### Chapter 335
The Sea King, Dino Bardon, issued a test.
The rules of the test were straightforward.
“The test is to bring back the Sea Dragon’s Pearl.”
The Sea Dragon’s Pearl.
It’s sort of like the treasure a cat coughs up—something the Sea Dragon, master of the ocean, regurgitates periodically.
But this Sea Dragon’s Pearl creates storms in the sea.
The problem is that this storm doesn’t just stir up the ocean; it kicks up waves everywhere.
While the Pearl contains the power of world erosion inside, it looks like an empty shell floating on the surface, causing it to drift on the waves.
Because of this, there are times when fishing boats can’t get near the area around the Sea Dragon.
“How do we reach the Sea Dragon?”
However, there was another problem.
If you handle the power of water like the Sea King, you wouldn’t face any issues.
But the Sea Dragon is still part of the ocean.
Naturally, to get to the Sea Dragon, you’d have to cross the sea.
Even Kraush, no matter how capable he was, couldn’t just swim across that distance barehanded.
“It might be possible, but…”
By the time he’d arrive, he’d probably be out of juice.
And, there’s no way he could fetch the Sea Dragon’s Pearl.
“Ha ha ha, figure it out yourself! That’s part of the test!”
Kraush’s eyes grew weary.
“The time limit is three days, when the ocean calms down.”
Dino said this before turning to leave.
“Just to reiterate, it’s first come, first served.”
As Dino walked away, Kraush glanced at his rival, Glide Lacroix.
He was the second son of the Pirate Empress, born after she lost her first son to the World Erosion at a young age, delaying her plans for another child.
He locked eyes with Kraush, who was the same age as the Sword King, Arthur Gramalte.
“I have a bad feeling about this. Is it a curse?”
From the moment he thought Glide would show up, Kraush had transformed all of the World Erosion’s powers into an aura.
However, he couldn’t just switch his bodily curse into an aura.
It seemed Glide could sense that curse.
“You’d best avoid abusing that. It’s not good for the future, either.”
His tone was flat, yet there was concern buried beneath it.
This guy was always so consistent, past and present.
Glide often maintained a stoic demeanor, but his words were always kind.
To everyone.
So, while people might initially feel scared of his expression and height, they quickly realized how friendly he truly was.
In fact, one of his hobbies was caring for flowers and animals.
Some might call him timid for that.
But Kraush knew his true side.
He was gentle, but only when it came to the “world.”
When it came to anything outside of the “world”…
If it was the World Erosion or something related to it, you’d understand why Glide was labeled the “Defeated Prince.”
The Pirate Empress, Glacis Lacroix, birthed him out of all her resentments and grievances toward the World Erosion.
Thus, he poured all of his hatred and grudges solely towards those outside the world.
That was Glide Lacroix.
“Be careful.”
“See you in three days, then.”
After confirming Kraush’s response, Glide left, following the departing Dino.
The shadow flickering behind him still looked disturbingly menacing.
And so, three days later, with the Ten Great Lords candidates’ tournament set in motion.
Kraush pondered how to reach the Sea Dragon and concluded rather simply.
“Best to ask Karandis for help.”
Even if he couldn’t borrow the Golden Ship, he could at least rent a vessel to get close to the Sea Dragon.
Kraush quickly inquired until he located Karandis’ whereabouts.
He had heard she was meeting the King of Poseus.
Now, it seemed like she had finished her meeting and was resting in her personal chamber.
Guided by a royal attendant, Kraush arrived at Karandis’s private room.
Her cornered chamber felt strangely desolate.
Knock knock—
“Lady Karandis Poseus, Sir Kraush Balheim has come to visit.”
The attendant politely called out to Karandis inside.
Then, footsteps sounded and the door swung open.
“Oh, Kraush!”
There stood Karandis, dressed as she was at the recent party.
Rather than resting, she seemed to have just returned.
“Karandis, sorry to interrupt your rest right after your meeting with the prince!”
“Huh? No, I just finished talking with the prince about an hour ago.”
Kraush blinked, confused.
Why didn’t she look at all like she’d rested after talking to the king just an hour ago?
Considering she had one-on-one time with the King of Poseus, he expected her to be exhausted.
But Kraush couldn’t help but notice how tired Karandis looked.
“Karandis, is something wrong?”
“No, why do you ask? Nothing’s wrong at all!”
Karandis laughed, trying to act nonchalant.
But that smile looked like someone who was deep in thought.
Kraush felt uneasy, but since she claimed nothing was wrong, he decided to let it slide for now.
“The reason I came to see you…”
Kraush shifted the topic right to the point.
After listening carefully, Karandis nodded.
“Okay, I’ll see what I can do about that.”
She readily agreed.
Thankfully, it seemed there wouldn’t be any issues getting to the Sea Dragon.
Kraush glanced at Karandis.
Despite listening to him, she still had that distant look on her face.
“Karandis, isn’t the royal palace uncomfortable for you?”
Karandis was the ninth princess.
He had seen how she wasn’t treated well in the royal palace during the party.
Having experienced discomfort in the Balheim’s estate during his own “commoner” days, he could empathize with her.
Maybe, for her, the Rahern Academy was her breath of fresh air.
“I’ll finish this test quickly and come back. Then we can return to the academy.”
Since he had come to Poseus because of her, Kraush declared that he would wrap things up and be back soon.
Then Karandis blinked, breaking into a slow, bittersweet smile.
“I’m sorry, Kraush.”
The sudden apology puzzled Kraush.
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve decided to quit Rahern Academy today. I can’t go back to the academy with you.”
“What?”
At that moment, words Kraush never expected to hear came tumbling out of Karandis.
“What do you mean by that?”
Karandis was the most passionate person he knew.
She might not possess overwhelming talent, but she certainly made up for it with perseverance and hard work, in his eyes.
Kraush had a high regard for her.
He recognized her talent enough to change his perspective from before his reincarnation.
So, it was completely bizarre for him to hear her say she was dropping out of Rahern Academy.
Kraush looked at her with a blank expression.
“I’ve been quite the nuisance, haven’t I? I’m sorry.”
While still rambling, Karandis kept talking.
“Nevertheless, I definitely will help you this time, so don’t worry.”
She finished her monologue.
“I think I need to get some rest now. See you then.”
If it had been anyone else, they would have ended the conversation there and left.
It seemed like the other person was only fixated on finishing what they had to say.
But Kraush was different.
“Wait!”
He grasped Karandis’ wrist, who was about to pull away.
When she turned to him with a surprised look, he frowned.
“Stop talking nonsense and tell me what’s going on.”
There are times when having a nasty personality works in your favor.
You can ask directly without any hesitation.
Kraush hated dragging these discussions out.
He figured, most of the time, that ended up creating issues later.
“Speak now. If you wait and come crying later, I won’t help.”
Hearing Kraush’s words, Karandis looked stunned for a moment before slowly breaking into an incredulous smile.
“Does that mean you’re really going to help me without question?”
“Yeah.”
Kraush answered, emphasizing how obvious that should be.
“You dragged me into the Lion’s Order. I can’t show my face around if I don’t bring you along as one of its leaders.”
It was a thoroughly self-centered remark.
“And more importantly, I just don’t like it.”
Kraush looked at Karandis.
“Karandis, I don’t want you to leave Rahern Academy against your will.”
Karandis fell silent.
Thinking back, he had always been this way.
Maybe it was his natural personality, but no matter how sarcastic he got, Kraush was always honest.
And beneath that honesty was a sincerity born out of genuine concern for others.
That must be why so many people gathered around him.
Somewhere along the line, Karandis had become one of those people.
“…You’re so like yourself, Kraush.”
For some reason, this side of Kraush energized Karandis, and she smiled.
“The prince has arranged a marriage for me.”
“A marriage?”
“Yeah, they say it’s with a pretty decent noble from Starlon.”
She managed a reluctant smile as she rolled her eyes back to the mention of Starlon.
“The harsh reality of being the ninth princess—it’s a fate used for a political marriage.”
She confessed that she had anticipated this for a long time.
“But still, I’ve been able to live my life doing the things I want, so now it’s probably time to do my duty.”
Karandis placed a flat expression that showed she had accepted her situation.
Watching her, Kraush asked.
“Karandis, then why were you hesitant to tell me this?”
Karandis didn’t want to speak her mind.
Though she claimed to have accepted all of reality, she had wanted to hide this truth from Kraush.
“…….”
Karandis remained silent.
“You’re reluctant to enter into that marriage, aren’t you?”
Kraush hit the nail on the head.
“How can I not be? I intended to marry you, Kraush, for the sake of power and position!”
Karandis exclaimed while shaking her hands in protest.
“That’s just it! The only difference is that someone else has taken that role. It doesn’t change anything.”
“How can that not change anything?”
However, Kraush wasn’t satisfied with that excuse.
“The goal you had has been hijacked by someone else.”
Karandis pressed her lips together.
Whatever her goal was, she had been striving towards it.
Now, it was all at risk of being snatched away. Who would be happy about that?
“But Kraush, there’s nothing I can do about it.”
Karandis wrapped her arms around herself.
“I’m the ninth princess.”
“Then toss that ninth princess aside.”
“What?”
Karandis’s eyes widened in shock.
She hadn’t expected him to suggest she discard her status as a princess of Poseus.
“Karandis, I’ve seen you rise far beyond the ninth princess of Poseus.”
It was rather because she was trapped within Poseus that she felt stifled.
“It’s a loss for everyone that you’re sacrificing yourself for the royal family.”
In this world, those who are strong cannot be ignored.
Karandis, who had already achieved top scores at the prestigious Rahern Academy filled with prodigies, was sought after by many.
“The options are limitless for you.”
“You’re smart.”
Kraush told her to think of her worth, and Karandis blinked in surprise.
She then looked around as though deep in thought, then slowly returned to her usual cheerful demeanor.
“Are you saying, if you take responsibility for me, I can ditch the title of princess?”
How did it end up this way?
“With that, the prince would likely approve too. If you, a direct descendant of Balheim, take responsibility for me, the king would seize it as an opportunity!”
“Wait, Karandis, how did this take such a turn…”
Karandis quietly surrounded Kraush’s hand that held her wrist.
“I’ll give it a shot.”
She beamed a radiant smile.
Seeing that, Kraush couldn’t help but pause in his persuasion.
Since she said she would give it a try, he felt he had to trust her.
Actually, this was much more like Karandis.
Because she was someone who could get things done.
