Chapter 51 Hand in Hand


    The Red Magic Tower.


    One of only three magic towers in the world and a tower under the ownership of the me Emperor, counted among the worlds ten mightiest individuals. The Red Magic Tower had one peculiar characteristic:


    It harbored an extreme belief in the omnipotence of magic.


    The towers denizens held the conviction that magic could resolve absolutely anything. Thus, they dismissed those who were not magicians, especially scorning skills and curses as the most inferior of practices.


    They believed that magic, created by humans, stood in a higher realm than blessings and curses bestowed by the gods.


    Ironically, this very stance had elevated the Red Magic Tower to the upper echelons among all magic towers.


    Determined to resolve everything through magic, the tower adherents maintained the most open-minded beliefs about the art of magic. Their ceaseless drive to break new ground with magic every day contributed to the towers continuous development and growth, establishing it as one of the most preeminent among all towers.


    Thus, kingdoms supported the Red Magic Tower  regardless of its ideologies because its magical capabilities were held to be the finest, and coboration with them proved immensely beneficial.


    Kraush was currently in the region where the Red Magic Tower stood, in the magic city of Halgram.


    Just as it always was.


    Halgram, befitting its nickname as a magic city, overflowed with all sorts of magical items. A quick look around revealed a man igniting a simple cigarette with a magical tool, exemplifying howmonce such devices were entrenched in daily life.


    For Kraush, this city held a distinctly ufortable association.


    Abe.


    One of Arthurs three women, she used to reside here. The memory of failing to procure painkillers made with magic here was vivid in Kraushs mind.


    Abe had barred Kraush from ever entering the Red Magic Tower. More precisely, she had cast a spell so he couldnt set foot in Halgram.


    It was because that man, who consistently treated him with contempt, had shown an exceptionally fierce reaction only in the case of the Red Magic Tower.


    Tch.


    Kraush mused that he might need to check on what that person was up to now.


    While inherent magical power mattered, the most criticalponent of magic was knowledge contained in the mind. Kraush considered Abe to be the most dangerous among the three he remembered undergoing memory inheritance.


    Given enough magical power, she would swiftly return to her days known as the Red Witch, a great magician of formidable prowess.


    The fact Ive returned cannot reach anyone, and most definitely not her.


    That was definitely something Kraush needed to be vignt about.


    Well, knowing her


    For some reason, he felt she would just ignore it anyway.


    Mr. Kraush.


    Just then, Kraush heard Biancas voice as she disembarked from the carriage behind him.


    She looked around, her expression one of wonder.


    So this is Halgram?


    Yes, where the Red Magic Tower stands.


    There are so many ces to see when Im with Mr. Kraush.


    Halgram was a free city, a considerable distance from Starlon. It took almost three weeks just to reach this ce, so even Bianca, despite spending most of the time asleep, had her share of hardships during the carriage journey.


    Stay at the Green Pine Mansion next time. Dont trouble yourself by following me unnecessarily.


    Kraush knew he had to keep getting stronger over the next year. So it was certain he would travel around a lot, leading to more carriage-bound days ahead.


    On hearing him, Bianca slightly furrowed her eyebrows.


    I dont want to.


    This girls expressiveness had definitely increased. Just like when she subtly chuckled eating imperial-grade chocte not long ago.


    I like being by Mr. Kraushs side.


    Saying so, Bianca approached and stood by Kraushs side, her white hair swaying gently. Witnessing this, Kraush, scratching his head, decided to y it off.


    Do as you wish.


    Will do.


    Lately, it seemed that Bianca was outdoing him in conversations.


    To think he might be getting outwitted by a mere 13-year-old girl, Kraush fell into contemtion for a moment.


    Sir Kraush Balheim.


    Hearing a voice, Kraush lifted his head and saw a man in a blue uniform. With a matching cap, the mans chest featured the Balheim crest along with five sword hilts inscribed within it  the emblem of the fifth-ranked order, the Knightly Order of the Sea.


    Wee. I am Reblian Fenox, vicemander of the Knightly Order of the Sea.


    Fenox hailed from one of the knight families under Balheim, an elite by birth, serving within the rtively modestly-ranked Knightly Order of the Sea.


    Pushed out in the struggle for position, I guess.


    Kraush, surmising his situation, nodded in acknowledgment.


    You must have heard from the Knightly Ordermander.


    Yes, I have been informed that you wish to join the Knightly Order of the Sea. I came to guide you, but before that, may I inquire about something?


    He posed his polite question.


    Dont worry. I have no intention to start from the bottom in the Knightly Order. I wanted to be associated with the Order of the Sea merely to avoid broadcasting the arrival of a Balheim direct descendant to the Red Magic Tower.


    Kraush, anticipating his question, rified in advance. His joining the Knightly Order of the Sea was about creating an alibi.


    Understanding this, Fenox ced his hand on his chest, bowing slightly.


    I see. My apologies. Then, I shall assist you until your objective is met.


    Within Balheim, ranking as the fifth sword might bemonce, but outside, the Knightly Order of the Sea held the prestige akin to that of a principal knightly family.


    And here was the vicemander, extending such courtesy to a young boy of merely 14.


    Kraush once again felt the power wielded by direct descendants of Balheim, as well as reflecting on how negligible his own voice had been before.


    It seems the Head Butler represented my examination results quite favorably.


    In the past, Kraush wouldnt have been treated well by even the eighth-ranked sword, not to mention the Knightly Order of the Sea. But things were different now. Balheim no longer saw Kraush as a half-penny.


    Yet there is still a long way to go.


    Had it been Charlotte, themander himself would have rushed over.


    Instruct Aliod, my exclusive butler, on the details.


    Yes, as youmand.


    After another bow, Fenox turned to have a conversation with the awaiting Aliod. Watching, Kraush felt a pang of hunger. Carriage life meant meals were oftencking, stimting his appetite.


    Eating well at this time is important.


    Kraush was, after all, in the throes of a growing spurt. With his height and weight increasing daily, eating was essential.


    Aliod, Im thinking of grabbing a meal nearby.


    Should I arrange for an escort?


    Aliod, finishing his discussion with Fenox, promptly inquired. However, having no liking for such arrangements, Kraush waved a hand dismissively.


    No need. Tend to your duties. I roughly know the location of the Knightly Order. Ill head there after eating.


    Understood.


    Though he said this, he knew well that someone from Balheim would follow him in the shadows.


    Unlike that secret trip to the empire in the past, this time, he had notified Balheim directly about his journey here. If outside Starlon, a direct descendent of Balheim would be covertly tailed by a knight adept in stealth until adulthood  not just by a butler.


    So, undoubtedly, such a knight was already shadowing Kraush now.


    Reflecting on this, Kraush could gauge how much effort Aliod had put in behind the scenes when he had ventured to the empire.


    Even as a half-penny, a direct descendant was still a direct descendant. If something had happened to Kraush in the empire, Aliod would have lost his authority as a butler and even risked execution.


    But Kraush was both Aliods savior and his master. From the moment Kraush requested, Aliod had risked his life, securely sending Kraush beyond the empire and meticulously preparing for any potential harm to his charge.


    In this regard, Kraush felt anew the indispensable utility of Aliod. Even among the elite butlers specifically chosen within Balheim, no one else was quite as resourceful.


    Bianca, lets go eat.


    Yes.


    Responding to Kraushs call, Bianca followed him at once. She gazed at Halgram with fascination, gripping his coat tails from behind.


    As Kraush stepped onto the main road, crowds began to bustle around them.


    Ah.


    Perhaps that was why, as Bianca, holding onto Kraushs coat, was caught up among the people, she inadvertently let go.


    She hurried to grab hold of Kraush again, raising her arm. But before she could, Kraushs hand promptly appeared through the crowd and took hold of hers.


    A light tug brought Bianca back to his side. As she looked up at him with wide eyes, Kraush clicked his tongue.


    You lose focus gawking and let go, see?


    Kraush had kept an eye on Bianca, making sure she was always close behind. So when she let go, he promptly reached out and grabbed her hand.


    Sorry.


    Knowings half the battle. Just dont let go and follow me closely.


    With that, Kraush led the way with Biancas hand firmly in his.


    She quietly observed their sped hands.


    It was a hand that often took hold of hers. Though gruff, he frequently looked out for her in such ways.


    The roughness from daily training seemed pronounced, andpared to hers, the hand wasrger.


    Yet, for some reason, the hand felt unusually warm now. Although it was nearly spring and the weather was warmer, it wasnt searingly hot.


    Bianca couldnt quite put into words the tickling sensation at her fingertips as the spring breeze brushed across her cheeks.


    The bustling noises of the people on the thoroughfare drifted to her ears.


    The spring sunlight from above offered just the right amount of warmth.


    And the scent of flowers dotted along the roads edge yfully teased her nose.


    In the warm spring of Halgram.


    Bianca felt as though, even amidst the crowded ambiance, she and Kraush were in their own world.


    And strangely, it was a most pleasant feeling. Despite merely walking hand in hand.


    She gazed absentmindedly at Kraushs back. Mix feelings  the frustration of not seeing his face, yet findingfort in this closeness.


    Weve arrived. Its still here, Bianca why are you grinning?


    Having reached their destination, Kraush stopped and asked Bianca, puzzled by her expression.


    Startled, Bianca shifted her gaze from their entwined hands and btedly lifted her head.


    Then, she touched her cheek with her free hand and tilted her head.


    Am I smiling?


    Yeah, just like when youre eating chocte or dozing off.


    Bianca blinked.


    Soon after, she pouted a bit petntly.


    I am not smiling.


    But your face was just


    No, it wasnt.


    As she asserted that, Kraush wore an expression of disbelief.


    She had been beaming a moment ago, eyes rxed, so why deny it?


    Caught sight of something pleasing, maybe?


    Although Kraush wasnt sure of the specifics, he said,


    Alright, were going to eat here.


    Btedly ncing up, Bianca saw an old-looking restaurant.


    Looking around, she realized they had somehow moved quite a distance from Halgrams main thoroughfare.


    It looks old.


    Cant say that out loud. Inside, dont do that either.


    Lest they receive unkind stares. With that advice given, Kraush entered the restaurant.


    Oh my, we have such cute visitors.


    A server greeted them with a smile upon seeing Bianca and Kraush enter hand in hand, both appearing quite young.


    Kraush, registering that they were still holding hands, let go. But Bianca immediately reached out again.


    Kraush hesitated, then turned to Bianca.


    She looked back at him nkly, as if she didnt know why she had reached out again.


    You said not to let go.


    Why did it sound like she was reprimanding him?


    We dont need to hold hands inside the restaurant.


    After Kraush let go again, Bianca quietly held her hand, and the server, wearing a pleased expression, led them to a table.


    Despite an open spot opposite him, Bianca naturally sat beside Kraush as though it was the most obvious choice.


    Kraush, seemingly ustomed to her presence, opened the menu and ordered food as per Biancas preference before scanning the surroundings.


    It was the usual lunchtime, and he expected a certain individual to show up.


    In a secluded spot, Kraushs eyes captured a familiar figure.


    He let out an incredulous sigh.


    Found her already.


    A woman, stealthily stuffing her face with bread while tucking ordered food into a basket, stood out with light brown hair and a dull half-closed face.


    Kraush knew her all too well.


    The one who would be known as the me Emperor.


    An Igrits personal attendant.


    She held the key to uniting with him  the one with the Lunar Body.