Chapter 179
Chapter 179
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 179
Chapter Title: Matriarch
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Inside the room bathed in morning sunlight.
The girl, who had woken up a bit late, slowly lifted her eyelids.
Through the strands of white hair that cascaded down as her eyelids rose, blue eyes gleamed quietly.
Bianca Hardenharts, now fourteen years old.
With summer fast approaching, she unconsciously reached out and groped along the edge of her bed.
She soon clutched a letter in her hand, cradling it preciously as she drowsily read it with half-closed eyes.
The letter was none other than one from Krash.
Just seeing the letter was enough to lift her spirits and chase away the fatigue of the morning.
Perhaps because she had recently entered a growth spurt, Bianca rubbed her slightly aching knees from growing pains as she finished the letter and finally got out of bed.
'I have to train after breakfast today too.'
Day after day of relentless training to keep up with Krash.
It was tough, but she never skipped a single day, throwing herself into it completely.
Especially after hearing about what had happened to Krash in Hardenharts recently, she had redoubled her efforts.
Krash had faced off against a World Erosion entity, no less.
Her heart had sunk when she heard, but Bianca had steeled herself.
As long as Krash was safe, she was fine.
Even when worry threatened to overwhelm her at times, her trust in him let her pull herself together again and again.
She stepped out of her room, tidying her hair as she walked the corridor like always.
Walking this hallway brought back memories of strolling it side by side with Krash.
The longing that had taken root in her heart made it a little painful at times.
But reminiscing about those days was always a pleasant feeling for her.
"Smiling from the morning? What's got you in such a good mood?"
It evoked his gruff yet gentle voice.
"...?"
But the voice just now wasn't the one from her memories.
So longing for him that she wondered if her ears were playing tricks, Bianca slowly turned her head.
There stood a man.
He had grown even taller since before, but beneath his blue-black hair, he still wore that kind smile.
The only unusual thing was his outfit, one she'd never seen before.
And Bianca quickly recognized it as the uniform of Raheln Academy.
"...Lord Krash?"
Her voice filled with disbelief.
Krash lightly raised his hand.
"I'm back."
At that moment, Bianca kicked off the floor.
Her emotions had moved her body before her mind could catch up.
She had always longed to see him every day but buried those feelings deep in her training.
She had endured the urge to run to him time and again.
Because she feared that once she saw him again, she'd cling and never let go.
But the moment she laid eyes on Krash, all those thoughts flew out the window.
Her resolve didn't matter anymore.
What mattered was that Krash was right there in front of her.
Before she knew it, she had rushed into his arms.
As his warm embrace enveloped her, she fought back tears and felt his warm hand gently cup her head.
"You'll trip."
"...It's fine. Lord Krash will catch me."
"Well, true."
His usual gentle words made her heart ache sweetly.
He didn't know how hard she'd worked to steel herself, and part of her resented his sudden appearance like a surprise gift, but being by his side made her happier than anything.
"Grown a bit? You feel different from before."
"A lot. I ate well and slept well so you wouldn't worry, Lord Krash."
"Impressive."
Even though she seemed much more mature in the time they'd been apart, Krash still treated her like a little sister.
She hadn't minded before, but for some reason, today it grated on her.
"I've really grown a lot."
Wanting him to notice her feelings, Bianca pressed closer to Krash.
Her chest, now much fuller than before, was proof of that.
Her maid Elfi had said men liked women with big breasts, after all.
But Krash didn't seem to pay it much mind.
Bianca felt a twinge of annoyance.
Elfi must have lied.
"Right. Oh, I brought a gift."
"A gift?"
But when he pulled out the next item, those feelings vanished in an instant.
Bianca's eyes sparkled.
Krash chuckled at the sight and took her hand.
He slipped a ring with swirling white and blue hues onto her ring finger.
Bianca stared blankly at the ring on her finger.
Then she looked up, meeting Krash's eyes.
Their gazes locked, Krash smiled a bit awkwardly and spoke.
"You mentioned rings, so I brought one."
He had prepared it especially with her in mind.
For some reason, the tip of her nose stung.
Her heart pounded wildly on its own.
Her legs felt weak, an intense wave of exhaustion washing over her.
Her entire face flushed red.
She felt like tears might well up any second.
Was it because it had been so long since she'd seen him? Her emotions were running wilder than ever.
Without her doll eyes, she couldn't control them at all in front of Krash.
So with a sigh escaping her lips, she cradled the ring in her hand like a treasure.
It was the most precious thing she must never lose for the rest of her life.
"I love it so much..."
Seeing the sincerity in her eyes, Krash felt pretty good himself.
If he'd known it'd make her this happy, he should've gotten one sooner.
Bianca, who had been admiring the ring on her finger, glanced up slyly.
"So, does this mean we're getting married now?"
Her eyes brimmed with unspoken expectation.
Even someone not attuned to her feelings like Krash could tell.
She seemed to think the ring meant marriage.
A fourteen-year-old girl already talking marriage might seem premature.
But the affection in her eyes was genuine.
Krash always put Bianca's feelings first.
The family had unilaterally broken off their engagement once before, even if it was in the past.
Because of that, Krash had always stayed one step back, watching over her.
Even though she often wedged her way into his arms on her own.
He wanted to be able to let her go anytime if she chose to leave.
He saw it as his role, having owed his life to the Thousand-Faced Ghost that day.
"Do you want to get married?"
Krash asked, stroking the back of her head.
The kindness in his eyes gave her all the confidence she needed.
"Yes."
Bianca buried her face in his chest.
His height had grown so much that her face was completely hidden now, which was a shame.
But the warmth of his embrace was as comforting as ever, so it was fine.
"I want to marry you, Lord Krash."
More emotionless than anyone.
More faithful to her emotions than anyone.
Bianca conveyed her honest feelings to Krash.
It was wondrous.
Her heart racing so fast, yet she felt at peace.
The moment she touched him, she never wanted to let go.
"When you turn fifteen."
Krash slowly wrapped his hand around the nape of her neck.
Her snowy white skin there was flushed redder than ever.
The heat felt even more intense than what Krash, who had mastered Annihilation Erosion, could produce.
"If you still want it then, let's have the ceremony."
The engagement period had already been plenty long.
Once she reached adulthood by age, there'd be no issue whenever they held it.
So Krash decided to follow Bianca's wishes.
Above all, he knew it himself.
He wouldn't mind keeping her by his side forever.
For the usually hot-tempered Krash, that realization meant more than he expected.
Bianca lifted her head from his chest, her eyes wider than ever.
Tears glistened in them as her face broke into a radiant smile.
It was a beautiful smile that suited the saying "Hardenharts' flower" better than anyone.
"That happy?"
"Yes, so happy."
Knowing her smile was genuine, Krash chuckled helplessly.
Bianca pressed her cheek back against his chest.
"So, are we making a baby now?"
But her next innocent question froze Krash solid.
He thought he'd misheard for a second, but her expression was utterly serious.
Where had she heard that?
Krash didn't suspect much.
Her exclusive maid Elfi was the one who often fed her strange knowledge.
He'd scolded her once before, but it seemed time for a proper talking-to again.
"...We'll talk about that later."
She'd understand in time.
"I want both a daughter and a son."
[Looks like you're in for some intense nights.]
Sure enough, a giggling laugh from Crimson Garden echoed from the crow by the window.
"Chirp chirp!"
And for some reason, the corpse rat in his pocket rolled around like it was venting frustration.
A rough "wrap it up and let's go," probably.
"You were on your way to training, right? Go ahead. I'll handle my business and catch up."
"Okay."
Bianca obediently stepped away from Krash.
Proof of how seriously she took her training.
Seeing that, Krash felt a swell of pride.
"Do your best."
Krash waved lightly, and Bianca bowed her head.
As she turned to leave, she paused slightly.
"Lord Krash."
"Yeah."
"Who are Haring Lagren and Sizzly Epania?"
Krash froze for a different reason at the next question.
Staring at her blankly, he saw Bianca curl her lips in a faintly cold smile.
For some reason, it reminded him of her Thousand-Faced Ghost days.
"It's fine. I'm going to marry you, Lord Krash."
In the time apart, an even icier aura emanated from Bianca than during her cursed doll days.
Before Krash could respond, she turned and strode away.
Her white hair fluttering, her steps were those of a matriarch steadfastly guarding her husband's side.
Thud thud.
At that moment, the corpse rat poked out from his pocket.
"Hey, everything's ready."
Evelask's voice from the rat sounded subdued.
He seemed more down than before, for some reason.
[The main wife is finally stepping up properly.]
Crimson Garden alone cackled with interest.