### Chapter: 407
After considering that the Black Hood might be the key to the divine realm,
Kraush found himself waving goodbye to Karandis.
Having wrapped things up at Poseus,
he was now thinking of visiting Princess Sera Sefira of the Sephira.
“Are you going to meet another woman right after this?” Karandis revealed a face full of jealousy.
Seeing this, Kraush couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Karandis, you need to bring that smile down a notch.”
“Oh.”
Karandis realized a moment too late that her mock-expression had unwittingly turned into an excited grin.
She cleared her throat and cautiously checked Kraush’s expression.
“Still, it’s true that I’m a little jealous.”
“Of Sera?”
Kraush found this utterly ridiculous.
After all, he hadn’t even crossed paths with Sera in the past five years!
“You’ve charmed every woman around you, Kraush.”
“I really don’t get what kind of image you guys have of me.”
While it’s normal to find someone you like attractive,
he wished they’d understand that it wasn’t the same with everyone, including Aria.
“We’ve already proven your ‘past’ countless times.”
On this matter, Kraush chose to remain silent.
His wives numbered four, after all.
Karandis had declared her intention to formally run for the position once she made it into the Ten Great Lords, but
that number was definitely not small.
You could even say that when he visited Balheim after a long time,
his father specifically addressed him.
“Try to refrain from living a promiscuous life.”
Kraush froze at the unexpected words from Balok.
Of all people, he never thought he’d hear such things from his father—
and so the notion of a “promiscuous life,” as they called it, was… well, hard to swallow.
There was no denying that with four wives, repercussions might arise often,
but as a busy man, he had his own way of keeping things in moderation.
However, to hear his father counsel him against living that way made his head spin.
“Must be his way of saying to stop adding to the number,”
Kraush mused, shaking his head at the irony.
“Oooh, by the way, Kraush, who’s going to take over the family head position in Balheim?”
During their chat, Karandis just had to bring up Balheim.
After becoming the Dragon King,
a lot of talk had fluttered around regarding Kraush’s future.
First off, everyone assumed that Kraush would naturally be the next head of Balheim.
Then, they wondered if it wasn’t too much for someone already managing Icarus’s unit to oversee Balheim too.
Conversations flew here and there,
but the one solid fact was this:
“I’m not interested.”
Kraush had never cared about being the head of Balheim.
He felt that way even then and still did now.
“So, will it fall to one of your other brothers? Like Charlotte?”
“My sister…”
Kraush paused for a moment.
“Seems like she has no interest in the position.”
Charlotte was too free-spirited.
Even now, she roamed from place to place, taking down powerful foes left and right,
showing her talents wherever she went.
If you were to name the most liberated person among the Ten Great Lords, it would definitely be Charlotte.
So, the idea that she’d ever chase after the head position was almost laughable.
“Of course, being my sister, I can’t say for sure.”
“Yeah, that’s true.”
Charlotte could very well just suddenly decide she wanted a seat of power—
that’s the kind of mood she could swing into.
Kraush remained uncertain whether he should judge too hastily.
“Then, is it likely that the eldest bro would take the spot?”
“Most likely.”
The second child, Lilish, also showed no interest in the head position.
She was perfectly content serving as the commander of the Night Knights.
So, unless Kraush suddenly decides he wants to do it, the eldest Rai would probably assume the title.
“I’d personally prefer it if you, Kraush, became the head.”
Karandis stepped a little closer to Kraush, fluttering her eyes.
Seeing her flirty look, Kraush chuckled briefly.
“Oh? Then maybe I’ll take it.”
“Yay, that’s awesome! Kraush!”
They were quite the match.
Having chatted with Karandis, Kraush soon arrived at the teleportation device prepared for him at Poseus.
He was all set to head to Sera.
“Safe travels, Kraush.”
With Karandis seeing him off, he nodded.
“The next time we meet, I’ll be a Ten Great Lord!”
Her confident declaration rang with surety.
By then, he might really be there as one.
“Even if I’m not, make sure to find me.”
Kraush was welcoming her, not as a Ten Great Lord, but as herself.
Karandis caught on to his meaning and looked at him with a strange expression.
She promptly walked over and grabbed Kraush by the shoulder, leaning in for a sudden kiss.
Caught off guard without any mood setting, Kraush stood there in shock, while Karandis licked her ruby lips.
“If you keep teasing me like this, I’ll just kidnap you.”
What kind of teasing did she mean?
Kraush didn’t quite know, but as she insisted, he decided to go along with it.
“See you next time!”
With that, Kraush utilized the teleportation device.
After a moment, as his eyes opened, he found himself at the entrance of a Sephira building.
Suddenly—
Squeak!
At the same time, Ebelasque’s corpse rat came scurrying up his shoulder.
The little rodent was perkier than ever, its ears twitching with excitement.
Ebelasque had been a loyal fan of Sera’s sensual novels.
Looks like it was thrilled to be meeting Sera!
“I’m not talking about novels today.”
Squeak!
When Kraush made his statement, the corpse rat squeaked angrily and nipped at his cheek.
“Hey!”
Kraush swiftly grabbed the little critter and stuffed it into his pocket.
He’d have to teach Ebelasque a lesson next time they met.
While Kraush was ruminating on such thoughts, the doors of the Sephira opened.
And out came a familiar face.
It was Mirsys, a member of the Crimson Garden and the second-tier officer of Sephira.
“Is the operation to take over both Crimson Garden and Sephira going well?”
“Not happening.”
Kraush asked cheekily, and Mirsys scolded him for saying such nonsense.
“Sera is waiting for you. Let’s go, Kraush.”
Now, there was a long-standing connection between Kraush and her.
Following her lead, Kraush began to walk, and the interior scenery of Sephira unfolded before him.
“There seem to be more people now.”
The ranks of Sephira members had indeed grown since before.
With the world now entering a new age of exploration, the Sephira, as a specialized organization for world erosion, was also hitting a turning point.
The world was no longer the same Gold Region, but rather faced with general world erosion.
With new forms of world erosion popping up more frequently, Sephira’s information had become quite an asset in this era of exploration.
“We adapt to the times.”
Mirsys looked immensely proud of Sephira.
She had been working her heart out for it, and with such dedication, they likely elected her to second-tier officer.
Moments later, Mirsys arrived at Sera’s room.
She knocked on the door to announce their guest.
“Sera, Kraush is here.”
“Come in.”
From inside came the voice of Sera, as if she had been waiting for them.
When Mirsys opened the door, the room revealed itself.
A faint peach scent tickled Kraush’s nose.
However, standing tall in front was a figure that caught his eye.
Blavi, a figure known for his strength, stood there.
The ancient warrior served as Sera’s guard.
“Well, it’s been a while, Kraush.”
Next to the towering man with peach-colored hair, a girl greeted Kraush.
Princess Sera Sefira.
Daughter of the astrologer family, she looked regal.
“It’s been a while.”
As Kraush greeted her, Sera smiled from under her veil.
“Since this is all over, I thought you’d break your promise and not return for the girl, but here you are.”
“I have a great memory.”
Regarding their deal—
Trading knowledge for preventing the death he witnessed in his previous life.
The day of her forewarned demise was fast approaching,
though it could be considered a done deal already.
After all, Sera’s death was merely fuel for the plans set into motion among the Ixion.
Using her death as a trigger, they intended to rouse Blavi into a frenzy and hunt down world erosions with him.
Eventually, the Swordmaster would step in to counter Blavi.
So now, it was highly unlikely that such an event would actually happen.
Perhaps Sera felt some inkling of this, for despite the fatal day looming,
she hadn’t actively sought out Kraush until now.
“Should we cut to the chase?”
Lo and behold, Sera decided to set aside their chit-chat.
She knew very well that Kraush had a different purpose for dropping by.
“Yes, I heard something from the god of water.”
Kraush pulled out a chair and sat down.
“Recently, I’ve learned some things regarding Ragnarok.”
Kraush began to explain various tales, starting from Ragnarok itself.
Once she heard everything, Sera sunk into deep thought, resting her chin in her hand.
As a member of the astrology family, she probably had some insights.
A moment later.
Finally, Sera spoke, having gathered her thoughts.
“There are indeed legends of Ragnarok within the prophecies of past Sephira princesses.”
Kraush’s eyes widened.
As expected from Sephira.
“That’s a problem.”
“Is there an issue?”
“Hmmm, yes. The prophecy states Ragnarok is grounded in the future.”
“What?”
Blinking, Kraush was caught off guard.
What on earth was she babbling about?
“What do you mean?”
“That’s the nature of prophecies—they indicate future events based on foresight rather than the past.”
Sera showed a puzzled expression as well.
Kraush fell deep into thought, reflecting on her words.
After a moment, an unsettling realization dawned upon him.
“Are you suggesting something akin to another Ragnarok may happen in the future?”
As Kraush tossed out the question, Sera’s eyes, which had been silent, slowly opened wide.
“Ah.”
Sera quickly grasped that such a scenario was indeed a possibility.
“Wait a moment, the prophecy mentioned that a thief would come and take the powers of the gods during Ragnarok.”
The god of thieves who had gifted Kraush the Black Hood had already transcended to the divine realm.
If so, then who would this thief, stealing the power of gods, be?
Kraush and Sera’s eyes met,
and it dawned on them both that perhaps the figure prophesied as the thief
could very well be none other than Kraush himself.
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