Episode 21
Chris headed toward the secret training grounds.
Melin was walking ahead, humming a cheerful tune.
Her face was lit up with genuine excitement.
“Are you well prepared?” Chris asked.
“Yes,” Melin replied confidently.
Chris nodded. “You have every reason to be.”
Melin glanced back at Chris’s hand.
He was holding Grunade, wrapped carefully in cloth.
“Is that what you’re bringing to face me?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Hmm. I don’t know what kind of weapon that is, but weapons alone can’t make up for a skill gap.”
It was true that a master with a wooden sword could defeat a novice with a legendary blade.
“But a superior weapon can help narrow the difference in strength,” Chris added.
Melin tilted her head, intrigued by his words.
Soon, they arrived at the training ground.
Though the duel was unofficial, Count Kazar and Tern had already come to observe.
But there was someone else present—someone unfamiliar.
A woman.
She looked to be in her early thirties, but outward age meant little; mastering dark magic could suppress aging.
Chris felt a strange familiarity.
Then he realized—the woman’s face was almost identical to Count Kazar’s.
The jet-black hair and fierce eyes typical of dark magic users.
Ah.
Chris bowed his head in greeting.
“I’m honored to meet the Black Shadow Knight Commander of the main house.”
The Black Shadow Knights—a knight order directly under the main family!
A formidable figure.
Chris was taken aback by her unexpected presence.
The Black Shadow Knights served the lord of the dark magic family, Noga-ju, directly.
They handled secret missions, family inspections, and investigations.
In other words, this woman was one of the most powerful figures in the dark magic family.
And most importantly—
She smiled gently.
“Ah, it’s been a while, my nephew.”
Nephew.
She was a direct bloodline of Noga-ju.
The woman was Noga-ju’s daughter, and the elder sister of Marquis Langham, the current acting head who effectively led the family in place of Noga-ju.
Why would such a heavyweight show up all of a sudden?
Count Kazar explained.
“My sister, Lady Merian, came unofficially because of something involving the steward, Cox.”
For reference, Count Kazar was also of Noga-ju’s bloodline.
He was Noga-ju’s youngest son who had branched off to establish a collateral family.
Merian, the Black Shadow Knight Commander, added,
“Noga-ju has taken an interest in what you’ve been up to.”
That was unexpected.
I thought Noga-ju had completely withdrawn from family affairs.
Noticing Chris’s puzzled expression, Merian explained further.
“What you did was quite audacious, wasn’t it?”
“…”
“So Noga-ju specifically ordered me to look into it.”
“Are you saying you were told to investigate this properly?”
Chris’s expression tightened.
If Noga-ju got involved, who knew how things with Eshed might spiral. Unforeseen variables were never welcome.
But Merian shook her head.
“No, Noga-ju wouldn’t meddle in trivial matters between you kids. What he ordered was for me to come see you.”
“!!”
“He’s curious about you.”
Chris swallowed hard.
This was completely unexpected.
But it wasn’t bad news.
An opportunity—to catch the eye of Noga-ju.
Noga-ju.
Duke Nordian, the Dark Lord.
If the Demon Emperor ruled the empire and the Demon King ruled the subordinate kingdoms, then the Dark Lord was the great duke.
Duke Nordian was both the head of the dark magic family and the overlord of the eastern region of the southern magic kingdom.
An eight-star level demon who had lived for over a hundred years—a monster.
Though he had handed over full authority to his son, Marquis Langham, and no longer involved himself in family matters, his presence still loomed large.
“So, since there’s a duel today, I decided to observe.”
Merian tilted her head.
“Is that wise? From what I see, you’re still only a one-star. Is that right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“To challenge Melin when you’re barely two stars?”
Merian continued, clearly displeased.
“This isn’t a duel to seek guidance, but a full-on fight, right? I don’t think you stand a chance. And I hear you proposed this duel yourself?”
Merian’s disapproval was clear.
Many demons disliked the weak acting arrogantly toward the strong.
Especially Merian, who was known for her authoritative nature.
Chris studied her face.
Though she appeared gentle, she was anything but.
This woman was no pushover.
Cold and calculating—no doubt why she led the Black Shadow Knights, who oversaw internal family affairs.
And once she turned against someone, she never looked back.
In that sense, today was not a good day.
If Chris showed any weakness in this duel, Merian would think very poorly of him.
That negative impression would reach Noga-ju’s ears and could jeopardize Chris’s plans to take control of the dark magic family.
“How about it? Would you like to back out now?”
Merian offered him a chance.
Chris smirked.
“They’ll think less of me either way.”
If he backed down now, that would be a mark against him.
The die was already cast.
“No, I’ll fight.”
Chris looked back at Melin.
The cloth in his hand slipped away.
Everyone’s eyes widened as the object wrapped inside was revealed.
“I have my reasons.”
The broken holy sword, Grunade, came into view.
“That can’t be…”
“Grunade?”
Everyone recognized the sword. Only young Tern blinked, unfamiliar with it.
Merian asked,
“Child, are you really planning to face Melin with Grunade?”
“Yes.”
“Hah.”
Merian let out a bitter laugh.
“I knew you were reckless, but this is beyond belief. Ridan.”
“…Yes, sister.”
Ridan was Count Kazar’s first name—Ridan van Barren Kazar.
“How did this happen? Didn’t you boast endlessly to me about how Christian had changed from a wild boy into someone respectable?”
Count Kazar raised an eyebrow.
He had been bragging about his son to his sister behind Chris’s back.
“…He has changed. Christian is no longer the wild boy he was.”
“Then why bring a holy sword to a duel? Even young demons who know nothing wouldn’t do something like this.”
“…”
Count Kazar fell silent.
There was no good answer.
What demon in the world would recklessly brandish a holy sword?
Why now, of all times, would Christian act so wildly?
Count Kazar sighed inwardly.
He knew his son had changed.
He also knew just how incredible Chris’s talent was.
That was why he had boasted so much to his sister after a long time.
But she didn’t seem convinced.
In the family’s memory, Christian was still just a wild boy.
“I hope you’ve changed at least half as much as you say.”
Despite her sarcasm, Count Kazar paid her no mind.
He believed that after watching today’s duel, she would finally see how exceptional Chris truly was.
Of course, he didn’t expect Chris to beat Melin.
That was impossible.
But even if he lost, he believed Chris’s unbelievable talent would shine through.
Still…
“Bringing a holy sword to the duel is madness.”
Count Kazar frowned deeply.
At that moment, Chris’s puzzled voice rang out.
“Is it really forbidden to use a holy sword in a duel? As far as I know, it’s not explicitly banned.”
“Are you really asking that?” Merian shook her head in disbelief.
“Handling a holy sword is impossible. No, not just impossible—it’s dangerous.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. The holy power of the sword will burn you alive.”
Merian clicked her tongue.
“To challenge a four-star level demon without knowing your place, and now to bring a holy sword? There’s nothing more to see here.”
She thought it was a waste of time coming all this way.
“Even Noga-ju himself failed to wield that broken holy sword. So stop this nonsense.”
That was surprising.
Even Duke Nordian had tried and failed to master this sword?
“I see. Understood. But what is this?”
Click.
Chris released the binding that sealed the sword’s holy power.
He gripped the sword, and everyone gasped.
“D-danger!!”
“Drop it at once!”
The holy power was about to manifest.
“Christian!! You fool!!”
Count Kazar rushed forward, desperate to stop him before the sword could harm him.
But he was too far away.
No!
As the holy power was about to erupt, Count Kazar’s face went pale.
But then—
Nothing happened.
“…”
“…”
“…”
Silence fell over the training ground.
Count Kazar stood frozen.
The holy power should have flared by now, but everything remained calm.
Chris swung the sword back and forth.
“It’s fine.”
Merian was stunned, silent for a long moment before asking,
“Is the sword… broken?”
“Who knows? Want to take a look?”
Chris tossed Grunade to Merian.
She caught it and her eyes widened.
A brilliant light flared!
The holy power had manifested.
Of course, Merian was unharmed.
True to his status as a high-ranking six-star mage, Chris urgently summoned his magic to counter the holy power.
Crack!
Like fire meeting water, opposing forces collided violently, and Merian hastily threw the holy sword to the ground.
“Looks like it’s not broken, though?”
“What… is this?”
Merian stared at Chris in disbelief.
She wasn’t the only one.
Count Kazar, Melin, and Tern all widened their eyes as if their heads might split, staring at Chris.
Chris bent down and picked up the holy sword lying on the floor.
The sword in his hand remained perfectly still.
“How did you do that?”
“Honestly? I have no idea. It just worked.”
“…What? That’s impossible!”
“Of course it’s a secret. It’s a trade secret, so I can’t just tell you. But I’ll give you one hint—do you know why I became a mercenary, Aunt?”
“…Because you were arrogant about your talent?”
“Bingo. So, how do you think I’m able to wield the holy sword?”
Merian fell silent, finally understanding what Chris was implying.
Absurdly enough, he was telling her outright that he was a genius, and that’s why he could handle the holy sword!
“…Even the legendary genius Nogazu couldn’t subdue Grunade.”
A warning not to get cocky.
But Chris just smirked and shot back.
“Oh, really? That’s strange. I can do it. Maybe I’m an even greater genius than Nogazu?”
“…What?”
Chris grinned.
“In any case, there’s only one thing I can say for sure: in the Magic Empire, the only one who can wield Grunade is me—Christian.”
He pointed the holy sword at Melin.
“That was a long introduction. Now, let’s get started.”
The duel began.