I Became A Thief Who Steals Overpowered Skills

The 4th Imperial Princess, Sizerly Ephania.

Now unexpectedly alone with her in the men’s dormitory room, Kraush took a sip of the tea Alicia had prepared.

“How did you manage to get into the men’s dormitory?”

“Don’t the maids come and go all the time? What’s the issue?”

It was true that, generally, the majority of servants were women. 

And as Sizerly said, maids often visited.

However, it was rare for a female student enrolled at the academy to do the same.

“I even saw some students whispering sweet nothings with maids on my way here. Why would it matter?”

She tapped the area under her eyes with her finger, implying that she had seen such things herself.

Indeed, although efforts were made to keep such interactions discreet, relationships between maids and students weren’t uncommon.

After all, they were at the age when such things were bound to happen.

“Besides, the dormitory supervisor is from the Empire. This is exactly the kind of situation where power comes in handy.”

She said, waving her thin arm in the air.

Her naturally frail body left her with arms so delicate they seemed like they might break with a light touch.

“Also, from what I hear, there’s apparently another maid who frequents your room. You’re quite the playboy, aren’t you?”

Was she talking about Lirina?

Sizerly chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand, clearly enjoying her teasing.

Kraush let out a sigh.

“That’s enough of this trivial talk.”

He decided to cut the conversation short.

“Let’s get to the point.”

Kraush had reached out to Sizerly through Mary for one specific purpose.

He wanted her to help him uncover the informant in the Imperial Palace who was colluding with the Hell Fairy and Ixion.

Sizerly, too, had found the recent suspicious activities within the Imperial Palace unsettling and had set out to investigate them with her own eyes.

Upon hearing the information Kraush had obtained, she began her investigation immediately.

Sizerly’s intellect, often hailed as the greatest in the Empire and possibly the world, was well known to Kraush.

Naturally, he was curious to hear her opinion.

Sizerly remained silent for a moment before lifting her teacup and taking a sip.

From that simple action, Kraush could tell that the topic she was about to bring up was not one to be discussed lightly.

As Kraush waited patiently, Sizerly slowly tapped her arm with her index finger before glancing at him.

“For now, I can confirm that, as you suspected, there is indeed an informant.”

She said, acknowledging the presence of a traitor.

However, she seemed hesitant to say more.

“And to be honest, I’m not entirely sure if it’s right to share this with you, Kraush.”

“I’m Valheim.” 

Sizerly and Kraush were quite close, almost like kindred spirits.

Sizerly, with her naturally sharp intellect, had matured far beyond her years early in life.

Kraush, having experienced regression, had similarly grown distant from his peers mentally.

While Sizerly often teased him, they shared a mutual understanding that allowed their conversations to flow effortlessly.

However, personal affinity aside, their positions were not without complications.

Sizerly was a princess of the Ephania Empire, while Kraush was a direct descendant of Valheim from the Starlon Kingdom.

Though the Ephania Empire and the Starlon Kingdom weren’t outright enemies, they were in a state of mutual vigilance.

As Valheim, the sword of the Starlon Kingdom, Kraush couldn’t fully escape the tension inherent in this dynamic, nor could Sizerly.

This was why Sizerly hesitated to reveal what she knew, it wasn’t a decision she could take lightly.

“If this information gets out, you could become a target of the Empire.”

Sizerly admitted, revealing her true concern.

Her hesitation wasn’t born from a fear that Kraush might use the information to harm the Empire.

It was out of fear that the Empire’s blade might turn toward Kraush.

The Ephania Empire was powerful.

From its massive population to its possession of the greatest number of the Ten Greatest Under the Heavens and the knightly orders that protected the Empire, its strength was undeniable. ȐάΝŐ฿Ëᶊ

While Valheim knights were superior in quality, the Empire’s overwhelming numbers created an insurmountable gap.

If this situation escalated into a war, even with Valheim on Starlon’s side, the kingdom’s national power would still fall short of the Empire.

And if Kraush, as a direct descendant of Valheim, learned the Empire’s secrets?

The Empire would undoubtedly act immediately.

“For now, I’ve taken precautions. At least within the Imperial Court, no one knows that I’ve sought out this information.”

However, even Sizerly wasn’t infallible.

More precisely, the people around her weren’t infallible.

Sizerly herself could handle matters flawlessly if she set her mind to it.

But she couldn’t control the mistakes made by those around her.

This world wasn’t one that operated solely on the actions of a single individual.

“If you hear what I have to say, you’ll inevitably get tangled in this”

Sizerly genuinely worried for Kraush.

She owed him her life.

Even though she had made preparations, if it hadn’t been for Kraush, Sizerly might have suffered significant harm.

Given her naturally frail body, the consequences could have been irreversible.

That’s why she hoped Kraush would stay safe.

But knowing his personality, he was someone who willingly leapt into flames.

If he were to learn of this information, he would undoubtedly dive headfirst into danger again, like a moth drawn to a flame.

“Sizerly, then let me ask you one thing.”

Kraush said suddenly, breaking the tense silence.

“Can you resolve this on your own?”

Hearing the question, Sizerly bit her lip slightly.

She was an Imperial Princess.

One of the highest-ranking figures in the Empire, with no shortage of influence.

But even that influence was limited.

Sizerly couldn’t directly steer the Empire.

She had deliberately distanced herself from the Empire’s inner workings.

This was to prevent those who valued her intelligence from gathering around her and causing chaos within the Empire.

The Empire was currently in the midst of a turbulent era.

The Emperor of the Empire had recently shown signs of poor health and was often confined to his sickbed.

Meanwhile, those in line to inherit the Empire were covertly pointing their blades at one another.

Sizerly couldn’t involve herself in this.

No matter how brilliant her mind was, her position as the 4th Princess and her frail constitution were significant obstacles.

“I can’t.”

Sizerly knew she couldn’t change the Empire on her own.

Even if she tried, it would require an immense amount of time, and irreversible consequences might occur before she could make any real progress.

“Ixion is truly a dangerous group of maniacs with twisted ideologies.”

Sizerly was well aware of Ixion.

She had learned about them not only through Kraush but also from the increasing awareness among the Empire and other nations.

The incident at Hadenhartz had been so significant that it had prompted other countries to actively gather intelligence on the group.

“They must be suppressed before they spread their wings and wreak havoc.”

To do so, it was imperative to uncover the identity of the informant within the Imperial Court.

When Kraush asked his question, Sizerly remained silent for a long time.

After taking another sip of her tea, she eventually let out a long sigh.

“Kraush, may I ask you just one thing?”

“Go ahead.”

“What does the Empire look like in the path you’re heading toward?”

Sizerly Ephania, who had hidden the Imperial Jade Seal of the White Dragon from the world and ultimately taken her own life to protect the Empire, had always wished for the Empire to progress in a beneficial direction.

Kraush, meeting her gaze, slowly began to speak.

“I don’t believe any nation can continue in a single established form forever.”

Every nation, no matter how powerful, has its time of collapse.

And that direction is always different.

“The Empire is the Empire.”

Thus, Kraush refrained from defining the Empire’s form.

“The same goes for Starlon or the other four kingdoms. They’re all the same.”

Hearing this, Sizerly let out a soft laugh.

“That’s just like you.”

She said, her expression relaxing slightly as she leaned back in her chair.

“The informant within the Empire is the Emperor’s Sword, Heavenly Emperor Dalphiron Junon.”

And with that, the real bombshell was dropped.

* * *

Four Above the Heavens

Heavenly Emperor

Dalphiron Junon

From the time the Empire was first established, the Junon family has served the imperial family.

Though now at eternal rest, it once produced a legendary swordsman who was called the Sword Emperor, known as the greatest sword in the world and one of the Four Above the Heavens.

Even now, the family still boasts a member of the Four Above the Heavens, referred to as the Heavenly Emperor.

Perhaps because of this, people often say.

If Valheim exists in Staron, then Junon exists in the Empire.

The problem lies in the fact that the current head of the Junon family is colluding with Ixion.

“…….”

Kraush’s expression was deeply furrowed.

It was a natural reaction. No matter how powerful Kraush might be now, there was no way he could match Dalphiron.

After all, Dalphiron is one of the Four Above the Heavens, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Valok Valheim.

However, this raised a question in Kraush’s mind.

He had encountered Dalphiron before.

‘He is someone who is unwaveringly loyal to the master of the imperial family.’

Dalphiron follows only the commands of the one who has become the ruler of the imperial family.

In fact, it is said that to ascend the throne, one must first earn his trust.

A requirement synonymous with becoming the Emperor.

For such a person to be colluding with Ixion?

It was an implausible scenario.

‘Even if regression has introduced new variables, Dalphiron would never make such a decision on his own.’

This meant that someone must have moved him.

And there was only one person in the world who could influence him.

Kraush’s gaze fell upon Sizerly.

Sizerly, noticing this, smiled wryly, as if burdened by the weight of the situation.

That smile carried countless implications.

‘Sinox Ephania.’

The current Emperor of the Empire, whose health has been deteriorating recently.

There was no one else.

Kraush opened his mouth to speak but closed it again, repeating the motion silently.

Now Kraush understood why Sizerly had firmly declared that she couldn’t resolve this situation herself.

The Heavenly Emperor, Dalphiron Junon, was an untouchable figure.

Let alone the Emperor.

This was a matter far beyond the reach of the Fourth Princess or anyone of her level.

At the same time, Kraush’s expression darkened further.

He knew one truth that the Empire was desperately trying to conceal.

And he had also figured out why the Emperor had aligned himself with Ixion.

‘The roots are rotten. He intends to replace them. That’s what this is about.’

Kraush knew the reason behind the Emperor’s illness.

It was a hereditary disease passed down through the imperial bloodline.

On average, the disease would begin to manifest after the age of 50, eventually consuming the afflicted person’s life.

Even the saintess could not cure this illness; it was engraved into their very lineage.

To rid himself of this disease, the Emperor must have joined hands with Ixion.

‘He plans to erase the very illness that plagues the imperial bloodline, himself included.’

Kraush now understood why Dalphiron had supported the Emperor’s decision to ally with Ixion.

No matter how loyal Dalphiron was to the imperial family, he would offer advice when the Emperor made a poor decision.

But this time, Dalphiron must have agreed with the Emperor’s intentions, seeing it as a means to further strengthen the imperial family.

Kraush crossed his arms and tapped them lightly.

‘Poison Blood Codex.’

The Poison Blood Codex surfaced in his thoughts.

‘It was stolen even before the regression.’

This meant that the Hell Fairy and the Emperor must have been working together even then.

‘The codex must have been needed to eliminate the disease embedded in the imperial bloodline.’

At that time, Lagrin had chosen neutrality between the imperial family and the provincial nobles.

Lagrin was a formidable power among the provincial nobles.

While the provincial noble faction’s influence has diminished significantly now, it was thriving back then.

‘Lagrin wouldn’t have handed over the codex willingly.’

Instead, the Emperor might have used Ixion to corner Lagrin into a dire situation.

Then, the imperial family would extend a helping hand, swaying neutral Lagrin to their side.

In the process, they could also obtain the Poison Blood Codex, killing two birds with one stone.

Now, Kraush finally understood why the imperial family and Ixion had stolen Lagrin’s Poison Blood Codex.

‘But.’

Before the regression, that incident had been wiped clean from history.

Kraush focused on why that had happened.

‘Something must have occurred between the Hell Fairy and the imperial family.’

And because of that event, the imperial family had severed their ties with Ixion.

The Emperor’s eventual death from the illness was proof of this.

Additionally, Dalphiron must have acted to ensure that the imperial family’s collusion with Ixion was erased entirely.

‘Dalphiron’s skill.’

With that, it would indeed have been possible to completely erase the Hell Fairy’s existence from this world.

That skill was what made Dalphiron the imperial family’s sword.

‘But this time, the Hell Fairy hasn’t been erased yet.’

Kraush already knew who had interfered with that process.

The Red Witch, Abella.

She had inserted herself into the cracks between the imperial family and Ixion, using the Hell Fairy, a World Eroder, as her pawn.

At the moment Kraush’s thoughts reached that point, he felt a faint headache.

The situation was turning out to be even more complicated than he had anticipated.

To make matters worse, the truth about the disease afflicting the imperial family was something Kraush had only learned shortly before his regression.

“What now?”

As Kraush wrestled with the dilemma, Sizerly spoke up, her voice tinged with genuine concern.

She looked at Kraush with eyes that seemed to genuinely worry for him.

Meeting her gaze, Kraush slowly lifted his head.

A long sigh escaped his lips.

The World Eroder group, Ixion.

The world’s strongest nation, the Ephania Empire.

This was an absurdly large-scale conflict involving both.

Getting caught in the middle of a battle between whales could very well end in him being crushed to death in one blow.

And yet, Kraush’s eyes shone brightly.

“I can solve this.”

Kraush held the key to resolving this issue.

And the solution he envisioned was straightforward.

The disease passed down through the imperial bloodline—he would take it upon himself.

He had the Black Hood, after all.

The curse-like illness could be stolen, and Kraush had already done it once before.

Sigrid Ephania.

It was Kraush who had stolen the disease from that detestable woman, Sigrid Ephania.

To do it again, Kraush needed to meet someone.

“Sizerly, can you arrange a meeting with Dalphiron Junon?”

The Heavenly Emperor, Dalphiron Junon.

The sword of the imperial family.

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