I Became A Thief Who Steals Overpowered Skills - Chapter 42

[EP.42] The Flower of Hardenhartz

While Bianca and Kraush were enjoying their meal, a meeting was underway amongst the Hardenhartz.

“How is Kraush Balheim’s condition?”

Inside the Hardenhartz meeting room, with the vassals gathered and the father temporarily away, the eldest, Meliocan Hardenhartz, standing in as the family head, asked.

“He is safe. Losing an arm is indeed regrettable, but that could presumably be resolved by summoning a clergyman from the Sacred Kingdom.”

This was relatively good news.

The incident had happened on their territory.

It would be problematic if the Balheim family held them responsible.

“Have you contacted the Sacred Kingdom?”

“Yes, we have requested a high priest.”

“That’s going to cost a considerable sum.”

Meliocan let out a sigh.

It was painful to incur such expenses, but there was nothing favorable about clashing with the Balheims.

“Since it’s urgent, ask them to come quickly.”

“Yes, understood.”

“Well then, onto the next matter. What do you all think about Kraush Balheim defeating the Butcher?”

Kraush’s state and the matter of his arm were issues that had their own solutions.

Though healing his arm through a clergyman would not be without its recovery period and cost, there would be a resolution.

The real purpose of today’s meeting was to discuss the nature of Kraush’s power, having defeated the Butcher.

Berkman, the Butcher, upon investigation, was originally an expert-class combatant.

Having become a minion of the World Eater, his current force had grown significantly, reaching the conclusion that he was now among the top-class experts.

Yet Kraush, who had faced Berkman, was barely 14 years old.

Originally, he was nothing but a half-penny not even worth the gods’ attention from the Balheims.

How then had he managed to defeat Berkman?

“There’s been a rumor circulating recently, hasn’t there?”

At that moment, one of the vassals brought up a widely spread rumor about Kraush’s display of might against Anicks at the Star Sanctuary.

“Considering this incident as well, could it be that the Balheim bloodline’s power has finally awakened in him?”

“Do the rest of you share this opinion?”
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When Meliocan asked, all the vassals showed agreement.

“This is good news for Hardenhartz.”

“Indeed. He shares the same bloodline as the renowned Sword Saint, Charlotte Balheim. If his bloodline has only now started to manifest, he is certain to grow into a more influential figure.”

This was tremendous news for Hardenhartz.

Kraush was engaged to Bianca.

Should Kraush secure a prominent position in the Balheim family, Hardenhartz, being in an engagement relationship, would also benefit.

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“But Lord Meliocan, there is the matter of Miss Bianca…”

There was just one concern—Bianca.

She was a child cursed and ostracized.

It was only because Kraush himself was discarded by the Balheims that their engagement had been possible.

However, if he was no longer a half-penny, it could complicate the engagement.

“Lord Meliocan, might I suggest that you change the engagement subject now?”
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“Change the subject?”

“Yes, isn’t Miss Jenica available?”

Although Jenica was a couple of years older than Kraush, she too possessed exceptional beauty.

Aside from her issues related to Bianca, which caused her to act out, she was not usually problematic.

“Wouldn’t it be awkward for us if we suddenly changed the engagement subject?”

“Wouldn’t it be even more problematic if the engagement were to break now? The Balheim family would likely welcome Miss Jenica over Miss Bianca.”

After all, a normal individual would be preferable over a cursed child.

“Would Jenica accept the change?”

“She must be persuaded.”

It was a matter for the benefit of Hardenhartz.

Even if Jenica refused, there would be nothing she could do about it.
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“So be it. Have Jenica summoned. And send a message for Bianca to return as well.”

“Yes, understood.”

Thus, unbeknownst to the two involved, the meeting of Hardenhartz came to a close.

***

At that time, Kraush was strolling down the corridor with Bianca.

“Can you open your eyes a bit now?”

“Yes, I can see well now.”

Kraush glanced over, and indeed, Bianca’s large, original eyes were finally starting to see properly.

Still swollen, they should subside by evening.
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“How does it feel to have your emotions back?”

Kraush, worried that Bianca might turn into another White Ghost, casually inquired.

“I’m not sure. I felt them when I first cried yesterday, but now it’s just… normal.”

To that, Bianca reacted with a confused look.

Unlike yesterday’s tearful expression, her face was expressionless.

To others, it would be hard to discern whether she had regained her emotions or not.

But this was an unavoidable circumstance.

Having never used her facial muscles in her life, she didn’t know how to form expressions.

“How about you try to think of something that makes you angry?”

“What would that be?”

“That’s something only you would know. Typically, feeling like something’s been taken from you, or the frustration of being worse off than others—those are common triggers for anger.”

As Kraush suggested, Bianca pondered deeply.

Then her eyebrows twitched ever so slightly.

It was a meager change from her expressionlessness, but a significant improvement nonetheless.

“What came to mind?”

When Kraush curiously asked what had made her angry, Bianca turned to look at him.

“Kraush, hanging around Darling.”

“Why does that anger you?”

“I don’t know.”

What a strange one.

“And what about something that makes you happy?”

Since she had experienced sadness to her heart’s content yesterday,

it was time to recognize joy as well.

To Kraush’s surprise, unlike her musing over anger, Bianca seemed to already know what made her happy.

She then abruptly grabbed Kraush’s left hand and placed it stiffly atop her head.

Afterward, she raised the corner of her lips into a still awkward smile.

“I’m happy doing this.”

After observing Bianca for a moment, Kraush naturally stroked her head.

Although small, Bianca’s head swayed left and right under the guide of Kraush’s hand.

Kraush chuckled lightly at the sight of her.

Letting go of Bianca’s head, Kraush moved his hand down to cup her cheek.

“If you’re going to smile, do it properly. Is it a smile if only the corner of your mouth is raised?”

“I am smiling.”

“Hardly. A proper smile lifts the mouth like this and brightens the eyes like this.”

Kraush manipulated her face with his left hand.

Her skin had a soft, dough-like texture that felt surprisingly addictive.

“Like this?”

However, the resulting expression was ambiguous.

While the corners of her mouth lifted and her eyes narrowed, she was still a ways away from a natural smile.

“We may need to practice expressions from today onwards.”

But someday, if they kept at it, she would learn to smile naturally.

It didn’t matter to Kraush as long as Bianca didn’t end up like the White Ghost.

“Bianca.”

At that moment, someone appeared from the end of the corridor.

With hair as white as snow and a face that revealed her kinship with Bianca.

It was none other than Jenica.

And she was the one who had dreadfully tormented Bianca.

At that instant, Bianca slid quietly behind Kraush.

It would have been an unimaginable act for the original Bianca.

Without emotions, she would have no concept of fear.

Yet, now with her feelings returned, Bianca found it difficult to confront Jenica.

Sensing this, Kraush stood in front of Bianca and faced Jenica.

“Is there something you need?”

As Kraush inquired, Jenica looked his way.

Her gaze fell upon Kraush’s arm, then she flinched and diverted her eyes.

The image of a knight, turned into a corpse and dying, had left a traumatic impression on her.

“…Big brother said to come with Bianca.”

While saying that, she glanced slightly towards Bianca hidden behind Kraush.

When Bianca had thrown herself off the cliff with the Butcher in Jenica’s stead that day, Jenica had been powerless.

She could only watch, dazed, as Bianca fell.

After a good while, she came to her senses and climbed the cliffside.

Although her hands were scraped and wounded in the process, her mind was more confused than her body was in pain.

Bianca had saved her.

But why?

She, who had been tormenting her every day.

Why would Bianca save someone like her?

Jenica bit her lip.

That small girl had saved her.

Saved her own sister.
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While she herself could do nothing in the situation, Bianca had moved more bravely than anyone.

The realization brought her a deep sense of self-loathing.

While her feelings of helplessness weighed her down, the repulsion was what truly shook her.

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If Bianca were to die like this, she would never forgive herself.

Thus, she returned to Hardenhartz afterward, reported the incident, and combed through Lokal Mountain with the knights.

Though it was Kraush who found and saved Bianca first, Jenica had searched for her throughout the night, despite the snowfall.

But that did not serve as absolution.

Hence, Jenica was at a loss on how to treat the current Bianca.
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Hating herself even more now, she couldn’t determine whether an apology would be for Bianca’s benefit or simply her own attempt at a pardon.

“…Big brother called me. And you too, Bianca; come along.”

With that, Jenica turned and walked away first.

She left as if fleeing the spot, and only after her departure did Bianca emerge from behind Kraush.

Kraush watched Jenica’s retreating figure.

The Jenica in the stories of the pre-regressed Bianca certainly sought forgiveness, if not quite penitence.

And judging by her demeanor just now, Kraush could tell that Jenica seemed to be changing.

“Bianca.”

Kraush spoke as Bianca peeked up at his call.

“Even if Jenica’s behavior towards you changes, you don’t have to forgive her.”

Jenica might seek forgiveness, but granting it was entirely Bianca’s choice.

Seeking pardon doesn’t erase past wrongdoings.
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Being fully aware of this, Kraush told Bianca.

“So if you dislike it, ignore it all and come with me. I’ll take you home.”

If Bianca disliked staying at Hardenhartz, he would take her and return to Rahelrn Academy.

After all, that was her home now too.

Hearing his words, Bianca looked at Kraush for a while.

Then she used both of her index fingers to turn up the corners of her mouth.

“This is what I’m feeling now—happiness.”

Saying that, she started walking away.

“I’ll be back shortly.”

Kraush watched her little figure hustle with a half-smile.

“She smiles better than I thought.”

Apparently, she had already been smiling before she used her fingers to lift the corners of her mouth.

“Ebelasque, you’re nearby, aren’t you?”

After Bianca had gone off, Kraush called out for Ebelasque.

Immediately, a one-eyed rat emerged from the vicinity of a window.

The rat, missing one eye, was evidently a corpse long past dead.

“I need to borrow your ears.”

At Kraush’s request, the rat immediately scampered off across the corridor.

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Just try to make senseless prattle.

The infamous half-penny Balheim will show you what a commotion truly looks like.