Chapter 81 Yes, It’s All a Misunderstanding

Chapter 81 Yes, It’s All a Misunderstanding

‘The problem is, that would require a precondition to be met.’

Hilnider harbored this thought, his smile unwavering as he looked at Kraush.

“Shall we have a frank discussion?”

The moment Hilnider spoke, Kraush gave him a puzzled look.

Seeing his puzzled expression, Hilnider almost let slip his true thoughts.

Yet, he was to be a future leader of Starlon.

Although not as much a prodigy as Sizelry Ephania, born of the Empire, he too had honed countless techniques and sharpness to stand at the pinnacle of politics.

‘He’s deliberately not showing any reaction in front of me.’

As if trying to entice the First Prince himself into action.

‘Interesting. Seems like the rumors of him shedding his halfwit status are indeed true.’

Thus, Hilnider decided it was time to stop testing the waters.

It wasn’t just the awakening of his talent that had freed Kraush from being the Balheim halfwit.

“You seem to have something to discuss with me as well.”

Kraush’s response remained calm even to this statement.

Clearly, from the moment frankness was mentioned and even now, Kraush showed no signs of being intimidated in front of the First Prince.

Because he knew exactly what was going to be said.

“It is you, Mr. Hilnider, who came seeking me.”

“Yes, I thought I was the only one with a matter to discuss. But from the look in your eyes, it seems that’s not the case.”

Hilnider smiled smoothly.

“My coming here today was in the hope of forming a good connection. Recently, Rahelrn Academy has become a battleground of many talents, and at the moment, the representative of the Four Kingdoms’ power is your sister.”

“You mean Sister Charlotte.”

Kraush’s response indicated he was already aware.

And if he knew that, he would also understand the current situation.

“If you know that, then you’re aware that Charlotte is unsuited for the role of representative.”

Charlotte lives by her own rules, unconstrained, impulsive, and uncontrollable.

She is powerful as an individual but not suitable for drawing out the strength of a collective.

Therefore, the current power struggle between the Four Kingdoms and the Empire is heading in an unfavorable direction.

The presence of the overly powerful Charlotte prevents the Four Kingdoms from daring to appoint another representative.

Meanwhile, the Empire is rallying actively around Sigrid.

This situation risks upsetting the balance.

“With the academy drawing more talents than expected, frankly, I think it’s dangerous if the Empire takes control.”

“Is it alright to discuss such critical matters in front of me?”

Hilnider chuckled.

“I suppose you already have an idea why I’m bringing this up.”

So, he ceased the probing.

And as expected, Kraush precisely hit the mark with his next words.

“Next year, enter Rahelrn Academy, take the lead of the Four Kingdoms, grapple with the Empire, and Starlon will support you. Isn’t this what you wish to say?”

Hilnider’s eyes curved even more.

Despite being somewhat impudent in front of Starlon’s First Prince, Kraush’s statement only piqued his interest further.

“Isn’t it a bit premature for me, still a prince, to talk about Starlon’s support?”

“It’s a discussion for a year from now.”

Hilnider swallowed a laugh at that response.

Next year, Hilnider’s ascension to the throne of Starlon is all but confirmed, and he will officially begin his royal succession.

His influence and that of the nobles beneath him will change entirely.

Kraush seemed to anticipate this, mentioning a story that’s currently circulating only within Starlon’s royal court.

“...Is that an interpretation from the Balheims’ side?”

“I don’t have a particularly close relationship with my family, so it’s purely my personal opinion.”

Kraush’s smile suggested Hilnider knew this too.

Hilnider swallowed an incredulous feeling.

Though Hilnider’s ascendancy to the throne is certain, the fact that it would happen next year was known only to his closest advisors.

‘With the establishment of Rahelrn Academy, friction between the Four Kingdoms and the Empire is growing. Before this friction escalates and before His Majesty steps down, the succession lessons were hastened.’

Kraush had known this in advance, even before Hilnider broached the subject.

‘Yet he claims it’s a personal view.’

Hilnider labeled that statement as a lie.

Kraush clearly had the support of the Balheims.

And through Kraush, the Balheims indirectly showed Hilnider that they had ears within the royal court.

Thus, he began to reconsider his view of Kraush.

‘...The Balheims have been supporting Kraush all along, not openly showing it, and deliberately framing him as a halfwit.’

His recent growth, even by Balheim standards, was abnormal.

But if it was all about concealing his real capabilities, everything made sense.

‘And they showed recent movements to attract my attention. Not just mine, but that of any power that could approach the youngest Balheim.’

The one year Hilnider mentioned meant just that.

“That’s fine. That should be enough until I enter the academy.”

Hilnider’s eyes sparkled.

“...If by the time you enter the academy, rumors that were once considered falsehoods start to be widely acknowledged as true, the attention of each kingdom and the Empire will naturally focus on you, placing you at the center. Students will cause a commotion trying to associate with you.”

Rumors are like fire.

They blaze brightly and then extinguish just as quickly.

Thus, Kraush is intentionally trying to dampen that fire now.

So that later, it can blaze more brilliantly, captivating everyone.

Even more so if Starlon and the Balheims were to secretly block information, lending credibility to those truths.

Hilnider laughed brilliantly.

“Ha, what irony. I was thinking of nurturing you with the royal family’s active support, but you’re already a hidden tiger.”

This essentially meant everything was already prepared.

Starlon would just be adding a spoon to it.

“It’s fortunate that the Balheims side with the Starlon Kingdom.”

“The Balheims always consider it fortunate to be alongside the understanding royal family of Starlon.”

Kraush joked modestly.

“Alright. I’ll see what I can do. Today’s meeting was very memorable.”

Hilnider stood up to conclude their conversation, having many tasks awaiting him back at the royal court.

“Are you sure you won’t stay for a meal?”

“Rumors are best caught quickly at the start, aren’t they?”

“I cannot disagree.”

Hilnider smiled at Kraush’s frankness.

Then, he suddenly remembered something and turned back to look at Kraush.

“By the way, how strong are you, really?”

Utilizing rumors is fine, but to stand at the center of Rahelrn Academy, actual strength matters most.

So when he inquired, Kraush just laughed briefly.

“There won’t be anyone in the academy who can beat me.”

In him, Hilnider glimpsed a hint of Charlotte’s arrogance.

Her arrogance was matched by her capabilities, but as an individual force, she fundamentally couldn’t collaborate with others.

But what about Kraush?

Not only did he freely utter bold statements like Charlotte, but he also made remarks that surprised even Hilnider.

Perhaps the real star of the Balheims was quietly biding its time.

“...Perhaps it’s time to revise our assessment of the Balheims.”

He made a remark filled with expectation to Kraush and then turned to leave, engraving the figure of Kraush Balheim vividly in his mind.

After Hilnider left, Kraush slumped in his chair, visibly relaxed.

Then, wrapping his hands around his forehead, he sighed quietly.

“...Crimson Garden.”

[Oh, I really don’t have a taste for this kind of thing.]

Crimson Garden, appearing suddenly, took the recent place of Hilnider.

“Let’s see how far that man will let his thoughts wander.”

[Why don’t I just tell you?]

“Then I’d be nothing without you.”

Crimson Garden stared at Kraush for a moment, sensing what he had gone through to be so fixated on handling things on his own.

[Child, how many have you lost by now?]

What Kraush was doing was clearly a preparation for the occurrence of problems whenever someone was lost.

So, when Crimson Garden asked with a heavy heart, Kraush didn’t respond.

In the Skyborne Generation, he stood at the forefront against annihilation with everyone and swallowed curses as if to save those people.

For Kraush, the concept of ‘how many’ was meaningless.

“I’m just spending time trying to keep up with those geniuses.”

[Sigh, you stubborn child.]

Kraush began to review the conversation with Hilnider along with Crimson Garden.

Hilnider could deduce processes instantly.

But Kraush had to walk through the context of their conversation from the beginning to understand.

As mentioned earlier, just as a genius cannot grasp the thoughts of a commoner,

The opposite is also true; a commoner can’t comprehend a genius’s thoughts.

[Later.]

Crimson Garden continued,

[Even when you have nothing left to lose, give it some thought.]

Kraush laughed bitterly,

Thinking that seemed like a very distant concern.