### Chapter 353
The Eldest of the Cloria Family.
Jorval Cloria.
He was quite a decent lad during his childhood.
Loved by many, he studied hard to repay that love.
But one day, everything changed when his father brought home the second son, Zodiac Cloria.
Jorval’s mother didn’t take kindly to Zodiac’s arrival.
And who could blame her?
The child, born from her husband’s affair, suddenly became her son on the family registry!
Every time she saw Zodiac, it must have felt like her dignity as a wife crumbling.
This also affected Jorval, who became resentful of Zodiac.
Though his father didn’t reveal much about his mother, she often referred to Zodiac as lowborn.
After Zodiac’s entrance, the relationship between Jorval’s father and mother quickly soured.
Just a moment ago, they had seemed like a happy family.
And then, everything fell apart in an instant because of Zodiac.
Jorval harbored hatred for Zodiac.
His younger brother was the one who had shattered their family.
But soon, it became clear why their father insisted on bringing Zodiac home as the second son.
Zodiac was born with a natural talent for martial arts.
He mastered every martial art he attempted and had even scored points against official knights more than once—pretty impressive for his age!
In contrast, Jorval was merely average.
Slowly but surely, Jorval began to feel overshadowed by Zodiac.
When a genius stands next to you, the average person’s flaws become glaringly apparent.
Before long, Zodiac was chosen by the gods and even gained skills.
The moment of that revelation still lingered vividly in Jorval’s mind.
He remembered how his father had beamed with happiness as he witnessed Zodiac bestowed with the skill “Umbra.”
No god had ever granted skills to the Cloria family before.
So, the appearance of a god who granted skills to Zodiac was an unprecedented achievement for the Cloria family.
Things started shifting rapidly.
With Zodiac already renowned for his martial arts, the fact that he now had skills made the citizens of Cloria cheer for him wildly.
With both skills and martial prowess, Zodiac was now seen as the one to carry Cloria’s future.
Naturally, the people of Cloria felt elated.
But there was one person who was definitely NOT celebrating.
That would be Jorval.
For him, to have a second son and a love child at that…
Seeing Zodiac attempt to erase his own existence drove Jorval further into despair.
He slowly turned bitter, marked by a tendency toward violence.
His misdeeds, stemming from his anxieties, never ceased, ultimately leading him to gain a reputation as the disgrace of the Cloria family.
All the people of Cloria despised him.
Yet, everyone loved Zodiac.
Every time Jorval realized this fact, he felt his sanity slipping away.
“I can’t accept this.”
He could not accept it, not even for a moment.
On the other hand, he lamented deeply about his own lack of talent.
He had even started drinking heavily.
“Jorval, I’ll pass the head position to you.”
His father promised him the headship of the family.
But it was clear that there were no expectations from his father towards Jorval.
He could tell that his position came solely from being the eldest.
All Jorval had left in Cloria was simply being the eldest.
A hollow laugh escaped him.
He stopped drinking.
No point in drowning himself in alcohol when reality wouldn’t change.
Instead, he resolved to become the family head.
One that no one could take away from him.
No matter how much others mocked him.
He was the eldest, and Zodiac could never become the head.
So, he treated Zodiac as nothing more than a lowly creature.
No matter how great things he accomplished, Jorval constantly reminded him he was merely the second son who could never rise to headship in Cloria.
And now, here he was.
Alongside Zodiac, he arrived in front of his father’s room.
“Father, I’ve brought Zodiac with me.”
“Cough, come in.”
Upon knocking, a voice beckoned them to enter.
Creeeeak—
As the door opened, the distinct smell associated with sick patients filled the room.
His father had been ill for quite some time.
While age was a factor, he had also been weak since birth.
“Have you both come?”
Upon hearing his father’s words, both Jorval and Zodiac bowed their heads in unison.
Seeing this, his father leaned back with a gentle smile.
“Both of you have grown so tall.”
He said this while looking at Zodiac.
“Did you wrap up your urgent matter well?”
After having graduated from Rahern Academy, Zodiac had briefly left Cloria due to an urgent matter regarding his classmates.
When his father asked about it, Zodiac bowed his head.
“Yes, Father.”
Briefly looking at Zodiac, his father nodded slowly and then turned his attention to Jorval.
“How are the lessons for inheriting the head position going?”
“Yes, there’s nothing for you to worry about.”
“Good to hear. I’m glad to see neither of you causing any trouble.”
Their father always spoke this way.
No matter what trouble Jorval stirred up outside, the tone remained constant.
Jorval interpreted this as his father giving up on him, rather than believing in him.
To his father, he was probably just a disgrace.
“Both of you, you may leave.”
Upon hearing his words, Jorval and Zodiac bowed once more and exited.
As they stepped outside, Jorval glanced at Zodiac.
“The head position remains mine.”
“Sure, brother, that sounds great.”
To Jorval’s statement, Zodiac replied disinterestedly.
This response made Jorval’s face contort in annoyance.
Zodiac was always like this.
No matter what chaos he created, or what he took away.
He always acted as if he was simply stepping back and allowing his older brother to take charge.
“I hate that about you!”
If only he had fought back fiercely for the head position, maybe it would have been better.
But with Zodiac casually remaining aloof, without greed for what others held or what he wanted—it was infuriating.
“Lowly creature.”
Jorval cursed and abruptly turned away, leaving.
Observing this, Zodiac slowly brushed his bangs up, then chuckled softly.
“I’ve heard some things, but it seems this place is a total mess.”
Zodiac smirked.
The truth was, he was Kraush.
Kraush had gone to Jeblam to have an extended conversation with Zodiac, so he could understand him well enough to impersonate him.
Kraush was somewhat aware of the circumstances, but it turned out Zodiac’s family situation was a real mess.
‘But just who the heck is Zodiac’s real mother?’
Zodiac’s mother knew Wooyou and Jinmyao.
If she was acquainted with the World Erosion, she definitely wasn’t ordinary.
‘I can’t figure anything out.’
Kraush absentmindedly rubbed his chin.
Should he have asked Jinmyao directly?
He then cast a glance back at the room of Zodiac’s father.
‘Too risky.’
Parents can recognize their children more easily than anyone else.
With Ixion’s affairs at hand, Kraush decided to refrain from over-curiosity.
He began walking down the corridor.
The Cloria mansion was as bleak as its surroundings.
‘To think Abelra is from Cloria.’
The Red Witch, Abella.
Among those who have reincarnated alongside Kraush, she was the only one actively participating now.
Kraush had to stop her from aligning with Ixion.
She was the witch who caused destruction during Arthur’s reincarnation.
So, Kraush wanted to gather more information about Abella.
Knowing more about her might help him find a way to counteract her.
‘The problem is…’
It was difficult for Kraush to investigate how Abella lived in Cloria.
‘She might not even go by the name Abella here.’
Until he did some searching, he wouldn’t know for sure.
Kraush resumed his steps.
Soon, he found himself in the record office filled with documents of Cloria.
Since he moved around as Zodiac, no one was there to stop him.
Entering the paper-scented office, Kraush slowly began to look for files.
Nobles record their citizens to collect taxes, after all.
Especially since Cloria wasn’t that big of a city to begin with.
‘There wouldn’t be a huge influx of impoverished folk like in the bigger nations.’
Most likely, the majority had been documented.
Thus, Kraush succeeded in locating the residency records corresponding to his own age—Zodiac was one year younger than him.
If a birth registration had been made, it must have been filed in that very year.
Kraush began slowly flipping through the sheets.
After a while, his hand stopped suddenly.
“……Gotcha.”
He found the name “Abella” recorded in the documents.
Talk about luck!
He never expected to actually find her.
Kraush checked the address.
Along with it, he identified her parents.
Only the name of her mother was noted.
‘Ardelju.’
Recalling the name, Kraush stored the paperwork away and got up.
He was now on a quest to find the woman named Ardelju.
‘She must still be around this year.’
Abella had been born several decades ago.
So, she must have either moved houses or relocated by now.
‘There it is.’
Kraush swiftly navigated through the residency records.
After a while, he found the name Ardelju.
As expected, Ardelju had moved.
Seeing this confirmed, Kraush stored the documents and headed outside.
Abella’s mother was still in Cloria.
Thus, Kraush set off to meet her to learn about Abella.
He stood at the entrance of the city after departing the Cloria mansion.
If he proceeded from there, he would likely draw attention.
‘Since I have no clue where the World Erosion guys might pop up…’
Kraush pulled his usual robe over his head, concealing his appearance.
Then he dashed through the alleyways again.
Since he vaguely remembered the directions, Kraush reached his destination without difficulty.
The back alleys of Cloria.
A modest dwelling resembling a shack was where he arrived.
As he reached there, Kraush took a breath, raised his hand, and knocked.
Knock knock—
A knock echoed from inside.
But for some reason, there was no response.
‘It seems like someone’s in there.’
Kraush tilted his head.
Were they purposely avoiding him?
Just as he thought that, a voice came from behind.
“Who are you?”
Kraush turned at the sound and found a strangely devoid-of-presence woman standing there.
She had black hair and an innocent appearance.
She looked like a simple countryside girl.
But upon seeing her, Kraush halted in surprise.
‘A powerhouse.’
Kraush instinctively felt it.
She was a considerable force to be reckoned with.
“……Zodiac?”
At that moment, her lips formed the name Zodiac.
Kraush, momentarily taken aback, turned to her as her face gradually twisted in agitation.
“No, Zodiac can’t possibly be here. Who are you?”
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