Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Heavenly Killing Star, Hand It Over!
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'Eek, don't make eye contact.'
Krash quickly averted his gaze from Blavi.
Because Blavi had sensed his stare and turned to look his way.
'Not yet.'
But Blavi himself glanced at Krash and then turned away.
It was impossible to tell where the eyes of Krad—the disguise Krash was wearing—were looking.
Darling's drug couldn't be pierced by anything short of essence-penetrating divine arts or magic.
[...What on earth did that kid make this drug for, going to such lengths?]
Only Crimson Garden, who had caught on to that determination, reacted with bewilderment.
"What are you talking about?"
Krash himself, who knew nothing of alchemy, was oblivious.
"Pleased to meet you, Seirang Sephira."
"The pleasure's mine! You're Lilysh Valheim, right?"
In the meantime, Seirang and Lilysh had exchanged brief greetings.
They were the respective leaders of their groups, after all.
While they did, Krash watched Seirang.
Blavi's rampage had been triggered by her death.
The astrology that could resolve Blavi's Heavenly Killing Star had been passed down exclusively to the rank-1 officers of Sephira for generations.
Her death had driven Blavi into such uncontrollable rage that his frenzy had even made the World Erosion Beast resolve to wage war.
'Wait a second, could it be...'
A faint flicker of light passed through Krash's eyes behind his eyelids.
He had wanted to put off dealing with Blavi as long as possible, if he could.
Approaching the man was difficult in the first place, and the cause of it all, Seirang, was the same.
Above all, Blavi wasn't someone Krash knew particularly well.
'He's nothing more than Sephira's loyal hound.'
He had no connection whatsoever to the Generation of the Sky.
'Arthur had exploited Blavi's rampage to take control of Sephira.'
Sephira's transformation into Arthur's dog had been thanks to Blavi's rampage.
Arthur had saved him—nearly getting crushed while trying to reattach Blavi's chains after he'd lost his reason—by demanding a price in return.
'So I figured it wasn't something that needed immediate handling.'
As Krash pondered deeply, one idea came to mind.
'I've got Black Hood.'
Steal the Heavenly Killing Star.
That was the thought.
Back then, he hadn't foreseen Blavi's rampage and wouldn't have dared to even think of stealing the Heavenly Killing Star.
Stealing it would have set all of Krash's curses into a frenzy, cheering it on.
'The Heavenly Killing Star amplifies the effects of any curses one possesses.'
Just imagining the synergy his existing curses would have with the Heavenly Killing Star gave him a headache.
That was why Krash had kept the Heavenly Killing Star out of his mind.
He planned to keep relying on the power of curses going forward.
However, a few exceptions aside.
If he excluded the dangerous ones, the Heavenly Killing Star was actually pretty good.
The Heavenly Killing Star had the effect of making its owner stronger the greater their murderous intent toward others—or the world.
But Krash already had a brilliant way to deal with that murderous intent.
'The Doll's Eyes can suppress the Heavenly Killing Star's killing intent.'
And that wasn't all.
The curse amplification of the Heavenly Killing Star.
The Doll's Eyes would surely be affected by it as well.
'If I amplify the Doll's Eyes, it can suppress the World Erosion's frenzy even if it grows stronger.'
Krash's eyes gleamed.
It was completely different from his original plan.
But plans were meant to be adjusted to the situation.
'Might as well turn this into an opportunity.'
He couldn't openly use Black Hood on Blavi.
The man would come after him the moment he became the skill's target, doing who-knows-what.
'So in the end, what I need to target is...'
Seirang Sephira.
He had to persuade the princess who held his leash.
This left him feeling a bit regretful.
If he'd come in his true form, he might have tried approaching her once or twice.
'Should I switch now?'
No need to rush the judgment.
Tug, tug—
At that moment, Krash felt his collar being pulled.
When he looked down, Bianca was staring up at him with a sullen expression for some reason.
"Something wrong?"
When Krash asked puzzledly, Bianca looked genuinely confused.
"I just feel off. Don't stare so long."
At her words about staring too long, Krash tilted his head.
Was she talking about him looking at Seirang?
He couldn't even make out her face through the cotton veil, but since Bianca looked sulky, he decided to drop it.
"Second, Fourth, and Fifth Swords, stand by for a bit. Captains, follow me. We're meeting with Sephira."
In the meantime, Lilysh had led the captains toward Sephira.
She'd told the vice-captains to rest up and relay it to everyone, creating a short break before deployment.
"Man, Krad, that was impressive earlier."
This naturally brought up the story of how Krad had melted and punched a knight earlier.
"Showing off for your little sister?"
"Yeah, I'd go nuts too if someone touched my family."
Some praised Krash, lifting him up.
To them, the relatively young Krash's courage seemed admirable.
"Still worrying, though. Those Molten Knights are gonna grind their teeth."
"Getting hit by an Azure Sea knight? They'll be pissed about the humiliation."
Others voiced concern and worry.
They were all Valheim Knights, and Second and Fifth Swords at that.
Clashes between them were inevitable.
Krash, meanwhile, was lost in his own thoughts.
From the captains' reactions earlier, the Molten Knights had no chance of messing with him.
Right now, what mattered to him was how to steal the Heavenly Killing Star.
He'd already forgotten about the Molten Knights.
"Big brother Krad."
At that moment, Bianca tugged his collar again.
As Krash tried to deny looking, his body froze.
Because Seirang Sephira was walking straight toward him.
"Caw!"
At that instant, Crimson Garden shot into the sky.
Blavi was following behind Seirang, so she bolted quickly.
"Uh, over there."
"Seirang Sephira?"
The Azure Sea knights reacted belatedly in panic.
For them, the daughter of Sephira's leader approaching was like a bolt from the blue.
'I thought she went with Lilysh. Why's she here?'
A question popped into Krash's mind.
He'd only glanced briefly, and everyone else had been looking at Seirang too.
That wasn't reason enough for her to head straight for him.
'Did something catch her eye?'
Krash had relatively little info on Seirang.
She'd already died by the time Sephira became Arthur's dog.
So she might have seen something about him using astrology.
As Krash's mind raced.
Seirang approached him without a hint of hesitation.
"Hello?"
And an out-of-the-blue greeting followed.
At the same time, Blavi's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"...Curse?"
It was a reaction to sensing the World Erosion power dwelling in Krash's body.
Krash swallowed hard.
This was exactly why he'd put off dealing with Blavi and Seirang.
She was the biggest variable, and he had too little info on her.
While he did, Seirang lowered her stance in front of him.
"Why do you have three skills?"
Her whispered question made Krash's face harden.
Through the veil, peach-colored eyelashes identical to those of his disguised face were revealed.
This woman didn't see the world in a normal way.
Some other sense, on par with Krash's own Sixth Sense.
Sephira's traditional astrology delved into realms beyond normal human comprehension.
Through it, Seirang was piercing right through Krash right now.
She'd discovered he possessed three skills.
And the moment she did, Krash's hardened expression shifted in an instant.
Seirang noticed the change in his demeanor.
What settled on his face wasn't embarrassment, but the look of an opportunist.
"Seirang Sephira."
So Krash went for the bold play.
"Let's talk."
He smashed variables head-on—that was Krash.
"Talk, huh."
Seirang showed a moment of contemplation.
Then a faint smile curved her lips.
"Sure. Sounds fun!"
And just like that, an unexpected conversation spot was made.
Krash followed the two out, drawing every eye from the Azure Sea knights and the other orders alike.
He'd left Bianca with Crimson Garden.
She'd wanted to come, but it wasn't her place.
The place Seirang led Krash to was the tent Sephira had set up in front of the Demon Realm.
"This should be more comfortable for talking, right?"
"Yeah."
He had no intention of letting everyone overhear.
Krash glanced at Blavi.
Fortunately, after his initial "curse" reaction.
He hadn't done anything else to Krash.
His purpose was solely to obey and protect Seirang.
So once she wanted to talk, he wouldn't move.
"Come on, make yourself comfy!"
Seeing her move freely about the tent, Krash pulled out a chair and sat.
In the meantime, Seirang grabbed a jar of cookies and set it in front of Krash.
"Like the crunchy ones?"
"Not really."
"Aw, I love them. Too bad."
She bit into one right away and smiled soon after.
"Sweet things really lift your mood. So you wanted to talk to me because of that?"
Her conversation style was all over the place.
Was she just moody, or was it calculated?
Krash wasn't sure.
Instead, he said nothing more and simply raised his hand.
At that instant, the cookie in Seirang's hand vanished.
And simultaneously, it reappeared on Krash's hand.
The half-eaten cookie was unmistakably the one she'd been munching on.
Shing—
At that moment, Blavi's sword—transformed from his earring—aimed at Krash's throat.
He'd moved the instant Krash used his skill.
If he'd meant to kill, Krash would have dodged with Annihilation Erosion.
But he knew it was just a threat.
A warning not to use skills freely in front of Seirang without permission.
"Blavi, put it away."
Blavi sheathed his sword the moment she spoke.
'Old geezer's got no chill.'
Having lived through rough times, his actions had no hesitation.
While Krash inwardly grumbled about Blavi.
Seirang lightly licked the cookie crumbs from her hand.
Then she gave Krash a faint smile.
"Neat skill. Gonna show me another?"
"This is the only one I'm showing. But in exchange, I want to make you an offer that'll benefit you."
Seirang stroked her chin with interest.
"Sounds good. What's the offer?"
"Heavenly Pole Star, Blavi."
His name dropped out of nowhere, making Blavi's eyebrow twitch.
He was supposed to be a retired man who had died of old age.
Even though he'd returned via rejuvenation, his identity was hidden.
So Krash exposing it was bound to get a reaction.
Seirang, however, just smiled unexpectedly without much fuss.
"I want to take his Heavenly Killing Star."
Krash had just shown her a skill.
Meaning he could steal the Heavenly Killing Star if he wanted.
"Heavenly Killing Star, huh."
Seirang fell quietly into thought upon hearing it.
Then a smile returned to her lips.
"That'd be great for Blavi."
The opener was good.
"But bad for Sephira."
As expected, the follow-up soured it.
"Blavi's an excellent guardian for Sephira. The Heavenly Killing Star is a curse to him, but it's also what keeps him bound to us."
Remove that, and Blavi would have no reason to stay loyal to Sephira.
That was her point.
"So even as a loyal hound, you can't trust him without the leash?"
A man who'd lived his whole life for Sephira.
To Krash's question of whether she really couldn't trust him now, she shrugged lightly.
"Whether we trust Blavi is for us to decide. What I'm saying is, your offer doesn't have much value."
In other words, take the Heavenly Killing Star from Blavi or not, they didn't care.
But if you want it, pay the price.
Realizing Seirang was tougher than expected, Krash slowly smiled.
Sadly, he wasn't the easy type either.
"Two years from now, at Lake Olpid in Sephira's garden."
Krash named the exact date.
"I'll save you from death."
The sudden declaration followed.
But his eyes gleamed through his half-closed lids.
"That's my deal."
"...You know that's just pie in the sky, right?"
"But you know you don't know what kinds of skills I have."
The first time Krash had used Black Hood.
Seirang had reacted with interest.
At that point, she could only tell the number of his skills.
Not what they were.
Plus, just now, Krash had casually revealed Blavi's identity—something only Sephira's top brass should know.
As if he had a way to figure it out.
That fact overlapped with the death prophecy, planting a simple question in Seirang's mind.
Krash might have a skill related to prophecy.
Seirang chose silence.
Genises think of ten things from one hint.
To Krash, Seirang was in the same league as First Prince Hilnider.
So he threw out his hand without hesitation.
"You'd know Blavi's skill best."
Seirang's lips stiffened.
Blavi's skill.
The ability to pierce truth.
Veritas.
A cheat skill that could see through whether an opponent's words and intentions were true or false.
That was why Krash thought resolving Blavi's issue recklessly was tough.
The man would swing his sword the instant he sensed a lie.
But here, Krash had spoken only truth.
Seirang met Blavi's eyes.
Blavi nodded reluctantly.
Proof that Krash's words were all true.
"Your hound confirms it's truth. For your life, I'd say that's a fair price."
Krash had played his hand.
All that was left was her response.
Seirang, who had smiled leisurely throughout, froze in silence.
Krash had three skills total.
Maybe one could counter Blavi's.
But to erase that last doubt.
Krash conjured a tiny black flame on his hand.
It was clearly a skill, shining vividly black.
"That should clear up any doubts."
"Ah, haha."
Krash had deliberately shown a second skill.
He possessed info no one else could know.
Info that couldn't be gleaned without prophecy-type skills.
Now that all three skills were essentially revealed.
It meant he had nothing to counter Blavi's skill.
Checkmate on the board.
"...Can you give me some time to think?"
"Sure."
Krash pushed back his chair and stood.
Making her think was value enough for this talk.
As he turned to leave, his eyes met Blavi's briefly, but Krash passed him by.
No need to fear a leashed dog without his master's command.
A few minutes after Krash walked out.
"Phew."
Seirang, who had been sitting ramrod straight, suddenly collapsed onto the desk.
Gone was the leisure and poise she'd shown in front of Krash.
She looked just like any girl her age, fidgeting awkwardly.
"Blavi, I was just curious how a regular knight like him has three skills, so I asked. Did I mess up?"
Not even a saint, just a normal knight—how the heck did he have three skills? Pure curiosity had led her to approach, only for this bombshell.
Every word from Krash had forced her to scramble to keep her composure.
Recapping the talk just now, she stomped her feet in frustration.
"What do I do, Blavi."
"Do as you wish, miss."
She'd dragged it into a deal somehow, but the situation bewildered her.
"I poked the bear for no reason. Face looks super shady and scary. Like some underworld boss from a fairy tale."
Recalling Krash's closed-eyed, villainous aura, she shuddered.
Oblivious that her own face was similar.
As she grimaced, thinking she'd hooked a big, bad fish.
"Pfft."
Krash, who knew nothing about Seirang and had gambled, sniffled.
'If I buy time, she'll come prepared next time for sure. Maybe talk to Crimson Garden about what to do.'
Lack of info sometimes leads to overestimating the opponent.
Krash had briefly forgotten that even Sephira's princess warranted caution.