Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Crimson Garden August
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The Undying One.
Crimson Garden August.
Krash had actually tried to steal her immortality long ago.
But that hadn't been his own idea.
'Arthur.'
He had told Krash to do it to Crimson Garden right in front of him.
But Krash had failed.
It was because of the single dial created to steal her immortality.
The condition was simple.
Be stronger than Crimson Garden August.
And Krash hadn't been able to meet that one condition.
Back then, he was nothing more than a tenacious lump of curses clinging to life.
Arthur hadn't said a word about Krash's failure. Instead, he personally dismembered Crimson Garden and submerged her in a lava cave.
As he did, he added that she would live eternally there, melting and regenerating forever.
'Back then, that bastard Arthur was trying to use me to steal her immortality because he wanted to turn me into a tool to absorb the undying curse.'
That's why he could act that way.
Krash looked at the current Crimson Garden before him.
Ever since he had shown her his skill, she had remained frozen, unable to say a word.
It was only natural.
The skill was the only way to erase her curse-like immortality.
That was why it took quite some time before the silent Crimson Garden finally spoke again.
"The terms of the deal."
And for the first time, her eyes turned deadly serious.
Not a trace of her earlier mockery remained. In the eyes of Crimson Garden staring straight at him, Krash could feel her sincerity.
She wanted to erase her immortality, no matter what it took.
"Help me get stronger."
And just like that, Krash stated the deal he had envisioned from the start.
Krash had certainly grown stronger.
And he would continue to do so.
He would steal more skills, master secret techniques, hone them, and ultimately become a supreme powerhouse.
But that was merely the realm of geniuses.
And Krash knew well how powerless even geniuses were in the face of annihilation.
Geniuses change the world.
But geniuses cannot protect the world.
The world needed something greater than geniuses.
So Krash spared no means or methods.
Even if the one before him was a World Erosion entity, he planned to devour everything in his path.
Crimson Garden was a powerhouse comparable to Arthur, wielding only her servants.
With her help, he could definitely become far stronger than he was now.
'I have no intention of perishing with the world.'
Truth be told, the world was shit to Krash.
Born a half-breed, he had endured every hardship, only to be betrayed by his comrades instead of gaining recognition.
Part of him even wanted the world to just go to hell.
But even so.
This was the world where he lived.
Without the world, there was no him.
It wasn't for others.
He was blocking annihilation solely to survive.
So Krash gritted his teeth, endured, and fought on to prevent destruction once more.
That was Krash Valheim.
The half-breed treated like a mongrel.
"It's the same condition for erasing your immortality."
To unlock Crimson Garden's dial, he needed to become stronger than her.
Whether that strength was something visible or merely her perception was still unknown.
But the dial had presented it as such.
In a way, Krash and Crimson Garden's goals aligned perfectly.
If Krash grew stronger, the dial's condition would be met, allowing him to steal her immortality.
Thus, Crimson Garden needed to make him strong as well.
"The condition attached to the skill?"
"Yes. If I can't meet it, even I can't take your immortality."
Hearing Krash's words, Crimson Garden crossed her arms and gazed at him.
'No lies.'
A regressor wouldn't propose such a deal without thought.
'Make me strong.'
For some reason, a chuckle escaped her.
Did this kid even know what that meant?
It meant becoming the disciple of the Dragon King clan's lineage, no less.
'...Yeah. Instead of chasing meaningless things by raising World Erosion grades, nurturing this sure thing right in front of me isn't a bad idea.'
She had deliberately investigated by elevating World Erosion grades to find someone who could kill her.
But then Krash appeared out of nowhere.
If he could erase her immortality, she would sell her soul for it.
A disciple was nothing.
A provocative smile crept onto her lips for the first time in ages.
"Fine. If that's the condition, I'll raise you. I'll make you the strongest in this world."
Seeing the confident Crimson Garden, Krash inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
Then he stood, extending his hand.
"Then, looking forward to working with you. Crim."
"Yeah, me t—"
In that instant, Crimson Garden's face twisted in fury.
"What? What did you just call me?"
"Crimson Garden's too long to say."
Crimson Garden wore an exasperated expression, but Krash remained utterly nonchalant.
'You're the only one who's ever called me Crim.'
Never had she imagined someone in this world would call her Crim again. With a sigh, she clenched her fist.
"Call me Master."
And as his master, she knocked him on the head.
Krash, who never expected the flick on the forehead, finished the investigation with Crimson Garden's servant after she returned as an investigator.
As he rubbed his still-throbbing head, a bird pecked at the carriage window where Krash sat.
The vividly red bird had a black star mark on its neck.
When Krash opened the window, it hopped onto his shoulder.
"Crim, isn't the color too eye-catching?"
The moment he said "Crim," it tried to peck his cheek.
This bird was none other than another servant sent by Crimson Garden.
"Don't worry. I can change the color anytime."
Saying so, Crimson Garden demonstrated by turning her feathers black.
"How's this? I matched it to my foolish disciple's hair color. You look just like a crow now."
"Thanks for the compliment. Crows are smart."
"I meant your black heart suits a crow perfectly."
Maybe I should roast this bird soon.
Krash pondered seriously.
"So, where's the main body?"
Sending a servant meant her true form was elsewhere.
When Krash asked, she preened her feathers.
"You already know, don't you?"
"Quit treating me like a regressor."
As the words implied, Krash knew her true body's state.
She was immortal.
More precisely, eternally asleep in immortality.
Her true body lay dormant somewhere in this world, eyes closed.
And the only way to awaken from that sleep was to erase the immortality.
That's why she wanted it gone.
Eternal sleep was, in a way, more cruel than death.
Thus, among World Erosion entities, Crimson Garden commanded the most servants.
Through their eyes, she could behold the real world, not dreams.
'And yet, with those servants, she matched Arthur in combat prowess.'
Of course, all the servants died in the process.
Even so, perhaps her true body was stronger than Arthur.
'She ended up dismembered and dunked in lava, though. Who knows.'
In the meantime, he felt the carriage jolt.
It was finally departing.
Farewell to the damn family estate.
He wouldn't return anytime soon.
'Father will be back soon anyway, so I'll have to visit once.'
Until then, goodbye.
About four hours into the carriage ride, Krash finally arrived at Green Pine Pavilion.
He had only been away a few days, yet it felt like returning home.
Then he spotted something white tottering toward the carriage.
For a moment, he thought of a white chick.
That "chick" was none other than Bianca.
She approached as Krash alighted and said,
"Welcome back."
Was she greeting her fiancé?
Clutching a book tightly, she must have rushed over upon hearing the carriage.
The ever-expressionless Bianca circled Krash lightly.
As he wondered what she was doing, she nodded.
"You didn't get hurt."
"Were you hoping I did?"
"I heard it was dangerous."
Her own way of worrying, perhaps.
"You said you'd be back soon, but it took days."
"This is me coming as fast as I could."
Bianca nodded, as if she knew that much.
Watching her, Krash thought her face seemed even more stoic today.
"Welcome back, sir?"
Just then, Aliod greeted him.
"Yeah. Nothing happened at Green Pine Pavilion?"
"Nothing, except a letter for you, young master Krash."
"A letter?"
As Krash looked puzzled, Aliod produced it as if prepared.
The moment Krash saw it, he knew the sender.
Only one woman would send a letter with lipstick marks.
'Darling.'
It was from Darling Danphelion, future lord of the Alchemy Castle.
It hadn't been long since his Star Sanctuary trip.
No reason for contact so soon.
Krash tore open the letter and scanned it.
Moments later, he wore an incredulous expression.
'Birds of a feather, huh?'
She had developed a cure for the discoloration disease and would visit soon.
To create it in such a short time.
Krash looked at Aliod.
"Good news for you."
"Pardon?"
Aliod had a daughter afflicted with the disease, so Krash said it kindly, folding the letter neatly into his pocket.
"A guest will come soon. Let Darling Danphelion in when she arrives."
"Yes, understood."
Aliod bowed immediately, despite his questions—ever the professional.
That was why Krash kept him close.
Then he noticed Bianca still standing there blankly, staring at him.
"Young master Krash, Lady Bianca worried greatly."
Aliod whispered to him on the side.
"Bianca was worried?"
That Bianca?
He had grown somewhat close since regressing.
But worrying? Hard to believe.
"When I said you were caught in a World Erosion incident, she wanted to go to the main estate."
Hearing she nearly came to the estate, Krash realized it was genuine.
No emotions, but she worried in her way.
Well, worry was more thought than feeling anyway.
Come to think of it, he hadn't checked Bianca's dial lately.
By now, they were friends, right?
Krash activated Black Hood right away.
A dial appeared before his eyes.
Gazing at it half-lidded, Krash's eyes widened moments later.
'The first dial unlocked.'
Bianca's long-stuck first dial had opened.
Krash met the gaze of the expressionless Bianca.
Even so, he was her friend now, it seemed.
The care paid off.
One dial left.
She would regain emotions soon.
For some reason feeling good, Krash reached out and patted her head.
Bianca looked at him with utter confusion.
But she didn't seem to hate it, staying still.
"Bianca, eaten yet?"
"Not yet."
Still growing, and skipping meals?
"Aliod, prepare something delicious."
"Yes, sir."
As Aliod hurried off, the crow-like Crimson Garden hopped off the carriage and onto Krash's shoulder, feathers ruffled.
Seeing it, Bianca's eyes widened slightly.
"Oh, right, forgot to introduce. New family member."
Noticing Bianca's sparkling eyes, Krash knelt to show her the bird up close.
Bianca cautiously reached out a small hand to stroke its feathers.
"...Soft."
Crimson Garden didn't seem to mind the touch, staying put.
"What's its name?"
She didn't even question bringing home a crow.
Did Bianca like animals?
Seeing her ask, Krash grinned mischievously.
"Crim."
The second peck from Crimson Garden afterward was their little secret.