Chapter: 147
The delinquent runaway student, Kraush, was climbing the mountains of Hardenhartz alongside his fellow escapee, Haring.
It was a winter scene, albeit less harsh, with snow piled high on the slopes, making the ascent quite the challenge.
But with Kraush around, the situation was a whole different story.
As he walked, generating warmth in his body, the snow melted away wherever he stepped.
Thanks to that, Haring could follow him without a hitch.
“You’re like a mobile heater,” Haring remarked.
“Don’t treat me like a furnace,” Kraush retorted, bemused as he watched Haring reach for his hand, having already removed her gloves.
“So, did you understand what I said earlier?” he pressed on.
“Yep, it means the one who injured our father is not the former leader of the Night Ravens,” she replied.
The Empire had announced that the one who harmed the Poison King was indeed the former leader of the Night Ravens.
That meant Kraush had to figure out how to explain things to Haring without setting her off.
If he had said they were going to meet Ebelasque, Haring might have jumped through the roof in panic.
But fortunately, she accepted it more easily than expected.
“I also understand why Sizelry Ephania is participating in this mission.”
Connecting Ebelasque with Sizelry helped Haring grasp the situation dramatically.
No matter how much trouble arose between the Empire and Starlon, Sizelry joining the mission had always puzzled her.
After all, Ebelasque was notorious for manipulating Mary to assassinate the Fourth Princess.
But with Sizelry stepping in to help him, it didn’t take long for Haring to realize that all the accusations were merely slander.
Besides, it figured that someone like the Fourth Princess would quickly grasp the truth.
Because of that, Haring could accept Kraush’s words.
Sizelry for the win!
“So… how about the Devourer? We’re heading right into its territory.”
Haring’s brother had supposedly perished at the hands of the Devourer.
There were many beings capable of causing world erosion.
Kraush could easily name a few that came to mind.
“Some of them are genuinely troublesome though.”
Nonetheless, since Haring’s brother died due to the Devourer, she must have an aversion to them.
After all, it’s generally common to detest world eroders.
Yet surprisingly, Haring was relatively forgiving in this regard.
“I hate the Devourer that killed my brother.”
Her decision to enroll at Rahern Academy to stop beings like the Devourer from doing harm was her way of ensuring others wouldn’t suffer the same fate she had.
“Of course, I’m also looking for that Devourer. But if it’s not the one who harmed my brother, I don’t see why I should hate all of them.”
Haring could make a clear distinction between personal and general matters.
“And especially, there’s no reason to think that someone like you, who goes all out without saving his skin, would lie to me for no reason.”
Kraush was surprised that she could think that way.
It’s not wrong — the value of information does change depending on who’s saying it.
Doubt towards information is just a pointless endeavor.
“Above all…”
Haring broke into a bright smile.
“Kraush, I believe in you.”
Seeing her smile, Kraush rubbed the back of his neck.
“Well, I owe you one for that.”
“That debt was for helping you with my research, right?”
“I’ve been paralyzed for a while since hearing about my father,” he admitted, recalling how the Lagrain family told him to simply wait.
And that sense of helplessness was beyond words.
“But Kraush, you actually gave me a purpose. So, yes, it’s a debt.”
From Kraush’s perspective, it was merely a mutually beneficial relationship, but since she felt that way, he decided to drop the matter.
“Well then, hurry up and repay it.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Haring’s eyes sparkled more and more.
Hours passed as they climbed the mountain.
Having kicked it into high gear, Kraush soon arrived at Ebelasque’s residence.
It looked like just a forest filled with trees, but appearances can be deceiving.
As Kraush began feeling around the trees, the entrance creaked open.
“Did I smash my way in or what?” he mused.
He may have acted in haste.
But then again, Kraush knew Ebelasque’s location.
So perhaps he hadn’t wanted to run into him.
“I hope there’s some clue left behind.”
As Kraush stepped into the underground area inside the trees, Haring followed curiously, her eyes darting around brightly.
There was also the possibility of running into Ixion’s Devourer here.
Therefore, Kraush turned to Haring.
“Haring, let’s use Invisible as we move.”
“Got it.”
She nodded and began taking off her gloves.
Then she extended her hand.
Kraush stared at her hand for a moment before she opened and closed her palm.
“No sweat at all.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
He only hesitated momentarily as the image of Bianca popped into his mind.
Kraush took her hand.
In that instant, both their presence and appearance began to fade away completely.
It was truly an overpowered skill.
“Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
Haring seemed tense now.
After all, they were dealing with a Devourer.
It could cost them their lives if they weren’t careful.
That was only natural.
“Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Kraush was confident that he could escape any danger.
Hadn’t he survived all sorts of chaos to see the final days unfold?
“…Okay.”
With Haring’s determined response, Kraush held her hand and moved deeper inside.
Originally, the corridors were lit up with lights, but now they felt desolate.
Chills from the chilly air of the Hardenhartz mountains seeped in, creating an eerie atmosphere that raised alarm bells.
Walking through that corridor, Kraush heightened his instincts to anything out of the ordinary.
Just in case he caught something.
It was just then.
Whoosh!
Kraush’s head snapped towards a sound that caught his senses.
Making eye contact with Haring, he placed a finger over his lips in a hush gesture.
Haring nodded, and Kraush slowly approached the sound.
Through a slightly open door, he could hear some rustling.
And then he recognized a familiar silhouette.
“Haring, don’t drop your invisibility. Stay put.”
“Ok.”
On hearing Haring’s reply, Kraush let go of her hand.
Grasping the door handle, he pushed it open with a squeak.
At that moment, they realized they were being noticed.
A weapon whirled from behind her back, and with a click, it swung towards him.
Clang!
The sound of Kraush’s Thunder Spike clashing with the weapon rang through the room.
The creature’s eyes widened when it saw him.
“Kraush?”
With a pair of bunny-eared headband perched atop her head, her honey-dark skin and short black hair framed her face.
She was none other than one of Ebelasque’s corpses, No. 8.
“Eight! Long time no see.”
With recognition, she retrieved her weapon and backed away, displaying an awkward expression.
“You arrived sooner than expected.”
“Looks like you’re stuck cleaning up after Ebelasque.”
Kraush noticed the pile of luggage stacked behind her.
It was undoubtedly Ebelasque’s belongings.
“I think you know why I’m here.”
“Yes, you’ve come to see the master.”
No. 8 answered readily but didn’t let go of her weapon.
Kraush understood the implied meaning.
“You should’ve received a letter from the master.”
“Does it say not to look for him?”
“Yes, as the master’s servant, I believe you understand the importance of those words. The master doesn’t want to cross paths with you.”
“Yeah.”
Kraush unfurled the Thunder Spike.
Seeing that, No. 8 visibly relaxed for a moment until a hissing sound echoed through the air.
Black flames ignited atop Kraush’s blade.
“In that case, No. 8, relay my response to him.”
Kraush drew up his Annihilation Erosion and let out a breath of smoke through his lips.
“Quit the nonsense and tell him to come here right now.”
No. 8’s eyes widened.
She was taken aback by Kraush’s defiance despite her warning.
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah, I’m always serious.”
“I’d prefer it if you didn’t cross paths with me.”
In that moment, No. 8’s outfit transformed.
Her maid uniform shredded as it morphed into a tight suit that clung to her form.
Simultaneously, a helmet adorned her head.
No. 8 was now in full combat mode.
An unusual energy radiated from her.
She was one of Ebelasque’s elite corpses.
Of course, she was powerful.
“Curiously, I am somewhat intrigued,” she mused.
The weapon in her hands began to twirl expertly.
At the same time, vicious-looking blades emerged from both ends of her staff.
“I can’t wait to see just how much you’ve grown, Kraush.”
Hearing that, Kraush tightened his grip on the Thunder Spike, his expression chilling into a sinister smile.
“That’s a heavy burden you’ve placed on me.”
He thought he might as well let Ebelasque know too.
What happens when you make an enemy out of me?
Just wait till we meet again.
I’ll smack you hard till your backside is red.
—
Clang!
With a loud metallic clang, black flames flared.
The impact of Kraush and No. 8’s battle sent wind pressure flying, causing chaos in the room.
Yet the two remained unperturbed.
“You’ve gotten this strong in such a short time,” No. 8 said, astonished as she witnessed Kraush blocking her attack head-on.
Not long ago, he hadn’t been a match for her.
Now he stood strong enough to surprise even No. 8.
Especially the black flame swirling around his weapon, revealing his mastery of power.
“If only you could just let me know where Ebelasque is, and avoid unnecessary damage…”
“Sorry, but I haven’t let Ebelasque know that I’ve met you.”
Corpses like No. 8 possessed their own will.
So until Ebelasque personally intervened, No. 8 could act freely without his knowledge.
By now, she’d likely assumed she was simply tidying up the place.
“And I just felt it.”
Splat!
In that instant, when Kraush’s weapon collided with hers, her staff morphed into a flexible form and bent.
The chain of the staff coiled around Kraush’s blade within seconds.
Simultaneously, saw-like blades lunged in toward him.
Having realized the situation in a flash, Kraush disregarded the chains and parried the blades away, retreating.
Clack-clack!
No. 8’s weapon reverted to a staff once more as she drew closer.
With an amused smile, she said, “You’ve not had much practice fighting with those who have reached the master level.”
From the tone of her words, it was evident that she held a deeper understanding of their significance.
At that moment, the space around No. 8 began to warp.
Simultaneously, a commanding presence amplified around her.
Kraush caught a glimpse of the threads that shimmered around her limbs.
No. 8 stiffened, sensing something off from Kraush.
Hiss!
The sound of flickering black flames blared throughout the chilled air.
In the hushed backdrop, the flames twisted, moving chaotically.
“…Kraush?”
A cold sweat began trickling down inside No. 8’s helmet.
While it was true that a deep mindset had its significance, extreme heights could also be reached through different means.
At that moment, Kraush was detaching everything he had to hone his form.
No. 8 had no idea.
Before her stood a boy who appeared merely fifteen.
Yet she could never fathom just how desperate his life had been.
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