Chapter 84
Everyone in Valheim knows what Kraush has been through so far.
Even though he’s improved due to passing the chief steward’s examination, the past doesn’t just disappear.
So, they had taken care to consider Kraush’s discomfort.
“I was presumptuous.”
“Well, from your perspective, it might be something to worry about.”
If there were ever a feud among the direct line of Valheim, it would be the knight order that suffers the consequences.
It’s just like a shrimp getting caught in the fight of whales.
In fact, it’d be odd if they weren’t concerned.
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of even speaking with Lilish. Most importantly, given this situation, she likely wouldn’t recognize me anyway.”
Thinking back, Kraush had almost never conversed with Lilish in the past.
Lilish was a reserved person.
She was the type who focused solely on the work and tasks assigned to her.
During the time Kraush lived in the Blue Pine House, it was rare indeed for him to encounter her.
‘We share blood, but being half-siblings makes it complicated.’
There wasn’t really any reason to be close.
“When I get into the Golden Area, I’m going to be doing some individual actions, so just keep an eye out for that. I won’t put any responsibility on you.”
“Yes, I will do that.”
Kraush expected to be warned about the dangers of acting alone in the Golden Area, but Reblian answered surprisingly easily.
Then, as if he had read Kraush’s thoughts, he chuckled slightly.
“You’ve roamed freely in the Forest of the Spirit King too, right? So I figured individual actions wouldn’t be a problem for you.”
Right, there was indeed that one knight who was all too familiar trailing behind him back then.
It seemed they’d reported on his activities when he entered the Forest of the Spirit King.
Once again, it was nice to have someone sharp nearby.
“I’ll be counting on you for a while.”
“I will serve you with great care.”
After their conversation, Kraush committed the name Reblian Phoenix firmly to memory.
No matter how he looked at it, he was too valuable of a talent to be the vice-commander of the Blue Sea Knight Order.
‘Well, I don’t know if there will be an opportunity, though.’
If he could form a knight order himself, he might as well extend a recruitment offer to him.
＊ ＊ ＊
A week later, Kraush participated occasionally in training with the Blue Sea Knight Order and gradually built up his reputation.
Thanks to their warm welcome, he seamlessly blended in with the order.
Even though Kraush was currently wearing the Blue Sea Knight Order’s uniform, he felt at ease and comfortable.
“Bianca, do you want to eat this?”
“Yes.”
In the meantime, Bianca, who was being showered with affection from female members of the Knight Order, received a piece of chocolate.
Her name was not widely known, so no one particularly suspected anything when her real name was used.
“Krad, I heard you’re moving alone?”
In fact, it was myself who felt awkward.
Kraush turned to the man who referred to him as Krad.
Standing slightly taller than Kraush, with a bright expression was Colin, a fellow knight.
As a subtle informant, it seemed he’d already caught wind of Kraush’s independent moves.
“Uh, I’m not used to group activities, so I’ll be assuming a scouting role.”
“You did pretty well when training with us, though.”
“Training and real-life situations are different.”
Of course, Kraush had received prior permission from both the vice-commander and the commander.
Colin was just inquiring out of curiosity, not overly concerned about it.
“Krad oppa.”
In the meantime, Bianca’s voice rang out.
They had decided to go with the sibling storyline for now.
Perhaps because of that, as she called out to him, Bianca handed the chocolate she’d been holding to Kraush.
“Have one.”
“You love chocolate. Just eat it all.”
“I had plenty. And I prefer it when Krad oppa eats it!”
Bianca had been particularly attentive in feeding him lately.
Could it be that she was still worried about how he had been eating off Lilina’s generosity?
“Goodness gracious.”
By now, she had even unwrapped the paper from the chocolate.
With no other choice, Kraush opened his mouth.
Then Bianca used her small, white fingers to place the chocolate into his mouth.
Just as expected, it was sweet — chocolatey sweet.
When he glanced at Bianca, she was wearing a rather proud expression that no one else noticed.
Seeing that, Kraush sighed gently and slowly ruffled her hair.
He really needed to bring in some other kind of chocolate soon.
“Being siblings is really nice.”
“You both are cute.”
With that, the female members of the Knight Order burst into laughter.
[ Are their eyes broken or something? How do they see them as siblings? Claiming to be siblings with this dark crow? Tsk tsk. ]
Meanwhile, Crimson Garden seemed utterly dumbfounded by the scene.
“Attention, all members of the Blue Sea Knight Order!”
At that moment, a male voice rang out.
The owner of the voice was Reblian, alongside a rather hefty-looking man with a noticeable mustache — Captain Vega of the Blue Sea Knight Order.
“Everyone in the Blue Sea Knight Order, as mentioned before, we’ll be supporting the Golden Area today. We will be traveling alongside the First Sword and Second Sword, so let’s not let tempers flare among us.”
With that, Vega began to lead the Blue Sea Knight Order onward, using the spatial magic circle installed in Valheim.
“The First Sword and Second Sword, huh.”
“Looks like we’ll be assigned the odd jobs.”
In other places, the Blue Sea Knight Order might be considered elite, but here, it was Valheim.
Was it any wonder that the members of the Blue Sea Knight Order had already acknowledged this reality?
In comparison to the Second Sword, which was already far superior, it went without saying that the First Sword was out of their league.
“Ugh, I don’t mind the First Sword, but I really don’t like the Second Sword.”
Meanwhile, Colin, who had been walking beside Kraush, showed a rather distressed expression.
“You don’t like the Second Sword?”
Kraush expressed his confusion.
He didn’t know much about the internal circumstances of the knight orders in Valheim.
“Oh, Krad doesn’t know much yet, huh? The Second Sword has a lot of wandering knights among them. But for someone like you, that’s a definite plus. However, those guys tend to have rather dirty personalities, thanks to their wandering knight days.”
It seemed like Colin was explaining this because Kraush was a wandering knight himself.
The Second Sword — the Verdant Blade Knight Order.
According to Colin, the Second Sword was indeed filled with a number of wandering knights.
Given that Valheim even recruited wandering knights, they had to be of at least high Expert level.
Naturally, that would lead to many wandering knights gathering in the Second Sword’s ranks.
“As for the knights above them, they excel in every aspect, so those from the Second Sword would never dare to provoke them. The issue is that we’re right below them.”
Now Kraush finally understood Colin’s point.
Wandering knights hold a sense of inferiority or contempt towards knights who’ve only swung their swords within a knight order for their entire lives.
They often brag about how they traversed the wilderness and fought against the erosion while implying their upbringing was in a greenhouse.
To Kraush, the wandering knights and regular knights seemed pretty similar overall.
“Be careful, Krad. You’re a wandering knight too, so you might get away with it a bit, but there are some pretty nasty characters among the Second Sword, you know? If they pick a fight, just ignore it or get the vice-commander. They won’t dare to trifle with nobles.”
It seemed Reblian, the vice-commander, had a tough job.
Receiving unexpected insider information, Kraush nodded along.
‘It’s not about picking a fight; rather, I ought to avoid causing any trouble for myself.’
As a direct line of Valheim, if Reblian witnessed anyone starting a commotion with Kraush, he would rush over in a panic.
Besides, Kraush felt indebted enough that he decided to keep his head down.
Eventually, they arrived where the Second Sword — the Verdant Blade Knight Order — was already assembled.
It looked like the First Sword was cutting it close.
While observing those waiting in front of the magic circle, Reblian promptly strode over toward Kraush.
“Krad.”
Reblian waved him over.
It seemed he had something to discuss.
“Bianca, just stay here with Crimson for a moment.”
“Okay.”
After handing Crimson Garden over to Bianca, Kraush followed Reblian.
As they moved slightly away from the knights, Reblian began to speak.
“Kraush, it seems an unexpected individual has appeared from Sephira in the Golden Area.”
Hearing that, Kraush sighed inwardly.
It’s always the case that bad premonitions turn out to be true.
The issue he’d been avoiding had finally come up to his face.
“…Who’s the person?”
“It’s Seyrang Sephira, known as the princess of Sephira. She’s the daughter of the rank one official of Sephira.”
Sure enough, that name popped up immediately.
He’d had a feeling since Sephira called for assistance.
And indeed…
“There’s a bodyguard accompanying Seyrang, right?”
“Yes, from the reports, it seems she only arrived with one bodyguard yesterday.”
Reblian seemed unsure about the bodyguard’s details.
Well, why would he know?
Officially, she’s referred to as a young bodyguard hired recently.
In reality, she’s a monster akin to an old ghost.
‘If she had just retired quietly and returned, that’d be one thing.’
Kraush felt a throbbing headache coming on, shaking his head clear.
“Got it. Thanks for telling me.”
By informing Kraush of this, Reblian was likely hoping he would avoid any trouble with Seyrang.
So, feeling grateful for his consideration, Kraush decided to inform Crimson Garden just as he was about to move.
“Ugh, you came here, and you’re already causing a stir. When did the First Sword turn into babysitters for a child? What a disgrace to the knight order.”
“Are you done talking?”
Kraush heard a commotion in the distance.
While the commanders and vice-commanders were holding a brief meeting about Seyrang’s appearance, chaos erupted.
‘So much for the rumors about the Second Sword’s relations with others.’
Sure enough, the rowdy ones were members of the Verdant Blade Knight Order and Blue Sea Knight Order.
However, as Kraush watched the scene unfold, his eyes slowly narrowed.
Because behind the squabbling Blue Sea Knight members was Bianca.
Looking a bit timid, Bianca seemed to be contemplating what to do in this situation.
Kraush quickly assessed the situation alongside their conversation moments ago.
“Kraush-nim.”
Having just noticed, Reblian called out in a flustered tone.
With the intent to resolve it himself, but Kraush was already smiling slightly.
His expression had turned fierce due to the disguise as Krad, causing even Reblian to feel a chill.
In truth, Kraush intended to let things slide if a quarrel broke out from the Second Sword.
After all, he had snuck in for personal reasons, and the others were merely unfortunate enough to be meddling with a direct line of Valheim without their knowledge.
Right, he could endure all that.
However, they crossed a line they shouldn’t have.
“Reblian.”
“Yes?”
“It seems the captain of the Second Sword has a name.”
Reblian gasped as his face turned pale.
“It seems you’re not managing your subordinates well.”
It was time for some serious discussion.
Of course, he first needed to deal with the loudmouths over there.
While Reblian stood there looking flustered, Kraush rolled his neck casually.
He was going to listen to the responses later, but for now, he had to address this situation.
So, he strode purposefully toward the fray.
At the same time, a surge of energy began to ripple through Kraush’s fist.
The members of the Verdant Blade Knight Order were merely unfortunate.
Who would have thought that their target for picking a fight would turn out to be the fiancé of a direct line?
But it’s not like they could blame anyone for their bad luck.
In the end, it was their own fault for instigating.
“Krad oppa.”
The only one who discovered Kraush belatedly was Bianca.
At that moment, Kraush had already reached the loudmouthed member of the Verdant Blade Knight Order.
“Hey.”
“Huh?”
As Kraush opened his mouth, the knight from the Verdant Blade turned to face him.
As their eyes met, Kraush flashed a smile before his fist was already darting out.
Wham!
The punch that cleaved the air landed square on his jaw.
“Ugh, ack.”
He was at the upper Expert level, just like Kraush.
Caught off guard by the surprise attack, he staggered back.
Thud!
The second impact rang intimidatingly across his skull and body.
“Cough?!”
With saliva spilling from his mouth, the member of the Verdant Blade conked out, twitching violently before collapsing to the ground.
Watching that, Kraush casually dusted off his hands.
“Daru!”
The startled members of the Verdant Blade Knight Order hurriedly rushed to check on the one called Daru.
With completely rolled-back eyes, Daru lay completely knocked out.
“What the hell is going on?!”
“Dare you to touch the Second Sword?”
“Can you handle this?!”
As the situation spiraled rapidly, members of the Blue Sea Knight Order wore stunned expressions while the members of the Verdant Blade Knight Order pointed their ire at Kraush.
It seemed they could handle touching others, but couldn’t tolerate anyone touching their own.
Seeing this, Kraush sighed lightly as heat emanated from his breath.
Feeling a strange energy erupting from him, the members of the Verdant Blade Knight Order froze in place.
As knights themselves, they were keenly aware of their mortality.
Especially due to their experiences as wandering knights, they possessed a heightened sense of danger regarding life and death.
And so, they understood.
The energy exuding from Kraush was clearly greater than their own.
“Second Sword, the Verdant Blade Knight Order.”
Kraush quietly declared, with a chilling glint illuminating his closed eyelids.
“Is it not you who’s currently crossing the line?”
Honestly, he was annoyed by the friction between knight orders.
He was prepared to take them all down if they overstepped any further.
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