Chapter 281
Chris fell silent for a moment.
Their eyes met, and the instant he saw the earnest sincerity in Kashmir’s gaze, he nodded.
“Very well. But there’s a condition. You must pledge your soul to me.”
Pledge his soul? Suddenly?
It was an incomprehensible demand, yet Kashmir didn’t hesitate. He nodded firmly.
“I understand. I will give you my soul.”
“…Isn’t that a bit too easy to accept?”
“I know you wouldn’t propose anything harmful to me.”
Kashmir smiled faintly and continued.
“Even if that weren’t true, if it’s your will, Your Highness, I will accept it. My life has long belonged to you anyway.”
That was true.
Kashmir had sworn long ago to give everything he had to Chris.
To repay the kindness he had received from Christian all this time.
‘…I was just planning to use him as a tool.’
Chris looked bewildered at Kashmir’s blind loyalty.
But there was a reason Chris suddenly demanded his soul.
“I will take your soul.”
Flash!
The majestic dark light Chris had shown earlier flickered again.
A light symbolizing that Chris had transcended mortality and become an Elder.
“You will become my vassal and share in my power.”
That’s right.
Chris was no longer simply subjugating others with dark magic; he could now truly create vassals in the truest sense.
Just like a demon lord or a celestial being.
What this meant was clear.
He could now bestow a “blessing.”
“W-What is this?”
Kashmir’s eyes wavered.
Suddenly, the world felt different.
It wasn’t that his perception had changed.
Rather, even though the sensations were the same, the way he received, interpreted, and internalized them was completely transformed.
In other words, his “悟性” — his intuitive understanding — had leapt dramatically.
“I have shared a portion of my talent with you.”
“!!”
This was the blessing Chris bestowed.
“Normally, blessings from celestial beings or demons project their unique traits onto their vassals.”
For example, Evan had received the Sword Star blessing from the constellation of the Sword Star.
Chris’s defining trait was his talent.
He could share part of his talent with those he made his vassals.
“Of course, my soul’s rank among transcendent beings isn’t very high yet, so this sharing only lasts for a short time.”
Great beings of the third or fourth rank could grant permanent blessings, but those below could not.
There was a time limit on how long the blessing lasted, and Chris, having just attained the rank of a transcendent, was even more limited.
It was only a brief moment.
But even that was enough.
Ssshhh.
The shadow of Chris’s soul projected onto Kashmir, and Kashmir’s intuitive understanding exploded in sensitivity.
“This is the world Duke Christian sees.”
Kashmir shuddered.
Like an ant perched on a giant’s shoulder, his field of vision expanded beyond anything he’d known before.
“This won’t last long. Follow my instructions carefully and guide the energy of the Ruinous Flame.”
Chris explained the precise method.
Under normal circumstances, this would have been impossible.
Yet Kashmir astonishingly succeeded at every step, as if he had truly become Christian himself.
No, it wasn’t just the blessing.
“I will become the strength of Duke Christian!”
Kashmir’s will,
combined with
“I will make Duke Kashmir the greatest tool ever!”
Chris’s will.
Together, they made it happen.
“Is it really happening?”
The minions of the Destruction Mage waited outside the crater for the outcome.
Honestly, few believed Christian would truly perform a miracle.
‘We appreciate him stepping up for our clan, at least.’
The Destruction Mage’s minions had mostly lost their resentment toward Christian.
After all, he risked his life for them.
‘Maybe he’s not such a bad guy after all.’
There was another reason they began to think that way.
Alos.
After Alos had taken Chris’s form and diligently helped evacuate civilians, everyone had a chance to see Chris in a new light.
“Why do I have to do all the hard work while that Christian guy gets all the thanks?! That bastard! I did it all, you know!!”
It was a secret that Alos, back in his original form, had retreated deep into the mountains to vent his frustration.
Anyway, the Destruction Mage’s people wore expressions of concern.
‘No matter what, this will end in a futile death.’
‘There’s no way that unlucky guy can control the Ruinous Flame.’
The Destruction Mage’s executives had already assumed Christian had failed and were contemplating what to do next.
Then suddenly, a thunderous roar erupted from the Ruinous Flame.
It was the tremor caused by the fallen destruction striking Andril.
“Is the Ruinous Flame erupting?!”
“See? He failed…!”
But after a moment passed,
the energy of the Ruinous Flame began to stabilize.
“Could it be…?”
“Duke Christian?”
Everyone wore expressions of disbelief.
The Ruinous Flame’s energy gradually calmed until it was completely still.
He had truly succeeded in pacifying the Ruinous Flame!
One by one, the Destruction Mage’s minions exchanged glances before bursting into cheers.
“Waaaaah!!!”
“Long live Duke Christian!!!”
It was a cry of overwhelming joy.
Though they had braced for death, who could truly face it without fear?
The relief of survival mixed with gratitude toward Christian, and everyone shouted with fervor.
But there was a problem.
“Where is Duke Christian?”
“Why isn’t he coming out?”
Time had passed, yet there was no sign of him.
“Could it be? Did he get swept away by the Ruinous Flame and die?”
As murmurs spread, a sound of footsteps echoed.
It was Christian!
“!!”
The room fell silent instantly.
Seeing Christian now, everyone felt a completely different kind of presence.
Of course, Christian had always carried an air of dignity and noble authority.
But this was on another level entirely.
It was as if the shadow of a being of a higher rank loomed over him.
Though no one consciously noticed, it was spiritual pressure.
“Duke Kashmir too? Something’s different.”
For reference, Kashmir had absorbed an amount of Ruinous Flame equal to 90% of the usual volume, matching the amount once absorbed by the Demon King of the Red Sky.
“I’m back.”
Christian shrugged his shoulders.
It was a simple gesture, much like usual, but this time it carried a weighty intensity.
As everyone swallowed hard, Christian spoke.
“As promised, I have pacified the Ruinous Flame. Now it’s time for the Destruction Mage to keep their end of the bargain.”
All eyes turned to Duke Besen.
The condition Christian had set.
That the Destruction Mage properly kneel before the Dark Mage.
‘How will His Grace react?’
‘He won’t bow so easily.’
In truth, most of the Destruction Mage’s minions no longer opposed standing under the Dark Mage’s banner.
They had received enough favor to accept it.
But not everyone.
There were still those stubbornly clinging to their pride, refusing to acknowledge the Dark Mage’s authority.
Especially Duke Besen.
His reaction was uncertain.
Given his obstinate nature, he was unlikely to bow meekly.
But then, something unbelievable happened.
Duke Besen twitched his lips and knelt on one knee before Chris!
“No, Your Grace?!”
Everyone gasped in shock.
Such behavior was unimaginable from Duke Besen.
And it didn’t end there.
“I will obey your command… We, the Destruction Mage, swear to stand under the Dark Mage’s banner from now on…”
“!!”
The Destruction Mage’s minions looked stunned.
Could it be that the mighty Duke Besen would show such humility?
Besen himself flinched belatedly.
His face flushed red as he scrambled to his feet, embarrassed.
‘Why did I do that?!’
He couldn’t understand his own actions.
Just looking at Christian, he felt compelled to show such respect.
As if he were under some spell.
‘Could it be some kind of charm?’
But no such sensation was present.
Besides, it was impossible to charm a great 8-star dark mage like him.
Besen wasn’t the only one confused.
“Please have Duke Huam vouch for the Destruction Mage’s oath just now.”
“Understood… Your Grace.”
Duke Huam flinched.
He had almost slipped into an overly formal tone, as if facing a supreme being.
Of course, this was due to the spiritual pressure Christian radiated.
And there was another reason.
‘It’s the effect of my unique skill.’
Manmaangbok (万魔仰伏).
A unique skill Christian gained upon reaching 7-star Dark Mage.
It meant “All demons bow down.”
A skill that dominated the opponent.
An astonishing ability.
Usually, unique skills only affect physical or dark magic laws, but this one controlled the very being of the opponent.
‘The combination of the Dark Mage’s dominion trait and my own microcosm created this unique skill.’
Christian had established himself as a self-sovereign, attaining the rank of transcendent.
Self-sovereign means standing above all others.
Therefore, his microcosm contained the trait of placing others beneath his feet.
‘I mixed it subtly with spiritual pressure, so no one noticed. Since it acts on the opponent’s very existence, it’s different from other unique skills.’
Of course, it wasn’t invincible.
Naturally, there were several limitations.
“There are limits when dealing with those of a higher realm than me. If I push it too far, their souls might resist.”
What Chris had just attempted on Duke Besen was to instill an instant, overwhelming reverence toward himself.
Luckily, since Chris had just saved the Destruction Mage, Duke Besen secretly admired him deep down, so the tactic worked. Otherwise, it would have been nearly impossible to influence an eight-star rank like Duke Besen so easily.
“As I advance in my own realm, I’ll be able to shed these restrictions bit by bit.”
In other words, the higher his level, the stronger his power of domination would become.
A miraculous ability that, if misused, could bring about catastrophic consequences.
“Moreover, this isn’t just some simple mind control to bend others to my will.”
There was a far deadlier effect at play.
“I’ll be using it soon enough.”
Stopping his thoughts, Chris shifted his gaze.
All the Destruction Mages were watching him.
Their eyes fixed on him as if caught in the gravity of his overwhelming presence.
Chris curled his lips into a sly smile.
“In the name of the Dark Alliance, I hereby issue my first order.”
An order directed at the Destruction Mages.
Something unthinkable before.
Yet, no one in the room objected.
“Prepare for battle.”
“!!”
“Our target is the head of the Azure Dragon Demon King.”
A chilling silence fell over the hall.
But Chris didn’t falter.
His heavy declaration rang out.
“The Dark Alliance will make the Azure Dragon Demon King pay for the crimes he has committed against us.”