Chapter 188

“We heard that the Extreme Poison Maga clan pulled some tricks, and everyone in our Dark Maga forces was furious. But since it’s not really our place to intervene, we just swallowed our anger. So to have this opportunity now…”

The Dark Maga’s main mission was to keep the Four Kings’ Castle in check.

Because the Four Kings’ Castle could exploit any openings, the Dark Maga’s policy was to avoid getting involved in disputes between the other factions—namely, Gold Cross and Extreme Poison Maga—whenever possible.

But according to Chris’s plan, this was different.

They would launch a surprise attack on an unsuspecting enemy and finish the job quickly, so they wouldn’t have to commit their full strength for long.

Saenin spoke up as well.

“This time, I’ll finally show Your Highness what I’m truly capable of.”

Though his expression was still somewhat displeased, it didn’t seem to stem from resentment. Rather, it looked like a positive competitive fire directed at Chris.

‘His skills have definitely improved. Maybe shedding that inferiority complex helped.’

When Saenin had dueled Chris before, he’d been shackled by a mental block of inferiority, unable to perform at his true level. As a result, he was thoroughly outmatched by Chris, who was only a five-star despite Saenin’s six-star lower rank.

Now, having fully acknowledged Chris and overcome that mental barrier, Saenin’s strength felt more solid and formidable.

‘If I fight Saenin again, it won’t be as easy a victory as before.’

Chris spoke up.

“Good to see you both. Let me briefly explain the plan.”

It was simple.

They would strike the enemy, who was caught off guard and unprepared, with a surprise attack and bring them down swiftly.

“The key is speed. We have to capture all four territories before the Extreme Poison Maga’s main base can send reinforcements.”

It was doable.

Those four territories were closer to the Dark Maga border than to the Extreme Poison Maga’s main base.

More importantly, from Extreme Poison Maga’s perspective, the border with Dark Maga was more of a rear line than a frontline, so they hadn’t stationed strong forces there.

‘Extreme Poison Maga’s main enemies are the same as ours: the Four Kings’ Castle and Gold Cross.’

For reference, Extreme Poison Maga, like Dark Maga, bordered the Four Kings’ Castle to the north and Gold Cross to the south.

The difference was that they rarely clashed with the Four Kings’ Castle due to geography, but often fought with Gold Cross.

‘Because many of Gold Cross’s aggressive military powers are stationed along Extreme Poison Maga’s border.’

If the Law Nation was the spiritual pillar of Gold Cross, the real power lay with the militarized strongholds.

These often ignored or defied the Law Nation’s orders and tended to side with Extreme Poison Maga, leading to frequent conflicts.

In any case, the border with Dark Maga was comparatively weak.

‘Two of the lords there are only five-star rank.’

Of course, five stars was by no means low—they were considered high-ranking demons.

But they were no match for the Black Banner Army gathered here.

‘The problem is the other two territories. Both are ruled by six-star master-class lords.’

Still, it wasn’t a major concern.

They had two six-star master-class fighters on their side as well.

As expected, the Third Commander Leon spoke lightly.

“Let’s get moving immediately. Let’s finish this quickly and have a drink. Oh, Your Highness, I heard you can’t handle your liquor?”

There was no hint of worry in his tone.

Suddenly, an unexpected voice cut in.

“W-wait! Are you really going to attack our Extreme Poison Maga just like that?”

It was Marisa!

Chris tilted his head.

“You’re still here?”

“Of course I’m not leaving! But aren’t you underestimating the main base too much? Why do you think we haven’t stationed strong forces along the Dark Maga border?”

Marisa warned seriously.

“Each castle is protected by poison formations.”

These were formations made of poison.

“Sure, you and the five commanders might be able to break through them, but ordinary demons won’t. If they let their guard down, they’ll be wiped out in an instant.”

This was why Extreme Poison Maga was so feared.

No matter how outnumbered, they could annihilate their enemies in a flash if given the chance.

Poison was especially deadly against lower-ranked opponents, making it a poor match for Dark Maga, which had many ordinary demons.

This was why the Nordians avoided clashing with Extreme Poison Maga.

Third Commander Leon frowned.

“Didn’t Your Highness say you had a countermeasure against the poison formations?”

The five commanders weren’t unconcerned about the poison formations either.

But Chris dismissed their worries with a single sentence.

—I’ll handle the poison formations myself.

Everyone looked at Chris, curious about what plan he had, and he just shrugged.

“Nothing special. Poison formations are just another type of formation.”

“??”

“Hmm… it’s complicated to explain. You’ll see when we get there.”

It was a cryptic answer.

Everyone tilted their heads, and Chris just smiled and climbed onto his mount.

“Then, let’s move out!”

The battle was about to begin.

---

The first target was the Balmont territory.

A territory ruled by a mid-level five-star demon lord.

Late at night, screams echoed.

“Graaah!!”

“W-what?! Dark Maga forces! It’s a surprise attack! Everyone, get up! Huff!”

The Extreme Poison Maga demons on guard shouted, but it was too late.

Other demons rushed to fight, but it was useless.

Extreme Poison Maga’s specialty was poison.

When used under the right conditions, poison could instantly turn the tide of battle.

Especially when enemies were trapped and then poisoned, the effect was brutal.

But conversely, they were vulnerable to surprise attacks like this.

Moreover, the Dark Maga had prepared thoroughly against poison.

Thanks to Chris.

“What is this medicine?”

“It’s a drug Your Highness gave us to boost poison resistance. But how effective is it?”

The Black Banner demons looked at their bodies in confusion.

Before fighting Extreme Poison Maga, they took medicine to increase their resistance to poison.

But normally, the effect was limited—just delaying the poison’s spread slightly.

But the medicine Chris provided was on another level.

It seemed to block most low-level poisons entirely.

‘Because I specially made it. Ugh, I spent a fortune secretly making this.’

Even for Chris, creating such an effective antidote wasn’t easy.

Especially because good herbs were expensive.

Honestly, supplying 300 demons with this medicine was prohibitively costly, but today it was necessary.

Thanks to this, the battle was one-sided.

The castle’s forces were quickly overwhelmed.

The problem was the poison formation.

“How’s the inner castle?”

Like most castles, Balmont was divided into an outer castle and an inner castle where the lord resided.

A dark mist of poison spread around the inner castle.

“The poison formation is active. Anyone who enters that mist will be caught in the formation.”

Marisa said with a tense expression.

“Don’t take it lightly. The poison formation here was set up by Groben, a former elder of the main base and an expert in formations.”

Extreme Poison Maga wasn’t just about poison.

They had developed various support techniques to use poison effectively.

Magic, dark magic, stealth techniques, mechanical devices—all were developed to assist poison arts, and formations were among them.

‘Not as advanced as the Illusion Maga or the Union’s famous spellcasters or the Sky Magic Tower, but still quite skilled in formations.’

Especially the name Groben was familiar to Chris.

He was the most outstanding formation master Extreme Poison Maga had produced in the last century.

‘Groben is said to have created the poison formations for most of Extreme Poison Maga’s key strongholds.’

Marisa continued gravely.

“It’s a closely guarded secret unknown to Dark Maga, but Groben took special care with the Balmont poison formation. In case of surprise attacks like this.”

Third Commander Leon asked.

“What’s the plan, Deputy Commander? The lord seems to be holding out inside the poison formation until reinforcements arrive.”

But Chris said something unexpected.

“What’s there to worry about? We just break through it.”

His tone was light, as if breaking a toy.

“…That won’t be easy.”

Leon replied with a troubled voice.

“As Princess Marisa said, the energy from the formation is much stronger than expected. I never imagined the defense formation would be this powerful.”

“…”

“Even if Saenin and I combine our strength, I can’t guarantee we can break it.”

It was surprising.

Normally, a six-star master could break most formations by force.

But here were two six-stars, and it was still difficult.

That meant this poison formation was beyond a simple formation—it was in the realm of an ‘Absolute Formation.’

Marisa added.

“If you rush in recklessly, you’ll suffer greatly. In the worst case, even you, Chris, could lose your life.”

Everyone looked at Chris seriously.

But Chris gave an unexpected answer.

“Seems like you all forgot what I said before we left. Didn’t I say to leave formations to me?”

Chris smiled broadly.

“It’s fine. I have a way.”

He stepped forward.

Realizing Chris intended to confront the formation head-on, Leon said in surprise.

“Then Saenin and I will accompany you!”

“No, it’s not necessary. I’ll go alone.”

“Y-Your Highness?”

Everyone looked shocked.

Especially knowing better than anyone just how formidable that formation was, Marisa shouted urgently.

“Christian! Don’t be reckless!”

“Reckless?”

“Yeah. No matter who you are, there’s no way you can break through a formation Lord Groben put his all into—by yourself! If you’re going, then we’re going together!”

“You’re just in the way.”

“!!”

“Besides, the formation doesn’t look all that impressive anyway.”

“…What?”

Marisa blinked in disbelief.

What kind of crazy talk was that?

‘Christian, you don’t mean to say you can’t even read formations?’

Maybe that was it!

If he had even a basic understanding of formations, there was no way he’d say something like that.

Even a genius can’t be good at everything.

“Anyway, there’s no time to waste. I’m going in. You all stay here.”

“W-wait…!!”

But before she could stop him, Christian’s figure slipped smoothly into the formation.

“Suicide mission!”

Just as Marisa tried to follow, a hand grabbed her back.

It was Sanin.

“Just stay put.”

“What did you say? Aren’t you the Grand Duke? You’re just going to stand by and watch him risk his life?”