Chapter 82
Chapter 82
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 82
Chapter Title: Krad, Reappearance
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After Hillnaider's visit.
Krash spent the next few days in solitary training at Green Pine Pavilion's training grounds.
And the bulk of that training revolved around mastering Thunderclap.
Thunderclap was a far trickier sword than he'd anticipated.
Since the blade formed freely according to the aura's output, it couldn't maintain a consistent shape.
'Charlotte and even Belokin handled this level of output effortlessly.'
The problem was that Krash, born with a naturally small aura capacity, had grown accustomed to maximizing efficiency with minimal output.
So, he began correcting his own habits.
By constantly maintaining his aura, just like Charlotte.
"...This is gonna kill me."
Thanks to that, Krash collapsed onto the ground once more, utterly drained of aura.
It made him newly realize just how absurd Charlotte's constant aura flow was.
Krash lay there, staring blankly at the sky drifting overhead.
He planned to rest until the headache and dizziness subsided.
'Hot as hell.'
Was it because it was midsummer?
The ground felt scorching.
Though his Lunar Yin Physique offset the heat, it wasn't entirely a boon.
Under the sun, Krash felt his movements growing sluggish compared to before.
'I never thought it had no downsides. If I can just keep Annihilation Flame Erosion active at all times, the sun wouldn't be an issue.'
But that meant without Annihilation Flame Erosion, he'd tire out quickly under the sunlight.
Krash crossed his arms while lying down.
The solution was simple.
Increase the amount of World Erosion fuel for Annihilation Flame Erosion.
Of course, the more World Erosion he absorbed, the greater the Madness buildup—eventually surpassing what Bianca's eye doll could contain.
'When that happens, I'll just suppress it with something else.'
Plug one hole, and another pops open.
Thinking it was another headache, Krash inwardly decided on his next course.
Absorb enough World Erosion to at least offset the Lunar Yin Physique's drawback.
That way, he'd handle more World Erosion at once and grow stronger.
But he couldn't just absorb World Erosion recklessly.
'If the erosion rate drops, the purification teams will get suspicious.'
Regular World Erosion sites were out.
No point drawing unnecessary attention.
'Which leaves...'
Forbidden Zones only.
Where World Erosion ran rampant.
Forbidden Zones wouldn't shrink even if Krash absorbed some.
But they were strictly managed by kingdoms, empires, and countless families.
He couldn't waltz in.
"So, what do you think of Crimson Garden?"
Krash turned to Crimson Garden, who sat beside him. She clicked her tongue.
"Mirsis can't help anymore. Sephira's watching her closely after that last stunt."
Krash looked disappointed.
Mirsis, a Sephira Rank 3 officer, had been quite useful.
As Krash pondered deeply, he suddenly recalled something.
'Come to think of it, doesn't Valheim send support to the Forbidden Zones around now?'
Joining that would surely get him in.
'The problem is...'
His deal with Hillnaider.
Krash had agreed to maintain his halfwit persona until enrolling in Raheln Academy.
Best to avoid rumors.
'Laying low for now would be ideal.'
As his eyes darted, one person came to mind.
Sharp, sensible, just right.
And probably back by now.
Krash decided to meet him and rose.
'Darling gave me some of those drugs leftover.'
The day Darling gave him the elixir.
She'd stuffed several vials in, saying use them if needed in her absence.
Among them, the disguise potions from before—in bulk, no less.
'What a weirdo taste.'
Perfect timing, though.
Grab them from his room, then meet his Forbidden Zone companion. As Krash started walking—
There, far off.
A girl's back, glued to the magic cooling device.
Her hair fluttered wildly in the breeze, yet she clutched the vent tightly. It was amusing.
And a bit guilty.
Valheim's summer was unfamiliar to her.
Hardenharts wasn't that hot, even in summer.
"Bianca."
Calling her, Bianca finally turned.
Her hair swept back, exposing her forehead beaded with sweat.
Krash pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped her brow.
Bianca stood still, then cupped his hand with both of hers, pressing it to her face.
"Lord Krash, your hand is cool."
Lunar Yin Physique perks.
She looked utterly wilted from the heat.
Maybe take her somewhere cool.
'Check the Forbidden Zone support location—if it's up north, bring her along.'
No issue outside the zone itself.
Unlike Krash, Bianca from Hardenharts wasn't widely known.
A hair color change would suffice.
Thinking that, Krash patted her head before pulling away.
"Where are you going?"
"Just to the main house for some business."
He needed to discuss this there.
Bianca naturally tagged along.
Her chick-like nature unchanged.
"I'm going to wash up."
"Can I come in?"
"Obviously alone. Wait nearby—I'll be quick."
"Got it."
Only then did Bianca trot away.
She wobbled from the heat, but wouldn't fall.
"Aliod, heading to the main house. Prep the carriage with cooling magic."
"Right away, sir."
Krash instructed Aliod, showered quickly, changed, and fetched Bianca.
Boarding the carriage, Crimson Garden slipped through the window.
This crew felt familiar now.
As Bianca sat beside him, opening a book, Crimson Garden called out abruptly.
She only did that for bad news.
Was something happening today?
Krash turned. Her words continued.
Krash's eyes narrowed slightly.
Bad news, as expected.
Sephira, the World Erosion investigation unit.
Their princess was moving.
"...And her guard?"
Krash clicked his tongue.
Timing up for them too.
'What to do.'
Krash pondered.
How to handle the man and princess who could cause future trouble.
But he reached a simple conclusion.
'...Can't block them at my current level anyway.'
His skills and the situation weren't ready.
So, he couldn't deal with them yet.
"Dodging them would be easiest if possible."
"There are tons of Forbidden Zones. What are the chances that woman and her guard show up exactly where I'm going? Ha."
No matter how unlucky.
...No matter how unlucky.
But Krash knew himself well.
'...And I'm cursed with bad luck.'
He resolved to prepare quietly.
Valheim Main House.
Returning after so long, Krash didn't head for the main building.
Instead, he went straight to the knight orders' barracks.
Valheim had nine knight orders total.
Their facilities were massive—training grounds, dorms, even training halls.
Occupying a huge chunk of the estate.
Naturally, Valheim knights swarmed the paths.
Spotting his carriage emblazoned with the direct lineage crest, they snapped salutes.
"Who's visiting today?"
"No idea. Nothing scheduled."
The knights whispered as the carriage passed.
It soon stopped before a building.
Five swords etched on the facade.
Valheim's Fifth Sword: Azure Sea Knight Order headquarters.
Krash exited first, helping Bianca down, then stood before the entrance.
Urgent footsteps echoed from within as someone rushed out.
"L-Lord Krash Valheim, welcome! I'm Misha, secretary of the Azure Sea Knights."
She beamed, but tension laced her voice.
His unannounced visit must feel like a thunderbolt.
Krash wanted to say not to worry, but sensed it'd fluster her more.
So, straight to business.
"I want to see the vice-captain."
"Right this way!"
Eager not to displease, she sprang into action.
She dispatched an administrator to inform the vice-captain ahead.
Meanwhile, Krash followed leisurely under her guidance.
Knights chattered mid-corridor but scattered at Misha's fierce glare.
This secretary ran a tight ship.
'I don't know much about the orders.'
Come to think, Rakradion wanted to be his knight.
Maybe scout the orders properly.
They'd block World Erosion more efficiently than Generation of the Sky.
'Leave the captain spot to Rakradion.'
Order name's the issue.
Krash glanced at Bianca.
"Bianca, if I make a knight order, any name ideas?"
Misha flinched mid-guide.
Her eyes shook wildly.
'Lord Krash joined Azure Sea before, now this visit... Is he absorbing us?!'
As Misha panicked, Krash focused on Bianca.
"A knight order?"
"Yeah."
"Just name it after yourself, Lord Krash."
"A knight order in my name? Ridiculous."
Might as well call it Chick Knights.
"How about... Black Sea?"
Misha suddenly suggested.
Krash turned, surprised. She cleared her throat awkwardly.
"Ahem, overstepping."
She hoped to preserve some Azure Sea legacy.
But Black Sea didn't sound bad to Krash.
"Vice-captain's office."
Misha knocked. A response came; she opened the door.
Krash strode in.
There stood a man in Azure Sea uniform.
Krash knew him.
The vice-captain who'd handled him in Halgram recently.
Lebliang Phenox.
The man Krash had a tricky favor for today.
Lebliang Phenox was a man of quiet competence.
Swift with duties, loyal to superiors, never abusing power—respected by juniors.
Flexible yet measured, perfect for vice-captain.
The captain trusted him most.
Now, he faced Krash Valheim, a direct heir.
From their first meeting in magical Halgram, Krash stood out among heirs.
Lebliang had wondered what he was up to but followed orders silently.
Then, after Krash left, Igrit's heir Aslan halted his suicide attempts and awakened fire magic.
Igrit knew Krash's assigned knight was involved.
Krash kept being unusual.
Lebliang quietly investigated: Demonic Palace trip, felling its specter Rakcheon.
Rumors called it exaggeration lately.
But having seen Krash, Lebliang knew better.
"...You wish to join Azure Sea incognito for the next Forbidden Zone support?"
Lebliang repeated Krash's request.
Krash nodded calmly.
"Exactly."
Doubt flickered in Lebliang's eyes.
Why would a direct heir bother disguising?
But he held his tongue.
Like accepting demotion from family infighting to vice-captain, he simply obeyed.
Valheim knights existed for Valheim.
A direct heir's request was a command.
"Understood. I'll prepare."
Krash smiled, satisfied at the prompt reply.
Solid guy, as expected.
'Want to snag him first for any order. Too good for Azure Sea vice-captain.'
Handy to keep close.
But not yet—he reined in the thought.
"What name should I register?"
At "name," Krash pondered briefly.
A sly smile curled his lips.
"Krad, please."
The Night Raven Corps' champion who'd vanished after the imperial tournament.
Krad had reemerged in Valheim's Azure Sea Knights.