Chapter 273
Chris wore a dazed expression.
Though the gentle pats weren’t exactly warm, the absurdity of the situation seemed to lighten his mood a bit.
Maybe it was the sense of comfort?
Suddenly, Chris blurted out a question.
“Marie, why did you become a ghost?”
[!!]
Oops.
That was a mistake.
‘Asking why a ghost became a ghost is taboo.’
He hurried to take back his words, but unexpectedly, Marie spoke up.
[I don’t really remember.]
“…You don’t remember?”
It didn’t sound like she was just dodging the question.
Marie tilted her innocent face in confusion.
[It’s not that the memories are completely gone, but they’re hazy, like a dream. The past feels blurred.]
“……”
[All I can faintly recall is that I endured endless pain for a very long time. But exactly what kind of pain it was—I can’t remember clearly. Isn’t that strange?]
Marie smiled as usual, but Chris couldn’t bring himself to smile back.
“Endless pain for a very long time.”
Those words grated on his nerves.
Marie touched her tilted cheek with a cute finger, as if trying to recall more.
[Oh, there is one thing I remember. Back then, trapped in that endless time, suffering unbearable pain, I think I told myself I would find happiness no matter what. Maybe that’s why I became a ghost—to find happiness even after death.]
Chris’s heart sank.
He couldn’t even begin to guess what she had gone through, but one thing was certain.
The pain Marie endured was no less than any suffering anyone in this world had ever faced.
“…You will be happy.”
[Hohoho, really?]
“Yes. I guarantee it—as your master, I promise you will find happiness.”
Marie beamed and wrapped her ghostly arms around Chris’s neck.
Though a ghost, she used poltergeist phenomena to make the eerie touch feel real.
[Actually, I’ve already halfway achieved it.]
“Huh?”
[My dream was to meet someone good, hold hands, share kisses, love, and get married. They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and since I’ve met my destined partner, now all that’s left is the sweet part.]
Chris blinked, bewildered.
“No, that’s…”
[You just promised to make me happy, didn’t you?]
“…I meant I’d find a decent bachelor ghost for you.”
[Becoming one with my partner is my happiness. Hohoho, since we’re on the subject, shall we start now? With a kiss?]
“Enough already!”
Marie laughed brightly.
[But please, just one favor.]
“…What is it?”
[Whatever happened, please cheer up.]
“……”
Marie floated in the air, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
[You know, Master, your usual grumpy look is way sexier. Of course, your melancholic side has its own tempting charm, but if you keep being so down, I might just have to pounce on you.]
With that, she vanished through the wall.
Chris sat there for a moment, then chuckled and shook his head.
‘Good grief. I must have worried her.’
He got up from the bed.
“Yeah, I can’t just lie here feeling sorry for myself.”
Right. The Central Empire?
Whether it’s the Demon King, the Demon Marquis, or the Magic Chancellor—what does it matter?
‘If those guys managed to become 10-star, then so can I.’
Chris steeled his resolve.
Yes, it seemed overwhelming, but it was ultimately possible. After all, that’s how they became 10-star.
He didn’t think the Demon King or the Dark Demon King were any stronger than him.
‘Once I take down the Demon King, I’ll enjoy the greatest glory and wealth.’
And now, he had even more reason to push forward.
‘I’ll get my hands on plenty of Fire Dream Liquor and drink it all!’
At last, he found hope to fulfill his wish.
If he couldn’t overcome his constitution, he’d just drink Fire Dream Liquor.
‘I’ll blow my horn with Fire Dream Liquor every single night!’
Just as he was gathering his will, the door suddenly burst open.
It was Melin, appearing after a long absence.
“Your Highness! Urgent news!”
Her serious, tense expression told Chris this was no ordinary matter.
He immediately sensed the news he’d been waiting for had arrived.
Sure enough.
“There’s trouble at the Destruction Marquisate! The Death Flame is about to erupt!”
The Death Flame volcano beneath the Destruction Marquisate was going into overdrive.
Everything was unfolding exactly as Chris had planned.
The Death Flame’s rampage!
This was news that would shake the entire Magic Empire.
If the supervolcano erupted, the entire southern magic territories would be affected.
‘Especially the Destruction Marquisate—it will suffer irreversible damage.’
This was no minor incident, so an emergency assembly was called immediately.
“Why is the Death Flame acting up?”
“Is there a problem with the seal on the Fallen Ruin?”
The gathered retainers buzzed anxiously.
“Brother, what exactly is the Fallen Ruin?”
Before the meeting began, Tern asked quietly.
For reference, Tern was attending as the representative of the Kazaar Count family.
Since Chris was the Duke’s heir and his father was acting head of the family, Tern had become the young leader of the Kazaar family.
Apparently, he was doing quite well.
“It’s a constellation.”
“Huh?”
“More precisely, a fallen star tainted by evil. When the Death Flame repeatedly caused problems, the Demon King of the Destruction Marquisate, known as the Red Sky Demon King, captured the fallen star and sealed it as a sacrifice to calm the rampaging Death Flame. The fallen star remains sealed deep within the Death Flame, preventing it from going out of control.”
“Then why is the Death Flame suddenly going wild? Is the seal really failing? Why?”
“Who knows.”
Chris thought to himself.
‘Because I made it happen.’
He had ordered the fanatical cult priests to break the seal on the Fallen Ruin.
‘Of course, even for those crazy cultists, it wasn’t easy.’
No, it was originally impossible.
The Death Flame was the most sacred site fiercely guarded by the Destruction Marquisate.
No matter how clever Chris was, it was an impregnable defense.
‘But thanks to a trick set up in advance by the Azure Demon King, I was able to turn it against them.’
Chris thought quietly.
‘I’ll use this incident as an excuse to completely bring down the Azure Demon King.’
While the retainers buzzed in confusion, the Kazaar Count and Nordian arrived.
Though their youthful appearances were a stark contrast to their previous aged looks, everyone felt awkward.
But the moment Nordian spoke, a heavy pressure filled the room.
“Let’s begin the meeting. The Death Flame is rampaging?”
The Kazaar Count responded.
“Yes, Lord Head. According to intelligence, there seems to be a problem with the seal on the Fallen Ruin.”
“Can the Destruction Marquisate handle it?”
“…Prince Bessen is confident, but other reports suggest the situation is grim. In the worst case, we must prepare for the total destruction of the Destruction Marquisate.”
That meant the family’s ruin.
Murmurs filled the hall.
“Surely the Destruction Marquisate won’t come to that?”
“No, it’s possible. They’ve suppressed the Death Flame’s eruption for hundreds of years, but if it suddenly goes berserk, the surrounding area will become hell.”
If the Destruction Marquisate evacuated their people now, they might avoid the worst, but their pride would never allow that.
‘They’ll try to handle it on their own and lose the chance to evacuate.’
The retainers raised their voices.
“How did this happen?”
“What were they doing, not properly managing the seal?”
From the Destruction Marquisate’s perspective, these accusations were unfair.
After all, Chris was the one responsible.
“We don’t know how far the damage will spread. Our Dark Marquisate should prepare as well. For now, we’ll issue evacuation orders to the territories bordering the Destruction Marquisate.”
Nordian nodded.
That seemed the best course.
But Chris surprised everyone.
“Shouldn’t we send aid to the Destruction Marquisate?”
“!!”
“The Destruction Marquisate is now under our Dark Marquisate. Since they’re facing disaster, we must help them as their seniors.”
Everyone looked stunned.
“That may be true, but I doubt the Destruction Marquisate would accept help.”
It was hard to believe the Destruction Marquisate had truly submitted.
They probably didn’t even think they were under the Dark Marquisate.
“If I go myself, they won’t be able to refuse.”
“You, Your Highness? That’s dangerous!”
“Don’t worry. I’m only going to help with evacuations.”
The retainers eyed him suspiciously.
Nordian narrowed his eyes.
“Is that so?”
“Yes, I value my life too.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
Nordian’s gaze sharpened, and Chris broke out in a cold sweat.
“Everyone, leave us. I have something to discuss with the prince.”
Once alone, Nordian frowned.
“What ridiculous idea are you cooking up now?”
“Nothing much. I just want to help the Destruction Marquisate.”
“How exactly?”
Chris fell silent.
Even he thought it was absurd, so he couldn’t bring himself to explain.
‘What should I say?’
He hesitated, but Nordian shook his head.
“Fine. This isn’t the first time you’ve done something crazy.”
“……”
“You’re going anyway, no matter what I say.”
“…That’s true.”
Nordian sighed.
“Just remember one thing. You are my hope. You must return safely. Understand?”
Chris’s chest tightened.
“Of course. Don’t worry.”
Nordian gave a crooked smile, as if to reassure him.
“We’ll make those Destruction Mages truly understand the greatness of our Dark Mages. This time, they’ll finally be the ones kneeling before us.”
Time was tight, so we hurried on.
But the companions were unexpected.
Instead of the family’s top fighters, I was accompanied by Jupien, Alos, Melin, and Tern.
“Well, we’re not exactly going to fight, so there’s no need to bring the strongest ones along.”
Besides, the family’s executives had other matters to attend to.
“Quelling the Blazing Flame isn’t the end of it.”
From here on, chaos would sweep through the political landscape.
Chris had already given Count Kazar a heads-up.
“Please prepare the troops while I’m at the Destruction Mage’s place.”
“…Troops? What do you mean? Why all of a sudden?”
Chris met him with a steely gaze.
“It’s because of the Azure Stream Demon Lord.”
“!!”
Right.
The time had come to settle things with the Azure Stream Demon Lord.
Starting with the Destruction Mage, Chris planned to strike at the Azure Stream Demon Lord.
“Of course, only if I achieve my goal in the Blazing Flame will we have a chance to bring down the Azure Stream Demon Lord.”
No matter how much the Nordians had advanced to the 9-Star Realm, they stood no chance against the Azure Stream Demon Lord.
Chris’s role was crucial.
He had to obtain the power he sought in the Blazing Flame to be able to topple the Azure Stream Demon Lord.