Chapter 210
Chapter 210
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 210
Chapter Title: Holy Kingdom Freeman
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Freeman Holy Kingdom.
The kingdom that birthed the Saintess—God's own treasure—and one of the four great kingdoms that had served as a holy nation for generations.
Krash was making his way through the streets of the Holy Kingdom, a place he hadn't visited in ages.
"If Master is safe, that's good enough."
Krash briefly recalled his conversation with Dorma.
After returning from the Endless Night, he'd gone straight to Dorma and relayed Beltua Blackroad's message.
He'd suggested to Beltua that she visit Dorma at least once, but she'd given a lukewarm response.
Judging by her expression, she had zero intention of going.
She'd only asked him to tell Dorma that she was doing well and not to worry.
Krash had no choice but to pass it on exactly as she'd said.
Dorma had simply smiled brightly upon hearing the news and said it was fine.
'That damn old geezer.'
If the kid was pining for him alone, he could've at least sent word.
What a disagreeable old man.
Krash glanced at the crow perched unusually obediently on his knee.
It had somehow read his thoughts again.
Even though he had the barrier necklace Biolein had made, which should block any peeking.
"......You said you were coming alone."
As Krash shot a displeased look at Crimson Garden, a sullen voice made him look up.
There stood Saintess Astria, staring at him with a face full of dissatisfaction.
The reason was simple.
There was another person standing right beside Krash.
"Hm, am I intruding?"
He gave a slightly apologetic smile.
His name was Aslan Igrit.
The top of the second-year magic department and grandson of the Flame King, one of the Ten Heavenly Strong.
There was a decadent beauty to his smile that could captivate anyone who saw it.
But Astria, facing it head-on, wasn't swayed in the slightest.
Her eyes were fixed unwaveringly on Krash.
For her, whose tastes had come to revolve around Krash's face, it was inevitable.
"Sorry about this, Saintess. An acquaintance of mine wanted to see the Freeman festival."
Something squirmed inside Aslan's chest.
The one who wanted to see the festival was none other than his lover, the spirit Dorothy.
One couldn't help but be weak to a lover's request.
The moment he'd heard Krash was heading to the festival, Aslan had picked up on Dorothy's wishes and asked right away.
"Quit grumbling. It's not bad to have more escorts, right? Even if he looks scrawny, this guy's skills are the real deal."
As Krash said, Aslan did give off a fragile vibe, like he'd collapse at any moment.
But he wasn't the top of the second-year magic department for nothing.
In terms of sheer output, he was already in the realm of high-ranking mages.
He was a famous figure even among the first-year magic students.
And pinned to his clothes was the brooch of the Lion Corps.
The moment the student corps started recruiting in earnest, Aslan had swiftly submitted his application to join the Lion Corps.
"Why did you apply to join?"
And the one who'd received that application was none other than Charlotte.
The top of the second-year magic department.
He could've formed his own corps if he'd wanted.
So when she'd asked his intentions, Aslan had smiled.
"Because Krash is in the Lion Corps."
Charlotte had narrowed her eyes at that.
"What's your relationship with my little brother?"
"Friends."
"Come on in."
Charlotte had accepted it in an instant.
"Sis just lets people in without checking properly?"
"You think anyone would lie to Senior Charlotte's face?"
Krash accepted it just as quickly.
After all, no one in their right mind would lie to Charlotte.
And so, Aslan had joined the Lion Corps.
Remarkably, all three second-year top ranks were now in.
Non-department top: Krash Valheim.
Literature department top: Sizzly Epania.
Magic department top: Aslan Igrit.
Excluding the special theology department, that meant every top rank was accounted for.
The Lion Corps' reputation had skyrocketed as a result.
To the point where most second-years wanted to join.
'Wasn't exactly planned.'
It had just happened.
And ironically, this very space now held three top ranks.
The theology department top was none other than Astria herself.
"Might as well get along while you're here."
Astria glanced at Aslan.
Aslan stared back at her impassively.
Then, as if catching on to something, he slowly smiled.
"Saintess, looks can be deceiving—I'm one of Krash's few close friends. I could tell you anything you want to know about him."
"Oh."
Astria's eyes wavered in surprise.
She shot Krash a sidelong glance before slowly bowing her head.
"W-Well, hmm, if you say so... I guess there's no reason we couldn't get friendly."
Krash watched the exchange with a touch of absurdity.
Meanwhile, Aslan nudged Krash's side with his elbow.
"Don't forget Lilina, Krash."
Forget what?
Thinking he'd brought the wrong guy when he should've fetched someone else, Krash just sighed.
*Rumble-*
The carriage soon arrived safely at Freeman's grand temple.
Perhaps due to the festival preparations in full swing, no one paid much mind to a single carriage rolling by.
Thanks to that, Krash was able to enter the grand temple comfortably with Astria.
Inside, white pillars stood in orderly rows, draped with golden cords—the sight was somewhat familiar to Krash, who'd visited before enrolling at Raheln Academy.
That was when he spotted it.
Familiar peach-colored hair.
And beside her, a tall man with jet-black hair.
As he stared intently at their backs, they seemed to sense him and turned around.
Her veil fluttered in front of her.
She flinched in surprise.
"Wh-Why are you here?"
"That's my line."
When Krash replied, she gave an awkward smile.
Sephira's princess.
Seirang Sephira.
That was why she was there.
And beside her was the man who'd bestowed the Thousand Kills Star upon Krash.
Thousand Constellations, Blavi.
Even though the Thousand Kills Star was gone and she no longer had reason to stay with Sephira, he remained as her guard.
"It's festival day, so the girl came to see her friend Astria."
Seirang and Astria had built a friendship.
So she stated her reason boldly.
But Krash couldn't view her so innocently.
"Did you see something in the stars and move on it?"
Sephira was a lineage of astrologers for generations.
They read the stars, listening to the tales woven within, often unraveling them as prophecies.
It wasn't certain.
Krash didn't know Seirang deeply.
After all, she'd been killed by a World Erosion entity with barely any prior acquaintance with him.
So when he asked, she shrugged lightly.
"Who knows."
With that meaningful attitude, she glanced at Astria.
The moment Krash saw her reaction, he knew.
She'd definitely seen something through her astrology.
"Krash, who is this?"
Aslan, who'd been quietly listening from the side, finally spoke up.
Come to think of it, this was Aslan and Seirang's first meeting.
"Seirang Sephira, princess of Sephira."
"Ah, I see. Nice to meet you, Princess of Sephira. I'm Aslan Igrit."
"I wondered why the Star of Flame shone so brightly—it must've meant you, Sir Aslan. The pleasure is mine, leading the Star of Flame."
Aslan greeted her politely, and Seirang returned it with equal courtesy.
'Why is she so different with him compared to me?'
As Krash had that thought, Astria approached Seirang.
"Seirang, come on in."
"Heh, long time no see. Astria, you look a bit plumper in the face."
"Huh? Oh, maybe because I've been going out more unlike when I was stuck in Freeman."
The two exchanged familiar greetings.
From their reactions, it seemed she really had come for the festival to see Astria, at least on the surface.
'Though I can't know the real story.'
The question was how much her astrology had revealed.
He'd have to ask her directly later.
In the meantime, Krash locked eyes with Blavi.
Reading his gaze, Krash answered promptly.
"I'm handling the Thousand Kills Star without issue."
"I see."
Blavi didn't say much.
He'd never been the talkative type anyway.
*Clack-*
That was when Krash heard multiple footsteps.
He glanced over to see a priest leading a group of clerics toward them.
The moment Krash saw the lead priest, he keenly sensed the man's presence.
For he was none other than the father of the youngest cardinal, Mirey Beakis.
Holy King Tersada Beakis of the Ten Heavenly Strong.
The man now even mentioned as a candidate for pope.
Trailing just behind him was Mirey Beakis, who'd returned to Freeman ahead of schedule.
She bowed her head the instant she spotted Krash and Astria.
It was because she owed them her life.
"Lady Astria, you must be weary from the long journey."
A benevolent middle-aged smile graced the face beneath his shining blue hair.
But Krash couldn't find that smile entirely welcoming.
This man led the opposition faction, after all—unpredictable in where he might strike next.
'Tersada must want to topple the corrupt Holy Kingdom no matter what.'
The Holy Kingdom had abandoned all scruples just to sustain itself.
And from that desperation came the creations known as the Saintess and the Holy Grail.
For a man who'd nearly executed his own daughter—the one who'd risen to youngest cardinal over this affair—he could no longer tolerate the Holy Kingdom of Freeman.
Krash didn't particularly defend the Holy Kingdom of Freeman either.
Frankly, he'd rather see it fall.
The problem was Astria's involvement.
Astria was the epitome of the Holy Kingdom's symbols.
Which made her the perfect card to play in any revolution.
Declaring the abolition of the Saintess would send shockwaves across the entire world.
'Religious revolution.'
The opposition's dreamed-of ideal.
Krash knew just how futile it was.
"We're grateful Princess Seirang joins the festival every year."
"Not at all. It's a day to honor the gods—how could I not attend?"
He exchanged pleasantries with Seirang before his eyes met Krash's.
"Oh my, if it isn't the young hero Krash Valheim."
He greeted Krash with extravagant warmth.
"I've heard about what happened with my daughter. Thanks to you, she's alive. I'd like to express my personal gratitude—do you have time?"
Krash sensed ulterior motives in the man's kind words.
'Throwing out a line right in front of everyone?'
This was a clear signal he wanted a private word.
Krash's eyes flicked to Astria.
She didn't meet his gaze.
But from that, he read her intent: go ahead.
Aslan and her holy knight Diona were already by her side.
Seirang and Blavi had joined her too.
Those four would keep Astria safe in his absence.
"Of course, if that's the case."
Krash matched Tersada's politeness to a tee.
Let's see what lay in the heart of this aged holy serpent.