### Chapter: 242
Emperor Sirius.
He was staring blankly at the boy in front of him, his eyes half-lidded.
With the boy’s dark blue hair and the name Balheim he uttered, it was clear he was the youngest direct descendant of the illustrious Balheim family, recently basking in fame.
Moreover, he was the one Ixion had his sights on.
The Empire and Starlon had always been in a very ambiguous relationship.
Had the borders been merely close, the Empire wouldn’t have stressed about it so much.
But Starlon had the Balheim family.
What kind of bloodline did they possess?
A family that produced some of the highest caliber individuals in the entire world.
Balheim.
Just possessing Balheim gave Starlon enough leverage to pressure the Empire.
Thus, even when the Empire tried to improve relations with Starlon, it was a no-go.
Their existence always posed a potential risk to the Empire.
And here we are now: a Balheim boy has walked right into the emperor of Ephania‘s chamber.
Does this boy realize?
That no one bearing the name Balheim had even stood before the royal family, let alone the emperor?
Whether he was aware of that or not, Kraush regarded the emperor with his clear blue eyes.
Despite his young age, his thoughts were hard to read.
There was something oddly peculiar about this boy.
“Dalpion, please explain,” Sirius said.
He hadn’t received any proper briefing from Dalpion beforehand.
Since it was during a time when Sirius was wracked with pain and trying to rest, Dalpion couldn’t afford to give a lengthy explanation.
The only thing Sirius knew was that the Fourth Princess had brought news of a new treatment, suggesting they give it a shot.
He hadn’t heard that this boy was the child of Balheim.
As he asked, Dalpion lowered his head and responded.
“Kraush Balheim is from the same Rahern Academy as the Fourth Princess. He has requested to meet you in order to relay the treatment methods he has learned through her.”
Sirius looked over at Sigrid.
Like Dalpion, she was also maintaining a low posture, but she nodded in agreement.
Sirius’s gaze upon Sigrid was emotionless.
He didn’t particularly dislike her.
In fact, he held her in high regard.
But her position as the youngest and her frail body held her back.
She could never become empress.
To do so would require traversing a cruel path, one she did not have the strength to walk.
She too understood that meaning and had long since given up on striving for the throne.
And Sirius, respecting her wishes, had intentionally maintained an emotionless demeanor toward her.
Should he express any feelings and be kind to her, it could only invite unnecessary trouble.
Yet here was Sigrid, who had come to him with potential treatment options.
With a twinge of sympathy and a hint of pride, Sirius’ expression softened slightly.
Even as an emperor, he couldn’t help but be a bit vulnerable in front of a sturdy younger sibling like Sigrid.
“Ah, I see,” whispered Sirius as he turned back to Kraush.
He decided to directly ask the one kneeling beside Sigrid.
“What is this treatment method?”
White Stone Syndrome is a hereditary disease that runs in the royal family.
Doctors and even priests had been unable to treat it thus far.
This ailment had been perpetually hidden by the Ephania royal family.
However, given the frequency with which emperors died during succession, nobles weren’t entirely ignorant of this disease.
Yet unless the royal family divulged such information themselves, nobles did not dare speak of it.
Only, it was generally accepted that royals did not live beyond the age of 60.
Now, here’s the kicker: the fact that a Balheim boy had stumbled upon this long-kept secret.
Still, Sirius’s expression remained particularly stoic.
He felt this way because he knew Dalpion had personally brought him here.
If he could indeed offer treatment, a fitting reward would surely follow.
The Empire may owe a debt to this Balheim boy, but having someone capable of treating the royal family’s disease was worth its weight in gold.
If this ailment were to be cured, he could transfer the throne without any conflict, uniting the Empire in the process.
Conversely, if he were unable to treat it, Dalpion would deftly erase memories of it.
For Sirius, either way, it was a win-win.
“Your Majesty, may I use my skill for a moment?”
Kraush requested permission from Sirius.
Usually, one would envision a brash, overconfident bunch when they hear the name Balheim.
Yet here stood a man who showed proper etiquette.
Even being this young and already renowned, he didn’t appear puffed up with pride.
‘A fellow who can manage himself’, Sirius thought.
Hearing the name Balheim isn’t particularly rare, but this boy might be worth giving a closer look.
“I grant permission.”
Even though he’s a direct descendant of Balheim, one simply can’t act foolishly here.
As the emperor generously gave his approval, Kraush stood up from his bow.
“My skill allows me to steal what my target possesses.”
“Steal what they possess, you say?”
Sirius showed interest in the new skill but refrained from delving too deep.
There’s no way he would reveal the intricate details of his abilities.
“Are you saying you’ll steal my illness?”
“Yes, precisely.”
Kraush calmly conveyed this in front of the emperor, embodying confidence and assurance.
‘Stealing an illness, huh?’
Skills are gifts from the gods.
Such feats that humans cannot perform can be accomplished through skills.
Skills can indeed create something out of nothing.
However, among all the skills, hearing of one that could steal an illness was an entirely new revelation even to Sirius.
He turned his gaze toward Dalpion.
Seeing Dalpion bow his head, it seemed the claim held some truth.
“A quite remarkable skill, indeed,” Sirius remarked.
“Yes, indeed, I think so too.”
The ease with which Kraush spoke spoke volumes of his confidence in his abilities.
“Very well, let me ask something.”
He had to pose a question before allowing the stealing of his illness.
“Where does the illness go once stolen from me?”
Kraush emphasized ‘steal’ rather than ‘erase’.
Stealing denotes taking something from another and making it your own.
As such, Sirius couldn’t help but have doubts.
“If, youth from Balheim, what you steal becomes yours, you’re underestimating White Stone Syndrome.”
White Stone Syndrome is, in the end, a vicious hereditary disease that turns one’s organs to white stone, leading to death.
If Kraush were to take this illness, he wouldn’t escape unscathed.
Was he aware of that when he decided to come?
Kraush paused for a moment.
Of course, he had no intention of sacrificing himself.
He was merely contemplating how to respond to such a question.
Kraush was privy to the secrets of the royal family.
He also knew the origins of the White Stone Syndrome recurring within the royal bloodline.
The royal family wouldn’t be oblivious to it either.
His hesitation didn’t last long.
“Your Majesty, as you know, I possess the power to burn away curses like World Erosion.”
At that moment, Sirius fell silent for a brief moment.
Suddenly, a smile began to spread across his face.
That smile sent shivers down the spines of those around him.
As the wrinkles etched deeper into his aged brow twisted into a grin, the surrounding atmosphere shifted dramatically.
It was as if he hadn’t been bedridden moments ago, and a surge of White Dragon energy radiated from him, chilling the air around.
Only royalty descended from the White Dragon held such overwhelming presence.
Caught in that weight, Kraush felt goosebumps rise on his skin.
There’s a saying: ‘even rotten meat has a flavor.’
Much as Sirius had been bedridden, the vigor of his prime had not diminished.
He was an emperor who had toppled countless adversaries to attain his position.
Combined with wisdom and power, Sirius Ephania was formidable indeed.
“I knew you were conspiring with Ixion to treat my illness.”
Despite the words meant to be kept hidden from an emperor slipping out of his mouth, Sirius remained unfazed.
He had effortlessly risen from his sickbed, settling onto the edge of the mattress.
The sensation of something colossal shifting was palpable.
“Yes, this is the first time I lay my eyes on the Balheim boy, but I believe you also know of the skill known as Ignis.”
Sirius understood that he had allied with Ixion to remedy his condition.
He was well aware that Ixion had his sights set on Kraush.
After all, the skill known as Ignis was vital to Ixion’s ambitions.
“But then again, I’m not in a position to cast stones. You too have the Erosionists in your corner, don’t you?”
Sirius leisurely chuckled as he acknowledged his own realities.
He was already informed of the Crimson Garden and Ebelasque’s existence.
The fact that Sirius uttered this should serve as a warning in itself.
‘Colluding with the Erosionists, huh.’
The moment both parties hold each other’s weaknesses, their bond would only grow stronger.
“Your Majesty, I’ve merely mentioned Ignis because it would allow me to steal the illness while ensuring it doesn’t threaten me.”
Sirius’s eyes glimmered with intrigue.
“May I ask one more question?”
“Go right ahead.”
“Are the revelations you’re sharing based on information given to you by August from Crimson Garden?”
The Undying and Sea King, August from the Crimson Garden.
The royal family had long been aware of her existence, and she too had gathered much about the royal lineage.
If she shared any details, Kraush might have unearthed secrets about the royal family.
If that were the case, Sirius could not simply dismiss Kraush.
“I’ve certainly been educated by numerous wise figures at Crimson Garden, but I’ve heard nothing regarding the royal family.”
Sirius cast his gaze toward Dalpion.
With his keen insight, he should have seen through any falsehoods.
And Dalpion nodded, confirming the truth of Kraush’s words.
In truth, Kraush had not received any information from Crimson Garden about the royal family.
That being said, by mentioning Crimson Garden and the royal family in the same breath, Sirius had indirectly opened the discussion for them.
“I’ve received teachings from Pendal Larkodor, known as the world’s greatest healer. That’s what led me to draw conclusions about your illness, Your Majesty.”
“It seems your observations are sharp.”
Sirius clicked his tongue in frustration.
The more they conversed, the more bewildering this boy became.
‘What does this boy know?’
The audacity to speak so freely in the presence of an emperor, not buckling under his aura.
His skills and strength, paired with his age and poise, were remarkably captivating.
And the fact that he hailed from Balheim only added to the enigma.
“Alright,”
Sirius decided to conclude this line of questioning.
“Balheim boy, if you can indeed treat me and manage the consequences thereof, I wouldn’t see it as a bad deal. If you desire, I’ll even ensure your severance with Ixion is upheld.”
Naturally, from the moment the ailment was cured, Sirius had no intention of continuing relations with Ixion.
Thus, he readily promised to help in breaking ties.
“Additionally, should you have any wishes, feel free to share. Be it now or later, to the benefactor treating the royal ailment, I’d be willing to accommodate any requests.”
Characteristic of an emperor vying for control, Sirius spoke as if he could hand over the world.
“Then I request the return of the Diana family to politics.”
Kraush dropped a bomb that caught even Sirius off guard.
“The Diana family?”
The Diana family was famed for their spear techniques, but their reputation had plummeted due to the shameful incident surrounding the assassination of the princess.
And now he wanted them reinstated in politics.
Even Sirius couldn’t fathom what significance that held.
Catching a glance toward Sigrid, he wondered if she, being the intended target of the assassination, would react, but she remained unfazed.
“Hmmm, very well.”
As emperor, as long as she endorsed it, reinstating them wouldn’t pose much challenge.
It wasn’t like Sirius had wanted to completely discard the Diana family anyway.
Even if one of the Diana daughters once committed the mistake of attempting to assassinate a princess, Sirius understood that it was merely a consequence of palace infighting.
Rather than simply casting the Diana family aside for good, Sirius had merely utilized them in concealing how dire the internal conflicts had become within the royal family.
Now that the heat of the assassination was starting to cool, reinstating them wouldn’t pose a problem.
“I appreciate your kindness, Your Majesty.”
And thus, all deals were sealed.
Now, let’s see just how Kraush, the Balheim boy, treats the card of the emperor, who’s probably less than thrilled, along with the potential rivalries posed by the Third Princess Sigrid and the meddlesome Red Witch, Abella.
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