I Became A Thief Who Steals Overpowered Skills

Chapter 29 The Only Necromancer

Kraush first came to meet Ebelasque because of Arthur.

One day, Arthur brought Ebelasque to the quarters where the Sky Generation resided.

Ebelasque, who couldnt do anything on her own, was intimidated by everyone.

Correction.

More precisely, she avoided everyone.

She never ventured outside the barracks.

The Sky Generation didnt treat her well to begin with because she was a world erosion being. They kept her around simply because Arthur had brought her, thinking she might be of use.

Initially, Kraush too had little communication with her.

He only knew that she was the one and only necromancer in the world.

But one day, Kraush also engaged in conversation with her.

You are even more cursed than I am? Quite frail, arent you?

That was how Ebelasque, with her characteristic pomposity, had started the dialogue.

Kraush looked at the man before him.

A man whose presence was almost undetectable.

He was none other than Ebelasques twelfth corpse.

And there, on the chest of the corpse, was a crow tattoo.

The family that rules the world behind the Empire.

In reality, they were just a group made up of corpses.

Well, in a way, a necromancer might be the most suited for assassinations.

After all, unlike assassins, corpses would yield no information even if they were caught.

The name Night Crow was aptly chosen for that reason, then.

The crow that scavenges corpses.

It was a name that precisely described a necromancer like Ebelasque.

Such a sense of naming.

Huh, what?

As No. 12 turned around, Kraush waved his hands dismissively, acting as if nothing was the matter.

No. 12 moved with a reluctant response.

Right now, he was escorting Kraush somewhere.

Now that I think about it.

Kraush glanced briefly at Crimson Garden perched on his shoulder.

Crimson Garden was a world erosion being, just like Ebelasque.

Perhaps she already knew of Ebelasque.

Crim, do you know Ebelasque?

[I dont know anyone weaker than me.]

An arrogant reply came back to him.

And Kraush knew that was true.

Well, erosion beings arent exactly colleagues to start with.

It made sense not to know.

Were here.

At that moment, No. 12 stopped walking.

In front of him was a decrepit door and building.

It looked too dilapidated for the worlds only necromancer to stay.

Then, with a click from within and No. 12 opening the door, what unfolded was an excessively adorned space.

The interior was completely different from the modest exterior.

Kraush clicked his tongue at the sight of the room full of vanity.

She wont even come out of a corner of the room anyway.

She probably did all this simply because she wanted a nice, big house.

Thinking how she really hadnt changed, Kraush continued following No. 12s lead.

When they arrived in front of a certain room, No. 12 spoke.

Now that Ive brought you here, tell me. How are you going to get back my heart?

Looking at Ebelasque speaking through No. 12, Kraush wore an indifferent expression.

Didnt you listen to me properly? Youre not a goldfish.

Goldfish?

I said my skill requires me to meet you directly. Open up before I have to break down the door.

Kraush frowned as if to say not to make him repeat himself.

Because he realized that she was now not willing to let him in.

[Such a nasty guy. You act so kindly to the little chick, someone might mistake you for a different person.]

Ignoring the giggling Crimson Garden next to him, Kraush remembered he had to be forceful with Ebelasque.

Being kind would only make her think she was superior and get pompous.

He didnt want to see that.

Hee, eep.

With a jittery sound from inside, the room door cracked open just a sliver after a moment.

Kraush swiftly stuck his hand through the gap and pushed the door open.

He detested being kept waiting.

Kyaaah!

A womans scream followed, and she tumbled to the floor, only to immediately bury her head amid a blanket sprawled on the ground.

Kraush glanced at her before pulling a chair close and plopping down onto it.

The room was a complete mess.

Half-cleared remains of food were scattered about, and the room was brimming with precariously stacked books.

Looking at the pitiful state of the room a stark contrast from the tidy corridor outside Kraush gave a look of disdain.

Clean up a little.

I-its a mess!

Appearing embarrassed for showing her room to someone, she flushed red and jerked her head up.

But as she seemed overwhelmed by making eye contact, she soon dropped her gaze again.

As she did, her black and crimson hair swung about.

Untouched for so long, it was long enough to reach the ground.

To top it off, her attire consisted of a shirt with a stretched neck due to an unnecessarily puffy bosom indeed, a sight too embarrassing to show anyone.

Yet, despite all this, she was the sole necromancer in the world.

Ebelasque Benaporti.

And it was her own choice to live in such a reclusive mess.

Forget it. Lift your head and look at me.

What are you trying to do?

Didnt I tell you? I need to see directly to check my skill.

Reluctantly, she lifted her head.

Their eyes met hers the color of violets.

Looking into his eyes seemed to make her extremely uneasy, as if simply making eye contact with someone was incredibly uncomfortable for her.

Then, she seemed to realize something and her eyes widened.

It seems like youre not looking because your eyes are small.

It appeared to be because of Kraushs disguise.

Ignoring the unnecessary comment, Kraush activated the Black Hood.

The target is the heart.

It should originally have been in her possession.

At that moment, five dials appeared before Kraushs eyes.

Upon seeing them, Kraush was certain.

The hearts true owner is Ebelasque.

Even though the imperial family claimed to possess her heart.

The real owner was Ebelasque, and therefore the Black Hood had been activated.

This meant that unlocking the dials would possibly allow him to obtain Ebelasques heart through the Black Hood.

How is it?

Ebelasque asked with an anxious expression.

For a thousand years, she had been held captive by the imperial family.

Used at their whim, she always wanted to regain her heart.

And the reason she wanted it back was simple.

Because she didnt want to work.

The empire provided her a room and convenience, but she didnt want to work.

Her wish was simply to read books and laze around in her room.

So Ebelasque readily let Kraush in.

Thinking that a boy who seemed to see right through her might know something.

And if he didnt, she would just turn him into a corpse and place him in her assassination squad.

Having a crow on his shoulder was perfect for the job.

But doesnt that crow glare too much?

Ebelasque, whose eyes met the crows, widened her eyes as if she had no intention of being intimidated by a mere bird.

Yet when the crow looked back at her and chuckled while spreading its wings, she was startled and turned her head away.

She was afraid of that crow.

Its possible.

Meanwhile, Kraush gave her the answer she wanted.

Really?

Yes, but I need your consent to transfer the heart to me.

There were two ways to unlock the dials.

One was the straightforward method: unlocking them according to the dials conditions.

The second was by obtaining permission: If the other party fully consents with their heart and mind, all dials will disappear.

But this is more complicated than I thought.

Even if the other party verbally consents, if they dont grant full emotional permission, the dials wont disappear.

And this psychological aspect was a major stumbling block.

Peoples hearts cant be manipulated at will, after all.

How do I consent? I consent!

Ebelasque hastily shouted out.

But her dials were still at five.

It might be easy to say the words to transfer her heart, but actually doing it was hard.

It has to be more than just words; you need to truly believe it.

Huh, really?

Yes, truly.

Ebelasque wore a puzzled look.

Seeing this, Kraush clicked his tongue and got up from his seat.

Then, he abruptly sat down in front of her, who was still slumped on the floor.

As she became flustered by his closeness, Kraush tapped her shoulder.

Ebelasque, imagine carefully from now on.

Huh, um.

You dont want to work, right?

Of course not!

With the most energetic voice, she had used yet, Ebelasque responded.

Typical of her.

If you get your heart back, you can loll around in this room every day. Leave all your chores to the corpses. A room at just the right temperature, heaps of books, and eating whatever you want while wasting your days away.

Ebelasque gulped down her saliva.

It was a natural reaction for her, who had always wished for such a future.

But if you cant get your heart back, youll have to assist the imperial family for the rest of your life. Working day in and day out.

Then her complexion soured.

Having lived through this for a thousand years, she was certain it would continue to be the same.

I feel like throwing up.

Just the thought made her feel nauseous.

Are you going to continue living a life full of work every day?

No, I hate it. I dont want to work anymore.

Then you need to transfer your heart to me sincerely. For a life where you dont have to work ever again.

As Kraush whispered, Ebelasques eyes wavered.

Then she cautiously looked up at Kraush.

If she handed over her heart to this boy, she wouldnt have to work ever again.

At least not live as she was living now.

She no longer wanted to kill at someone elses beck and call.

With this in mind, she told Kraush.

I will transfer my heart.

More firmly.

I will transfer my heart!

Say it properly, what exactly you want from me.

Prompted further by Kraush, she closed her eyes tightly and even bowed her head.

Please, take my heart away!

That was the moment.

All the dials before her eyes unlocked at once.

Its done.

Is, is it really done?

She looked up at him with a surprised expression, and Kraush nodded.

Such an easy one.

How badly she didnt want to work was shown by how effortlessly she had opened up her heart, which was a process far more demanding than expected.

Then give it back to me right now!

Why should I?

However, Kraush tilted his head, arms crossed in defiance.

Ebelasques eyes widened, and Kraush spoke with an incredulous expression.

This is a deal. Ebelasque, I will restore your heart after everything is done.

How shameless to expect a bundle after being pulled out of the water.

Work? Youre telling me to work again? You demon! How wicked! No! I hate working!

Then she started rolling about on the floor.

The sight of a fully grown adult woman doing this was truly pathetic.

And Kraush, having no intention of indulging in such a display for long, thumped the floor with imbued energy.

Only then did she stop rolling, glancing around nervously.

Keep the whining in check. I fulfill what you want, and you fulfill what I want. Thats the end of the deal. Youre free.

When Kraush glared at her as if to say how could she not understand something so simple, she clenched her fists tightly.

What do you want?

She seemed to realize something and covered her chest.

No! I dont like young ones! Come back when youre older!

[Kek, such a lewd woman.]

Kraush looked at her with disgust.

Thats what you get for reading nothing but sensual novels all day.

Ebelasques shoulders tensed up.

I, I dont read that kind of stuff!

Then hide the title of the novel you are sitting on before you speak.

Eek!

She frantically stuffed the novel inside the blanket.

Kraush, watching her pitiful state, returned to his chair.

The deal goes as I said earlier. You tell me what plan Sigrid has instructed you. And I help you thwart that plan. Thats it, you get your heart back and your freedom.

As if to say not to waste any more time, Kraush directed his words at Ebelasque.

So tell me what Sigrid has commanded you.

Upon hearing Kraushs words, Ebelasque hesitated.

Sigrid had taken hold of the heart that had been passed down through the imperial family.

As such, she couldnt escape from Sigrids grasp for the rest of her life without retrieving her heart.

For Ebelasque to break free, she needed Kraushs help without a doubt.

Sera Betella.

At that moment, the name of Sizelrys attendant burst from her lips.

She told me to kill her and then use her corpse to kill Sizelry Ephania.

And a plan far more ludicrous than expected came out.