Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: That's Crossing the Line
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Everyone in the Valheim family knew what Krash had gone through while living there.
Though things had improved since he passed the head steward's test, the past didn't just vanish.
That was why they were being considerate of how uncomfortable it might make him.
"That was overstepping."
"No, from your perspective, it's understandable to be concerned."
In the worst case, if direct Valheim bloodlines started fighting, the knight orders would be the ones to suffer.
It was the classic case of shrimp backs cracking in a whale fight.
Not caring would actually be the strange thing.
"Don't worry. I don't even plan on talking to Lilish. Besides, with how I look now, she probably wouldn't recognize me anyway."
Come to think of it, even in the past, Krash had rarely spoken to Lilish.
Lilish was the taciturn type who only focused on the tasks assigned to her.
Living in the Green Pine Pavilion, Krash had barely crossed paths with her.
'And we're half-siblings connected only by blood.'
There was no real reason to get close.
"Once we enter the Forbidden Zone, I'll be acting independently for a bit. Just keep an eye on that, and I won't let it become an issue for anyone."
"Understood. We'll handle it."
Krash had expected Lebliang to warn him at least once about how dangerous solo actions in the Forbidden Zone could be, but the response came surprisingly easily.
As if reading Krash's mind, Lebliang gave a faint smile.
"You moved freely through the Spirit King's Forest, didn't you? We've already assessed that independent action won't be a problem for you."
Now that he mentioned it, back then a familiar knight from the Shadow Squad had been tailing him loosely.
Apparently, reports from his time in the Spirit King's Forest had made their way up.
This was exactly why having someone sharp around was useful.
"Take good care of me for now."
"We'll serve you with utmost devotion."
Finishing the conversation, Krash made sure to firmly remember the name Lebliang Phenox.
No matter how he looked at it, the man was too talented for the vice-captain position in the Fifth Sword Azure Sea Knights.
'Not sure if the chance will come.'
But if he ever formed his own knight order, he'd make an offer.
A week later.
Having occasionally joined the Azure Sea Knights' training and built up some recognition, Krash blended in seamlessly thanks to their warm welcome.
So even wearing the Azure Sea Knights' uniform, he didn't feel out of place at all.
"Bianca, want some of this?"
"Yes."
In the meantime, Bianca, who was adored by the female knights, received a piece of chocolate.
Her name wasn't widely known, so using her real one didn't raise suspicions.
"Krad, you're going solo, right?"
The awkward one was actually him.
Krash turned to the man calling him Krad.
A bit taller than Krash with a bright, cheerful face, it was his fellow knight, Collin.
The subtle informant had already heard about Krash moving independently.
"Yeah, group actions aren't my thing. I'll handle scouting."
"You did fine training with us."
"Training and real combat are different."
He'd gotten permission from both the vice-captain and the captain in advance.
Collin was just asking out of curiosity, not pressing further.
"Krad oppa."
Then Bianca's voice called out.
They were posing as siblings for now.
Maybe that's why, as he stared at Bianca calling him "oppa," she held out the chocolate she'd been holding toward his mouth.
"Have one."
"You like chocolate. Eat it all yourself."
"I've had plenty. And I like watching Krad oppa eat more than chocolate."
Lately, Bianca had been extra attentive about making sure he ate well.
Was she still bothered by how he'd been mooching meals from Lilina?
"Say ahh."
Before he knew it, she'd even peeled off the wrapper.
With no choice, Krash opened his mouth.
Bianca gently pushed the chocolate into his mouth with her small, white fingers.
It was sweet, as chocolate should be.
Glancing at Bianca, she wore an expression of deep satisfaction that others might not notice.
Unable to resist, he let out a short sigh and slowly stroked her head.
He'd have to stock up on more chocolate soon.
"Such a sweet sibling bond."
"They're both so cute."
The female knights giggled in delight.
Though Crimson Garden reacted with utter disbelief.
"Azure Sea Knights, all eyes front!"
At that moment, a man's voice rang out.
It was Lebliang, and beside him stood a burly man with a prominent mustache.
Captain of the Azure Sea Knights, Vega.
"Azure Sea Knights, as mentioned earlier, we're heading to the Demon Realm in the Forbidden Zone today. We'll be joining the Second Sword and Fourth Sword groups, so no bickering."
Vega gave the order and immediately led the Azure Sea Knights toward the teleportation magic circle set up in Valheim.
"Second and Fourth Swords, huh."
"We'll be on cleanup duty, as usual."
Anywhere else, the Azure Sea Knights would count as elites, but this was Valheim.
The knights all seemed to have accepted their reality.
The gap with the Fourth Sword was huge, and the Second Sword was untouchable.
"Ugh, Second Sword's fine, but I hate those Fourth Sword guys."
Collin, walking beside Krash, looked queasy.
"You hate the Fourth Sword guys?"
Krash voiced his curiosity.
He wasn't familiar with the internal dynamics of Valheim's knight orders.
"Oh, right, Krad's new, so you wouldn't know. The Fourth Sword has a lot of wandering knight origins. You'd fit right in, Krad. But those guys... their personalities are rough from their wandering days."
Maybe because Krash was a fellow wandering knight.
Collin explained awkwardly about the Fourth Sword.
Fourth Sword, Verdant Sea Knights.
As Collin said, many in the Verdant Sea Knights were former wandering knights.
To be scouted by Valheim, a wandering knight needed at least peak Expert level.
Naturally, they gathered there.
"The higher swords outclass us in every way, so they leave Fourth Sword alone. But we're right below them."
Now Krash understood Collin's point.
Wandering knights often felt inferior to or looked down on knights who'd only swung swords in knight orders their whole lives.
Claiming they'd roamed the wilds fighting World Erosion themselves, while the others grew up in greenhouses.
To Krash, both were pretty much the same.
"Watch out, Krad. You're a wandering knight too, so maybe it'll be okay. But some in Fourth Sword have nasty tempers. If they pick a fight, just ignore them or call the vice-captain. They won't mess with nobles easily."
Poor Lebliang had his work cut out for him.
Learning this unexpected internal info, Krash nodded appropriately.
'Picking fights? I need to avoid causing trouble myself.'
He was Valheim direct lineage.
If Lebliang, who knew his identity, saw Fourth Sword harassing him, he'd come running in a panic.
Since he was in their debt, Krash decided to stay low-key.
At their destination, the Verdant Sea Knights were already waiting.
The Second Sword hadn't arrived yet.
As he watched them line up before the magic circle, Lebliang suddenly approached.
"Krad."
Lebliang beckoned Krash over.
Seemed like he had something to say.
"Bianca, stay here with Crimson for a bit."
"Okay."
Leaving Bianca with Crimson Garden, Krash followed Lebliang.
A short distance from the knights, Lebliang spoke up.
"Lord Krash, it seems an unexpected figure has appeared from Sephira at the Demon Realm."
Krash inwardly sighed at the words.
Bad feelings always hit the mark.
The problem he'd been ignoring was shoving its face in.
"...Who?"
"Seirang Sephira, known as the Princess of Sephira. Daughter of a first-rank Sephira officer."
And there it was.
He'd had a bad feeling when Sephira requested support.
As expected.
"Does Seirang Sephira have an escort with her?"
"Yes, reports say she arrived at Sephira yesterday with just one escort."
Lebliang seemed unaware of details about the escort.
Not surprising. Who would know?
Officially, it was a young guard recently hired.
In reality, a monster close to ancient freak status.
'If you're retired, stay retired properly.'
Krash felt a headache coming on but shook it off.
"Got it. Thanks for the heads-up."
Lebliang had shared this out of consideration, hoping nothing happened between Krash and Seirang.
Grateful for the courtesy, Krash turned to inform Crimson Garden too—
"Hah, talk about bringing a kid and running your mouth. When did the Fifth Sword turn into babysitters? Shame on the knight orders."
"You done talking?"
A quarrelsome voice reached Krash's ears.
While captains and vice-captains were conferring about Seirang's arrival, trouble had brewed.
'Relations with Fourth Sword are bad, huh.'
Sure enough, it was Verdant Sea and Azure Sea knights clashing.
But as Krash watched, his eyes slowly narrowed.
Because Bianca was standing behind the Azure Sea knight involved, looking hesitant and unsure what to do.
Krash pieced it together instantly with their recent talk.
"Lord Krash."
Lebliang noticed late and sounded panicked.
His tone implied he'd handle it, but Krash was already smirking coldly.
Disguised as Krad, the smile felt chilling even to Lebliang.
Truth be told, Krash had planned to let Fourth Sword's provocations slide.
He was here undercover for personal reasons, and they were just unlucky picking a fight with Valheim direct lineage unknowingly.
Yeah, he could've endured that.
But touching the untouchable? That crossed the line.
"Lebliang."
"Yes."
"What's the Fourth Sword captain's name?"
Lebliang's face paled.
"Seems like he's slacking on managing his subordinates."
Time for a serious talk.
After dealing with the loudmouth first, of course.
As Lebliang stood flustered,
Krash cracked his neck.
He'd hear the answer later. First, resolve this.
With steady steps, he advanced.
At the same time, aura began rippling slowly from his fist.
The Verdant Sea knight might just be unlucky.
Who could've known the one he picked on was the direct lineage's fiancée?
But bad luck was no one's fault but his own for starting it.
"Krad oppa."
Only Bianca noticed Krash late.
By then, he was already in front of the sneering Verdant Sea knight.
"Hey."
"Yeah?"
As the knight turned, their eyes met, and Krash smiled with his eyes.
His fist shot out.
Pfack!
The flying fist tore through the air, slamming precisely into his jaw.
"Guhk, urk."
Same peak Expert level.
Caught off-guard, he couldn't dodge and staggered.
Inch Strength
Second impactwave erupts through the target's body.
The second shockwave rocked his head and body violently.
"Khaek?!"
Foam spewed from his mouth as the Verdant Sea knight convulsed.
Then he rolled across the ground.
Krash lightly dusted his hand.
"Daru!"
Panicked Verdant Sea knights rushed to their comrade.
Daru's eyes had rolled back white; he was out cold.
"What the hell?!"
"A Fifth Sword daring to touch Fourth Sword?!"
"Can you handle the consequences?!"
As Azure Sea knights looked stunned by the sudden events,
Verdant Sea knights unleashed their fury at Krash.
They could dish it out but couldn't take it when it was their own.
Krash exhaled lightly, and heat wafted from his breath.
Sensing the extraordinary aura, the Verdant Sea knights froze.
They were knights too.
Especially the many ex-wandering knights among them—their senses for life-threatening danger were razor-sharp.
They realized it.
The energy flowing from Krash was clearly superior to theirs.
"Fourth Sword, Verdant Sea Knights."
Krash quietly intoned, a chilling glint in his narrowed eyes.
"The stuff you can't handle? That's exactly what you're doing right now."
The infighting was annoying enough.
Push it further, and he'd flip the whole thing over.