Chapter 234
“Given your merchant guild’s reach, you probably have a rough idea of where Taebongsan—the seat of the Uiseon clan—is somewhere in the White Mountain Range, right?”
“That’s just a rough guess, really. It’s hidden behind a legendary-level formation, so we can’t get close.”
Christian nodded thoughtfully.
“I have a way around that. Let’s move quickly to the White Mountain Range. Use your spatial teleportation artifact.”
As a reminder, Ruina possessed a legendary artifact capable of spatial jumps, allowing her to move freely between the Magic Empire and the allied territories.
With no time to waste, they planned to harness that power.
“One jump costs a million rupees.”
“…”
“Hey! Every time I use this artifact, it costs money! Sir Evan, could you please stop looking at me like I’m some kind of money-sucking bug? Ugh, both of you just hold hands already!!”
With Ruina’s loud grumbling, the teleportation activated.
When Christian opened his eyes, they were in the White Mountain Range.
“To think a spatial leap of this distance is possible. This artifact really is incredible.”
But Ruina’s artifact wasn’t without its limits.
“Since it uses the power of the Constellations to teleport, every time it’s used, a sacrifice must be offered to them, right?”
Uniquely, the required offering was a gemstone.
The farther the distance, the more expensive the gem had to be.
“Only Ruina could use something like this. Or maybe not?”
In the corner, Ruina was clutching her head, shouting, “This is way too expensive!! You awful Constellations!!”
Since Ruina hated losing money more than losing her life, every teleport felt like a painful wound.
“What now? We can’t see anything.”
Evan, still masked as they fled, spoke.
Indeed, all that stretched before them was an endless expanse of mountains and snow.
“We’re definitely in the right place. This is Taebongsan. The Uiseon clan is nearby—it’s just invisible to the naked eye.”
“A formation?”
“Yes. A legendary-level concealment formation covers this entire area.”
A legendary formation.
One imbued with the power of the Constellations or demons.
Compared to the deadly poison formation from before, this was on a whole other level. Even Christian couldn’t dismantle it.
‘Maybe I could pass through using the Gate of Life, but that would take too long.’
They didn’t have that kind of time.
“What’s the plan?”
“If we can’t find them, the solution’s simple. We make them come out.”
“…What are you thinking?”
Christian grinned.
“Ever heard how to catch a rabbit hiding in its burrow?”
“You don’t mean—”
“Exactly. Start a fire.”
Christian scanned the surroundings.
There was nothing but snow, so it wasn’t exactly an ideal place to start a blaze.
‘No fire? Then I’ll just cause some other kind of trouble.’
He drew on his magical energy and shouted loudly.
“Uiseon clan scum! Christian has arrived—come out at once!!!!!!!”
Come out.
Come out.
Come out.
His voice echoed through the mountains.
Of course, no one appeared.
Instead—
Rumble.
The snow piled on the mountains began to crack.
An avalanche was about to be triggered!
Evan and Ruina’s faces drained of color.
“You’re serious?”
“Are you crazy?!”
“Well, if you don’t want to be buried under a mountain of snow, you’ll come out. Shall I call again?”
Even a legendary formation only conceals their location from the outside.
If an avalanche hits, they’ll be swept away.
“I know you’re watching from inside. If you don’t want to be buried alive, you’d better come out now.”
Christian summoned his magical energy to its peak.
Dark, smoky magic billowed into the air like smoke.
Thanks to the recent Holy Grail duel, his core had grown stronger, and this power was overwhelming.
If he unleashed this magic with a shout, disaster would surely follow.
Just as he was about to yell—
“Wait! Stop!”
Suddenly, a group appeared.
Knights, swords drawn.
‘The Knights Hospitaller—the Uiseon clan’s armed force.’
They were well-known warriors, skilled in both Uiseon martial arts and swordsmanship.
Though their numbers were small.
‘Looks like the main force is headed toward the Kalvern Kingdom.’
Still, they were not to be underestimated.
Their leader was a six-star Master-class knight.
“I am Roson, commander of the Knights Hospitaller. What business does a dark mage’s demon have here?”
“I have no interest in talking with riffraff like you. Bring out the clan head.”
“Excuse me?”
“Sorry, but I don’t have time for this. Should I call the clan head loudly?”
“!!”
A threat to trigger an avalanche.
The Uiseon knights radiated fierce energy, but none dared move, fearing Christian might actually cause the avalanche.
Then, a clear voice rang out.
“Apologies, but the clan head is ill and cannot come out.”
“!!”
“My name is Ella. If you have business, please speak to me, the acting clan head.”
White hair, blue eyes.
A girl with a commanding presence.
Christian’s eyes sharpened.
‘I know her.’
‘The 26th clan head of the Uiseon!’
In his past life, she was the previous clan head who passed the position to him.
‘She was young then. Well, it had been some time since I last met her.’
Not only her age but her demeanor had changed.
Back then, though dying, she had a fierce will befitting the clan leader.
Now, she seemed resolute but inexperienced.
A flicker of anxiety showed in her eyes.
“I am Christian, the Dark Mage’s Grand Duke.”
“I know you are the Dark Mage’s rising star. Please state your business. Is it about the Kalvern Kingdom?”
Ella shook her head gravely.
“I’m sorry, but we’re powerless to act on that matter. While the clan head was ill, some disciples broke the clan rules. I’ve already issued a summons, but they’re ignoring it.”
“Why would they do such a thing?”
“That is…”
“Is it about the next clan head?”
“!!”
Ella flinched, then nodded.
“As expected of the Dark Mage’s rising star. Your wisdom is as rumored. Yes, this incident was stirred up by my sister, Michelle, out of ambition.”
Ella continued.
“She was not chosen as the next clan head, so she’s trying to build merit to claim the position by force.”
That was the full story behind the Uiseon clan’s turmoil.
Christian nodded.
‘This was the turning point that shook the Uiseon clan. They lost their way.’
Ella sighed.
“As acting clan head, I apologize for the misguided actions of our disciples. However, if you intend to hold us accountable with bloodshed, please understand we will not stand idly by.”
Assuming Christian had come to shed blood, the Knights Hospitaller bristled with aggression.
But Christian surprised them.
“No, that’s not why I’m here.”
“…What do you mean?”
“My business is entirely different.”
Christian twisted his lips.
“I’ve come to teach your clan a thing or two about medicine.”
“!!”
Everyone looked incredulous.
Who was going to teach whom about medicine?
But Christian spoke with sincerity.
“Actually, I’m quite skilled in medicine. I, the great Christian, will personally impart precious knowledge to you narrow-minded frogs.”
“…That’s a bit much.”
Ella frowned.
“Of course, the Uiseon clan never refuses valuable teachings. We even offer thanks in return.”
It was tradition.
If an outsider’s medical knowledge helped their patients, or if they cured someone the Uiseon failed to, they would show proper gratitude.
“But you don’t seem like someone worthy of that. Enough jokes—please leave.”
Ella’s tone was cold, but Christian’s next words silenced everyone.
“What if I were to try treating your master?”
“…What did you say?”
Christian grinned.
“If I can heal your master, whom no one in the Uiseon clan has been able to cure, it will prove my medical skills are supreme.”
Silence fell over the gathering.
Ella let out a bitter laugh before speaking coldly.
“I will pretend I didn’t hear such nonsense. Leave now.”
“I don’t understand your reaction. You failed to heal your master anyway. Let me save her instead.”
“What!!”
Ella’s expression hardened.
“So you intend to mock the Uiseon clan? This is your final warning—leave.”
The Knights Hospitaller radiated intense fighting spirit.
Christian shrugged.
“This is troublesome. I’m only trying to help a patient, yet I’m being scorned because I’m a demon. I didn’t realize the Uiseon clan was this narrow-minded.”
“…”
“If even a demon’s heart is devoted to healing, where did your rule about acceptance go?”
Ella bit her lip.
Christian’s criticism was valid, but she couldn’t accept it this time.
‘Every healer in the Uiseon clan failed to cure my master. And now this?’
It was impossible.
He was clearly trying to insult the clan.
Suddenly, a voice cut in.
It was Evan.
“Wait, calm down, Ella.”
“Who are you?! How dare you speak to the clan head!”
The Uiseon knights erupted in anger.
For the record, Evan was still masked, his face hidden.
“Wait, please listen.”
Ella stopped the knights.
That voice—it sounded so familiar.
“Who are you?”
“It’s me. It’s been five years.”
Hearing that familiar voice again, Ella’s eyes widened in shock.
“No way… Are you really my half-brother?”
“Yes.”
To her surprise, they actually knew each other!
It wasn’t so strange, though.
The Uiseon family and the renowned swordsmanship family were among the most prestigious houses in the alliance. They had been close for a long time.
“Why is my brother with that fiend?”
“There’s a reason. For now, trust me and stand down, will you? I swear on my sword, I won’t cause any trouble.”
Ella hesitated, then nodded.
The knights protested, but when she gave a firm order, they reluctantly stepped back.
Once they were alone, Evan removed his mask.
“So it really is you, Brother Evan. I can’t believe you’re alive!”
“Yes. It’s all thanks to Archduke Christian here. He saved me.”
Ella’s face showed her surprise at the unexpected revelation.
“Ella, can you trust Archduke Christian?”
“…You want me to trust that fiend?”
“Yes. He’s different from the others. He carries a light more noble than any other.”
Ella’s eyes grew even wider.
Christian and Ruina looked just as stunned.
‘…What’s gotten into him all of a sudden?’
‘…Sir Evan’s acting strange again. Has he lost his mind?’
But Evan was sincere.