### Chapter: 424
“So, you’re really going to the Divine Realm, huh?”
After tidying up the gods and stealing all their skills, Kraush had to explain everything that was about to happen in front of Bianca and his wives.
As expected, with every detail he revealed about the risky ventures he was about to undertake, the expressions on the four women’s faces grew colder.
“Looks like that’s just how it’s going to be.”
But there was no way Kraush could back down. He had to go to the Divine Realm—no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
To maintain the world they had fought to protect, it was crucial that he headed to the Divine Realm.
“I knew you’d end up like this the moment I got my powers back.”
Astria let out a long sigh. As anticipated, Kraush was headed for danger once again.
“I should have just kept you powerless—a nice little prison sentence!”
Astria’s eyes were fierce.
Don’t! If I mess up and come back weak again, that might actually happen!
“Kraush.”
In that moment, Haring pulled at Kraush’s collar.
“Can I take some potions with me?”
“I think that should be fine.”
Haring started packing her things diligently.
“I’ll be ready to go.”
“Haring, you!”
Astria shot a concerned glance at Haring, as if asking what she was thinking.
Haring looked back at Kraush, her belongings in tow.
“I know you’re going anyway, Kraush. So… why not?”
Everyone knew Kraush wouldn’t change his stubborn ways.
“Well then, I’ll just have to make sure you come back safely.”
That was a classic Haring response.
“If you don’t come back, I’ll go looking for you myself.”
And another classic Haring line.
“Hmmm, well, I suppose it’d be tough to stay away for long with such beautiful wives waiting for me,”
Sigrid said with a cheeky smile, clearly disarming the tension.
Kraush didn’t even bother denying it.
“Ugh, seriously.”
Astria puffed her cheeks out, visibly annoyed. She didn’t want to let Kraush go at all.
“Astria, don’t worry too much. I promise I’ll come back.”
As Kraush tried to reassure her, Astria bit her lip and nudged his shoulder repeatedly.
“Just try not to come back. If you disappear, I’ll drag you out of the Divine Realm by your ears.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll be counting on you then.”
Eventually, Astria gave up trying to keep him from going, which was definitely in line with her character.
“But you’re going with Arthur, right?”
However, the warm conversation took a sudden turn.
From start to finish, Bianca had been glaring at Kraush with a sharp expression.
And her comment made everyone turn their eyes back to Kraush.
Arthur was following him, and that made it even clearer—Arthur, who definitely had feelings for Kraush.
“Uh, um, yeah, sort of.”
It was fine in front of the other wives, but being weak in front of Bianca was a different story.
Kraush couldn’t bring himself to argue back, and as he rubbed the back of his neck, Bianca stood up.
She walked over and sat right on Kraush’s lap.
“I’m the first one.”
Bianca was the first wife Kraush accepted, and that was a fact that hadn’t changed.
With that, Bianca pulled Kraush’s hand over to her belly.
“I’m the first one.”
And this time, it had a distinctly different meaning.
The other wives’ expressions began to shift.
They thought Bianca was just throwing a tantrum.
But it wasn’t about playful pouting; Bianca had allowed other wives to join them, thinking it would help Kraush. Now that Arthur was trying to be helpful, would she really throw a tantrum?
No, this was war.
This was the last battle to secure her position before Kraush crossed over to the Divine Realm.
“You!”
Astria’s face turned beet red as she shot up.
That sly cat was trying to secure the prime spot first!
Yet Bianca remained undeterred, guarding her spot on Kraush’s lap.
“I’m not letting go.”
Bianca was resolute.
In light of the situation, she was absolutely not in the mood to share.
With the uncertainty of what could happen to Kraush in the Divine Realm with Arthur, Bianca had to prove her authority as the first wife.
“I want to go too! The first wife position is mine!”
Astria was not about to back down either, straightening her back defiantly.
“I’m fine with being second.”
Haring chimed in, wanting to claim second place.
“Hmmm, I see we’re getting competitive here.”
Sigrid stroked her chin, glancing at Kraush, her expression indicating she had some grand scheme in mind.
Everyone could see she was up to something.
“Everyone, calm down.”
Kraush raised his hands, trying to quell the growing chaos.
“Not a chance.”
Bianca wrapped her hands around Kraush’s face and squeezed it between her palms.
“This is all your fault, Kraush.”
This time, everyone was standing their ground.
Ultimately, Kraush decided to just go along with it.
Might as well accept it.
＊ ＊ ＊
Time flew by like an arrow.
Where is the center of the world?
It’s in the Holy Kingdom, Freeman.
The center of the world was famously known as the road connecting to the gods.
So, it was only fitting that the most devout people gathered to build the Holy Kingdom.
But perhaps due to the recent chaos caused by the gods, the power of the Holy Kingdom wasn’t what it used to be.
Those who had lost family to the gods turned into critics and skeptics.
In that Holy Kingdom’s corridor, a middle-aged man with blue hair was staring up at the skies.
He was dressed in white robes with golden embroidery. The name of the man in those sacred garments was Tersada Beakis.
Known as one of the Ten Great Lords and the Holy King.
“You’ve become the Pope, yet you’re not feeling so great about the situation, huh?”
A voice called out to him.
Being able to feel no presence yet still hear the voice, Tersada slowly turned around.
“So you’re become shadowy now, huh? Truly, the hero who saved the Holy Kingdom.”
Tersada smiled benevolently as he said it.
He complimented Kraush without even moistening his own lips.
It was none other than Tersada who had hailed Kraush as a hero in the Holy Kingdom.
Listening to those compliments, Kraush felt a tickle of annoyance creeping in.
After all, he was a guy who had no qualms using Astria to achieve his own ends.
As time passed and the previous Pope retired, Tersada eventually snagged the position himself.
Now he was sitting in the highest seat in the Holy Kingdom.
Of course, for Kraush, that was “whatever.”
It wasn’t like he had any loyalty to a foreign kingdom like Freeman which cast aside Astria.
Had Freeman been the center of the world, he wouldn’t have bothered visiting.
“Are you heading out to fight the gods now?”
The Ten Great Lords mostly knew the situation.
Seeing the question, Kraush chuckled.
“Not the happiest of missions for you, is it?”
“Since the gods made an erroneous choice, I can’t really stop you from correcting them.”
Tersada’s face maintained that benevolent smile.
Kraush had informed the Ten Great Lords that the Succession Gate would soon open in the Holy Kingdom.
They had taken precautions, aware that something might go wrong, thus some of the Ten Great Lords and heavenly lords were scattered throughout Freeman.
But there was one thing Kraush hadn’t mentioned.
His true goal was to completely prevent any further godly intervention in the Middle Realm.
It would be a shocking revelation for the Holy Kingdom.
From their standpoint, it would mean the gods could disappear from the world completely.
‘Should I drop a hint about that?’
After all, he didn’t want to cause complete chaos by revealing that even the Pope was oblivious to this situation.
“Tersada, I have something to share.”
Kraush hinted at what was to come.
Upon hearing this, Tersada began to chuckle slowly.
Had he lost his faculties?
Kraush thought to himself as Tersada broke into a wide grin.
“How many people do you think have come into contact with the gods in this world, Kraush?”
Not many, if any at all.
Even those with skills only heard the gods’ voices; they never faced them directly.
There was no one like Kraush who could engage with the gods in person and make contracts.
“This world has always felt the weight of divinity lightly. No one has faced a god directly. But people continue to believe. The further the gods are, the more they yearn for their existence.”
There was a shadowy smile on Tersada’s face, not quite befitting a Pope.
“Gods should not be close. Humans cannot believe what is too near.”
Looks like the Pope wasn’t in his right mind after all.
Sure, Kraush was aware of Tersada’s longing for faith, but this was beyond his wildest imaginations.
“I hope you’ll return safely, Kraush.”
Kraush wore a bemused expression.
“Is that something a Pope should say?”
“Perhaps it’s something only a Pope could say. After all, isn’t it about the future of Freeman?”
Completely out of his mind.
Kraush decided it was time to cut the conversation short.
Just then, Tersada tilted his head.
“By the way, you look a bit more worn down than usual. Have you been under any stress?”
Kraush froze at that question.
Those eyes were keen.
“It’s nothing. Just a bit of tossing and turning at night.”
“Oh dear, shall I lend you a room to catch some sleep?”
“Not necessary.”
Kraush glanced out the window.
The clouds started to part, revealing the sky.
Golden rays of light flooded down from the heavens.
People in Freeman gasped in awe, folding their hands in prayer, believing it was a sign from the gods.
The lower-tier gods didn’t show their faces.
The God of Thieves had changed the Lower World Gate as originally planned into the Succession Gate.
“Well then, I’ll be taking my leave.”
Kraush bid farewell to Tersada and stepped outside through the window.
As he landed on the rooftops of the city, he saw a familiar face approaching in the distance.
It was Arthur, her golden hair fluttering as she came closer.
Upon seeing Kraush, she smirked slyly.
“Looks like you’ve had quite a bit of trouble.”
She had noticed the fatigue etched on Kraush’s face, much like Tersada.
“You seem to be loved quite a bit.”
“Something like that.”
“I love you even more.”
Kraush stumbled.
This guy just unloaded a confession out of nowhere, and Arthur wore a shy smile.
“Those are words I’ve been holding in. I thought this would be a good opportunity to let them out.”
Now that she mentioned holding back, Kraush found it hard to scold her.
For some reason, she always had a knack for making him speechless.
“… Do what you want.”
“Does that mean I have your blessing?”
Caught off guard.
Kraush looked up at the Succession Gate.
He had prepared everything he could in the Middle Realm for the journey to the Divine Realm.
“I’m off.”
He was heading to the Divine Realm to see this through.
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