Chapter: 140
After wrapping up the conversation with Haring…
Kraush was waiting for Charlotte to come out when he unexpectedly found himself getting an earful from Astria.
“Why do you want to go to those troublesome places again after I just healed you not long ago?”
“I already explained my reasons earlier,” Kraush replied.
“You’re just going to push yourself again, aren’t you? If you show up like you did with Agares, I might struggle to heal you this time.”
That was a bit of a stretch.
Kraush knew Astria’s healing powers well enough to understand she could handle tougher situations than he currently found himself in, but he also recognized she was saying that out of concern.
So he decided to reassure her a bit.
“I don’t plan on it happening every time. Besides, this time I’m not just charging in recklessly.”
The Empire may be pretending on the surface that they’re chasing the World Erosion that injured the Poison King, but there’s definitely more to this puzzle.
Kraush was intent on uncovering the truth behind it, and that was why he aimed to go to Hardenhartz.
“I’ll be getting some help from Ebelasque on this.”
That guy wouldn’t want to be hunted down by both the Empire and Starlon, so he had no choice but to cooperate.
“So, you won’t need to worry as much as you think.”
Astria still looked skeptical.
“Promise.”
Then suddenly, she extended her pinky toward Kraush.
Kraush wondered if such verbal agreements really meant anything, but he had no choice but to hook his pinky around hers.
“Isn’t that a bit too much worrying?”
“Who said I was worried about you? I’m promising this because I know it’ll be exhausting for me too if I heal you again.”
She said that while biting her lips hard, looking serious.
“…I can’t just act on my own outside the academy.”
She seemed very eager to join, but she hadn’t yet resolved everything with the Holy Kingdom.
Attending Rahern Academy was a result of a certain showdown with the Holy Kingdom.
If she were to take any independent action outside the academy, the Holy Kingdom wouldn’t simply ignore it.
That’s why she wanted him to promise her he’d come back for her.
“And also, about you…”
Astria peeked at Haring before she ruminated over whether to say more, ultimately letting out a sigh.
“How many sighs do you plan to let out?”
“Isn’t it all your fault?”
Astria shot a disgruntled look at Kraush.
“…I didn’t think it was going to be just me. Are you fully aware you have a fiancée?”
Well, of course, he was aware.
“What a brat.”
As Kraush stood there with an empty expression, Astria huffed and made her way back inside.
He recognized that expression; it was the sulky look Astria often wore.
[ Wouldn’t it be odd not to sulk when the guy you’re interested in is flirting with another girl right in front of you? ]
Flirting? Well, if you put it that way…
He knew he wasn’t doing anything of the sort.
“Wow, you’re close with the Holy Maiden.”
Meanwhile, Haring was looking at Kraush with an intrigued expression.
To Kraush, Astria might seem pretty ordinary, but in the eyes of others, she was a woman chosen by the gods, so the reaction was understandable.
At that moment, the whispers from the girls’ dormitory reached him, and he saw some students quickly scuttle away.
Kraush promptly recognized who had shown up.
“Looks like it’s just doubled in numbers.”
And that was none other than Charlotte.
She had an aura that drew everyone’s attention just by appearing. She glanced over at Haring before turning away.
“Follow me.”
She probably wanted to discuss the matter of joining somewhere else.
Kraush signaled to Haring, and she quickly followed him as they trailed behind Charlotte.
Charlotte attracted attention everywhere she went.
Just that alone made Kraush acutely feel her status at Rahern Academy.
After a good walk following Charlotte, they arrived at a classroom in the Unnamed Academy building.
There was a lion emblem hanging by the door.
The Lion’s Order.
This was an assembly centered around Charlotte.
Without knocking, Charlotte swung the door open.
Inside, a few members who were organizing documents looked wary as soon as Charlotte entered.
“Captain, you’re here?”
One of the men, a bespectacled guy, greeted Charlotte.
He exuded an air of literary intellect and was the son of the Starlon Prime Minister.
Having been the one who organized the messes Charlotte often caused since childhood, he had a decent relationship with her.
In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that he was Charlotte’s only acquaintance.
So it made sense that he was following her into the Lion’s Order this time too.
“Delon, prepare the meeting room; we’ll be using it.”
“Oh, coincidentally, there are guests waiting in the meeting room.”
At the mention of ‘guests,’ Charlotte raised her eyebrow slightly.
“Guests?”
That was more than fair; not many people could claim to be a guest of Charlotte after all.
In the span of a year, Charlotte had practically wiped out anyone who sought her out.
Thus, it was hard to believe there would be someone worthy of the term ‘guest’ now.
She glanced at Kraush and then strode inside.
Without knocking again, she kicked the door open.
She looked into the meeting room and tilted her head slightly.
“Kraush.”
She then called him over.
As Kraush approached, he saw two familiar faces inside the meeting room.
“…Sigrid?”
“I have the pleasure of meeting the Fourth Princess of the Ephania Empire.”
Haring echoed in a slightly surprised tone as she followed behind, surprised by the revelation.
The girl being greeted, however, appeared utterly relaxed.
“You’re late. I’ve been waiting for quite a while.”
Inside the meeting room was none other than the Fourth Princess, Sigrid Ephania, and her escort, Sera Betella.
“What are you doing here?” Kraush asked, looking bewildered, while Sigrid flashed a playful smile.
“Well, it seemed like I’d come this way based on how things were unfolding in the world.”
She leisurely took a sip from her teacup.
Sigrid was a princess of the Empire.
She must have someone feeding her information.
She understood the truth about the current events and navigated her way here using her own brain.
And it was clear that she had concluded, if anyone, it’d be Kraush who’d definitely seek out the Lion’s Order.
Kraush’s eyes widened a bit.
What scheme was this cheeky princess concocting now?
“Don’t look at me like that. Even if I look this way, I’m here to help with this matter.”
“Help?”
“Well, you owe me a life, don’t you?”
Kraush soon caught on to whom Sigrid was referring.
That would undoubtedly be Ebelasque, the former Night Raven member.
Ebelasque likely hadn’t intended for Sigrid to feel indebted, but she had ended up assisting her nonetheless.
Now Sigrid was here to return the favor.
“And being here gives me a solid edge in terms of justification. With both the Empire’s princess and the direct lineage of Balheim present, it would be the perfect testament to unity, wouldn’t it?”
It seemed Sigrid was aware of the plan Kraush had been considering.
It was hard not to be on guard around her.
She had seemingly covered every base.
Having explained her motivations for being there, she turned to look at Kraush again.
Kraush clicked his tongue softly.
As she said, having her around would certainly deter the Empire from acting recklessly.
“Kraush.”
At that moment, Charlotte, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, turned to Kraush.
Her usual expression was devoid of energy, but for some reason, she now bore a slightly displeased look.
“Explain yourself properly.”
Just when she thought she had called everyone into her assembled group…
She had realized there was another reason entirely behind it, which left Charlotte a bit miffed.
＊ ＊ ＊
After completely hearing everything besides what involved Ebelasque, Charlotte sat there with her arms crossed.
The truth is that without Charlotte’s approval, nothing could move forward this time.
After all, this whole plan was contingent on the Lion’s Order carrying out their mission in Hardenhartz.
Having taken her time while listening to Kraush summarize his story, Charlotte finally uncrossed her arms.
Instead, she looked directly at Kraush.
“I understand the situation. Since it’s the first request from my brother, I have no issues granting it.”
With that, Kraush released a long breath of relief.
He had worried Charlotte might decline his request.
Charlotte was the only one whose actions were tough to predict.
Her emotions only stirred when she wanted them to.
So, he had been anxious about her possibly shrugging off the impending war scenario.
‘But with Charlotte around, I’d need her help even more.’
Right now, Arthur and Sigrid were already suspicious of Charlotte.
To actively cultivate those doubts, he needed Charlotte to be visibly engaged.
Thus, he readily chose to enlist her.
“But there’s a hitch in making this happen.”
Suddenly, Charlotte brought up another issue.
“There are no missions coming down from Hardenhartz at Rahern Academy. More importantly, since this is a World Erosion case—the academy would never grant permission.”
Even if you’re part of Rahern Academy, it’s still a matter of risk levels.
World Erosions are monsters that are simply beyond the scope for those with junior rankings to handle.
It was yet natural that an academy wouldn’t allow such dangerous matters to fall into the hands of lower-tiered initiates.
“If we contact Hardenhartz, we can arrange a mission.”
Kraush knew he had a betrothal with Hardenhartz.
Since they’d want to maintain a good relationship with him, they would likely accept his request.
The real problem lay in whether Rahern Academy would acknowledge first contact.
There was, however, one particular loophole due to Rahern Academy’s peculiar guidelines.
“You mean pitching ideas to the president.”
Charlotte picked up on Kraush’s intention instantly.
President Jeontuhwang, Durandal.
This strange rule that only applied at Rahern Academy dictated that you must personally confront the president to propose your views.
In essence, if the criteria were met, it might be possible to accept missions related to World Erosions.
“About that, I’ve already submitted a proposal from the Literature department, just so you know.”
Sigrid chimed in, noting she had already preempted the situation.
Unlike other departments, the Literature department doesn’t contest via force but by composing well-written proposals.
Their strength lies in the brain, after all.
However, both Kraush and Sigrid were well aware of the pitfalls of that approach.
“Literature proposals take far too long to process.”
“That’s the crux of it.”
With Kraush’s rebuttal, Sigrid also looked disappointed.
The Literature department’s proposal had to pass through several levels of scrutiny.
Consequently, by the time it reached the president, it would take ages.
And with the urgency of the situation, they couldn’t afford to sit around waiting.
Thus, presenting their proposal to the president directly would yield the fastest results.
“I can’t face the president anymore.”
Charlotte let out an audible sigh of disappointment.
Since she had already submitted her proposal and created the Special Class suggestion for the president’s consideration.
Anyone could present a number of proposals, but only one could be accepted.
This meant that Charlotte couldn’t pitch a proposal now.
But Kraush already anticipated that fact.
He was well aware that in the past, it was nearly impossible to gain approval from Durandal without talent like Charlotte’s.
It was practically impossible to obtain approval from the literature department unless you were exceptionally gifted.
Haring’s expression darkened.
She knew all too well that her level was unlikely to meet those criteria.
Yet amidst them, there was one person wearing a confident expression.
“It’s okay.”
While everyone fretted, Kraush spoke up with bright eyes.
“I’ll take care of that.”
The proposal for the World Erosion Hunt Support mission.
It was time for Kraush to prove his strength to President Durandal.
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