Chapter 183
Chapter 183
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 183
Chapter Title: First Kiss
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After wrapping up the Ixion matter, Krash returned to the family estate first.
With his workload having ballooned, he planned to tidy up affairs at Green Pine Pavilion before heading out.
"Since you're already here, why not? If you leave without even saying hello, how will you face her next time?"
Crimson Garden had weighed in with that advice too.
As she put it, Krash did feel it would be awkward to depart without greeting Bianca.
Especially since it had been so long since he'd last seen her face.
It was then, as Krash stepped into Green Pine Pavilion.
"If it's Lady Bianca you're looking for, she's likely in the middle of training right now."
Aliod, the head butler of Green Pine Pavilion, had pointed him in her direction.
Perhaps because he'd reunited with his daughter Alicia after so long, Aliod's face seemed noticeably brighter.
She had suffered from the discoloration affliction, after all—he must have worried endlessly.
Seeing her thriving must have brought him immense relief.
"Training, huh."
Before enrolling at Raheln Academy, Krash had observed Bianca's sessions a few times.
Quite some time had passed since then, so he was curious about how much she'd progressed.
It was just as Krash moved to enter the training grounds.
"?"
A small fox sculpted from ice sat at the entrance.
As the fox tilted its head—its body and head proportionally matched—Krash quickly realized what it was.
Ice Phantom Fox
It was the spirit beast art of Jenna Edalsia, the northern spirit beast sorceress.
Yet it carried a different vibe from Jenna's creations.
Somehow... chillier.
A touch rough around the edges, too.
"Pii!"
In that instant, the fox let out a cry and scampered off somewhere.
Krash watched it go, then followed inside—only to see the fox nestle into a cascade of white hair.
"Pii, good girl."
That was the spot the ice fox had reached.
A woman stood there.
Her training attire was shorter and lighter than usual.
White hair draped around her neck.
Eyes gleaming like blue diamonds.
Bianca Hardenharts.
Krash's fiancée.
Did kids in their growth spurt really change in the blink of an eye?
In just a few months, Bianca's beauty had blossomed far beyond before.
The childish traces had faded, giving way to a budding maturity.
'She's growing up.'
He hadn't noticed, always by her side.
From a distance like this, though, she had clearly grown a great deal since their first meeting.
She'd turn adult next year, so it was only natural.
A ring adorned the ring finger of Bianca's left hand.
Even mid-training, it was the one Krash had given her.
"Lord Krash."
Bianca finally noticed him, her face lighting up in surprise.
She lifted the corners of her mouth in a slight smile and approached.
"Pii."
From the nape of her neck, the ice fox from earlier peeked out.
Sure enough, Bianca had conjured it.
'After just a year of training.'
This level of refinement.
Not quite on par with Jenna's yet, but it highlighted Bianca's prodigious talent anew.
Well, she had slain the Poison King—one of the Ten Strongest—back during the Hundred Ghosts crisis.
Her innate gifts went without saying.
"Did I interrupt your training?"
"I just finished."
Perfect timing.
He had been thinking of grabbing a meal together.
"Wow, I thought my cute disciple had no expressions at all, but look at her now—such a range."
In that moment, a woman popped up out of nowhere.
Jenna Edalsia, Bianca's instructor.
She still hated the heat, it seemed.
Early summer was approaching, yet she was drenched in sweat under light clothes.
"Long time no see. You remember me, Lord Krash?"
"My memory isn't that poor."
"I figured modern kids forget the moment you turn away. Hehe, I'm honored. Your rumors even drift this far."
Not from Bianca, surely.
Then someone profiting off spreading them.
'The First Prince.'
Krash had struck a deal of sorts with Staron Kingdom's First Prince.
The prince was hyping Krash's tales to flaunt their connection.
'Boosting his own forces and fame would draw noble pushback. So he's using me to shore up his foundation.'
Among nobles, Valheim was an ironclad taboo.
One you never touched.
The First Prince was flipping that taboo, leveraging Krash as his launchpad.
'Inflated or not, it's no skin off my back.'
Fame commanded respect.
For Krash, aiming to lead the Generation of the Sky, it was essential.
"Bianca, eaten yet?"
"Not yet."
"Great. Let's grab some food."
At those words, Bianca dashed toward him.
She reached for his hand—then hesitated.
She sniffed her sleeve, then stepped back.
Krash tilted his head.
"Why?"
"I smell like sweat."
Sweat?
Krash leaned in curiously to check.
Bianca flicked her hair and darted back with a sharp whoosh.
Her fluffy white chick phase had evolved into full cat reflexes.
"No fair."
She wasn't letting him anywhere near, eyebrows furrowed in defiance.
She sidestepped warily, eyes locked on him.
Krash watched her, then couldn't hold back—a laugh burst out.
"Go wash up."
"Okay."
Was it the reunion... or just her usual self?
As Krash felt his own smile, one truth dawned on him.
Bianca was the only one who could draw out such effortless ease in him.
"Meeting your fiancée after ages has you grinning ear to ear."
Crimson Garden poked at him teasingly with her beak.
Krash had no comeback.
Returning to Green Pine Pavilion and seeing Bianca had made it feel like home.
'Home.'
Once everything wrapped up.
Life here with Bianca didn't sound half bad.
Krash's existence had always revolved around averting doom as his sole endpoint.
But today, for the first time, he pondered what came after.
Whether that vision would become reality... even he couldn't say.
One thing he knew for sure, though.
'Even without me.'
He wanted to hand that future to Bianca.
Krash's fist clenched faintly.
A little harder.
Whatever fatigue had crept into his heart hardened back into resolve.
After dinner.
Early summer had arrived, the air starting to warm.
Krash sat on a bench in Green Pine Pavilion's garden.
Bianca sat beside him, savoring a true moment of rest after so long.
He watched as she fiddled with his hand, overlapping hers atop it.
"Having fun?"
"Yeah."
Maybe because of the reunion.
Seeing her extra clingy, Krash chuckled softly.
When chattering about his recent big events, she'd gripped his hand tight.
Now, just a little while later, this.
A cool night breeze lingered, brushing Krash's face.
Bianca's hair swayed with it, revealing her delicate features.
She possessed a beauty worthy of legends.
Even Krash, who saw her often, found himself staring.
Bianca, toying idly with his hand, noticed belatedly and looked up.
Their eyes met; she tilted her head.
"Something on my face?"
"Nah, just."
No deeper meaning.
He'd simply gazed.
Bianca tilted her head again, her long hair spilling over.
A strand clung to her cheek; Krash brushed it aside gently with his other hand.
So soft.
Not just the silken strands, but the faint touch of her cheek.
She let him smooth her hair without protest.
Though her eyelids fluttered now and then—probably ticklish.
"Won't see each other for a good long while again."
Since entering the academy, Krash hadn't paused once—pure momentum.
And that wouldn't change anytime soon.
Visits like today's were all but off the table now.
Bianca quietly lifted her hand to overlay his, cupping her cheek.
"It's fine."
Under the night sky, her vivid blue eyes gleamed.
"I'll come find you."
Resolve shone through her words.
"No matter where you go, I'll follow you."
A faint smile curved her lips, as if declaring a lifelong vow.
"That's what fiancées do."
She voiced her most cherished bond.
Deeper than family, through all her life.
Their engagement.
The ring on her hand—still holding his—caught the moonlight and sparkled.
Gazing at it, Krash realized Bianca had drawn even closer.
In the narrowed space between them.
His fingers grazed her neck, her heartbeat pulsing clear.
Her faintly flushed cheeks owed nothing to the lanterns.
Krash knew.
How precious he was to her.
The one who restored her emotions.
Who gave her more than her forsaken family ever had.
Anyone could see it in how the once-expressionless Bianca lit up only for him.
And perhaps... Krash was the same.
Through a life of endless strife, Bianca had always been at his side.
Even his iron will wavered at times.
But watching her drift to sleep in his arms had pulled him back, time and again.
As she had risen thanks to him, so too did he stand because of her.
Pre-regression, he had owed her his life once.
If she wished, he'd dissolve their engagement for her happiness.
Step aside gladly if she found love elsewhere.
Play the villain if needed.
But meeting her eyes rendered it all moot.
To Bianca, he'd remain precious forever.
And Krash knew full well.
He could never let her go like that.
'Not anymore.'
To think such selfish longing would stir now.
A soft laugh escaped him as he leaned down, hand still cradling her cheek.
"Bianca."
"...Yes."
The reply came a beat late.
Her tense breath carried an uncharacteristic warmth.
That alone was answer enough.
Krash lowered his head, pressing his lips to hers.
Her eyes flew wide, then fluttered shut softly.
Their shared warmth flowed through the kiss.
With that lingering softness, Krash slowly drew back.
Bianca's gaze was hazy, as if intoxicated.
Their eyes met; she melted into his chest.
Her flushed face and racing heart had drained all strength from her limbs.
Beneath the still-chilly early summer night air.
Despite her Moon Yin Physique, his warmth reached her; Krash gazed up at the sky.
His hand, though, remained interlocked with hers—gripped tight.
A vow to never let go, now and forever.