Chapter 139:

Chapter 139:

Do Whatever You Want

While Kraush was waiting for Haring in front of the women’s dormitory, the female students kept stealing glances at him.

It was only natural, given that Kraush was such a hot topic.

However, no one dared to approach him.

Not many people had the guts to strike up a conversation with someone bearing the name Balheim.

“Kraush?”

But if they were also a Balheim, it was a different story.

Kraush lifted his head at the familiar voice calling him.

“Sister.”

Standing there was a woman with hair the same color as his.

The Sword Saint, Charlotte Balheim.

She must have just returned, as her body was slightly damp with sweat.

Because of that, despite it being spring, she exuded a slightly warm aura.

The Lion Order had returned.

“Kraush, sir!”

And for some reason, alongside her stood Karandis.

The 9th Princess of Poseus Kingdom.

Karandis Poseus.

Like Charlotte, her clothes were soaked with sweat, and her healthy, tanned skin made her appear even more radiant.

As soon as she saw Kraush, she flashed a bright smile and waved her hand.

“Why are the two of you together?”

Surprised by the unexpected company, Kraush showed a curious expression, prompting Charlotte to glance over her shoulder.

“She followed me back.”

Kraush quickly grasped the situation.

Karandis was someone who wanted to marry him.

the mission.

She was probably trying to win over his family first.

The unfortunate part was that the family member in question was Charlotte.

Charlotte didn’t seem to care whether Karandis was by her side or not.

“Giggle, we’re comrades from the mission!”

Karandis laughed good-naturedly, indicating that she was fine with the situation.Upstodatee from n(0)/ve/lbIn/.(co/m

She had remarkable mental fortitude.

Meanwhile, Charlotte, as always, looked at Kraush with her lifeless eyes.

“So, why are you here, Kraush?”

“I’m waiting for someone.”

Charlotte’s eyes drifted toward the women’s dormitory.

She looked at Kraush with a peculiar expression before opening her mouth.

“Don’t forget that you have a fiancée. It could get complicated if you do. Even if things aren’t going well with her, it’s best to reconcile.”

“K-Kraush, sir, are you not getting along with your fiancée? In that case, there’s always the option of a new engagement...”

Karandis, who had been listening, eagerly pointed at herself, trying to make an appeal.

Kraush ignored her.

“There’s a misunderstanding. Bianca and I are getting along just fine.”

“Then that’s fine.”

Still, it was perfect timing.

Kraush had planned to meet Charlotte anyway.

“Sister, could we discuss the student council matter?”

Kraush believed that Charlotte’s help would be crucial for resolving the current situation.

More specifically, he needed the help of her and her order.

“Did you come here to see me?”

Charlotte slightly widened her eyes before giving her trademark smile, a slight upward curve of her lips.

“Smart thinking. As expected of my brother. Wait here.”

Charlotte, seemingly in a better mood than usual, said that and headed into the dormitory.

It looked like she intended to wash up and change her clothes before coming out.

“Is something going on?”

Once Charlotte had gone inside, Karandis didn’t follow and instead asked Kraush.

Kraush, who had been staring at her, gave her a wicked smile.

“et involved?”

“Goodbye! It was great seeing you today. Let’s meet again next time!”

Karandis quickly fled.

No matter how desperate she was to get married, getting involved in something of this scale would only lead to her demise.

Moreover, Kraush had implied that she shouldn’t get involved, so she wisely took the hint and backed off.

‘She’s quick on the uptake.’

Though not as brilliant as Sizelry, Karandis was no ordinary person.

It was clear why she had managed to survive as the 9th Princess in a place like Poseus, where royalty was abundant.

In any case, things were looking up.

It seemed he would be able to wrap things up quickly.

Just as Kraush sighed in relief, Astria appeared from the women’s dormitory with someone.

A girl with an unusual mix of black and purple hair.

Haring Lagrain.

“...Kraush.”

She appeared with a much darker expression than the last time he had seen her.

“Are you alright?”

Kraush asked, looking at Haring.

Her face was a complete mess.

Understandably, after hearing that her father was gravely injured, she likely wanted to return to the Empire immediately.

But she had no luggage with her.

Her face was blank, and she seemed at a loss about what to do.

Seeing this, Kraush quickly grasped the situation.

‘The Lagrain family must have told her to do nothing and wait.’

They probably didn’t give her a reason.

Given the Empire’s perspective, it’s a top-secret matter.

Once she moved as the Empire’s representative, even the Empire would lose its justification.

Moreover, with the support of the Balheim family, Starlon could declare that they were doing their utmost in the matter.

‘That alone could douse this immediate fire.’

In diplomatic relations, justification is ultimately the most critical factor.

That’s why Kraush needed Haring.

She was the symbol of the Empire’s cause in this incident.

“That...”

Haring’s eyes began to tremble violently.

Even in her confusion, she understood part of what Kraush was saying.

She wasn’t unintelligent.

But that only made her more flustered.

She hadn’t expected Kraush to suggest they go together.

In her bewilderment, she opened her mouth.

“...My family told me. To stay put and do nothing.”

As expected, the answer Kraush had anticipated came forth.

That would only make Haring more anxious.

It must have been maddening for her to be told to stay put.

Kraush gripped Haring’s hand a little tighter.

Just that alone made Haring feel as if Kraush’s warmth was being transferred to her.

“Before you’re part of the Empire, you’re a student of Rahelrn Academy.”

Everyone here had left their families behind, holding the status of Academy students.

“Screw the family. If you’re a student, just act like a student. Even if you act recklessly, you can just blame it on youthful indiscretion.”

If the Order decided to support Hardenhartz together, they couldn’t be blamed for following along.

If they said they had no choice but to go along with their Order, there was nothing their families could do to stop them.

“The world is surprisingly weak if you push recklessly.”

Kraush said, his words dripping with disdain for the world.

“You hate being powerless, don’t you?”

He looked directly into her eyes.

Kraush’s gaze was sharper and clearer than ever.

“I also despise the helplessness of being unable to do anything.”

Because that’s how he had to live his entire life.

This world gives nothing but the worst possible outcomes to those who live in powerlessness.

That’s why Kraush had struggled endlessly, even up to this day.

And he intended to struggle once again.

He would stop the war that even Arthur couldn’t prevent, even if he had to crawl through the mud.

“So, I’m going to struggle like hell.”

Haring stared blankly at Kraush.

“Struggle too. No matter what your family, your surroundings, or the world says. Do the best you can.”

And with those words, for the first time, Haring, who had heard nothing but orders to do nothing, was told to do whatever she wanted.

Haring’s body began to tremble.

A new emotion started to rise from deep within her heart, replacing her helplessness.

Her face, which had been pale, began to regain some color.

Her body, which had been drained of strength, began to regain its vigor.

“And say you’re going to repay the debt from the last mission. The Lagrain family always repays their debts twofold.”

A boyish smile played at the corners of Kraush’s lips.

“....”

Haring stared blankly at that smile.

For a long moment.

“Ha, haha.”

For some reason, a chuckle escaped her lips.

She couldn’t hold back her laughter at her previously distressed face.

Kraush looked at her with surprise, perhaps because she, who was usually as expressionless as Bianca, was laughing.

Well, it wasn’t as if she had her emotions suppressed like Doll’s Eye.

Laughter was only natural.

“...You know, I lost my older brother in a World Erosion caused by an Erosion Species.”

Kraush fell silent for a moment upon hearing her words.

He didn’t know much about Haring, the Poison Fang.

He had only vaguely sensed that she had lost something in the past and carried some trauma.

But he hadn’t known the exact details.

Now, he realized why Haring was so obsessed with avenging herself against the White Ghost.

Why she was willing to throw away her entire family to satisfy that grudge.

‘Of course, she must have lost her mind.’

Bianca became the White Ghost because she had become a vessel for the World Erosion.

So, Haring had lost her family, twice, due to the World Erosion.

“Bu again. I felt utterly powerless. Like all my efforts had been for nothing.”

Being told to do nothing.

Those words were the most terrifying and paralyzing for Haring.

Because remaining still had only brought her the death of her older brother.

In such a situation, Kraush had told her not to stay still.

“...So it’s a debt.”

Having finally managed to stifle her laughter, she took a few steps back from Kraush.

Yet a faint smile still lingered on her face.

“This is also a debt, so I’ll repay it.”

If that’s how she felt, then so be it.

“Alright, do whatever you want.”

Kraush respected her will.

[Why can’t you just leave girls alone?]

And for some reason, he got scolded again.

Even Astria was looking at him with a slightly displeased expression.

Kraush felt incredibly wronged.

End of Chapte