TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 84
Everyone in Balheim knows what Kraush has been through during his time there.
Although things have improved since passing the Head Butler’s test, the past doesn’t disappear.
Thus, they considered Kraush’s discomfort.
“I was presumptuous.”
“No, it’s understandable from your perspective.”
If there’s a conflict among Balheim’s direct line, it’s the Knight Order that suffers.
It’s a case of the shrimp’s back breaking in a whale fight.
It would be strange not to be concerned.
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of even talking to Lilish. Besides, she probably won’t recognize me in this state.”
Looking back, Kraush had hardly ever spoken to Lilish in the past.
Lilish was a quiet person.
She was the type to focus solely on the tasks given to her.
Having lived in the Green Pine Mansion, Kraush had even fewer encounters with her.
‘Although we share blood, we are half-siblings.’
There was no particular reason to be close.
“Once we enter the Forbidden Zone, I’ll need to act on my own for a while. Just be mindful of that. I won’t let you take the blame.”
“Yes, I will do so.”
Reblian agreed more easily than expected, despite the dangers of acting alone in the Forbidden Zone.
Then, as if reading Kraush’s mind, he gave a faint smile.
“You moved freely in the Spirit King’s Forest as well. I’ve noted that individual actions aren’t an issue for you.”
Come to think of it, at that time, a familiar knight from the Shadow was casually following behind.
It seems a report about his entry into the Spirit King’s Forest had reached him.
Indeed, it’s good to have someone quick-witted by your side.
“I’m counting on you for the time being.”
“I will serve you diligently.”
After finishing their conversation, Kraush made sure to remember the name Reblian Fenox.
No matter how you looked at it, he was too talented for just the Vice Commander position of the Five Swords Blue Sea Knight Order.
‘I wonder if there will be an opportunity.’
If a chance to form a Knight Order comes up, he should at least make a recruitment offer.
* * *
A week later.
Having participated in the Blue Sea Knight Order’s training and built up some recognition, Kraush was able to blend in well with them thanks to their welcoming attitude.
Therefore, Kraush wore the Blue Sea Knight Order’s uniform without any awkwardness.
“Bianca, do you want this?”
“Yes.”
In the meantime, Bianca, who was receiving much affection from the female members of the Blue Sea Knight Order, received a piece of chocolate.
Since Bianca’s name wasn’t widely known, using her real name didn’t raise any suspicions.
“Krad, you’re going to act alone, right?”
It’s me who feels awkward, actually.
Kraush turned to look at the man who called him Krad.
The man, slightly taller than Kraush and with a bright face, was Colin, a fellow Knight Member.
Being somewhat of an informant, it seems he had already heard that Kraush was going to act alone.
“Yeah, I’m not used to group actions. I’ll be in charge of scouting.”
“You did well during our training, though.”
“Training and real combat are different.”
Krad had already obtained permission from both the Vice Commander and the Commander beforehand.
Colin just asked out of curiosity and didn’t press further.
“Krad, big brother.”
Meanwhile, Bianca’s voice could be heard.
They had decided to pose as siblings for now.
Maybe that’s why, as Bianca called him big brother and looked at him, she handed the chocolate she was holding to Kraush’s mouth.
“Have one.”
“You know I like chocolate. You should eat it all.”
“I’ve eaten a lot. And I like it better when Krad, big brother, eats it.”
Recently, Bianca had been particularly attentive to his eating.
Could it be that she was still concerned about him getting meals from Lirina?
“Here you go.”
Before he knew it, she had even unwrapped the chocolate.
With no other choice, Kraush opened his mouth.
Then, Bianca put the chocolate into Kraush’s mouth with her small, white fingers.
As expected, it was sweet like chocolate.
Glancing at Bianca, she wore a look of considerable satisfaction, though others might not notice.
Seeing that, he let out a short sigh as if he couldn’t help it and gently patted her head.
He should get some different kind of chocolate for her soon.
“They really get along well as siblings.”
“Both of them are so cute.”
Then, the female Knight Members burst into laughter.
[Are their eyes broken? How can they see them as siblings? Calling this dark crow-like guy a sibling. Tsk tsk.]
However, Crimson Garden seemed utterly shocked.
“Blue Sea Knight Order, attention.”
At that moment, a man’s voice rang out.
The voice belonged to Reblian, and beside him stood a man with a notable mustache and large build.
It was Vega, the Knight Commander of the Blue Sea Knight Order.
“All members of the Blue Sea Knight Order, as mentioned earlier, we will be heading to the Forbidden Zone, the Demonic Realm, for support today. We will be going with the Two Swords and Four Swords, so let’s return without any conflicts.”
After saying that, Vega immediately began leading the Blue Sea Knight Order to move.
It was to utilize the Space Magic Circle installed in Balheim.
“Two Swords and Four Swords, huh.”
“We’ll be doing the grunt work, I guess.”
In any other place, the Blue Sea Knight Order would be considered elite, but this is Balheim.
Perhaps that’s why all the Blue Sea Knight Members seemed to be already aware of the reality.
There’s a huge gap even with the Four Swords, let alone the Two Swords.
“Ugh, Two Swords are fine, but I don’t like those Four Swords guys.”
Meanwhile, Colin, walking beside Kraush, showed signs of being fed up.
“You don’t like the Four Swords guys?”
Kraush expressed his confusion at Colin’s reaction.
This was because Kraush wasn’t well-versed in the internal affairs of Balheim’s Knight Orders.
“Ah, Krad, you’ve only been here a short while, so you wouldn’t know. You see, the Four Swords have a lot of Wandering Knights. If it were you, Krad, they’d welcome you, but those guys have a bad attitude because of their time as Wandering Knights.”
Maybe it was because Kraush was also a former Wandering Knight.
He awkwardly explained about the Four Swords.
Four Swords, Green Wave Knight Order.
As Colin said, the Four Swords have many Wandering Knights.
That’s because to be scouted by Balheim as a Wandering Knight, one must be at least an Expert at the highest level.
Thus, it’s only natural that many Wandering Knights gather in the Four Swords.
“The upper Swords are so outstanding in every way that even the Four Swords don’t mess with them. But since we’re just below them, that’s the problem.”
Kraush finally understood what Colin meant.
Wandering Knights feel inferiority or contempt towards Knights who have only swung their swords within a Knight Order all their lives.
They claim that those who grew up in a greenhouse are different from themselves, who roamed the wilderness to fight World Erosion.
To Kraush, Wandering Knights and regular Knights seemed pretty much the same.
“Krad, be careful. Since you’re a former Wandering Knight, you might be okay, but there are some with really bad tempers among the Four Swords guys. If they pick a fight, just ignore it or call the Vice Commander. Even they won’t dare to mess with nobles.”
The Vice Commander, Reblian, sure has a tough job.
Kraush nodded moderately upon hearing the unexpected internal situation.
‘Instead of causing trouble or getting into disputes, it’s me who should avoid causing any inconvenience.’
As a direct descendant of Balheim, Kraush.
If Reblian, who knows his identity, sees Kraush getting into a dispute with the Four Swords, he would rush over in shock.
Out of gratitude for the favor he’s received, Kraush decided to stay quiet.
When they arrived at their destination, the Green Wave Knight Order, one of the Four Swords, was already there.
It seems the Two Swords have not arrived yet.
While watching those waiting in front of the magic circle, Reblian suddenly approached.
“Krad.”
Reblian beckoned to Kraush.
It seems he has something to say.
“Bianca, stay here with Crim for a moment.”
“Understood.”
Leaving Bianca, who had taken over Crimson Garden from Kraush, he followed Reblian.
Then, in a spot a little away from the Knight Order, Reblian spoke.
“Mr. Kraush, it seems an unexpected individual has appeared from the Demonic Realm of Sephira.”
Upon hearing this, Kraush sighed inwardly.
Bad premonitions always seem to come true.
The problem he had been ignoring had now confronted him directly.
“…Who is that individual?”
“It’s Serang Sephira, known as the Princess of Sephira. She’s the daughter of a 1st Class Officer of Sephira.”
As expected, that name came up.
He had a feeling something like this would happen since the request for support from Sephira.
It was indeed the case.
“Does Serang Sephira have a guard by her side?”
“Yes, according to the report, she appeared in Sephira yesterday with just one guard.”
Reblian seemed not to know much about the guard.
Well, it would be strange if he did know.
Officially, the guard is a young man hired recently.
In reality, he’s a monster close to an old geezer.
‘If he had retired, he should have stayed retired and not come back.’
Kraush felt a throbbing headache but soon shook it off.
“Got it. Thanks for letting me know.”
Reblian’s reason for telling Kraush this information was out of consideration, hoping that he wouldn’t have any trouble with Serang.
So, Kraush, grateful for the consideration, decided to inform Crimson Garden as well, and was about to move when…
“Ha, bringing a kid and still talking so much. When did the Five Swords become babysitters? It’s a disgrace to the Knight Order.”
“Have you said your piece?”
A voice of dispute reached Kraush’s ears.
While the Commanders and Vice Commanders were briefly in a meeting due to Serang’s appearance, a commotion had arisen.
‘I heard the relationship between the Four Swords and the Five Swords was bad.’
As expected, the ones arguing were members of the Green Wave Knight Order and the Blue Sea Knight Order.
However, Kraush’s eyes, which had been watching them indifferently, began to narrow slowly.
Because behind the arguing Blue Sea Knight Member, there was Bianca.
Bianca, looking hesitant, seemed to be contemplating what to do in the current situation.
Kraush quickly grasped the situation along with the conversation he had just heard.
“Mr. Kraush.”
Reblian, who had belatedly noticed it, spoke in a flustered voice.
Though he intended to handle it himself, Kraush was already laughing briefly.
Due to his disguise as Krad, that laugh felt extremely fierce, making even Reblian shiver.
In fact, Kraush had planned to tolerate any provocation from the Four Swords.
After all, he was here on personal business, sneaking in, while they were picking a fight with a direct descendant of Balheim without knowing it.
Yes, he could have tolerated all that.
But they shouldn’t have touched what they shouldn’t have.
“Reblian.”
“Yes.”
“What was the name of the Commander of the Four Swords?”
Reblian’s face turned pale.
“It seems he’s a bit lax in managing his subordinates.”
It seems we need to have a serious talk about this.
Of course, after dealing with the one causing the commotion.
While Reblian stood there with a flustered expression.
Kraush cracked his neck.
He decided to hear the answer later and focus on resolving the current issue first.
So, he walked forward step by step.
At the same time, an aura began to slowly surge from Kraush’s fist.
The Green Wave Knight Member might just be unlucky.
Who would have thought that the one they picked a fight with would be the fiancé of a direct descendant?
But who can blame someone for being unlucky?
Ultimately, it’s the fault of the one who started the fight.
“Krad, big brother.”
Only Bianca noticed Kraush belatedly.
By then, Kraush had already reached the front of the Green Wave Knight Member who was sneering.
“Hey.”
“Huh?”
When Kraush spoke, the Green Wave Knight Member turned to look at him.
As their eyes met and Kraush gave a mocking smile, his fist was already extended.
Thwack!
The fist that flew through the air hit his jaw precisely.
“Ugh, ack.”
They were at the same level, both top-tier Experts.
He couldn’t dodge the surprise attack and staggered at that moment.
Inch Strength.
The second shock that started fiercely shook his head and body.
“Gah?!”
With saliva spurting from his mouth, the Green Wave Knight Member convulsed.
Then he rolled on the ground.
Kraush lightly shook his hand as he watched.
“Daru!”
The Green Wave Knight Members hurriedly checked on Daru, who had been called out.
Daru, with his eyes rolled back, was completely knocked out.
“What the hell is this!”
“How dare the Five Swords touch the Four Swords!”
“Can you handle this!”
While the Blue Sea Knight Members stood there, shocked at the sudden turn of events.
The Green Wave Knight Members expressed their anger towards Kraush.
They seemed to be fine with picking fights but couldn’t stand it when their own were touched.
Seeing this, Kraush exhaled lightly, and heat flowed from that breath.
The Green Wave Knight Members flinched, feeling an unusual energy from that heat.
They were also members of a Knight Order.
Especially since many of them were Wandering Knights who had rolled through battlefields, they were extremely sensitive to senses related to life and death.
So, they realized it.
The energy emanating from Kraush at that moment was clearly superior to theirs.
“Four Swords, Green Wave Knight Order.”
Kraush quietly spoke, a chilling light flickering between his closed eyes.
“Aren’t you the ones doing something you can’t handle right now?”
Frankly, the discord within the Knight Order was also irritating.
If they pushed any further, he intended to overturn everything.