Chapter 194
“The reason the Blue Stream Demon Lord has stepped in is simple. She intends to side with the Venomous Mage Clan,” Chris said.
[Why do you think that?] Nordian asked, appearing in the form of a young boy.
Because of the gravity of the situation, he had sent his spiritual form to the occupied territory where Chris was.
“If it weren’t so, the Blue Stream Demon Lord wouldn’t bother intervening over something so trivial.”
Trivial.
It might sound odd to call an incident that nearly cost thousands of lives trivial, but it was true.
The Blue Stream Demon Lord often remained silent even in far worse situations.
No matter how laissez-faire the Demon King’s policy was, her indifference bordered on excessive.
‘From the start, the Blue Stream Demon Lord’s interests aren’t about obeying the Demon King’s orders or ruling the Mage Empire properly.’
Chris shook his head, recalling her true ‘purpose.’
In her previous life, the Blue Stream Demon Lord committed countless horrific acts for her own goals.
Because of her, the Southern Mage Kingdom was laid to waste, and the Four Kings’ Castle fell helplessly to invasion.
[Is there really a reason for the Blue Stream Demon Lord to side with the Venomous Mage Clan?]
“I don’t know the exact reason, but I can guess. The Venomous Mage Clan must have made an offer tempting enough to sway her. After all, the Blue Stream Demon Lord often relies on the Venomous Mage Clan due to her physical condition.”
The Blue Stream Demon Lord still suffered from aftereffects of her corruption from the Fairy King, so she received aid from the Venomous Mage Clan.
[If what you say is true, that’s bad. Even if the Blue Stream Demon Lord makes a biased ruling, we have no choice but to follow it.]
Nordian spoke gravely.
[In the worst case, they might even turn the blame on you.]
It was absurd, but entirely possible.
They could reject the evidence Chris presented and instead hold him responsible for the situation.
[I will personally handle this negotiation.]
“Grandfather?”
[No matter how powerful the Demon Lord is, she won’t make unreasonable demands against me.]
But Chris shook his head.
“It’s fine. I will lead this negotiation.”
[Are you worried about the restrictions placed on me? Don’t be. I’m not using force; just attending the negotiation once is manageable.]
“It’s not that.”
Chris smiled faintly.
“I have to go myself to throw the Venomous Mage Clan’s Marquis Goras into the gutter.”
Nordian flinched.
[You?]
“Think of it as a good opportunity—to properly bring Marquis Goras to justice.”
Normally, it was difficult to get a satisfactory result through negotiation alone.
Marquis Goras was the highest authority in the Venomous Mage Clan.
If the agreement threatened him, he wouldn’t comply willingly.
‘But now that the Blue Stream Demon Lord is the mediator, it’s a different story. No matter how powerful Marquis Goras is, he has no choice but to obey the ruling.’
Did Goras realize what a foolish choice he had made?
Of course, it wouldn’t be easy.
The Blue Stream Demon Lord would be thoroughly on Goras’s side.
Chris had to overcome that and make her issue a verdict condemning Goras.
[Do you really think you can do it? The Blue Stream Demon Lord is no pushover. She’s not as fair as the rumors say. In fact, she hides a more terrible nature than any other mage.]
Nordian saw right through her.
[And you have a weakness in this matter, don’t you?]
An unexpected comment—but true.
[Why did you fabricate evidence at first? Even if it was to resolve things quickly, it was reckless.]
Before striking the Venomous Mage Clan, Chris had given up on securing solid evidence and instead fabricated false proof through Ruina to justify the attack.
Of course, after capturing the castle, he obtained genuine evidence.
But if the Venomous Mage Clan found fault with the fake evidence, it could cause trouble.
Especially since the Blue Stream Demon Lord might refuse to acknowledge even the real evidence, using the fake as an excuse.
‘Since she intends to side with the Venomous Mage Clan no matter what, the fake evidence will be a perfect pretext.’
Nordian frowned.
[Those Venomous Mage Clan bastards are no pushovers. They have plenty of tricks. They will definitely prove you fabricated evidence.]
“That’s expected. I planned for it.”
[You planned for it? What do you mean?]
Nordian blinked in surprise as Chris grinned.
“As a genius, there’s no way I didn’t anticipate how things would unfold.”
[You, could it be?]
“Yes, that’s right. Those fake pieces of evidence? They’re traps I set.”
In truth, Chris’s fabrication through Ruina wasn’t just to justify the fight.
The real purpose was a trap.
‘It was obvious Marquis Goras would try to frame me, so I laid a snare.’
Goras had no idea.
The moment he dug into the fake evidence to accuse Chris, the trap would tighten around his own neck.
‘I didn’t expect the Blue Stream Demon Lord to act as mediator, but that’s even better. Using her will make my trap perfect.’
Chris smiled.
Then, looking at Nordian’s stunned expression as if wondering what crazy idea he was up to, he said:
“May I ask one favor?”
[…What is it?]
“Please set the negotiation venue at the Venomous Mage Clan’s main estate.”
[!!]
It was an outrageous request.
In post-war negotiations, the choice of venue was a fierce matter of pride.
Naturally, each side preferred their own stronghold.
Currently, the Venomous Mage Clan and the Dark Mage Clan were both insisting on holding talks at their respective estates.
“That’s fine. No matter how sinister the Venomous Mage Clan is, they won’t harm an envoy.”
[That’s not the point. This is a matter of family pride.]
Usually, the weaker side would bow and send envoys to the other’s estate.
If both sides were evenly matched, they’d meet on neutral ground.
If Chris went as an envoy to the Venomous Mage Clan’s estate, it would be like bowing first—and that was unacceptable.
“You don’t have to see it that way. I’m not going to bow; I’m going to trample those Venomous Mage bastards.”
[!!]
“Wouldn’t it be far more satisfying to humiliate them on their own turf?”
Nordian was speechless.
What kind of confidence was this? It sounded absurd.
But Chris had never once failed to keep his word. This time would be no different.
[Fine. As you say. But you’re sure you can crush them?]
Nordian’s blood-red eyes flared ominously.
[I trust you and leave everything in your hands. Make sure those bastards pay dearly.]
Though he didn’t show it outwardly, Nordian was the most furious about this whole affair.
‘How dare those sneaky Venomous Mage bastards pull this stunt on our Dark Mage Clan?’
Such a thing was unthinkable while Nordian was in power.
He wanted to drown the Venomous Mage Clan in blood immediately but restrained himself for the clan’s future.
“Don’t worry.”
Chris smiled darkly.
Like a mischievous child.
“I’ll bring a gift. Grandfather, please wait for good news.”
And so, finally, the last act of the ‘operation’ began.
After deciding the Venomous Mage Clan’s main estate as the negotiation venue, the delegation set out.
Naturally, Chris was in charge.
[Oh ho ho, young master, it’s been a while since we went out together. Wow, I’m so excited! Even the poisonous insects in the bushes seem to be blessing our outing. Shall we hide in those bushes and share some passionate love?]
“…What nonsense are you talking about?”
[Ah, your embarrassed face is so adorable. I missed your embrace so much while we were apart. I feel like kidnapping you and holding a wedding right now.]
“…Please stop that.”
Mari, excited after a long time, fluttered around Chris like a ghostly tail.
[I did my best to serve that idiot on your orders. He seemed quite moved by me.]
“…He was moved, alright. But not in a good way.”
Chris thought of Hubert’s condition and shook his head.
Whatever mental attack he’d suffered, Duke Hubert was half a wreck.
‘Well, that’s fine. I have an important use for him.’
Chris let Mari’s endless chatter wash over him as he looked around.
Since he was representing the Dark Mage Clan, a guard detail accompanied him.
But the composition of the guards was unexpected.
‘They actually sent the Black Lion Knights.’
Chris was slightly surprised.
They were the strongest knights of the main estate.
Their commander was Count Berkel, a high-level six-star mage.
One of the strongest among the Dark Mage Clan’s ordinary mages.
‘And they still remain neutral, not following Marquis Langham.’
More precisely, they were loyal only to Nordian.
‘To fully control the Dark Mage Clan, I have to win him over. This is a good chance to get closer.’
The problem was, it wouldn’t be easy.
They didn’t seem hostile toward Chris, but they were extremely taciturn.
So much so that even when he tried to get closer, conversations went like this.
“Thank you for accompanying me on this long journey.”
“I was simply following the head of the house’s orders.”
“Seeing the might of the Black Lion Knights, I’m truly proud to be the heir. You must have worked hard, Kyung.”
“I was simply following the head of the house’s orders.”
“…Is there anything the knights need? Though it may be little, as the heir, I want to offer my help.”
“There’s nothing. We only follow the head of the house’s orders.”
“……”
The conversation stalled.
‘…What a dull fellow.’
Just as I was about to back away, thinking it wouldn’t be easy to get close to him personally—
“…You don’t need to worry about me. The heir is someone the head of the house trusts, so we just follow.”
Count Berkel, the commander, said in a flat tone.
His words showed loyalty solely to the head of the house.
“But I’m not asking for loyalty to the head—I want your loyalty to me.”
“!!”
“Well, it might be premature to say so now, but that doesn’t matter.”
Christian shrugged and grinned.
“Count Berkel, you will swear loyalty to me, mark my words.”