I Became A Thief Who Steals Overpowered Skills

Chapter 83 Our Knight Order is Kind

“Yes, I will place you in the 6th Company of the Blue Sea Knight Order. As a knight, you will be assigned two squires and nine soldiers. How would you like to proceed with this?”

“Let’s exclude that. Please use the same approach we take when wandering knights join Balheim.”

This referred to a process where wandering knights undergo a probation period of about three months, after which squires and soldiers are assigned to them.

“You mean the probationary process for wandering knights. Understood.”

Reblian quickly adjusted the arrangement accordingly.

“How would you like to adjust your age?”

“Ah, can it be adjusted? I do look young. Maybe around 18.”

“Would it be alright if we previewed the appearance alteration first?”

“If that involves changing the appearance and immediately placing me in the 6th Company, we can proceed with that. There’s no need to delay.”

“Do you have an empty room? I’d prefer not to bump into the other knights unnecessarily.”

Then, Kraush thought of Bianca.

“Ah, Bianca will be with me too. Say it’s a condition for the wandering knight joining the knight order. Just say I had no choice because I needed to take care of my younger sister.”

“Yes, I’ll prepare that as well.”

“Sorry for all the requests.”

Seeing Reblian preparing everything as requested, Kraush gave a bitter smile, prompting Reblian to blink in surprise.

Then realizing he hadn’t responded, Reblian straightened up belatedly.

“I apologize. It’s my first time receiving an apology for such a matter.”

Knighthood typically embodies the utmost hierarchy and obedience.

Kraush’s apology was unexpected for someone like Reblian, who had lived among knights.

Kraush looked at him and then chuckled wryly.

“Reblian, not all members of the Balheim lineage are the same.”

Despite being revered like deities by others, Kraush saw them all as much of the same.

In the face of doom, whether it’s Balheim, knights, or commoners, they’re all equal.

“I gave you a lot of work, so I felt sorry, and since you did me a favor, I’m thankful.”

Kraush was this kind of person, unlike others.

“…I see. My understanding was shallow.”

“Right, as mentioned earlier, I’ll show you what I will look like for the time being.”

Kraush then showed Reblian his appearance as Krad.

“Ah, um, yes, understood.”

Seeing Kraush as Krad, with his closed eyes and dark hair, Reblian appeared somewhat discomforted.

Kraush understood his reaction.

Honestly, this appearance did look somewhat suspicious.

Fortunately, recent growth made his face and overall appearance seem reasonably aged.

His unique aura probably contributed to this.

“I’ll report to the captain and return.”

While Reblian was away,

Kraush turned to Bianca.

“Mr. Kraush, I can’t see your eyes.”

“I can see just fine, don’t worry.”

Bianca seemed indifferent to Kraush’s changed appearance.

To her, Kraush’s looks were never of much importance.

Having Kraush was enough for her.

“But Bianca, you might need to change your hair color too. Is that okay?”

For now, she was marked as a younger sister, but Bianca’s hair color was quite noticeable.

While Bianca’s face wasn’t well-known within Balheim,

Hardenhartz’s distinctive white hair color was hard to miss.

“Will it be the same color as yours?”

“Well, since you’re supposed to be my sister.”

“Then that’s fine.”

It’s good she agreed.

Glancing at Crimson Garden, she nodded lightly, ready to change the hair color with magic.

Crimson Garden approached Bianca, lifted her wing slightly, and in an instant, Bianca’s hair turned black.

The fluttering black hair significantly changed Bianca’s ambiance.

Now more expressive, Bianca still maintained her stoic expression, resembling a black rose compared to the white flower she was as a blonde.

Recently, her hair had grown significantly, and the black strands fluttering down her back were noticeable.

Touching her transformed black hair, Bianca looked back at Kraush hesitantly.

“Does it suit me?”

She asked, seeming a bit worried.

“It suits you well.”

He was sincere.

With Bianca’s looks, it was hard to imagine anything not suiting her.

Now taller, Bianca with black hair appeared more mature than before.

Bianca then smiled slightly and turned her back to Kraush.

“Mr. Kraush, please tie it up for me.”

It seemed the black hair made her feel hotter.

Kraush took a ribbon from Bianca, gathered her hair, and tied it neatly.

With her hair tied like a horse’s tail, Bianca flicked it once and then sat beside Kraush, leaning her head on his shoulder and smiling slightly.

“We have the same color now.”

Kraush didn’t quite understand what was so good about it,

But seeing her feet happily moving under the chair, he chose not to comment.

＊ ＊ ＊

Thanks to Reblian’s efficient work, Kraush was assigned an empty room in the knight order dormitory as a wandering knight.

Balheim’s knight order accommodations are well-provided.

Each room comes with a personal bathroom, kitchenette, and three living spaces, ensuring comfortable living.

“Crim, should I give you a room too?”

[You keep it.]

She didn’t appreciate his thoughtfulness.

Kraush then casually placed his belongings in one of the rooms, as Aliod had thoughtfully prepared.

“Bianca, is there a room you’d like?”

“Which room will you use, Mr. Kraush?”

Kraush picked a room at random.

Following his choice, Bianca chose the room next to his.

She didn’t seem to have a preference either.

“It feels like a honeymoon suite.”

Bianca’s voice sounded unexpectedly excited.

Where did she learn such things?

Kraush was contemplating another training session for Bianca’s maid, Elly, when there was a knock on the door.

Opening it, the first thing Kraush saw was a scarred forehead and a bald head.

The man, larger than Kraush and with a fierce face, stood towering at the door.

“Are you the new member recommended by the vice-captain?”

His low voice seemed to attempt to assert dominance from the start.

So quick to visit.

It seemed the Blue Sea Knight Order was fast with its rumors.

“Right. I’m Krad.”

“I’m Ziek. When we have a new member in the Blue Sea Knight Order, there’s something we do. I’d like you to come with me for a moment.”

With his thick hand firmly grasping the door, he seemed to be setting the stage for asserting dominance.

‘It feels like he’s trying to establish his turf.’

Turf wars were common among knight orders.

Especially since Kraush was technically a wandering knight by name,

It would definitely be unwelcome from those who climbed the ranks through regular routes.

‘Well, whatever.’

Since he would be with the Blue Sea Knight Order for a while,

It was better to resolve any issues sooner rather than later.

“You can bring your sister if you want.”

“I’ll go alone. She’s shy around strangers.”

There was no need to involve Bianca in a turf war.

So, when Kraush decided to go alone, the man nodded and led him inside without further ado.

Kraush casually loosened his neck muscles.

What was the level of the Blue Sea Knight Order again?

He remembered it being between intermediate and upper EXPERT on average.

Arriving at the cafeteria door, Kraush felt a strong presence inside.

It seemed like the entire Blue Sea Knight Order had gathered.

As Kraush heightened his senses, Ziek opened the door.

Bang!

With a sound like something bursting, Kraush reached for his waist but soon saw someone setting off a small firework.

The confetti from the firework was undoubtedly party supplies.

Simultaneously, knights and soldiers around shouted enthusiastically towards Kraush.

“Welcome, new member!”

“Looking forward to working with you!”

“Ha, ha, you’ve got a unique look!”

Clearly giving him a warm welcome, Kraush blinked his closed eyes for a moment.

Then, looking at Ziek, Ziek also grinned back.

“We gather as many as we can to welcome new members with a party. Everyone’s excited since it’s been a while since we had a new member, so please understand.”

“Ah, eh, okay.”

Not expecting a turf war or a welcome party, Kraush showed a hesitant expression.

“Ah, does this kind of thing make you uncomfortable?”

Ziek immediately asked worriedly.

Despite his tough exterior, his heart was filled with consideration and warmth.

“Ah, it might be uncomfortable since we’re all strangers.”

“Ha, it’s okay. I heard you brought your sister all the way to the knight order dorms by yourself because you had to look after her? Take something she likes!”

“If your sister seems to have any issues but doesn’t talk much, you can ask me. It’s easier for a woman to talk to another woman, you know? Girls can be sensitive.”

Warm words followed from all around.

Amidst those words, Kraush scratched his head, feeling out of place.

So this was what the Blue Sea Knight Order was like.

He realized anew how little connection he had with Balheim’s knight orders.

‘…Let’s go fetch Bianca.’

＊ ＊ ＊

The party turned out quite nice.

Bianca loved sweet things, so she enjoyed the cake.

Although he had to wipe her mouth now and then because she kept getting it messy.

Still, seeing Bianca eating happily made Kraush feel pretty good.

The only issue was being treated like an adult and occasionally being offered drinks.

Kraush politely declined the alcohol.

As the party ended and the Blue Sea Knight Order members took their rest,

Kraush was confirming the knight order’s future schedule with Reblian Fenox, the vice-captain of the Blue Sea Knight Order.

“So, support for the restricted area starts a week from now.”

“Yes, the designated restricted area is the Demonic Bastion. It’s about a month’s distance by carriage, but Sephira has agreed to support our transport.”

“Support from Sephira?”

Kraush paused.

Sephira, the world erosion investigation team.

He had recently heard about them from Crimson Garden.

“Yes, Sephira has granted us permission to use a spatial magic circle operated by them near the Demonic Bastion. Apparently, there’s been unusual activity around the area recently. They said they need support.”

Hearing the details, Kraush fell into thought.

Going to the restricted area was a set plan, but it seemed unavoidable to encounter Sephira’s princess.

‘I thought it was too early for that.’

Kraush tapped his crossed arms.

‘…Thinking about it, since I’m not going as a direct member of Balheim, maybe it’s not my place?’

With that thought, Kraush decided to inquire about other matters from Reblian.

“What about the other knight orders if there’s that level of support? The rest are moving too?”

“Yes, the Second and Fourth Swords will also be in motion.”

Kraush slowly stroked his chin.

If the Second and Fourth Swords were involved, the Blue Sea Knight Order, despite being one of the Five Swords, would essentially handle grunt work.

Given their expertise, the Fourth Sword, comprised of top EXPERT-level knights, and the Second Sword, with a mix of early to mid-tier MASTERS, were bound to be the main force.

‘Well, compared to the First Sword, it’s all moot.’

The entire First Sword Knight Order was comprised of upper MASTERS.

The world’s strongest knight order, the First Sword.

And the First Sword’s captain, the Guardian Sword of Balheim, was a seasoned MASTER.

The Empire dared not provoke Balheim because of the existence of such a knight order like the First Sword.

An entire knight order of individuals, all upper MASTERS.

Even the Empire’s prized White Dragon Knight Order, though numerically superior, was qualitatively outmatched by the First Sword in reality.

‘Surely, the creator of the One Sword technique I use must have named it after receiving the title of Guardian Sword from the First Sword.’

Amidst this, from the five elders who had reached the peak of MASTERY,

To the Deputy Lord of Balheim, the Martial King, who had reached the pinnacle of MASTERY known as POLARITY,

And lastly, the Emperor of Balheim, Balrok Balheim, one of the four Emperors, at the world-renowned EMPEROR level.

Kraush was once again reminded of how monstrously powerful Balheim was as a martial family.

No wonder the knight orders of Balheim were considered far stronger than those of the Starlon royal family.

‘Such a family of monsters.’

Knowing he was part of such a group, Kraush chuckled wryly.

Only in such a place could Kraush be treated as a halfwit.

To them, Kraush was indeed just that.

Yet, he felt conflicted.

Even Balheim, with all its might, was helpless in the face of doom.

After all, even the Skyborne Generation, hailed as the strongest in history, was powerless against destruction.

Would Balheim be any different?

“Um, are you alright?”

At that moment, Kraush looked up at Reblian’s question.

“Alright? What do you mean?”

“You looked serious.”

“Just my normal expression.”

Reblian glanced at Kraush’s face again, showing confusion.

With Kraush’s eyes closed, it was hard to distinguish any expression, making it a matter of interpretation.

And Kraush realized why Reblian had asked.

“Because of the sister in the Second Sword?”

Lilish Balheim.

Currently, the captain of the Second Sword, the Sky-Piercing Knight Order, a direct sibling of Balheim.

And Belorkin’s elder sister, as well as Kraush’s half-sister.