### Chapter: 405
“Hey, you know what? If you come back all bandaged up again, I’ll really flip this time.”
—
After receiving gifts from Bianca and Haring, Kraush was greeted with this stern warning from Astria, who had just returned from handling business with Karandis.
—
While Kraush’s regained strength delighted him, Astria, who had always treated his injuries, couldn’t help but worry he might revert to his old reckless self.
—
Kraush understood her reaction. Astria’s face had noticeably brightened just knowing he wasn’t getting hurt anymore.
—
“So, what’s going on with the Holy Kingdom?”
“Let’s change the subject,” he attempted, but Astria shot him a glare, giving him the updates anyway.
—
“Nothing much, really. But it’s true that contacts with the gods have decreased lately.”
Kraush was aware of this trend—specifically related to the news from the Maritime Kingdom. The gods had seemed especially restless over the past five years when they were unable to freely display their abilities due to the presence of the Gold King.
—
The ongoing discussions within the Holy Kingdom reflected this situation. Kraush had received regular reports, and Astria had visited Freeman in his absence.
—
“At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if no one makes contracts with gods over the next ten years.”
Kraush rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
—
The gods craved human talents to elevate their status, bestowing skills upon humans in return for their posthumous talents when they ultimately kick the bucket.
—
“Gods wanting to elevate themselves by limiting contracts, huh?”
Kraush found himself perplexed by this predicament.
—
Was it a lack of information about the divine realm? He was increasingly confronted with situations that made no sense.
—
“Is it a shortage of intel?”
Thanks to repeated reincarnations, he had once held an informational edge, only to now realize it was becoming useless. The world had turned unpredictable.
—
[Maybe what’s more important to them than skill contracts has emerged.]
At that moment, Crimson Garden introduced another angle.
—
There might be something more significant than just acquiring human talents. While no one knew what it was yet, it could initiate unpredictable events.
—
“Kinda feels like it’s an unending saga with the Four Horsemen, the divine realm, and all,” Kraush thought.
Just when they managed to seal off the Gold King and take down the Witch of Annihilation, it turned out this chaotic world was brimming with unpredictable dangers.
—
Having taken a deep breath, Kraush refused to let it dishearten him. Many people were out there working to resolve these issues.
—
“It’s not just my burden to bear.”
He hoped to avoid stirring the pot unnecessarily.
—
“Just don’t let things get ugly before they blow up,” he mused.
Yet Kraush was not one to sit idle until something exploded. By then, it would be too late.
He had no intention of losing the world he had fought so hard to protect.
—
“Thanks. Let me know if you hear more.”
“Just words?”
—
With a playful pout, Astria shot him a mischievous look. Recognizing the implied meaning behind her words, Kraush returned a cheeky grin.
—
“Astria, you’re the one who initiated the last encounter.”
“Eek!”
—
Suddenly, Astria’s face turned beet red. She fidgeted with her lips, clutching her skirt tightly.
“B-but you said you liked it!”
“True, I did like it.”
—
Kraush sensed that Astria had a stronger appetite than the others. Perhaps having lived as a Holy Maiden, she’d learned to hide such desires until now, but it often felt more pronounced.
Even Kraush, who considered himself in good shape, sometimes felt outclassed by Astria’s enthusiasm.
—
“And you enjoy my touch just as much.”
Astria subtly emphasized her chest, and as a man, Kraush found it hard to ignore such blatant displays.
While others were impressive too, Astria definitely stood out.
—
Knowing Kraush was fond of her made Astria grow more confident lately. It was said she’d been going through some secret training.
—
In reality, saying she was just a girlfriend was rather accurate.
Kraush admired Karandis’s boldness and hard work, and because of that, he held affection for her.
—
His wives, unlike the others, had their reasons for favoring Karandis above all.
—
If Karandis and Kraush decided to get married right now, none of his wives would object.
This notion had become practically an unspoken agreement among them.
—
“How’s life treating you?”
However, from a public perspective, it could seem different.
While Kraush had married four times already, he had yet to have an official ceremony with Karandis.
—
Her standing remained merely that of Kraush’s girlfriend, with no signs of advancement.
—
Karandis had crossed the prime of her eligible age for marriage, having surpassed the typical age for noblewomen, who usually wed by their late teens to early twenties.
—
It was understandable given her circumstances; she might be concerned about others bringing it up. So, when Kraush asked, Karandis smirked while covering her mouth.
—
“I haven’t just been twiddling my thumbs while bearing your name, you know. I have some leverage on my old man.”
—
So, she had come prepared.
That would explain Karandis’s unusually confident demeanor.
—
“You’re right, though. While no one’s said anything, I bet you wouldn’t mind if a younger girl got married.”
—
Kraush blinked in surprise upon hearing that.
“I like you just as you are, Karandis. That’s why I’ve allowed it.”
“Eh?”
—
Karandis immediately blushed at his casual words.
But this was indeed Kraush’s true sentiment.
He wouldn’t behave like this if she was another girl; he genuinely felt this way because it was Karandis.
—
“And it seems you’ve forgotten I’m the reincarnation. Based on mental age, you’re a good bit younger than me, Karandis.”
—
After all, he’s lived long enough.
He wouldn’t suddenly be thinking about preferring someone younger.
—
Upon hearing Kraush’s remarks, Karandis shyly lowered her head, her face flushed.
—
“It seems you’re getting sneakier the more you go.”
“Must be my age.”
—
Kraush laughed briefly as Karandis pulled him closer with enthusiasm, albeit with lingering reluctance.
—
“I still love you, Kraush. No matter how old you get, you’re still my favorite.”
“That’s sweet of you.”
“Ugh, should we just get married already? With you saying things like that, I just want to forget everything and stay by your side.”
—
Though that was something she could afford to say anytime.
Karandis certainly intended to keep her promise to herself.
So, Kraush merely smiled at her words.
—
“Things are going smoothly.”
—
Just then, a familiar voice caught Kraush’s attention.
Turning his head, he was greeted by a hulking figure.
The man with gills around his neck flashed an enormous grin upon seeing Kraush and Karandis.
—
“You finally made it! Dino Bardon!”
Recognizing him with joy, Kraush nodded in response.
“It’s been a while, Sir Dino Bardon.”
—
It was the Sea King, Dino Bardon—the man with the most profound contracts with the gods in this world.