I Became A Thief Who Steals Overpowered Skills

Chapter 19 Flowerless Emperors

The curse afflicting Bianca.

The Snowman.

The curse that stole emotions from Bianca had plagued her since birth.

Kraush needed her curse to kill the madness caused by world erosion.

He had been tirelessly working to unlock her dials up until now.

Just a few days ago, he finally managed to unlock the first dial of Bianca.

It was a tremendous achievement, but the problem was the second dial.

What is this.

The second dial that Kraush confirmed on Bianca made him feel helpless.

[ Become the most important person to Bianca. ]

The most important person.

For some, it could be a parent, a child, a friend, or a lover.

It was a rather complicated phrase to define.

However, the reason for Kraushs feeling of helplessness was different.

It was thinkable to be called a friend.

But for Bianca, who lacked emotions, becoming the most important person was exceedingly troublesome.

A challenging condition made even more so specifically because it was Bianca.

I cant be a parent or a child.

He couldnt easily claim the two titles that could make one the most important person.

That left the possibility of being a lover.

Ironically, Kraush had already somewhat achieved that aspect.

He and Bianca were fiancs arranged by their families.

However, being engaged and being lovers were separate things.

Above all, being lovers presupposed the emotion of love.

For Bianca, who lacked emotions, love was impossible.

Moreover, Kraush felt somewhat upset.

It was too much to have to woo a 12-year-old child just to unlock a dial.

Its become quite the headache.

He didnt remember such conditions when he had stolen Biancas curse before.

Well, considering the conditions of the dial reflect ones life, it made sense.

Bianca from that time and the current Bianca were different.

Its fine now since he had his sixth sense, but someday he would desperately need her curse.

The worry wasnt just a little.

Flap, flap!

At that moment, Kraush heard the sound of wings from outside the window.

As if accustomed to it, Kraush opened the window, and a crow flew in.

It was none other than Crimson Garden August, her species.

The child seems to really like me. She wont let go easily.

Her reason for staying until now was because of Bianca.

He had only realized this time that Bianca quite liked animals.

She had cautiously followed him when he brought Crimson Garden, and after realizing that Crimson Garden didnt shy away from her, Bianca grew exceptionally fond of her.

Thanks to this, Kraush recently thought Bianca was following Crimson Garden more than himself.

It might be easier for you, Crim, rather than me.

Becoming Biancas most important person might be easier for Crimson Garden.

While he was contemplating disguising himself as a crow, Crimson Garden looked at Kraush discontentedly.

I told you not to call me Crim.

But Bianca calls you that all the time.

That child knows no other name, does she?

Indeed, thats true.

Besides that, I heard a carriage outside.

Following that remark, Kraush nodded his head.

It seemed like Darling had arrived.

Aliod must be thrilled.

Although he was his exclusive steward, Kraush felt proud as he left the room with Crimson Garden perched on his shoulder.

Just then, the sound of urgent footsteps began echoing from the stairs.

The owner of the footsteps was none other than Aliod.

Kraush thought he must have already heard about the cure.

Alio

Mr. Kraush!

Unusually interrupting himself, Aliod shouted urgently.

Seeing his pale face, Kraush tilted his head.

Something about his reaction was off.

What is it? What happened? Isnt Darling the one who came?

Aliod violently shook his head from side to side.

Who else would be here to see him besides Darling?

Just as Kraush noticed the unusually plentiful sweat beads on Aliods forehead.

The words that followed made Kraushs body freeze up as well.

The, the Lord has arrived!

What?

The Lord has come to Green Pine Mansion!

And then a thunderbolt-like announcement burst forth.

Kraush felt as though he had been struck by lightning, freezing on the spot.

The Lord, who could that be?

There was only one person in the world whom Aliod would address as the Lord.

The Sky High Four Emperors

The Martial Emperor

Balrok Balheim

Balheim himself had appeared at Green Pine Mansion.

As Kraush began to lift his head to the realization slowly, he saw Aliods face, now gone beyond pale to outright ashen.

Why would Father come.

Why had he come to Green Pine Mansion?

The answer was simple.

Crazy.

A swear word that he had been trying to reduce in use inadvertently slipped from his lips.

Because.

It was Kraush who had told him to come.

Could my mother have really passed that story on to my father?

As Kraush felt a mild headache coming on, the Crimson Garden that had been perched on his shoulder fluttered down.

Waddling off somewhere, it looked exactly like it was trying to escape.

Well, it was a natural reaction, considering his father might see right through Crimson Gardens true identity.

Where is the Lord?

He has been led to the drawing room for now.

Kraush adjusted his tie properly.

He then made sure his attire was impeccable.

There was nothing amiss to be caught on.

After checking, Kraush looked at Aliod.

And Aliods head nodded in response.

The tea and refreshments are done. Theres no need for the Lord; he doesnt partake. Tell the maid not to bother going to the drawing room.

Yes, understood.

Leaving Aliod behind, who faithfully followed his orders, Kraush proceeded.

Naturally, the destination he was heading toward was the drawing room where Balrok would be.

With every step, tension filled the air.

Had it been in the past, Kraush might have already run away at this point, but now he stood in front of the drawing room.

Somehow, the drawing room seemed much larger today.

Knock, knock-

Lord, it is Kraush Balheim.

Enter.

The moment Kraush spoke, an immediate response came from inside.

He must have sensed Kraushs arrival long ago.

Carefully grasping the doorknob, Kraush pushed the door open.

Then, underneath the lit drawing room, he saw a head of black hair identical to Kraushs.

Between the bangs that fell just above the forehead were a pair of eyes that seemed to swirl with the blue glint of stars, quietly staring at the table.

Those eyes slowly lifted, and that alone caused a prickling sensation on Kraushs skin.

There were mountains there.

Insurmountably distant mountains that could never be reached no matter how high one raised their head.

In this moment, Kraush profoundly felt the meaning of the word overwhelming.

An entity that surpassed the limits of a human to reach the realm of a demigod.

Balrok Balheim.

Kraush realized what it meant to be in front of him.

And also how far his own trifling strength had yet to go.

Hes a monster, even on second glance.

Kraush swallowed hard and composed himself.

I greet the head of the Balheim family.

This was the first time he had met him since returning to the past.

Realizing his mouth was dry, Balrok spoke.

Sit.

At his word, Kraush promptly adjusted his posture and took a seat on the chair in front of him.

Being able to sit directly across from the head of the family was a unique privilege of the direct descendants.

But for Kraush, the least accustomed to this privilege, he struggled to maintain his gaze on Balrok as he began to speak.

I heard it was your first time dealing with world erosion.

How did Balrok, who was supposed to be in the forbidden zone, hear about his own presence in the world erosion?

Whether it was his mother or someone else, Kraush immediately answered.

Yes, I have recently returned from there.

How was it?

How was it, indeed.

Kraush reassessed the vile nature of Berlokin, seized the opportunity to become an immortal, and for the first time ever, even stole a skill.

From Kraushs perspective, it was a situation worthy of a victors announcement.

But what if he told this to Balrok?

That he had lured his brother into a trap, exposing his true face before killing him, and then presenting the death as if it was a noble sacrifice.

Additionally, he had stolen his skill and even allied himself with a world eroder.

Kraush marveled at how a single act could be seen in such polarizing light depending on the beholder.

To what extent Balrok could see through him was unknown to Kraush.

After all, Balrok had ascended to demi-god status and even opened his Divine Eye.

So Kraush decided to speak his emotions honestly.

It wasnt as frightening as I thought.

Facing Berlokins death, Kraush now thought it was really no big deal in retrospect.

Berlokin, who had tormented him so terribly and been a symbol of fear, turned out to be nothing more than a felon crushed by the star called Charlotte.

Thats why when he saw him again, he wasnt particularly scared, if at all pitiful.

Even deciding to kill him was not a hard choice to make.

I see.

Balrok replied very briefly.

It is said that upon becoming a demigod, one distances oneself considerably from the emotions that entangle humans.

Thus, he possessed an incredibly rigid expression despite not bearing a curse like Biancas.

That will do.

And Balrok suddenly stood up.

Seeing this, Kraush hurriedly rose to follow.

Did you come to talk about this?

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What exactly had he understood from their brief conversation?

Kraush was baffled, but Balrok seemed to have already made his decision.

Im returning to the forbidden zone.

He spoke of returning to the forbidden zone as casually as one might speak of going for a stroll.

But Kraush couldnt very well obstruct the path of the head of the family.

He could only bow as Balrok left.

And then Balrok truly departed for the forbidden zone.

Its said he didnt even stop by the main house.

Kraush wondered if this was really okay, but within the Balheim, no one dared to defy the Lords will.

With the feeling of a storm having passed, Kraush brushed back his bangs.

Goodness, it feels as if my lifespan has suddenly shortened.

As he stood there feeling perplexed about the purpose of this visit, a different carriage came into view from the window.

Seeing the Danphelion crest on it, Kraush sighed belatedly.

You should have arrived earlier.

Despite himself, he found himself inwardly taking his frustrations out on the soon-to-arrive Darling.