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[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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Chapter 40
An unexpected harsh critique.
The Family Lord slowly walked toward the window.
Chirp, chirp. A black monstrous bird flew in and landed on his shoulder.
As he stroked the creature’s head, the Family Lord spoke.
“Of course, I understand that you’re more talented than the others. But still... I’m not sure you’ve lived up to what this old man had hoped for.”
“……”
“Talent is merely potential. Even if you’re an exceptional seed, no one can say how you’ll grow. You might not become a great tree—perhaps nothing more than a hollow stalk.”
A gaze and voice cold as ice.
Anyone else would’ve gone pale.
But Chris remained silent for a moment, then replied calmly.
“You’re right, Lord. I’m not yet worthy of your expectations.”
The Family Lord read between Chris’s words.
“If it’s ‘not yet,’ does that mean you believe you will be?”
“Yes, absolutely.”
Chris answered without hesitation.
A glint passed through the Family Lord’s eyes.
“To begin with, what you’ve said is true. No one knows what I’ll become. Whether I’ll grow into a hollow shell, a towering tree… or perhaps—”
Chris met his eyes directly.
“—a being so great that even the tallest of trees stand beneath my feet.”
“!!”
Chris didn’t bother with false humility.
If he wanted to obtain the Dark Demonic House’s legacy, earning the Family Lord’s favor was essential.
Even if it sounded arrogant, leaving a strong impression was better.
Worried that the Family Lord might take it poorly?
There was no need.
He would prove himself with action.
“Of course, I understand it may sound like the arrogant delusion of a child. So please—watch me closely from here on out.”
Chris and the Family Lord’s gazes met in the air.
Chris’s intense resolve was reflected clearly in the Family Lord’s otherwise empty eyes.
“I’ll show you directly. Whether I’m worthy of your expectations or not. I dare say—You won’t be disappointed.”
A heavy silence settled in the room.
Merian watched the Family Lord’s expression with a hint of worry.
The Family Lord said nothing for a moment—then began to laugh.
A low laugh.
One laced with a chilling energy.
“You’ve got spirit. Good. I’ll be watching you from now on.”
The Family Lord’s blood-red eyes gleamed coldly.
“Make sure you don’t disappoint me.”
* * *
After Chris had left, Merian and the Family Lord spoke.
“What did you think?”
A cautious question.
Merian was worried that the Family Lord might be angered by Christian’s arrogant attitude.
But the Family Lord gave an unexpected answer.
“He exceeded my expectations. Far more impressive than I had anticipated.”
A completely different response from what he had said to Chris earlier.
“Then why did you say that before?”
“Because it’s the truth. Talent is just talent. Don’t you know how many geniuses throughout history have been cut down before they could even bloom?”
It was true.
How many talented people are there in the world?
But among them, few ever bear true fruit.
“More than anything, that child’s talent is so exceptional, he’ll be caught in fiercer storms—and with that, he’s more likely to fall.”
Merian nodded.
Christian’s talent wasn’t just extraordinary—it was overwhelming.
But was that truly a blessing for him?
He might’ve fared better with a more modest level of talent.
His inhuman abilities would make him a target for everyone, and the chances of being crushed before fully blooming were high.
“…Couldn’t you protect him?”
“What meaning would that have?”
A cold counter-question.
Merian immediately fell silent.
The Family Lord chuckled.
“A flower grown in a greenhouse is bound to break sooner or later. Besides, don’t you already know? What kind of bloody wind is about to blow through the Magus Empire?”
“……”
“Still, I do look forward to it.”
The Family Lord smiled.
It was a genuine smile—not a mask, but a true expression of delight.
“If that child doesn’t break… I wonder how he’ll bloom.”
The Family Lord said.
“Perhaps… he might even fulfill my long-cherished wish.”
Merian’s eyes widened in surprise.
It was the highest praise imaginable.
As far as she knew, the Family Lord had never spoken such words about anyone before.
Of course, should Christian show signs of disappointment, the Family Lord would cast him aside without hesitation—but today, he had welcomed Christian.
* * *
A few days passed after returning to the main house.
Nothing in particular happened.
Time passed quietly, and Chris rested in his quarters.
But that too was coming to an end.
The day before the Sacred Darkness Ceremony had arrived.
A banquet was held.
It was the eve of the ceremony.
‘An important occasion.’
In celebration of the Sacred Darkness Ceremony, a major event in the Dark Demonic House, the noble heirs were gathering in one place.
It was the first time he would meet his competitors.
‘First of all, Royen.’
The one he would face during the Sacred Darkness Ceremony.
It was best to find out what kind of guy he was beforehand.
‘And Ashid.’
Christian’s gaze cooled.
He was the strongest rival among the noble heirs and was already half-selected as the next successor.
There was already bad blood between him and Christian.
Ashid had envied Christian’s talent and tried to ruin him.
‘I also need to keep an eye on the First Princess, Yurian.’
For reference, the First Princess was third in line in terms of age, coming after the Second Prince, Ashid.
Christian recalled Merian’s advice.
— Be careful of the First Princess, Yurian.
And it wasn’t just those three.
The First Prince, the Third Prince, and the Second Princess—no one knew what claws they might be hiding. He had to watch them all closely.
After all, every last one of them was a rival he had to trample underfoot.
[Are you… ready, sir? Oh my… you look quite stunning again today.]
Marie stared in surprise at Chris, dressed in formal evening wear.
And it wasn’t unwarranted—Chris looked remarkable.
He was already handsome, but dressed up like this, he was enough to draw gasps.
Twice as handsome, and twice as insufferable.
Chris looked at himself in the mirror and fell silent for a moment.
‘…Being handsome is nice and all, but why do I feel like I look more and more unlikeable the better I dress? I’ve been living a pretty decent life lately.’
Well, it wasn’t anything worth worrying about.
With an insufferably smug grin, Chris said—
“Let’s go.”
It was time to meet the oh-so-proud noble heirs of the main house.
“Presenting the eldest son of the Count of Khazar, Young Master Christian!”
The banquet hall fell silent.
As Christian entered, all eyes turned to him.
An uncomfortable silence.
‘They’re more interested in me than I expected.’
Chris shrugged.
Rather than interest, the stares were closer to hostility.
He was already despised as a disgraceful scoundrel, but being summoned recently by the Family Lord had only added fuel to the fire.
[Why would the Family Lord call someone like that?]
[Is it because of that rumor about him facing hellspawn at Count Tyramin’s estate?]
[As if that trash could stand against a hellspawn. He must’ve just gotten lucky and caught one that got reverse-summoned. What garbage.]
The Family Lord was the absolute ruler at the peak of the Dark Demonic House, revered and obeyed by all.
There were plenty who wished for even a single glance of recognition from the Family Lord. That he’d shown interest in that trashy scoundrel—that was enough to enrage them.
Chris, unconcerned, sipped his ginger ale.
‘The other heirs aren’t here yet?’
At that moment, a sharp, piercing gaze landed on him.
Refined features, like a nobleman raised with care.
He looked a little older than Christian.
Sixteen? Seventeen?
Sharp, pointed eyes.
Jet-black hair and crimson eyes—traits unique to the Dark Demonic House.
It was their first time meeting, but Chris immediately realized who it was.
‘Royen.’
A rival for the upcoming Sacred Darkness Ceremony.
His eyes, cold as ice, locked onto Chris.
Clear hostility burned in them.
But Chris only shrugged slightly.
‘No need to strike up a conversation here.’
They’d have a proper “talk” during the Sacred Darkness Ceremony anyway.
Still, he was curious.
Why did Royen hate him—or rather, Christian—so much?
Just because he was a scoundrel?
That would be overkill.
That gaze held the kind of hatred you reserved for a mortal enemy.
Fortunately, the answer came quickly.
He overheard whispers from nearby.
“Christian’s in for it. Young Master Royen’s been grinding his teeth.”
“Of course. He had to kneel to that guy once. Bet he’s planning to settle the score.”
So that was it.
From the bits he heard, apparently in the past—when Christian was still a child prodigy—
He had crushed Royen, who was around the same age, in a duel.
Royen had held a grudge ever since, nursing the memory in his heart all this time.
‘What a petty reason. He lost because he was weak, and now he’s acting like those uptight nobles from the Unified Houses.’
Chris clicked his tongue.
Most dark house progeny don’t bear grudges after losing a duel.
They usually respect and acknowledge the victor’s strength.
But Royen’s resentment came from his deep-rooted superiority complex.
A direct descendant, defeated by a lesser branch family—it was a wound to his pride.
‘How pathetic.’
Chris crossed his arms.
Just then, a voice rang out over the hall, instantly silencing the noise.
“The four noble heirs have arrived!”
Four heirs—princes and princesses—entered the banquet hall at once.
At the front stood a tall, strikingly handsome young man.
He looked to be in his early to mid-twenties.
He had a refreshing, friendly, and reliable impression.
A man with the face of a generous soul—but his appearance was deceptive.
Because that young man was Ashid.
‘So I finally get to see him in person. Now then, what kind of reaction will he have when he sees me?’
Chris folded his arms.
It hadn’t been long since Ashid’s scheme to ruin Christian had been exposed, causing quite the stir. There had to be some kind of reaction.
As it happened, Chris was in the direction Ashid and the other heirs were walking.
Chris quietly watched Ashid draw closer.
Ashid noticed Chris, and the moment Chris was reflected in those blood-red eyes—
“…….”
There was no reaction.
Just a brief, indifferent glance. That was all.
He hadn’t missed seeing him.
But it wasn’t like he was purposely ignoring him either.
He truly had no interest.
As if he’d merely seen a pebble on the street.
A glance devoid of any emotion.
‘Well, look at that.’
Chris raised the corner of his mouth.
It wasn’t that he’d wanted Ashid to recognize him, like some pathetic cry for attention.
He’d just been curious—what sort of response would the perpetrator show?
After all, Chris had once been the victim of his wrongdoing.
Only then did Chris realize what kind of mindset Ashid had when he did what he did to Christian.
It wasn’t because he considered Christian remarkable, or envied him.
It was just amusement.
Like stepping on an ant.
He crushed a worthless, laughable opponent for fun.
That’s why, even now, he showed no emotion or reaction at seeing Christian.
No one takes seriously the wrong they did to a lowly ant.
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[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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