TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 148
The place where Number 8 and Kraush confronted each other.
Kraush’s eyes burned red.
“Do you know why I don’t particularly like that imagery?”
Number 8’s feet involuntarily stepped back.
In the dim space below, Kraush’s eyes glowed crimson.
It was because the Heavenly Slaughter Star within him had met with his imagery and begun to unleash murderous intent.
Kraush’s imagery was pitch-black darkness.
An endless darkness that ensnared and dragged everything into the abyss.
His imagery, filled with countless curses and already irreparably broken long ago, was unfathomably deep.
A bottomless pit.
That description suited Kraush’s imagery best.
The problem was that Kraush’s imagery had grown even larger after encountering the Heavenly Slaughter Star and Nox.
Number 8’s hair stood on end.
Her face began to turn pale.
“W-what kind of life…?”
As a corpse, Number 8 relied more on her imagery than physical prowess.
While this allowed her to draw out her true, inherent power…
It also made her highly sensitive to the opponent’s imagery.
Number 8 had assumed her imagery, developed over countless years, would naturally surpass Kraush’s.
But that assumption was a grave mistake.
Kraush’s imagery, having endured and absorbed countless curses to the brink of destruction, was incomparable to hers.
“Anyone who loses in imagery loses their will to fight. There are surely others out there worse than me.”
World Erosion Beings, in particular, had exceptionally profound imagery.
For that reason, Kraush chose mastery over imagery.
When faced with overwhelmingly superior imagery…
The gap it created due to sheer dominance could be fatal.
As proof, while Number 8 was frozen in place…
A fierce black flame storm was already gathering within Kraush’s Rain Thunder Prime.
“And to be honest…”
As the storm reached its peak…
Ripples spread across the deep lake of Kraush’s mind, and a waterspout began to rise.
“It feels unpleasant, as if I’m exposing my inner thoughts.”
Annihilation Erosion.
First Form.
Sky Annihilating Draw.
By the time Number 8 regained her senses, it was already too late.
The raging storm of black flames had engulfed her.
KWA-GA-GA-GA-GANG!
Within the ferocious black flames that shattered the room, Number 8 was sent sprawling.
Her downfall lay in her delayed reaction after facing Kraush’s imagery head-on.
Thud!
At that moment, her tumbling body came to a halt.
It was Kraush who stopped her with his foot.
Number 8 realized she had somehow lost her staff.
In its place, Kraush’s Rain Thunder Prime was aimed at her.
“Number 8, you know just how dangerous the thing your master is trying to get involved in, don’t you?”
Neither Ebelasque nor Number 8 were fools.
When World Erosion was harnessed as an energy resource capable of creating a god…
They knew the results wouldn’t necessarily be favorable.
Above all, Kraush had seen it with his own eyes.
The kind of monster that had been born from Ixion’s attempt to create something that couldn’t even be called a god.
“Neither Ixion’s dream nor Ebelasque’s dream will ever succeed. Only the worst outcomes await.”
Even Arthur had struggled desperately to stop Ixion.
Kraush knew that without Arthur, the results would have been far more horrific.
So this time, it was up to him to stop Ixion.
Arthur was no longer here.
‘Tsk, acting all-knowing like Arthur is oddly irritating.’
You don’t know, but I do—so I’ll stop it.
Realizing he was behaving just like Arthur, Kraush clicked his tongue internally.
“So, well, trust me for once.”
Kraush withdrew the Rain Thunder Prime and lifted his foot off Number 8.
“I won’t let your master end up regretting this.”
“…I felt it last time as well, but you’re quite a gentle person, Mr. Kraush.”
As Number 8 sat up, her helmet disappeared.
She replaced it with a rabbit headband, seemingly pulled out of nowhere, and spoke.
“I can definitely feel your concern for my master, Mr. Kraush.”
Number 8 was vaguely aware of how dangerous Ixion was, the place Ebelasque intended to enter.
After all, she was a corpse with personal thought processes.
However, Number 8 couldn’t advise Ebelasque.
No matter how much independent thought she possessed, she was still a corpse bound to follow Ebelasque’s commands.
“…At the very least, I want to trust you more than some suspicious World Erosion Being.”
With those words, she slowly bowed her head to Kraush.
“So, I ask this of you, Mr. Kraush.”
Seeing her respectful demeanor, Kraush returned the Rain Thunder Prime to his waist.
“Speak.”
“Please, become my master’s companion.”
Number 8 wished for Ebelasque to no longer be trapped by the past.
Hearing her plea, Kraush wore an expression that suggested it wasn’t a difficult request.
“Let’s see how that person behaves.”
Kraush’s characteristic response brought a small smile to Number 8’s face.
“So, where is that person now?”
This was the most crucial question.
“Not far from here.”
“If it’s not far, then…”
“Near the territory of Hardenhartz.”
At her reply, Kraush froze for a moment.
He realized he had been near Ebelasque all along.
“Did I take an unnecessary detour?”
Realizing it had been a wasted trip, Kraush sighed.
However, something about the conversation struck Kraush as odd.
Why hadn’t Ebelasque left with the members of Ixion by now? What was she doing there?
When Kraush looked at Number 8, it was clear she didn’t know either.
She was just tidying up the room.
At that moment, something flashed through Kraush’s mind.
He recalled a tactic one of Ixion’s members had once used.
‘No way.’
[Kraush.]
At that moment, the brooch from Crimson Garden lit up again.
It was Crimson Garden, who had stepped away briefly to gather information on Ixion.
Thus, at her call, Kraush immediately picked up the brooch.
[I’ve identified the one who came to Hardenhartz.]
As expected, Crimson Garden had brought back the information.
[It’s the Mad Blade Emperor.]
Upon hearing those words, Kraush bit his lip.
Damn it, it really was him.
The Madman Mad Blade Emperor, capable of triggering World Erosion.
And the World Erosion he causes only grows stronger when faced with powerful opponents.
That’s why the Mad Blade Emperor had deliberately targeted them.
He aimed to use the Sword King, who had gathered in Hardenhartz to subdue him along with Ebelasque, as a sacrifice for the World Erosion.
“Haring, Number 8.”
Kraush called out to the two as he turned around.
“We’re heading back immediately.”
Hardenhartz was in danger.
＊ ＊ ＊
In front of the North Sea Ice Palace in Hardenhartz.
A man sat in the snow-covered area, letting out a deep sigh.
With chestnut-brown hair and striking blue eyes, he was none other than the commoners’ hero, Felray.
He pondered what he was doing there at that moment.
It was no wonder—he hadn’t been able to say a single word during the meeting.
Though the commoners revered him, lifting him up in praise.
Felray couldn’t entirely ignore the social distinctions.
Proof of that was how little he could do in a gathering that included nobles, royalty, and even imperial family members.
After all, he was merely a Student Commander who had risen from being a commoner.
Frankly speaking, the weight on his shoulders was quite heavy.
Becoming stronger was one thing, but living up to the responsibilities and expectations was far more daunting than he had imagined.
Within the academy, it was fair to say the commoners placed all their trust in Felray alone.
As such, he had to act carefully and set an example for others.
Felray had no choice but to accept that he was the face of the commoners.
‘Do nobles take this kind of thing for granted?’
The world was truly a difficult place.
For Felray, who had turned sixteen this year, the world was an exceedingly challenging place.
Perhaps that’s why the day of the Martial Arts Tournament came to mind.
A boy like himself, a commoner who belonged to the Night Crow—Krad.
He wondered how things would have been if it had been that boy.
That boy, more than anyone else, seemed to perfectly embody the phrase “hero of the commoners.”
Felray let out a short sigh as he pictured the boy’s faintly lingering image.
“…Krad, are you in Hardenhartz?”
Felray had joined this mission alongside Geohaedan under Sigrid’s command.
Sigrid was aware of Felray’s search for the boy named Krad.
So, she had given him a tip.
The boy named Krad was said to be the main search target of this mission—the corpse of the World Erosion Being, Ebelasque Benapoch.
Whether he was truly a corpse or something else remained unclear.
But she had added that Ebelasque would undoubtedly know about the boy.
And so, as if mesmerized, Felray had joined this mission.
Of course, his official task was to report back on how Sigrid’s current operations were progressing and to keep a close eye on Charlotte.
After all, Sigrid was the one protecting the commoners currently attending Rahelrn Academy.
If not for her, the commoners would have been easy prey for the malicious nobles.
“I don’t know.”
Felray looked up at the sky.
Was it because he was still young, or because the burden was so heavy?
The boy named Krad, whom he had expected to see at the academy, kept coming to mind.
At the same time, another boy he’d seen at the academy came to mind.
A boy with dark blue hair, whose background and age were likely entirely different from his own.
That boy, who constantly caused new incidents at the academy, was overwhelmingly strong.
Kraush Balheim.
For some reason, he kept reminding Felray of Krad.
There wasn’t any clear commonality between them, yet one thing kept nagging at his mind.
Kraush was using the blunt sword that Krad had once wielded.
Of course, compared to Krad, Kraush’s swordsmanship was far superior.
As he harbored vague doubts about this strange connection between the two—
Thud!
Felray suddenly stood up from his spot.
It was because one part of Hardenhartz’s sky was gradually turning yellow.
This eerie feeling.
It was unmistakable.
“World Erosion!?”
A World Erosion had occurred within Hardenhartz.
Felray was stunned.
Even within the magically fortified city walls of the kingdom, World Erosions occasionally occurred.
However, the World Erosions that appeared within such walls typically didn’t exceed four-star severity.
But now, the sky was turning yellow.
Something was wrong.
It was inconceivable for a World Erosion to appear within the territory.
Felray, shaken, hurriedly regained composure.
This was no time to be standing still.
Felray quickly entered the North Sea Ice Palace.
He intended to notify those inside and spur them into action.
At that moment, Felray encountered someone walking out.
A head of vivid dark blue hair.
Eyes so devoid of emotion they were almost intimidating.
And her name, carrying an unparalleled air of gravity, was Charlotte Balheim.
She was known as the Sword Star.
“Felray.”
“Charlotte?”
“Get ready. A World Erosion Being has appeared.”
Upon hearing her words, Felray’s eyes widened.
Charlotte had already prepared for battle as soon as she saw the sky.
As expected of a Balheim.
Unlike him, who had faltered in surprise, she had moved faster than anyone.
“If you’re late, my brother will take the credit.”
However, her next words left Felray flustered.
Charlotte’s brother was none other than Rai Balheim, the vice patriarch of the Balheim family and one of the Ten Strongest Under the Heavens, the Sword King.
“W-Wait, Charlotte, what do you mean by ‘take the credit’?”
“My brother’s already on the move. It seems he was the first to sense it.”
Charlotte clicked her tongue in disappointment.
Even for a prodigy like Charlotte, she was still a late-stage disciple.
She had yet to reach the level of the Sword King, who had been acknowledged by the world.
In time, when her talent fully bloomed, no one would be able to stand as her equal.
But for now, Charlotte, too, was bound by the constraints of time.
“Did the Sword King say anything before he left?”
“He said to stand by?”
“Then we should follow his words…”
The opponent was a World Erosion Being.
Of course, Felray was well aware that his current self was no match for a World Erosion Being.
That was why, as he tried to dissuade Charlotte, her lips twisted into a smirk—her signature smile.
“Felray, shall I give you a piece of advice?”
Hearing the word “advice,” Felray flinched, but Charlotte kept smiling as she moved closer.
“It’s not every day you get to see the strong fight. Even I learn something from it.”
That, he wouldn’t deny.
But Felray screamed in his heart, wasn’t it all meaningless if they died?
Yet Charlotte paid no heed.
“And besides, we probably won’t just be standing around anyway.”
As she said this, Charlotte looked up at the sky, which was dyed in hues of yellow.
“The occurrence of a World Erosion means the Erosion Species will pour out.”
Felray’s face stiffened.
In other words, standing by here wouldn’t change anything.
Ending a World Erosion could only be achieved by killing its master.
Since the Sword King had to hunt down the World Erosion Being, those left to deal with the Erosion Species were the ones remaining here.
“Don’t worry. A part of One Sword is stationed in Hardenhartz.”
One Sword, the strongest knight order in Balheim.
If they were here, any World Erosion could be reliably contained.
But Charlotte’s advice for Felray was about something else.
“However, One Sword will station themselves at the North Sea Ice Hotel in Hardenhartz. They’ll want to take down the master quickly.”
“That means…”
“Yes, who’s going to stop the Erosion Species aside from the master?”
Felray clenched his fist tightly.
When the Erosion Species appeared, the ones to suffer would be the civilians.
Ordinary people couldn’t do anything against the Erosion Species.
They would be exposed to danger and hunted down by the Erosion Species.
Especially since Hardenhartz was a mountain region.
The citizens scattered across the mountains would all be slaughtered by the Erosion Species.
Felray couldn’t stand by and let that happen.
After all, the reason he joined Rahelrn Academy to fight against World Erosions was because his own village had been wiped out by one.
He had to save the people.
Felray’s eyes shone with a determination brighter and firmer than anyone’s.
That resolve made him the most fitting embodiment of the title, “Hero of the Commoners.”
“I will move with Geohaedan.”
“Go ahead. And take the Lion Order with you as well.”
Even as the commander of the Lion Order, Charlotte didn’t place much importance on it, acting on her own as usual.
Realizing this, Felray felt a mixture of absurdity and understanding—it was Charlotte, after all.
Unfortunately, there were hardly any at Rahelrn Academy who could keep up with Charlotte.
‘At best, it would be Charlotte’s younger brother.’
Recalling Kraush, who had once confronted Associate Professor Kairan, Felray began to move.
Charlotte glanced at him briefly before starting to walk, each step echoing softly.
And her pace gradually quickened.
“My foolish little brother.”
She didn’t know where he was, but it seemed she needed to find him quickly.