Chapter 311
“You got the fourth one wrong, too.”
“This one’s correct! Don’t judge if you don’t even understand it!”
“It’s not that the calculation is wrong, but the way you’re unfolding the equation is off. Is this some kind of personal preference? Enjoying making things harder for yourself on purpose? Geniuses really are different.”
“Shut up!”
Lanya tore at her hair and started recalculating from the beginning.
‘Well, all this harshness is for your own growth, so try to understand. It’s definitely not because I have a bad temper.’
Christian chuckled quietly and caught Evan’s eye.
There was something strange about Evan’s expression.
‘Did he finally see right through me?’
Christian tensed up.
Well, Evan wasn’t a fool, after all.
But then—
“Lanya, I envy you.”
“…What did you just say, Brother Evan?”
“Seeing how much Christian cares about you.”
Lanya’s mouth dropped open at Evan’s unexpectedly strong display of cluelessness.
She looked like she was wondering if her brother had been possessed by a demon, but Evan was as serious as ever.
‘Lanya’s progress has been stuck for a long time; she needed a push. To see Christian immediately understand that and offer help—he really is something.’
Evan gripped his sword with determination.
‘But I won’t lose either! The one who can help Christian the most is me.’
Everyone—even Christian—looked exasperated at Evan’s intensity, but it didn’t matter.
Christian completely collapsed.
‘Ah, whatever! I’m taking a break for a while! I’ve worked hard enough! I deserve to rest! But damn it, I can’t drink alcohol!’
Christian scowled.
Taking a break was nice, but not being able to drink made it feel like he wasn’t really resting.
‘There are so many delicious drinks here in the capital! Even when I was emperor in my past life, I was too busy to enjoy them properly, so I was looking forward to this!’
He sighed deeply, slicing some beef while sipping ginger ale.
Just then—
“Hey, sis. I brought carrot cake. You like it, right?”
Yulian appeared with a bright smile.
He was carrying out Christian’s orders.
The next day.
Christian finally made his move.
All eyes in the capital were fixed on him.
“Is the hero finally stepping forward?”
“Where is he headed?”
Christian rode his horse confidently down the main road.
He deliberately rode slowly so everyone could follow his movements.
“Could it be… this way?”
“Isn’t that toward the Third Prince’s villa?”
Unlike the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, who stayed in the palace, the Third Prince had a separate residence on the outskirts of the capital.
“Are you saying the Third Prince is the one conspiring with the demons?”
“Let’s go see for ourselves!”
One by one, more people began trailing behind Christian, until a crowd had gathered.
As they neared the outskirts, the Third Prince’s villa came into view.
“Stop right there!!”
Rough-looking warriors thrust their spears forward.
They were the White Tiger Corps, loyal to the Third Prince.
‘Judging by their numbers, about half of the White Tiger Corps’ forces are here. But their commander isn’t in sight.’
The White Tiger Corps was the largest mercenary group in the alliance.
They operated in several divisions, so not all forces were present.
Their strongest leader was absent, but they were still no pushovers.
There were at least 500 warriors visible—all mana-trained soldiers.
Though few reached the highest ranks, their strength was formidable.
“I am the hero. Lay down your weapons.”
The White Tiger warriors exchanged glances.
But instead of lowering their weapons, they pointed them more fiercely.
“We don’t care about some so-called hero.”
“Is that so? Then I’ll make you listen.”
Christian twisted the corner of his mouth.
“By the hero’s power, I command you—kneel.”
A brilliant light burst from Christian’s body.
“Everyone, kneel.”
The moment he finished speaking, a miracle happened.
“!!”
Clang! Clang!
The warriors’ hands trembled, and their weapons slipped from their grasp.
“W-what?”
The shock didn’t end there.
One by one, the White Tiger warriors began kneeling before Christian.
A sight so unbelievable, even when seen with their own eyes.
“Oh! That’s the hero’s power!”
The crowd gasped in awe, but in truth, it wasn’t the hero’s power—it was the effect of the Mana Armor.
‘Subduing these guys is easy. Not a single one is above five stars.’
The high-ranking officers were probably inside the villa.
At that moment, figures with a fierce aura appeared from within.
“Stop right there!!”
Christian turned his head.
‘The White Tiger Corps’ officers.’
But what caught Christian’s attention wasn’t the White Tiger Corps.
Behind them stood a noble-looking handsome man.
A familiar face.
‘Mekel, the Little Sword King.’
He was the head of the renowned swordsmanship family.
Those around him were no less formidable.
‘The sword family’s retainers.’
There were five retainers, all above six stars in rank.
One even seemed to be seven stars.
Such strength was rare even in the Magic Empire.
‘To think this is the level of forces they sent here. The sword family really is the sword family.’
Christian whistled.
The White Tiger Corps weren’t worth worrying about—they were just cannon fodder.
To capture the Third Prince, they had to bring the sword family to their knees.
Mekel stepped forward and bowed.
“I greet the famed hero, Prince. I am Mekel de Meyer, head of the sword family.”
“I have come to see the Third Prince. Stand down.”
“Is this regarding the matter of the darkness of Gehenna you mentioned at the last banquet?”
“Yes.”
Mekel chuckled dryly.
“Ha. The rumor that the Third Prince has allied with demons? The most amusing joke I’ve heard recently. It’s nonsense, so rest assured and leave.”
“Arrogant. It’s for me, the hero, to decide, not you.”
“!!”
“I won’t say it twice. Stand down.”
Mekel’s expression hardened.
“I’m sorry, but that’s impossible. To doubt the Third Prince is to doubt our sword family, who supports him. Moreover—”
Mekel’s gaze shifted to Evan standing beside Christian.
“Seeing you with such a criminal, I wonder if the hero’s judgment is as poor as it seems.”
“!!”
Mekel smiled coldly.
“You surely know that he is a criminal to our sword family, right? Instead of stirring up trouble for the Third Prince, perhaps you should keep a closer eye on your companion.”
Evan clenched his fists tightly.
It was Mekel and his father who had framed Evan and driven him out of his family.
And now this insult.
Just as Evan was about to lose his temper, Christian’s hand landed on his shoulder.
“You say Evan is a criminal? Strange. The Constellation tells me a very different story.”
Christian sneered.
“The greedy hyenas of the sword family have bitten into the noble lion’s bloodline.”
“!!”
Mekel’s face darkened.
“That’s baseless. If you continue to insult the sword family, I won’t stay silent.”
“I’m only sharing the Constellation’s revelation. Or do the sword family’s hyenas even ignore the Constellation’s words? To blaspheme the Constellation itself—that’s quite the audacity.”
Mekel bit his lip hard.
Words alone couldn’t win against Christian.
He fell silent, placing his hand on his sword.
Christian shrugged.
“Well then, if you won’t back down willingly, how about this? Let’s settle it with a duel.”
“…You and me?”
“No. I’m the hero; it wouldn’t be fitting to face someone like you. Evan, step forward.”
“!!”
Evan stepped forward with a resolute expression.
Mekel sneered.
“Evan, you want to face me? Have you lost your mind since we last met?”
“Brother Mekel.”
For reference, Mekel and Evan were cousins.
There was a significant age gap, and Mekel was far ahead in rank. He had secretly bullied Evan in their youth.
Recalling those times, Mekel spoke in a cruel tone.
“You’ve gotten quite arrogant. If you kneel and beg for forgiveness now, I might let you off with just cutting off your hands.”
“Your mouth hasn’t improved.”
“What did you say?”
“Judging by how you don’t recognize your opponent, your eyesight must have worsened since we last met.”
Evan scowled.
Is it true that friends start to look alike?
For some reason, his expression was similar to Christian’s.
“If you have more to say, say it now. It’ll be your last words, so I’ll grant you that much courtesy.”
“You bastard!!”
Flash!
Light sliced through the air.
The sword family’s secret technique was unleashed.
A fierce, lightning-fast sword strike.
But—
Flash!
Blood splattered into the air.
“Gyaaah?!”
“Master of the Little Sword?!”
Mekel clutched his bloodied hand and staggered back in panic.
The crowd finally noticed Evan drawing his sword.
Before anyone could react, Evan swung and severed Mekel’s hand.
A cold voice echoed through the hall.
“Don’t pretend to be hurt. Come back again. This is only the beginning.”
The crowd swallowed hard, staring into Evan’s icy gaze.
Mekel, the Little Sword King.
Not a man to be taken lightly, despite the grand title.
He was undoubtedly the top of the next generation in the alliance.
His swordsmanship ranked among the very best of all knights in the alliance.
But what was this scene even supposed to be?
Flash!
“Gah!”
Blood splattered again.
Evan’s sword relentlessly pressed Meckel back.
Though he barely avoided a fatal blow, the momentum was one-sided.
It’s all thanks to Christian.
Evan thought to himself.
Christian had a natural talent, but his growth had been stunted for years by family rivalries and inner turmoil.
Without Christian, Evan would never have achieved this.
And that’s not all.
Evan’s gaze darkened.
He saw Meckel’s blade coming straight at him.
It was undeniably skilled swordsmanship.
But why did it feel so dull?
Compared to Christian’s blade, which he sparred with constantly, Meckel’s moves seemed flat and uninspired.
Meckel’s skill wasn’t far behind Christian’s—it was fitting for someone called the Little Sword King.
But it was all precision, nothing more.
There was no subtlety in how he adapted or maneuvered.
Christian’s swordplay, in a way, was downright dirty.
Christian’s got the heart of a saint, fighting for the world, but his style? It’s downright ruthless.
Evan chuckled softly.
Sometimes, he thought Christian was almost like a demon.
He just doesn’t hesitate to get his hands dirty for the sake of the world.
Evan would become a demon himself if it meant helping Christian.
This time, I’ll make sure Meckel is finished.
Evan’s eyes grew cold.
It wasn’t revenge driving him.
Meckel and the others who now dominated the great sword families were blinded by greed alone.
They were a blight on the alliance.
I’ll be the one to eliminate these pests instead of Christian.