Chapter 7

Chapter 7 (7/223)

The Shrine of Stars.

Kraush chuckled bitterly as he heard the name, which was grandiose even upon second thought. It was a name that reeked of high pride, as if to say, "We are not just any noble offspring." After all, these were the young people who believed they would lead Staron in the future. It was only natural, in a sense.

'But the reality is that the world is on the brink of destruction.'

Do these kids even know the duties of a noble? In this world, the reason nobles are respected is because they stand against the world's corruption on behalf of others. Some must feel this duty and train daily. But for others, the reality is that they just enjoy parties and have no sense of duty.

Kraush wondered how many of the kids in the Shrine of Stars were truly up to the task. The creaking carriage was heading to the Shrine of Stars, a place not far from Balheim. As a result, Kraush had to spend about a day in the carriage. He looked at Bianca, who was nodding off in front of him. Perhaps because she loved reading but found it difficult to do so in the carriage, she had started to doze off.

'When I thought she was being quiet, I wondered what was going on.'

For Kraush, the carriage ride was a time to train his aura. But for Bianca, who didn't have such a practice, it was understandable that she would feel sleepy. The problem was the carriage itself.

Bump!

Due to the bumpy road, the carriage could shake at any moment. Just then, Bianca, who had her head down, was jolted forward by the shaking carriage. Being young, she was small and light, so she was lifted off her seat by the jolt. Kraush quickly reached out and caught her, letting out a sigh of relief. When he lowered his head, Bianca was looking at him with wide eyes.

"Lord Kraush?"

Kraush straightened her up and got up from his seat. He then plopped down next to her, cradled her head, and laid it on his lap.

"Go to sleep."

Bianca, who had unexpectedly ended up using his lap as a pillow, glanced up at Kraush. Despite his gruffness, she could feel his kindness. Soon, she closed her eyes and fell asleep. With the sound of her snoring as background music, Kraush looked out the carriage window at the scenery outside.

Perhaps because it was his first time seeing it, the street scenes were not as familiar as they used to be. As he thought about how such places existed, the day-long carriage journey was coming to an end. Kraush arrived at a luxurious building built on an island in a lake. The building, accessible via a bridge in the middle, was originally the most famous tourist spot in the area, the Arayong Inn. However, today, the entire inn was rented out for the gathering of noble offspring of Staron, the Shrine of Stars. The meeting place for the Shrine of Stars was decided in rotation, and this was a lavish affair.

Kraush got out of the carriage and looked at the Arayong Inn.

"What a waste of money. What a waste of money."

After being sent to Rahelren Academy as if being chased out of Balheim, Kraush had received almost no support beyond the basics. As a result, he had a proper sense of money, and such extravagance did not sit well with him.

"Lord Kraush."

Meanwhile, Bianca opened the carriage door and came out. She rubbed her eyes and looked for Kraush with her still sleepy eyes. Recently, she had been looking for Kraush as soon as she woke up.

"You're awake. You were snoring like crazy."

"I don't snore."

She replied with a serious face.

"No, you were."

"I don't snore."

Seeing her stubbornness in an odd place, Kraush shrugged and looked at Aliod. Aliod brought a coat he had prepared and placed it on Bianca's shoulders.

"It's cold, so put it on properly."

Hearing Kraush's words, Bianca pulled the coat around her.

"Oh, you're from the north, so this level of cold should be fine, right?"

Thinking he might be overthinking, Kraush said this, but Bianca shook her head.

"It's warm."

The warm coat made her forget the winter cold immediately.

"Let's go in."

"Yes."

"Please have a safe trip, both of you."

As Kraush started to walk, Bianca followed him like a chick. The interior of the Arayong Inn was as luxurious as the outside, with a grand lobby.

"Welcome. This is the Arayong Inn."

A servant approached and greeted Kraush and Bianca. Kraush took a letter from his pocket and handed it over.

"I have confirmed. The party is on the 8th floor, so I will guide you."

The 8th floor, the highest and most expensive floor of the Arayong Inn. Upon hearing that the party was held there, Kraush clicked his tongue and followed the servant. A short while later, Kraush rode a magic elevator to the 8th floor. There, servants in expensive clothes lined up, and as Kraush and Bianca passed, they bowed in unison.

"Lord Kraush Balheim and Lady Bianca Hadenharts have arrived!"

As one servant loudly announced, the door to the party room opened. The moment it did, the gazes of the people inside turned sharply towards them.

"Balheim?"

"Kraush, the youngest, right?"

"Balheim's half-penny."

As soon as Kraush entered, numerous whispers followed. For Kraush, this level of whispering was familiar. At Rahelren Academy, he had faced even worse. However, among these whispers, there were the real ones.

"Balheim? An interesting friend has arrived!"

"Barak, behave."

Kraush's eyes caught a group in the distance. One of them was a man with a cat-like appearance, with a pattern on his arm that resembled a tiger's stripes. Another was a woman who, despite being only 14, was tall and had a peculiar resemblance to a magpie. Among them, the most annoying was a man sitting at the center. He had dark hair, slightly downturned eyes, and a handsome face. One of the same generation of the Sky, he was known as Anix Griza, the Wood Bow. They were the true strong ones at this party, and unlike the others, they had already awakened their talents. They were the three greats who would later represent Staron. They all looked at Kraush with interest, but the interest they showed was not a good sign.

'Certainly.'

It was because of an incident at the Shrine of Stars. Through that incident, they had felt the overwhelming gap between Balheim and ordinary nobles.

'Sharlotte single-handedly defeated twenty noble fighters of the Shrine of Stars.'

And she did so without a scratch, overwhelmingly. After that incident, Sharlotte had not shown up at the Shrine of Stars. Kraush remembered the incident when Aliod told him about the Shrine of Stars. The way he learned about it was peculiar because Sharlotte had come to him and told him herself.

'She said she wore a dress that clung to her body and revealed her chest to deliberately send him signals.'

The sight of her giggling in that dress in front of him was nothing short of terrifying for Kraush. Among the people he knew, Sharlotte was the closest to being a malevolent character.

'Unpleasant memories are coming back.'

Feeling an unpleasant mood, Kraush noticed that the gazes had shifted to Bianca.

"Hadenharts, the conqueror of the north?"

"Bianca, the one called the Snow Maiden. I heard there was news of her engagement to Balheim."

"One is a cursed child, the other a half-penny. It's a pity for her appearance, even if she's young."

"Don't look at her. You might catch the curse."

Bianca, who had come with him, was also receiving harsh glares. While he didn't mind the criticism directed at him, Kraush felt annoyed that Bianca was being included. He glared at the ones who were talking.

His already fierce eyes twisted menacingly, and those who feared the name Balheim naturally averted their gaze. Power was a scary thing, especially for those who lived by it.

"Lord Kraush."

At that moment, Bianca, who had been following him, called out. Thinking she might be uncomfortable, he turned his head, and she gently grabbed his collar.

"Don't pay attention to what others say."

Kraush looked at Bianca with a slightly bewildered expression.

Does she not even hear the insults about herself?

After looking at Bianca for a moment, Kraush chuckled.

"I don't give a damn."

Rather, Balheim was more terrifying; would he care about such things?

"What does 'give a damn' mean?"

At that moment, Bianca's question made Kraush close his mouth and turn away. He decided to be more careful about swearing in front of Bianca.

***

The party continued as more people arrived after the two. Thanks to the constant chatter among the Shrine of Stars, Bianca and Kraush were soon forgotten.

'That guy isn't here.'

Since the Shrine of Stars was a gathering of the top 10 noble offspring of Staron, Kraush had expected him to be here, which was why he had come.

Kraush felt a sense of disappointment. Just then,

"Lord Dalfelion has arrived!"

A servant's loud voice announced, and a person walked in. The first thing that caught the eye was her dark blonde hair, tied up in a braid. Her prominent nose and a radiant smile that lit up her face. She had an average height and a slender figure, and unlike the other women in dresses, she wore a skirt and pants. Her top was simple yet unique, with frills, and it immediately drew people's attention.

"Given how she always arrives late, she must like drawing attention."

"Keck, a weirdo."

"Oh, Lady Dalfelion, you look great today."

Interestingly, her evaluations were very diverse. To Kraush, she was a weirdo among weirdos. And she was the reason Kraush had come to this Shrine of Stars.

'There's no way that attention-seeker wouldn't come to a place where her peers are gathered.'

His prediction was spot on.

"Hello, everyone, hello!"

Seeing her excitedly greeting everyone upon arrival, Kraush immediately took a step forward.

"Bianca, wait here."

"Mm, I understand."

Bianca, who was eating a piece of meat Kraush had brought, covered her mouth and replied. She was good at waiting alone, so it shouldn't be a problem. With that, Kraush confidently walked towards Dalfelion, who was surrounded by people. Those around her noticed Kraush and subtly moved away, not wanting to get involved with him. As a result, Kraush could easily stand in front of Dalfelion.

"Hmm? I don't recognize this kid."

Dalfelion, who was three years older than Kraush, tilted her head. Seeing his face and the reactions of the people around her, she tilted her head again.

"Hmm, that face, I've seen it somewhere..."

"I'm Kraush Balheim."

Upon introducing himself, Dalfelion's eyes sparkled for a moment. Her eyes were filled with interest. It was only natural, as she was a crazy fan of Sharlotte, genuinely so.