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[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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Chapter 100
“Of course, we can’t hold him accountable since there’s no outward proof to identify it.”
Ashid spoke to Marquis Langham.
“I believe Christian should also be interrogated.”
“Yes, that’s right. Christian’s younger brother, Tern, has also reportedly achieved something extraordinary recently. Both of them are suspicious.”
Count Ribery chimed in, and Marquis Langham nodded.
“Understood. Place Christian under house arrest. As for the conflict between the Burssen Marquisate and the Khazar County—”
Marquis Langham paused to think.
Since the guilt wasn’t officially confirmed, it was a tricky situation.
However—
‘This might be the perfect chance to wipe out the Khazar County entirely.’
He had long intended to weaken the power of the branch families.
For his own ambitions.
In other words, this was a conspiracy in which Ashid and Marquis Langham shared the same goal.
“Until the situation becomes clear, the main house will not intervene.”
It was effectively a death sentence for the Khazar family.
* * *
Events escalated rapidly.
The Khazar County and Burssen Marquisate were driven to the brink of war, and an order for Christian’s arrest was issued.
“This is absurd!”
“Y-Yeah, I mean… C-Christian might be rude, but there’s no way he’d commit human sacrifice!”
[Oh-ho-ho. How dare you spout such nonsense about our young master. I’m getting real mad. Should I just wreck everything for you?]
Melin, Alros, and Marie all cried out in anger.
But Chris calmly soothed them.
“It’s alright. Calm down.”
“This isn’t the time to be calm…?!”
At that moment, an unexpected voice cut in.
“Yeah, the situation isn’t light. This is no time to act relaxed.”
It was Merian!
She entered Christian’s quarters wearing the uniform of the Black Shadow Knights.
“Are you here to arrest me, Aunt?”
“Yes, it’s the role of the Inspection Unit to handle internal criminals. But whether you’re a criminal… I don’t believe that at all.”
She was speaking in Christian’s defense.
In truth, Merian had no intention of arresting Christian.
On the contrary—
‘That bastard. How dare he pull something like this?’
Merian ground her teeth.
She was absolutely furious with Ashid.
Using underhanded tricks in a succession battle wasn’t something to be condemned on principle. After all, schemes and tactics were qualities needed in a family head.
But this was too much.
He had crossed the line.
“The Family Head is furious. He’s even considering breaking the ‘Taboo.’”
Chris looked shocked.
That would mean going against the oath not to interfere in the family’s internal affairs.
“But that’s…”
“It would overturn everything the Family Head has upheld until now. That’s how enraged he is at what Ashid has done. No, maybe…”
Merian held back the rest of her words.
‘Perhaps… it’s because it happened to you, Christian.’
In truth, this wasn’t the most despicable thing to have happened in the Dark Demonic House.
No—there had been worse.
But even then, Nordian had remained silent.
And yet this time, he was unusually incensed.
‘It must be because he cherishes that child.’
Maybe even Nordian himself hadn’t realized it yet.
But he already viewed Christian as someone special, different from the rest of his bloodline.
Then Christian gave an unexpected answer.
“I don’t need the Family Head’s help. No—let me rephrase that. He absolutely must not step in.”
“Why not?”
“Because then I’ll lose the chance to crush Ashid with my own hands.”
“!!”
For a moment, Merian flinched.
Christian was smiling eerily.
A chilling glint in his eyes.
Only then did Merian realize.
Christian hadn’t been calm.
He was furious.
Of course he was.
They had touched his family.
Of course, they weren’t Chris’s ‘real’ family.
But Chris treasured them.
More than the ‘real’ family from his previous life—because these people had treated him like true family.
“And I don’t see this incident as entirely bad. In fact, I’m grateful to Ashid.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Because he crossed the line and overreached, I now have the perfect opportunity to strike a critical blow. This time, I’ll give him a wound he won’t recover from.”
If this had been just another typical scheme—
Even if there had been backlash, it likely wouldn’t have dealt a fatal blow.
But this was human sacrifice.
A taboo even among the Demonic Nobles.
Does Ashid even realize?
What kind of leverage he just handed Chris.
“…Do you really think it’s possible? Ashid is probably backed by the House of Ribery. It won’t be easy to find evidence.”
Merian spoke with concern.
“The Count of Ribery has probably already erased all evidence of their involvement. He’s meticulous and thorough in matters like this.”
Chris knew that as well.
The Count of Ribery wasn’t a warrior, but a strategist type.
Even if an investigation was launched, nothing would come up.
‘Same goes for Ashid. Even if he gained something through human sacrifice, there’s no way to identify it on the surface.’
It was just like how Devil Contractors couldn’t be recognized from appearance alone.
But—
“It’s fine. I have a way.”
“!!”
A firm voice.
Merian looked at him, bewildered.
‘What in the world…?’
There wasn’t the slightest trace of worry on Christian’s face.
He was confident that he could pull it off.
What was more surprising was that confidence didn’t come off as empty or delusional.
Because it was Christian.
The one who had accomplished countless impossible miracles with unbelievable talent and resourcefulness.
‘This child really is…’
Merian shook her head slowly.
“Are you sure you can do it?”
“Yes.”
After a moment of hesitation, Merian took an unexpected action.
She took a black crescent-moon-shaped amulet hanging from her collar and gave it to Christian.
“I hereby grant you temporary authority as a member of the Dark Ghost Unit. This amulet symbolizes my authority. Until this incident is resolved, you will carry the same authority as I do.”
Christian’s eyes widened in surprise.
“But Aunt, this is…?”
This was a political burden on Merian.
Originally, Christian had planned to escape and resolve everything with his own abilities.
“This much is fine.”
“Why?”
Merian frowned.
As if to say—why are you even asking?
“You’re my nephew, aren’t you? The cheeky one who’s bold enough to call me Aunt.”
“!!”
“So, accept your aunt’s gift.”
Christian felt his heart stir just a little.
In truth, the reason he’d approached Merian and called her ‘Aunt’ was for his own benefit.
Merian probably knew that too.
Even so, she was treating Christian like real family.
“…Thank you. I’ll definitely bake some delicious cookies as thanks.”
“Hmph, you always say that. I wonder when you’re actually going to bring those cookies.”
Christian looked a little sheepish.
“Now get going before someone else starts bothering you.”
“Yes, I will do that. Ah, could I ask one more favor?”
“What is it?”
“Please deliver one message to the Lord.”
Chris spoke heavily.
“Tell him… I’m going to cause a major incident because of this, so I ask for his forgiveness in advance.”
Incident.
It meant blood.
* * *
Chris moved quickly.
He wasn’t heading to the Count of Khazar’s estate, where the incident had occurred.
To resolve this matter, he needed to go somewhere completely different.
‘The problem is protecting the Count of Khazar.’
Chris deliberated.
‘The power of the Burssen Principality surpasses that of the Khazar estate.’
More than anything, the real problem was Sir Press, the strongest knight under the Burssen Principality.
A full 6-star (high) level Master Knight.
Of course, the Count of Khazar was also at the 6-star (high) level, but it was said that Sir Press was slightly superior.
If a fight broke out, there was no guarantee the Count of Khazar would survive.
‘I plan to settle this as quickly as possible before a direct clash happens, but… I should still set up a safety net.’
Chris called for Marie.
[Ohoho… What is it, young master? Could it be, oh my, your heart is burning for me before heading into a big event?]
“I have a request for you.”
Chris spoke seriously.
Marie tilted her head.
“I need your strength. Protect my father and Tern.”
[!!]
Was it his imagination?
Marie’s translucent ghostly face stiffened.
The usual frivolous aura around her vanished.
Chris felt a chill run down his spine.
He instinctively tensed at the glimpse of Marie’s hidden true nature.
‘Just how powerful is Marie?’
Chris still didn’t fully understand the extent of Marie’s power.
What he did know for certain was that her level was still far beyond what he could perceive.
[Ohoho… Though I have already given my body and soul to you, young master… I’m truly sorry… But manifesting my power goes beyond the bounds of the contract.]
The contract Marie had made only allowed her to act as a maid.
“I know. That’s why I’ll offer you compensation.”
[Ohoho… Compensation, you say.]
Marie let out a low, quiet laugh.
[A gift from you, young master. My heart flutters with anticipation… But it’s still impossible. You are not yet qualified to form an additional contract with me.]
“!!”
It was an unexpected response.
You're lacking, you know.
Just how high is Mari’s true standing?
‘So it’s a no, huh.’
As Chris shut his mouth, Marie gave a faint smile.
[However… I suppose I can make an exception for this request.]
“Why?”
[Ohoho… Because it’s about protecting my father-in-law. That much, as a daughter-in-law, I can of course do without a special contract.]
Chris made a pained expression.
“Father-in-law, daughter-in-law… what nonsense.”
[You look so adorable when you’re embarrassed. I already know all about your sincere and burning heart for me, young master.]
“No, you don’t. Just get going already.”
[Yes, I’ll hurry off to protect Father-in-law.]
Marie giggled and vanished.
This time, Melin and Alros approached Chris.
“Master, what should we do?”
“Sh-should I just return to the Tyramin Count’s house…?!P-please, give me an order too!”
Alros tried to slip away but inhaled sharply under Melin’s sharp glare and shouted.
He had been completely broken in and trained under Melin.
One strange thing was that the sullen-looking girl, Jupien, had also come with them.
Jupien looked at Chris with a tilted gaze.
As if to say, ‘Need a hand or something?’
‘…Jupien, why is she even here? I don’t really need her help though.’
Chris scratched his head.
“Jupien, you… uh. Why did you come?”
“…You talk like a jerk.”
“No, I’m really just curious. You know helping me means turning against Ashid’s side.”
Jupien answered bluntly.
“Don’t care about that crap.”
“…….”
“I just act according to what I believe is right. So I don’t tarnish the name of my father, who died an honorable death for the Dark Demonic House.”
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[Translator - Kiteretsu]
[Proofreader - Kyros]
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