Chapter 79
The aftermath of the black flames and lightning storm.
Kraush was taking a quiet breath.
Perhaps it was the furious battle, as his vision was blurred.
Simultaneously, his aching body longed to collapse onto the ground.
However, Kraush stubbornly resisted that temptation.
Schlurp, Schlurp!
In that moment, cracks began to form in Kraush’s thick sword.
Despite being reputed for its strength, it couldn’t withstand Kraush’s Flame Erosion technique, and a fissure had appeared.
The sword, concentrated in one point, was amplifying its destructive power continuously.
Just once, it would be difficult for even a master-level individual to endure such a destructive skill.
And Kraush was continuously refining that very skill.
Just once.
For that single moment, Kraush was indeed approaching the realm of the strongest.
The problem was that the burden had also increased alongside that destructive power.
Kraush clenched his fist.
‘Have I leveled up once again?’
The scabbard of lightning created through Lyoner.
The result of combining that lightning scabbard with the explosive power of Sword Demon’s Fusion Technique.
Kraush couldn’t avoid taking a fundamental stance, which was placing the scabbard into the sword – the basic action of the Fusion Technique.
It had transcended the limits of Fusion Technique.
Thus, the Flame Erosion could not be called a Fusion Technique.
It was a new technique crafted by bringing together the elements of Kraush’s other skills and techniques.
‘Of course, since it consumes too much energy, I can’t use it casually except at critical times.’
It wouldn’t be easy to veer away from the Fusion Technique on a regular basis.
Perhaps that’s why he felt thirsty.
A powerful thirst to grow stronger.
While holding the shattered thick sword, Kraush sharpened his instincts.
And then, he patiently waited for the smoke to clear.
After a while, as the dissipating smoke unveiled his surroundings, he began to see clearly once more.
In front of the desolate scene where the surrounding fields had been scorched…
An old man lay on the ground.
As if all energy had drained away, the man was nothing more than a collection of bones, no longer breathing.
Confirming that, Kraush trudged over.
In his tightly clenched hand, Kraush held onto Thunderous Fury.
The empty blade of Thunderous Fury was visible.
Kraush quietly summoned his aura.
Thoom!
Then, with the sound of thunder, a golden blade began to form alongside Kraush’s aura.
There, he ignited the power of world erosion.
And the black flames surged up over the golden blade.
Despite being a new sword, it felt like it fit in his hand as if he had wielded it his entire life.
Sure enough, it indeed could be called a divine sword.
Kraush carefully tucked away Thunderous Fury and turned his steps.
There awaited Lakradiyon and Crimson Garden.
[It’s just like you to break such a finely crafted sword, you careless oaf,]
Crimson Garden grumbled sarcastically, though she understood the value of Thunderous Fury.
So, she didn’t say much beyond that.
The issue lay with Lakradiyon.
“Kraush, that lightning…?”
She had seen Pendaal’s skill Lyoner so far.
Naturally, upon seeing Lyoner, it was clear she recognized it as Pendaal’s skill right away.
‘During Ignis’s time, the world erosion overlapped with the extreme blood poison, making it seem like a curse, so nobody recognized Ignis, but…’
Lyoner had no such complications, so Lakradiyon had no choice but to notice.
“It’s my skill. I borrowed it from Pendaal.”
So Kraush replied honestly.
There was no other way to explain it beyond that.
“Isn’t that shameless?”
Stealing a skill from a dying former comrade?
Lakradiyon had every right to criticize him for that.
“…No, I think Pendaal would have been pleased if he saw you could fight Nakcheon like this.”
Rather than feeling resentment, Lakradiyon bowed her head in gratitude.
Kraush scratched his head awkwardly for a moment.
That conversation could end here.
“Lakradiyon.”
“Yes?”
Upon hearing Kraush’s call, Lakradiyon rummaged through her attire.
Then, it seemed she had kept it safe even amidst the fierce battle, as a scroll came out from her garment.
It was the coordinate teleportation scroll purchased for a hefty sum back at Halgram.
The coordinates had been prepped for the entrance of the Demon Palace.
Having prepared for this day, Kraush stood before it.
“I will use it right away.”
The instant she took a deep breath and tore the scroll, the ground beneath them transformed into a cobblestone floor.
Before the entrance of the Demon Palace.
As Kraush found himself back in what had become midday, he staggered as he took a step forward.
At that moment, Lakradiyon quickly supported him.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. I just have to hold out until I see a familiar face.”
Kraush brushed off Lakradiyon’s support, saying he was alright and stood alone.
He looked like he might collapse at any moment, but he forced himself to endure through sheer willpower.
He’d probably be bedridden for about three days when he returned.
Yet, this had become part of his normal routine.
“Kraush, do you remember that I wanted to ask you something before entering the eighth floor?”
Of course, he remembered.
It wasn’t that long ago.
“And?”
“I want to present that request right here, right now.”
Lakradiyon’s eyes were filled with seriousness.
Seeing those eyes, Kraush turned his body towards her.
“Go ahead.”
“I plan to conquer the Demon Palace.”
The remaining floors of the Demon Palace were the ninth and tenth.
Kraush had only intended to see Thunderous Fury, so he had no plans to further challenge the Demon Palace.
But Lakradiyon declared she would conquer the place.
“And when I’ve conquered the entire Demon Palace, as promised to Pendaal…”
She spoke to Kraush as if this were her next life goal.
“I want to be your knight.”
The words that came from her mouth, which he never expected, left Kraush’s eyes wide open.
“You want to be my knight?”
He had encountered others who had proclaimed themselves knights of Arthur before.
Notably, Mary – that dense girl.
But perhaps because he had seen such things as distant from his reality, he had never given it much thought.
Yet, there was genuine sincerity in Lakradiyon’s eyes.
She truly wished to become Kraush’s knight.
“…I’m the youngest of Valheim. I wouldn’t have a place there.”
Charlotte aside, both his older brother and sister were monstrous individuals in Kraush’s eyes.
Even Velokin, who could fly high outside, was treated as inconspicuous within Valheim’s depths.
With them as the top figures, it was still far from him.
“It’s alright. Just being Kraush’s knight is enough for me.”
Since meeting Kraush, Lakradiyon had rediscovered her path as a swordswoman.
Thus, she wanted to raise her sword for him.
‘A beginner knight at the master level.’
From Kraush’s perspective, it wasn’t a bad arrangement at all.
Veritably, only a few in the world could reach the four-digit distinction of master.
From observing Lakradiyon today, it seemed she could one day surpass that beginner stage.
Having such a person as a knight would surely equate to gaining a formidable ally.
Kraush didn’t dislike Lakradiyon’s steadfastness either.
So, indeed, there was no reason for him to reject the notion.
“If your resolve remains unchanged after clearing the Demon Palace, then go ahead.”
A person’s thoughts could change unpredictably.
Kraush said this without much anticipation.
“Yes, I’ll visit you again in no long time.”
Seeing that response, he genuinely felt they would meet again rather soon.
By then.
He pondered that he too would have grown a lot.
＊ ＊ ＊
After parting ways with Lakradiyon, Kraush promptly set off.
The destination he arrived at was none other than an inn.
Inside that very inn, which Kraush’s party had been staying at.
As Kraush entered, all eyes turned his way.
Most of those residing in the inn were conquerors who made a living from leftovers of the Demon Palace.
Naturally, as Kraush appeared, people began to murmur among themselves.
“Isn’t that one of the lineages of Valheim?”
“Has he come back?”
“Didn’t I hear that Pendaal’s party made a mess just a few days ago? And by the way, where’s Pendaal?”
“The Valheim lineage seems fine. Then what about Nakcheon?”
Various conversations exchanged between them, but Kraush didn’t care much.
Instead, he ascended the stairs and knocked on a door.
Then, with a rustling sound from inside, the door creaked open.
Kraush’s eyes caught white hair and snowflake pins.
Had it been a month since then?
Bianca, whom he hadn’t seen for a while, seemed a bit taller than before.
The moment Bianca saw Kraush, her eyes widened.
“Kraush!”
Having seemingly waited for his return, a joyful smile began to bloom on Bianca’s face the instant she saw him.
But Kraush quietly opened his mouth.
“…I’m at my limit.”
And then, Kraush fainted.
＊ ＊ ＊
The news that Nakcheon, the phantom of the Demon Palace, had fallen spread like wildfire, causing an uproar in the Demon Palace.
The one who had defeated Nakcheon was none other than Kraush Valheim, of the direct line of Valheim.
Perhaps thanks to Kraush having coordinated beforehand with Pendaal.
Fortunately, there was no mention of the Armed Princess among the people.
If they knew a world eroder had appeared in the Demon Palace, it would definitely cause chaos.
In addition, Kraush stated that, as mentioned to Pendaal, he had cooperated with them to conquer the eighth floor.
It was the final courtesy Kraush offered Pendaal.
Thus, as the situation around Kraush changed wildly, ironically, more incidents and accidents were happening at the Rahelrn Academy.
And it was only natural.
The Empire and the Four Great Kingdoms.
There were also smaller nations sending their talented individuals to the academy, making it a melting pot.
Among them, factions from the Empire and those from the Kingdoms became the center of power.
As a result, clashes between the two factions ensued.
Professors attempted to mediate between the two powers, but they merely changed their methods to be more overt.
And the prime characters in this dispute were none other than two individuals.
One was a remarkable beauty and outstanding swordsman from the Empire, deemed a future leader.
Sigrin Epaniyah.
Her prowess, owning the white-scaled sword known as the Tooth of the White Dragon, was truly astounding.
It wasn’t for nothing that she was called a genius of swords in the Empire.
She showcased overwhelming skills.
Naturally, the Imperial faction began to gather under her.
Of course, behind the scenes, the first prince was secretly keeping an eye on her.
However, he was already past 20 years old and couldn’t enroll in the academy.
Therefore, Sigrin’s dominance among the Imperial faction within the academy was something he couldn’t stop.
And opposing Sigrin was none other than Valheim’s swordswoman.
Charlotte Valheim.
She was already a fully developed genius, one whom even Sigrin would have to take a step back.
Within the academy, she reigned with absolute power.
However, the issue with Charlotte was that she had no intention of rallying the Kingdom faction.
She merely wandered through the academy as she pleased.
Whenever representatives of the Four Kingdoms attempted to keep her in check, she simply crushed them with her raw strength.
After being taken down by Charlotte, the Kingdom faction no longer dared lay a finger on her.
Thus, Charlotte naturally became the center of the Four Kingdoms.
It’d be better to follow the dragon than try to control it.
At that very time when turbulent storms rocked the Rahelrn Academy.
A man strolled slowly through the royal palace of Staron.
His hair, a unique mix of white and gold, glimmered alongside his violet eyes.
“Rahelrn Academy is indeed in such a disarray.”
Having received news, he displayed a reaction that suggested he’d expected it to some extent.
Following behind him, a middle-aged nobleman bowed his head.
“Yes, it seems that Lady Charlotte Valheim has seized control over the Four Kingdoms’ power, so if we manage to persuade her, wouldn’t it be possible to place ourselves at the pinnacle of the Four Kingdoms?”
“Ha, Minister, it seems you haven’t seen Lady Charlotte with your own two eyes yet.”
“Is that so? I am merely a diplomat, while the First Prince has met her in person.”
“Indeed, I’ve seen her with my own eyes. After all, didn’t our marriage prospects unfold around her?”
The First Prince, Hildaider Staron.
Aside from the King of Staron, he was effectively the center of power and was expected to inherit Staron.
“That’s someone no one can manipulate. It’s a wild beast who might even tear off the leash if you put one on it.”
“Such harsh words for a marriage match.”
“Given our incompatible personalities, what can be done?”
This year at the age of 23, he felt much regret.
“If I had personally gone to Rahelrn Academy, I could have made quite a stir. How unfortunate.”
“Perhaps they restricted entry into Rahelrn Academy for such reasons. If both you and the First Prince were to enroll, the academy would be more than a mere turbulent storm.”
“I can’t deny that.”
Hildaider shrugged lightly.
Instead, he began to probe into other matters.
“Looks like the youngest of Valheim will be entering Rahelrn Academy next year.”
“Yes, indeed.”
“Though called a fool, it seems he has recently begun to shed that reputation and is roving around everywhere.”
Hildaider’s gaze shifted towards the window, glancing outside the royal palace.
“Valheim is indeed a headache in many ways. A powerful sword guarding Staron, yet it cannot swing freely within Staron.”
He chuckled softly.
“Shall we take this opportunity? To hand a sword into the hands of another opportunist crushed under Lady Charlotte’s enormity.”
“I second the notion of meeting her in person.”
However, the minister cautioned him.
“Your Highness, you must never view Valheim merely as a tool. It is said to be a cursed pit for a reason.”
“Duly noted.”
Thus, the tide of transformation began to quietly roll at Staron.
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