### Chapter: 405
“Hey, you know what? If you come back all bandaged up again, I’ll really flip this time.”
—
After receiving gifts from Bianca and Haring, Kraush was greeted with this stern warning from Astria, who had just returned from handling business with Karandis.
—
While Kraush’s regained strength delighted him, Astria, who had always treated his injuries, couldn’t help but worry he might revert to his old reckless self.
—
Kraush understood her reaction. Astria’s face had noticeably brightened just knowing he wasn’t getting hurt anymore.
—
“So, what’s going on with the Holy Kingdom?”
“Let’s change the subject,” he attempted, but Astria shot him a glare, giving him the updates anyway.
—
“Nothing much, really. But it’s true that contacts with the gods have decreased lately.”
Kraush was aware of this trend—specifically related to the news from the Maritime Kingdom. The gods had seemed especially restless over the past five years when they were unable to freely display their abilities due to the presence of the Gold King.
—
The ongoing discussions within the Holy Kingdom reflected this situation. Kraush had received regular reports, and Astria had visited Freeman in his absence.
—
“At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if no one makes contracts with gods over the next ten years.”
Kraush rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
—
The gods craved human talents to elevate their status, bestowing skills upon humans in return for their posthumous talents when they ultimately kick the bucket.
—
“Gods wanting to elevate themselves by limiting contracts, huh?”
Kraush found himself perplexed by this predicament.
—
Was it a lack of information about the divine realm? He was increasingly confronted with situations that made no sense.
—
“Is it a shortage of intel?”
Thanks to repeated reincarnations, he had once held an informational edge, only to now realize it was becoming useless. The world had turned unpredictable.
—
[Maybe what’s more important to them than skill contracts has emerged.]
At that moment, Crimson Garden introduced another angle.
—
There might be something more significant than just acquiring human talents. While no one knew what it was yet, it could initiate unpredictable events.
—
“Kinda feels like it’s an unending saga with the Four Horsemen, the divine realm, and all,” Kraush thought.
Just when they managed to seal off the Gold King and take down the Witch of Annihilation, it turned out this chaotic world was brimming with unpredictable dangers.
—
Having taken a deep breath, Kraush refused to let it dishearten him. Many people were out there working to resolve these issues.
—
“It’s not just my burden to bear.”
He hoped to avoid stirring the pot unnecessarily.
—
“Just don’t let things get ugly before they blow up,” he mused.
Yet Kraush was not one to sit idle until something exploded. By then, it would be too late.
He had no intention of losing the world he had fought so hard to protect.
—
“Thanks. Let me know if you hear more.”
“Just words?”
—
With a playful pout, Astria shot him a mischievous look. Recognizing the implied meaning behind her words, Kraush returned a cheeky grin.
—
“Astria, you’re the one who initiated the last encounter.”
“Eek!”
—
Suddenly, Astria’s face turned beet red. She fidgeted with her lips, clutching her skirt tightly.
“B-but you said you liked it!”
“True, I did like it.”
—
Kraush sensed that Astria had a stronger appetite than the others. Perhaps having lived as a Holy Maiden, she’d learned to hide such desires until now, but it often felt more pronounced.
Even Kraush, who considered himself in good shape, sometimes felt outclassed by Astria’s enthusiasm.
—
“And you enjoy my touch just as much.”
Astria subtly emphasized her chest, and as a man, Kraush found it hard to ignore such blatant displays.
While others were impressive too, Astria definitely stood out.
—
Knowing Kraush was fond of her made Astria grow more confident lately. It was said she’d been going through some secret training.
While he wasn’t completely sure, her form seemed to be getting curvier.
—
“If it were before, you wouldn’t even be able to say a word.”
Suddenly, a memory of their first night together flashed in his mind. It had taken multiple compliments for Astria to finally reveal her chest, as she once hid it from embarrassment.
—
The impact of that memory was certainly different now, and it wasn’t just because of their past.
—
“What are you thinking about?”
“Your first night.”
“Eh, eek!”
—
Kraush spoke plainly and Astria snorted, sticking close to him.
“Why the sudden impulse to want to? Huh?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
—
“Uh-huh.”
Astria puffed out her cheeks in irritation.
“…You seduced me first!”
Kraush wasn’t quite sure what she meant by that.
—
Eventually, after a brief wrestling match with Astria, he received a send-off from everyone as he left Icarus.
Kraush’s destination was the Maritime Kingdom, Poseus.
—
After the oceans disappeared, Poseus flourished, greatly expanding its trade through golden ships and has become a central hub for commerce.
—
Poseus, originally situated in a prime location for trading, capitalized on the Great Exploration Era and was now enjoying unprecedented prosperity.
—
As Kraush set foot in Poseus, he was met with signs of growth that confirmed the kingdom’s success during his long absence.
—
He could practically feel what it meant for capital to overflow.
—
Thanks to this, the kingdom’s power had significantly strengthened. The overall well-being of its citizens naturally translated to increased tax revenue flowing into the royal treasury.
—
“The growth rate is impressive.”
As he boarded a ship that had been provided by Poseus, he spoke, prompting a gentle smile from Karandis.
—
“Shall we begin to consider taking on the Poseus King now?”
“I feel like you’d actually do it if I said so, so let’s not.”
“Of course! I can do whatever you wish, Kraush.”
—
Karandis was definitely capable of making miracles happen. However, Kraush wasn’t going that far.
—
“I know how exhausting it is to overexert yourself. This is sufficient for now.”
Kraush’s temperament and Karandis’s shared understanding highlighted how alike they were in that regard.
Kraush understood the depth of effort she put into her endeavors, so he wanted to assure her that she was doing well enough.
—
“Ah, we’re almost there.”
Soon, the Royal Palace of Jeblam came into view.
The palace, still blending blue and white hues, instantly conveyed the essence of the Maritime Kingdom.
—
Upon entering the palace, many attendants rushed to assist Karandis.
She was no longer someone who could be ignored anywhere in Poseus; she had earned recognition from the Sea King himself.
—
This was the woman who might protect the waters of the Maritime Kingdom, alongside the Sea King who had once safeguarded the seas.
—
The title of the Ninth Princess had become irrelevant to Karandis now.
—
Moreover, this time, the Heavenly Sword of Water had also accompanied Karandis.
Though well aware that Kraush disliked excessive fanfare, she had prepared to a minimum.
—
But the elegance and polite welcoming were not overlooked.
—
“Your boyfriend must be quite the catch; you seem more on edge today than when I come alone.”
Karandis teased, playfully linking her arm through Kraush’s.
Before Karandis could become one of the Ten Heavenly Swords, Kraush had made it clear that no matter what happened, he wouldn’t allow the Poseus King to trot all over her dreams.
—
So, within Poseus, Karandis remained Kraush’s girlfriend.
—
In reality, saying she was just a girlfriend was rather accurate.
Kraush admired Karandis’s boldness and hard work, and because of that, he held affection for her.
—
His wives, unlike the others, had their reasons for favoring Karandis above all.
—
If Karandis and Kraush decided to get married right now, none of his wives would object.
This notion had become practically an unspoken agreement among them.
—
“How’s life treating you?”
However, from a public perspective, it could seem different.
While Kraush had married four times already, he had yet to have an official ceremony with Karandis.
—
Her standing remained merely that of Kraush’s girlfriend, with no signs of advancement.
—
Karandis had crossed the prime of her eligible age for marriage, having surpassed the typical age for noblewomen, who usually wed by their late teens to early twenties.
—
It was understandable given her circumstances; she might be concerned about others bringing it up. So, when Kraush asked, Karandis smirked while covering her mouth.
—
“I haven’t just been twiddling my thumbs while bearing your name, you know. I have some leverage on my old man.”
—
So, she had come prepared.
That would explain Karandis’s unusually confident demeanor.
—
“You’re right, though. While no one’s said anything, I bet you wouldn’t mind if a younger girl got married.”
—
Kraush blinked in surprise upon hearing that.
“I like you just as you are, Karandis. That’s why I’ve allowed it.”
“Eh?”
—
Karandis immediately blushed at his casual words.
But this was indeed Kraush’s true sentiment.
He wouldn’t behave like this if she was another girl; he genuinely felt this way because it was Karandis.
—
“And it seems you’ve forgotten I’m the reincarnation. Based on mental age, you’re a good bit younger than me, Karandis.”
—
After all, he’s lived long enough.
He wouldn’t suddenly be thinking about preferring someone younger.
—
Upon hearing Kraush’s remarks, Karandis shyly lowered her head, her face flushed.
—
“It seems you’re getting sneakier the more you go.”
“Must be my age.”
—
Kraush laughed briefly as Karandis pulled him closer with enthusiasm, albeit with lingering reluctance.
—
“I still love you, Kraush. No matter how old you get, you’re still my favorite.”
“That’s sweet of you.”
“Ugh, should we just get married already? With you saying things like that, I just want to forget everything and stay by your side.”
—
Though that was something she could afford to say anytime.
Karandis certainly intended to keep her promise to herself.
So, Kraush merely smiled at her words.
—
“Things are going smoothly.”
—
Just then, a familiar voice caught Kraush’s attention.
Turning his head, he was greeted by a hulking figure.
The man with gills around his neck flashed an enormous grin upon seeing Kraush and Karandis.
—
“You finally made it! Dino Bardon!”
Recognizing him with joy, Kraush nodded in response.
“It’s been a while, Sir Dino Bardon.”
—
It was the Sea King, Dino Bardon—the man with the most profound contracts with the gods in this world.
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