TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 79
The site swept by the storm of black flames and electric charge.
Kraush was quietly steadying his breath.
Was it due to the fierce battle? His vision was blurry.
At the same time, his throbbing body yearned to collapse to the ground any moment.
But Kraush stubbornly resisted that temptation.
Crack, crackle!
At that moment, a crack began to form on Kraush’s dark sword.
Despite the dark sword being renowned for its durability, it couldn’t withstand Kraush’s Sky-Thundering Annihilation, resulting in cracks.
The destructive power of Kraush’s sword, which he had created by concentrating on a single point, was continually increasing.
A secret technique with such destructive power that even master-level individuals would struggle to withstand it, if only once.
Kraush was continually improving such a secret technique.
Just once.
In that one instance, Kraush was approaching the realm of the ultimate power.
The problem was that the added strain was increasing as much as the destructive power.
Kraush clenched his fist tightly.
‘I’ve advanced again.’
The scabbard created through Lioner.
The result of combining only the explosive power of the Thunder Energy scabbard and the Sword Demon’s ki-gathering technique.
Kraush was able to forgo the basic stance of inserting the sword into the scabbard, which is the fundamental act of ki-gathering technique.
He had transcended the limitations of the ki-gathering technique.
Therefore, the Sky-Thundering Annihilation could not be considered a ki-gathering technique.
It was a new secret technique created by incorporating elements from Kraush’s various secret techniques and skills.
‘Of course, it consumes too much output, so I can’t use it unless it’s a crucial moment.’
Usually, it’s not easy to deviate from the form of a ki-gathering technique.
Perhaps that’s why he felt thirsty.
A strong thirst to become stronger.
Gripping the shattered dark sword, Kraush heightened his sixth sense.
Then he quietly waited for the smoke to dissipate.
After a while, as the smoke cleared, the scene he had created began to become visible.
Before the devastated landscape of the surrounding fields.
An old man lay collapsed on the ground.
The old man, who seemed to have exhausted all his strength and was left with nothing but bones, was no longer breathing.
Confirming this, Kraush slowly walked forward.
From the old man’s tightly clenched hand, Kraush took the Rain Thunder Prime.
The empty blade of the Rain Thunder Prime was visible.
Kraush quietly summoned his aura.
Boom!
Then, along with the sound of thunder, a golden blade formed following Kraush’s aura.
Kraush then imbued it with the power of World Erosion.
Then, black flames rose above the golden sword.
The feeling of the sword fitting perfectly in his hand, as if he had used it all his life, despite it being his first time.
Indeed, it was worthy of being called a Heavenly Sword.
Kraush carefully stowed away the Rain Thunder Prime and turned around.
There, Lakradiyon and Crimson Garden were waiting.
[You’ve smashed the sword I prepared for you, you ungrateful brat.]
Though Crimson Garden spoke curtly, she understood the value of the Rain Thunder Prime.
Perhaps that’s why she said no more.
The problem was Lakradiyon.
“Mr. Kraush, that lightning…”
She had seen Lioner, Pendal’s skill, all this time.
Naturally, she would have noticed it was Pendal’s skill the moment she saw Lioner.
‘During Ignis, it overlapped with the World Erosion obtained from Extreme Blood Immersion Poison, appearing as a curse, so no one recognized Ignis.’
Since there was no such thing with Lioner, Lakradiyon had to recognize it.
“It’s my skill. I stole it from Pendal.”
So Kraush told her without hiding anything.
There was no other way to explain it, to begin with.
“How despicable.”
He was someone who had even taken skills from a dying former comrade.
From Lakradiyon’s perspective, it was certainly something to criticize.
“…No. If Pendal could fight Nakcheon this way, he would have been happy.”
Rather, Lakradiyon bowed her head in gratitude.
Kraush awkwardly scratched his head for a moment.
That was enough of this conversation.
“Lakradiyon.”
“Yes.”
Hearing Kraush’s call, Lakradiyon rummaged through her belongings.
Then, from her belongings, she pulled out a scroll that she had carefully kept even during the fierce battle.
It was the Coordinate Designated Teleport Scroll that she had purchased for a large sum in Halgram not long ago.
The coordinates had been prepared in advance for the entrance to the Demonic Bastion.
As it was prepared for this day, Kraush stood before it.
“I will use it now.”
The moment she tore the scroll, the plains visible at their feet were replaced by a pavement floor.
In front of the entrance to the Demonic Bastion.
Kraush, who had returned to the place that had become noon before he knew it, stumbled as he took a step.
Quickly, Lakradiyon supported him.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. I need to hold on until I see a familiar face.”
Kraush patted Lakradiyon’s support away, indicating he was fine, and stood on his own.
Though he looked like he might collapse at any moment, he forced himself to stay upright through sheer willpower.
He would probably be bedridden for about three days once he got back.
But now, even that was part of his daily routine.
“Mr. Kraush, do you remember what I said before entering the 8th floor, about having a request?”
Of course, he remembered.
It wasn’t that long ago, after all.
“So.”
“I want to make that request here and now.”
Lakradiyon’s eyes were filled with utmost seriousness.
Seeing her eyes, Kraush turned to face her.
“Go ahead.”
“I will conquer the Demonic Bastion.”
The remaining floors of the Demonic Bastion were the 9th and 10th.
Kraush had only business with the Rain Thunder Prime, so he had no intention of challenging the Demonic Bastion further.
Yet, Lakradiyon said she would conquer the Demonic Bastion.
“And when I have conquered the entire Demonic Bastion as promised with Pendal.”
She spoke to Kraush as if this was her next life goal.
“I want to become Mr. Kraush’s knight.”
When such unexpected words came out of her mouth, Kraush’s eyes widened.
“You want to be my knight?”
It was something he had seen happen quite often in the past.
There were quite a few who had volunteered to be Arthur’s knights.
The most representative example is Mary, that blockhead.
Perhaps because he always thought of such things as someone else’s distant problems.
Kraush had never even considered such matters.
But Lakradiyon’s eyes were filled with sincerity.
She truly wanted to become Kraush’s knight.
“……I am the youngest of Balheim. There shouldn’t be any particular position for me there.”
Setting Charlotte aside, even his eldest brother and second sister were monstrous in Kraush’s eyes.
Outside, even Belorkin, known for her prowess, was treated as insignificant within the den of evil that is Balheim.
Becoming the best among them was still far off for Kraush.
“It’s fine. If I can become Mr. Kraush’s knight, that will be enough for me.”
After meeting Kraush, Lakradiyon saw the path of the sword anew.
Therefore, Lakradiyon wanted to become a knight who wields the sword for him.
‘A knight at the entry level of Master.’
From Kraush’s perspective, it wasn’t a bad proposition at all.
The realm of Master is reached by less than four digits worldwide.
Seeing Lakradiyon today, it seemed possible that she could surpass the entry level someday.
Having someone like her as a knight would undoubtedly be like gaining a very reliable ally.
Kraush did not dislike Lakradiyon’s steadfastness.
Therefore, from Kraush’s perspective, there was no reason to stop her.
“If you still feel the same after clearing the Demonic Bastion, then do so.”
One never knows how a person’s thoughts might change.
Kraush, not expecting much, spoke thus.
“Yes, I will come to see you soon.”
Judging by her response, it seemed likely they would meet again soon.
When that time comes.
Kraush only thought that he would have grown a lot by then.
* * *
After parting ways with Lakradiyon, Kraush immediately set off.
The place Kraush visited was none other than an inn.
The inn where Kraush’s companions had been staying all along.
As Kraush appeared, everyone’s gaze turned towards him.
Most of those staying at the inn were raiders who made a living off the Demonic Bastion.
Naturally, as Kraush appeared, people began to whisper.
“Is that the direct descendant of Balheim?”
“Is he back because of something?”
“I heard the Pendalord guys came out the day before yesterday too. They were a mess, weren’t they? Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Pendal around.”
“The direct descendant of Balheim seems fine. What about Nakcheon?”
Various rumors circulated among them, but Kraush paid no heed.
Instead, he went up the stairs and knocked on a door.
Then, with a rustling sound from inside, the door creaked open.
Kraush saw white hair and a snowflake pin.
Perhaps because a month had passed, Bianca, whom he hadn’t seen in a while, seemed a bit taller than before.
Bianca’s eyes widened as soon as she saw Kraush.
“Mr. Kraush!”
As if she had been waiting for Kraush all along, a joyful smile began to spread across Bianca’s face when Kraush quietly spoke.
“……It’s my limit.”
And then Kraush fainted.
* * *
The news that the ghost of the Demonic Bastion, Nakcheon, had fallen spread, causing an uproar within the Demonic Bastion.
The one who defeated Nakcheon was none other than Kraush Balheim, the direct descendant of Balheim.
Was it because Kraush had coordinated with Pendalord in advance?
Fortunately, there was no mention of the Armed Princess among the people.
If it were known that a World Erosion Being had appeared at the Demonic Bastion, it would have caused a major uproar.
Kraush had told Pendalord, as he had mentioned, that they had cooperated to conquer the 8th floor.
It was the final courtesy towards Pendal.
Thus, Kraush’s situation was changing by the moment.
Ironically, as much as Kraush was changing, incidents were also breaking out at Rahelrn Academy.
It was, of course, a natural story.
The Empire and the 4 Kingdoms.
Additionally, the Academy was filled with talents sent from smaller nations compared to the 4 Kingdoms.
Among them, the Imperial Faction and the Kingdom Faction became the centers of power.
As a result, clashes between the two factions naturally arose.
Even professors stepped in to mediate between the factions, but they simply changed their methods and did not confront each other openly.
And leading these conflicts were none other than two people.
One was an outstanding talent from the Empire, known for her beauty and excellent swordsmanship, destined to lead the Empire in the future.
Sigrid Ephania.
Her skill with the White Dragon’s Fang, one of the Ten Heavenly Swords, was truly astonishing.
It was no wonder the Empire called her a genius of the sword.
It was because she had shown overwhelming prowess.
Thus, the Imperial Faction naturally began to gather around her.
Of course, there was covert opposition from the 1st Prince in the background.
However, he was already over 20 years old and could not enter the Academy.
Sigrid’s dominance over the Imperial Faction within the Academy was something even he could not prevent.
And the one opposing Sigrid was none other than the Sword Star of Balheim.
Charlotte Balheim.
She was a completed genius that even Sigrid had to concede to.
At the Academy, she practically reigned as an absolute power.
However, Charlotte’s issue was that she had no intention of gathering the Kingdom Faction.
She simply roamed the Academy as she pleased.
When representatives of the 4 Kingdoms tried to check her.
She simply smashed them with pure force.
After being smashed by Charlotte, the 4 Kingdoms Faction dared not touch her.
Thus, naturally, Charlotte became the center of the 4 Kingdoms Faction.
It was better to follow the path of the dragon than to try to tame it.
While such fierce storms were raging within Rahelrn Academy.
A man was slowly walking through the royal palace of Starlon.
With unique hair mixed with white and gold, he had eyes that gleamed like pearls.
“Rahelrn Academy is in that state as expected.”
Having heard the news, he reacted as if he had somewhat anticipated it.
Then, the middle-aged noble man following behind him bowed his head.
“Yes, but it seems Charlotte Balheim has taken control of the 4 Kingdoms. If we can win her over, wouldn’t we be able to stand at the pinnacle of the 4 Kingdoms?”
“Ha, Chancellor, it seems you haven’t seen Charlotte with your own eyes yet.”
“That’s more for the diplomats to handle than me. It seems the 1st Prince has seen her himself.”
“Yes, I saw her clearly with my own eyes. We were even discussed in marriage talks.”
1st Prince Hilnider Starlon.
Apart from the King of Starlon, he was practically the center of power and the one who would succeed Starlon in the future.
“She’s not someone you can win over. She’s not just self-centered but narcissistic. Even if you put a leash on her, she’d tear it off like a wild beast.”
“That’s harsh talk for someone who was in marriage talks with her.”
“We’re completely incompatible types, so it can’t be helped.”
At 23 years old, he felt many regrets.
“If I had gone to Rahelrn Academy myself, I could have stirred things up quite a bit. What a pity.”
“That’s why Rahelrn Academy set the age limit at 20. If the 1st Prince of the Empire and the 1st Prince had enrolled in Rahelrn Academy, it would have gone beyond just causing a stir.”
“I won’t deny that.”
Hilnider shrugged lightly.
Instead, he began to show interest in something else.
“I heard the youngest of Balheim will enroll in Rahelrn Academy next year.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Though he was called Half-Penny, lately he seems to be moving around, shedding that nickname.”
Hilnider’s gaze turned towards the window that reflected the outside of the Royal Palace.
“Balheim is quite a headache in many ways. The strongest sword protecting Starlon, yet Starlon can’t wield it at will.”
He said this and slowly smiled.
“So, Chancellor, how about this opportunity? How about giving a sword to another opportunist who was suppressed by the giant monster Charlotte?”
“I also agree with meeting him in person.”
However, the Chancellor warned.
“1st Prince, you must never see Balheim merely as a tool. Balheim is called the Den of Evil for a reason.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
At that moment, a new transformation began to move quietly even in Starlon.