Episode 320

Count Kazar tilted his head in confusion at Chris’s disgusted reaction.

“Really? That’s strange. It doesn’t seem like you’re just treating this as a simple official matter, does it?”

On the contrary.

There was a hint of nervousness and excitement on her face—exactly like a young girl’s.

‘Hmm, does this kid not realize? Well, he’s my son, but still, such a pain.’

“I think a half-blood bride like Grand Duchess Idrinne wouldn’t be so bad.”

“…Father.”

“…Just saying. It’s about time you start thinking about a partner. Idrinne seems like a genuinely good person.”

“…Fa.ther.”

“Ahem, anyway, that’s what I mean. Make some time to meet her. She’s been waiting for you.”

Chris nodded.

‘I guess I should meet her.’

Though his memories from his past life made him uneasy, if he wanted to understand what might happen to Idrinne, he needed to get closer.

“Enough about that. How’s the front line?”

Count Kazar’s tone grew serious.

“Not good. Thanks to the Blood Sword Maga’s cooperation and, as you said, securing the Death Corridor ahead of time, we haven’t been completely routed yet. But even that’s reaching its limit. We can’t hold out much longer.”

“That’s perfect.”

“What did you say?”

Count Kazar asked, as if he misheard.

“I said it’s perfect. The situation is just right. Absolutely ideal.”

“For what?”

“For deceiving the Sawaong Fortress bastards.”

“!!”

Chris continued in a meaningful tone.

“Father, our Dark Alliance has no chance of defeating the Sawaong Fortress by force. It’s impossible without a strategy.”

“Explain clearly.”

“We’ll retreat from the Death Corridor here and fall back into the Dark Maga’s territory to regroup and counterattack.”

“Are you insane? A full-scale frontal battle with the Sawaong Fortress will end in a crushing defeat. Total annihilation.”

“If we fight with brute force, yes.”

Chris smirked.

“Have you heard of water warfare?”

“…Of course. But they’re not the kind of opponents that would fall for that, are they?”

If it were just ordinary soldiers, water attacks could be threatening, but the Maga who mastered their magic could easily withstand such tactics.

“That’s true for ordinary water warfare.”

“…What are you thinking?”

Chris lowered his voice and revealed his real plan. Count Kazar’s eyes widened as if they might pop out.

“Impossible! There’s no way that could work!”

“Why not? Have you forgotten I’m a hero?”

“You’re not a hero. Even the Hero’s grandfather couldn’t pull that off! Not even the nine-star superhuman Saint Sovereign of the Alliance could do such a thing!”

What on earth was Chris’s plan to provoke such a reaction from Count Kazar?

‘No matter how crazy my son is, this is absolutely impossible.’

Count Kazar thought so because Chris’s plan was utterly absurd.

But—

“Even if the Saint Sovereign can’t, I can.”

An unfathomable confidence.

“Of course, it’s not something I can do easily. There are conditions to make this plan succeed.”

“What conditions?”

“First, we have to infiltrate the Sawaong Fortress’s main stronghold.”

“!!”

Count Kazar’s expression grew even more incredulous.

The main stronghold.

The Manma Hall, where the Blood Sword, Curse, and Command Maga clans were all gathered.

“What kind of madness is this…?”

“Listen.”

Chris laid out the detailed plan, and Count Kazar swallowed hard.

He thought he had been shocked enough by his son, but that was a mistake.

His son was truly insane.

The next day.

News that would shake the entire battlefield spread like wildfire.

Chris had declared he would wage an “Infinite Wheel Battle” against the Sawaong Fortress.

The first phase of the operation had begun.

---

Infinite Wheel Battle.

It means continuously accepting challenges from the enemy alone.

Only someone with immense confidence in their skills—or who utterly despises their opponent—would dare such a thing.

“As expected of the Grand Duke. Coming back and immediately starting an Infinite Wheel Battle.”

“I heard the Triangular Alliance joined our Dark Alliance thanks to the Grand Duke.”

“Yeah, I wondered where he’d been. Apparently, he secretly helped the Triangular Alliance, which was thrown into chaos by the Sawaong Fortress’s schemes. I don’t know the details, but the new leaders of the Triangular Alliance owe him a lot.”

“And now this Infinite Wheel Battle. Ha. We’ll finally see the Grand Duke crush those Sawaong bastards.”

“But is it really okay? Even for the Grand Duke, an Infinite Wheel Battle against the Sawaong Fortress seems reckless.”

“Yeah, especially against the Sawaong Fortress.”

The crowd’s cheers were mixed with worry.

To be honest, the concern was stronger.

“There will definitely be some powerful opponents from the Sawaong Fortress stepping up to duel.”

“Yeah, maybe even the legion commanders or the Five Evils.”

They were the highest-ranking Maga from the Command and Curse clans.

“I heard the Five Evils are sharpening their teeth against the Grand Duke.”

“The Five Evils are all seven-star top-tier Maga, right?”

For reference, Marchen, the puppet master of the Curse Maga who Chris had killed before, was one of the Five Evils.

Rumor had it that the Five Evils had been targeting Chris throughout the war to avenge Marchen.

“Shouldn’t we try to stop the Grand Duke?”

“Others have tried to dissuade him, but he wouldn’t listen.”

“What’s the Dark Maga faction doing? Shouldn’t they be responsible for stopping him?”

“The Dark Maga’s reaction is even more ridiculous. They say to never doubt Grand Duke Chris. Ha, what fools.”

The Maga from the Destruction and Extreme Poison clans, still unaccustomed to Chris’s madness, all shook their heads.

Most of their concern was genuine.

Chris was a benefactor to the Destruction and Extreme Poison Maga.

However, some harbored ill thoughts.

‘That arrogant brat. This time, he’ll get a taste of his own medicine.’

‘He needs to know his place. I’m curious to see how pathetic he’ll look.’

They disliked Chris.

Of course, not everyone was inspired by him.

“I doubt any of the things Grand Duke Chris claims to have done are true.”

“Yeah, it’s all just hot air.”

“This time, his bubble will finally burst.”

“Can’t wait to see how miserable he looks.”

While those who resented Chris whispered behind his back, a voice cut through.

“Do you want to die?”

“…What? How dare you? Who do you think you are? Hah, Prince Kashmir?”

Kashmir of the Destruction Maga glared fiercely at those badmouthing Chris.

His usual gentle demeanor vanished completely.

“W-well…”

The Destruction Maga members were terrified, but others raised their voices.

“We are the Extreme Poison Maga! No matter how much of a prince you are, you can’t treat us like that!”

At that moment, another voice intervened.

“To think there are such insects in our Extreme Poison Maga. How shameful.”

“Ah, Princess Marisa.”

“Prince Kashmir, hand them over to me. I’ll teach them a proper lesson.”

Marisa said coldly.

But Kashmir shook his head.

“No, the teaching is my responsibility. How dare they slander our respected King Emperor Majesty, Grand Duke Chris.”

“…King Em… what did you say?”

“That’s the special title I use for him. Princess Marisa, don’t even think about it.”

“No, what…?”

Then someone else joined in.

“You dare use that title? Ridiculous. That great title was personally ‘granted’ to me by our elder brother.”

It was Tern!

“By the way, how dare you insult our elder brother? You must be prepared to have your mind shattered to pieces.”

When Tern also glared at them, those badmouthing Chris looked like they might faint.

For reference, these three were all famous figures in the Dark Alliance.

Kashmir, having fully absorbed the Ruin Flame, wielded extreme destructive power.

Marisa was a genius poison master who surpassed the traditional Extreme Poison Maga system.

Tern, a prodigy, used curses even more vicious than the Curse Maga.

Now fully grown into a great man, Tern eyed Kashmir warily.

“I’ll handle those pests, as the brother most beloved by our elder brother. Prince Kashmir, who’s practically a stranger to him, you can go your own way.”

“…Hey, I’m here too. Why am I being ignored?”

“Who are you? Princess Marisa of the Extreme Poison Maga? I don’t recall hearing about you from our elder brother.”

“Damn it! I was going to cut them some slack because you’re Chris’s sibling. But I’m the one who’s going to teach them a lesson!”

“No, it’s me. I, Kashmir… for the sake of our respected King Emperor Majesty, Grand Duke Chris!”

“Don’t you dare utter that great title. Leave it to me, his sibling, and all of you get lost.”

“Ugh… Please, spare us! We’ve committed unforgivable sins!”

“Stay still!”

While this commotion unfolded,

Chris was—

[Oh ho ho. It’s been so long. This Mari has had a hard time being lonely while you were away, young master. Tonight, I won’t let you sleep. Prepare for a hot night.]

“…Hot night? Don’t say weird things. Just give me some virgin’s blood juice.”

[Which virgin’s blood shall I use?]

“…Make it fresh strawberry. Mix in some orange too.”

Lying back in the tent, Chris was finally being waited on by Mari again.

‘…Mari’s virgin blood strawberry juice is surprisingly addictive.’

While waiting for the juice, Chris used his magic to manipulate bone fragments.

He was practicing his command magic.

“I’ve finally grasped the basics of necromancy.”

Originally, the Maga clan strictly forbade the leakage of necromantic knowledge, so outsiders couldn’t learn the art.

But this time, during the war, they captured several prisoners, and Chris used the dark Maga and venomous Maga’s poison techniques to make them spill their secrets.

“The most crucial part of this operation is necromancy.”

It was a strange story.

What exactly was he scheming?

Just then, a cool touch landed on his shoulder.

It was Mari’s hand.

“!!”

[Oh ho ho. How does my touch feel? Isn’t your heart pounding with excitement?]

“…You startled me. Why did you suddenly materialize?”

Instead of her usual faint spirit form, Mari had taken on a real, physical body and gently caressed Chris.

[Oh ho ho. It’s to serve you properly, young master. Your power has grown so much that I can now maintain a physical form for quite a while. Look forward to it.]

Mari smiled brightly, her face that of an innocent young maiden.

Chris clicked his tongue at what sounded like a half-joking, half-serious remark.

“That’s enough. But can I ask you something?”

[If it’s about my feelings for you, young master, my answer is always yes. And if you want a passionate night tonight, that’s an emphatic yes.]

“…Not that. Can you now re-contract with me? You said before it wasn’t possible because my power was too weak.”

Currently, Mari was contracted to him as a ‘maid.’

So she couldn’t do anything beyond the scope of that role.

[…….]

Mari fell silent for a moment.

The smile that always graced her face vanished, and the atmosphere grew heavy.