Episode 240
“What do you mean by that? The deputy head has already returned?”
“Yes. It seems the Demon Lord of Cheongryu has advanced his release on the grounds that he has sufficiently repented for his crimes.”
Duke Huam let out a heavy sigh.
“Why would the Demon Lord do something so reckless? I just can’t understand it.”
Marquis Goras had committed a grave offense.
Yet, even for a Demon Lord, reducing his punishment like this was bound to draw criticism.
“There must be some ulterior motive.”
Christian thought to himself, guessing the Demon Lord of Cheongryu’s true intentions.
“He’s trying to spark the Jinok Rebellion through Marquis Goras.”
Christian’s expression darkened.
The Jinok Rebellion.
A horrific catastrophe.
In his previous life, it had cost over a thousand Dokin lives under the Geukdok family.
“Marquis Goras said he would wait for the family head in the central hall.”
“The central hall?”
“Yes. His retainers have already been summoned.”
Duke Huam’s face hardened.
“The central hall, of all places. A bold move right after returning.”
In the Geukdok family, the central hall held great significance—it was where the family head made important declarations to the retainers.
In other words, Marquis Goras was flaunting himself as if he were the family head.
“This is troublesome. I haven’t even properly thanked you yet. I’m sorry, but you should return to the Dark family for now.”
Duke Huam spoke in a grave tone.
“With the deputy head back, the atmosphere at the main house won’t be good. More importantly, the deputy head might try to harm you.”
Christian had repeatedly interfered with Marquis Goras’s schemes, so it was unlikely he’d be left alone.
But—
“No, I won’t be going back.”
“You won’t?”
“Didn’t I say the Dark family and the Geukdok family are like brothers? Though admittedly, bad brothers who bicker often.”
Christian shrugged.
“Even if it’s an internal matter for the Geukdok family, I can’t just stand by when trouble arises. I’ll help.”
Duke Huam looked incredulous.
“What help could you possibly offer? I know you’re capable, but against the deputy head? That’s impossible.”
He was right.
This wasn’t like the Kalbern Kingdom days.
Marquis Goras was a terrifying figure, combining strength and ruthlessness.
He wasn’t someone to be outwitted easily.
Still—
“Do you know? Even during the Kalbern Kingdom incident and the dispute with the main house, Your Grace said it was impossible for me.”
Christian smiled slyly.
“See? This time too, I’ll be a great help.”
“…Good grief.”
Duke Huam shook his head, but Christian was sincere.
“Let’s head to the central hall. It seems everyone is waiting.”
“You’re coming too?”
“Of course. I’m, after all, a disciple of the Geukdok family, even if only temporarily.”
Christian shrugged again.
“Then, let’s go.”
Duke Huam nodded solemnly.
“Very well.”
When they arrived at the central hall, a crowd of retainers who had arrived earlier greeted them.
Christian sensed the anxiety and confusion in their eyes.
“Where is Marquis Goras?”
Up ahead.
At the highest seat—the family head’s place—Marquis Goras stood with his back turned.
“…What is the meaning of this, deputy head?”
Duke Huam said, clearly displeased.
“That is not your seat. Step down immediately.”
At those words, Marquis Goras slowly turned around.
Everyone who met his gaze held their breath.
“Has he grown stronger?”
Surprisingly, an overwhelming aura unlike before radiated from him.
But it was somewhat strange.
“He hasn’t reached the upper eighth star level. So how is his energy this strong?”
When someone reaches the upper eighth star, they approach a transcendent realm, and the atmosphere changes drastically.
They radiate a presence similar to a transcendent being—but this wasn’t the case.
“Still, the aura he gives off rivals that of an upper eighth star. What’s going on?”
Everyone was stunned.
Only Christian noticed the change in Marquis Goras.
“He’s embraced Jinok. The same progression as in my previous life.”
Christian’s eyes darkened.
It was a scheme by the Demon Lord of Cheongryu.
To obtain the Samwon Pavilion, the Demon Lord had played his hand in the Dark, Geukdok, and Destruction families.
In the Geukdok family’s case, it was the ‘Jinok’ that Marquis Goras had embraced.
“Because of that Jinok, over a thousand Dokin were slaughtered. It’s practically a family annihilation.”
It was one of the reasons the Southern Magic Kingdom couldn’t resist the Four Kings’ Castle and was ravaged.
At that moment, Marquis Goras spoke.
“I stand here by the order of His Majesty, the Demon Lord of Cheongryu.”
“…What?”
“The Demon Lord has pardoned my past crimes and given me one command.”
A chilling light flashed in Marquis Goras’s eyes.
A fierce, ominous energy flared.
As the thick, foreboding aura filled the room, everyone in the Geukdok family swallowed nervously.
Then, Marquis Goras dropped a thunderous declaration.
“He commands me to ascend as the family head of the Geukdok family and reform its corruption.”
“!!”
Duke Huam and the others widened their eyes.
“What nonsense is this?”
“Even the Demon Lord cannot interfere in the internal affairs of each family!!”
It was taboo for the Demon Lord to meddle directly in the affairs of prestigious magic families.
Especially when it came to deciding the family head.
Yet—
“In accordance, I will request a family head duel to follow His Majesty’s command.”
“!!”
The hall erupted again.
A family head duel.
A challenge to the family head’s position.
But such a challenge could only be made with just cause, not arbitrarily.
Marquis Goras’s justification was the Demon Lord’s order.
His voice low and steady, he continued.
“As you know, Your Grace, a duel cannot be refused when there is just cause.”
“……”
“Then, the duel will take place in one week. I look forward to seeing you then.”
With that, Marquis Goras disappeared, leaving a deathly silence behind.
Christian returned to the family head’s office with Marisa and others.
Marisa’s face was pale as she shook her head.
“T-This is impossible. A family head duel? Father, you absolutely cannot accept this.”
“If there is just cause, the duel cannot be refused.”
“B-But…! Father will die!!”
Marisa couldn’t hold back and raised her voice.
Duke Huam’s expression grew heavier.
‘There’s no doubt I have no chance of winning. My brother won’t spare me.’
Marquis Goras and Duke Huam were brothers.
Goras was the elder, Huam the younger, and originally, Goras was to inherit the Geukdok family.
But in his youth, Goras was blocked for a long time, and Huam surpassed him to inherit the family.
The tragedy of the Geukdok family began there.
‘My brother hates me. From his perspective, I took everything from him. He will surely take my life.’
But refusing the duel was impossible.
“It can’t be helped, Marisa.”
“But!! Still…!”
At that moment, a calm voice interrupted.
It was Christian.
“Your Grace is right. Refusing a family head duel is out of the question. Marisa, stop acting like a child.”
Marisa bit her lip hard.
He wasn’t wrong.
But how could she control her emotions when her father’s life was at stake?
Clenching her fists tightly, she stood up.
“…I’m going out.”
As Marisa left, Duke Huam sighed.
“Thank you for trying to stop her. She’s strong; she’ll calm down soon enough.”
“Actually, may I discuss the reward we agreed upon earlier?”
“Oh, right. If I die, I won’t be able to give you anything. Speak quickly.”
Duke Huam said bitterly.
Christian’s face remained expressionless.
“First, please grant me access to the Geukdok family’s secret archives.”
“That’s not difficult. Anything else?”
“Open the Path of Poison to me immediately.”
Duke Huam flinched.
“You really plan to challenge the Poison Pavilion?”
“Of course.”
“Well, with your current level, you can attempt it. To think you’ve reached the sixth level of poison arts in such a short time.”
Duke Huam shook his head in disbelief.
“But don’t be careless. Of those who reach the sixth level, less than 30% succeed in obtaining the Poison Pavilion. Especially, greed is strictly forbidden.”
The Poison Pavilion was the pure source of poison.
If one greedily overflows the vessel, it leads to fatal consequences.
“You have no doubt about Christian’s talent, but I worry he might overreach.”
Duke Huam said.
“Is there any other reward you desire?”
“There is one more.”
“Speak.”
Christian looked at Duke Huam for a moment, then said something unexpected.
“On the day of the family head duel, please allow me to cause any incident I wish.”
“…An incident?”
“I can’t explain in detail. But please promise me you will permit whatever I do that day.”
Duke Huam’s face showed confusion.
“…You’re not planning something dangerous, are you? Promise me you won’t do anything reckless.”
Duke Huam said bitterly.
“I’ll probably lose my life that day, but I don’t want you to get caught up in it too.”
Duke Huam cared for Chris in his own way.
He even thought of taking him as a son or son-in-law.
So he wanted to prevent Chris from getting tangled in the deadly affairs of the Maga family and dying because of it.
“It won’t be dangerous. If that’s the case, I’ll see you then.”
Chris said only that.
After leaving Duke Huam’s residence, Chris went to find Marisa.
“…Why are you here?”
Marisa asked, her eyes red and swollen.
“I know. It can’t be helped. But… I can’t just stand by and watch my father die…”
Just as Marisa was about to break down in tears, Chris cut her off.
“I’m not going to let him die.”
“…What?”
“I have a way.”
“!!”
Marisa’s face showed disbelief.
“But you have to cooperate with me.”
“How?! Tell me anything.”
Then Chris quietly explained his plan, and Marisa’s eyes grew wide as if they might tear.
The path of poison was located deep within the Verdant Fortress.
Marisa led the way.
“This is it. Once you go down into the underground passage, the trial will begin. If you make it through to the end, you can challenge the Poison Well.”
Chris nodded.