Chapter 91
Chapter 91
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Breaking One of the Harbingers of Ruin
-----------------------------------------------------------------
8-star Erosion Beast.
Simply put, in terms of subjugation difficulty, an 8-star Erosion Beast could be taken down by a Master-level knight order captain leading an average of Master-rank knights or higher.
However, that was merely the bare minimum condition for bringing it down.
The star rating attached to Erosion Beasts merely indicated their raw power level, completely ignoring their unique traits and abilities.
So yes, an Erosion Beast could be defeated with the specified minimum force.
But in doing so, that force would suffer near-total annihilation.
That was why, when hunting World Erosion Beasts, knight orders one rank higher than the specified requirement were typically dispatched, according to the star rating.
And right now.
The 8-star Erosion Beast Agares had appeared.
The Supremacy Knight Order, led by Master-level Lilish Valheim, was formed precisely for this purpose.
It was certainly an Erosion Beast they could defeat under the stated conditions.
But if achieving that meant they had to face death themselves, it could hardly be called a good outcome.
[What do you plan to do? You seem to know this one's traits. Once it catches you, escaping will be no easy feat.]
Crimson Garden issued a warning about the current situation right away.
Krash's mind was quite muddled at the moment.
World Erosion events were always full of surprises.
There was no explaining why Agares had come all the way to the eastern region other than calling it a freak accident.
The problem was that Agares had come to the east.
The east was the closest area to the Great Wall.
If Agares kept charging straight ahead, it would eventually reach the wall.
The Great Wall, built to halt World Erosion, wouldn't fall easily.
But "what if" scenarios always existed.
'And plenty have died because of those "what ifs.''
So the Valheim Knight Order had to make a decision now.
Whether to stand against Agares, bearing the casualties to keep it from the wall while awaiting reinforcements.
Or to retreat swiftly, praying it turned back before reaching the wall.
'Both options suck.'
One risked total annihilation.
The other risked the wall's destruction.
He could really feel how one surprise could escalate things terribly.
"Lady Lilish!"
At that moment, a voice called from up ahead.
It was none other than Darbian Phenox, vice-captain of the Supremacy Knight Order.
"You've arrived. Let's talk."
Seeing the other knight orders rushing toward them, it seemed they had sensed Agares' presence too.
They judged it best to regroup with Lilish quickly.
In the meantime, Krash had slyly circled around the forest to return to the Azure Sea Knight Order.
There was no benefit in being seen with Lilish.
"Krad!"
"Where the hell did you go?"
The Azure Sea knights gathered and gave him an earful.
With Krash vanishing amid the chaos, they had naturally been worried.
"I sent him ahead to the Black Forest on some business. Don't give him a hard time."
Defending him was none other than Revelang.
The man truly had a gift for handling situations.
"What, on the vice-captain's orders?"
"You could've at least said something."
"Where was there time to talk in that melee?"
"Fair enough, but still."
As the knights grumbled about worrying for nothing, Lilish met with the captains.
They quickly discussed what to do next.
And that discussion wrapped up swiftly.
"All Azure Sea Knight Order members, assemble! We return from the Demonic Realm immediately!"
At that moment, Azure Sea Knight Order Captain Vega bellowed.
So that was the decision.
An Expert-level Azure Sea Knight Order had no means of handling Agares.
They'd just get massacred, so they must have opted to retreat and call for reinforcements.
Of course, the return trip would be grueling, but better than facing Agares.
"The Verdant Sea Knight Order will support the Supremacy Knight Order."
In contrast, the Verdant Sea Knight Order decided to stay.
Agares possessed several unique traits.
One of them incited nearby Erosion Beasts into a frenzy, so the Verdant Sea would handle those.
"The Supremacy Knight Order engages the 8-star Erosion Beast Agares. We avoid full-frontal battle. We buy time until One Sword or other reinforcements arrive. Adapt to circumstances as they arise and stay alert for new orders."
Finally, the Supremacy Knight Order's directive was set.
'They've decided against all-out war.'
Lilish was the Supremacy Knight Order captain leading One Sword.
She might handle it alone, but the other knights would almost certainly become Agares' prey.
She must have made this call with them in mind.
'If One Sword comes, though.'
Agares could be dealt with relatively easily.
The issue, as mentioned, was time.
'Even with the Azure Sea forcing a march, it'll take at least a day. The Demonic Realm's twisted space prevents even skilled mages from using spatial magic casually. No scrolls either.'
The Valheim Knight Order had taken three days to reach the Demonic Realm's eastern terrain, pacing themselves.
A forced march would still take at least a day.
Plus, relaying the message to One Sword and their travel would add another day.
That meant buying at least two days.
Factoring in potential variables, it might take even longer.
'Even for One Sword, can they hold out two days?'
Aura was already draining in real-time from the black rain.
Honestly, it was hard to be optimistic.
Krash's eyes narrowed slightly.
The situation was worse than expected.
"Crim."
Krash quietly called Crimson Garden so no one else could hear.
"Can you pass a message via Seirang to the outer hounds to send Blavi?"
He'd planned to save this for the next deal.
But with the danger level, it was no time to hold back.
[Using Mirvis isn't impossible... but it'd restrict her actions within Sephira going forward.]
Mirvis, Crimson Garden's hound and Sephira's third-rank officer.
If her actions were restricted in Sephira, it meant no more help from them.
[Tch. You're not thinking of running, are you?]
"No."
Navigating World Erosion, such crises would arise hundreds, thousands of times ahead.
Fleeing every time meant they couldn't avert ruin.
[Will Sephira's princess send Thousand-Arm? He never leaves her side as guard.]
"She will."
While following Arthur from Sephira's base, Krash had checked the late Seirang's room.
There, he'd found exactly one thing.
Though meaningless after Seirang's death.
But now, that card would surely work.
He knew one of her secrets for certain, even if he didn't know everything about her.
"And Blavi's just insurance. One of my backup plans."
Through his half-closed eyes, Krash's pupils gleamed sharply.
From the moment he heard of Agares, Krash had already decided to slay it.
Agares, who later devoured countless Erosion Beasts to reach 10 stars, was the one that breached the wall and ravaged the empire.
Better to crush it now than risk losing One Sword.
And block one harbinger of ruin in the process.
'The problem is, I'll really have to risk it all this time.'
Krash exhaled and inhaled deeply.
"It's always been risky anyway. Nothing new."
[Has your head gone rotten?]
Unfortunately, his was still fine.
Krash's resolve didn't waver.
He wouldn't miss this golden chance to crush one harbinger of ruin.
Especially when said harbinger had come in its relatively weaker state of its own accord.
Once Agares hit 10 stars, shed its constraints, and unleashed its true form from the demonic castle.
Then victory would truly be impossible.
'Of course, there's one issue to resolve first.'
Krash glanced at Lilish.
He felt a bit awkward that she worried for him.
But through Pendal, he'd learned that people from his past-life memories weren't identical to those after regression.
Krash shook off memories of the old Lilish.
He decided to see only the current her.
Lilish intended to send him back with the Azure Sea.
To beat Agares, he couldn't leave.
So Krash walked past the retreating Azure Sea knights.
"Krad?"
An Azure Sea knight belatedly called him.
"Where are you going? We're this way."
"What the—Krad?"
They rushed to grab him, but it was too late.
This was no time to keep hiding his identity.
'Even with gags, word leaks. Tried to hide it as long as possible.'
Sorry to the first prince, but he could clean up later.
Still, being Valheim knights, it wouldn't spread too far.
"Huh? That guy?"
As he passed the Verdant Sea too, they voiced confusion.
One who'd taken a punch to the face from Krash grimaced fiercely.
Ignoring them, Krash reached the Supremacy Knight Order.
Their gazes fixed on him belatedly.
Krash met Lilish's eyes.
"Sister Lilish."
The moment "sister" left Krash's lips.
Not just Azure Sea, but Supremacy and Verdant Sea—all knights froze.
The issue was Lilish showed no denial.
Only two in the world could call Lilish "sister."
One was the now-deceased Belokin Valheim.
The other was Valheim's youngest, Krash Valheim.
So who was this man before them?
The answer was simple.
The Verdant Sea knight who'd clashed with Krash went pale as a ghost.
He looked ready to faint any second.
As Azure Sea knights panicked, only Revelang sighed inwardly.
He thought pre-telling them would've been better, but kept it to himself.
Krash had reasons to hide.
Revealing himself now meant he saw Agares as that urgent.
'Declaring as direct Valheim means he can't back out of the fight.'
Yet Krash revealed himself.
It naturally signaled his intent to face Agares.
'Even if young, he's Valheim.'
Valheim never retreated against World Erosion.
Even if it meant death.
That was why Valheim was the strongest house—and revered by many.
Their steadfast stand against the hell of World Erosion was undeniably heroic.
Lilish's impassive eyes turned to him.
Only on the surface, though—inside, she wavered.
Now, Krash could read her reactions.
Because he focused solely on the present her.
"I'll help face Agares."
At Krash's declaration, Lilish's brows furrowed.
"Kra..."
"You know my body is packed with curse powers."
As proof, Krash raised his hand, black flames rising.
"It'll help against Agares. Who better than me, who's handled curses firsthand?"
Lilish's lips parted and closed repeatedly.
Her emotional side balked at her young brother rushing into danger.
Her rational side recalled he'd soloed a 6-star Erosion Beast.
Krash appeared merely peak Expert.
Yet he'd outvalue any single Supremacy knight.
Above all, he was Valheim.
Unmatured or not, direct Valheim blood held equal say.
Once dismissed as half-baked and sent to Green Pine Pavilion, he had no such right then.
But now, everyone knew things were different.
Of course, Lilish was commander here.
She could order him back harshly if needed.
But meeting his resolute gaze, she abandoned the idea.
Since when have I been so sentimental?
Valheim acts as Valheim should.
And now was the moment to embody it most.
"Krash, I'm this expedition's commander. You're my knight."
"Yes, I know."
"Follow me. We stop Agares."
Lilish turned, heading straight for Agares' approach.
"Supremacy Knight Order, follow Lady Lilish!"
Vice-Captain Darbian immediately led the knights at her call.
As Verdant Sea followed suit, Krash turned to Revelang.
"If you go first, tell Bianca I'll be back soon."
"...She'll be furious."
"I'll hear it then."
Revelang sighed, nodded, and turned.
Truly, Revelang was prime talent.
He'd definitely recruit him for his own order later.
"Krash."
Hearing Lilish's call, Krash stepped forward.
Just then, his hair began reverting to its original black with a blue sheen.
His eyes opened, revealing sharp blue irises.
Perhaps due to rapid growth, his face looked even more refined.
Without extra drugs, he'd returned to his true form.
"So that's what you look like."
Seeing her youngest brother's face so closely after so long felt oddly awkward to Lilish.
"I take after you a bit, sis."
But at Krash's jest, Lilish unexpectedly chuckled.
Realizing too late she had such a brother.
"Come back alive."
"Might as well crush Agares while we're at it."
Her bold brother's words filled her with strength.
With two world-shaking Valheim direct heirs here, there was nothing to fear.
"Let's go."
To slay Agares.