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[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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Chapter 74
‘What’s that?’
It was a vision of Nordion in his younger days.
Facing off against enemies charging toward the Dark Demonic House.
And emerging victorious.
The demons of the Dark Demonic House shouting in triumph beside him.
Followed by the image of the Dark Demonic House flourishing.
The banner of the Barren Family fluttering high in the skies of the Magus Empire.
It was an illusionary magic that depicted the glory of the Dark Demonic House he had pursued his whole life.
“!!”
As the brief illusion ended, Nordion’s eyes snapped open.
“…My Lord?”
Merian asked cautiously.
“If you were greatly displeased, I apologize. I was careless. When that boy said he wanted to make a chocolate that was rough yet refined, just like your tastes, I should’ve guided him better.”
“…No.”
“Pardon?”
“It was excellent.”
Merian’s eyes widened in disbelief.
The old Lord let out a low chuckle.
‘What a brazen boy.’
He had actually infused illusion magic into the chocolate.
This wasn’t a skill level expected of someone only at 3 stars.
Christian had sent a message: that he wasn’t just playing around.
And what about the contents of the illusion?
‘He saw right through me.’
The iron strength of the Dark Demonic House.
Its rugged, unrefined nature.
And the rich, intricate flavor of the chocolate symbolized the House’s prosperity.
He had captured the very essence of what Nordion had wished for all his life...
through a blend of illusion magic and flavor.
And then...
‘You impudent brat. That final scene…’
In the last scene, Nordion was surrounded by family.
Though now a hardened man who had long forgotten familial affection, it hadn’t always been that way.
There was a time when he had embraced his children warmly.
‘Is this his way of saying: “Please take this kindly...it's a gift from your grandson”?’
As always, a bold message.
‘…Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve ever received a gift like this from my children or grandchildren.’
He wasn’t suddenly pining for familial love...but still, he didn’t dislike how it made him feel.
This time, with a somewhat lighter heart, he picked up and ate another piece of chocolate.
The illusion didn’t activate again...perhaps it had been set to appear only on the first bite.
This time, he could savor its pure taste fully.
‘…It really is something. Better than anything I’ve ever had. Still, instead of spending time on this, he should’ve refined his demonic energy at least once more.’
He muttered lightly to himself.
Nordion froze on the spot.
Faintly...
A strange sensation washed over him.
A cool clarity.
One that stirred his life force.
“My Lord?”
“…You said Christian made this?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Nordion fell silent.
‘…Isn’t this the Vitality Pill from the Medical Saint House? The one said to extend one’s lifespan.’
A supreme elixir said to exist in only the rarest quantities due to its complicated production and the rarity of its ingredients.
The cost of materials alone per pill was said to exceed 3 million Rupees.
‘…No, it’s different.’
The Vitality Pill of the Medical Saint House was known for its explosive surge of life force.
In contrast, the effect of this chocolate was extremely subtle.
So faint one wouldn’t even notice it without focusing.
But that was precisely why it suited Nordion.
Nordion’s life force was already at its limit. His broken vessel of life barely held together by a forbidden reverse-heaven technique.
An excessive activation of life force would only poison him.
This kind of gentle infusion was far more beneficial to his current state.
Only then did the old Lord realize that the chocolate Christian had given him was finely divided into over fifty pieces.
It must have been intended to be taken gradually over time.
‘Just how did Christian create such a medicine?’
As Nordion furrowed his brow...
“Um… My Lord. This is a letter from Christian.”
“A letter?”
“Yes.”
He had told her to give it to Nordion only if the gift didn’t displease him.
Its contents were written in a polite hand.
-If by any chance my gift has offended you, I offer my sincerest apologies.
As your grandson, I prepared this gift with heartfelt gratitude, using one of my hidden techniques. I would be grateful if you could receive it kindly.
I am earnestly working to meet your expectations. At the Grand Competition, I will produce results and bring you joy as your grandson.
Nordion couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
Though it was written with care, Christian’s letter carried several clear intentions.
First, the phrase “hidden technique.”
-This medicine is my secret art. So please don’t inquire into its details.
And, more importantly...
-I will prove myself at the Grand Competition.
From the gift, Nordion understood what Christian desired in return.
“Christian said this was a gift from him as a grandson?”
“Pardon? Yes, that’s right.”
“In that case, it’s only proper that I return the favor...as his grandfather.”
“My Lord?”
Merian and Simon wore shocked expressions.
If it was a return gesture, it meant he intended to support Christian.
But hadn’t the old Lord declared he would never interfere in family matters?
“Heh heh, I’m not saying I’ll take his side. I cannot meddle in family affairs. More than anything, if I help that boy, it would only hinder his growth...so I won’t do that.”
“Then what do you mean?”
“Didn’t I say? I’ll return the favor not as the Head of House, but as his grandfather.”
The old Lord spoke with a hint of mischief.
“This time, I’ll be attending the Grand Competition myself.”
“!!”
“As his grandfather, it wouldn’t hurt to see how well my grandchildren have grown.”
The meaning behind what Christian wrote in his letter...
He was asking the old Lord to come watch him at the Grand Competition.
And Nordion had agreed to that request...as his grandfather.
Just like that...
A decision that would shake the family to its core was made.
* * *
Clang!
Presia dropped her teacup.
“What did you say? The Lord himself is attending?”
Something she never imagined.
Presia bit her fingernail tightly.
‘What’s gotten into that old monster all of a sudden?’
She didn’t like the old Lord.
He was the one who blocked her husband, Marquis Langham, from becoming the Head of House.
But the old Lord’s influence was absolute.
If Nordion so much as lifted a finger, everything she had built could collapse in an instant.
‘No. There’s no need to think of this as purely bad.’
Presia calmed her gaze.
‘Rather, it’s a chance to crush Christian right in front of the Lord and show off Mysak’s excellence.’
It was actually perfect.
She had already made thorough preparations for this Grand Competition.
To elevate Mysak and bring Christian down.
In front of the old Lord, Mysak would soar with wings.
With Christian as the sacrificial lamb.
* * *
The day of the Grand Competition arrived.
The venue was the mansion’s grand dueling arena.
Countless magi were crowding the place.
Not only elders and senior figures of the family, but also ordinary magi had all gathered. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say nearly all members of the main family were present.
All because of the old Lord, Nordion.
“The Lord himself will be watching.”
“Who knows when we’ll get to see him again, if not for this.”
Nordion, the Dark Mage Lord, was the object of absolute respect among the magi.
That’s why such a crowd had gathered upon hearing that Nordion would be attending.
And this was exactly what Chris had intended.
‘Good thing the old Lord understood what I meant.’
Chris let out a sly smile in secret.
‘If I’m going to put on a spectacular performance, it should be in front of a big audience.’
Among those gathered here now, almost no one was paying attention to Christian.
But Chris was certain.
After today’s Grand Competition ended, no one present would be able to forget his name.
“…You showed up. You bastard.”
At that moment, Mysak approached Chris and gave a twisted smile.
“Prepare yourself. Today, in front of the Lord, you’ll suffer the worst humiliation. Everything’s already been arranged….”
“Shut it. You mama’s boy.”
“…What?”
“In the end, you’re just playing tricks with your mommy’s help. I don’t know why you’re proudly running your mouth about something like that. Are you not even embarrassed because you’re such a mama’s boy?”
“You…!!”
“Wanna make a bet?”
“…What?”
“About who’ll be the one humiliated at the Grand Competition. If you win, mama’s boy, I’ll leave the family without a fuss. But if you lose...”
Chris lifted the corner of his mouth in the most obnoxious way possible.
“You’ll call me ‘big brother.’ No...actually, I’d hate to have an idiot like you as a little brother. If you lose, you’ll become my servant instead. I needed a human servant anyway. I’ll put you to good use. Even an idiot like you should be able to handle cleaning. So, what do you say?”
Mysak’s clenched fist trembled with rage.
“You… I’ll kill you for sure.”
If killing someone with a glare were possible, Chris’s body would have been torn into ten, no, twenty pieces.
That’s how murderous Mysak’s glare was.
Chris merely shrugged, while Mysak ground his teeth and stormed off.
Then a new voice called out.
“You’ve got a nasty way of speaking.”
It was Jupien.
She spoke with her doll-like face.
“But this time, you did well.”
“Did well?”
“Yeah, that jerk’s annoying.”
Jupien looked off into the distance, frowning as she saw Mysak lashing out at people around him, unable to contain his temper.
Then she said something unexpected.
“Want me to help you fight Mysak?”
Chris looked puzzled.
“…You? Helping me? Why? Don’t you hate me?”
Jupien furrowed her brows again.
“I just don’t want someone else to beat you up. Because I’m the one who’s supposed to take you down.”
“Oh, really? But I have a feeling that dream of yours is going to stay impossible forever.”
Chris had already surpassed Jupien’s level.
‘Or… have I not?’
Chris narrowed his eyes.
In the past three months...
...it seemed Jupien hadn’t been idle either.
Compared to before, her presence had grown significantly.
Jupien’s original level was 3-star high.
But now, it was clear she’d grown enough to be on the verge of reaching 4-star.
“You’re so annoying. Anyway, watch yourself...and be ready. I’m going to crush you.”
With those words...whether they were meant as concern or a curse...Jupien vanished.
Finally, off in the distance, the First Princess Yulian saw Chris and waved at him with a bright smile.
As if she were genuinely happy to see him.
‘I really can’t read the First Princess.’
Chris wore a puzzled expression.
Her attitude didn’t seem fake.
He had encountered countless types of people...he could usually tell right away if someone was putting on a front or being sincere.
But with Yulian, he couldn’t tell.
She didn’t seem fake. And that made it all the more confusing.
Was that warm expression not a mask, but her true feelings?
‘In any case, it looks like everyone who’s supposed to be here is here. The Second Prince, Ashid, probably still hasn’t recovered from the damage to his core. And the First Prince isn’t showing up again, either.’
The First Prince...the madman Sherad.
Chris had heard that he’d returned to the family, but had never seen him in person.
‘I need to confirm what he’s about eventually.’
He knew absolutely nothing about the First Prince Sherad.
Even the Chatterbox of Darkness didn’t know anything about him.
...There was this mad prince in the Dark Demonic House, known as a lunatic, but I don’t know the details. He ran away before the chaos started and disappeared.
Chris had to find out whether this was someone he could ignore...or someone he needed to watch out for.
‘I’ll go find him myself after the Grand Competition ends.’
Just then, a loud voice rang out.
“The Lord is arriving!”
“!!”
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[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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