbed the ranks through the formal route, he was undoubtedly an unwelcome presence.
‘Well, whatever.’
After all, the Blue Sea Knight Order was a group he would have to work with for the time being.
It was better to resolve any issues quickly.
“If you’d like, you can bring your sister along too.”
“I’ll go alone. My sister is shy around strangers.”
If it was about asserting dominance, there was no reason to involve Bianca.
So when Kraush said he’d go alone, Ziek nodded and obediently led the way.
Kraush casually tilted his head, cracking his neck.
How strong was the Blue Sea Knight Order again?
If he remembered correctly, their average was somewhere between intermediate and advanced Expert level.
As they reached the door to the dining hall, Kraush could sense a significant presence beyond it.
It felt like every member of the Blue Sea Knight Order in the building had gathered there.
While Kraush subtly heightened his Sixth Sense, Ziek opened the door to the dining hall.
Bang!
At the sound of something exploding, Kraush instinctively moved his hand to his waist, only to realize it was just someone setting off a small firecracker.
The streamers pouring out of the firecracker were undeniably party decorations.
At the same time, the knights and soldiers scattered around shouted in unison toward Kraush.
“Welcome, new member!”
“We’ll count on you from now on!”
“Haha, you’ve got quite a unique look!”
Seeing them so enthusiastically welcoming him, Kraush blinked his momentarily closed eyes.
Then, when he glanced at Ziek, Ziek grinned widely back at him.
“Whenever we get a new member, we gather everyone we can and throw a party to welcome them. It’s been a while since we had someone new, so everyone’s a bit excited—please understand.”
“Ah, uh-huh.”
Kraush, who hadn’t expected a welcome at all, let alone such a warm one, looked a little taken aback.
“Ah, does this sort of thing make you uncomfortable?”
Ziek immediately asked, sounding concerned.
Despite his rough appearance, his heart was full of thoughtfulness and warmth.
“Ah, it can feel overwhelming, I get it. Especially since everyone’s a stranger.”
“Haha, it’s fine. I heard you personally brought your sister all the way to the knight order’s quarters on your own? Make sure to grab something she likes!”
“If your sister has any issues or seems hesitant to say something, feel free to come to me. It might be easier for her to talk to another woman, right? Girls can be sensitive, after all.”
Warm words of support poured in from all directions.
Amidst the kind remarks, Kraush scratched his head with an expression of awkwardness.
So, these were the people of the Blue Sea Knight Order.
It struck him anew just how little connection he’d had with the knight orders of Balheim.
‘…I suppose I should go fetch Bianca.’
* * *
The party was quite decent.
Bianca enjoyed sweet things, so she ate the cake happily.
Although she got a lot of it around her mouth and needed him to wipe her face with his hand from time to time.
Still, seeing Bianca eat so well put Kraush in a good mood.
The only issue was being treated as an adult and offered drinks here and there.
Kraush politely declined the alcohol.
After the party ended and the Blue Sea Knight members were taking a break—
Kraush was confirming the knight order’s upcoming schedule with the Vice Commander, Reblian.
“So, starting in a week, it’s support for the Forbidden Zone?”
“Yes, the designated Forbidden Zone is the Demonic Realm. It’s about a month’s journey by carriage, but Sephira has agreed to provide transportation.”
“Sephira’s support, you say?”
Kraush paused for a moment.
The World Erosion specialist investigation group, Sephira.
He had heard something about them from Crimson Garden not long ago.
“Yes, they’ve granted permission to use a Space Magic Circle they operate near the Demonic Realm. Apparently, the activity in the Demonic Realm has been unusual lately. They said support is necessary.”
Hearing this, Kraush fell into a brief moment of thought.
While heading to the Forbidden Zone was part of the standard procedure, it seemed inevitable that he would encounter the Princess of Sephira.
‘It feels a bit too soon, though.’
Kraush tapped his folded arms lightly.
‘…Then again, as someone from Balheim’s Direct Line, I wouldn’t be heading to the Demonic Realm in an official capacity, so there shouldn’t be much interaction.’
With that thought in mind, Kraush decided to ask Reblian something else.
“With that level of support, it doesn’t seem like only the Blue Sea Knight Order will be mobilized. What about the other knight orders?”
“Yes, the Two Swords and Four Swords will also be participating.”
Kraush slowly stroked his chin.
Given that the Two Swords and Four Swords would be involved, it seemed likely that the Five Swords, to which the Blue Sea Knight Order belonged, would be relegated to more menial tasks.
After all, in terms of skill, the Four Swords, made up of knights at the peak of the advanced Expert level, and the Two Swords, which included several mid-level Masters, were bound to take the lead.
‘Well, compared to the One Sword, none of it really matters.’
All members at the peak of the Master level.
The strongest knight order in the world, the One Sword.
Among them, the Commander of the One Sword, Balheim’s Guardian Sword, had reached the pinnacle of Mastery.
It was largely thanks to the One Sword that the Empire dared not provoke Balheim lightly.
Not just the strength of an individual, but an entire knight order of people who had all attained the pinnacle of mastery.
Even the White Dragon Knight Order, the pride of the Empire, might outnumber them, but they were outclassed in terms of quality—a reality no one could deny.
‘It was because the creator of the technique I use was granted the title of Guardian Sword by the One Sword Commander that the technique was named after them.’
Among all this, from the Guardian Sword to the five elders who had reached the pinnacle of Mastery—
The Ten Strongest Under the Heavens, to the Vice Matriarch of Balheim who had achieved the ultimate stage of mastery—Martial King.
Finally, Balrok Balheim, one of the Celestial Four Strongest and one of only four individuals in the world to reach the Emperor stage.
Kraush was once again struck by just how monstrous a group Balheim was as a martial family.
No wonder people said Balheim’s knights were far stronger than the royal knight orders of Starlon.
‘In any case, they’re a group of monsters.’
Even knowing he was part of that group, Kraush let out a dry laugh.
It was because of this environment that Kraush had no choice but to be treated as a Half-Penny in Balheim.
To them, Kraush genuinely was a Half-Penny.
And yet, he felt conflicted.
Even a group like Balheim had ultimately been powerless in the face of destruction.
After all, even the Skyborne Generation, hailed as the strongest in history, had been helpless against annihilation.
It wasn’t like Balheim would be any different.
“Um, are you alright?”
At that moment, Kraush heard Reblian’s voice and looked up.
“Alright? What do you mean?”
“You looked like you were deep in thought.”
“This is just my normal expression.”
Reblian, taking another look at Kraush’s face, appeared confused.
With Kraush’s eyes closed, his expression was ambiguous enough to be open to interpretation.
And Kraush realized why Reblian had asked that question.
“It’s because of the older sister residing in this sword, isn’t it?”
Lilish Balheim.
Currently, the commander of the Sky-Piercing Knight Order, and the second child of the Balheim family.
She was also Belorkin’s biological sister and Kraush’s half-sister.