Chapter 247
The elders of the Four Kings’ Castle flinched.
“But still… relying solely on Marquis Langham’s power to eliminate that cunning Christian is too much to ask.”
It wasn’t that the Four Kings’ Castle hadn’t considered using Marquis Langham.
But their judgment was that it wouldn’t be easy.
Of course, Marquis Langham was a powerful high-ranking demon, but the sly Christian wouldn’t go down without a fight.
Unless Christian ventured into the Four Kings’ Castle’s territory, while he remained within the Dark Mage’s domain, there were limits to how much support Langham could provide.
[We will handle the method ourselves. Just wait. We will bring back the head of Grand Duke Christian.]
The mysterious figure from the Secret Mage’s faction rose from his seat.
After leaving the meeting room, the mysterious figure from the Secret Mage’s faction entered a deserted forest.
He stopped as if waiting for someone, and soon another figure appeared from within the trees.
A reversed cross emblem was faintly visible on his face.
[Have you secured the new recruit from Idrinne?]
[Yes, we have taken custody.]
[Good. Idrinne is an important secondary tool for our Secret Mage’s grand plan. We must never lose her.]
A “secondary tool.” The phrase was puzzling.
The figure with the reversed cross continued.
[Of course, the ideal is Grand Duke Christian himself, but we must prepare for the possibility that he is not the ‘Chosen One.’ Idrinne will serve as the backup plan.]
It was a startling revelation.
The Secret Mage faction was aiming for something through Christian.
The two continued their conversation.
[Does the Bishop truly believe that Grand Duke Christian is the Chosen One?]
[We’ll find out when we test him through Marquis Langham.]
The figure called the Bishop looked toward the southwest.
The Southern Mage Kingdom.
More precisely, the area where the Dark Mage resided.
[If Grand Duke Christian truly is the Chosen One, he will survive.]
Meanwhile, a lavish banquet was underway in the Extreme Poison Mage faction.
It was a celebration marking the eradication of the Jade Green Stone, but in reality, it was a gathering to express gratitude toward Christian.
“Thanks to you, our Extreme Poison Mage faction survives. Truly, I am grateful. You are our faction’s savior.”
Duke Huam repeated his thanks, though no one could say how many times by now.
He wasn’t alone; everyone in the Extreme Poison Mage faction bowed their heads to Christian.
Without him, the faction would have bled terribly and fallen.
“I suppose I did accomplish something remarkable.”
Even boasting like that, no one gave him a sideways glance.
Compared to when he first arrived and was dismissed as a braggart madman, the difference in treatment was like night and day.
“Here, have a drink. We’ve prepared the finest liquor in the Extreme Poison Mage faction just for you.”
“…I’ll pass on the alcohol.”
“Why? Is it because of your age? What does age matter to a hero like you? I’ll take responsibility, so drink up tonight!”
“…It’s not that. I just don’t feel well.”
“Oh, on a day like this, you should get drunk! Come on, have a drink! It’s the pride of the Extreme Poison Mage faction!”
“…No, gulp, well…”
Christian’s face twisted in frustration.
‘Enough! I want to drink too, but I’m forcing myself to hold back!’
What good is the finest liquor if he just gets drunk and passes out?
Can’t he just use his poison immunity ability?
‘Damn it, then why bother drinking at all?’
Alcohol is enjoyable because of the buzz it gives.
Drinking alcohol without the buzz is just bitter, strange-tasting water.
‘I’d rather drink strawberry juice than alcohol without alcohol.’
Christian clenched his fist.
‘At this rate, my only hope is that when I reach the 8-star Absolute Domain, maybe my tolerance will improve.’
It was because of the Domain of Dominion.
‘When I activate my Domain of Dominion, I can wield godlike power within it, so maybe I can control how my body processes alcohol.’
It wasn’t a ridiculous thought.
Knights and 8-star Absolute Domain superhumans in the Martial Arts faction could control their bodies at will within their domains.
…Of course, activating his domain just to drink was absurd, but Christian was serious.
‘I can’t live a life without alcohol! Why am I suffering so much right now?!’
He sighed and changed the subject.
“But are you sure about this decision?”
He was referring to the Extreme Poison Mage faction joining the Dark Alliance.
Duke Huam nodded.
“Yes, it’s a decision we made after careful consideration.”
A surprisingly straightforward answer.
“Do you know why I—or rather, we of the Extreme Poison Mage faction—agreed to join the Dark Alliance so willingly? It’s not just because we feel indebted to you.”
In truth, no matter how grateful they were, they weren’t obligated to join the Dark Alliance.
Even if they had promised, if the Extreme Poison Mage faction had refused outright, there was no way to force their membership.
But unexpectedly, Duke Huam accepted the Dark Alliance membership without resistance.
“Because I believe that to overcome the coming storm in the Mage Empire, our faction alone cannot do it.”
Duke Huam’s expression grew heavy.
“Even the Demon King of the Azure Stream is targeting our faction.”
That was the decisive reason for Duke Huam’s resolve.
Would the Demon King of the Azure Stream give up after just one attempt?
Absolutely not.
‘And the coming torrent won’t be from the Demon King of the Azure Stream alone.’
Everyone knew the Four Kings’ Castle was preparing for war.
And recently, the Secret Mage faction had been showing unusual activity.
The Mage Empire was about to be shaken by a great upheaval, and the Extreme Poison Mage faction lacked the strength to face the crisis alone.
“But how will you persuade the Destruction Mage faction?”
To establish the Dark Alliance’s true power, the Destruction Mage faction had to be brought to its knees.
“The Destruction Mage faction is different from ours. They will never accept it.”
Christian nodded.
“I know. But it’s fine. We have a plan for the Destruction Mage faction as well.”
Of course, Christian wasn’t taking it lightly.
‘First, winning the Dark War is the problem. Even though I’ve recently trained them, the power gap between the two families is huge.’
Even if they barely won, would the proud Destruction Mage faction bow their heads willingly?
Never.
‘There’s only one way. Starting with the Dark War, we must thoroughly break the pride of the Destruction Mage faction. So thoroughly that they never raise their heads again.’
Right now, the Destruction Mage faction was probably celebrating, drunk on the expectation of crushing the Dark Mage faction in the Dark War.
They had no idea what humiliation awaited them.
‘After the Destruction Mage faction, it’s the Demon King of the Azure Stream.’
Christian’s gaze darkened.
“But Your Majesty, do you know why the Demon King of the Azure Stream desires the Three-Pronged Assault?”
“I don’t know either. But I have a suspicion.”
“What is it?”
“The Demon King of the Azure Stream may be trying to break free from a curse he received from a demon through the Three-Pronged Assault.”
Christian looked puzzled.
“A curse?”
“Yes. When he was the Fairy King, he made a pact with a demon to save the World Tree. He was cursed then and has suffered ever since. Perhaps that curse is driving these events.”
Christian nodded.
That was information worth remembering.
“Ahem. By the way, when did you and Marisa get back to that… engagement? I thought it was canceled?”
“I did cancel it.”
“…What?”
“It was a ruse. I pretended to be engaged to intervene during the clan head selection battle, but I arrived too late, so it ended up meaning nothing.”
“…I see.”
Duke Huam’s expression twisted into something complicated.
He had secretly been quite pleased, but it was just a ruse?
‘No, you bastard! Using my daughter? I hope Marisa wasn’t foolish enough to get her hopes up.’
Just then, Marisa appeared.
“Hey, what are you two doing?”
“What do you mean? I’m talking with His Majesty.”
“Come have a drink with me. I’ll get the drinks. Of course, just as friends!”
“…You know I can’t drink. Who are you kidding?”
“Ah, anyway, come with me.”
“Why?”
“Hurry up!”
Marisa dragged Christian away, leaving Duke Huam behind to bitterly gulp down his drink.
“A family’s savior, but still annoying.”
Pulled out onto the balcony by Marisa, Christian looked puzzled.
“Why all of a sudden?”
“I… I have something to say.”
Marisa’s face flushed as she stammered, and Christian tilted his head.
“Are you sick? You look strange.”
“N-no, it’s not that! It’s just… no, no…”
Her raised voice faded into a whisper.
“About that fake engagement last time… I…”
“Ah.”
Christian caught on to why Marisa was acting this way and nodded.
“Don’t worry. It was just a ruse. I have no intention of getting engaged to you again.”
“……”
Marisa’s face darkened rapidly, and she shut her mouth tight.
Christian frowned.
“What’s wrong?”
“N-nothing.”
Marisa shook her head hastily.
“I brought you here to say thank you. Really, thank you.”
Christian tilted his head.
“Why the sudden gratitude? If you’re thankful, then develop a medicine to boost my alcohol tolerance.”
By the way, Marisa specialized in poisons and pharmaceuticals.
“Dream on! Being a fireproof body that can’t drink is an incurable disease.”
“…No. Someday, I’ll definitely overcome it.”
“Anyway, I’ve said what I needed to. Now go. I want to be alone.”
“Hmm?”
“Go on!!”
Chris frowned as he stepped outside, leaving Marisa alone to let out a long sigh.
“That damn fool.”
Afterward, Christian returned to the Dark Maga.
“Wooooah!!”
“Long live the Grand Duke!!”
A thunderous cheer greeted Christian, as if welcoming a victorious general.
He hadn’t just achieved something remarkable—he had brought the Venomous Maga under the banner of the Dark Maga.
An accomplishment no head of the family had managed since the Demon King of Annihilation.
“His Highness the Grand Duke might just become someone on par with the first head of the family, the Demon King of Annihilation.”
“Yeah, the Grand Duke’s more than capable of that.”
Such talk was common among the Dark Maga’s followers.
Judging by Christian’s recent actions, he had already surpassed the Demon King of Annihilation in his youth.
But it wasn’t only the common folk who greeted Christian with such fervor.
“Christian.”
“Father.”
Starting with Count Kazar, every key figure of the family came out to welcome him.
“I’ve returned.”
Count Kazar shook his head, seemingly at a loss for words.
“You… what on earth…”
He couldn’t decide whether to scold or praise Christian for his reckless behavior in the Venomous Maga.
In the end, Count Kazar simply said,
“I’m just glad you came back safely.”
Christian smiled broadly.
Seeing his father’s relieved expression, he felt, somehow, that he had truly come home.