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[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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Chapter 26
Everyone in the family expected Loin de Baron to monopolize the blessing of the Sacred Dark Baptism.
The blessing of the Sacred Dark Baptism followed a strict survival-of-the-fittest rule—those who were stronger among the participants would receive the greatest blessings.
‘After receiving the blessing of the Sacred Dark Baptism, he’s set to become the Sixth Young Lord.’
In other words, Loin de Baron would be his enemy during the ceremony.
"Yes. Loin opposed your participation. What he said was…"
"It’s fine. Please tell me exactly as it was."
"…Chris, he said that he cannot participate in the Sacred Dark Baptism alongside a scoundrel like you. The other collateral bloodlines attending also agreed with him."
"Hmm."
Chris crossed his arms.
Count Khazar shook his head in frustration.
"I will speak with the main family again. You are not the failure you once were. If I explain things properly, they may reconsider. If all else fails, I will even ask your sister for help."
His sister—meaning Merian.
Since she was fond of Chris, she would likely offer her support.
However, Chris shook his head.
‘There’s no way I’m asking for help over something this petty.’
"No, don’t do that. I will handle this myself."
"Chris?"
"Among the collateral bloodlines attending the Sacred Dark Baptism, is the Tyramin County one of them?"
Tyramin County.
One of the three collateral families that supported the Dark Demonic House, just like House Khazar.
"Yes, the third son of Count Tyramin is set to participate. He was the one who raised his voice the loudest alongside Loin. Damn brat."
Count Khazar spoke with an irritated tone.
Despite his stern demeanor, he had a surprising soft spot for his son.
"Don’t be upset."
"How can I not be?! That pathetic Tyramin family, only good for playing tricks with their damn demonic beasts, dares to act so arrogantly. Even their name is as ridiculous as a dessert like ‘tiramisu’!"
As expected from Count Khazar, the collateral families were rivals.
House Khazar specialized in curses.
House Tyramin specialized in a dark magic that controlled demonic beasts, known as Demonic Training.
‘Well, tiramisu is definitely bland. Cakes should always have fresh cream and strawberries. Just like how steak should always be sirloin.’
Chris momentarily lost himself in a random thought but then shook his head.
"It’s fine. Don’t worry about it."
"Don’t worry? You might not be allowed to participate in the Sacred Dark Baptism!"
"That won’t happen. I have a way."
"What do you mean?"
"If they claim I am unworthy, the solution is simple—I just have to prove that I am."
"!!"
Chris smirked.
"As it happens, I know that House Tyramin is about to start hunting the raw materials for Black Pill. Is that correct?"
"…Yes, that’s right."
Black Pill.
It was one of the spiritual elixirs that the Dark Demonic House prided itself on.
Using a special method exclusive to House Tyramin, they hunted a demonic beast known as Karazov to obtain the raw materials. This annual event was called the Black Pill Hunt.
One peculiar aspect of this hunt was that it was carried out by the young heirs of the house.
It was a kind of coming-of-age ceremony.
"Please contact House Tyramin and ask them to allow me to participate in the Black Pill Hunt as a drivemaster."
"!!"
"The drivemaster, who rounds up the demonic beasts, doesn’t necessarily have to be from House Tyramin, correct?"
Count Khazar gave him a puzzled look.
"That’s true. Usually, they assign the role to their subordinates. But why do you want to do this?"
"Didn’t I tell you? I will prove my worth. And conveniently, the one leading this year’s hunt is the same third son who opposed my participation in the Sacred Dark Baptism."
Chris smirked.
"I will teach him a lesson."
And there was one more reason.
Chris intended to obtain the Black Pill during this opportunity.
How? By using a secret technique that only he could perform.
For that nameless third son, it would be a nightmare of a hunt.
* * *
The Magus Empire, located in the central-northern part of the continent.
In the south, there was a region known as the Southern Magus Kingdom.
This land was ruled by the 7th-ranked Demon, the Demon King of Clear Flow.
And to the east of the Southern Magus Kingdom, a massive family stood tall.
A vast, sprawling estate.
A grand mansion, whose splendor could rival that of most royal palaces.
The Dark Demonic House.
A prestigious and renowned family, not just within the Magus Empire, but across the entire continent.
Deep within this estate was a forbidden place, where no ordinary person could set foot.
The Lion’s Nest.
The residence of the Patriarch.
Was it just a feeling?
Even though it was merely an ordinary annex, its presence alone exuded an overwhelming aura.
"Patriarch."
A woman stepped inside.
It was Merian, the Black Shadow Knights’ Commander, and the aunt who had recently met Chris.
"May I enter?"
"Yes, come in."
A surprisingly gentle voice responded.
Merian took a brief breath.
She was the most favored of the Patriarch’s bloodline. But no matter how many times she met him, she could not help but feel nervous.
Steadying herself, Merian opened the door.
"I greet the Patriarch."
She bowed her head.
Inside, an elderly man with streaks of graying hair sat.
Deep wrinkles.
Age spots covering his skin.
He was an elderly man, so frail that it wouldn’t be surprising if he were to enter a coffin at any moment.
Yet, Merian wouldn’t dare look down on him.
Demon Lord Nordian.
A demon who had reached the realm of 8 stars.
That was the truth of the old man before her.
Merian couldn’t even begin to imagine how such an immense power resided within that withered body.
"So, you have seen him?"
Nordian spoke with a gentle smile.
"Yes, Patriarch. I met Christian, just as you ordered."
"What did you think? Did he seem at least somewhat decent?"
"No."
Merian shook her head.
The Patriarch’s face showed a hint of disappointment, but Merian continued.
"He wasn’t just decent—he was far beyond my expectations."
"!!"
"A genius. No, more than that."
The Patriarch looked slightly surprised.
It was the first time Merian had ever spoken so highly of someone.
"Is that really true? How does he compare to the other young ones?"
"There is no comparison."
Merian answered firmly.
The main family’s heirs were all exceptional individuals.
Yet, the talent she had witnessed in Christian was on an entirely different level.
'The problem is that he bloomed far too late.'
Merian's face showed a trace of regret.
The gap was too wide.
But—
"I don’t think I’ll lose to them."
Those were Christian’s words.
A faint smile crossed Merian’s lips.
That statement hadn’t sounded like boastful arrogance.
After what she had witnessed that day, it felt entirely possible.
"Hmm."
The Patriarch rested his chin on the back of his hand and tilted his head slightly.
"It’s hard to believe. The Christian I once saw was nothing more than a foolish brat who only thought himself a genius."
Though Christian had split off as a branch family, he was still Nordian’s direct bloodline.
To be precise, he was his grandson.
Count Khazar was the youngest son of Duke Nordian.
Naturally, they were acquainted.
‘He was a pathetic one. No exceptional talent, yet arrogant enough to believe himself great.’
The Patriarch thought coldly.
His gentle demeanor was nothing but a façade.
At his core, he was colder than anyone else.
No matter the blood relation, if someone was deemed worthless, he wouldn’t even spare them a glance.
"I thought the same. But I was wrong."
"Wrong?"
"Yes, he was clearly different from before."
Nordian’s expression turned puzzled.
He trusted Merian’s eyes.
If she was speaking so decisively, then that insignificant brat must have truly changed.
"Then, do you believe that child can fulfill my lifelong ambition?"
"……."
Merian couldn’t answer that question.
The Patriarch’s ambition—
The reason he continued his life through the forbidden demonic path of defying the heavens.
"…I don’t know."
Merian replied, lacking confidence.
The Patriarch’s ambition wasn’t something that could be achieved by mere talent alone.
However—
"I do think he might be the closest to fulfilling your wish."
At those words, the Patriarch fell silent for a moment.
Then, he let out a low, chilling laugh.
A sharp, oppressive aura spread through the air. It was as if the very atmosphere screamed in terror.
"I see. If you say so, then I should take a closer look at him. But I heard he won’t be able to participate in the Dark Baptism?"
"As of now, that seems to be the prevailing opinion within the family."
"Hmm."
The Patriarch crossed his arms.
"Will you intervene?"
"No, that would go against principle. I won’t step in for something so trivial."
The Patriarch had already handed over full authority to his son, Marquis Langham.
For now, he was merely watching from the sidelines.
"More importantly, if he can’t even overcome this kind of obstacle, then he’s not the one I’ve been hoping for."
Merian nodded in agreement.
With just one word from the Patriarch, Christian wouldn’t only be allowed to participate in the Dark Baptism, but he would also be treated as an equal to the other heirs.
But that would be meaningless.
"The one I seek isn’t some hothouse flower nurtured under everyone's protection. I want a born predator, one who will stand above all on his own strength."
Mere talent was not enough.
Regardless of what obstacles stood in his way, he had to be capable of forcing even the entire Dark Demonic House to submit to him alone.
"However, if he doesn’t participate in the Dark Baptism, he won’t even have the opportunity. Without receiving its blessing, he won’t be able to properly inherit the Demonic Energy of the main family."
Was this the effect of Christian’s cookie tribute?
It was a subtle attempt to nudge things in his favor.
In truth, the strength of the blessing received during the Dark Baptism had a significant impact on one’s Demonic Energy.
If he missed the ceremony and received no blessing at all, then no matter how gifted he was, he wouldn’t be able to master it properly.
Merian wanted to at least give Chris a chance.
"Hmm. It seems you’ve taken quite a liking to that boy."
"…My apologies."
Nordian spoke in a playful tone.
"Christian… I’ll have to watch closely how he handles this situation. If he’s as you say, he won’t submit so easily to a mere setback."
Rather than helping him, Nordian intended to evaluate how Christian would face this obstacle.
Merian held her tongue.
'That’s just the kind of person he is.'
The Patriarch—
The more someone impressed him, the more promising he found them—
The harsher he became.
Like a lion tossing its cubs off a cliff, he wanted them to endure adversity and emerge even stronger.
If Christian overcame everything, he would earn the Patriarch’s favor.
But if he failed along the way, Nordian wouldn’t even look back.
"Fijenga."
At the Patriarch’s call, a figure suddenly emerged.
No presence.
As if he had risen from the shadows themselves.
A well-groomed, handsome man stepped forward and offered a bow.
"You summoned me, my lord."
"Heh, indeed."
"It has been a while, Lady Merian."
Merian’s expression stiffened.
As the man smiled, his fangs glinted like those of a predator.
A High Vampire of the Trueblood Demonic House—
A crimson sword tattoo was engraved on his temple.
It was the mark that only appeared when one had mastered Bloodline Arts to a high degree—
A secret technique of the Bloodsword Demonic House.
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[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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