TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 86
‘Ouch, our eyes almost met.’
Kraush quickly averted his gaze from Blavi.
It was because Blavi had sensed his stare and turned to look in his direction.
‘Not yet.’
However, Bolavi, who Kraush was looking at, turned away after a glance.
This was because Kraush’s disguise as Krad made it impossible to tell where his eyes were looking.
Darling’s potion could only reveal the truth if it was pierced by the essence of Star’s Eye or magic.
[…What did that child create this potion for, going to such lengths?]
Only Crimson Garden, who noticed this obsession, showed a bewildered reaction.
“What are you talking about?”
In reality, Kraush, who had no understanding of alchemy, did not know this.
“Hello. Serang Sephira.”
“Nice to meet you too! Are you Lilish Balheim?”
Meanwhile, Serang and Lilish exchanged brief greetings.
As they were both leaders of their respective groups.
During this time, Kraush looked at Serang.
Blavi’s rampage was triggered by her death.
The astrology that resolves Blavi’s Heavenly Slaughter Star is passed down through generations to the 1st Class Officers.
Her death caused Blavi, unable to control his rage, to go on a rampage so wild that it drove the World Erosion Beings to decide on war.
‘Wait a minute, maybe.’
A strange gleam flickered briefly in Kraush’s eyes behind his eyelids.
Blavi was a problem Kraush had wanted to postpone as long as possible.
Approaching him was difficult, and the cause, Serang, was equally challenging.
Above all, Blavi was not someone Kraush knew well.
‘Just a loyal dog of Sephira.’
He was completely unrelated to the Skyborne Generation.
‘Arthur used Blavi’s rampage to take control of Sephira.’
Sephira became Arthur’s dog thanks to Blavi’s rampage.
Arthur saved him from being shattered by Blavi, who lost his sanity while trying to rechain Blavi’s shackles, in exchange for a price.
‘So I thought it wasn’t an immediate issue.’
Upon reflection, Kraush came up with one method.
‘I have the Black Hood.’
Steal the Heavenly Slaughter Star.
That’s what he thought.
At that time, he hadn’t foreseen Blavi’s rampage or dared to steal the Heavenly Slaughter Star.
If he stole the Heavenly Slaughter Star, his curses would go wild.
‘The Heavenly Slaughter Star intensifies the effects of the curses it possesses.’
Just thinking about the immense synergy between his curses and the Heavenly Slaughter Star gave him a headache.
So Kraush had not considered the Heavenly Slaughter Star.
Because he planned to continue using the power of his curses in the future.
However, among a few of them.
If he excluded the dangerous ones, the Heavenly Slaughter Star was quite appealing.
The Heavenly Slaughter Star has the effect of strengthening its owner as much as the killing intent it harbors towards others and the world.
But Kraush already had a brilliant method to deal with this killing intent.
‘The Doll’s Eye can suppress the killing intent of the Heavenly Slaughter Star.’
That’s not all.
The amplification of curses by the Heavenly Slaughter Star.
It would undoubtedly affect the Doll’s Eye as well.
‘If I amplify the Doll’s Eye, I can suppress even the frenzy of World Erosion.’
Kraush’s eyes flashed.
It was completely different from the original plan.
Plans are meant to be adjusted according to the situation.
‘Might as well take this as an opportunity.’
He couldn’t openly use the Black Hood on Blavi.
If he did, Blavi would immediately come to do something about it.
‘Then, what I need to aim for is.’
Serang Sephira.
He needed to persuade the princess who held her leash.
This made him feel regretful.
If he had come in his true form, he might have tried to approach her at least once.
‘Should I change now?’
For now, there was no need to rush into a decision.
Crunch-
At that moment, Kraush felt his collar being tugged.
When Kraush looked down, he saw Bianca staring at him with a sullen expression for some reason.
“What’s wrong?”
When Kraush asked curiously, Bianca looked puzzled.
“Something feels off. Don’t stare for too long.”
At the mention of staring too long, Kraush tilted his head.
Was she talking about him looking at Serang?
Even though he couldn’t recognize her face through the veil.
Since Bianca was making a sullen face, he decided to stop there.
“Two Swords, Four Swords, Five Swords, everyone wait for a moment. Commanders, follow me. We’re going to have a meeting with Sephira.”
Meanwhile, Lilish led the commanders towards Sephira.
The vice commanders told everyone to take a short rest, resulting in a brief respite before the battle.
“Wow, Krad, you were amazing earlier.”
Perhaps because of that, the story of Krad punching a Green Wave Knight Member naturally became the topic of conversation.
“Was it because it was in front of his little sister that he wanted to look cool?”
“Well, I wouldn’t sit still if someone messed with my family either.”
Some of them mostly praised Kraush.
To them, the relatively young Kraush seemed courageous.
“Still, it’s worrying. The Green Wave Knight Members must be grinding their teeth.”
“Since they got hit by a Blue Sea Knight Member, they’ll be making a fuss about losing face.”
On the other hand, some expressed concern and worry.
They were all from the Balheim Knight Order, including the Four Swords and Five Swords.
They often clashed with each other.
Meanwhile, Kraush was busy with other thoughts.
Judging by the commanders’ reactions earlier, the Green Wave Knight Order would never touch him.
What was important to him now was how to steal the Heavenly Slaughter Star.
He had long forgotten about the Green Wave Knight Order.
“Krad, brother.”
At that moment, Bianca tugged at his collar again.
This time, as Kraush was about to make an excuse that he hadn’t been looking.
Kraush’s body froze.
Because Serang Sephira was walking straight towards him.
“Eek!”
At that moment, Crimson Garden soared into the sky.
She quickly escaped because Blavi was following behind her.
“Uh, over there.”
“Is that Serang Sephira?”
The Blue Sea Knight Members also showed a belatedly flustered reaction.
For them, it was a bolt from the blue that the daughter of Sephira’s leader had come right up to their faces.
‘I thought she followed Lilish, so why is she here?’
A question suddenly arose in Kraush’s mind.
Although he had glanced at her briefly, everyone else was looking at Serang as well.
That was not a reason for her to approach him directly.
‘Did something catch her attention?’
Kraush had relatively little information about Serang.
Because Serang had already died when Sephira was serving as Arthur’s hound.
So, she might have seen something in him using astrology.
While Kraush’s mind was racing.
Serang approached Kraush without any hesitation.
“Hello?”
And then, an unexpected greeting followed.
At the same time, Blavi, who was following behind, opened his eyes slightly.
“…Curse?”
It was a reaction to the power of World Erosion that resided in Kraush’s body.
Kraush suppressed a groan.
This was why he had postponed the matter with Blavi and Serang.
Because there was too little information about her, who was likely to be the biggest variable.
Meanwhile, Serang lowered herself in front of Kraush.
“Why do you have three skills?”
And as she whispered her question, Kraush’s face stiffened.
Through the veil, the peach-colored eyelashes that were curled just like Kraush’s disguised appearance were revealed.
This woman was not looking at the world in a conventional way.
She had a different sense, similar to Kraush’s Sixth Sense.
The astrology traditionally passed down in Sephira was in a realm that ordinary humans could not comprehend.
Through it, Serang was seeing through Kraush at that moment.
She had discovered that he possessed three skills.
And at the moment that fact was revealed, Kraush’s stiffened expression changed in an instant.
Serang also noticed the change in Kraush’s demeanor.
What appeared on his face was not embarrassment, but the look of an opportunist.
“Serang Sephira.”
So, Kraush decided to make a bold move.
“Let’s talk.”
Kraush was the type to confront variables head-on and break them.
“Talk, huh.”
Serang showed a hint of contemplation.
Then, she soon flashed a smile.
“Sure. It sounds fun!”
Thus, an unexpected conversation was set up.
＊ ＊ ＊
Receiving the gaze of not only the Blue Sea Knight Members but also other Knight Members, Kraush followed the two out.
Bianca was left in the care of Crimson Garden.
She wanted to follow, but it was not her place to do so.
So, Kraush moved with Serang to the tent that Sephira had set up in front of the Demonic Realm.
“You’ll find this side more comfortable for talking, right?”
“Yes.”
He had no intention of letting others overhear their conversation.
Kraush glanced at Blavi.
F fortunately, after the initial reaction to the curse.
He took no further action against Kraush.
His sole purpose was to follow and protect Serang’s orders.
He would not move at the point when Serang wanted to talk.
“Come on, take a seat!”
Seeing her freely moving around the tent, Kraush pulled out a chair and sat down.
In the meantime, Serang brought a tin of cookies and placed it in front of Kraush.
“Do you like sweets?”
“Not particularly.”
“Oh, the girl likes them though. That’s too bad.”
She quickly bit into a cookie and then smiled.
“Sweet things really do cheer you up. So, you wanted to talk to the girl?”
Her conversation was whimsical.
Whether she was capricious or had calculated intentions, Kraush couldn’t tell.
He didn’t know well.
Instead, he raised his hand without further ado.
At that moment, the cookie in Serang’s hand disappeared.
Simultaneously, the cookie appeared in Kraush’s hand.
It was clearly the cookie that Serang had been eating, half-eaten.
Shling-
At that moment, Blavi’s sword, transformed from an earring, was pointed at Kraush’s throat.
He had moved the instant Kraush used his skill.
If he had intended to cut, Kraush would have dodged using Annihilation Erosion, but.
Kraush also knew that the sword was for intimidation.
It was a warning not to use skills without permission in front of Serang.
“Blavi, put it away.”
As soon as she spoke, Blavi withdrew his sword.
‘What an old fool.’
Perhaps because he had lived through harsh times, his actions were abrupt.
While Kraush was criticizing Blavi.
Serang lightly licked the cookie crumbs off her hand.
Then, she smiled at Kraush.
“That’s an interesting skill. Are you going to show me another one?”
“I only wanted to show you this one. Instead, I want to make an offer that would benefit you, Serang.”
Serang seemed intrigued as she stroked her chin.
“Alright. What’s the offer?”
“Heavenly Dog Star, Blavi.”
At the sudden mention of his name, Blavi’s eyebrows twitched.
He was considered dead after retirement due to his lifespan running out.
Even though he had returned through rejuvenation, his identity was still hidden.
Since Kraush had revealed his identity, he had to react.
However, Serang just smiled in surprise without much reaction.
“I want to take his Heavenly Slaughter Star.”
Kraush had just shown her his skill.
It meant he could steal the Heavenly Slaughter Star if he wanted to.
“Heavenly Slaughter Star, huh.”
Upon hearing this, Serang fell into silent thought.
Then, she soon smiled again.
“That would be very good for Blavi.”
A good start, indeed.
“It could be said to be a bad thing for Sephira.”
As expected, the implication was that the aftermath would be unfavorable.
“Blavi is Sephira’s excellent guardian. The Heavenly Slaughter Star is a curse to him, but on the other hand, it’s also an opportunity to keep him bound to Sephira.”
If that were to be undone, Blavi would have no reason to remain loyal to Sephira.
Serang had mentioned this point.
“So, even if he’s a loyal dog, you can’t trust him without a leash?”
He’s a man who has lived his entire life for Sephira.
In response to Kraush’s question about whether they could trust him now, she shrugged lightly.
“Whether to trust Blavi or not is our decision. What I’m trying to say is that the value of the proposal is minimal.”
So, whether you take the Heavenly Slaughter Star away from Blavi or not, it doesn’t really matter.
If you want it, pay the price and take it, that’s what she meant.
Kraush realized that Serang was a tougher opponent than he had thought, and he soon smiled slowly.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t an easy type either.
“Two years from now, at Olphid Lake in Sephira’s garden.”
Kraush mentioned the exact date.
“I will save you from your death.”
A sudden declaration followed.
But through his closed eyelids, Kraush’s eyes sparkled.
“That’s my condition for the deal.”
“…You know it’s just grasping at straws, right?”
“In return, you don’t know the types of skills I possess.”
When Kraush first used the Black Hood.
Serang showed an interested reaction.
At that point, all Serang could know was the number of Kraush’s skills.
She didn’t know what skills he possessed.
Moreover, just moments ago, Kraush had revealed Blavi’s identity, which no one should know except for the key figures in Sephira.
As if he had a way to figure out his identity.
This fact, combined with the recent prediction of death, created a simple question in Serang’s mind.
Kraush might possess a skill related to prophecy.
Serang chose to remain silent.
A genius is someone who can think of ten things when given one.
To Kraush, Serang seemed to be in the same class as the 1st Prince Hilnider.
So, he threw out his move without hesitation.
“You should know Blavi’s skill the best.”
Serang’s lips tightened.
Blavi’s skill.
The ability to penetrate truth.
Veritas.
A fraudulent skill that can see through whether someone’s words and intentions are true or false.
This was also the reason Kraush thought it would be difficult to deal with Blavi’s situation carelessly.
Because the moment he approached with a lie, Blavi would immediately swing his sword.
However, in this situation, Kraush spoke only the truth.
Serang met Blavi’s eyes.
Blavi nodded with an uneasy look.
It was proof that Kraush’s words were all true.
“It’s the truth spoken by your loyal dog. I think your life is more than enough as a price for the deal.”
Kraush made his move.
All that was left was how she would respond.
Serang, who had been smiling leisurely throughout, stood frozen in silence.
Kraush’s skills totaled three.
Perhaps one of them might be something that could neutralize Blavi’s skill.
But as if to eliminate that last doubt,
Kraush conjured a small flame in his hand.
The flame, clearly shining black, was unmistakably a skill.
“That should clear up any doubts.”
“Ah, haha.”
Kraush deliberately showed his second skill.
Kraush, who possessed information that others could not discover.
That information was not something that could be easily obtained without a prophetic skill.
At this point, when all three skills were known,
It meant that he did not have a skill to counteract Blavi’s skill.
Checkmate had been declared on the board.
“…Could you give me some time to think?”
“Of course.”
Kraush pulled out his chair and stood up.
Just making her think was enough to make this conversation worthwhile.
As he turned to leave, his eyes briefly met Blavi’s, but Kraush passed him by.
Since he was on a leash, there was no need for him to be afraid without his master’s command.
After Kraush walked out, a few minutes later,
“Pffft.”
Serang, who had been standing upright, suddenly collapsed onto the desk.
Completely devoid of the composure and momentum she had shown in front of Kraush until moments ago.
She had turned into a girl her age, showing signs of nervousness.
“Blavi, I was just curious about how he could have three skills. Did I do something wrong?”
She approached out of curiosity, wondering how a mere knight, not even a saintess, could possess three skills, only to end up in this situation.
She was startled, trying to control her urgent expression every time Kraush spoke.
Perhaps that’s why, as she replayed the recent conversation, she was pacing anxiously.
“What should I do, Blavi?”
“Do as the Young Lady wishes.”
She managed to draw him into a deal, but she was still very flustered by the situation.
“I shouldn’t have messed with him. His face looks so suspicious and scary, like a villain from a fairy tale.”
Recalling Kraush, who exuded an aura of a villain with his eyes closed all the time, she shivered.
Unaware that her own face was not much different.
As she made a grim face, thinking she had really messed with the wrong person,
“Pfft.”
Kraush, who had thrown out a gamble without knowing much about Serang, sniffed.
‘If she buys time, she’ll definitely prepare something for next time. Should I talk to the Crimson Garden guy about what to do?’
Lack of information sometimes leads to overestimating the opponent.
Kraush had momentarily forgotten this fact, considering she was Sephira’s princess.