Chapter 177

Everyone around held their breath at that brazen provocation.

But Märchen just laughed, showing no sign of offense.

“Ahahaha, you’re truly a fascinating person. I like you. Really. I think I might just fall for you.”

Chris frowned.

‘What a load of crap.’

Märchen had been a notorious figure even in her past life.

Just as Sherard’s “I like you” meant “I want to kill you,” Märchen’s “I like you” meant “I want to stuff you and turn you into a doll.”

‘She probably came here in person just to see me, thinking about turning me into a doll.’

Well, it didn’t matter.

Chris had no intention of letting her live either.

Märchen was one of the people who absolutely had to be killed.

“But why did you leave some survivors after the duel earlier? Not just that rookie from the Destruction Mage faction, but even those from the Triangular Alliance. If you’re going to crush them, you should stomp them so thoroughly they never get back up.”

Märchen asked with a tone of genuine curiosity.

“They won’t just stand by quietly, you know? They’ll definitely try to retaliate against the Duke.”

Chris chuckled softly.

“That’s exactly what I’m counting on.”

“Hmm?”

“The coronation ceremony isn’t over yet.”

‘If we end the ceremony like this, it would be too dull.’ The Grand Duke’s coronation was held over two days.

Today was the prelude—a banquet.

Tomorrow was the formal ceremony.

Chris had deliberately left some room for those who had quarreled with him earlier, all for the sake of the formal ceremony.

‘Every grand ceremony needs a sacrifice.’

They had no idea that the humiliation they’d just suffered was far from over.

“Ahahaha, truly impressive. I look forward to seeing what elegant plans you have in store. Well then, I’ll be off.”

A dark shadow flickered across Märchen’s lips.

“If I stay any longer, I might lose control of my feelings toward the Duke and end up trying to kidnap him.”

It was no joke.

With that, Märchen disappeared, and the troublesome banquet came to an end. The next day arrived.

Now, only the main ceremony remained.

The day Chris would officially become Grand Duke.

And the day he would make history with an unprecedented incident.

---

The grand hall was packed with countless people.

On the stage stood the family head, Nordien, and a Ma-in Chris had never seen before.

A representative of the Demon Emperor from the Central Territory.

Chris, dressed in unusually splendid formal attire, eyed the ‘representative’ with a puzzled expression.

‘A top-tier Ma-in, ranked as an 8-star Demon Lord. But I’ve never seen this person before. The Central Territory is shrouded in mystery.’

For reference, during the great war ignited by the Bloodthirsty Demon King, the Central Territory had not participated.

They had merely observed, as if indifferent, watching the Bloodthirsty Demon King’s actions unfold.

Despite the Central’s absence, the Ma-in forces had achieved a crushing victory, underscoring just how formidable the Magic Empire’s military power was.

‘But why did the Central, home to the Demon Emperor, just stand by and watch the Bloodthirsty Demon King? They must have known the Bloodthirsty Demon King and the Mystic Mage’s goal was Ragnarok—the destruction of the world.’

This was a question Chris had never been able to answer while in the Alliance.

Why was the Central silent?

It wasn’t because they lacked power.

‘The top four Demon Kings in the hierarchy all belong to the Central.’

For reference, the Demon Kings’ ranks were as follows:

1st: Demon Emperor (Ma-hwang).

2nd: Demon Empress (Ma-hu).

3rd: Magic Chancellor (Ma-do Jaesang).

4th: Great General, the Red Sky Demon King (Jeokcheon).

Below them, other Demon Kings served as the Emperor’s representatives in the eastern, western, southern, and northern territories.

‘Later, the Bloodthirsty Demon King rose to 4th place, recognized by the Demon Emperor.’

That was a story loaded with significance.

Even the terrifying Bloodthirsty Demon King was only ranked 4th, meaning those above him were even more powerful.

A chilling thought.

‘The Magic Chancellor alone is an incredible figure.’

For reference, the 3rd-ranked Magic Chancellor hailed from the Dark Mage faction.

More precisely, he was the founder and peak leader of the Dark Mage faction.

‘Though now, he has no ties to the Dark Mage faction.’

Under the Demon Emperor’s orders, the Magic Chancellor severed all personal ties with the Dark Mage faction and governed the Magic Empire on the Emperor’s behalf.

‘…At least, it’s fortunate that the Central can’t be outright labeled as an enemy yet. They’re just watching.’

The clear enemies were the Bloodthirsty Demon King, the Four Demon Kings, and the Mystic Mage.

The Central remained ambiguous.

Whether they were friend or foe would depend on their reasons for silence.

Honestly, Chris hoped the Central was not an enemy.

‘Let’s think about the Central later. It’s not something I can reach out to right now.’

What he needed to focus on was bringing the Dark Mage faction fully under his control.

And making the Dark Mage faction the strongest.

Today’s coronation would be the first step.

“Come up to the stage, Christian.”

Nordien’s voice was firm but carried pride toward Christian.

Chris smiled broadly and began walking.

Step by step, his footsteps echoed through the silent hall.

Everyone swallowed hard.

He was just walking, yet his presence was overwhelming, like the shadow of a giant falling over them all.

Everyone instinctively sensed it.

At this very moment, another giant was being born.

Still weak, so no one could guess it yet.

But one day, he would tower over the entire Magic Empire.

“Pay respects to His Majesty, the Demon Emperor.”

Chris knelt on one knee before the ‘representative’ on the stage.

Like a knight receiving his knighthood.

The ‘representative’ spoke.

“I am Duke Sant, executor of the Demon Emperor’s will, sent here by the Magic Chancellor. Christian de Barron, receive this command.”

“I accept.”

For reference, Christian’s surname changed to ‘de Barron’ upon becoming Grand Duke, dropping the branch family title.

“I entrust you with the legacy of darkness. Do you swear loyalty to His Majesty, the Demon Emperor?”

“I swear.”

“Good. If anyone here opposes Christian de Barron’s succession to the legacy of darkness, come forward now.”

It was a formal procedure.

The Magic Empire’s noble families ruled the empire.

So the head of a family had to be recognized by other noble families, as decreed by the Demon Emperor.

That was why only direct descendants of each family’s head could attend the Grand Duke’s coronation.

‘It’s basically a formality now.’

If another family opposed the chosen successor, it was tantamount to declaring war.

As expected, no one voiced opposition.

Duke Sant nodded and was about to proceed to the next step.

“Then, the new Grand Duke…”

“Wait, please.”

Christian interrupted boldly, causing a murmur in the hall.

“…What’s this about?”

“It seems there are those who oppose my coronation as Grand Duke.”

“…What?”

Everyone looked shocked by the sudden outburst.

Even Nordien narrowed his eyes.

‘What trouble is this guy causing now?’

But Chris just smiled.

‘They said I could cause a scene, right?’

Yes, what he did at yesterday’s banquet wasn’t the real incident.

This was the real plan.

Chris turned his gaze.

Toward a figure clenching his teeth, face hardened with anger.

“Isn’t that right, Philip, Duke of the Destruction Mage faction?”

“!!”

Chris smirked.

“You look quite displeased with my coronation.”

All eyes turned to Philip.

His face flushed red as if about to burst.

‘That damn bastard.’

After the humiliations of yesterday, Philip had been preparing to take revenge on Christian.

But he hadn’t planned to act just yet.

No matter how arrogant Philip was, he wouldn’t dare cause a scene with the Demon Emperor’s representative present.

But Chris wasn’t letting him off.

‘I’ve always been a wicked rogue, haven’t I?’

“Why so silent? Don’t just stew inside like a Ma-in. If you have something to say, say it clearly.”

“…You… you…”

“Or is your face like that because you’re so moved by my coronation? Well, I did give you a good lesson yesterday. I understand if you now hold me in respect.”

“Damn it!!”

Mentioning yesterday’s humiliation finally pushed Philip over the edge.

“You, a piece of trash, becoming the Grand Duke of a noble Magic family?! I will never accept it! I, Philip, representative of the Destruction Mage faction, will challenge your qualifications!”

The challenge was simple.

A duel, as befits a Ma-in.

But Christian raised the stakes.

“I refuse.”

“…What?”

“How could a pathetic loser like you judge my qualifications?”

Then Christian turned his gaze to three others wearing similar expressions.

The delegates of the Triangular Alliance.

Those who had suffered the same humiliation yesterday.

“It seems you don’t like my coronation either. Then all of you can come at me together.”

“As the future head of the Dark Mage faction, I must be able to crush the likes of you all at once to prove my worth.”

The hall stirred loudly.

Philip alone was no easy opponent.

Though he looked pitiful yesterday, he possessed skills worthy of his ‘genius’ nickname.

The princes and princesses of the Triangular Alliance were no different.

They weren’t renowned prodigies within their families, but all three were battle-hardened veterans who had fought fiercely against the Holy Empire.

Especially the combined attacks of the three families in the Triangular Alliance were famously powerful.

‘Reckless. Are they out of their minds?’

‘Those three from the Triangular Alliance recently combined forces to capture the Star Knight Commander of the Holy Empire.’

“To take on all of them at once, you’d need to be at least six-star level. Has Prince Christian completely lost his arrogance?”

Everyone looked at Christian with that same skeptical glare, but he simply met the Ma Emperor’s proxy with calm confidence and said,

“As you can see, there are those who oppose my appointment. I’ll prove my worth.”

“What? Ha ha!”

Duke Sant, the proxy, thankfully didn’t get angry. Instead, he laughed heartily and turned to Nordian.

“A remarkable figure has emerged in the Dark Magic realm.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Nordian bowed his head in apology.

As the Ma Emperor’s proxy, Duke Sant was simply showing the proper respect.

This time, Sant addressed Christian directly.

“Very well. Rampage as you wish.”

“Thank you.”

“But remember this.”

Sant’s voice dropped coldly.

“If you show any sign of weakness, I will revoke your succession. You’re the one who dared to start this reckless game, so I expect no complaints.”

A chilling warning.

Though there was no precedent for such a thing, if the central authority blocked Christian’s succession, he would never become Grand Duke.

But—

“It doesn’t matter.”

Christian stepped onto the circular stage set before the podium.

“There’s no way I’ll show any weakness.”

That’s right.

Christian’s goal wasn’t just to win.

He planned to use them as sacrifices to firmly etch into everyone’s minds just how extraordinary he truly was.