Chapter: 213
“N-no, it’s not like that... It’s just...”
Astrea, with a flustered expression, trailed off and then buried her face in her hands.
“I mean, it’s for me, so how could I possibly dislike it?”
For some reason, she felt pity from Aslan and Seyrang behind her, but Astrea was too lost in her thoughts to care.
“Kraush-nim.”
Stepping up in her place was Diona, the Holy Knight of the Saint.
She was a formidable knight among the Holy Knights.
Being capable of guarding Astrea, she cautiously asked Kraush, “You mentioned breaking the Holy Grail, but do you know its location?”
If they were going to break the Holy Grail, at the very least, they needed to know where it was.
Hearing her question, Kraush took a step to the side.
Standing there was Mirei Beakis.
With her striking blue hair, she stepped forward and nodded slightly.
“I know where the Holy Grail is.”
“Mirei Beakis, you say?”
Diona’s expression became complicated.
A hint of awkwardness crept onto her face.
After all, the head of the opposing faction was her father, Tersada Beakis.
It was suspicious for her to be offering help.
However, Mirei focused her gaze on the saint, Astrea.
“I owe my life to the Saint. The reason I’m still standing here, after descending to become a servant of the World Erosion, is entirely thanks to you, Saint.”
As she said, Mirei was meant to be executed long ago.
If it got out that a recognized cardinal had fallen to the World Erosion, the reputation of the Holy Kingdom would be at stake.
And Astrea was the one who stepped up the most to help.
Though Kraush had made the request,
Astrea had experienced the most unjust treatment in the Holy Kingdom.
Perhaps that’s why she could never bear to see Mirei being executed like that.
So, Astrea did her very best to save her.
“I saw the Saint negotiate directly with the Holy Kingdom with my own eyes.”
Mirei recalled the day she had been dragged to the Holy Kingdom.
She remembered Astrea standing beside her, kneeled and shackled.
Having become a servant of the World Erosion without understanding why, she had been looked down upon.
“This is a place to punish those who have sinned. If someone who hasn’t sinned suffers unjustly, it tarnishes the name of the Holy Kingdom.”
Those were Astrea’s words that enveloped her then, and Mirei remembered them crystal clear.
“Because she’s Freeman, we must protect Cardinal Mirei Beakis. The Lord must have also acted with sufficient grace.”
Mirei joined her hands as if praying to the deity, kneeling down.
In that gesture was an homage to Astrea.
“Astrea-nim truly is the Saint. I met the true Saint right there.”
Who else could stand against the injustices of the Holy Royal Family in such an unreasonable situation, just to help others?
Who wouldn’t call such a person a saint?
Astrea’s eyes gradually widened.
She felt that everything she had done as a saint was not in vain.
Though she might not know, her good deeds always stirred something in someone.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
And this time, it was Mirei Beakis who felt the impact of her kindness.
A gentle smile appeared on Mirei’s face.
“I can’t turn down this opportunity to repay the grace I received from the Saint. The debt I owe to Freeman’s Saint is too great, and I want to pay it back this way, even just a little.”
“Mirei Beakis...”
Feeling Mirei’s sincerity, Astrea embraced her shoulder.
The sun-like smile gracing her face shone luminously.
“Thank you. I humbly accept your intentions.”
In that moment, she truly looked the part of a saint, no doubt about it.
Kraush chuckled softly.
‘It’s not just Mirei whose actions were stirred by this guy.’
Kraush felt the same.
He owed Astrea a life he could never repay.
So now, it was Kraush’s turn to return the favor.
“The road to the Holy Grail won’t be easy.”
Diona looked at Astrea with concern.
Her safety was her top priority.
Later, she worried about Astrea’s safety due to the opposing faction, but her worry about the path to the Holy Grail was already like a mountain.
“Don’t worry.”
Should that happen, the Holy Royal Family would become irredeemable.
Within the Grand Temple watching over such a festival, Tersada summoned a figure.
“Kraush Balheim, are you ready?”
“Yes.”
It was none other than Kraush Balheim.
The youngest of the Balheim family and the topic of much discussion.
And he was the hidden card meant to completely change Freeman.
Kraush was clad in all white, as requested by Tersada.
The intangible energy radiating from him made him stand out even more.
So much so that it even felt like divine power was exuding from him today.
Tersada recalled their conversation from the night before.
“Yes, hero.”
Following Tersada’s words requiring a decision by night’s end, Kraush had brought his answer.
“However, I will keep Astrea out of harm’s way.”
And as expected, Tersada received that anticipated answer with a warm smile and a nod.
“There will be no harm coming to the saint.”
With that, Kraush was born as the new hero of Freeman.
The shining white sword at his waist was the proof.
The Holy Sword, one of the ten heavenly swords.
Different from the others, this sword was named with only two characters, radiating a divine energy unlike any other.
Those who wielded the Holy Sword had always been recognized as heroes through generations.
Thus, once this matter is over, Kraush would surely become the representative hero of Freeman.
He appeared perfectly fitting to start a new chapter for Freeman.
“Alright then, it’s time to truly begin the festival.”
Tersada said as he walked to the window.
“Benox.”
He then summoned a figure through his magical communication device.
“Prepare the Holy Grail.”
It was time to bring forth the Holy Grail to the land.
As he awaited a response after making the proclamation, he felt an odd delay.
Feeling puzzled, he started to show hints of confusion when suddenly.
Zzt—
A crackling noise erupted through the air.
A bad premonition swelled within him.
As Tersada shook the magical communication device, he heard.
[ Ah, yes, everything is prepared. ]
His eyes gradually widened at the response.
He turned his head sharply behind him.
And there stood Kraush.
In his white attire and with the Holy Sword.
Looking again, he was undoubtedly Kraush.
“Is something the matter?”
Kraush asked, laced with curiosity, and Tersada fell silent, his expression hardening.
Because the corner of Kraush’s mouth was subtly curved upwards.
It was strange.
The voice that had come from the magical communication device just moments ago was definitely—
“...Who are you?”
The moment he asked the question, Kraush’s form began to distort.
Tersada’s eyes widened as they gradually filled with surprise.
For within that distortion was a familiar blue-haired individual.
“Father, I’m sorry.”
Mirei Beakis.
She shouldn’t be here, instead, she should be waiting in her room for her orders.
Not only that, but she was using her skill, “Mirror,” to impersonate Kraush.
“If that’s the case, where is the real Kraush Balheim?”
As Tersada hurriedly glanced out the window, suddenly—
Boom!
A pitch-black flame shot up into the sky.
It was a dark flame, so black it could almost incinerate Tersada with its very presence.