Chapter: 239
#### Heavenly Sword
The Heavenly Sword?
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 Heavenly Sword King.
Kraush managed to arrange this meeting through the Fourth Princess, Sigrid Ephania.
Dalpion is currently in cahoots with the group known as Ixion, or as I like to call them, the World Erosion Gang.
The reason? To fulfill the Emperor’s command to cure a disease that has plagued the royal family for ages.
It’s crucial to sever ties between the Empire and Ixion.
Thus, meeting with Dalpion without delay is imperative.
But the problem lies within the location.
‘The Empire, huh?’
Kraush pondered, thinking about the Empire.
Regardless, Kraush is currently affiliated with the Starlon Kingdom.
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 Dalpion could very well be a trap.
He could easily turn Kraush over to Ixion in exchange for the royal family’s illness to be cured.
‘After all, someone who knows everything is more trustworthy.’
Above all, Kraush understood that knowing the secrets passed down in the royal family meant they wouldn’t be outright hostile toward Ixion.
‘Not to mention the wildcard that is Abella.’
The person truly occupying Kraush’s thoughts was none other than Abella.
Kraush suspected that Abella likely collaborated with Ixion.
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 Dalpion at their meeting and demonstrate the power of the Black Hood.
“Are you burning up with all that heavy thinking?”
As he heard a voice, Kraush 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.
The fourth princess of the empire, Sigrid Ephania.
She was the one who arranged the meeting with Dalpion and informed him about the internal affairs involving Ixion.
Not to mention, she is perhaps the most devoted fan of the Empire.
She wished for the Empire to thrive without collapsing in the future.
“I can’t help but think in this situation.”
“True, I can see why.”
Sigrid understood Kraush’s predicament, so she didn’t dispute his words.
Clunk—
Hearing the rattling of the carriage, Kraush quietly observed Sigrid.
She was said to have the world’s sharpest intellect.
Additionally, she’d already met with the important Dalpion beforehand.
“What do you think?”
It would be ideal to draw from Sigrid’s opinions.
Upon hearing Kraush’s question, Sigrid fell silent for a moment.
“You know there are a lot of variables in this matter.”
Her words were something Kraush completely agreed with.
“Honestly, the potential scenarios are numerous. With all these variables, there are at least twenty possible outcomes.”
Now it made sense why she hesitated to share her thoughts.
As she said, this situation was fraught with uncertainty.
Most significantly, emotions indeed played a major part.
Abella’s affection for Arthur.
The Emperor’s desire to cure his disease.
Dalpion‘s dedication to the royal family.
Ixion’s ambition to create a god of world erosion.
These intertwining sentiments birthed numerous unpredictables.
“Still, if we are to consider the most probable outcome...”
Sigrid directed her bright yellow eyes at Kraush.
“A woman can embody adulthood while still cherishing her girlhood.”
Knock, knock—
Just then, a sound broke from the carriage door.
Sigrid, seeing the fun had gone on long enough, withdrew her finger from Kraush‘s grasp and opened the carriage door.
Standing there was a well-built man.
At first glance, he appeared masculine, but her identity was none other than Sera Betella, Sigrid’s mighty bodyguard.
Upon meeting Kraush’s eyes, she nodded politely and assisted Sigrid in descending the carriage.
As Sigrid sprang down nimbly, Kraush followed suit.
No one seemed to take note of their arrival.
Since the carriage itself wasn’t particularly flashy, 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.”
Sigrid was already heading down the path.
Moving smoothly through the marketplace, even with a princess from the royal family strolling openly, nobody gave them a second glance.
Not even with a bona fide Balheim family member from the Starlon Kingdom 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 I come here often.”
Yes, one might wonder how often a princess actually wanders beyond the castle walls.
However, Sigrid 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.”
Sera let out a wry smile as she stood guard beside Sigrid.
She had been Sigrid’s 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 down lately.”
“Sera, I was always calm!”
Pouting, Sigrid objected to Sera’s 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 playful pout, Sigrid continued her walk.
Eventually, a building came into view, lurking at the market’s edge.
The vacant establishment looked forlorn.
A glance at the surrounding empty units hinted that this location wasn’t thriving in business.
Sigrid 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 Sigrid’s direction, Kraush closed the door behind him.
At that moment, Sigrid 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 Sigrid pushed the door open, a room laid 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.
Upon laying eyes on him, Kraush felt an uncanny chill surge from deep within.
His instincts sensed the disparity between their strengths.
As he lazily opened his eyes, the man met Kraush’s gaze, his dark brown eyes glinting with interest.
“You’ve finally arrived.”
This man was Dalpion Junon.
The head of House Junon, often referred to as the Heavenly Emperor.
It hit Kraush suddenly.
At this level, it was evident he was nowhere near the Heavenly Sword Maven.
Whatever they did today, if it was against Dalpion’s 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 its lair.
In the end, everything should be captured, right?