Chapter 12
The incident at the Shrine of the Stars.
Unlike Belorkin, who thought it unnecessary to attend the little children’s party at the Shrine, Kraush participated in this time around.
He wondered what kind of embarrassment that stupid fellow was trying to endure.
However, the reports that came back were completely unexpected.
Kraush had drawn with Anicks.
Although Kraush managed to escape the venue with Darling Danphelion’s help, he had, against all odds, managed to draw with Anicks, who was, aside from Charlotte, considered the most formidable in Starron.
Belorkin, upon hearing this news, of course found it unbelievable.
The Kraush he had seen was a talentless fool, not even worth a speck of dust.
He himself had come to realize this fact, after all, having idled away his days at Green Pinegwan.
Yet, to think he had managed to draw with Anicks.
Unthinkable.
Thus, Belorkin came to confirm with his own eyes.
He wanted to find out whether that ridiculous rumor attached to the fool was true or false.
Somewhere in his heart, he felt a vague sense of anxiety, but he did his best to ignore it.
“Did you really come looking for me, brother? I figured you must be quite busy,” he stated.
Just then, Kraush’s voice made Belorkin lift his head.
Busy? What did he mean by that?
As if answering Belorkin’s疑問, Kraush wore a friendly smile.
“With the opening of Rahelrn Academy, doesn’t it feel like everyone’s in a frenzy? They say anyone can pass the entrance exam regardless of status. You should prepare as well, brother.”
That statement was a clear provocation.
The Balheim family had reached a level incomparable to that of other noble families.
Even the most powerful empire in the world feared Balheim’s wrath, refraining from touching the Starron Kingdom as a result.
While Belorkin had been relegated to the back burner due to the birth of the monster known as Charlotte, he was still a direct descendant of Balheim.
No matter how much Anicks declared himself as a genius next to Charlotte, he was still merely a child before Belorkin in both age and skill.
And yet he was busy preparing for an academy entrance exam?
Shouldn’t Rahelrn Academy be begging him to take part instead of the opposite?
“Quite an amusing notion you have!”
Belorkin’s thick eyebrows began to twitch in irritation.
However, a somewhat softened smile swiftly crept onto his face.
“Well, I suppose things could look like that from your perspective. Really, I misjudged your insight. I’ve overlooked how something like the Rahelrn Academy might appear impressive to a commoner’s eyes.”
Belorkin did not hold the Rahelrn Academy in very high regard.
No matter how much prestige it boasted, he thought it could never compare to Balheim.
In truth, he wanted to broaden his horizons; it was simply a way to escape being constantly pit against Charlotte.
Yet, he never uttered that truth aloud.
“That’s right.”
And Kraush agreed wholeheartedly with Belorkin’s words.
The sincerity of that agreement irked Belorkin, but he continued on.
“The reason I came looking for you today is that a directive from the family has been issued.”
“A directive?”
Those words surprised Kraush quite a bit.
He’d assumed it was simply about Anicks and that Belorkin had come to take out his frustrations.
Yet, there turned out to be a genuine reason.
“Yes, there has been an emergence of world erosion in the territory of Gerilak Mountain, which belongs to Balheim. We are to go deal with it.”
However, the following words left Kraush feeling something akin to absurdity.
“But the family directive applies from the age of 15, correct?”
Like many other noble families, Balheim sent its members to cleanse world erosion when it occurred in Starron.
While it was obligatory for direct descendants to partake in these duties, the requirement began at age 15.
Kraush was turning 14 next year, which meant he was still too young to be involved.
“Don’t worry. I’m bringing you along as my guardian.”
Seeing Belorkin’s condescending tone as if he were doing Kraush a favor, Kraush clicked his tongue.
It was clear Belorkin had come to confirm Kraush’s abilities while keeping him in check.
“Surely my little brother, who drew with Anicks, wouldn’t be too frightened, right?”
Belorkin wore a smug grin, making Kraush blink.
‘Is he really trying to poke at my pride right now?’
In that moment, Kraush barely managed to suppress a laugh.
To provoke someone who clearly had no pride left, what a self-centered mindset.
It was exactly why Kraush had never held Belorkin in high esteem.
He was always short-sighted and egocentric.
‘His refusal to acknowledge anything.’
Eventually, it would backfire on him.
“Well, fine then.”
To Kraush, world erosion was something he was far more accustomed to than this peaceful world.
If it was merely a mission falling on Belorkin, it couldn’t be too dangerous, right?
Even if Belorkin had set a trap, Kraush was prepared.
“Kraush-sama.”
Just then, Kraush turned at the sound of a voice.
Standing before him was Bianca, looking as expressionless as ever after having just fled moments earlier.
“Where are you going?”
Had she caught a bit of what was said earlier? Bianca asked.
Considering he had to go anyway, Kraush couldn’t just leave her in the dark.
“I’m heading out for a bit due to the world erosion.”
“You’re dealing with world erosion? Why?”
Bianca’s reaction conveyed her confusion.
Though Kraush displayed mature aspects despite being only 13, he was still inherently a child.
Logically speaking, it made very little sense for someone his age to be going to tackle world erosion.
“Are you by any chance going to follow me?”
“I’m not.”
“Is that so?”
Normally, Bianca would try to follow him everywhere. Yet this time, she had simply given a firm reply.
Then she turned to Belorkin.
“A child under the age of 15 going to deal with world erosion? That doesn’t make sense.”
Bianca stated firmly to Belorkin.
Belorkin, looking slightly apprehensive at her words, soon scrunched his face in irritation.
“Kraush, that kid—”
“My fiancée.”
At that, Belorkin let out an exasperated scoff.
“I see. The cursed snow maiden from the North…”
“Given that she’s only 12 years old, I’m sure you, dear brother, won’t pick on her for speaking the truth.”
Kraush interrupted Belorkin and glared at him quietly.
That was a clear message that he wouldn’t tolerate any more nonsense.
Seeing Kraush’s demeanor, Belorkin felt uncomfortable but said nothing more as he turned away.
After all, he’d accomplished his goal.
As Belorkin walked away, Kraush glanced back at Bianca.
“Good job.”
Then he ruffled Bianca’s hair, giving her praise.
“I don’t feel like I did anything right.”
“Well, that’s probably a difference in subjective interpretation between us.”
Kraush said and then removed his hand from her head.
“I’ll be back.”
“Please don’t collapse again.”
Kraush nodded in understanding and moved on.
Watching his retreating figure, Bianca quietly fidgeted with her hair where Kraush had touched it.
＊ ＊ ＊
World erosion.
As the term implies, it is the erosion into other worlds and possesses various characteristics.
Sometimes, erosion species appear, the surrounding environment may change, or an area might be consumed by world erosion, turning it into an entirely different realm.
Alongside Kraush, Belorkin, and several mid-level knights of the Balheim family, they arrived at Gerilak Mountain—an area currently undergoing such world erosion.
‘The mountain has turned into a swamp.’
What once should have been lush meadows and trees was now thick, murky swamp.
Plants that had risen sporadically resembled those from the Paleozoic era, sprouting chaotically.
The foul stench wafting from the swamp was enough to assault the nose, making it impossible to enter without wrapping oneself in aura.
However, more dangerous things awaited.
For some unknown reason, headless insects flitted about all around the swamp.
They ignored Kraush, standing outside the world erosion, completely; however, if he took even a single step over the threshold, they would surely swarm him.
World erosion showed no mercy to intruders.
“What’s with the purifiers?”
Belorkin, having entered world erosion several times before, turned to the knights for clarification.
“We’ve made contact. They’re ready to commence purification as soon as the owner is dealt with.”
Unlike world erosion where only erosion species appear, this time around, alterations in the environment had occurred as well.
Thus, it seemed a purifier had been summoned to reverse the changed surroundings.
“So, brother Belorkin, how many stars are we facing in this erosion?”
“Three stars.”
Three stars meant that an expert mid-level knight squad could handle it without issues.
Though Belorkin said he was an expert upper-tier himself, he seemed well equipped to deal with the master.
‘Now I see why you dragged me along.’
Kraush was an expert lower-tier, and Belorkin intended to show him the gap in their power by putting him against something heavily skewed.
Belorkin must be fearful.
He might be worried that Kraush, who seemed to be riding a rising wave of talent since Charlotte, might surpass him.
“Kraush, the reason I’m bringing you along is purely for experience. Just observe and learn.”
Belorkin declared with a pompous air as he began to walk.
Watching Belorkin, Kraush simply shrugged his shoulders.
He wondered who was supposed to gain experience from whom.
Of course, while it was true that the Balheim knights were concerned over Kraush’s lack of experience, deep down, Kraush was hiding an eerie smile.
The sole reason Kraush had joined Belorkin to face world erosion was simply for one thing.
‘Extreme blood venom.’
Although he hadn’t solved the madness yet, it was time to test a way to do so.
＊ ＊ ＊
The fool of Balheim.
Kraush Balheim.
He was indeed referred to as such.
Belorkin had brought Kraush to experience world erosion to keep him in check, just as Kraush had suspected.
Belorkin vividly recalled the agony he suffered during his first experience with world erosion when he was 15.
World erosion had been where his overconfidence was first shattered.
Kraush was merely 13 years old, even younger and less experienced than Belorkin was at that age.
It was clear Belorkin intended to wake him up to that reality.
Moreover, Kraush had already been broken once.
As soon as he realized the truth of the world, he would plummet instantly.
Belorkin was quite pleased with the idea of solidly instilling that gap in recognition.
However, a moment later, bewilderment crossed Belorkin’s face.
Due to the nature of the swamp, the heavy muck and humid environment were steadily draining the stamina from both mind and body.
The appearance of the erosion species constantly attacking produced hardly a moment to catch one’s breath.
In such an environment, one would naturally grow exhausted, but Kraush strolled around as if it were a leisurely afternoon’s stroll.
“These erosion species don’t have heads, but they do have teeth. If they bite you, expect that area to swell up considerably, accompanied by oozing and itching, so wrap your aura tightly around your body.”
As Kraush observed the erosion species heading his way, he warned the mid-level knights.
His demeanor suggested he was well accustomed to world erosion, and his intermittent advice proved exceedingly helpful.
“Kraush-sama, have you had previous experience with world erosion?”
One knight, who had been listening to Kraush’s swamp-evasion tips, asked.
Hearing the question, Kraush wore an incredulous expression.
“I’m just 13 years old this year. Does it even make sense for me to have entered world erosion?”
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