### Chapter: 304
Above the searing flames of the white fire,
Kraush was barely catching his breath.
He had grabbed the hint of the God of Creation Weapons.
Just that alone was an enormous achievement.
Using his body as a vessel had loads of burdens involved.
Right now, he was struggling to suppress the feeling that he might lose consciousness at any moment.
Through the smoke billowing up from the white flames, Kraush faced an unmistakable presence.
It was the Conqueror’s White Knight, still bearing the burn marks of battle on his armor.
Despite taking such a fierce blow, the Conqueror’s White Knight was still standing.
Kraush gritted his teeth.
It felt like the knight was warning him not to get full of himself just because he had caught a hint.
“Damn it.”
He didn’t even expect this.
Kraush tried to regain his stance immediately.
But due to the sheer amount of power he had just spent, he could barely balance himself upright.
If he couldn’t achieve a proper stance, he wouldn’t be able to withstand the Conqueror’s White Knight’s power.
He was going to get wrecked.
Just as that thought crossed his mind,
A flash ignited behind the Conqueror’s knight.
Then the dispersing light reached Kraush and enveloped him in an instant.
Kraush immediately recognized the source of the light as Aria.
Carried by Aria, he swiftly exited the battlefield.
After passing by the blurred scenery, they finally stopped in the forest where black rain fell.
Aria, breathing heavily, let Kraush down while her disheveled blonde hair danced in the wind.
Sweat dripped, indicating that the prior battle had taken its toll on her as well.
She leaned back against a tree and stared at Kraush.
“Who are you? Where did you come from all of a sudden?”
Upon hearing her words, Kraush lifted his head, puzzled.
Could it be that this timeline’s Aria didn’t know him?
“…Kraush Balheim.”
So, Kraush casually threw out his name.
Upon hearing it, Aria’s expression shifted subtly.
Then she exhaled dramatically, brushing her bangs back with her hand.
“Who did you hear that name from?”
Her face revealed blatant emotion.
Kraush noticed that her expression looked eerily similar to the Aria he knew.
“Wait, what?”
The Aria brought from the timeline knew of Kraush’s existence.
But why was she reacting like that when she saw him?
Kraush sensed wariness flickering in Aria’s eyes.
“Tell me. Where did you hear that name?”
A soft glow began to ripple around Aria’s sword.
Depending on the circumstances, it indicated her intention to attack.
‘Does it mean I don’t look like Kraush to her?’
Having poured all his strength into the Conqueror’s White Knight, Kraush was left nearly depleted.
There was naturally no way he’d have the power to face Aria at her peak.
In this place, enveloped in Aura, he knew better than to underestimate the situation, as it could cost him his life.
“I once owed a debt to Kraush Balheim.”
Aria’s eyebrows twitched.
She was clearly sensitive to her name.
Kraush picked up that reflection of her past self in this Aria.
“Really?”
Aria’s response indicated she seemed to be considering the trustworthiness of his words.
She probably didn’t want to expend too much energy after having dealt with the Conqueror’s White Knight’s appearance.
“I never thought I would meet someone I don’t recognize.”
At that, Aria mumbled to herself.
It seemed she accepted him as a potential variable in this world.
With her gaze turned toward the ground, she fell deep into thought.
It looked like she was replaying potential variables that could arise in this timeline.
Kraush followed suit, recalling his own experiences when he reincarnated.
“Can I ask a question now?”
Kraush queried if he might use his question privilege.
Since the doubts had already been raised, it was his turn to inquire.
“Go ahead.”
Aria nodded, fully understanding the etiquette.
“What happened to Kraush Balheim?”
Upon hearing that, Aria fell silent for a moment before slowly chuckling.
“What answer do you want?”
Quickly, her reply was laced with sarcasm.
Kraush noticed the deep-seated hatred in her eyes.
Upon that realization, he slowly opened his eyes wide.
“…Did I kill him?”
The moment Kraush queried, Aria froze, hanging in the still air.
The spark of provocation she had moments ago vanished, leaving her speechless.
Seeing that, Kraush felt certain.
This timeline was when he betrayed Aria.
And Aria killed him with her own hands.
The silence stretched on.
Aria clearly understood how suspicious that action was.
Yet, she couldn’t hastily speak out.
Her eyes trembled slightly.
Then, she slowly lowered her head.
“…Yeah, but?”
Her voice carried a hint of some underlying emotion.
Though she sighed, her feelings were evidently profound.
“I killed him. Did you come here to scold me for killing my lover?”
But the moment she finished that sentence, it was then that Kraush froze as well.
What did he just hear?
In that moment, Kraush’s mind paused, questioning his own ears.
It seemed his head was suddenly bursting with a headache.
They said this happened when a human received information they couldn’t fathom.
And Kraush now recognized that he was still an ordinary human.
So, he had to ask properly.
What if he misheard everything in his confusion?
“…You were lovers?”
“…From your reaction, I guess this was news to you.”
Aria also reacted in surprise.
Kraush noted that Aria’s surprised reaction stemmed from the fact that they had been together for quite some time.
The implication was clear: they had been dating for a significant period.
The headache he felt was growing larger.
What on earth was this timeline’s Kraush thinking?
‘If this really happened in this timeline…’
Did it mean that Aria, who had lost the ability to reincarnate, still remembered the times they were lovers?
His thoughts were becoming a tangled mess.
But in that struggle, he finally understood why Aria had shared the secret of reincarnation with him.
‘Because he was the one she trusted the most.’
Her partner in love.
Who else would she share such an important secret with if not that person?
Suddenly, the notion made more sense than acknowledging the betrayal.
‘So I was trying to take away the chance for my girlfriend’s reincarnation?’
Kraush pressed his jaw with the palm of his hand.
Reincarnation was definitely a hidden card anyone could desire.
Indeed, Kraush had changed countless outcomes using his own reincarnation.
But even if he were the worst of humanity, would he steal Aria’s chance at reincarnation?
‘People are certainly influenced and changed by their circumstances…’
But to attempt to take away someone’s reincarnation?
Kraush rubbed his forehead, trying to clear the confusion swirling in his mind before lifting his head.
After all, the answers were right in front of him in Aria.
Thus, he could simply ask her for clarity.
“Why did you kill him? Someone who was your lover?”
“…Because he tried to take away the most precious thing from me.”
So it seemed he did indeed try to take her chance away.
“That he did something like that? I can hardly believe it.”
“…What do you know? You barely owe a damn thing to Kraush.”
Of course, she would know that better than anybody.
Because she was the one who was there.
But admitting that would be impossible.
“I said it based on who I saw. Didn’t he have enough reason to try to take something precious from you?”
Aria’s eyes wavered.
Perhaps she had also thought about that deep down.
Kraush realized there had to be an important reason for wanting to steal the opportunity to reincarnate.
Yet, in this world, Kraush no longer existed.
That was because Aria had executed him herself.
So now she clenched her fists and shouted at Kraush instead.
“Stop acting like you know everything…!”
Boom!
At that moment, a tremendous explosion echoed through the air.
Startled, Aria turned her head just as black smoke began to rise from beyond the forest.
“Ahhh!”
“P-Please, save me!”
Along with the explosion, screams echoed in.
Both Kraush and Aria had sharp ears.
They couldn’t miss the terrified cries.
This world was currently in the process of falling apart.
With the Conqueror’s White Knight’s appearance, the restrictions of World Erosion had been lifted, allowing the erosive creatures to roam freely.
Naturally, the casualties resulting from such erosive creatures were beyond count.
Aria glared at Kraush before turning her body.
Then, as she prepared to flee through the forest, Kraush followed right behind her.
As if he were a member of the Dragon Royal Family, he had regained some vigor during his break.
“Why are you following me?”
“This world looks like it’s on the brink of destruction, so I must accomplish my goal until the very end.”
Kraush declared that he wanted to hear firsthand what was going on, prompting Aria to scoff.
“If you follow me, you’ll die.”
“But I know I won’t die easily. After all, you helped me stay on the offense during that last battle, right?”
Aria bit her lips.
Because indeed, as Kraush said, she had bought him time so he could use all his strength.
Acknowledging the help he had provided, Aria increased her speed and exited the forest ahead of Kraush.
The sight that awaited them was an outright army of erosive creatures.
Various types of erosive creatures flooded the village, mercilessly slaughtering its people.
Seeing that horrifying scene, the two had no cause to hesitate and dashed straight into the village.
Kraush wielded Thunder Sword with the momentum of Excel surging through him.
“Ahhh! Save me!”
Before a creature in the shape of a bull could step on the fleeing villager, Kraush’s sword swung like lightning.
Swish! Boom!
In an instant, Kraush severed the erosive creature’s neck and cradled the villager who was about to be trampled.
He swiftly moved the villager to safety and shouted,
“Run! Hurry!”
“Yes, yes!”
There was no time to afford them a second thought.
Hearing Kraush’s shout, the villager dashed away in a panic.
Kraush situated himself, gripping Thunder Sword tightly.
Though his body felt like it was creaking, he wasn’t incapable of moving.
Flash! Boom!
Far off, Aria’s flash illuminated as dozens of erosive creatures were effortlessly dispatched.
The sheer output was astonishing.
That was certainly why she bore the title of Hero King and led the Sky Generation into the fray.
“Sorry, but I’m going to take that role this time.”
He couldn’t let himself end up looking pathetic here.
Kraush inhaled deeply and surrounded himself with the white flames, ready to safeguard their world.
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