### Chapter: 277
In Demoran Village, the plague was spreading.
Those waiting for Kraush heard footsteps and looked up.
And there stood a boy with dark blue hair walking toward them.
“Finally made it after dragging your feet, huh?”
Bioloren clicked her tongue but looked relieved.
She knew he’d be fine since Bianca returned alone, but seeing him with her own eyes was a different story.
Kraush and Bianca locked eyes for a moment. Kraush nodded, as if everything was alright, then surveyed his surroundings.
“Where’s Haring?”
“She’s making medicine. It doesn’t seem like it’ll take too long based on our chat.”
It seemed that their shared studies on curses had become a great help. With Haring and Darling around, they likely wouldn’t have to worry too much about the World Erosion plague.
‘This could also be a chance to accumulate experience.’
As Kraush acknowledged this fact, he turned his head in another direction. There, the people of Demoran Village looked anxious.
They were individuals brought in by the Demonic Prime, as per Kraush’s request.
They had fled from a village with a spreading plague, hoping to seek help from the Empire, but instead found themselves dragged here, leaving them in quite a panic.
Kraush approached them.
“Hey, hey! Let us go! This place is infected with a plague!”
“What kind of nonsense is this? We’ll die if we stay here!”
“Please, please save us! We didn’t do anything wrong!”
Suddenly, one of them shouted at Kraush. From what he gathered, apparently, some had tried to run away or protest in the midst of it all.
However, the Demonic Prime remained coldly resolute. Those who had fled were all captured, and anyone who showed resistance faced an unbreakable wall that would endure a whole day of bashing.
Eventually, the people gave up on escaping and fell into a full panic.
‘Normally, I would explain the situation and sort things out. But…’
The Demonic Prime had severed all emotional ties and aspects of the situation himself. So, it was no wonder Kraush’s request was the only one granted.
Ironically, this was also the most effective way to keep the people restrained. The fear instilled by Kraush not even changing countenance while overpowering them prevented any rash movements even in a place afflicted by a plague.
This reduced the chances of people going haywire.
Therefore, neither Bioloren nor the others tried to hastily calm the people.
Students from Rahern Academy specialized in World Erosion, not the plague. Even if they had a solution, without visually demonstrating it to the crowd, they’d remain skeptical and wouldn’t trust them blindly.
‘What a shame. If only Astraea had come, everyone would accept it right away.’
Despite being a former Holy Maiden, her image was overwhelmingly reassuring in times like this. To the sick or injured, she was like a goddess.
But right now, Astraea was absent. Their mission was solely to eliminate World Erosion, so the plague hadn’t been accounted for.
In that case, the role to explain and reassure the crowd fell on Kraush this time.
“Right now, the same plague is lurking in your bodies. Even if you manage to reach the Empire, you’ll only be spreading the illness.”
So, Kraush laid out the rationale for keeping them there.
As soon as they heard Kraush’s words, the villagers began to murmur among themselves. Some among them awkwardly tugged at their sleeves.
Mixing with the people who had started showing symptoms during their transfer to the Empire, Kraush keenly spotted them and approached.
“Hey! I’m not—!”
He shook his head and tried to step back from Kraush.
Traditionally, those afflicted with the plague were either expelled from the village or burned. It seemed he was genuinely afraid he might face the same fate.
But Kraush paid him no mind, placing a hand on his shoulder to hold him still.
Though now hidden, the exposed hand had begun to turn black.
If too much time passed, everything would likely rot away and disappear.
Thus, Kraush activated his Black Hood without delay. For a plague like this, Kraush’s Black Hood snatched away the blackened hands without any conditions.
Soon after, fear began to wane from the boy’s face, gradually easing into relief.
He watched as the color returned to his own hand.
The villagers observed this scene, and their reactions started to shift slowly.
They were dumbfounded, seeing the direct solution unfold before them.
“I can’t heal you fully with my power.”
As Kraush said, the blackened flesh cut away would surely require longer healing time.
“But at the very least, I can unquestionably erase the plague that’s gnawing at you.”
When the villagers heard Kraush’s confident words, their whispers ceased.
The students from Rahern Academy understood with sincerity that they were here to save them.
“Please line up one by one in front of me. I’ll eliminate the plague from each of you. Bioloren, set up a barrier for those who’ve been cured.”
Bioloren glanced at Kraush for a moment, then came closer to his side.
“Alright.”
Still, Bioloren looked on Kraush with some concern.
She didn’t know precisely what Kraush’s power entailed. She just kind of worried whether it was okay for him to deal with the plague this way.
“Don’t worry. I’m fine.”
“What? I didn’t say a word?”
What a delicate little thing, she is.
Thus, Bioloren, responding somewhat brusquely, began to cast barriers for the villagers as Kraush treated them.
Soon after, their faces became radiant with joy.
They had thought they’d die from the plague, but now the crisis was being resolved.
“Temarin, did you bring all the villagers?”
“Yep.”
As Kraush healed the people, he checked with the Demonic Prime to ensure everything was alright.
However, plagues had rules that were harsher than expected. Especially, the Black Hand spread quickly.
For precaution, he had to prepare medicine.
‘What I’m doing is only a temporary measure.’
He couldn’t always rush over when the plague spread. He’d leave it to Haring and Darling, and soon they would have a solution.
“Kraush!”
Just then, Haring kicked open the door of the house being used as a temporary dispensary.
She spotted Kraush and instantly broke into a bright smile, rushing toward him.
“This is a temporary concoction. It’s still in the testing stage, but it can be used as prevention against the onset of the Black Hand.”
Sure enough, Haring brought the concoction. While it wasn’t complete yet, assembling it this quickly was impressive indeed.
Kraush complimented her with a wide smile.
“Great job! Keep it up until it’s finished.”
Haring’s response was a loud, enthusiastic “Yes!” She was thrilled to be of help to Kraush.
For some reason, he felt like her tail was wagging vigorously behind her like a dog rather than a cat lately.
Leaving behind the celebrating Haring, Kraush shot a glance at Bioloren, who was casting barriers for the villagers.
That look reminded him of the deal he had with the Kekkeshis.
“I’ll protect her from Ixion.”
Upon hearing that, Kraush realized the Kekkeshis was sincere.
She didn’t truly hate Bioloren.
What had happened between the Demonic Prime and her to give birth to Bioloren, and why the Kekkeshis left—all those were mysteries.
Nevertheless, the Kekkeshis aimed to protect Bioloren.
“In exchange, I’ll infiltrate Ixion and feed you information.”
Since Ixion had first proposed cooperation, they’d gladly welcome the Kekkeshis if she claimed allegiance.
It would mean obtaining a different source of information, unlike the currently suspicious Glowing Lord.
For Kraush, there was nothing to lose.
Naturally, he intended to protect Bioloren.
Instead, as the Kekkeshis would risk herself to relay information, it was nothing but a plus for him.
‘Of course, there’s a chance she’s lying and is in cahoots with Ixion.’
Kraush didn’t completely dismiss the possibility.
Before his reincarnation, he had seen countless individuals shed their humanity for their own agendas.
So, it couldn’t be said that Kekkeshis was free from suspicion.
‘The prior words could all be lies, without a doubt.’
That was something to keep tucked away in the back of his mind.
“Hey, what are you staring at?”
In that instant, Bioloren sensed his gaze and arched an eyebrow, ready to challenge him.
He thought she ought to improve that peculiar personality of hers.
[ Just like you. ]
“Who are you saying looks like who?”
Kraush gave a flabbergasted reply.
Sorry, but he had a pretty gentlemanly demeanor.
He didn’t treat just anyone like garbage—only those who deserved it.
“Bioloren, let’s talk briefly after this.”
“Don’t tell me you’re planning something weird?”
“What’s in it for me if I pull something on you?”
Kraush shot back with an annoyed glare, causing Bioloren to snicker and huff a dismissive noise.
“I’ve heard all about you. Word is you’ve become one of many girls around you whose hearts flutter when you appear.”
Kraush raised his hand.
Then, he firmly grabbed the tufts of her hair sticking out above her head.
“YAAAAAH!”
“White hair is coming in. Time to pluck it out.”
“Let go! My hair’s naturally silvery, so it looks white!”
Kraush, shaking her hair, clicked his tongue.
He should probably find the source of those rumors and deal with them directly.
That rumor keeps sticking around him, not disappearing like some pesky pest.
‘…Tch, now I can’t just blame the rumors.’
And maybe because of past deeds, he had nothing to say about it now.
He was aware of the phrase of affection from the women gathering around him.
Even though he was officially engaged, the people around him showed no signs of letting up.
He was still worried about how to find a proper solution.
[ You reap what you sow. Ah, right. You haven’t even sown anything yet. ]
Kraush ignored the voice from Crimson Garden.
“Enough, let’s talk. It’s about your family background.”
Upon hearing Kraush’s next words, Bioloren paused.
She glanced at the Demonic Prime, basking in the sun, then nodded.
Once she finished setting the barriers for the villagers, Kraush confronted her behind a shadowed building.
“What do you want to talk about?”
Bioloren kicked a stone in frustration and glared at Kraush.
“Your mother, the Kekkeshis, has come.”
Kraush jumped straight to the point.
The look on Bioloren’s face clearly showed she hadn’t expected this news.
“What?”
“Just as I said. The Kekkeshis came and proposed a deal: she’ll fetch information from Ixion, and in exchange, she wants you protected since you’re on Ixion’s radar.”
Bioloren’s eyes widened in shock.
Kraush had never been told by the Kekkeshis not to share this with Bioloren.
So he laid everything out.
If she didn’t want this spread, she should’ve put it in the contract.
Besides, it was better for Bioloren to be aware for easier protection.
“Did you tell that guy?”
When she spoke of “that guy,” it could only be the Demonic Prime.
“No, not yet.”
“Then for now… No, saying anything would probably get zero response from him.”
Bioloren wore a conflicted expression before glancing back at Kraush.
“I’m guessing you told me this because you want to hear my thoughts on it.”
“Exactly.”
Bioloren clicked her tongue and placed her hands on her hips.
“Ask away. What do you want to know?”
Her face was already draped with anticipation.
Before his reincarnation, Kraush hadn’t shared such a tight bond with Bioloren.
Back then, Bioloren had a rough and unruly personality.
Likewise, so did Kraush.
They were indifferent to one another.
Kraush’s memory contained only fragmented pieces: a child born to the Kekkeshis and Demonic Prime, abandoned and left to fend for herself.
And that she had died defending her realm till the end.
That was all he could recall.
But that was no longer the case.
Bioloren and Kraush had grown close enough to joke around with each other.
Now, they had formed a bond that truly made them friends.
For Bioloren, Kraush was more than just a passing figure; he became a significant presence in her life.
After enduring the ravages of World Erosion, she was left with a purpose in her life, aware of the emptiness it brought.
“Bioloren, if you wish to find your mother, come see me again after you finish the barriers. I’ll give you clues.”
Yet Kraush realized he couldn’t let Bioloren live merely by holding on to a vague hope.
He needed to guide her.
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