Chapter 81
‘The problem is that there are prerequisites to fulfill for that.’
Hilnider looked at Kraush without wiping the smile off his face.
“Shall we speak candidly?”
At Hilnider’s remark, Kraush gazed at him with confusion.
Seeing that puzzled expression, Hilnider almost chuckled inwardly.
But after all, he was the future leader of Staron.
He had been honing many techniques and insights to stand at the peak of politics, even if he wasn’t as brilliant as the imperial genius, Cizzly Epania.
‘He’s deliberately not reacting in front of me.’
As the first prince, he was trying to draw me into a reaction.
‘How interesting. The rumors of him shedding the fool’s label seem to be true.’
So Hilnider decided to throw in some bait.
Kraush had shed the label of Valheim’s fool not just by awakening talent.
“My feeling is that you must have some business with me as well.”
Kraush’s response remained as indifferent as ever.
With that reaction, it was clear.
From the moment he had introduced the term “candid,” to now, Kraush showed no signs of being intimidated, even in front of the first prince.
It was because he already knew exactly what kind of game he was playing.
“Well, you’re the one who came to me, so it’s not exactly for my sake, is it, Mr. Hilnider?”
“Right, I thought I might be the only one with something to gain. But looking into your eyes, it seems that’s not the case.”
Hilnider maintained a bright smile.
“The reason I’m here today is that I wonder if we could form a good bond. Recently, many talents have gathered at Rahelrn Academy, and a power struggle is currently underway there. And the representative of the Four Kingdoms is your sister.”
“You mean my sister Charlotte.”
Kraush’s response expressed that he was already aware.
And if he knew that, it also meant he had an idea of what the current situation might be.
“If you know that, then you also understand. Charlotte isn’t suited for the position of a representative.”
Charlotte lived solely according to her own principles.
She was free-spirited, reckless, and ultimately uncontrollable.
She was strong as an individual but not suitable for drawing out the strength of a group.
Because of this, the conflict between the Four Kingdoms and the Empire was heading in an unfavorable direction.
Indeed, having such a strong Charlotte meant that the Four Kingdoms couldn’t hastily present another representative.
Meanwhile, the Empire was actively unifying under Sigryn.
It could easily lead to a situation where the balance was lost.
“Given that talents have concentrated at Rahelrn Academy more than expected, frankly, I think it’s dangerous if the Empire takes control of the board.”
“Is it alright for you to say such important things in front of me?”
Hilnider chuckled lightly.
“I’m sure you have a rough idea about why I’m saying this.”
So he decided to stop feeling the waters.
And Kraush, as expected, spoke up with penetrating insight about Hilnider’s intentions.
“Next year, enroll at Rahelrn Academy, seize control of the Four Kingdoms, and the Empire will provide support. Isn’t that what you want to say?”
Hilnider’s eyes widened with mirth, shining like crescent moons.
Despite the rudeness of Kraush’s words in front of the first prince, it only heightened his interest.
“Isn’t it a bit premature for me, as the first prince, to use the term ‘support from Staron’?”
“It’s a matter for next year, so that’s alright.”
Hilnider swallowed a laugh at the next words.
Next year, Hilnider would definitely secure the throne of Staron and enter serious preparations for the succession.
From that point on, the scale of Hilnider’s influence would change entirely.
The nobles who had been holding their breath would now be able to express full support without reservation.
Kraush seemed to anticipate this fact, speaking as if he knew about it beforehand.
This was all information that was still circulating only within the Staron royal family.
“…Is that an interpretation from Valheim?”
“Since I don’t get along particularly well with the family, it’s merely my personal opinion.”
Hilnider couldn’t help but smile at how well Kraush seemed to understand him.
Hilnider stifled a moment of exasperation.
He had a bead of cold sweat on his forehead, however, because he knew that while it was certain Hilnider would inherit the throne, the fact that it was next year was information understood only among his close advisors.
‘With the establishment of Rahelrn Academy, friction is subtly developing between the Four Kingdoms and the Empire. Because of that, I hurried the succession while also hastily starting my succession lessons so that I wouldn’t be crushed under the power disputes before His Majesty steps down.’
Kraush had understood this fact even before Hilnider spoke.
‘Yet you call it a personal opinion.’
Hilnider considered that comment to be a lie.
Kraush was undeniably backed by Valheim.
And it indirectly showed Hilnider that Valheim had ears to gauge the royal family’s circumstances through Kraush.
Thus, he began to gradually revise his thoughts about Kraush.
‘…Valheim has continuously supported Kraush while secretly labeling him as a fool.’
His recent growth rate was abnormal, even for Valheim to notice.
But if that was all a façade and he had been hiding his true abilities, it made sense.
‘And I had him display some moves to pique my interest. No, it wouldn’t just be me. It’d be those with the power to access Valheim’s youngest.’
When those with similar power approached, what benefit would Valheim gain?
It meant that Valheim could build its influence alongside the royal family without facing resistance from other nobles.
So far, Valheim had been reigning as the strongest family in Staron; hence they had to bear the intrigues of the nobility in silence.
The Staron royal family, too, had been maintaining a careful balance to ensure Valheim wouldn’t exceed their power.
The nobles under them had to keep an eye out for fear of Valheim’s influence growing.
‘Valheim dug into those points and fashioned Kraush into a fool.’
And now, reanimating him would lead Hilnider and others, even the Empire, to reach out for him.
Just as Hilnider originally wanted to make Kraush a pawn of the royal family, many would be aiming at Valheim and thus approach Kraush.
As a result, those originally intending to manipulate Kraush to their liking would find themselves ensnared in Valheim’s trap instead.
‘Because all things passed to Kraush will eventually be grasped by Valheim.’
The kingdoms and the Empire would indiscriminately toss wood onto the fire that was Kraush.
Unbeknownst to them, those very logs would reinforce the house of Valheim.
And meanwhile, Kraush was gazing at Hilnider with an unimpressed expression.
‘The sound of gears turning is audible from here.’
Hilnider was insightful.
Even with Valheim’s backing, he had managed to endure a war with the Empire and eventually persuaded other kingdoms to drive the Empire away.
It was Hilnider’s ability, achieved by identifying the internal issues within the Empire through information gathering and keen observation.
Of course, even Hilnider couldn’t avoid the world’s destruction.
Anyway, Kraush held a certain respect for him.
‘And therein lies the trap.’
Being clever—what does that imply?
It means having the exceptional ability to deduce the origin of information from mere snippets and tracing back the process by which that information came about.
Without a doubt, this ability would greatly assist in running a country.
While his deductive ability wasn’t on par with Cizzly, it was remarkably high and had proven accurate in countless instances.
It wasn’t without reason that he was very young yet had confirmed his succession to the throne.
Thus, Kraush decided to use this to his advantage.
Hilnider would never suspect that a 14-year-old boy would boldly spill vital information gleaned from memories of his past life.
‘It’s only natural for him to picture Valheim as my backer.’
Kraush felt he wasn’t up to par with the level of mind games possessed by Hilnider or Cizzly.
He knew well that among genuine geniuses, merely opening his mouth would only land him in trouble.
‘So I’ll just throw a calculated move out there.’
Letting Hilnider’s remarkable mind decipher it as it pleases.
Just as a genius could not comprehend a criminal, a criminal could not grasp the thoughts of a genius.
“Phew.”
Hilnider took a deep breath, covering his face with his hand.
‘Should I say I’ve been nicely caught? Or should I thank fate for being the first to arrive?’
As Kraush had anticipated, Hilnider tidily organized everything in his mind.
“So you deliberately informed me. Should I assume that Valheim isn’t hostile toward Staron?”
“Valheim in Staron would never oppose Staron.”
“Ah, hearing that puts my mind at ease. I do like Valheim, a family known for producing many heroes.”
Hilnider smiled, looking relieved.
“So, what do you think of my proposal?”
This was the proposal that Kraush had directly articulated earlier.
Despite knowing that Valheim was using him, his offer remained unchanged.
Kraush paused for a moment, tapping the armrest with his finger.
Then smiled broadly.
“What about this proposal?”
“…It seems you have another thought in mind.”
Kraush’s intentions were intrinsically linked to Valheim’s aspirations too.
So, he quietly waited for Kraush to speak.
“Kraush Valheim is, after all, a fool. The butchers of Hadenharz were in a dreadful state under the Empire’s pursuit during the last downfall, and we only barely managed to defeat a master-level talent and Pendalrod this time.”
A hint of perplexity crossed Hilnider’s face.
“…Surely you know that you can’t cover the sun with your hand, right?”
“Yes, you can’t shield the sun with your hand. But what if that hand belongs to the Staron royal family? That’s quite sizable, isn’t it? Plus, we could toss in Valheim’s hand for good measure.”
“Hmm, but those kind of rumors might not last even a year.”
The world was vast.
Thus, even while genuine information spread, false information flourished in abundance.
That’s why the Empire and the kingdoms rigorously verified the authenticity of information.
No matter how much one attempted to conceal information, once it spread, the truth would ultimately be discerned.
When Hilnider spoke of a year, he meant that.
“That’s fine. That should be enough time until I enroll at the Academy.”
Hilnider’s eyes lit up.
“If by the time you enroll, the once fanciful information turns into fact, then the gaze of all the kingdoms and the Empire will naturally converge on you. The Four Kingdoms and the Empire will be in a frenzy trying to contact you, shoving students your way.”
Rumors were ultimately like fire.
A blaze that ignites radiantly only to extinguish swiftly.
So Kraush was deliberately attempting to stifle that flame for now.
He hoped to allow it to flare up later, drawing everyone’s attention.
Especially after Staron and Valheim had gone to great lengths concealing the information, it would even lend credibility to its truth.
Hilnider couldn’t help but break into a whimsical laugh.
“Haha, well, what do you know? I hoped to cultivate things actively with the royal family’s support, yet here we are with a tiger already hiding its size.”
This was essentially a confirmation that all was well prepped.
Staron was merely entering the game, if anything at all.
“I’m thankful that Valheim leans in favor of the Staron royal family.”
“Valheim feels fortunate to have the understanding Staron royal family at its side.”
Kraush returned the banter amiably.
“Alright then, I’ll do my best. Today’s meeting was quite impressive.”
As Hilnider finished speaking, he stood up.
He had much work to do back at the royal family.
“Aren’t you skipping the meal? You alright with that?”
“You have to deal swiftly with rumors while they’re still fresh, don’t you think?”
“I can’t argue with that.”
Hilnider smiled at Kraush’s forthrightness.
Suddenly, he turned back as if a thought struck him.
“By the way, how strong are you actually at the moment?”
Using rumors was good, but standing at the center of Rahelrn Academy would ultimately hinge on his true abilities.
So as he asked, Kraush merely chuckled softly.
“There won’t be anyone who can defeat me at the Academy.”
In that moment, Hilnider caught a hint of Charlotte in Kraush.
Though she carried her arrogance, she possessed the strength to back it up.
Yet that was merely individual prowess; she was essentially an uncooperative entity.
But what of Kraush?
Not only did he spit out arrogant statements without hesitation, but he also said something that downright astonished Hilnider just now.
Perhaps the real star of Valheim was quietly waiting for the right moment.
“…I might need to revise my evaluation of Valheim a bit.”
He intentionally delivered words to convey expectations to Kraush and then turned to leave.
With Kraush Valheim vividly etched in his mind.
As Hilnider exited, Kraush reclined a bit in his chair, tensions releasing.
He covered his forehead and quietly let out a sigh.
“…Crimson Garden.”
[ Ugh, I’ve got no interest in this kind of stuff. ]
The now-appeared Crimson Garden settled into the spot where Hilnider had just sat.
“Let’s figure out just how far that guy’s wild thoughts stretch.”
[ Why not just let me inform you? ]
“If you do, I wouldn’t be able to do anything without you.”
Crimson Garden stared at Kraush for a moment.
It was clear it was trying to comprehend what he had undergone that led him to obsess over being self-sufficient.
[ So, how many people have you lost while I’ve been right beside you? ]
What Kraush was currently doing was clearly preparatory action against the potential issues that arose with each loss he experienced.
When Crimson Garden asked him with a heavy expression, Kraush offered no answer.
He had stood at the front alongside everyone when confronting destruction in the age of the Skies and had gulped down every curse imaginable in a bid to save those friends.
For Kraush, quantifying people didn’t hold any meaning.
“I’m just killing time, trying to keep pace with those geniuses.”
[ Hah, you brat. ]
That’s how Kraush began to mentally replay the discussion he’d had with Hilnider with Crimson Garden.
While Hilnider could arrive at conclusions swiftly, Kraush had to meticulously dissect the conversation from the start to genuinely glean its meanings.
Just as a genius cannot fathom a criminal’s thoughts, so too can a criminal fail to grasp the mind of a genius.
[ Later. ]
At that moment, Crimson Garden added in.
[ Keep that in mind for when you find yourself with nothing left to lose someday. ]
Kraush let out a hollow laugh.
He thought to himself that it would be a very, very long time before that day came.
