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[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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Chapter 77
Merian came to a sudden halt.
It was just as Nordian had said.
She was curious too.
What kind of miracle would Christian perform this time?
Fwaaaah!!
Just as the fierce darkness, which crushed everything it touched, was about to swallow Christian—
Chris drew his sword.
A black sword enveloped his sword.
It was a black sword in perfect form, equivalent to the 3-star level. Yet, it was a pitiful and feeble strength in the face of the approaching darkness.
Then, Chris's black sword transformed.
Its shape remained the same.
His will was embedded into the black sword.
A will to cleave through the approaching darkness.
Will surpasses physical limits.
That miraculous power, which can only be manifested through pure energy, was infused into Chris's black sword.
And then—
Flaaash!!!
Chris’s black sword split the “Requiem of Destruction” vertically.
The annihilating darkness, which destroyed everything, was torn in two and scattered to pieces.
“!!”
Everyone in the dueling arena sprang to their feet in shock.
A miracle that could never happen had just occurred.
‘N-No way!’
‘Only black energy can block a 5-star Destruction-class dark magic! How could a black sword do that?’
A few.
Those who had surpassed 5 stars and reached the 6-star realm or beyond—
Those called “Masters”—were the only ones who understood what Chris had done.
‘He infused will into the black sword?’
‘…That’s impossible!’
According to the common understanding of magicology, it was unthinkable.
He had accomplished a mad feat that overturned the entire star-based system.
Amid everyone’s shocked gazes, Christian let out a long sigh.
The mana consumption was immense, and it had drained him.
“You… you…”
He saw Mysak looking at him with trembling eyes.
Christian sneered faintly.
“Fool.”
Thud!
With the final blow, Mysak collapsed unconscious.
Silence settled over the dueling arena like a suffocating fog.
No one could utter a single word.
That’s how shocking Christian’s display had been.
From beginning to end, there was not a single moment that wasn’t astonishing.
Everyone watching Christian had the same word rise in their minds.
‘Genius.’
‘…No, it’s far beyond something like that.’
The demons gulped.
There had been many called geniuses until now.
The descendants of prestigious houses were all born with exceptional bloodlines—how many gifted individuals must there have been?
But Christian was beyond such a level. Comparison was out of the question.
No genius in history could even come close to reaching the heels of what Christian had just shown.
It was truly a devilish talent.
From now on, the word “genius” should be reserved solely for Christian.
“The contest ends here.”
The Family Head stood from his seat.
It was time to deliver judgment.
Nordian looked toward Yulian and Jupien, who was receiving treatment at the infirmary.
“The two of you have nothing to be reproached for. Continue to strive forward.”
“Thank you, Family Head.”
Yulian bowed respectfully.
Next was Mysak.
The Family Head looked at Presia, whose face was pale.
“The Marchioness would do well to pay more attention to Mysak’s education.”
“!!”
“Our Dark Demonic House does not place restrictions on the type of power one uses, but at this rate, sending that child to the House of Destruction might be better for his future.”
Presia’s complexion turned ghostly.
It was the harshest possible criticism.
“I-I will keep that in mind from now on.”
Presia bowed her head with a trembling voice, but the Family Head gave her no further glance.
As if neither she nor Mysak held any interest to him.
Instead, Nordian looked to Christian.
“And… Christian, you…”
The evaluation was not long.
“You were excellent.”
“!!”
“It was worth the effort to come here in person.”
Everyone in the dueling hall widened their eyes again as if they would tear open.
Until now, no one—
Not just the young lords of this generation, but even the elders like Marquis Langham—had ever received such praise.
Christian grinned and bowed his head.
“Please continue to look forward to me. I’ll show you something even more pleasing, Family Head.”
Nordian chuckled and turned his back as he departed, signaling the end of the Grand Competition.
And then—
A fierce storm swept through the Dark Demonic House.
It was the moment Christian rose as the new central figure in the Dark Demonic House’s succession struggle.
* * *
Since that day, many things had changed.
First of all, perception.
Christian was no longer the ugly duckling of a useless young lord.
He had become a legitimate successor candidate.
Those who once looked down on him for being from a collateral branch had completely disappeared.
—Monstrous talent.
People, having seen the talent Christian displayed, began to think that maybe he could pull off a miracle in the succession race.
Of course, it was still nothing more than a possibility.
Setting aside the third young lord Mysak, who had shown a disgraceful performance this time, the second young lord Ashid and the first young lady Yulian were no easy opponents.
But even if the chances were slim, the fact that it was possible mattered.
If, by some chance, the day ever came that Christian became the “Great Heir,” those who once ignored him would not get off unscathed.
‘Especially since the Family Head clearly favors Young Lord Christian.’
‘It’s best to lay some groundwork now.’
With that mindset, several demons came to visit Christian.
“Young Lord, please forgive us for coming so late. This is a small gift to commemorate your official recognition as a candidate.”
“Our Count Arén household has also brought a gift for the young lord.”
“Our Baron La’an household as well…”
Christian smirked inwardly.
To think the treatment would change overnight like this.
‘Whether it’s demons or the Alliance, people act the same everywhere.’
A smile naturally formed, but he accepted the gifts without complaint.
This was a symbolic act.
A gesture to say he would accept their intentions.
“Thank you for your sincerity. I will be sure to remember the goodwill you’ve shown me.”
“Thank you!!!”
“Thank you!!!”
Once the guests had left, Marie approached.
[Ohoho… Young Master… as expected, you are truly exceptional… To think you’ve already drawn so many to your side…]
“Drawn to my side? Not even close.”
Christian shook his head firmly.
“If I falter, they’ll turn their backs in an instant.”
He couldn’t afford any illusions.
They were merely testing the waters now that his momentum had risen—not truly his people.
‘Most of them are probably making similar overtures to the other young lords as well. It’s about time I start building my own faction.’
He needed a force that would pledge loyalty to him alone.
He already had a few people in mind to bring under his command.
‘They should be showing up any moment now.’
Right then, someone knocked at his door.
Creak—the door opened.
And the one Christian had been waiting for appeared.
“It’s been a while, Young Master. No, I suppose I should call you ‘Young Lord’ now.”
Alluring appearance.
Yet an aura sharp as blades coursed through her entire body.
“As we discussed before, I’ve come to pledge my loyalty to you, Young Lord.”
It was Melin, the vice-captain of the Black Swamp Knights and a 4-star upper-class demon, whom Christian had met at the Khazar Count's house—kneeling before him.
“You’ll keep your promise to fight me to the fullest from now on, right?”
She spoke while casting a dangerous gaze.
* * *
Melin pledged her loyalty to Christian!
The Dark Demonic House stirred once more.
“Melin… she’s the one who was dispatched to the Khazar household, right?”
“That crazy woman?”
Melin was a fairly well-known demon.
First of all, a 4-star level.
She was a powerhouse, expected to reach 5-star soon and become a captain of a battle unit.
But what she was most famous for was her personality.
Even among demons, she was especially known for her bloodthirsty, battle-loving nature—a true warhound.
“Wasn’t she sent to the Khazar household as punishment for seriously injuring a fellow knight?”
“And now that lunatic has chosen to serve Young Lord Christian?”
“Didn’t she always shout that she’d never serve any young lord? What did Young Lord Christian do to change her mind?”
Before people’s astonishment could subside, something even more shocking occurred.
Melin wasn’t the only one who had chosen to serve Christian.
One of the three collateral houses, the Tyramin Count family, officially declared their support for Christian!
“Just a collateral house showing support?” It wasn’t something to be dismissed.
The three collateral houses were known as the Trident of the Dark Demonic House—they played a critical role in supporting the main family from beneath.
The Khazar household was already considered to be on Christian’s side, and now with the Tyramin household raising their hand, two of the three collateral houses were backing Christian.
It was by no means a small matter.
“That’s why I’ve come to see you, Young Lord.”
“…Yes.”
Christian looked slightly surprised as he faced the one who stood before him.
A massive figure, like a bear, stood tall.
It was Kaysen, the eldest son and heir of the Tyramin Count family.
“Our Tyramin house has decided to support you, as promised.”
“…Honestly, I didn’t expect this. We did make a promise, but for you to make such a decisive move like this…”
In the past, during the Black Pill Hunt, Chris and Count Tyramin had made a promise.
If Chris could prove himself worthy of being a Young Lord, the Tyramin household would stand under his banner.
But it was a promise without any binding force.
“This is my father’s will—the will of Count Tyramin,” Kaysen said.
“All this time, my father has been observing your actions closely. And he’s reached a conclusion: You’re worth placing his faith—and his bet—on.”
“I see. I understand. The decision made by the Tyramin Count family… you will not regret it. Thank you.”
Kaysen nodded in satisfaction at the firm resolve in Christian’s reply.
"However, we have one condition as well."
"What is it?"
"Please take responsibility for one person."
"...Sorry?"
Kaysen called out toward the outside.
"You come in too!"
The door opened, and a hesitant boy stepped inside.
It was a familiar face.
"Oh?"
Chris showed a surprised expression.
"Alros, the younger one?"
From the Black Pill Hunt to the Sacred Darkness Ceremony—
It was Alros, the youngest of the Tyramin Count family, who had been tied to Chris in various ways.
"Wh-what do you mean younger?!"
When Alros shouted angrily, Kaysen smacked the back of his head.
"How dare you! This is the Young Lord you'll be serving from now on!"
"B-but..."
"Tsk!"
Alros, seemingly burdened with a lot, had tears welling in his eyes.
"The one you're asking me to take responsibility for—is it this brat, Alros?"
"Yes, that's right. This brat couldn't obtain any Sacred Darkness during the ceremony, and now his future is pitch black."
At that time, all those who participated in the Sacred Darkness Ceremony with Chris had failed to obtain even a single speck of Sacred Darkness.
"Ah, we're not blaming the Young Lord or anything like that. We’d simply appreciate it if you would take him in."
Chris realized the Tyramin Count’s intention.
‘They want Alros to follow me and earn merit.’
A bloodline of the Dark Demonic House that failed to obtain Sacred Darkness had no chance of rising.
So, they were hoping to give him a chance in this way.
‘The problem is, he’s not exactly someone who’ll be useful.’
Chris glanced sideways at Alros for a moment.
‘Still, he does have some talent.’
In the Age of Ruins, Alros had made a name for himself in his own way.
There was a memory of him growing into a 5-star demon.
‘If I work him hard, he might turn out somewhat usable.’
"Understood. However, I also have a condition. Alros must accept me as his teacher."
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[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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