Episode 376

If he hadn’t let his guard down and had fought with everything he had, dealing with Chris would have been a lot more difficult.

But since this was a contest between two “Genesis Descendants,” the situation became much simpler.

It was all because of the Throne’s ‘Power.’

[Truly a magnificent vessel. Impressive indeed. But do you think I’ll just let things go my way?]

The archbishop chuckled softly.

He had tried to escape Chris’s Genesis Descendant domain, but suddenly his smile vanished.

He couldn’t get out.

[…What?]

The Throne possessed the power to control everything within its domain.

Once trapped inside, there was no easy way to break free.

The only option was to counter the Throne with an even higher-level Genesis Descendant—but that was beyond his reach.

“No time to waste. Let’s finish this quickly.”

At Chris’s flick of the hand, light blossomed.

Brilliant light was soon overlaid by darkness.

Darkness infused with light—Mahwi (Demonic Radiance).

Unlike before, when he was at the 8th rank, this was the stabilized ultimate technique of a 9th-rank warrior, now unleashed upon the archbishop.

[!!]

The archbishop’s face turned pale.

This was no mere 9th-rank ultimate technique.

Its power rivaled that of a fully realized Demon Lord’s ultimate.

A blazing instrument of power shot out from the archbishop, attempting to block the Mahwi.

[Ugh!!]

He barely managed to defend, but the damage was clear.

[Heh. Impressive. I admit I underestimated you. Seems I’m outmatched.]

The archbishop quickly acknowledged his shortcomings.

But that didn’t mean he accepted defeat.

[Great ones! I offer my soul! Let your divine will descend upon this world!]

Crackling sounds filled the air.

The archbishop’s entire body trembled violently. His eyes bloodshot, his pupils losing focus.

A far more sinister instrument of power began to emerge—purer, more malevolent than before.

“Watch out! He’s sacrificing his soul to summon a demon!!” Idrinne shouted.

Nordian gritted his teeth.

This was no ordinary demon.

At least noble rank.

No, judging by the instrument of power emanating from him, this was a top-tier demon of at least duke or marquis level.

They stood no chance.

But—

“I told you, it’s fine.”

Chris’s calm confidence was out of place.

And then, an unbelievable miracle occurred.

Suddenly, the mutation overtaking the archbishop’s body halted.

The storm of power abruptly ceased, as if someone had cut it off.

The summoning was stopped!

[W-Why?]

The archbishop stammered.

The failed summoning had taken a toll on his spirit; his complexion had turned pale.

“Still don’t get it? This is my domain.”

Chris lifted the corner of his mouth.

“No demon can trespass on my Throne.”

That was the truth.

Once the Throne was established, no one could easily invade his territory.

Not even a demon.

“Especially since the caliber of my soul far surpasses most demons. Unless they’re fully manifested, it’s impossible to even descend onto the mortal plane.”

“Let’s end this.”

Chris flicked his hand again, and the surroundings filled with radiant light.

It was a majestic glow, as if paying homage to the Throne.

But it wasn’t just light—darkness and everything in the world seemed to compete in offering their reverence to the Throne.

An ultimate technique.

A worship of light and darkness.

The Throne pronounced death.

The light and darkness that had filled the world surged like a tidal wave toward the archbishop.

He stared blankly at the magnificent sight.

Even as death approached, it was so beautiful it left him dazed.

He tried to summon his instrument of power again, but it was useless.

The aftereffects of the failed summoning disrupted his control.

No, even if he had full strength, the outcome wouldn’t have changed.

This ultimate technique was no mere 9th-rank power.

Roaring, the light and darkness engulfed the archbishop, and with a thunderous sound, his body shattered into dust.

He vanished without even leaving a corpse.

[W-What?]

The Lord of the Four Kings, watching the scene, wore a face of disbelief.

‘That was a 9th-rank technique? Impossible!’

Though he had reached the 9th rank and become a full Demon Lord, he could never manifest power on the level Chris just displayed.

It was an unprecedented power.

‘Is it on par with the top 9th-rank warriors?’

The Lord of the Four Kings faltered, while Chris smirked inwardly.

‘…This was a one-time burst of power, barely forced out. No need to show off.’

As the Lord of the Four Kings suspected, this wasn’t a power Chris could wield regularly.

He had pushed himself to the limit to finish the archbishop quickly.

‘If he hadn’t been careless and lucky, this wouldn’t have ended so easily.’

But Chris was now utterly exhausted, unable to use great power anymore.

‘Still, it doesn’t matter. I just need to lend a hand now.’

Nordian and Idrinne.

Both were monsters.

With just a little support, the tide of battle would turn completely.

‘But who should I help first?’

Both were in similar straits.

Idrinne shouted.

“I’m fine! Help Grandfather!”

“…Grandfather? Since when did I become your grandfather?”

“Ah! I’ve admired you for a long time and couldn’t hold back my joy. If you’re Christian’s grandfather, then you’re like a grandfather to me too. You’re so dignified, I accidentally said too much.”

“Heh. Even your mistakes are cute. Anyway, I’m good. You go help the little one first.”

“…Wait, ‘little one’?”

“You can call him whatever you want, Grandfather! As long as it’s from you, I’m happy!”

‘I care about that,’ Chris thought, frowning deeply.

He had no idea what nonsense they were spouting.

Unfortunately, there was no time to argue.

‘Help them both at once.’

It was possible.

A brilliant light flared as Chris expanded the Throne’s domain.

Enough to encompass both Idrinne and Nordian.

“What’s this?”

“Whoa.”

Both Idrinne and Nordian looked surprised.

Their power surged beyond their usual limits.

It was the Throne’s blessing—‘Grace.’

The king’s blessing, watching over the entire world, now rested upon them.

But that wasn’t all.

The Throne’s domain continued to spread, enveloping other enemies.

An opposing power pressed down on them.

‘Overwhelm.’

A power that forcibly suppressed the opponent’s spirit with the king’s majesty.

The archbishop, the cardinal, and even the Lord of the Four Kings all felt the immense pressure of the Throne’s presence.

[You…!! How dare you use such tricks on me!]

The Lord of the Four Kings roared in anger.

But this was no mere ‘trick.’

No matter how high-ranking the Lord of the Four Kings was, escaping the Throne’s power was impossible.

The Throne’s ‘Overwhelm’ was an absolute force that spared no one.

‘Of course, the higher your rank, the less oppressive it feels.’

The problem was that the Lord of the Four Kings was facing Nordian.

And Nordian’s power was amplified by the Throne’s grace.

It was enough to turn the tide.

‘Not to mention Idrinne’s side.’

Even the high-ranking Lord of the Four Kings was negatively affected by the Throne’s pressure.

Then what about the cardinal and archbishop, who hadn’t even reached the 9th rank?

Their strength was drastically weakened.

[Unbelievable?]

[What kind of 9th-rank Genesis Descendant is this?]

[What sort of Demon Lord is he trying to become?]

The mages of the Mystic House stared at Chris in shock.

He wasn’t even a fully realized 9th-rank Demon Lord yet.

If Christian were to reach that perfect state? They dared not imagine.

[We must stop him!]

[Even if it means breaking the vessel, we must take him down here!]

Of course, it was a hopeless wish.

“You’re facing me. You won’t lay a finger on my friend Christian.”

Idrinne, despite being at a lower rank, was holding them off with her genius talent.

With Chris’s blessing, the three cardinals of the Mystic House couldn’t surpass her.

‘I’m here too.’

Chris wasn’t just supporting them.

He intervened at critical moments with Mahwi, striking unexpectedly.

Though his energy was drained and he couldn’t use great power, he could still catch them off guard.

Each time Chris struck, the Lord of the Four Kings and the Mystic House’s minions faltered, suffering heavy damage.

Then, a decisive moment arrived.

“Brother, I’m here!!”

“Me too!”

Breaking through the Mystic House’s barrier, Duke Besen and Marquis Huam appeared!

“…I’m here as well. Christian, you thief.”

Robinson, head of the Blood Sword House, joined them.

For some reason, he glared at Christian with displeasure.

“…That look. Don’t tell me you’re eyeing my grandson? Want your eyes gouged out?”

“Ah, s-sorry.”

“Sorry for having such a useless father, Grandfather!”

A minor scene unfolded, but it was insignificant.

Robinson joined Idrinne, while Grand Duke Bethen and Duke Huam, alongside Nordian, launched their assault on the Overlord of the Four Kings.

And then—

“Th-this can’t be…”

The Overlord of the Four Kings, whose core had been shattered by Nordian’s sword, raised trembling hands.

Facing Christian, he stammered,

“Y-you… because of you… everything…”

“Shut up, you skeleton bonehead. Stay away from my grandson.”

Dark magic surged violently.

It was Nordian’s ultimate skill, the ‘Abyss of Darkness.’

Unlike Christian’s dark magic, this was a heavy, abyssal force that tore through the Overlord’s body.

Thus ended the reign of one of the Magic Empire’s strongest.

“Now, all that’s left is to finish off those disgusting pests.”

Nordian turned his head.

The three mystic mages were nearly defeated as well.

Thud!

Idrinne’s sword pierced the heart of the last bishop who had held out until the end.

At last, it was over!

To bring down the Overlord of the Four Kings—this was a historic moment. Yet, Christian suddenly frowned.

“What’s wrong?”

“Well…”

Something felt off.

It didn’t feel like it was truly over.

If anything, it felt like something far greater was approaching.

‘What is this?’

Nordian’s expression began to harden as well.

“…What is this?”

Next, it was Idrinne’s turn.

Then Robinson’s, Grand Duke Bethen’s, and Duke Huam’s faces stiffened.

They all sensed it.

Though its exact nature was unknown, something chilling and ominous was closing in.

And then, the unexpected happened.

From the bodies of the three fallen mystic mages—

Whoosh!

Blue flames erupted, engulfing their corpses.