### Chapter 366
The Sensation of Floating
Kraush felt like he was floating.
It seemed he had pushed himself to the limit and this was the result.
How long did this floating sensation last?
Gradually feeling lethargic, Kraush slowly lifted his eyelids.
Then he realized he was leaning against someone’s thigh.
He quickly figured out who that someone was.
After all, no one else could cover that much area above him.
Only Ebelasque or one other person would fit that bill.
“...Astria.”
As Kraush called her name, Astria’s sun-kissed hair swayed in front of him.
“You’re awake?”
It looked like she had her head bowed.
Sorry, but it was hard to see her face from this angle.
Kraush finally shifted a bit and propped himself up.
As he did, he caught Astria’s slightly sulky expression.
“How are you feeling?”
She asked about his condition, and Kraush lightly waved his arm.
“I’m good.”
“Of course you are. Someone healed you, didn’t they?”
Astria scoffed, then immediately turned her head.
Kraush glanced around, quickly realizing they were inside Ebelasque’s ghost carriage.
‘Looks like Ebelasque is up front.’
She was probably taking him to a nearby area of magic chaos, just as he had asked.
He decided to save his thanks for later.
Kraush looked back at Astria, tilting his head.
After all, he was curious why Astria was in the carriage with him.
Seeing the question in his eyes, Astria replied with a sigh.
“Talia Valess asked me to help. She said your condition was critical.”
Talia Valess.
The future brain king and a servant of Crimson Garden.
She must’ve relayed Crimson Garden’s request to Astria.
Kraush scratched his head awkwardly.
“Well, I had my reasons...”
“You always do.”
With Astria shooting him a glare, Kraush stopped scratching his head.
Having Astria beside him would make it easier to navigate through the kingdom.
So, it was hard to just brush this off.
“Sorry, I tried to close off the magic chaos and it ended up like this. And I’m planning to keep doing it.”
Astria stared at him for a moment.
Then, after a quick flicker of emotions, she let out a big sigh.
“I heard the World Eroder tell me directly. And I saw with my own eyes that you actually closed off the magic chaos, the Rain’s Remnant.”
Well, that was a relief that the conversation was moving quickly.
“Moreover, it’s a magic chaos that no one has managed to close until now. I know just how amazing that is.”
The magic chaos that even the Sanctuary of Stars couldn’t handle.
Kraush had closed it.
This was undoubtedly a remarkable achievement that wouldn’t be repeated in the world.
But putting all that aside, Astria felt a weight in her chest.
Every time Kraush came to her, he was hurt.
Sometimes, it was severe to the point of being speechless.
Seeing her beloved come to her in such a state was naturally difficult for Astria to endure.
Yet she had continued to treat him time and again.
Only she could heal him.
But.
But.
“The fact that you want to close the magic chaos...”
Astria looked at Kraush, suppressing her emotions.
The magic chaos wasn’t called that for no reason.
It was a place beyond human control and a place from which the world had been stolen.
That was the magic chaos.
There were countless magic chaos locations in the world.
Moreover, there were different levels of difficulty in each.
The magic chaos that existed long before humanity had its systems and powers was akin to a hellish nightmare.
Yet Kraush seemed determined to step into that chaos.
His goal included erasing it from this world forever.
Kraush was currently walking into the most dangerous place in the world all by himself.
Was there more to discuss?
As Astria puffed up her cheeks, he wasn’t sure what was coming next.
“You decided to take Haring in, huh?”
Where on earth did she hear that?
Kraush’s face went blank, and Astria’s expression morphed into one of indignation.
“...I confessed too, you know.”
Before he knew it, Astria punched Kraush lightly in the chest.
“I confessed! I did all sorts of things! I even gave you a first kiss, saying you’d take responsibility!”
Her punches began to grow more spirited.
Kraush silently took the hits.
After a while, Astria looked up at him with a pout, her eyes brimming with tears.
“Why can’t I...?”
Back when Bianca was in the picture, Astria had been okay with it.
She had already shared her heart with Kraush and was engaged to him.
But Haring was different.
On top of that, Astria had known Kraush longer than Haring.
It was heartbreaking and painful to realize that someone else was accepted while she wasn’t.
“Do you dislike me? Am I not good enough as a woman?”
Tears streaming down her cheeks, Astria looked down.
Aside from her pride as a woman, it broke her heart that the man she loved didn’t love her back.
Watching Astria like that, Kraush raised his hand.
Then, he gently cupped her cheek.
She radiated warmth akin to the sun, stronger than Kraush himself.
Thanks to that, he could feel her warmth through her cheek.
Kraush had never been able to accept Astria’s love.
Perhaps it was due to memories from before his reincarnation.
Kraush owed her his life.
She had sacrificed herself to save him, and thanks to the strength she had bestowed upon him, he had survived until the end.
That was the strength that had kept him going until now.
Perhaps because of that.
Kraush could never give a hasty answer to Astria’s confession.
Every time he pushed himself, memories of Astria’s face haunted him.
He thought of the answers he had never received from her when he called her name.
Terrified, Kraush continued to evade her replies.
Those past events had become a trauma for him.
But now.
Seeing her cry so pitifully right before him.
“Astria.”
It was a feeling he had known for a long time.
Having intertwined with her in various ways even before his reincarnation.
Kraush recalled the time Astria used to pout and complain when only he was around.
That version of Astria no longer existed.
Yet her actions and kindness had forever remained etched in Kraush’s heart.
“I have never disliked you, not even once.”
“If that’s the case...”
Just as Astria raised her gaze to question why he hadn’t accepted her.
She suddenly felt a soft touch against her lips, making her eyes go wide.
Then she slowly wrapped her arms around Kraush.
After a moment passed.
As Kraush pulled back, Astria’s face was bright red.
She had entirely forgotten about her tears and was looking around in embarrassment.
“I was just being a fool, hesitating only because I’m a coward. You’ve never been lacking as a woman.”
And now, she had finally made her decision.
“Astria, if you’re okay with this me, please stand with me.”
It felt like Kraush had somewhat padded his usual behavior towards her.
Though he had to beat around the bush a bit.
Seeing Astria’s glowing expression made it feel like the message had been delivered well enough.
“...Okay.”
Hearing her reply, Kraush smiled.
Everything should be alright now.
For a brief moment, Kraush thought back to the old Astria before his reincarnation.
The one who would always just complain.
If only he had found the courage to act sooner, perhaps she could have been grinning like this.
Sadness and joy.
Experiencing various emotions, Kraush accepted Astria that day.