### Chapter: 325
The Unexpected Strike from Sigrid
“Come on now, hurry up! You’re busy, aren’t you?”
Kraush found himself practically shoved out of Lagrain by Sigrid. Despite this boldness, Sigrid wore an unapologetic, cheeky grin.
He’d always thought she was completely disinterested in anything romantic. Sigrid had always been playful about such topics, after all.
Well, Kraush’s instincts were spot on. At the time, it really had been a joke, but now things had flipped dramatically.
Kraush was utterly bewildered, unable to shake the citrus scent still lingering around him.
As he recalled the sensation of her lips, Kraush shook his head.
“…I really can’t figure out what’s going on.”
With that, Kraush scratched the back of his head, puzzled. Thoughts of Haring and Ebelasque floated into his mind.
He’d been too pressed for time to check on them after the chaos had begun.
‘As soon as this is over…’
He needed to meet them soon.
Kraush lifted his head.
Where exactly was he right now?
None other than the Holy Royal Family’s estate, the famed Balheim family in Starlon.
With his scattered mind, he somehow managed to stagger onto the nearest teleportation facility, bypassing Rahern Academy to arrive at the Balheim estate.
Due to the lack of a direct route from Lagrain to Balheim, this was the only option.
‘Alright. Let’s put Sigrid’s antics aside for now.’
More pressing than dealing with Sigrid was getting support from the Balheim forces to save the Empire.
So Kraush confidently stepped deeper into the estate.
Staff members, recognizing him, gasped and quickly bowed their heads in surprise.
There had been no prior word of Kraush’s return.
“Kraush Balheim, sir.”
Soon the head butler appeared.
Despite the sudden entrance of Kraush, he remained unfazed, bowing low.
“It seems you have pressing matters. If you let me know, I will handle it immediately.”
He quickly grasped what Kraush needed.
This was no rookie butler; he had served Balheim for decades.
“The Empire is in crisis. I need to lead the Balheim Knights to offer our assistance.”
The butler’s response turned his face sober.
The Empire and Starlon had an adversarial relationship.
Even though Kraush was engaged to a princess of the Empire, their relationship hadn’t completely healed.
Yet, this wasn’t a judgment for the butler to decide.
“Currently, the only one here with such authority is my older brother, Deputy Lord Rai Balheim.”
Rai was Kraush’s eldest brother.
‘Well, at least he’s here.’
This was a fortunate turn of events.
Rai was someone who would overlook relationships if given a legitimate reason and profit.
‘Thank goodness I don’t have to argue with any boring council elder.’
It would streamline things considerably.
“I’ll go find my brother. Please let him know.”
“Yes, I will make arrangements right away.”
The butler quickly moved ahead of Kraush, disappearing down the hallway at an impressive pace despite walking.
In the meantime, another servant approached and began to lead him to Rai’s office.
As he followed, Kraush took in the familiar scenery of the Balheim estate, which he hadn’t seen in a while.
When they arrived, the butler was already waiting at the door.
He confirmed Kraush had arrived and knocked twice.
“Deputy Lord, Kraush Balheim has arrived.”
“Come in.”
Upon hearing the response, both the servant and the butler opened the door.
Kraush confidently stepped inside.
There at the desk was Rai, busy processing paperwork.
As the deputy lord of Balheim, he hardly had a spare moment.
Their family head, the mighty Poison King Balok Balheim, seemed to spend all his time in the Kingdom of Jeblam. Thus, most duties fell on Rai.
“Brother, thanks for your hard work.”
Kraush said this out of courtesy, because he couldn’t care less about the family head’s affairs.
So, he’d never have the desire to meddle in them.
“I’ve heard the butler already inform you of my situation.”
Rai, the shrewd man he was, immediately got to the point.
“I heard about the crisis in the Empire a little while ago. So, you wish to help the Empire?”
Rai paused his paperwork and slowly rubbed his face.
“That’s not a bad idea.”
As was typical for Rai, he began assessing the situation immediately.
The advantages Balheim would gain from assisting the Empire were substantial.
From becoming the heroes who aided their enemies to opening up opportunities for future dealings with the Empire.
There was nothing but benefits for Balheim.
Rai was keen to grasp this.
“I’m on board.”
Thus, Rai smoothly agreed for Kraush to receive the Knights’ support.
But Rai’s earlier words held an important caveat.
“The thing is, consent is needed.”
“From whom?”
“It’s stated in the rules of Balheim that if it’s foreign assistance, it must be approved by both parties representing Balheim unless you act under the family head.”
Kraush understood immediately.
“Then I need a majority from the six elders.”
Kraush grit his teeth.
The six elders were those dull old folks he despised.
The reason for his loathing was clear. They were the ones who imprisoned him at Green Pine Hall.
Their flowery words about ‘for the good of Balheim’ only ever obscured their attempts to hide their mistakes.
That was the six elders in a nutshell.
Even now, he was sure they weren’t particularly thrilled about him.
As people got older, they became set in their ways and stubborn.
They’d have a hard time shaking off the image they had of Kraush as a failure.
‘They’ve become utterly blind, mesmerized by the shining star named Charlotte.’
Facing the glimmering star known as Charlotte, the six elders were essentially rendered sightless.
All they ever thought about was pushing for Charlotte as the head of Balheim.
‘Maybe I should have brought Charlotte along.’
Kraush clicked his tongue in exasperation and lowered his head.
“Understood. I’ll try persuading them.”
Rai granted his approval as deputy lord.
If he played his cards right, convincing the six elders wasn’t completely out of reach.
Despite their stubbornness, there was no way they’d ignore potential profit.
‘It’s just a pain to deal with.’
What annoyed him was whether those Charlotte enthusiasts would be pleased about his involvement.
“Kraush.”
At that moment, Rai stopped Kraush.
When he turned back, Rai wrote something on a piece of paper and tossed it over.
“Should the discussions with the elders not go well, take this note to the Guardian Sword.”
The leader of the first knight’s order, the Guardian Sword.
Kraush safely tucked the note away.
“Thank you, brother.”
“And it might be better to meet mother before seeing the six elders.”
Rai added one more piece of advice for Kraush.
The mother he spoke of was Aria Balheim, the matriarch of Balheim.
Though she wasn’t his biological mother, since she became the lady of Balheim, he too had to address her as mother.
“The elders’ opinions will be influenced by her views.”
Things weren’t looking great for Kraush, given he didn’t get along particularly well with Aria.
But Rai generously shared all the advice he could offer.
Kraush expressed his gratitude again, lowered his head, and left the room.
“…Of all people, why must I see her?”
Dealing with Aria would be a repeat of old frustrations.
Even the thought of it made Kraush’s head hurt.
—
Aria Balheim.
Perhaps, she was one of the people Kraush despised the most in his life.
After all, she was the source of his first trauma.
Guided by a servant, he arrived at Aria’s room and let out a sigh.
He knocked twice on the door.
“Mother, it’s Kraush Balheim.”
As his voice rang with the knock, a moment later, a voice came from inside.
The direct escort knight of Balheim, Valkyrie, opened the door.
Given their history, Kraush cast a wary glance before stepping inside.
As always, Aria greeted him with a gentle smile.
“It’s been a while, my son. I’m glad you came to see me.”
This was the first time he’d seen her since the purposely arranged engagement with Sigrid.
Despite her unchanged appearance, she greeted him warmly.
“So, what brings you here this time?”
“Do I need a reason to visit my mother?”
With that, he walked over and pulled out a chair to sit before her.
“I need permission from the six elders to bring the Knights of Balheim to support the Empire.”
Upon hearing this, Aria slowly picked up her teacup and took a sip.
Since the six elders had all but fallen for Charlotte’s genius,
The first one to smooth things over was none other than Aria herself.
Charlotte was Aria’s biological daughter.
Thus, with the six elders supporting Charlotte, Aria could equally wield that power.
So, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to view the six elders’ opinions as synonymous with Aria’s.
Regardless, this woman excelled at securing her position in discussions.
She had snatched the position of lady and now appeared to possess the authority of the six elders.
“Good, what mother wouldn’t want to support her son doing good?”
And to Kraush’s surprise, she readily agreed.
Having anticipated a lengthy battle of wits, Kraush looked at her with confusion.
Seeing this, Aria noticed Kraush’s probing gaze and shot him a cheeky smile.
“Let’s put some conditions on that though.”
“Of course, you can’t help but have conditions, can you?”
Just as expected
“Understand my position. Your unplanned wedding caused a stir in Balheim. I’ve aged ten years dealing with all this!”
As Aria spoke, she covered her face with her hands.
Honestly, the very thought of aging was laughable beyond belief.
‘Ah, so that’s why Balheim hasn’t said much about my marriage.’
Aria seemed to be making some moves on her end as well.
After all, it wouldn’t be good for her if negative rumors about Kraush circulated.
Now that he’d turned out to be such a valuable card for her influence in Balheim, she wouldn’t want to lose that.
“Prepare to succeed the head of Balheim in the future.”
“What on earth are you talking about?”
Kraush grimaced, eyebrows knitting together.
There was already Rai, the one most suited for the position, and Charlotte, who was adored by the elders.
So why would Kraush stick his face into the middle of that?
Seeing his reaction, Aria regarded Kraush as if he were still a child in his teenage years.
“Dear son, this is for your own good.”
“Where’s the benefit in any of this for me?”
“Well then, let’s rephrase it. It’s also for the sake of your future wife.”
That statement made Kraush freeze in place.
“Being the head of Balheim can grant you a lot of negotiating power. Particularly, your engagement with the Empire could benefit you greatly.”
He remembered the Emperor made him engage Sigrid, saying she was to be his first wife.
But then, Kraush flipped that narrative and married Bianca instead, spitting in the face of the Emperor’s orders.
In doing so, he had smeared the distinguished name of the Empire.
“However, if you become Balheim’s head, such things would become much easier. The Empire would have no choice but to respect the bloodline of Balheim, even if it means taking on a princess as a concubine.”
The title of Balheim’s head held more power than anyone could imagine.
They were lauded as the strongest family in the world.
Of course, with that title came rights and influence.
Even if he wasn’t in line for the throne, it was a sought-after position for a princess from a far-off land.
“If you declare your ambition to become the head, at least for the time being, they won’t voice any objections.”
“Of course, if I don’t become the head, the price to pay won’t be light.”
Kraush had met the Emperor directly. There was no way the one who had been smudged would be left without punishment.
Aria chuckled at Kraush’s words.
“What are you worried about? Just aim for becoming the head.”
Kraush raised an eyebrow at her.
Did she think becoming the head was just some game?
“After all, there’s still Charlotte. Why the push to throw me into that position?”
Aria was constantly pushing for Charlotte as the head.
It baffled Kraush that now she would want to elevate him as well.
“Just as my son mentioned, Charlotte can certainly take the lead. But that girl loves her freedom too much.”
Kraush couldn’t deny that point.
Charlotte was indeed free-spirited.
Her unmatched strength and talent ensured no one could ever rein her in, not even the colossal family of Balheim.
She certainly had the potential to lead.
However, if she lost interest even for a second, she would easily let go of the seat of power.
“You’re just like your father, both of you can’t be pinned down.”
Just like Balok spent all his time in Jeblam, Charlotte too inherited that insatiable spirit.
So Aria conveyed her wishes to Kraush.
She believed that unlike Charlotte, Kraush would firmly hold onto the head position.
For Aria, this was what she desired most.
She was driven solely by her own greed for power within Balheim.
If her son could steadfastly secure the head position, she would enjoy a life free from worries in Balheim.
“Haha.”
Kraush couldn’t help but chuckle at the realization of her thoughts.
Upon seeing his smile, Aria tilted her head curiously.
“If I become the head, do you really think I’d leave you be?”
A chilling aura emanated from Kraush.
Just who did she think he was?
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