Chapter 83
“Yes, I will place you in the 6th Squad of the Blue Sea Knight Order. Once registered as a knight, there will be two squires and nine soldiers assigned to you. How would you like to proceed with this?”
“I’d prefer to exclude that. Please follow the route that the wandering knight used to join Valheim.”
This was the typical route for externally recruited wandering knights, where they undergo a three-month probation and have squires and soldiers assigned.
“You’re referring to the probation process for wandering knights, right? Understood.”
Reblian quickly adjusted his approach.
“How old would you like to appear?”
“Ah, that might need some adjustment. The appearance does look a bit young, so around 18 would be good.”
“May I check the appearance in advance as a trial?”
“If that’s the case, then I can change my appearance and be placed in the 6th Squad today.”
No need to drag on the process, after all.
“Understood. If I report to the captain, we can handle it quickly today. What about the room?”
“Is there an empty room? I’d rather avoid running into other knights unnecessarily.”
Then Kraush remembered Bianca.
“Oh, Bianca will be next to me. Let’s say that I requested a wandering knight to join on the condition that she, my ‘little sister,’ would be accommodated as well. Since I have to look after my little sister, it can’t be helped.”
“Yes, I will prepare that as well.”
“Sorry for the numerous requests.”
Seeing Reblian spring into action for every request, Kraush smiled wryly, prompting Reblian to blink in surprise.
Realizing he hadn’t responded, he quickly corrected his posture.
“I apologize. This is the first time I’ve received such an apology from a superior, so I was a bit flustered.”
Knighthood operates on a strict hierarchy.
For someone like Reblian, who’d lived within this atmosphere, Kraush’s apology was unexpected.
Kraush looked at him and chuckled wryly.
“Reblian, those in the direct line of Valheim are just the same.”
Even if they’re treated like deities, to Kraush, they all seemed like just another bunch.
In the face of annihilation, it doesn’t matter whether it’s Valheim, a knight, or a commoner; they’ll all die the same.
“I’ve made you do a lot of work, so I have reason to apologize, and just as much to thank you for accommodating my requests.”
Others might act differently, but this was Kraush.
“…I see. I was short-sighted in my thinking.”
“All right, as I mentioned before, let me show you how I plan to live for the time being.”
Kraush immediately transformed into the appearance he had during his time as Krad.
“Ah, um, yes, understood.”
Seeing Kraush’s closed eyes and dark hair as Krad, Reblian wore an unsure expression.
Kraush understood his reaction.
Honestly, this appearance was quite suspicious.
Fortunately, thanks to his recent growth spurt, he looked about the right age.
That unique aura of his probably played a part too.
“Then I’ll report to the captain and return.”
While Reblian stepped out of the room, Kraush turned to Bianca.
“Kraush-nim, I can’t see.”
“Don’t worry, I can see just fine ahead.”
Bianca didn’t seem to mind that Kraush’s appearance had changed.
To her, Kraush’s appearance had never been that important.
As long as Kraush was there, that was all that mattered to her.
“By the way, Bianca, I think you should change your hair color too. Is that okay?”
Though he designated her as his little sister, Bianca’s hair color was quite eye-catching.
While her face wasn’t widely known in Valheim, the distinctive white hair of Hadenharz would surely stand out.
“Is it the same color as Lord Kraush’s?”
“Of course, since I’m saying you’re my sister.”
“Then I’m fine with it!”
It was fortunate that she agreed.
Glancing over at Crimson Garden, she lightly nodded in agreement.
Changing hair color was an easy task with magic.
Approaching Bianca, Crimson Garden lifted her wings slightly, and in that instant, Bianca’s hair changed to black.
Shwa-shwa — the black hair fluttered, changing Bianca’s atmosphere significantly.
Though she was starting to show more expressions, she was still the same stoic Bianca.
Perhaps, if the white-haired Bianca resembled a flower in bloom, the black-haired Bianca evoked images of a dark rose.
With her hair considerably longer lately, the strands cascaded down her back, catching the eye.
As she ran her fingers through her now-black hair, Bianca glanced back at Kraush nervously.
“Do I look good?”
Da-dump.
She asked, a hint of worry in her voice.
“You look great.”
He meant it sincerely.
With looks like Bianca’s, how could anything not suit her?
Now, especially since she had grown taller, her new black hair made her appear a bit more mature.
At that, Bianca slightly raised the corners of her mouth and turned her back to Kraush.
“Kraush-nim, please tie it up for me.”
With her hair being black now, it seemed she felt it would get hotter.
Kraush took the ribbon from her and carefully tied her hair back.
Thanks to that, Bianca’s hair resembled a ponytail, and she playfully shook her hair before settling next to Kraush.
Leaning her head against his shoulder, she smiled softly.
“It’s the same color as yours.”
Kraush wasn’t exactly sure what was so delightful about that.
However, seeing her legs moving with excitement under the table, he decided not to pry.
＊ ＊ ＊
Thanks to Reblian’s swift handling, Kraush was assigned an empty room in the dormitory as a wandering knight.
Valheim’s knight orders had decent welfare.
With private bathrooms and a kitchen, plus three rooms, living there posed no issues at all.
“Hey, Crimson, do you want a room too?”
[ You manage your own space. ]
After going through the trouble of offering, she pouted.
Kraush casually tossed his belongings into the room, which Aliod had conveniently prepared.
“Bianca, do you have a room in mind?”
“What room will you be using, Kraush-nim?”
Kraush picked out any random room.
Then, Bianca nodded and chose the room next to him.
She didn’t seem to care which room she got.
“It feels like a honeymoon suite.”
And somehow, a somewhat excited voice from Bianca rang out.
Where on earth did she learn a phrase like that?
Kraush thought that he would need to educate Ellie again, Bianca’s personal maid, soon.
Knock knock.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door of the dormitory.
As Kraush opened the door, the first thing he saw was a guy with a scar on his forehead and an empty expression.
With his intimidating face, he stood a head taller than Kraush.
“Are you the new family member who came in with the deputy commander’s recommendation?”
He seemed to be trying to assert his presence upon their first meeting with his low voice.
Did the rumors in the Blue Sea Knight Order spread that quickly?
“That’s right. I’m Krad.”
“I’m Zick. We’re hoping for something from the new family member. Could you follow me for a moment?”
Crack. He grabbed the door firmly with his thick hand as he spoke.
‘Looks like he’s trying to assert his territory right from the get-go.’
I’ve heard that such territorial behavior among knights is pretty common.
Furthermore, since Kraush was officially a wandering knight, it was clear that they wouldn’t take kindly to him, being in the position he was.
‘Well, whatever.’
Since he would be working with the Blue Sea Knight Order for a while, better to resolve any issues quickly.
“I can bring my little sister along if you’d like.”
“I’ll go alone. My little sister is shy.”
If it was about territory, there was no reason to bring Bianca along.
So, when Kraush said he’d go alone, Zick nodded and led him without further resistance.
Kraush casually loosened his neck.
What was the level of the Blue Sea Knight Order?
If he remembered correctly, they were average Expert level, in the higher-mid range.
When they reached the dining hall door, Kraush sensed a strong presence beyond.
At this point, it felt like everyone in the Blue Sea Knight Order had gathered in the building.
As Kraush subtly heightened his instincts, Zick opened the dining hall door.
Bang!
With a burst of sound, Kraush moved his hand toward his waist, quickly lighting off a small firecracker.
The confetti pouring out from the firework clearly indicated party supplies.
Simultaneously, all the knights and soldiers inside turned to Kraush and shouted in unison.
“Welcome! New family member!”
“We look forward to working with you!”
“Ha ha, you’ve got quite the unique look!”
Kraush blinked in surprise at their exuberant welcome.
Seeing Zick also grin widely helped ease the moment.
“We collect all the new family members to throw a welcome party and celebrate. It’s been a while, so everyone’s a bit hyped.”
“Ah, uh huh.”
Feeling more bewildered than threatened, Kraush was stunned that he was actually being welcomed.
“Ah, is this kind of thing uncomfortable for you?”
Zick immediately asked, eyes filled with concern.
Though this guy had an empty demeanor, his heart was full of warmth and consideration.
“Uh, it could be a bit much. After all, we’re all just meeting for the first time.”
“Ha ha, it’s all good! You brought your little sister along, after all. We’ll take care of you both!”
“If your little sister seems to have something going on but isn’t saying it, feel free to ask me. Sometimes it’s easier for a fellow woman to listen, right? Girls can be sensitive, you know?”
Warm words began to fly around from here and there.
Caught in that affirmation, Kraush scratched his head awkwardly.
So this was how the Blue Sea Knight Order operated.
Suddenly, he realized just how disconnected he had been with the knight orders of Valheim.
‘…I should go get Bianca and bring her here.’
＊ ＊ ＊
The party atmosphere was quite enjoyable.
Bianca, who loved sweet treats, was happily indulging in cake.
Though she got a bit messy in between from eating, with crumbs all around, it still brought satisfaction to Kraush watching her enjoy it.
The only issue was that being treated like an adult, he was offered alcohol intermittently.
Kraush politely declined any drinks.
As the party wound down, while the Blue Sea knights relaxed, Kraush was checking in with Deputy Commander Reblian about the upcoming schedule for the knight order.
“So it’s the Golden Area support starting a week from now, huh?”
“Yes, the designated area is Demonic Bastion. It’s about a month’s travel by carriage, but Sephira has agreed to support logistics.”
“Support from Sephira?”
Kraush paused momentarily.
The erosion investigation team, Sephira.
Just a while ago, he had heard some stories about them from Crimson Garden.
“Yes, they’ve granted permission to use a spatial magic circle operated by Sephira near Demonic Bastion. It seems there have been unusual movements lately, and they asked for assistance.”
Hearing that, Kraush fell into thought for a moment.
While going to the Golden Area was a designated process, it looked like he couldn’t avoid bumping into the princess of Sephira.
‘It feels a bit early for that, if you ask me.’
Kraush tapped his fingers on his crossed arms.
‘…But considering that I’m not going as part of Valheim’s direct line, I wouldn’t have to blend in, right?’
Suddenly, that thought struck Kraush, prompting him to ask Reblian something else.
“If they’re providing that level of support, it won’t just be the Blue Sea Knight Order involved, right? What about other knight orders?”
“Yes, the First Sword and Second Sword will also be moving.”
Kraush slowly scratched his chin.
With the First Sword making their move, the Blue Sea Knight Order was likely to end up doing the miscellaneous work again.
Naturally, the main forces would be the Second Sword consisting mainly of Expert-class knights and the First Sword, filled with Master-level knights.
‘Well, it’s meaningless compared to the First Sword.’
All Master-level knights.
The First Sword of Valheim was indeed the strongest knight order.
Moreover, the First Sword’s captain, the Guardian Blade of Valheim, was already at the peak of his mastery.
There was a significant reason the Empire would hesitate to engage with Valheim.
It wasn’t just the power of a single individual but an entire unit comprised of Master-level knights.
Though the White Dragon Knight Order boasted overwhelming numbers, they still fell short in quality compared to the First Sword.
‘After all, the one who crafted the spear used in the First Sword held the title of “Guardian Blade” because of a name given by the First Sword’s captain.’
At this point, even the five elders, including the Guardian Blade, reached perfect mastery.
Not to mention the Martial King of Valheim, who made it into the ranks of the Top Ten and achieved the peak of mastery.
Finally, the Emperor’s realm, known as “Emperor,” which only four individuals in the world currently experience.
Kraush suddenly felt a stark realization of how monstrous Valheim was.
It was no wonder rumors circulated that the knight orders of Valheim far outstripped even the royal knight order of Staron.
‘The Valheim group is certainly monstrous.’
Kraush chuckled dryly at the sheer size of the group he was a part of.
In an environment like this, it was no surprise that Kraush could be treated as a buffoon.
To them, Kraush genuinely seemed like one.
Yet at the same time, it felt complicated.
Even Valheim, no matter how powerful, was ultimately powerless against annihilation.
Of course, the age known as the Era of the Skies, which was considered the strongest generation in history, also stood before destruction.
Was Valheim going to be any different?
“Hey, are you okay?”
In that moment, Kraush lifted his gaze to Reblian’s voice.
“Am I okay?”
“You looked serious.”
“Just a normal expression.”
Reblian looked once more at Kraush’s face and seemed puzzled.
Kraush’s closed-eyed expression could be pretty ambiguous in his thoughts.
And Kraush recognized why Reblian had asked.
“Is it because of my older sister from the First Sword?”
Lilith Valheim.
The second in command of the First Sword and the leader of the main knight order.
Plus, she’s Belokin’s older sister and Kraush’s half-sister.
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