Chapter 91
Chris felt a pang of regret.
“That infinite sword from earlier… it’s going to be tough to manifest it right away.”
If he could even realize a fraction of that mental image, he’d become far more powerful.
“I have to get stronger. Much stronger.”
Though he was already growing at a breakneck pace, Chris was constantly anxious. Thinking about the enemies he’d face ahead, he knew he had to be on a whole different level.
Just then, Marie’s voice came from outside.
“Master… sorry to bother you, but do you have a moment?”
“Hm? What is it?”
When he stepped outside, Melin and Alos were waiting. Alos looked like he’d been through hell under Melin’s training—his face was gaunt and drawn.
Melin, as composed as ever, widened her eyes when she saw Chris.
“You’ve grown stronger. As expected of the one I serve.”
There was a dangerous gleam in her eyes—like she wanted to spar right then and there. Chris awkwardly cleared his throat.
“Yeah, what’s going on?”
“I have a report. Prince Mysaak has become the Grandmaster of the Amgui Corps.”
Chris frowned.
“The Amgui Corps?”
“Yes. It’s technically a temporary appointment, probably to appease public opinion, but it’s basically a formal promotion.”
It wasn’t unusual for favored bloodlines to have their members placed as officers in elite combat units. The problem was that it was the Amgui Corps.
“Why them, of all units?”
If it were just about rewarding merit, there were plenty of other units better suited. But the Amgui Corps was a special forces unit operating in the shadows.
“There must be another motive. Could it be…?”
Melin nodded gravely, as if she shared the same suspicion.
“It’s possible they’re targeting the prince. They might be planning to use the Amgui Corps’ power to strike him during a joint operation.”
That was a plausible theory.
With the Amgui Corps’ abilities, they could eliminate Chris without leaving a trace.
“The Amgui Corps is among the top combat units in our Dark Mage Clan. It’d be wise to lay low for a while.”
The Dark Mage Clan’s combat forces were divided into two types:
First, large-scale knight orders—the backbone of their strength.
Second, smaller specialized units assigned by purpose.
The Amgui Corps was considered the elite among these smaller units.
“Even though it’s just a ‘combat unit,’ all its members are at least 3-star Mages. Many are 4-star. The former Grandmaster retired recently due to a severe injury.”
For reference, the original Grandmaster was a 5-star Mage.
Mysaak was appointed as his replacement after stepping down.
“Still, this is on par with one of the kingdom’s top knight orders. It’s crazy that a mere combat unit has this much power.”
Chris clicked his tongue, feeling the overwhelming might of the Mage Empire anew.
“No matter how much I’ve advanced to 4-star, there’s no way I can beat the Amgui Corps.”
But then, he calmed his gaze.
“What if I use the power of the Saint’s Radiance?”
He had now reached 5-star as a Saint’s Radiance.
From 5-star onward, one was called an ‘Elder Class’ and recognized as a true powerhouse wherever they went.
“If the Grandmaster were still active, even with the Union’s help, it’d be tough. But since the original Grandmaster is out due to injury, maybe I can take them on.”
Of course, it wasn’t something to take lightly.
Even without the Grandmaster, the rest of the Amgui Corps was no joke.
At minimum, 3-star Mages.
Plenty of 4-stars.
The deputy commander was a high 4-star Mage, nearly 5-star.
Facing them alone wouldn’t be easy, even for Chris at 5-star Saint’s Radiance.
Still…
“I can win.”
Why?
Simple.
Because he was a genius.
If he was only slightly outmatched, he would never lose.
“Besides, this is my chance to take out that Mysaak bastard.”
Chris had been waiting for an opportunity to eliminate Mysaak. If the enemy handed him one, he’d be grateful.
“Just wait, and the call will come.”
Sure enough, a knock sounded at the door.
“Prince Christian, the Marchioness requests your presence.”
“What is it?”
“The Marchioness has a mission for you and the other heirs.”
“A mission?”
The attendant bowed and explained.
“Yes. They’ve detected a shadow from the Swordsmanship House infiltrating the main estate’s territory. The heirs are tasked with tracking and capturing this shadow.”
“This mission is aimed at me.”
Chris immediately sensed it.
Otherwise, there’d be no reason to assign such a task to the heirs.
It was clear they intended to ambush him when he chased the shadow into a remote area.
“But why would a shadow from the Swordsmanship House enter the Dark Mage Clan’s territory?”
Usually, the Swordsmanship House’s shadows operated within the Union. It was rare for them to cross into the Mage Empire’s lands.
Given the Swordsmanship House’s prestige, recklessly invading the Mage Empire’s domain could cause serious trouble.
“Well, this works out. I can take out the Amgui Corps and Mysaak, then pin it all on the Swordsmanship House’s shadow.”
Perfect, since the sword style he was most skilled in was from the Swordsmanship House.
“We’re ready. But are you sure it’s okay with just the two of us? Should I call some other comrades I know?”
“Y-Yeah! Isn’t this too dangerous? Maybe you should reconsider this mission? I’m not scared or anything—I just worry about your safety!”
Melin and Alos spoke up.
If the Amgui Corps was truly targeting Christian, it was indeed dangerous.
Even Jupien suddenly showed up and said:
“We’ll let you ride with us.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll arrange for you to come along with us.”
He was offering help.
With Jupien’s group backing him, the Amgui Corps wouldn’t dare act rashly.
But Chris shook his head.
“It’s fine. I don’t need it. But can I ask everyone for one favor?”
“??”
Chris smiled mysteriously at the puzzled faces around him.
The operation was about to begin.
Swish!
Chris cut through the forest alone.
The Amgui Corps was after him, yet he moved solo?
“I’m using Melin and Jupien to disrupt the Amgui Corps’ movements.”
Chris’s request was simple: buy him time.
He used various magical devices to create interference.
He reversed the tracking magic patterns the Amgui Corps used to follow their targets, sending them off in the wrong direction.
“Since I modified these interference tools myself, they’ll be pretty lost.”
Inside that confusion, Chris planned to capture the Swordsmanship House’s shadow.
“I have to catch the shadow before anyone else.”
He’d capture the shadow and hide it somewhere no one else knew.
Then, after dealing with the Amgui Corps and Mysaak, he’d pin the blame on the shadow.
Finally, he’d eliminate the shadow himself and claim the glory.
“Taking out Mysaak and the Amgui Corps, then handling the shadow—that’s killing two birds with one stone.”
Since the shadow was responsible for the Amgui Corps and Mysaak’s deaths, Chris would earn major credit.
“Well, the shadow doesn’t need to feel guilty anyway.”
The shadows handled the Swordsmanship House’s darker dealings.
They committed all sorts of crimes unimaginable for Union members.
“Where’s Evan now? He should be active as a shadow.”
Thinking of the hero Evan, Chris’s expression darkened.
He recalled the recent hardships and felt a surge of frustration.
“This suffering should’ve been Evan’s, not mine. Why did I have to be the one to reincarnate? When I see him again, I’ll give him a good punch.”
Of course, Evan wasn’t at fault for Chris’s reincarnation.
But reasons didn’t matter.
Evan was just to blame.
He’d get that punch.
“Is this the right direction? The stealth is pretty textbook.”
Chris paused, looking at the bent foliage.
Judging by the direction, it seemed northeast, but it wasn’t.
It was a classic misdirection tactic used by shadows.
There were a few more tricks layered on, but Chris knew them all.
“Putting it all together, the real path is southeast. Not a very competent shadow, huh? No wonder they got spotted and are being chased.”
Come to think of it, this shadow was ridiculous.
They’d been detected shortly after entering the Dark Mage Clan’s territory.
“What kind of shadow is this? Maybe they’re not really a shadow?”
Well, it didn’t matter.
“Just a little further.”
Chris slowed his pace.
“Blood?”
There were drops of blood scattered along the way.
“Wounds from being chased?”
Judging by how the blood had clotted, it wasn’t far off.
Nearby.
“Where?”
Suddenly—
Swish!
A chilling moment.
A brilliant blade of light sliced through the trees.
A Mana Blade matching the black sword’s power!
“!!”
Chris twisted his neck just in time.
The blade grazed past him by inches.
“Shahail Flash?”
A secret technique of the Swordsmanship House!
And not just any level of mastery.
“A shadow with this level of skill?”
Of course, there were strong shadows.
But usually, they specialized in stealth and ambush, not direct confrontation.
That was why Chris had been somewhat confident.
But that move just now was like one from a fully trained knight of the Swordsmanship House.
A sharp sense of alertness surged through him.
“This guy’s strong. Maybe even stronger than me.”
Chris moved his hand urgently.
Clang!
His sword desperately parried the opponent’s blade. A sharp sting shot through his hand, which trembled slightly.
“At least a four-star rank, maybe higher.”
The biggest problem was that this guy seemed used to head-on combat.
His thrusts were reckless, almost reckless to the point of recklessness.
A relentless barrage of powerful strikes!
“What the hell is that shadow?”
Chris gritted his teeth.
Once caught off guard, he found himself steadily pushed back.
“Right now, I can’t use the will-infused Black Sword.”
If he forced his power up recklessly, he’d only leave an opening for his throat to be cut.
There wasn’t an inch of room for error.
“I have to turn the tide.”
Chris twisted his body slightly.
It was a feint.
So smooth and natural that it was impossible to be fooled.
Sure enough, his opponent reacted reflexively.
Flash!
Seizing the opening, a Mana Blade came crashing down.
The glowing sword was about to slice through his arm.
“Now!”
The black magic Chris had prepared flared to life.
The Curse of Mud.
The Curse of Confusion.
And simultaneously, the Mist of Pressure.
Simple two-star black magics, but enough to temporarily disrupt the balance.
Especially since they triggered in quick succession, making it hard to respond to.
Sure enough, his opponent staggered for a moment.
“Now!”
Black Sword transformation.
Fighting Flame.
Flash!
Black flames erupted at the opponent’s legs.
Flames that burst out suddenly, without warning—an illusion of mana suspended in the air, igniting with a slight delay. A trick only Chris could pull off.
He was about to cut down the legs and subdue him.
“!!”
Chris’s eyes snapped wide open.
His opponent did something completely unexpected.