Chapter 172
To everyone’s surprise, the Sawang Clan also sent an envoy.
But unlike the other noble houses, the Sawang Clan did not dismiss Christian.
They had firsthand experience of his abilities.
In fact, the Sawang Clan was the most objective and accurate in recognizing just how extraordinary Christian truly was.
“I will personally take charge of the envoy,” said Märchen, the elder of the Sawang Clan and the highest-ranking mage of the seventh star.
As a senior descendant of the Cursed Mage lineage, she was more than qualified.
“I also owe a debt to Lord Christian from before,” she added, a seductive smile playing on her lips.
“Above all, I intend to make Lord Christian my puppet someday. I want to see with my own eyes that beautiful form of his. Ah, just imagining what a magnificent masterpiece he will become sends shivers down my spine.”
Meanwhile, another faction within the Sawang Clan—the Bloodsword Mage—also decided to send representatives to the investiture ceremony.
However, there was a problem.
“The young lady insists on attending in person? That’s dangerous!”
“Don’t worry. The Dark Mage Clan is a family that values honor. They wouldn’t dare harm an envoy attending the ceremony.”
The Grand Princess Idrinne herself was going!
“But isn’t it unnecessary for her to go personally? It might even be considered improper.”
Dark Mage and Bloodsword Mage were sworn enemies, so the Grand Princess’s attendance was unusual to say the least.
Idrinne, however, remained unfazed.
“That’s fine too. I’ll conceal my identity.”
“What did you say?”
Idrinne planned to attend under the alias ‘Ria,’ the identity she had previously mentioned to Christian.
With the demon’s power aiding her disguise, there was no fear of being discovered.
“More importantly, I intend to befriend Lord Christian for the sake of improving relations between our two houses. I can’t pass up an opportunity like this.”
But it wasn’t just about family diplomacy.
‘Be careful. He’s a terrible demon,’ Christian’s words echoed in Idrinne’s mind, narrowing her eyes with determination.
‘I will become Lord Christian’s friend and make him apologize for that.’
She clenched her fist tightly.
Finally, there was the Geukdok Mage.
But the atmosphere there was strange.
Originally, the Geukdok Mage had planned to send the Grand Duke and Marisa as envoys.
By the decision of the clan head, Duke Huam, they intended to show the utmost courtesy as neighboring houses.
Marisa, in particular, was secretly excited and had put a lot of effort into preparing.
Her older brother, Grand Duke Hubert, shook his head at her enthusiasm.
“I thought you were going to meet your crush fiancé.”
“W-who said I have a crush on him! He barely even replies to my letters!”
Marisa snapped back.
“I’m just going as an envoy to show proper respect!”
“Heh, I never knew you were so formal.”
“Brother!”
Marisa shouted in protest.
Despite being from a prestigious mage family, they looked like a close-knit brother and sister.
In truth, they deeply relied on each other in their cold, harsh household.
But then, just before the investiture ceremony, something went wrong.
At the poison control office she managed—
“Ah, no, how could this happen?”
Marisa’s face turned pale.
“We have to find a way to stop this. Otherwise, it’ll cause a huge problem with the Dark Mage Clan…!”
And so, in a place no one knew about, another spark of conflict was ignited.
At last, the day of the investiture arrived.
The Dark Mage Clan’s main estate was packed with countless mages from all corners of the Mage Empire.
A specially invited orchestra played dazzling music, and a grand outdoor banquet was held in the gardens.
There was even a martial arts tournament for ordinary mages in the training grounds.
It was like a massive festival, but the expression on Nordian’s face—the host of it all—was far from pleased.
Christian, standing beside him, glanced over and asked, “What’s wrong, Clan Head?”
“I don’t like it. How dare they send such pathetic fools as envoys? Damn it, I want to tear them apart.”
Nordian’s anger stemmed from the caliber of envoys sent by the various houses.
Only the neighboring Geukdok Mage had sent someone of Grand Duke rank.
The rest were all minor, unheard-of figures.
‘Aside from Geukdok, only the Sawang Clan sent proper envoys. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.’
Nordian ground his teeth.
“How dare they disrespect the Dark Mage Clan like this.”
“They’re clearly underestimating us,” Christian said calmly.
Nordian scowled.
“Aren’t you angry?”
“Why would I be? I’ll just put them in their place.”
“!!”
“Besides, the seating arrangement is perfect, isn’t it?”
Christian’s words carried a hidden meaning.
Nordian’s expression shifted.
“You have something planned, don’t you?”
Christian nodded.
“May I cause a little trouble?”
“Trouble? At the Grand Duke’s investiture ceremony?”
“What’s the point of this pomp and circumstance if it doesn’t showcase the greatness of the Dark Mage Clan to our guests?”
Christian smiled slyly.
“An investiture should be a moment to demonstrate the clan’s magnificence, shouldn’t it?”
“…”
Nordian fell silent for a moment.
He couldn’t guess what Christian was thinking.
And yet, the idea of Christian causing a scene on the day of the investiture—the main event—was absurd.
Still, a part of him couldn’t help but feel a flicker of anticipation.
Christian had never once failed to keep his word.
“Very well. If you’re going to do it, make sure it’s done right.”
“Don’t worry. But please don’t scold me later for causing too big a scene.”
Christian was sincere.
He wasn’t planning a simple prank.
Today’s investiture would send shockwaves throughout the entire Mage Empire.
“As the future Grand Duke, I will welcome our guests.”
Just as he was about to move, Nordian grabbed him.
“Christian, do you know why I chose you as Grand Duke?”
“Because I’m obviously the best, isn’t it?”
“Ha ha, that’s right.”
Nordian looked him squarely in the eye.
“I’m proud of you.”
“!!”
Christian was slightly taken aback.
It wasn’t like Nordian to say something like that.
Nordian seemed embarrassed by his own words and waved his hand dismissively.
“Why are you standing there like a statue? I just mean that if you disgrace the clan’s honor, I won’t let it slide. Don’t get the wrong idea…!”
“I’m not misunderstanding. I understand perfectly.”
Christian grinned.
“So, Grandfather, you’re saying you’re bursting with pride. I won’t forget that feeling. Well then, I’ll be off.”
Before Nordian could say anything else, Christian disappeared.
Left alone, Nordian clicked his tongue, still feeling awkward.
“That’s not what I meant. Ugh, damn it. I don’t know why I said something so unlike myself.”
Still…
Though it wasn’t like him, hearing Christian call him ‘Grandfather’ wasn’t unpleasant.
Heading downstairs, familiar faces came into view.
His father, Count Kazar, and his younger brother, Tern.
“Chris.”
Count Kazar called him with a serious look.
“Can you handle this?”
His voice was laced with worry.
Though proud of his son’s rise to Grand Duke, he was concerned about the storms Christian would face.
Tern’s eyes burned with frustration.
“I see a lot of unlucky bastards around.”
“Hmm?”
“They don’t even realize how great you are! They say it’s all rumors and exaggerations!”
It seemed he had overheard the guests gossiping about Christian.
Chris chuckled.
“Tern, do you know who I am?”
“…You’re the future Grand Duke of the Dark Mage Clan…”
“Not that. Be precise.”
“…King Emperor Majesty, my brother.”
“That’s right. So why worry? They’ll soon learn just how great I am.”
“!!”
Chris ruffled Tern’s hair.
“You remember our promise, right? To show Father, you, and Mother—wherever she is—a sight so magnificent it makes their hearts swell.”
It was a promise made when he first left the Dark Mage Clan’s main estate.
“That promise isn’t over. I’ll show you all something so incredible it will fill your hearts with pride.”
Tern nodded silently, and Count Kazar still looked uneasy.
“Don’t overdo it.”
“I won’t.”
Chris smiled wryly and passed by them.
He headed toward the center of the banquet hall, where guests were eyeing him like hyenas.
“Those fools. They don’t even need me to overexert myself.”
As he moved forward, a hush fell over the crowd.
The orchestra’s music played on, but no one seemed to hear it.
All eyes focused on Christian as he finally appeared.
‘He’s young. Isn’t he still underage?’
‘He carries himself with great dignity. There’s a deep, calm aura about him. Maybe he’s not someone to be underestimated.’
Some of the more experienced mages among the guests narrowed their eyes.
They immediately sensed Christian was no ordinary person.
‘He’s a promising talent.’
A high compliment, but also a subtle criticism.
Someone expected to grow into greatness in time.
But for now, he was still lacking.
‘Too young.’
‘Too inexperienced to be a Grand Duke.’
Of course, Christian’s achievements were not insignificant—especially for his age.
But a Grand Duke was not someone to be coddled and protected like other noble heirs.
He had to take the lead as the head of the family.
Therefore, whoever rose to that position had to be on par with the family’s senior executives in experience, skill, and strength.
From that perspective, Christian inevitably fell short.
Yet, Christian just shrugged off their judgmental gazes.
‘Just as I expected. Doesn’t matter. In fact, I like it.’
A surprising thought crossed his mind.
‘This kind of atmosphere will only make me stand out more.’
He had no interest in a quiet, subdued investiture ceremony.
He planned to make it as extravagant as possible.
‘Especially for my plan, I’ll need a scapegoat to trample on.’
Judging by the mood, finding a scapegoat wouldn’t be difficult.
Whispers like these began to circulate.
“Is that boy really the Crown Prince Christian? He looks so young. Like a baby.”
“Why does he look so frail and sickly, like some pampered courtesan’s brother? I don’t like it.”
“Aren’t you all a bit too rough around the edges? Actually, he’s exactly my type. He’d make a perfect plaything.”
They were princes and princesses from the Sword Demon, Beast, and Phantom Magic factions.
They looked at Christian with mocking eyes, barely hiding their sneers.