Chapter 147
Chapter 147
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: Battle Maid
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Delinquent runaway student Krash.
Alongside his fellow runaway student Haring, he was currently climbing the Hardenharts Mountains.
The mountains were blanketed in a thick layer of snow—not as bad as in winter, but still no easy climb.
But things were different with Krash around.
Every step he took, generating heat from his body, melted the snow away.
Thanks to that, Haring was able to follow right behind him without any trouble.
"You're like a portable heater."
"Don't treat me like a heater."
Krash shot an exasperated look at Haring, who had already taken off her gloves and was holding her hands out toward him. He turned his gaze forward.
"So, you understand what I told you?"
"Yeah. That the one who critically wounded my father wasn't the former leader of the Night Raven Unit."
The empire had announced that the Poison King had been critically injured by the former leader of the Night Raven Unit.
So Krash had agonized over how to explain things to Haring at first.
If he said this trip was to meet Evelask, she might throw a fit.
But fortunately, she accepted it more easily than expected.
"It makes sense now why Sizly Epania joined this mission."
Linking Evelask to Sizly had been the biggest help in making her understand.
No matter how much trouble it could cause between the empire and Staron.
Sizly's participation in this mission must have been a lingering question for Haring.
And for good reason—Evelask had been said to manipulate Mary from the shadows to assassinate the Fourth Princess.
Yet here was Sizly coming to help that very Evelask.
It was enough for Haring to quickly realize the earlier stories were all false accusations.
On top of that, Haring probably figured someone of the Fourth Princess's stature would know the truth.
Thanks to all this, Haring bought into Krash's explanation.
Sizly for the win, all around.
"...What about the World Eroder? The path we're on now is leading straight to one."
Haring's brother had died from the World Erosion caused by a World Eroder.
There were quite a few World Eroders capable of triggering World Erosion.
Krash could think of several off the top of his head.
'The real headaches are the ones that are actually troublesome.'
In any case, since Haring's brother had died because of a World Eroder, Krash figured she'd recoil at the very idea.
Most people despised World Eroders anyway.
But surprisingly, Haring was lenient about this sort of thing.
"The one I hate is the World Eroder who killed my brother."
She had enrolled in Raheln Academy to stop World Erosion precisely so no one else like her would have to suffer.
"Of course I'm still looking for that World Eroder. But there's no reason to hate all World Eroders just because of one."
Haring knew how to separate personal grudges from the bigger picture.
"And especially not someone like you, Krash—who charges ahead without a thought for his own body. I don't think you'd lie without good reason."
She could think of it that way, huh.
Not wrong.
Information's value depended on the source.
Doubting the source was pointless.
"Above all..."
Haring smiled faintly.
"Krash, I trust you."
Krash rubbed the back of his neck as he watched her smile.
"Plus, I owe you one."
"Didn't I say helping with your research settles that debt?"
"Even after hearing about my father, I couldn't do a thing at the academy."
The Lagren family had just told her to sit tight.
And that helplessness was beyond words.
"But you, Krash—you gave me something I could actually do. So yeah, I owe you."
From Krash's perspective, it was just using her because their interests aligned.
But if she saw it that way, he wouldn't argue.
"Fine, whatever. Then pay it off quick."
"I'll do my best."
Haring's eyes were sparkling brighter by the second.
A few hours after starting their climb.
Thanks to their brisk pace, Krash soon arrived at Evelask's hideout.
It looked like just a forest with trees, but reality was different.
Krash groped around the tree, and with a click, the entrance opened.
'Didn't smash it on the way out, huh.'
Maybe they left in a hurry.
Made sense—Krash knew Evelask's location.
So they probably bolted to avoid running into him.
'Hope there's some clue left behind.'
As Krash stepped into the underground space inside the tree, Haring followed.
She looked around the interior with wide-eyed wonder.
There was a chance Ixion's World Eroder was here too, besides Evelask.
So Krash turned to Haring.
"Haring, let's use Invisible and move."
"Got it."
She took off her gloves as she replied.
Then held out her hand.
Krash stared at it blankly, and Haring opened and closed her palm.
"No sweat or anything."
"Didn't say a word."
He'd just hesitated because Bianca came to mind.
Krash took her hand.
Their figures and presence began to vanish completely.
Still an insanely cheat skill, even on second look.
"Let's go."
"Yeah."
Tension was evident in Haring's eyes too.
Their opponent was a World Eroder, after all.
One wrong move, and they could lose their lives.
It was only natural.
"Don't worry. I won't let you die, no matter what."
He was confident in escaping at full throttle if needed.
He'd survived that chaos and seen it through to the end, after all.
"...Okay."
Krash took Haring's hand and stepped inside, hearing her resolute reply.
The corridor, once lit up everywhere, now lay desolate.
As if the chill from the Hardenharts snowfields had seeped in.
The eerie atmosphere alone sent chills down the spine.
As they walked the hall, Krash maxed out his Sixth Sense to detect any presence.
Ready to react the instant something registered.
That was when it happened.
Whoosh!
Krash's head snapped in one direction.
Something had pinged on his Sixth Sense.
He met Haring's eyes and put a finger to his lips, signaling her to stay put.
She nodded, and Krash slowly approached.
Beyond the slightly ajar door.
A rustling sound came from within.
And Krash recognized the figure's back.
"Haring, keep Invisible up and wait here."
"Okay."
Krash released her hand after her reply.
Then pushed the door open with a creak.
The moment he did, she noticed him too.
The four-section staff drawn from behind her back clicked into place and whipped toward him.
Clang!
Thunderclap drawn by Krash clashed with the staff, the sound echoing loudly.
Her eyes widened as she turned to see him.
"Lord Krash?"
A headband shaped like perky rabbit ears atop her head.
Deep tanned skin and short black hair.
Maid outfit to top it off.
She was none other than one of Evelask's bodies—No. 8.
"No. 8, long time no see."
Confirming it was Krash, she retracted her staff and stepped back.
Her face took on a troubled expression.
"You're earlier than expected."
"Yeah. Looks like you're handling the cleanup for Evelask."
Krash glanced at the luggage piled behind her.
Evelask's stuff, no doubt.
"You know why I'm here."
"Yes, to meet Master."
No. 8 answered straightforwardly but didn't let go of her staff.
Krash knew what that meant.
"Master should have sent you a letter."
"The one saying not to come looking?"
"Yes. As his servant, I believe you understand its meaning, Lord Krash. Master has no desire to clash with you either."
"Got it."
Krash sheathed Thunderclap.
As No. 8 began to relax at the sight—
Fwoosh!
Black Flame ignited atop his sword with a roar.
"Then pass my answer on to him too, No. 8."
Krash drew on Annihilation Flame Erosion, exhaling smoke through clenched teeth.
"Cut the crap and get over here."
No. 8's eyes narrowed.
He'd ignored her warning completely.
"You're serious."
"Yeah, always am."
"I was hoping to avoid clashing with you if possible."
In that instant, No. 8's outfit changed.
Her maid dress tore away, morphing into a form-fitting suit that clung to her body.
A helmet covered her head simultaneously.
No. 8's full battle mode.
An extraordinary aura emanated from her.
She was one of Evelask's single-digit bodies.
Of course she was strong.
"Still, I'm curious myself."
Her staff spun in her hands.
Savage saw blades appeared on both ends.
"Just how much you've grown since you couldn't even scratch me."
Hearing that, Krash sheathed Thunderclap at his waist.
He extended his front foot, flashing a chilling smile.
"That's fighting words you can't back up."
Might as well let Evelask know too, while they were at it.
What happened when you made an enemy of him.
Just try showing your face again.
I'll tan your hide red.
Clang!
The fierce metallic clash sent Black Flame sparks flying.
The shockwave from Krash and No. 8's battle wrecked the room.
But neither paid it any mind.
"To think you've grown this strong in such a short time."
No. 8 marveled at Krash blocking her attack head-on.
Until recently, he hadn't been her match at all.
But now Krash was strong enough to surprise even her.
Especially the aura blade peeking through the Black Flame on his sword—it marked him as a master.
"Now that you know, how about not breaking anything unnecessary and just telling me where Evelask is?"
"Sorry, but I haven't even told him we've met."
Single-digit bodies like No. 8 had their own agency.
Unless Evelask directly tapped in through her eyes, even he wouldn't know what she was doing.
He probably thought she was just cleaning the room right now.
"And from that exchange just now, I felt it."
Clank!
The staff that had clashed with Krash's sword transformed into a four-section chain staff and bent.
The chain whipped out, wrapping around Krash's sword in an instant.
The saw blade at the end flew straight at him.
Krash's Thunder Sense caught it all.
He extinguished the blade of Thunderclap.
Slipped free of the chain, deflected the saw, and leaped back.
Clatter!
No. 8's chain staff reverted to a staff as Krash retreated.
She gripped it again, a faint smile on her lips.
"You haven't fought many masters yet."
The moment she finished speaking—
The space around No. 8 warped.
Her presence suddenly felt immensely larger.
Krash's eyes caught thin threads over her arms, faint as spider silk.
That was the trigger—his Thunder Sense reacted instantly.
Clang!
The metallic ring exploded as Thunderclap barely blocked her staff.
A speed even his Thunder Sense struggled to track.
Krash realized what No. 8 had done.
A master's aura could embody their life's intent.
The deeper the intent, the greater the destructive power.
This intent created differences among masters beyond mere realm.
Realm was the power of the body made manifest.
Intent was the power of the mind made manifest.
In master battles, even a lower realm could win with superior intent.
Balance between the two was key.
Deepening one could unlock entirely new domains.
No. 8 was a body that had lived countless years with Evelask.
Her intent embodied devotion to him.
The more she revered Evelask, the stronger her intent's power grew.
That was her intent-born secret art.
Puppet
Embracing the role of marionette made her all the stronger.
Proof: Krash's Thunder Sense felt meaningless before her onslaught.
Her staff whistled past his chin by a hair.
Krash swung Thunderclap down immediately.
But No. 8 was a step ahead.
Her movements were grotesque, like a puppet jerked by invisible strings.
That erratic motion birthed unpredictability.
Her arm bent unnaturally as the staff arced from an impossible angle.
She was a corpse to begin with.
She could perform joint-straining feats or muscle-defying contortions without issue.
And above all, she didn't need to endure bodily overload.
Humans had brain-imposed limits for self-preservation—hers were off from the start.
The destructive power of one faithful to her puppeteer's role was beyond imagination.
Boom!
In the end, Krash took a hit from her staff and flew back hard.
He slammed into the wall and stopped, spitting blood from his mouth.
He must have bitten the inside of his cheek mid-flight—mixed with saliva.
"Turn back now, and I'll pretend I didn't see you."
The threads on No. 8's body grew more vivid.
Krash stared at them and chuckled once.
"Intent, huh. Important stuff."
Intent grew stronger the longer it accumulated.
Those who lived long had unfathomably deep intent.
But there were ways to deepen it without endless time.
Suddenly, No. 8's body stiffened.
Something ominous radiated from Krash.
Fwoosh—
The roar of Krash's Black Flame filled the quiet space.
The flames began writhing wildly on their own.
"...Lord Krash?"
Cold sweat trickled inside No. 8's helmet.
Her instincts screamed danger.
Intent indeed deepened over long years.
But there was an extreme way to accelerate it.
Grueling asceticism that carved away at oneself right up to the brink of death.
No. 8 didn't know.
In her eyes, Krash was just a 15-year-old kid.
She had no way of knowing how brutally he'd lived.