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[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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Chapter 47
“How pure is the dark mana Christian absorbed?”
“Judging by the issues in his core, it doesn't appear to be of high purity.”
In that case.
Marquis Langham nodded and made his decision.
“Then, is he in a condition where he can move?”
“Yes, he is. It's simply a case of exhaustion. There's no serious problem with his body.”
“Then bring Christian to the Dark Hall tomorrow.”
“Your Excellency?”
Marquis Langham turned his gaze back to the documents and spoke.
“I’ll determine Christian’s punishment in front of the retainers.”
In front of the retainers.
That meant he intended to issue a severe punishment.
* * *
Dark Hall.
It was a hall used for major events in the main family.
Contrary to the name “Dark,” the lighting was dazzlingly bright.
Not long after Christian took his seat, a figure appeared.
It was Marquis Langham.
And he wasn't alone.
The retainers who upheld the main family followed behind. Even Ashid, referred to as the next heir, was present.
Too many grand figures for just one person—Chris.
‘So they’ve made up their minds.’
Chris let out a silent, mocking chuckle.
The reason such powerful figures had gathered was obvious.
They meant to punish Chris thoroughly in front of everyone.
There was no chance of a favorable verdict.
But—
‘Good. They’re moving just as I’d hoped.’
Chris smiled faintly to himself.
Did they even know?
This was exactly the kind of situation Chris had wanted.
At that moment, Marquis Langham opened his mouth.
“Christian, do you understand the wrong you committed during the Sacred Darkness Ceremony?”
“Yes, I do.”
When Christian answered obediently, Marquis Langham’s eyes briefly showed surprise.
However—
“I should have dealt more thoroughly with those disgraceful, idiotic brothers unworthy of the name of the Dark Demonic House. I deeply regret failing to do so.”
“What…!”
The insolent remark caused an uproar among the retainers, but Christian didn’t flinch.
“Surely you won’t say that defeating my competitors was wrong? Like those repulsive allied fools would.”
Provocative words. Defiant gaze.
Marquis Langham quietly met Christian’s eyes.
Despite hearing such insolent words, he showed no signs of anger.
Was the difference between the two of them too vast to be stirred by such remarks?
The look in his eyes toward Christian was merely indifferent.
As expected of the second-in-command of the Dark Demonic House, he wasn’t someone to be taken lightly.
“Of course, I’m not blaming you for that reason. Those fools lost in the competition because they were lacking. Your mistake lies elsewhere.”
“What is it?”
“You took away the opportunity from your other brothers, yet failed to achieve a result worthy of it.”
“!!”
Marquis Langham continued coldly.
“The Sacred Darkness is a precious resource of the Dark Demonic House. But you, driven by greed, tried to monopolize it. And yet, did you achieve a result worthy of that?”
“……”
“Answer. If you did not achieve enough, and wasted the Sacred Darkness—a valuable resource of the main house—out of greed, then you will pay the appropriate price.”
Chris let out a silent laugh inside.
“If you say enough achievement, what exactly do you mean?”
“At least 70% purity.”
The moment Marquis Langham spoke, the hall stirred.
Normally, those of the Dark Demonic House bloodline absorb less than 30% during the Sacred Darkness Ceremony.
Since it’s divided through competition, there's a natural limit to how much can be absorbed, and even absorbing 30% was a struggle for someone of average talent.
Direct descendants usually reached around 50%.
Among direct descendants with exceptional talent, 60%.
Those deemed geniuses could even reach 70%.
Among the current generation of heirs, many had managed to absorb around 60% due to their excellence.
But among them, only one had ever absorbed 70%.
Ashid.
Only he alone had reached 70%.
‘So the Marquis intends to cast that brat Christian aside completely.’
‘That brat managing 70% is impossible.’
The retainers glanced over at Christian’s disheveled appearance.
The haggard look of someone barely clinging to life.
On top of that, even at a glance, his core looked muddled and unstable—as if something was wrong.
It was only a vague impression from a distance, but there was no way he had absorbed 70%.
“If I failed to absorb 70%, what punishment will I receive?”
“You will not be taught any of the Dark Demonic Martial Arts.”
The Dark Demonic Martial Arts weren’t just ordinary techniques. They were what allowed one to skillfully wield dark mana.
Without them, even with dark mana, one would face severe limits in using that power across various fields as if it were one’s own.
“In addition, you will be permanently banned from entering the main house, and disqualified from succeeding the Kazahar Count’s line. Since you’ve squandered a vital resource of the main house out of greed, this is the price you must pay.”
That was practically a social death sentence within the Dark Demonic House.
But defying everyone’s expectations, Chris asked this instead.
“What if I did achieve enough?”
“What?”
“If I absorbed over 70%—if I gained enough dark mana to be a great benefit to the main house—shouldn’t there be a corresponding reward?”
The retainers looked utterly dumbfounded.
What nonsense was he spouting, looking like someone who had barely returned with his life?
But Chris, regardless of how others viewed him, continued to speak boldly.
“If I’ve obtained enough Sacred Darkness to be recognized by everyone here, then, Marquis, I ask that you recommend me to take the ‘Heir’s Trial.’”
“!!”
The hall stirred.
Therefore, someone from a branch family with no inheritance rights cannot become a Heir.
However, exceptions were made in cases of extraordinary talent.
They could be allowed to take the trial to become a Heir, with the recommendation of a main-line elder.
It was not a common occurrence.
In fact, it was almost unheard of in history.
And now he was asking for such a special exception to be made for him.
“Do you even understand the weight of what you just said?”
Marquis Langham asked with a faint, scoffing laugh.
His voice still carried no particular emotion.
But perhaps he thought he ought to give a warning to this brazen, thunder-headed Chris.
Though not on the level of the Head of House, the overwhelming pressure he emitted bore down on Chris.
As expected of the second-in-command of the Dark Demonic House.
But Chris had withstood even the Head’s pressure before.
He drew a breath, dispelled the pressure, and spoke uprightly.
“I understand well. I’m simply making a request in accordance with house law, which states that even a branch family member may become a Heir if he displays exceptional talent.”
“You’re saying you meet the qualifications of that law?”
“Of course.”
Chris lifted the corners of his mouth.
It was a smile meant to appear confident and dignified, but thanks to his naturally unlikable face, it came across as nothing short of arrogant.
“If I absorbed a significantly higher percentage of Sacred Darkness than Lord Ashid, the leading successor candidate, wouldn’t that be qualification enough?”
“!!”
“If I’m more capable than the other successors, wouldn’t it be strange if I’m not allowed to become one?”
The retainers drew a sharp breath at the insane statement.
Wasn’t that going too far, especially in front of everyone?
But Chris shook his head.
Modesty was never part of his character to begin with.
More importantly—
‘Better to be confident than half-heartedly humble. Especially among demonkin.’
Arrogance backed by skill is no longer arrogance.
The looks of disbelief thrown his way would soon turn into awe and reverence.
Meanwhile, Marquis Langham frowned slightly.
‘What is this?’
Rather than anger at Christian’s arrogant remarks, he felt an odd sense of disconnect.
He had heard well enough that Christian was a deranged delinquent.
But this was excessive.
Above all, it was a face brimming with unwavering confidence.
‘Did he really absorb more Sacred Darkness than Ashid?’
Confidence that couldn’t be displayed otherwise.
He lifted his gaze to examine Christian’s core, trying to estimate how much Sacred Darkness he had absorbed.
But even with Marquis Langham’s eyes, it was difficult to gauge the state of Christian’s murky, chaotic core.
Chris thought to himself with ease.
‘Look all you want. Can you see through it?’
What Christian had used was a secret technique employed by the shadows of a renowned swordsmanship family.
And it had even been refined further by Evan, once hailed as the greatest genius of that swordsmanship lineage.
It was, in effect, one of the most advanced stealth techniques in the Alliance. Just observing from a distance wouldn’t be enough to see through such camouflage.
Then, an unexpected voice rang out.
“I agree with Christian’s opinion.”
“!!”
It was Ashid!
Wearing a pleasant smile, he addressed the gathered crowd.
“Does it really matter if one is from the main or branch family to become an Heir? In the path of demonic power, it is only natural that the strong reign above.”
“My lord Ashid.”
The retainers cautiously observed Ashid’s reaction.
Though he wore a friendly expression, everyone present knew he was far from kind.
As much as he was gifted, his nature was cold and cruel—without blood or tears.
The smile on his face was no gesture of goodwill. Everyone instinctively recognized it as the smile of a predator eyeing its prey.
Indeed.
“However, there’s a condition. I’ll personally verify Christian’s dark energy—through a clash of Magi.”
Ashid revealed his true intent.
A Magi clash.
[TL/N:"magi" refers to demonic energy or dark energy, a core source of power used by characters in this world, especially those affiliated with dark or demonic lineages. It's distinct from standard "mana" or "magic"—it's typically darker, more dangerous, and associated with destructive power and infernal origins.]
A direct confrontation of magical energy to determine superiority.
It sometimes occurred in real combat situations.
‘Due to its nature, dark energy always holds an unconditional advantage in Magi clashes.’
If the amount of Magi is equal, the one who possesses dark energy will inevitably overwhelm the other.
But what if both possess dark energy?
Then the one with the purer dark energy would gain the upper hand.
That was why Ashid proposed the Magi clash as a test.
“Since Christian’s core is too murky to accurately judge the purity of his dark energy, I believe this is the most precise method available right now.”
It was half true, half false.
There were many other ways to verify the purity of dark energy.
The real reason he suggested a Magi clash was that Ashid intended to crush Christian during the opportunity.
More precisely, he planned to damage Christian’s core.
Those who lost in a Magi clash often suffered severe injuries to their core.
Everyone noticed that, but who would dare object to Ashid’s proposal?
Even Marquis Langham did not oppose it.
He was already thinking that Christian needed to be disciplined anyway.
And it wouldn’t be a bad thing for Ashid, as an Heir, to assert his authority by putting that reckless brat in his place.
“There’s no problem in handling Magi itself, is there? I’ll limit myself to only the level you can handle. I’ll restrain my power to the level of 2-star Low.”
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[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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