Chapter 198
[…What’s this?]

Christian looked at Marquis Goras and lifted the corner of his mouth in a faint smile.

“Secondly, have Marquis Goras himself bow his head and apologize to me, Marisa, and the Dark Maga.”

“!!”

“Right here, in front of everyone.”

To demand the highest authority of the Dark Maga to bow his head—especially in front of all these witnesses—was unthinkable.

The color drained from Marquis Goras’s face.

His voice sank like an abyss.

“You… want to die? How dare you spout such nonsense.”

“Nonsense?”

Christian’s expression turned icy.

“Do you really think the wrath of the Dark Maga is a joke? After committing such a crime against the main family, you raise your voice?”

“……”

“Don’t forget. I stand here representing the Dark Maga. If you don’t show sincere remorse and make a proper apology, this negotiation is over. You and the Extreme Poison Maga will pay the price.”

Christian then turned to the Blue Stream Demon King.

“Let me be clear: if Marquis Goras does not offer a proper apology, the Dark Maga will reject this negotiation. Furthermore, we will formally report the crimes Marquis Goras committed against His Majesty the Demon King to the central authorities and make them public.”

The room fell silent.

Marquis Goras’s hand trembled with rage.

His gaze was fierce enough to turn Christian into a puddle of blood on the spot.

But Christian met that hostile stare without flinching.

At that moment, a hand rested firmly on Christian’s shoulder.

“Remember the motto of our Extreme Poison Maga, Deputy Head. Though we wield poison, we must never be ashamed before Heaven.”

“!!”

“Especially since Grand Duke Christian is showing you mercy, it is only right that you offer a proper apology and express your gratitude.”

It was Duke Huam!

Marquis Goras ground his teeth in frustration.

But in this situation, he had no choice.

The moral high ground was with Christian.

Finally, gritting his teeth, Marquis Goras spoke.

“…I apologize to Lady Marisa and you, the Dark Maga.”

A wave of shock swept through the hall.

For the fearsome Marquis Goras to apologize—it was a stunning blow to everyone.

Under the watchful eyes of the Dark Maga’s retainers, Marquis Goras’s body trembled uncontrollably.

The humiliation of showing weakness before so many was overwhelming.

But Christian didn’t stop there.

“Is that what you call an apology? For someone of your rank, you don’t even know how to apologize properly? Or are you not remorseful at all?”

“!!”

“If you truly regret your actions, then offer a proper apology. Otherwise, the Dark Maga will show you no mercy.”

Everyone held their breath.

Marquis Goras’s body shook violently.

The tension was so thick it felt like it could explode at any moment, but Christian stood his ground.

In the end, it was Marquis Goras who surrendered.

He bowed his head to Christian.

“…I sincerely apologize for this matter.”

The humiliation was even more profound than before, sending shockwaves through the room.

Christian mercilessly crushed what little dignity Marquis Goras had left.

With a haughty nod, he said,

“I hope this serves as a lesson. Since I am showing you mercy, live the rest of your life with genuine remorse.”

“!!”

Marquis Goras was utterly stunned by this outrageous provocation.

His mind went blank with rage, his whole body trembling, when Christian spoke again.

“Wait. There’s more.”

“…What?”

“Since you caused damage to the main family, you must compensate for it. We will demand reparations, which you must pay entirely from your personal fortune—not from the Extreme Poison Maga’s funds.”

Marquis Goras’s face turned pale for a different reason.

He knew the compensation would be astronomical.

Even with his vast wealth, it would be difficult to bear.

He was on the brink of financial ruin.

‘That will hurt. Money is one of the pillars supporting Marquis Goras’s power.’

It wasn’t something to dismiss lightly.

Money mattered, even in the Mage Empire.

Maintaining power wasn’t just about strength.

Everything required money—even keeping the loyalty of one’s subordinates.

Of course, someone like Marquis Goras could eventually rebuild his fortune, but cracks had already formed in the foundation of his power.

Still, this was not a situation where he could refuse.

Marquis Goras shot Christian a chilling glare, as if vowing to kill him.

Christian just shrugged.

‘He’ll try to kill me as soon as this penance is over. Well, I don’t care.’

By the time Marquis Goras’s punishment ended, everything would have changed.

‘This incident has completely shattered his foundation.’

Marquis Goras had ruled the Extreme Poison Maga through fear.

His retainers, crushed by that fear, dared not resist him.

That’s why Christian deliberately humiliated Marquis Goras in front of all the retainers.

Those who witnessed today would think:

Even the fearsome Marquis Goras is just a flawed human.

Moreover, he would be isolated for six months during his penance, unable to respond if anyone rebelled.

Add financial ruin on top of that.

Marquis Goras’s power would take a massive hit.

Christian’s punishment had effectively shaken the very core of Marquis Goras’s domain.

‘Truly impressive.’

Meanwhile, Duke Huam, head of the Extreme Poison Maga, watched Christian with admiration, shaking his head.

Under normal circumstances, this would have gone exactly as Marquis Goras planned.

The Dark Maga would have suffered a huge blow, and Marisa and Duke Huam would have taken the fall and fallen from grace.

But thanks to Christian, everything was turned upside down.

From exposing the truth, to the sudden strike that flipped the situation, to boldly securing the desired outcome even against the Demon King himself.

Every step was remarkable.

‘I envy the Dark Maga.’

Duke Huam thought bitterly.

Was it because his son had betrayed him?

Christian seemed even more desirable.

‘No, maybe it’s not too late yet.’

Duke Huam cast a subtle glance.

He saw Marisa.

Despite being betrayed by the brother she trusted, she didn’t seem as shocked as expected—and there was a reason.

When Christian revealed the truth to Marisa, he helped her steady her heart.

‘…If only they could renew their engagement… No, that’s too hasty.’

Duke Huam looked embarrassed.

Christian’s appeal was making him think foolish thoughts.

‘Still, if there’s a chance later on…’

After that thought, Duke Huam shook his head and stood.

The punishment for Marquis Goras was not over.

Now it was Duke Huam’s turn.

‘Actually, this was Christian’s idea too. Truly remarkable.’

He admired once more and spoke.

“As head of the Extreme Poison Maga, I have a message for His Majesty the Demon King.”

[What is it?]

“Our Extreme Poison Maga has failed in its duty as loyal servants to His Majesty and committed grave sins. We offer our deepest apologies.”

[Enough. The judgment is already made.]

The Blue Stream Demon King waved his hand dismissively, but Duke Huam continued.

“Though we are grateful for your great mercy, I feel a heavy responsibility for this incident and will reform the Extreme Poison Maga. As a first step, I will take this opportunity to confess the sins the Extreme Poison Maga has committed in the past to His Majesty.”

[…The sins of the Extreme Poison Maga?]

“Yes. Not only this incident but also the crimes committed by the Extreme Poison Maga over the years. I will report them to His Majesty and correct the mistakes of the main family.”

The retainers of the Extreme Poison Maga—

More precisely, those loyal to Marquis Goras—went pale.

They realized what kind of ‘incident’ Duke Huam was about to cause.

“W-wait, Head of the family! You can’t be serious—!”

“Silence! This is all out of loyalty to His Majesty the Demon King. Everyone, keep quiet!”

At the mention of loyalty to the Demon King, no one dared to speak.

Even the Blue Stream Demon King himself could not stop Duke Huam.

How could he refuse when the head of the family was confessing the clan’s sins out of loyalty?

Of course, this was all a clever move Christian had whispered to Duke Huam.

Soon, Duke Huam began to unleash a series of bombshell revelations.

“Baron Lore of the main family conducted human experiments on civilians to develop poisons. This is a grave sin against His Majesty. Out of loyalty, we will ensure proper punishment.”

“Sir Luc of the main family raped civilian women and eliminated witnesses. This too is a grave sin against His Majesty…”

“Furthermore, Count Jourdain…”

The faction loyal to Marquis Goras had acted arrogantly, abusing their power and committing unforgivable crimes.

But thanks to Marquis Goras’s influence, none had been punished.

Now, using the Blue Stream Demon King’s authority, Duke Huam intended to root them all out.

“Th-this is absurd…!!”

“It’s all lies!!”

At that moment, a sharp voice cut through.

“How bold. To deny your sins before His Majesty the Demon King.”

“!!”

It was Christian.

He smirked with an endlessly irritating expression.

“They say all the evidence is already in, yet to lie before His Majesty the Demon King? Could it be that you intend to insult His Majesty?”

Insulting the Demon King.

The faces of those who had denied everything turned pale.

It was a sin that not even death could atone for.

The hall fell silent, and Duke Huam continued speaking.

“…That concludes the charges. The thirteen who have committed these grave crimes shall be judged in the name of His Majesty the Demon King.”

[…Yes.]

Given the severity of their offenses, there was no chance of a light sentence.

All thirteen were key aides to Duke Goras, so this was essentially like severing an arm.

Among those named was even Duke Goras’s eldest son.

Once considered a promising heir and a strong candidate for the next family head, he now faced a devastating blow.

But Duke Huam wasn’t finished.

Though Duke Goras had already been punished multiple times, this would be the most fatal wound yet.

“To ensure that such a horrific incident never happens again, we will completely rebuild the Geukdok Maga. With unwavering loyalty to His Majesty the Demon King, we will not overlook even the smallest corruption but root it out immediately. Please watch over us.”

Goras’s faction held their breath.

Not even the slightest rot within the family would be ignored.

This was a clear warning aimed squarely at Goras’s own faction—anyone who had committed crimes, big or small, would be punished.

What mattered most was that this was all justified in the name of loyalty to the Demon King.

There was no choice but to comply.

Even the Demon King of Cheongryu himself had no way to object.

Under different circumstances, perhaps, but this was right after Duke Goras had committed the grave sin of massacring civilians.

How could anyone find an excuse to oppose a plan to set the family straight for the sake of preventing such a tragedy from happening again?

It was a brilliant move that caught everyone off guard and naturally secured the Demon King’s backing.

‘How did he come up with this? Truly, Duke Christian is remarkable.’

Duke Huam admired Christian silently.

Christian had been the one to devise this entire strategy.

Thanks to him, Duke Huam now held the trump card to strike at Goras’s faction.

And Goras himself planned to leave the family due to his penance sentence.

The power structure of Geukdok Maga was about to be completely overturned.

All thanks to Christian.

‘If only Duke Christian were my son…’