Chapter: 239
#### Heavenly Sword
The<em>Heavenly Sword</em>?
If you were to discuss this within the Empire, praises would never cease.
For centuries, it has stood as the sword protecting the royal family, a descendant of the former<em>Heavenly Sword King</em>.
<em>Kraush</em>managed to arrange this meeting through the Fourth Princess,<em>Sigrid Ephania</em>.
<em>Dalpion</em>is currently in cahoots with the group known as<em>Ixion</em>, or as I like to call them, the World Erosion Gang.
The reason? To fulfill the Emperor’smand to cure a disease that has gued the royal family for ages.
It’s crucial to sever ties between the Empire and<em>Ixion</em>.
Thus, meeting with<em>Dalpion</em>without dy is imperative.
But the problem lies within the location.
‘The Empire, huh?’
<em>Kraush</em>pondered, thinking about the Empire.
Regardless,<em>Kraush</em>is currently affiliated with the<em>Starlon Kingdom</em>.
Moreover, he’s one of Ixion’s targets.
‘From the royal family’s perspective, I’m a presence they dread the most.’
A deal with<em>Dalpion</em>could very well be a trap.
He could easily turn<em>Kraush</em>over to<em>Ixion</em>in exchange for the royal family’s illness to be cured.
‘After all, someone who knows everything is more trustworthy.’
Above all,<em>Kraush</em>understood that knowing the secrets passed down in the royal family meant they wouldn’t be outright hostile toward<em>Ixion</em>.
‘Not to mention the wildcard that is<em>Abe</em>.’
The person truly upying<em>Kraush’s</em>thoughts was none other than<em>Abe</em>.
<em>Kraush</em>suspected that<em>Abe</em>likely coborated with<em>Ixion</em>.
Who knows what schemes they might be up to over there?
‘She probably knows all about this deal, too.’
So, the chance was limited to one.
He had to persuade<em>Dalpion</em>at their meeting and demonstrate the power of the<em>ck Hood</em>.
“Are you burning up with all that heavy thinking?”
As he heard a voice,<em>Kraush</em>raised his head.
There stood a girl with ocean-blue hair, who would be tagging along with him this time.
With her hair styled in donut-like braids, she smiled with her round eyes.N?v(el)B\\jnn
The fourth princess of the empire,<em>Sigrid Ephania</em>.
She was the one who arranged the meeting with<em>Dalpion</em>and informed him about the internal affairs involving<em>Ixion</em>.
Not to mention, she is perhaps the most devoted fan of the Empire.
She wished for the Empire to thrive without copsing in the future.
“I can’t help but think in this situation.”
“True, I can see why.”
<em>Sigrid</em>understood<em>Kraush’s</em>predicament, so she didn’t dispute his words.
Clunk—
Hearing the rattling of the carriage,<em>Kraush</em>quietly observed<em>Sigrid</em>.
She was said to have the world’s sharpest intellect.
Additionally, she’d already met with the important<em>Dalpion</em>beforehand.
“What do you think?”
It would be ideal to draw from<em>Sigrid’s</em>opinions.
Upon hearing<em>Kraush’s</em>question,<em>Sigrid</em>fell silent for a moment.
“You know there are a lot of variables in this matter.”
Her words were something<em>Kraush</empletely agreed with.
“Honestly, the potential scenarios are numerous. With all these variables, there are at least twenty possible oues.”
Now it made sense why she hesitated to share her thoughts.
As she said, this situation was fraught with uncertainty.
Most significantly, emotions indeed yed a major part.
<em>Abe’s</em>affection for<em>Arthur</em>.
The Emperor’s desire to cure his disease.
<em>Dalpion</em>‘s dedication to the royal family.
<em>Ixion’s</em>ambition to create a god of world erosion.
These intertwining sentiments birthed numerous unpredictables.
“Still, if we are to consider the most probable oue…”
<em>Sigrid</em>directed her bright yellow eyes at<em>Kraush</em>.
“It would be you sessfully striking a deal with<em>Dalpion</em>and curing his majesty’s illness.”
“You seem to think too highly of me.”
“Don’t worry. You’ve always exceeded my expectations.”
Upon hearing that,<em>Kraush</em>couldn’t help but crack a grin.
“Yeah, ultimately, it all depends on what I do.”
The results of the world are never predetermined.
It’s entirely up to one’s actions to create those results.
For<em>Kraush</em>, who was constructing a world that no longer existed, that was the most assuring task.
The world had turned into an intricate maze where nothing was visible even a step ahead.
‘If I just navigate through it, I’ll be fine.’
<em>Kraush</em>shifted his gaze out the window of the moving carriage.
Therey the capital of the Empire,<em>Sirian</em>, and far off in the distance, the imperial pce surrounded by walls.
December had arrived.
Amidst the biting winter air in the Empire, an unexpected storm might be brewing.
＊ ＊ ＊
After passing the capital of<em>Sirian</em>for a while…
“We need to walk from here.”
As the carriage came to a halt at the market entrance,<em>Sigrid</em>announced as she stepped out.
When she threw a robe over her head, her appearance transformed drastically.
Though her height remained the same, her figure became plump, and her hair turned ck.
This was a transformation robe created by the artifact maker,<em>Rona Imblize</em>.
When she contacted<em>Rona</em>in advance, she was more than happy to make it.
Following suit,<em>Kraush</em>donned a robe, causing his appearance to morph as well.
Sigrid’s expression shifted, intrigued.
“Hmmm, wasn’t this robe made by<em>Rona</em>and not<em>Darling Danphelion</em>, who usually brews your potions? Why does it have<em>Krad’s</em>appearance?”
“I honestly have no idea.”
Currently,<em>Kraush</em>bore the appearance he often took when using<em>Darling’s</em>potions—<em>Krad</em>.
Short closed ck hair, with an overall mature and towering build unmistakably grew from Krad’s days.
‘It seems<em>Darling</em>had a hand in this somehow…’
Both<em>Rona</em>and<em>Darling</em>were part of the first batch of students and belonged to the special ss.
With the link to<em>Kraush</em>, perhaps<em>Rona</em>heard about the crafting and pulled this prank.
Truly,<em>Darling’s</em>shenanigans were all too<em>Darling</em>-like.
“You still have that suspicious look about you.”
While<em>Kraush</em>was stuck in his thoughts,<em>Sigrid</em>examined him closely, nodding.
With a rather satisfied expression, the moment<em>Kraush</em>raised an eyebrow,<em>Sigrid</em>smiled widely.
“This appearance suits me best, doesn’t it? The one who darted in like an arrow to rescue me.”
As<em>Sigrid</em>reminisced, giggling softly, it became clear.
Their first meeting was indeed when he was in<em>Krad’s</em>form.
“I felt it back then.<em>Kraush</em>, it’s going to be a st tagging along with you.”
“Looks to me like we just get tangled in troublesome adventures.”
“Hehe, troublesome things are what make life fun. Thanks to you, I’ve changed a lot too. If it weren’t for you, I’d never have left the<em>Rahern Academy</em>, let alone the Empire.”
As she spoke,<em>Sigrid</em>approached and began straightening his robe, which had be disheveled.
As she neared, a light citrus scent wafted gently through the air.
It was the perfume favored by<em>Sigrid</em>.
“It’s all on you. I can be here, not turning a blind eye to the matters of the Empire, thanks to you.”
With her bright amber eyes,<em>Sigrid</em>gazed up at<em>Kraush</em>, breaking into a grin.
That smile held an inexplicable charm distinct from her external appearance.
“Is this how you’re repaying me for helping you back then?”
“Hmmm, haven’t I already paid you back enough? I’ve helped you a few times too.”
He couldn’t deny it.
He had indeed received considerable help from<em>Sigrid</em>along the way.
“This isn’t about repaying a debt. I’m doing this because I want to help. It’s pure intention, no strings attached.”
<em>Laughing yfully,</em><em>Sigrid</em>poked<em>Kraush’s</em>chest with her tiny finger.
“For someone who boasts an exceptional intuition, you are particrly oblivious in this regard. With all the girls around you shooting their shot, do you need to sharpen your senses?”
“Looks like you’re back to teasing me again.”
<em>Kraush</em>held her wrist, signaling her to ease up.
In response,<em>Sigrid</em>rolled her eyes, manipting her finger yfully in his grip.
“I have no reason to give up my charm, do I?”
“Isn’t it about time to act a bit more mature?”
“A woman can embody adulthood while still cherishing her girlhood.”
Knock, knock—
Just then, a sound broke from the carriage door.
<em>Sigrid</em>, seeing the fun had gone on long enough, withdrew her finger from<em>Kraush</em>‘s grasp and opened the carriage door.
Standing there was a well-built man.
At first nce, he appeared masculine, but her identity was none other than<em>Sera Bete</em>,<em>Sigrid</em>’s mighty bodyguard.
Upon meeting<em>Kraush’s</em>eyes, she nodded politely and assisted<em>Sigrid</em>in descending the carriage.
As<em>Sigrid</em>sprang down nimbly,<em>Kraush</em>followed suit.
No one seemed to take note of their arrival.
Since the carriage itself wasn’t particrly shy, people merely thought a couple of local noble kids were out for a stroll.
Given the Empire’s crowded nature and nobility, that was a likely assumption.
“Let’s go.”
<em>Sigrid</em>was already heading down the path.
Moving smoothly through the marketce, even with a princess from the royal family strolling openly, nobody gave them a second nce.
Not even with a bona fide<em>Balheim</em>family member from the<em>Starlon Kingdom</em>by her side.
Had even one person noticed, it would have caused quite a stir.
But here, no one could pierce through their disguises.
“This market path is familiar.”
“It’s because Ie here often.”
Yes, one might wonder how often a princess actually wanders beyond the castle walls.
However,<em>Sigrid</em>exhibited such awareness of the market like she’d run through it daily, chatting with the kids along the way.
“I suppose I had my share of hardships, huh.”
<em>Sera</em>let out a wry smile as she stood guard beside<em>Sigrid</em>.
She had been<em>Sigrid’s</em>bodyguard ever since her birth and had quite a time keeping up with her reckless nature.
“You’re quite the clever one; just a small distraction, and you fool me! Luckily, you’ve calmed downtely.”
“<em>Sera</em>, I was always calm!”
<em>Pouting</em>,<em>Sigrid</em>objected to<em>Sera’s</em>remark, but no one truly believed her.
Even if she styled her personality to act like a renegade in the castle, her inherent character remained the same.
“You both take it too far.”
With a yful pout,<em>Sigrid</em>continued her walk.
Eventually, a building came into view, lurking at the market’s edge.
The vacant establishment looked forlorn.
A nce at the surrounding empty units hinted that this location wasn’t thriving in business.
<em>Sigrid</em>approached the seemingly abandoned building, unlocking the padlock.
She stepped in, revealing a rather hollow interior.
The dust indicated it hadn’t been in use for some time.
“Close the door.”
Following<em>Sigrid’s</em>direction,<em>Kraush</em>closed the door behind him.
At that moment,<em>Sigrid</em>produced another key from her pocket.
She approached the door they just entered, sliding the new key into the lock.
Click—click—
The sound of locking that very door echoed, followed by it opening once more.
Once<em>Sigrid</em>pushed the door open, a roomid in view.
It resembled an office and featured desks and chairs as its furnishings.
As they scanned the well-kept room, a figure emitted a presence from inside.
With golden locks cascading down his back, a man lounged on the couch, seemingly awaiting guests.
Uponying eyes on him,<em>Kraush</em>felt an uncanny chill surge from deep within.
His instincts sensed the disparity between their strengths.
As hezily opened his eyes, the man met<em>Kraush’s</em>gaze, his dark brown eyes glinting with interest.
“You’ve finally arrived.”
This man was<em>Dalpion Junon</em>.
The head of House Junon, often referred to as the<em>Heavenly Emperor</em>.
It hit<em>Kraush</em>suddenly.
At this level, it was evident he was nowhere near the<em>Heavenly Sword Maven</em>.
Whatever they did today, if it was against<em>Dalpion’s</em>wishes, leaving here safely was a tall order.
‘Is this akin to walking into the tiger’s mouth?’
But to capture a tiger, one must first enter its den.
Only, the real concern is that there’s more than just one tiger in itsir.
In the end, everything should be captured, right?