### Chapter: 243
The Skill of the Black Hood that Can Steal Anything, Provided Conditions are Met.
Kraush never thought he would use such a skill on the emperor, but here he was, lifting his right hand.
“Then, I request permission to steal away the White Stone Syndrome.”
“Such a polite thief,” chuckled Emperor Sirius Ephania, nodding his approval.
“I grant you permission.”
As soon as he said that, the light from the Black Hood erupted from Kraush’s hand.
Everyone present held a tense expression as they watched the spectacle unfold.
With the burst of light, something began seeping into Kraush’s hand.
At the same time, he sensed the presence of the White Stone Syndrome residing within his body.
Simultaneously, Ignis ignited within Kraush.
And it was this Ignis that began to burn the White Stone Syndrome.
The syndrome within him resembled an egg.
Kraush knew very well why it took the form of an egg.
The reason the royal family was afflicted with the hereditary White Stone Syndrome was simple.
It all began with their ancestors.
The Ephania royal family often prided themselves on being descendants of the White Dragon, claiming that the power they wielded was of the White Dragon.
This was an embellishment to cloak the royal family in mystery, and while they treated their abilities as secret arts passed down through generations, the truth was quite different.
Indeed, the Ephania royal family was truly of the White Dragon bloodline.
Their ancestors were the White Dragon King.
He was royalty from a world like Crimson Garden.
In other words, the Ephania royal family were descendants of the World Erosionists.
Since that was far in the past, little documentation remained, and it was a tale passed down only within the royal family.
Therefore, they played up their lineage of the White Dragon, feigning a sense of mystique.
As a result, people dismissed the claim of being of the White Dragon bloodline as mere joke, believing the royal family to be overly obsessed with mystique.
Paradoxically, by saying it openly, they avoided raising further suspicions.
The World Erosionist is the enemy of the world.
The fact that the imperial family descended from the World Erosionists must never be revealed.
Naturally, they concealed this fact and went to great lengths to hide the existence of White Stone Syndrome.
Moreover, they desperately wanted to eradicate this disease.
If they could eliminate merely the disease, they wouldn’t have to bear the label of being descendants of the World Erosionists.
White Stone Syndrome is evidence of being the successor of the White Dragon King.
It was a horrific legacy that the White Dragon King left for his descendants.
The dragon royalty bizarrely feared their own death.
They wished to live forever, and as a consequence, they meddled with many things they should’ve left untouched.
A prime example would be the Undying of Crimson Garden.
She entered a state of eternal slumber in exchange for immortality, watching the world through the eyes of her minions.
The same could be said for the White Dragon King.
To attain immortality, he chose to leave behind an egg that inscribed his soul into the bodies of his descendants.
However, the White Dragon King did not want to be born from weak flesh.
What he desired was a body of royal dragon blood.
Thus, while implanting the egg imbued with his soul, he took an additional step.
That was to transform the bodies of his matured descendants into royal dragon flesh.
The symptom of the body turning pale due to White Stone Syndrome is none other than the process of being transformed into a royal dragon’s body.
But most of the descendants could not withstand such a process.
They repeatedly died because of the White Stone Syndrome.
“But if there happens to be a descendant who can endure all the symptoms and ultimately survive…”
The egg residing within would hatch, and the White Dragon King would be reborn in a royal dragon body.
That was how the White Dragon King chose to live on.
He wanted to live eternally, siphoning the lives of his descendants without dying.
White Stone Syndrome was essentially the White Dragon King’s dream.
“All descendants who inherit the bloodline of the White Dragon King cannot escape the egg they carry within.”
Unless the White Dragon King were to be reborn, his soul would continuously pass on to the next generation.
Kraush also came to learn this truth during the process of treating Sigrid after the empire fell.
Thus, Kraush regarded White Stone Syndrome as a curse.
And now, within Kraush’s body, the egg of the White Dragon King resided.
As soon as the egg discovered a new body, it began exuding the power of the White Dragon in an attempt to claim it for itself.
However, it was unaware of how foolish such an act was.
The Ignis that blazed within Kraush began to purify the power of the White Dragon.
In any case, the foundation of the White Dragon’s power ultimately belonged to the power of World Erosion.
Before the purifying flames of Ignis, the power of the White Dragon could do nothing.
As the power of the White Dragon was incinerated, it rapidly began to permeate Kraush’s body.
Unaware of this fact, the egg continued surging forth with the power of the White Dragon.
As it all ignited, it was transformed into Kraush’s own power.
A slow smile crept onto Kraush’s lips.
Not a single person here understood the significance of handing over White Stone Syndrome to him.
“How does it feel, Your Majesty?”
Everyone assumed Kraush’s smile was due to the success of the treatment.
“…The pain is starting to subside,” Sirius mused, astonished as he assessed his own condition.
At that moment, the chief attendant standing beside him approached.
“Your Majesty, may I conduct a check-up?”
“Please do.”
The attendant, seemingly knowledgeable in medical affairs, quickly began examining Sirius.
Before long, even he was unable to hide his shock.
“Remarkably, the White Stone Syndrome has completely disappeared!”
The specialist had declared a complete recovery.
As that fact became known, the air around them changed instantly.
Sirius’s gaze toward Kraush transformed.
He was beginning to grasp reality.
The disease that had tormented him and the royal family for a lifetime, White Stone Syndrome—it had vanished.
With its disappearance, he felt an unprecedented surge of vitality.
“Hahaha!”
Sirius broke into a hearty laugh, rising from his seat and moving to clap Kraush on the shoulder.
“I want to express my gratitude on behalf of the entire Ephania royal family. As promised, I will prioritize all your requests.”
A mere 15-year-old boy had indebted the emperor.
If he did not repay this debt, it would be a shameful act for a ruler.
“Then, may I request one more thing?”
“Haha, say whatever you want.”
“I would like the return of the Diana family to politics to be handled by the Fourth Princess.”
If the Diana family were reinstated in politics just like that, it would mean it was entirely due to Sigrid’s influence.
In that case, the Diana family would fall entirely under her control.
‘Do you think I’ll just let that happen?’
Sirius raised an eyebrow, wishing Sigrid would keep Sigrid from becoming too involved in the imperial succession struggle.
Kraush chose to approach this topic when Sirius was in a good mood.
Then, Sirius looked upon him with a peculiar expression and lowered himself slightly.
“Hmm, while I did say I would grant any request, I have a bit of curiosity. May I ask you something?”
“Please, go ahead.”
A smile spread across his face at the same moment.
“Young Balheim, what is your relationship with Sigrid?”
An unexpected question hit Kraush like a brick.
His eyes blinked momentarily as he sensed a bad omen.
“…We attended Rahern Academy together.”
This was because the look in his eyes reminded him of a gaze he had once seen in the Poison King.
One difference was that the gaze held interest and greed.
“Colleagues, is it? I see.”
Sirius crossed his arms, lightly tapping his arms before grinning.
“Isn’t it common for famed heroes to save the world and win over beautiful women in tales and legends?”
“That’s just old folk tales.”
“Haha, nothing really changes, does it? After all, seeking beautiful women is a universal desire among all men.”
Who could have guessed this was the emperor talking?
This guy couldn’t help himself.
“Young Balheim, you’re the youngest in your family; how does our youngest fare?”
Sirius’s amber eyes sparkled intensely.
Facing them, Kraush felt even more pressure than when Sirius radiated the power of the White Dragon earlier.
Kraush’s gaze flitted over to Sigrid.
She watched the scene with keen interest, as if it were merely someone else’s affairs.
What a pair those two were.
“…I think she’s a good friend,” Kraush replied.
“Though far off from being an emperor, she holds herself well in status, and in looks, she resembles me.”
Without hesitation, Sirius continued boosting Sigrid’s reputation.
“Additionally, once they restore the Diana family and their accolades, they’ll become a central power among the noble forces in the capital.
Even if not as emperor, you won’t be lacking in status within the empire. Rather, Sigrid’s status will see a significant rise.”
As he spoke, he subtly squeezed Kraush’s shoulder.
“Thanks to you, my lifespan has greatly increased. There’s no immediate reason to hand the throne to my children. I’m planning to live another fifty years!”
“That’s something worth celebrating,” Kraush replied.
“Indeed. A cause for celebration. What’s more, this means I could skip over my children and pass the throne to my grandchildren if I wanted.”
Oh boy.
“I’m of age, and if I were to marry and have children, let’s see; by the time I’m eighty, my grandson will be nearing thirty.”
Sirius scratched his chin, grinning.
“If I find the right person, I wouldn’t hesitate to pass the throne to my grandchild, you know?”
A Balheim bloodline.
For all that, coupled with Sigrid’s intellect.
A new emperor who possessed both qualities would undoubtedly make Ephania a dominant power.
And Kraush found himself caught up immediately in that grand vision.
Sirius’s reforms were always far-reaching.
And those ripples focused on making the empire flourish.
“I have a fiancée,” Kraush finally asserted.
“I don’t particularly care if I have multiple women.”
Was this the mindset of those in high positions?
All their ethics lay shattered.
“However, I must insist that Sigrid be my primary wife.”
Otherwise, the throne wouldn’t be able to pass to his grandchild.
“Your Majesty.”
At that moment, it was Sigrid, who had maintained silence until now, who spoke up.
As Sirius turned his gaze toward her, Sigrid wore a smile reminiscent of his own.
“It wouldn’t do to rush into things, would it? I would like to discuss matters with Kraush myself. For today, perhaps it’s best to allow him some rest after his long journey to see Your Majesty.”
Such words could only be spoken by a princess.
However, as solid reasoning, they rang true.
Sirius regarded Sigrid for a moment before releasing his grip on Kraush’s shoulder.
“I see. You’re right. I was too pushy.”
Instead, he lightly patted Kraush’s shoulder before turning back to Dalpion.
“Dalpion, please guide the Balheim boy to a resting chamber. He’s an honored guest, so ensure he’s escorted safely.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will take my leave now.”
Dalpion bowed before leading Kraush out.
Sirius, meanwhile, continued smiling as he watched Kraush’s retreating figure.
It felt as though he would soon see this face again, perhaps sooner than expected.
…Or maybe it was just wishful thinking.
