Episode 156
It wasn’t unusual for the Dark Demon Army to have five-star or higher demons. There were quite a few of them.
But not a single five-star demon in the Dark Demon Army had ever exuded such an overwhelming presence.
If Christian’s rank was at the very top tier of five stars—say, upper five-star—it might have been possible to understand.
But Christian had only just reached five stars, hadn’t he?
Yet, just looking at him sent a chilling wave of intimidation through everyone.
Lower-ranked demons were so unnerved by the pressure that they struggled to meet his gaze. Those of moderate rank had to summon their own demonic energy to brace themselves.
But the ones most shocked were the high-ranking demons—the elite five-star demons at the upper echelon.
Those on the cusp of six stars widened their eyes in disbelief, realizing how Christian could radiate such intense intimidation.
“Has he redefined his own vessel? How?”
The concept of a “vessel” was abstract and fluid.
It could grow larger or smaller depending on one’s efforts, achievements, and experiences.
It could also develop cracks for various reasons.
Though these cracks might not be immediately visible, they would inevitably become a liability later on.
But damage to the vessel was unavoidable.
Like a well-used cup, it was natural for it to bear scratches and chips.
Therefore, every high-ranking demon carried some degree of imperfection in their vessel.
The crucial question was whether they could overcome these flaws.
The best way was to completely rebuild the vessel, as if melting it down and reforging it anew.
Leaving no trace of previous damage—perfectly clean.
But that was no easy feat.
Even among upper five-star demons, and even some six-star demons, many had failed to reconstruct their vessels.
Many high-ranking demons merely patched over their vessel’s flaws as a last resort.
And yet, here was Christian, having fully redefined his vessel in such a short time?
Christian calmly thought to himself:
“Well, it wasn’t that hard. I just resolved the imbalance in my vessel—the very problem I had—and forged it anew.”
His once-flawed vessel had become flawless, amplifying his intimidating aura.
It wasn’t just that his presence had grown stronger.
Even with the same achievements, there was a huge difference between someone with a perfect vessel and someone without.
It translated into a real increase in power.
“Impressive. No wonder the main family calls him a genius.”
One of the figures standing on the upper platform spoke.
It was Leon, the third of the five great commanders.
Duke, the second commander, spoke gravely.
“We can’t afford to be careless. Something feels off.”
Currently, three of the five commanders were present in the arena.
Duke, the second; Leon, the third; and Saenin, the youngest.
The other two were on guard duty at the barrier.
“How about it, Young Master Saenin? Think you can handle this? Or should I step in? You don’t look too well yourself.”
Leon asked with a sly smile.
“I don’t think that will be necessary, but if I lose, it’ll be embarrassing.”
Saenin ground his teeth.
“That won’t happen.”
“Hmm, I think you shouldn’t push yourself too hard.”
“Don’t insult me with such nonsense.”
Leon chuckled.
He wasn’t seriously expecting Saenin to lose—it was a teasing laugh.
After all, even with his vessel redefined, the gap in rank was too great.
“But still, don’t let your guard down.”
“Hmph.”
Saenin rose from the platform and descended to the training ground.
They faced each other.
“The Marquis won’t be attending the duel. He has other matters to attend to.”
“That’s fine.”
“Last question: do you intend to forfeit the duel?”
Saenin spoke in a low voice.
“My will technique is rough—I can’t guarantee there won’t be bloodshed. I won’t be responsible if either of us dies or is maimed.”
A chilling statement.
But it wasn’t a mere threat.
The will technique was a secret art that challenged the limits of reality through sheer willpower.
It was difficult to control its power.
If Christian couldn’t handle it, as Saenin warned, a major disaster would ensue.
Though it was a warning, Saenin spoke with genuine concern.
“May I say something as well?”
“…What is it?”
“Don’t whine if you lose. Like I said before, I don’t want to see the eldest of the thirty crying.”
Saenin’s face flared with anger.
“You—!!”
At that moment—
Darkness flashed.
It was the Black Steel Technique.
Christian launched a surprise attack without warning.
Meanwhile, at that time—
High atop the spire of the Schupen Marquisate, unexpected figures were engaged in conversation.
“…Why have you come here?”
“Didn’t I say? It’s an inspection.”
“…Just like that?”
“Yes. You seem displeased, but do you think there’s anywhere I can’t go?”
“That’s not it.”
The Schupen Marquis wore a displeased expression.
It was because of the identity of the person before him.
A young boy’s appearance.
An avatar of Nogazu Nordian!
More precisely, a thought-form.
Since they were far away, it wasn’t the actual avatar, but Nordian’s consciousness sent to the Schupen Marquisate.
“Have you come to watch Christian’s duel?”
“Absolutely not. That brat left without even saying goodbye to his master. What’s there to admire?”
Nordian scowled deeply.
“If he left in such a hurry, he should have at least sent a letter. It’s been over two months with no word. What kind of disciple is he? Just using me for his own ends.”
“……”
The Schupen Marquis remained silent.
Nordian’s demeanor was like a grumpy old man sulking over his grandson.
If Merian or Simon had been nearby, they would have nodded emphatically—yes, he was sulking.
Only Merian and Simon knew how much Nordian had been grumbling behind the scenes these past two months.
“So the rumors are true—he really cares for Christian. Even as a thought-form, he came to watch the duel in person.”
The Schupen Marquis asked in a strange tone.
“Who do you think will win, Lord?”
“You mean the duel with your son?”
“Yes. Between Langham and Christian.”
“!!”
“Christian becoming the Grand Duke means he’ll eventually face Langham.”
The Schupen Marquis lowered his gaze.
“Honestly, Christian has no chance. Why push him recklessly into a death trap?”
“……”
“Christian will die.”
Nordian didn’t answer immediately.
The Schupen Marquis pressed on, as if determined.
“I think you should have recognized Langham as the heir. If you had, Langham wouldn’t have gone astray like this.”
It wasn’t a wrong observation.
Langham’s current state was all because Nordian hadn’t acknowledged him as heir.
“Though Langham never broke through the wall to reach eight stars, he would have done well in his own way. I would have served him loyally.”
“Yes, that might have been the case.”
“You, Lord, are the one who ruined Langham.”
The Schupen Marquis spoke sharply.
Being a strong-willed man, he didn’t mince words even with his lord.
Surprisingly, Nordian didn’t deny Schupen’s words.
“Yes, I know. It’s my fault Langham was ruined.”
“Langham would have done well, even now…”
“But only in times of peace.”
“!!”
“In the terrible future to come, Langham will never be able to protect the Dark Demon Army.”
The Schupen Marquis’s eyes hardened.
“You must have some inkling of what’s coming, don’t you? The storm brewing over the Magic Empire.”
Nordian continued in a heavy voice.
“It’s been a long time since the Demon Emperor last spoke. Schupen, do you know why he remains silent?”
“…I don’t know about central affairs.”
“Neither do I, exactly. But the Demon Emperor is surely still strong. Yet he says nothing, watching the chaos among the vassal states. The situation at the Four Kings’ Castle is dire, and the western front is no better.”
Nordian sighed deeply.
“I don’t know his intentions. But if things continue like this, a great calamity will engulf the Magic Empire in blood. Perhaps the Demon Emperor even wishes for it.”
“……”
“Langham will never be able to protect the Dark Demon Army in that disaster.”
The Schupen Marquis spoke, unable to comprehend.
“Then you’re saying Christian can? That kid? Isn’t that wishful thinking?”
Schupen sneered.
“That child can barely handle Langham.”
Nordian was silent for a moment.
“You may be right. No, you probably are. I know it’s an impossible hope.”
“Then why?”
“Because there is no other hope besides Christian.”
“!!”
Nordian’s voice turned bitter.
“I am a ‘wraith.’ I should have long since passed on. I cling to life through forbidden arts, enduring disgracefully for the sake of the Dark Demon Army, but I can do nothing for it.”
The word ‘wraith’ was no mere metaphor.
Nordian was fated to have died long ago.
He had defied death with forbidden arts, but at a great cost.
A restriction preventing him from interfering in family affairs.
If he broke this rule, his remaining time would rapidly diminish.
Only Merian, Simon, and the Schupen Marquis knew this secret.
The sole reason he defied death despite these constraints was one:
The Dark Demon Army needed someone like Nordian.
The reason enemies dared not act recklessly against the Dark Maga was simple: they feared Nordian.
If Nordian were to fall, if he were to die and disappear, those who coveted the Dark Maga would immediately strike.
[That’s why I’m placing my hopes on Christian. Because there’s nothing else I can do but pin my faith on that boy.]
The lord’s words weighed heavily on Duke Shupen’s chest.
“…Still, it’s a gamble.”
Nordian let out a low chuckle before changing the subject.
[Earlier, you asked me why I went all the way out here just to watch a duel, didn’t you?]
“…Yes, I did.”
Nordian glanced down from the tower.
Christian and Sanin’s duel was just beginning.
By all objective measures, Christian stood no chance—there was no way he could win.
And yet.
[I wanted to see for myself.]
“!!”
Nordian’s blood-red eyes sharpened as they fixed on Christian from a distance.
Intensely.
[I needed to witness that boy’s madness, to confirm once more that my choice wasn’t wrong.]
* * *
Christian’s sudden, unexpected strike.
Sanin was caught off guard and hastily summoned his own energy to counter.
KRAAAASH!!
A tremendous roar echoed through the air.
Like a bomb had exploded, a fierce windstorm whipped around them.
‘The power of the Black Steel Energy?!’