Chapter 180

“I won’t bore you with long-winded speeches like those alliance scoundrels. A mage’s true nature is shown through action. I have only one thing to say.”

Chris’s voice echoed throughout the hall.

Light, yet carrying an undeniable weight that no one dared to ignore.

“As the heir of the Dark Clan, my sole ambition is this: to restore the Dark Clan to its former glory.”

“!!”

“Just like during the era of the first head of the family, the ‘Dark Annihilation Demon King.’”

At the mention of that name, the entire room fell silent.

It was a name none could forget.

The Mage Empire had a long and storied history.

Throughout its vast timeline, noble mage families had risen and fallen repeatedly.

In that context, the Dark Clan was relatively young—only about 300 years old.

Its golden age was under the first head, the Dark Annihilation Demon King.

He had subjugated the Destruction Clan and the Extreme Poison Clan beneath his feet, and even the Triangular Alliance of the Western Mage Kingdom bowed before the Dark Clan.

The Four Kings’ Castle? They never dared to provoke; they simply cowered.

The Dark Clan’s power was so overwhelming that the families under its sway were collectively called the ‘Dark Alliance.’

At that time, the Dark Clan, alongside the Mystic Clan, was considered one of the supreme powers.

Yet, surprisingly, the overall strength of the Dark Clan wasn’t particularly formidable.

How could such a mighty force not have strong power?

There was a reason.

The Dark Clan’s golden age was solely due to one man—the first head, the Dark Annihilation Demon King.

One man who had brought countless noble families to their knees.

Until he was appointed as the third-ranked Mage Chancellor and left the Dark Clan, the surrounding families lived in fear, tiptoeing around the clan during its dark era.

‘Could it be that today’s duel was meant to emulate him?’

‘To imitate the Dark Annihilation Demon King?’

People swallowed hard as they looked at the fallen heirs of the Triangular Alliance.

The Dark Annihilation Demon King absorbed over 90% of the dark energy.

Therefore, like Chris, he specialized in wielding all kinds of dark magic and spells without restriction.

“Darkness is the power that governs all magic. The Dark Clan is truly the greatest mage family.”

Those were the words of the Dark Annihilation Demon King.

Back then, the Dark Clan was far more than just a family of magic swordsmen.

It was the absolute clan that ruled over all forms of darkness.

In fact, the Dark Annihilation Demon King overwhelmed each noble family with every type of magic—destruction, curses, illusions—just as Chris demonstrated today.

In other words, through today’s duel, Chris declared his intention to become a figure like the Dark Annihilation Demon King.

“Just as the banner of the Dark Alliance once flew high.”

Chris smiled slyly, looking down on everyone as he proclaimed,

“Soon, the entire Mage Empire will once again recognize the greatness of our Dark Clan.”

And so it was.

A declaration was made that would later be recorded in history as the beginning of the ‘Second Dark Alliance.’

---

Chris’s proclamation sent shockwaves throughout the empire.

It had been only 200 years since the Dark Annihilation Demon King became Mage Chancellor and left the Dark Clan.

All the ancient noble families still remembered the terror he inspired.

‘And he’s still active today.’

The Mage Chancellor was the most frequently seen figure outside the central government.

Having reached the transcendent ninth star, he had surpassed the limits of lifespan.

Especially since the Dark Annihilation Demon King had reached the pinnacle of the ninth star, he was still alive and well.

Of course, now he no longer used the title ‘Dark Annihilation Demon King’ but was simply called ‘Mage Chancellor,’ severing all ties with the Dark Clan by the order of the Demon King.

‘In fact, the Mage Chancellor has never once given the Dark Clan any personal aid.’

Being the clan’s founder didn’t mean he owed them anything.

If anything, in the worst case, he could become their enemy. Hopefully, that wouldn’t happen.

Still, the memories of that era were like a trauma for each family, so Chris’s declaration caused quite a stir.

Especially the way he fought in the duel—it was a huge shock.

He toyed with his opponents using each clan’s specialty, proving that Chris could one day grow into a figure like the Dark Annihilation Demon King.

On top of that, his strength went beyond what could be explained by mastery of the stars.

Several families began to keep a close eye on Christian.

Though, that wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

“That was reckless,” Nordian frowned.

“You’re only sowing unnecessary suspicion among the other families. Our Dark Clan’s power isn’t enough to back up such claims.”

Hearing the word ‘not enough’ from the clan head was bitter but undeniable.

They were far from rebuilding the Dark Alliance; the future looked uncertain at best.

But—

“Because we’re weak, we can’t just sit still.”

“!!”

“The enemies are always waiting to swallow up our Dark Clan.”

That was true.

Not just the Four Kings’ Castle.

The Destruction Clan, the neighboring Extreme Poison Clan.

Even the ruler of the Southern Mage Kingdom, the Azure Flow Demon King.

All were eyeing the Dark Clan hungrily.

‘At least the Extreme Poison Clan’s head, Duke Huam, is somewhat friendly toward us.’

The problem was, the real power in the Extreme Poison Clan wasn’t Duke Huam.

It was the vice head, Marquis Goras.

He was the true force behind the Extreme Poison Clan.

‘The upcoming Poison-Dark conflict and the horrific Green Suppression Incident are both because of Marquis Goras.’

Chris looked Nordian straight in the eye.

“I know the Mage Empire is being swept by fierce storms of bloodshed.”

“…”

“Cowering will only get us crushed in the storm. To survive, we must trample others first.”

Nordian pressed his lips tightly.

Christian was right.

Doing nothing meant no future.

He sighed inwardly.

‘It’s a shame I don’t have much time left.’

If only Nordian had more time.

If he could shield Chris until he matured, what was there to fear?

But Nordian had less than a year left.

He worried whether Chris could withstand the brutal storm alone after he was gone.

At that moment, Chris’s dark red eyes locked onto Nordian’s with unwavering trust.

As if to say, don’t worry.

“Grandfather, please believe in me.”

“!!”

Nordian’s pupils trembled faintly.

Then he let out a soft laugh.

Hearing Chris’s resolute voice, he couldn’t help but smile.

‘Come to think of it, this kid has never once failed to keep his word.’

That was true.

Looking back, Chris had always fulfilled every promise he made.

No matter how difficult.

This time, the scale was so grand it was hard to believe.

“Are you really going to rebuild the Dark Alliance?”

“Yes, absolutely. There’s no other way for our Dark Clan to survive.”

Chris wasn’t just making an empty threat for show.

Rebuilding the Dark Alliance was essential.

‘At the very least, we must bring Destruction and Extreme Poison under the Dark Clan’s banner. Only then can we face the coming catastrophe.’

Nordian shook his head.

“Of course, I know you’ve done unbelievable things so far. But the Dark Alliance? You’re not the founder, the Dark Annihilation Demon King.”

The Dark Annihilation Demon King could form the Dark Alliance because of his absolute power.

“Of course, I’m not the founder. But that doesn’t matter. I have a weapon he didn’t.”

“…What?”

Chris smiled slyly.

“Genius.”

Nordian looked baffled.

But Chris was serious.

“Unlike the Dark Annihilation Demon King, I plan to build the Dark Alliance my own way. Trust me and watch. In one year, our Dark Banner will be flying over Destruction and Extreme Poison.”

Nordian chuckled.

Flying over Destruction and Extreme Poison in just one year?

It was an absurd, laughable ambition.

But watching Chris’s boundless confidence, he couldn’t help but feel maybe, just maybe, he could pull it off.

“I won’t be here in a year.”

“…”

“You probably guessed it, but my time is short. I should have died long ago.”

Chris fell silent for a moment.

‘In reality, it’s even less than a year.’

Because of the events about to unfold in the Dark Clan.

Specifically, because of Marquis Langham.

Marquis Langham would gain power surpassing Nordian’s through terrible means and personally kill Nordian.

‘I won’t let that happen.’

In truth, Chris had a plan concerning Nordian.

A plan Nordian had no idea about.

‘But now’s not the time to talk about it. Even I’m not sure it will succeed.’

No, the chances of failure were much higher.

Chris was planning assuming Nordian would die.

But if everything went perfectly.

If he could first obtain the power he desired—the ‘Diagram Realm.’

‘Maybe, just maybe, a miracle could happen.’

Of course, it was a slim chance, so Chris said calmly,

“It’s alright. Like I said, please believe in me.”

“…”

Nordian chuckled softly again.

The situation was still bleak, but strangely, it felt like a weight had been lifted from his chest.

“So, do you have a concrete plan in mind?”

“For now, the priority is to bring the Geukdok family to their knees. There have already been some suspicious movements on their side, according to personal intelligence.”

The Southern Mage Kingdom was on the brink of massive upheaval.

Catastrophes that would shake the entire realm.

Normally, the Dark Maga family would be caught in the crossfire of such chaos, suffering terrible wounds. But Christian intended to use these very events to force every noble house into submission.

‘…It’s going to be insanely tough.’

Christian fell silent for a moment, picturing the grueling hardships ahead.

If he thought about it from another angle, it meant he would have to personally resolve every crisis that erupted in the Southern Mage Kingdom.

He couldn’t even begin to imagine how overwhelming that would be.

But it had to be done.

‘Damn it. How did I end up with this kind of mess? Once this is all over, I’m going to enjoy the ultimate luxury. I’ll become the laziest Demon King the world has ever seen! I’ll even name myself the “Demon King of Sloth.”’

Shaking his head to banish the pointless daydreams, Christian refocused on the matter at hand.

‘The first move is the Dokam conflict, which is about to break out.’

He planned to secure a flawless victory for the Dark Maga family in that conflict, then use it as leverage to finally subjugate the Geukdok family.

‘The news should be arriving any moment now.’

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

It was Sebastian, the deputy steward.

“My lord, I have urgent news to report.”

“What is it?”

Nordian frowned.

Since Sebastian was in charge of the main manor, he rarely came to see Nordian in the annex.

His visits only happened when something serious occurred within the family.

Sure enough.

“A mysterious plague has suddenly broken out in the western territories.”

“!!”

“We suspect foul play by the Geukdok family. We seek your guidance, my lord.”

And so, the curtain rose on the turmoil that would engulf the Southern Mage Kingdom—the Dokam conflict had begun.