Chapter 223
Olivia’s rise to become the Law King was largely thanks to the alliance she forged with Christian of the Dark Maga.
“Surely she must have used some dirty trick. That Olivia’s heart is as black as night,” Maximus thought bitterly.
He continued plotting in his mind.
“I’ll torture that Christian and extract proof that Olivia colluded with the demons.”
Olivia would be branded a witch and fall from grace in a horrific downfall, and the Gold Cross would once again lie beneath his feet.
A fierce smile crept across Maximus’s face as he imagined the future.
But that wasn’t all.
At the Demon King’s Castle, during the Elders’ Council, the highest-ranking demons who led the castle were discussing Christian.
“Are we really going to leave Duke Christian as he is?”
“If we do, he might become uncontrollable in the future.”
Unexpectedly, voices of strong caution against Christian filled the room.
The Demon King’s Castle was the most objective observer of Christian’s abilities.
“What makes him truly terrifying isn’t just his genius talent. He’s cunning as well. Look at what happened to Marquis Langham, who was in league with the demons.”
“Indeed. We must eliminate him before it’s too late.”
But soon, a counterargument arose.
“How? If we act rashly, it could spark unnecessary conflict. We still need to avoid clashing with the Dark Maga. First, we should deal with the Blood Sword Maga and the Karn Empire.”
The Demon King’s Castle was embroiled not only in conflict with the Dark Maga but also internally with the Blood Sword Maga, and externally with the Karn Empire.
For reference, the Karn Empire was the strongest power in the alliance, boasting a national strength several times that of the Gold Cross.
That the Demon King’s Castle was overpowering the Dark Maga while also contending with such a nation showed just how formidable their power was.
“That’s fine. It just so happens that he’s leaving the Dark Maga to head toward the Extreme Poison Maga. Whatever scheme he’s planning, if we seize the opportunity, we can strike him quietly. As long as we leave no evidence, it should be fine, right?”
“Who will we send? We must choose carefully. Absolutely no trace of the Demon King’s Castle can remain.”
“Fortunately, we have a perfect ‘tool.’ Bring in the ‘gift’ sent from the Obsidian (Black) Maga.”
At the clap of an elder’s hands, an unexpected figure appeared.
A small, adorable girl bound in shackles.
Her hair shimmered a clear sky blue as it flowed over her shoulders.
Though she looked lovely, her eyes were pitch black and lifeless.
Uniquely, nine tails hung limply behind her.
This meant she was no ordinary human.
“Oh? A nine-tailed fox, is it? And sent as a gift from the Obsidian Maga?”
“Yes. This nine-tailed fox is a failed experiment.”
“It doesn’t seem like she failed the ‘shedding’ process, so there must be some other defect.”
Nine-tailed foxes were demonic beasts.
They underwent a process called ‘shedding,’ through which they attained enlightenment and shed their beastly forms to become perfect Ains.
This nine-tailed fox had succeeded in shedding and becoming an Ain, but for some reason, she had lost her sanity.
“Even though she lost her sanity, having succeeded in shedding means she possesses power comparable to the highest-ranking demons. She should have no trouble eliminating Christian.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
With her strength and the fact that no trace of the Demon King’s Castle would remain, she was the perfect candidate.
“Then I’ll take charge of controlling this nine-tailed fox,” said Märchen, the Puppeteer.
She had been restless since her previous failed attempt to turn Christian into a puppet.
“This time, I will definitely make Duke Christian mine. Since he’s caused me such torment, I’ll slowly, slowly stuff him alive. Ah, how sweet his screams will be.”
But then, something unexpected happened.
The nine-tailed fox, who had been standing quietly, suddenly raised her hand and slashed Märchen’s face with her claws.
“!!”
Märchen clutched her face and hurriedly stepped back.
“What the—!”
“Be careful. Such words can provoke this nine-tailed fox,” the elder who had brought her clicked his tongue.
“Without sanity, she’s sensitive to torture and violence. Seems she has some related trauma.”
“How dare you.”
“She’s a precious tool to strike Christian. Don’t damage her recklessly. Once the job is done, you may stuff her or tear her apart as you please.”
Märchen sighed and calmed her anger.
Before leaving, she asked, “By the way, what’s this nine-tailed fox’s name? Knowing her true name will help me cast stronger puppet magic.”
“Probably… ‘Lena,’ I believe.”
Lena.
The one Christian had once called the ‘Dark Gossip’ in her previous life.
And finally.
At the Southern Mage Kingdom’s Demon King’s Castle, deep within was a prison where the highest-ranking demons who committed grave crimes were confined.
There, Marquis Goras of the Extreme Poison Maga was imprisoned.
In the pitch-black darkness of the cell, Marquis Goras quietly lifted his head.
Suddenly, the Demon King of the Azure Flow appeared, looking down at him.
[Have you made your decision?]
She asked seductively, her beautiful face close.
[Are you prepared to embrace the Verdant Seal?]
And so, a new storm began to rage toward Christian.
The day had come for Christian to depart for the Extreme Poison Maga.
“Ughhh… I’m dying. Somebody save me.”
Christian rose with an undead-like face.
The hangover from the wine he drank at the banquet was killing him.
“Why am I still like this even though I postponed departure by a day? I did drink a bit more than usual, but still…”
Previously, he would have passed out after just one drink, but this time he had forced himself to stay awake and drank a few more.
Just a few extra drinks, but the aftereffects were brutal.
“Ugh… When I get to the Extreme Poison Maga, I’m definitely going to develop a potion to make me stronger against alcohol.”
Mari groaned with a fluttering voice as she looked at the groaning Christian.
“Ah, what a sight. The sickly young master’s pale face makes this girl’s heart race. So pale, it’s almost tempting to kidnap you.”
“…I’m tired, so stop talking nonsense.”
“Another glass of virgin’s blood juice?”
“…Fine.”
After gulping down a glass of strawberry juice, Christian barely mustered the strength to leave the annex—and found an unexpected figure waiting.
Yulian.
“Sister?”
“I was waiting because I had something to say.”
“What is it?”
Christian looked puzzled, and Yulian stared at him for a moment before bowing her head.
“Thank you.”
She spoke in a deep voice.
“I said this before, but I don’t think I properly expressed my gratitude. Because of you, my soul was saved.”
It wasn’t just that she had been rescued from a demon.
Thanks to Christian, she had regained hope.
“No need to mention it. Didn’t I say I’d make you work yourself to death in return?”
“Heh, anytime.”
Yulian smiled—a clear, bright smile unlike before.
“But you really need to be careful with alcohol. If anyone tries to get you to drink, come to me. I’ll scold them for you.”
“…No thanks.”
“Or, I’m pretty strong with alcohol. Want me to drink it for you?”
Christian scowled.
Humiliating.
Yulian chuckled at his expression.
“Well, I’ll be going. You remember the task I gave you, right?”
“Of course.”
Christian had assigned Yulian to secretly observe Langham’s movements.
She looked at him seriously.
“Be careful yourself. You know how dangerous it is, right? The Extreme Poison Maga won’t just sit still.”
Yulian wasn’t the only one worried.
Everyone who had come to see Christian off shared similar concerns.
“Please allow the Black Lion Knights to accompany you. The head of the family is very worried.”
Count Berkel, now a loyal vassal, said firmly.
“I’m coming too. I’ll protect you, sister.”
Jupien, who had decided to stay with the family, grumbled.
Count Kazar, Merian, and others all wore faces full of worry.
It was a dangerous journey, after all.
Especially since only Melin, Mari, and Alos were accompanying Christian.
Melin was one thing, but Mari, a maid, and Alos, who looked pale and kept hiccuping as if saying, “Why me again?” were hardly any help, so the concern was understandable.
“Wouldn’t it be better to increase the escort?”
“No, it’s fine. Father and the others will stay behind to focus on training and prepare for the Dark Tournament.”
The Dark Tournament.
A family duel ritual to decide the victor of the Southern Mage Kingdom.
Christian had proposed the Dark Tournament to the other families, and the Destruction Maga had readily accepted.
“The Extreme Poison Maga said they’d consider it, but with what’s about to happen, they probably won’t be able to participate.”
In the end, the Dark Tournament would be a contest between the Destruction Maga and the Dark Maga.
Christian intended to defeat the Destruction Maga in the tournament.
For that, the family’s core forces needed to stay behind and train as much as possible.
Christian had given detailed guidance on the training direction, so everyone was expected to achieve great progress.
“And besides that, there’s another big reason not to bring a huge escort.”
Christian had a surprising thought.
“If I bring a bunch of guards, no one will dare to harm me recklessly, right?”
He almost wished someone would pick a fight with him!
In truth, Chris was hoping that the Poison Magus would make a move on him.
‘That way, I can crush him properly.’
As he had said many times before, he wasn’t heading to the Poison Magus to quietly receive instruction.
His goal was to ‘clear the challenge.’
Ultimately, he planned to earn the Poison Magus’s loyalty.
To do that, he needed a scapegoat to make the Magus stand out.
‘The faction of Marquis Goras, who previously got the better of me, would make perfect sacrifices.’
Of course, it was a strange thought.
No matter how much of a genius Chris was, to think he could subdue the Poison Magus?
Even just the Marquis Goras faction alone had many powerful mages that Chris would struggle to handle.
It was an impossible task, but Chris calmly thought,
‘It’s tough right now. But I have two whole months.’
—Two months felt like an eternity to him.
What he had told Duke Huam before wasn’t just empty boasting.
After two months, Chris would be a completely different person.
‘I have a plan to win the Poison Magus’s loyalty.’
With that, he headed toward the Warp Gate.
The Warp Gate required permission from both sides to use, and since the Poison Magus’s side had granted it, this time Chris intended to move through the gate immediately.
Just as he was about to step in, an unexpected voice stopped him.
“Christiang.”
It was Nordian!
Chris blinked in surprise.
“If you’re not feeling well, why bother coming out yourself?”
“Why not?”
Nordian grumbled, clearly displeased, then grabbed Chris’s hand.
“Be careful.”
“…”
Chris fell silent for a moment.
Nordian’s hand was ice cold.
Yet, somehow, it felt warm.
“Don’t worry. You know who I am, right? I’ll bring good news.”
“…Good news?”
At those ominous words, Nordian’s face twisted in a frown.
“What ridiculous idea are you cooking up now? You… don’t tell me…?”
He was recalling Chris’s earlier claim about subduing the Poison Magus.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“How on earth do you plan to do that?”
“Didn’t I say? I’m going to become like the Dark Lord of Annihilation. I intend to do what he did.”
Nordian’s eyes widened.
For context, the Dark Lord of Annihilation had a peculiar habit.
Whenever he subdued another family, he always used their own specialty against them.
Destruction mages with destruction.
Illusion mages with illusions.
Beast mages with beast magic.
And so on.
In other words, Chris’s plan to imitate the Dark Lord of Annihilation was clear.
“I’m going to subdue the Poison Magus using poison.”
“!!”