Chapter 122
Receiving a title didn’t automatically guarantee one would become the Grand Duke.
This was what Marquis Langham was aiming for.
The reason this reward was called a “poisoned chalice.”
“You understand what a title signifies, don’t you?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Then do you also know what kind of trial you must undergo?”
Indeed.
The moment a successor received a title, they were required to prove they were worthy of becoming the master of the Dark Demonic House.
It was a trial.
A long-standing, infamous tradition of the Dark Demonic House.
“What is required of the master of the Dark Demonic House is the ability to govern both externally and internally. Therefore, the trial is divided into two parts. The first trial is to bring glory to the Dark Demonic House by striking at the Union scum.”
Marquis Langham spoke in an icy tone.
“The deadline is three months. Within that time, you must achieve a feat worthy of the next master of the Dark Demonic House against those despicable Union bastards.”
“!!”
The demons in the hall held their breath upon hearing the declaration.
Just three months.
It was an unreasonably short time.
And the conditions were even more impossible.
“Worthy of the next master of the Dark Demonic House.”
It didn’t mean just making some minor contribution as a successor.
It meant achieving a feat truly fitting of the position of family head.
‘To meet that condition, he would have to at least slay a 7-star knight of the Union or lead a decisive victory in a war against them.’
It was something impossible for Christian—or any of the current successors.
It was precisely because of this harsh tradition that even though Ashid had long been considered the next Grand Duke, he still hadn’t received a title.
Due to this brutal tradition, heirs of the Dark Demonic House throughout history only received their titles after reaching at least 6-star level.
“Marquis.”
Nordion furrowed his brows slightly, as if rebuking him.
Marquis Langham bowed his head politely.
“Based on the abilities he has shown so far, I judged Christian to be a suitable candidate to lead the Dark Demonic House in the future. If you, my lord, believe this is inappropriate, I will retract the reward.”
Nordion could not respond.
To intervene now would go against the principle of not interfering in family affairs.
More importantly, this wasn’t a decision Nordion had the authority to make.
“…Christian, what is your decision? Will you accept the trial?”
Everyone in the hall turned to look at Christian.
All of them expected Christian to reject the trial.
It was simply impossible for him in his current state.
However, if he refused, he would be branded a coward who fled from the succession trial.
A disgrace that would become a significant stain on his path to becoming Grand Duke.
‘But still, refusing is the better option.’
‘This is something that cannot be done.’
That was what everyone thought.
Christian opened his mouth.
“I will accept the trial.”
“!!”
Everyone in the hall gasped.
Even Marquis Langham, seemingly caught off guard, asked again.
“Did you truly understand what I said?”
“Yes, I understood. Within three months, I must achieve a feat worthy of the next head of the family against the Union scum.”
Christian spoke in a firm voice.
“It’s entirely possible.”
“!!”
A voice filled with conviction.
Christian even went a step further and said:
“I won’t even need three months. I’ll finish it within one month.”
A wave of unrest spread.
Everyone looked at Christian as if he had lost his mind.
‘Why is Prince Christian saying something so reckless?’
Some demons even clicked their tongues, thinking Christian had grown arrogant from repeated successes.
“However, I have one request.”
“What is it?”
“During the trial period, if any conflict with the Union arises, I ask that my opinion be given priority.”
“……”
Marquis Langham narrowed his eyes behind his monocle.
He couldn’t guess what this brazen brat was scheming now.
However—
‘Considering the incident that’s about to take place at Gold Cross, it doesn’t matter what he’s plotting.’
Marquis Langham already knew that something horrific was occurring at Gold Cross.
The moment that brat Christian rashly stuck his nose in, he’d be swept up by the tide and doomed to die.
“I accept your request. A grand banquet will soon be held to celebrate your appointment to nobility, so be prepared.”
And thus, the judgment duel that completely overturned the Dark Demonic House’s succession structure came to an end.
Ashid was completely ruined and disappeared from the scene, while Christian had undeniably risen as the central figure in the succession race.
But the competition for succession was not yet over.
No—in a way, it was only now truly beginning.
He had not yet properly faced his most powerful rival.
‘Princess Yulian.’
At that moment, his eyes met those of the First Princess, Yulian, standing in the distance.
She gave Chris a soft smile.
A pretty smile, as if celebrating her younger brother’s victory.
But why?
Chris found her far more threatening than the loud and flashy Ashid.
‘In terms of danger, she’s no less than Sherad.’
And he wasn’t just talking about power.
Sherad’s danger didn’t match the strength he held.
He had been so lost in the pleasure of slaughter that he left many openings.
Yulian was the opposite.
With that smiling face of hers, no one could tell when a deadly blade might strike.
And now, even Marquis Langham had started to bare his fangs at him in earnest.
The higher he climbed, the stronger his enemies became.
‘And that’s how it’ll be from now on too.’
Would it end after surpassing Marquis Langham?
Not a chance.
The Poison Demon of the Venomous Demonic House,
The Fallen Destruction of the Destruction Demonic House,
The Demon King of the Azure Flow,
The Lords of the Four Kings' Castle,
The Blood-Drenched Demon King,
And even—
Perhaps the ultimate mastermind behind all this, the Supreme Demon Sorcerer of the Mystic Demonic House.
Until Chris eventually stood at the very peak of the Magus Empire, he would have to face endlessly powerful foes.
‘What comes later can wait. For now, I need to deal with the Gold Cross massacre first.’
Soon, bad news would reach the Dark Demonic House as well.
With that thought, Chris suddenly let out a deep sigh.
‘Ugh… it never ends. Just when will I ever get to rest!’
It had been rough ever since he returned, but lately it felt like he hadn’t even had time to breathe.
‘Once all this is over, I’m going to enjoy every luxury this world has to offer without lifting a single finger!’
Chris looked up at the sky and cried out his dream.
Just then, the sun was setting.
It was a twilight that seemed to mock him, as if telling him he still had a long way to go.
* * *
Two days later.
A banquet was held.
It was to celebrate Christian’s appointment to nobility as the new central figure of the Dark Demonic House, so countless people gathered.
“Ohoho. To think so many came just to see young master’s glorious figure! This maiden’s heart is swelling with emotion.”
“……”
Chris looked blankly at the cute-looking girl standing next to him.
Yes, a “girl.”
Not a ghostly figure—
Marie had appeared in a human body!
“You, how did you materialize?”
“Ohoho. As my master, young master’s power grew stronger, I too gained access to part of my abilities.”
Marie gave a bright smile.
A cute and lovely smile, not fitting of a ghost.
Her appearance was that of a beautiful girl in the classic pure and delicate style.
“Now that I have a body, I can ‘properly’ serve you, young master. Ohoho. You may look forward to every night from now on.”
“…Look forward, my ass.”
“Ohoho. Your shy expression is truly adorable and lovely. Every night, I shall serve you with all my heart and soul, so please look forwa—kyaa.”
Pshhhh.
With a deflating sound, Marie’s body wavered like smoke and reverted back to her transparent ghostly form.
[…It seems I still can’t maintain it for long. You must have been looking forward to it. I’m sorry. It looks like I won’t be able to attend to you at night until your power grows stronger, young master.]
“…I wasn’t looking forward to that crap. Quit with the weird jokes.”
[Ohoho. Jokes, you say? My overwhelming feelings for you are always sincere. Please do your best to grow stronger quickly, so you can enjoy this maiden’s passionate nightly service.]
Chris shook his head, looking utterly fed up.
As expected of a banshee, all she talked about was ghost-maiden nonsense.
‘Still, materialization, huh. I knew she wasn’t just any ordinary banshee.’
What had just happened with Marie’s materialization wasn’t something to be taken lightly.
To manifest one’s essence into the material realm was something only the highest-class spiritual beings could do.
It was possible Marie was a far higher-grade entity than Chris had anticipated.
‘Anyway, I feel like drinking. It’s my banquet, and I’m stuck with ginger ale again.’
Christian frowned sharply as he looked at the ginger juice in his hand.
Everyone else was happily drinking alcohol, but he alone was stuck with non-alcoholic ginger juice at the banquet.
‘When the hell will I be able to drink?! Why are demons so damned uptight!’
Letting out a deep sigh, he sipped the ginger juice—when people began to gather around Christian.
“Congratulations, young lord.”
“I’m Count Lloyd. I witnessed your recent duel with great admiration. Thanks to someone as outstanding as you, the future of the Dark Demonic House looks bright.”
“I’m Baron Enya. I look forward to working with you.”
One after another, they bowed their heads to him.
A stark contrast from the previous banquet.
It was a clear display that Christian had become the true power of the Dark Demonic House.
However, the atmosphere hadn’t entirely shifted in his favor yet.
Because Yulian was still there.
‘She may not have a faction like Ashid’s, but that doesn’t mean Princess Yulian can be underestimated.’
Chris glanced toward Princess Yulian.
As always, she was warmly greeting people with her usual composed expression.
That was the source of her power.
Admiration and favor from everyone.
There wasn’t a single person in the Dark Demonic House who disliked Princess Yulian.
Whether they realized it or not, her influence reached throughout the entire house.
‘More importantly, Marquis Langham will now fully back her from here on.’
For that reason, some of the demons were thinking along these lines:
The fact that the House Lord secretly supported Christian was no longer much of a secret.
But how much longer would the old Lord live?
A few more years at most.
Maybe he wouldn’t even last that long.
Then what would happen afterward?
‘The moment the House Lord’s life ends, so does Christian.’
It was the old Lord who blocked Marquis Langham from inheriting the position of family head.
But if the old Lord dies?
No one would be left to stop Marquis Langham.
Langham would claim the family headship for himself, and there was little chance he’d let Christian live peacefully.
So, those with sharp minds came to a conclusion.
Christian’s rise was only temporary; they should be cautious about choosing sides.
For that reason, the atmosphere in the banquet hall was split in two.
Those who were thrilled by Christian’s recent achievements and supported him—
And those who, thinking of the distant future, sided with Yulian.
A subtle tension naturally flowed through the banquet, though Christian himself felt indifferent about it.
‘Well, this was to be expected. Anyway, news of the Gold Cross massacre should be spreading about now.’
Chris’s gaze sank low.
‘Things are already in motion.’
Soon, the news would reach the Dark Demonic House as well.