Chapter 69 I Don’t Lie Down with Dogs

Chapter 69 I Don’t Lie Down with Dogs

That night,

Kraush, having promised to travel with Lakradiyon, lay in his room with his eyes closed, honing his aura. Thanks to Creams advice, his aura grew stronger with each day of training. Still, he couldnt shake the feeling of insufficiency.

As he lay there, Kraushs eyelids slowly began to rise, detecting a presence on his knee. There was Bianca, sound asleep using his leg as a pillow. He wondered how long she had been there. Swallowing a rueful smile, he gently lifted her head and placed it on a pillow, covered her with a blanket, and was about to get out of bed when he heard her sleepy voice.

Mr. Kraush.

Turning to Bianca, she rubbed her eyes and asked,

Are you leaving already?

Her question was in regard to Demonic Bastion. If Kraush left for the Bastion, Bianca would have to spend a long time apart from him, which made her cling even closer to his side with the time they had left. Kraush stroked her hair soothingly.

No, not yet. Go back to sleep; Ill be here for a while.

Uh-huh, okay.

Reassured, Bianca nuzzled into Kraushs hand and drifted back to sleep. Recently, as she entered a full growth spurt, her childish whims seemed to increase, which worried Kraush. He left the room quietly, so as not to wake her, and was greeted by Crimson Garden perching on his shoulder.

[Already sharing a bed with a girl. Youre living a life driven by lust.]

What are you looking at? Kraush replied with disbelief.

[Isnt it obvious when you share a room with that child?]

Crimson Gardens insinuation, despite knowing the true reason, was utterly absurd to Kraush. Initially, Kraush had intended to provide Bianca with her own private inn room. But she expressed fear of being alone. When suggested she share a room with her direct maid, Elly, Bianca insisted she wanted to stay with Kraush. As Bianca developed emotions, she had been using Kraushs company to quell her anxiety. Knowing this, Kraush couldnt refuse and indulged her whims. Even though he chose a room with two beds, somehow Bianca always ended up in his bed by the morning. After several attempts to return her to her bed, which always resulted in her swift return to his side, Kraush gave up.

Im worried about when its time for the academy.

Once this year passes and Kraush enters Rahelrn Academy, hell be hard-pressed to see her for at least a year. As he pondered what Bianca would do then, he couldnt help but laugh at himself for becoming so deeply concerned about her. Before his regression, their engagement was the only slight connection they had. How things have changed.

[Stop laughing so suddenly. Its unnerving.]

Even if I explain, youd still complain, he muttered to Crimson Garden as he exited the inn.

The reason Kraush ventured out at night was that his extended sixth sense had caught someone lurking a visitor he had been expecting. Despite the darkness, he deliberately moved through the back alleys to encourage an encounter. As expected, a figure in a robe emerged.

Pendal.

The man was none other than Pendal. Recognizing Kraush, Pendal slowly pushed back his hood, revealing his gray hair glistening in the moonlight while glaring ominously at Kraush.

Balheim heir, is it true youre entering Demonic Bastion with Lakradiyon?

As expected.

Kraushs expression remained relaxed in response to the predictable Pendal.

So what if it is?

Pendal clenched his jaw.

Then he slowly got to the point.

If youre going, dont go with Lakradiyon. Come with me. Pendalord is also challenging Nakcheon.

The words from Pendal were unexpected.

Pendalord has been challenging Demonic Bastion continuously. Much has changed inside over the years, new shortcuts have emerged. With us, you could reach the 8th floor in no time. Naturally, weve prepared extensively to challenge Nakcheon.

The proposal wasnt bad on the surface. Pendal had reigned as king of the Bastion. Despite not entering the 8th floor anymore, he had always moved through the earlier floors with ease. He could certainly be considered an expert in navigating them. On the other hand, Lakradiyon had only been practicing her swordsmanship since leaving the Bastion. In terms of knowledge about the Bastion, she might fall short of Pendal.

No thanks.

Regardless of all considerations, Kraush had no desire to accompany Pendal.

During this exchange, Crimson Gardens voice arose. Referring to Pendalord, no doubt.

[It seems theyre planning their own Bastion assault, just like you.]

Only on the surface.

Kraushs reaction was as expected.

As he glanced at Lakradiyon, he contemplated Pendals complex feelings of inferiority towards her. He hadnt openly attacked Lakradiyon, probably out of embarrassment.

But if theres a chance

Kraush knew Pendal would eventually show his fangs.

He looked up as they reached the top of the stairs, and the view of the first floor of Demonic Bastion unfolded before them. A luxurious hallway lay ahead, with a red carpet stretching forth. Paintings adorned the walls, interspersed with flower vases, and windows punctuated the walls, an oddity for a subterranean location. Demonic Bastion was as surreal as ever.

Suddenly, a ticking sound heralded the appearance of a rabbit clutching a watch. The rabbit glanced at them, then started to sprint forward. With each tick, its body grew until it was a muscle-bound behemoth that charged without hesitation.

Lakradiyon.

Watching the rabbit, Kraush spoke.

May I see your skills?

As his words fell, Lakradiyon was already in motion. Her sword carved a smooth arc through the air, cleanly impaling the muscular rabbits throat. A yellow aura blade burst forth from her sword, severing muscle and bone.

Shink!

The rabbits head soared into the air before tumbling to the ground with a single strike.

Whew, youre still formidable.

Of course, sister!

Derrick and Penichelri exclaimed, admiring her prowess. Kraush felt no different.

Impeccable. A true master.

If Pendal was untamed and unpredictable, Lakradiyon was the epitome of precision. Two completely different kinds of strength. Observing her was also the closest thing to witnessing the threshold of mastery, the next realm Kraush aspired to reach. Even if the title of master was downplayed above that realm, the reality was that many would never achieve it despite a lifetime of striving.

And Kraush was no exception.

Despite using elixirs, gaining skills, and learning secret techniques, the realm of mastery had to be conquered on ones own merits.

Summer is approaching fast.

As time passed and spring gave way to early summer, the next seasons would inevitably follow.

That means my enrollment in Rahelrn Academy is coming up.

Not much time remained to survive in the gap of talent.

Lets keep moving.

This was his chance. The best observational material for breaking through the threshold of mastery was right beside him. This Bastion assault might yield more benefits than he anticipated.

Outside the structures that made up Demonic Bastion, someone was on the move. A figure donning a robe with a patch over one eye and armed to the teeth made their way through the shadows. She lifted the hood of her robe slightly to glance at a newspaper.

The headline read that a Balheim heir was challenging Nakcheon.

Damn it, are they trying to steal my prey?

Cursing, she crumpled the paper and tossed it aside. Her steps quickened, her tiger-striped long tail swaying beneath the hem of the robe.