Chapter 195

Count Berkel showed no particular reaction to Chris’s declaration.

He maintained his usual stoic demeanor, as if wearing an unchanging mask.

Chris didn’t press the matter any further.

I’ll have to take it slow. Still, it’s clear that Count Berkel isn’t on Marquis Langham’s side.

As Chris stepped forward, an unexpected figure approached him.

“Christian.”

“Father.”

It was Count Cazar—a handsome man in his middle years, with a resolute expression!

Worried about his son heading straight into enemy territory, Count Cazar had come along as a bodyguard.

I’m fine, Chris thought, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“Why did you insist on coming along, Father? You really didn’t need to escort me. No matter how sinister those poison-wielding mages are, they wouldn’t dare harm an envoy.”

“That’s not why,” Count Cazar said, frowning.

“I came because I’m worried you’ll cause some reckless, dangerous incident again.”

Chris was momentarily speechless.

How did he know? His expression betrayed his surprise, and Count Cazar sighed deeply.

“Do you know how my heart dropped when I heard you stormed into the Poison Mage territory alone recently? Just how much do you intend to scare your old man?”

Chris scratched his head sheepishly.

I guess from his perspective, it’s understandable to worry.

He felt a twinge of guilt.

Especially since he knew he’d be repeating these risky stunts in the future.

I never thought about how it affects those around me. In my past life, no one ever worried about me like this.

Lacking experience, Chris hesitated, unsure how to soothe his father’s concerns.

Count Cazar sighed again and placed a hand on Chris’s head.

“I know you can’t help it. I’m proud of you, too. But promise me one thing: don’t push yourself too hard.”

“I promise. I’ll be careful.”

“You say that so easily. Probably without any real intention of keeping it.”

Chris gave an awkward smile.

Given the enemies he’d face ahead, not pushing himself was practically impossible.

Count Cazar sighed once more and looked Chris squarely in the eyes.

“But whatever happens, don’t lose. No matter who the opponent is. If you get hurt or worse, I’ll summon your soul myself and make sure you don’t rest easy.”

That wasn’t encouragement.

It was deep, relentless worry.

Count Cazar had a vague sense of the powerful foes his son would have to face.

The only way for Christian to survive was to crush every one of those enemies.

This kind of worry feels strange.

Chris had accepted Count Cazar as his father, but no matter how often he faced his father’s heavy doubts, he never quite got used to them.

Trying to hide the fluttering in his chest, Chris lifted the corner of his mouth.

“Don’t worry. It’s my enemies who should feel sorry for themselves. Whoever they are, I will crush them and claim victory.”

“…Alright. I’ll trust you.”

Count Cazar nodded, no longer showing signs of worry.

Meanwhile, Chris made a peculiar face as he watched his father.

It’s about time I helped him break through to 7th rank.

Count Cazar was currently at the upper 6th rank—his potential maxed out.

Much like Marquis Shufen, he was stuck at a plateau.

Though stalled now, with the right catalyst, he could surpass it anytime.

Not just Father. Count Berkel, the Black Lion Knight Commander, and a few others have potential, too.

The shortage of 7th rank or higher top-tier dark mages in the Dark Mage territory was due to the extreme difficulty of dark magic.

The higher you climb, the harder it is to achieve breakthroughs.

Especially the leap from 6th to 7th rank, and then from 7th to 8th—these walls are enormous, and ordinary insight won’t get you through.

But if Chris used his abilities as a mentor to forcibly elevate their understanding?

Once this Poison Mage affair is settled, I’ll get serious about it. I have to raise the Dark Mage territory’s strength before it’s too late.

Requesting the title of ‘Grandmaster’ as part of the deal was all part of this plan.

No one suspected it yet.

But soon, under Chris’s hand, an unbelievable miracle would occur in the Dark Mage territory.

No one would ever look down on them again.

“Brother, I came along too.”

“…”

Chris looked quietly at Tern, who suddenly realized he’d been caught off guard.

“…Your Majesty, the King Emperor, I have also come.”

“Alright.”

Chris nodded.

“But why did you come?”

“To help you, brother!!”

“You? Help me?”

Tern’s face flushed red.

In truth, at his current level, Tern was no help to Chris at all.

“No, no! I will be helpful!”

“Really?”

“Yes! I’ve been training hard! I can be of use to you!”

Chris chuckled softly.

He’s really changed a lot.

It had already been two years since Chris met Tern.

Chris was now seventeen, and Tern was over fifteen.

But it wasn’t just their ages that had changed.

The way Tern looked at Chris.

Though he tried to hide it, his eyes were full of respect.

Well, with a great brother like me, it’s natural to be overwhelmed with admiration. I get it.

Chris decided to show some special kindness to his now much cuter little brother.

“Want me to help you get stronger?”

“…How?”

“Sparring is the fastest way to get stronger. Let’s have a match.”

“Th-that’s…”

Tern’s face went pale.

“Why? Isn’t your rank 3rd? When I was your level, I used to duel high-ranking 5th rank mages. Besides, chances to duel a genius like me don’t come often.”

“Y-yeah, but…”

Backing away nervously, Tern hurriedly said, “I’ll train with Lord Alos first and then challenge you!”

Alos, who had been quietly sulking nearby, suddenly got called out and scowled fiercely.

Now even this kid dares to disrespect me?

For reference, Alos was older than Chris.

Already frustrated by the recent ordeal of taking a deadly poison disguised as a miracle cure, Alos’s resentment toward Chris had grown.

“Alright, Tern. How about a sparring match? Just so you know, I’ve gotten stronger after taking that miracle medicine. Don’t cry when you get hit, okay?”

“Why are you my brother?”

“Well, we share the same bloodline.”

“No, I heard from Christian that age doesn’t matter between brothers. The stronger one is the brother. So that makes you my younger brother, right? You’d better not cry when I hit you. I hate seeing tears.”

“Hey!!”

Like brother, like brother—how annoying!

Alos lunged at Tern, determined to avenge his losses to Chris through him.

Wham! Bam!

Tern’s curses and swordplay combo sent Alos crashing down with a yelp.

“W-why? Even if you’re the monster’s brother, this is ridiculous!”

Alos charged again, but the result was the same.

Merlin approached Chris and said, “Young Master Tern has grown tremendously. Lord Alos has also improved a lot, but he’s no match. Is this thanks to your guidance, Your Highness?”

“Well, partly.”

Half was thanks to Chris, half to Tern’s talent.

Chris had been sending letters to guide Tern’s growth.

But that alone couldn’t explain such rapid progress.

Tern is a prodigy in curses.

A prodigy is similar to a genius but slightly different.

Their overall talent is closer to average.

They don’t have exceptional insight or flashes of brilliance.

Instead, they receive a special ‘blessing’ limited to their field.

Though not particularly intelligent or naturally gifted, this blessing allows them to master their specialty faster and more perfectly than anyone else.

It’s like how a child naturally learns to crawl and walk as they grow.

So, if a prodigy grows properly, they can become an unrivaled master in their field.

Of course, not all prodigies flourish. Many never bloom and fade away.

For a prodigy to grow, a guiding mentor is crucial.

Their learning and growth differ from ordinary people.

Even from those called geniuses.

As mentioned, for them, mastering their field is less about study or training and more about natural growth.

Most people don’t understand this difference and, with premature pressure or force, end up hindering or even crushing the prodigy’s talent.

If their talent doesn’t blossom smoothly, the prodigy eventually loses their blessing.

In that regard, Chris was the perfect mentor.

He had met many prodigies in his past life and understood their nature perfectly.

I have to raise that Tern properly. He’s growing faster than I thought—I might be able to use him as a reliable ally soon.

“I won! Brother!!”

Tern, having knocked Alos down, looked at Chris proudly, like a younger brother seeking approval.

Chris nodded with a pleased smile, already thinking of how to make use of him.

“Now, how about a match with me?”

“Now?”

“Well, aren’t we on a break?”

Melin grinned like a wild beast and drew her sword.

Christ laughed softly and met her blade with his own.

“This time, try to hold out a little longer.”

Clang!

Their swords clashed.

After that brief moment, Christian and his group arrived at their destination.

Jinrok Fortress.

The home of the Deadly Poison clan.

---

Unlike most noble estates, Jinrok Fortress wasn’t nestled near the villagers’ homes. Instead, it stood isolated deep within a dense forest.

This was to prevent the common folk from being harmed by the clan’s poisons.

Despite being called a fortress, it had no stone walls. Instead, towering trees with dark green leaves formed a natural barrier, wrapping around the estate like living walls.

‘Walls aren’t necessary anyway, with all the poison traps and deadly defenses inside.’

The entire area was essentially one massive deathtrap.

One wrong step, and you’d lose your life instantly.

At that moment, the massive gates of the Deadly Poison clan swung open, revealing a figure.

“Welcome to the Deadly Poison clan, Grand Duke Christian.”

Christian’s eyes widened.

A handsome man with a gentle, scholarly air.

The lord of the Poison Army of the Eight Kingdoms, and head of the Deadly Poison clan—the Duke of Huam.

The clan head himself had come out to greet them!

“Your Grace,” Christian bowed respectfully.

“Ah, you’ve traveled far. Well done.”

His tone was warm and familiar.

Of course—it was as if Christian and the Duke of Huam were now sailing in the same boat.

“I’ve heard of what you accomplished. I never imagined you’d strike the main estate so swiftly.”

“I apologize for the bloodshed.”

“No need. They, as poison masters, committed unforgivable acts and deserved punishment. If not for you, I would have taken it upon myself to bring them to justice.”

The Duke spoke with a hint of self-mockery.

“Though my strength is lacking.”

Christian said nothing, and the Duke shook his head.

“I shouldn’t have said that. But tell me—are you truly alright? You understand what it means that the Demon King is mediating this negotiation, don’t you?”

Christian nodded.

“Yes. I suspect that Marquis Goras and the Demon King of Cheongryu share a close alliance.”

“Exactly. The Demon King will undoubtedly side with Vice Head, Marquis Goras. Not only that, but Goras has already prepared to frame you and Marisa.”

Yet Christian showed no sign of worry. Instead, he said calmly,

“That’s fine. No, it’s actually better this way.”