Chapter 337
A Shocking Revelation
The three greatest powers of the Alliance were the Golden Cross, the Holy Empire, and the Karn Empire.
But when it came to the sharpest blades, none compared to the Round Table and the Sky Magic Tower.
The Round Table was a coalition of seven noble houses, each wielding immense power. The Magic Tower was the stronghold of the White Mages.
And now, to think of bringing these two to their knees?
What’s more, the Tower’s master—the “Seeker of Truth”—was none other than one of the seven 9-star transcendent beings who upheld the Alliance.
Granted, he wasn’t a perfect 9-star, but rather at the pinnacle of 9-star advancement. Still, Chris was no match for him.
At that moment, a voice called from outside.
“Is Christian here?”
It was Count Kazar.
“What is it?”
“There’s word from the Central Authority. They’ve agreed to the proposal you made to the Four Kings’ Castle.”
Everything was going according to plan.
But Count Kazar’s expression was strange.
“Is there a problem?”
“Yes. The Central Authority has set a condition. To finalize the truce, you must come to the Imperial Capital yourself.”
“!!”
The Imperial Capital—the heart of the Magic Empire, where the Magic Emperor resided.
‘Why?’
Chris’s face showed confusion.
Of course, given the gravity of the matter, it wasn’t unusual to hold the agreement in the capital. But something felt off.
‘The truce is just an excuse. They’re calling me.’
Chris narrowed his eyes.
“Is this the will of the Magic Prime Minister?”
“Seems so. The Prime Minister currently governs the Central Authority.”
The Magic Emperor was in seclusion, and the Empress had never appeared publicly. In fact, her very existence was uncertain.
“I find it strange too, but I don’t think it’s anything to worry about. Your reputation precedes you—perhaps they just want to see you in person. In the past, whenever a remarkable talent appeared in the Magic Empire, the Central Authority would summon them to offer praise.”
“…I’m not so sure.”
Though Count Kazar spoke casually, Chris hesitated.
From their previous encounter, the Magic Prime Minister was a man full of dark schemes. This time, too, there was surely some ulterior motive.
The problem was, he couldn’t refuse.
‘Guess I have no choice but to go.’
One comfort was that the Prime Minister likely had no intention of harming him. If that were the case, he wouldn’t have gone through such trouble.
Chris resolved to face whatever awaited and prepare a countermeasure.
‘And maybe this is an opportunity—to get a glimpse of the Central Authority.’
The Central Authority.
No one truly knew its nature. Even during the Age of Ruin in his previous life, the Central Authority never intervened.
The only known fact was that even if all the other Magic Empire territories united, they couldn’t stand against the Central Authority.
‘In the end, I’ll probably have to face them directly. I need to see for myself.’
There was one more crucial reason.
‘I have to uncover the Prime Minister’s true intentions.’
Though he sought to prevent the ruin, Chris knew nothing about it. What was Ragnarok’s true purpose? Was it only connected to Gehenna? What were the Celestial Realm and the Magic Emperor thinking?
Since the Prime Minister was also a hidden player in the ruin, Chris had to find some clue.
‘And there are other questions I need answered.’
Gathering his thoughts, Chris told Count Kazar,
“Please inform the Central Authority that I will comply with their orders.”
Thus, Christian’s journey to the capital was set in motion.
By agreeing to the truce, the war between the Dark Alliance and the Four Kings’ Castle effectively came to an end.
The outcome was an unexpected victory for the Dark Alliance.
In fact, it was an overwhelming triumph.
The Dark Alliance suffered minimal losses, while the Four Kings’ Castle endured devastating casualties.
It was now difficult to claim that the Four Kings’ Castle held any significant advantage over the Dark Alliance.
Recovering from this damage would take decades.
News of this result spread not only throughout the Magic Empire but across the entire Alliance.
Naturally, those who had predicted the Four Kings’ Castle’s victory were stunned, and one name was etched into their minds.
“The one who caused this miracle is Mahwi?”
“Darkness that even controls light?”
“Is this the birth of a new Giant Demon?”
Giant Demons—giants synonymous with the Magic Empire.
Aside from the Demon Lords, the true power players of the Magic Empire were figures like the Nordian, the Demon Sword King, the Four Kings’ Castle Lord, and the Obsidian King.
And now, Christian’s name was newly engraved alongside these titans.
Though barely twenty years old, his accomplishments were more than enough to earn such recognition.
In fact, his youth only added to the fear he inspired.
He had just turned eighteen and was already stepping into the 8-star realm.
“Mahwi will surely become a new Demon Lord.”
The shocking truth silenced everyone.
Becoming a Demon Lord—a 9-star transcendent being—was no easy feat.
Even among the many powerful demons of the Magic Empire, 9-stars were rare.
In the past century, aside from Nordian, only the Sorrowful Demon Lord had reached that level.
Breaking through the 9-star barrier was incredibly difficult.
But everyone instinctively knew: Christian was different.
Christian would inevitably become a Demon Lord—and soon.
Realizing this undeniable truth, three individuals secretly convened in a place unknown to anyone.
Each radiated an overwhelming aura.
“Mahwi… an unexpected variable.”
“This will surely threaten our Holy Assembly.”
“Isn’t that an overreaction? No matter how talented that child is, threatening us transcendent beings?”
An astonishing conversation.
These three were none other than 9-star transcendent beings of the Alliance!
“This is no trivial matter. My foresight suggests Mahwi is the seed of the ‘Great Darkness.’”
One of them pulled out a card from his hand.
It bore a cracked sky emblem—an ominous symbol at a glance.
“We cannot stand idly by. We must act preemptively.”
“How do you propose we do that?”
“We must wait for the right moment.”
The cards shuffled again.
This time, the emblem showed a tower crumbling amidst clouds.
The transcendent beings’ gazes turned to one among them.
“Mahwi’s next target appears to be the Sky Magic Tower. Are you prepared for this?”
The one addressed lowered his aura.
He was the Sky Magic Tower’s master, one of the transcendent beings, the great 9-star mage known as the “Seeker of Truth.”
The Tower Master’s voice was tinged with wounded pride.
“…They need not concern themselves. I will handle Mahwi myself.”
“Indeed. Since the Seeker is soon to ascend to the ‘Great Star,’ there’s no need to worry about Mahwi. Congratulations in advance on reaching the true 9-star realm.”
The Great Star—meaning the Tower Master was about to reach the lower 9-star level.
This was news that would send shockwaves through both the Alliance and the Magic Empire.
Though the Alliance grouped 9-star advanced beings under the same title, the lower 9-star was a realm vastly different from the advanced 9-star.
From the lower 9-star, one truly transcended human limitations.
The Tower Master had already been an insurmountable opponent for Christian, but at the lower 9-star, he would be utterly unbeatable.
Thus, unbeknownst to Christian, a great threat was rising.
But that wasn’t all.
There were others, in places no one expected, discussing Christian’s name.
“Hmm. Hmm.”
A man in a refined suit, exuding a languid air.
The Magic Prime Minister.
He walked through the unrealistically grand and ornate corridors of the Central Authority’s Imperial Palace.
“May I enter?”
Before a massive door, the Prime Minister spoke politely.
An unexpected sight.
Who could be inside?
The enormous doors creaked open, revealing a figure.
A small-framed individual.
A woman, dressed in a flowing white dress, her face obscured.
Half of her face was covered by a flawless mask.
From the faint outline beneath, one could guess she was a young girl.
The Prime Minister knelt before the masked girl.
His voice slightly exaggerated in deference.
“I, a humble servant of the Magic Emperor, pay respects to Her Majesty, the Magic Empress.”
The Magic Empress.
The second most powerful figure in the Magic Empire, shrouded in mystery, now revealed for the first time.
The girl said nothing.
The Prime Minister smiled faintly and continued.
“Have you been well?”
The Empress gazed silently at the Prime Minister.
Her eyes behind the mask were empty—like a lifeless doll.
“I have come to report. As you commanded, Christian has been summoned to the Central Authority. He will arrive soon.”
A shocking revelation.
It was not the Prime Minister, but the Empress who had called Christian!
“……”
The Empress gave no reply, turning her gaze back into the void.
The Prime Minister shrugged and withdrew.
Alone, the Empress whispered softly.
“Chris…tian.”
Empty.
Yet tinged with a faint, aching longing.
As preparations were underway to depart for the capital, an unexpected event occurred.
“You’re not coming with me?”
Mari refused to accompany him.
“Oh ho ho. Sorry, but I just don’t feel like it this time.”
Chris tilted his head in confusion.
This was the first time Mari had ever declined to go somewhere with him.
‘The moment she heard it was the Central Authority, her mood changed.’
Originally, Mari had been excited about going out with Chris this time.
When I mentioned that our destination was ‘Central,’ that’s when I saw that expression.
‘…Could it be that Mari becoming a ghost has something to do with Central?’
The thought struck me suddenly.
I kept my composure and said casually, “Alright, if you’re not up for it, no worries. I’ll just get you a gift, so wait here.”
But Mari’s reaction was underwhelming.
[Oh, a gift? How delightful. Hohoho.]
Her voice was completely hollow, devoid of any spirit.
Normally, she’d be jumping for joy at the mention of a present.
It was clear there was some connection to Central.
‘Maybe this time, I can finally get a clue about Mari’s true nature.’
I narrowed my eyes.
As I was getting ready to leave again, some unexpected visitors showed up.
“Busy?”
A doll-like face with a sulky expression.
It was Jupien, the passionate fool.
Melin and Alos were with him.
“Me? Can’t you tell? Of course I’m busy.”
“Even if you’re busy, make some time.”
“Why? What’s up?”
“Make us stronger.”
Jupien’s request caught me off guard.
“Aren’t you all strong enough already? Especially you, Jupien.”
Jupien’s current rank was five stars.
And not just any five stars—mid-level five stars.
Considering Jupien had only recently passed his twenties, this was an incredible achievement, one that would stand out in any prestigious magical family.
By the time he matured, he’d likely reach the highest eight-star rank without much trouble.
But Jupien shook his head.
“It’s not enough. No, it’s too late.”