Chapter 148
They returned to the main house using warp gates in succession.
The atmosphere among the main house’s Magi was similar.
“All hail Lord Christian!”
“Loyalty!!”
Though they couldn’t openly express excitement due to the main house’s strict atmosphere, every Magus who encountered Christian looked at him with eyes full of reverence.
It was only natural.
The merit Christian achieved this time was no ordinary feat.
He exposed the truth behind the plague and dealt a blow to the Gold Cross bastards who tried to frame the Dark Demonic House, and not only that, he even prevented the descent of the Fallen Star, earning the Gold Cross a massive favor.
Olivia, who had newly become the Holy Pope, sent a diplomatic delegation to the Dark Demonic House expressing apology and gratitude for the above matters.
An apology and gratitude from the Holy Pope.
It was an unprecedented achievement that no previous family head had ever accomplished.
Moreover, he even thwarted the schemes of the Fourth Throne, who had been plotting behind the scenes — that alone was a tremendous merit.
“Amazing. What other heir could accomplish such feats?”
“Exactly. No one but Lord Christian could even dream of it.”
“‘Our’? Since when was Lord Christian part of your ‘our’? Weren’t you the one who said a branch family member could never be acknowledged as a prince?”
“W-When did I ever say that? Someone as distinguished as him — does it matter now whether he's from the main or branch family? Someone like Lord Christian must become the Grand Heir!”
“Right. Who else but Lord Christian could be fit for the position of Grand Heir?”
As expected, the Magi were simple and straightforward.
Now that he had achieved merits, respect and support toward Christian surged.
Of course, not everyone felt the same.
‘It’s not over yet. Marquis Langham is still backing Lady Yulian.’
Naturally, just having the support of ordinary Magi wasn’t enough to become the successor.
While it was well-known that Nordian, the current family head, cherished Christian, unfortunately, Nordian did not have much time left to live.
In the end, the scales of power within the Dark Demonic House were bound to tip toward Marquis Langham.
‘Even the next succession trial is a problem. Will Lord Christian be able to pass with his current standing?’
The second trial was much easier than the first one, which was “Prove your worthiness as head of the house by achieving suitable merit.”
But for Christian, it was different.
Because of his lacking accomplishments and standing within the family.
‘The content of the trial will be announced at tonight’s banquet.’
A grand banquet was scheduled.
It was to celebrate Christian’s achievement and to announce the second trial.
Why announce the trial during a banquet?
There was a reason.
That night.
Before the eyes of the many gathered in the banquet hall, Chris stepped forward toward Marquis Langham.
Marquis Langham looked at Christian with cold eyes for a moment, then opened his mouth.
“…Kneel.”
“I accept your command.”
Marquis Langham drew the Dark Sword — the symbol of the family head’s authority — and rested it on Christian’s shoulder.
“By the authority vested in me by Duke Baron, I hereby recognize your merit and declare the elevation of Christian van Baron Khazar to the honorary rank of Viscount.”
It was a declaration that he had passed the first trial.
What mattered was what came next.
“In accordance with tradition, the second succession trial shall now begin. From this moment, you are ordered to be stationed with the Dark Demon Army.”
Marquis Langham continued in a cold tone.
“The duration is six months. Within that time, become the Deputy Commander of the Dark Demon Army and earn their loyalty. This is the content of your second succession trial.”
* * *
Earn the loyalty of the Dark Demon Army!
At first glance, it doesn’t sound all that difficult.
In fact, very few heirs have ever failed the second trial.
‘But for me, it’s an entirely different story.’
Chris thought with a sunken gaze.
From the start, other candidates had already achieved at least a 6-star level and solidified their foundation within the family before attempting this trial.
So, for them, it was merely a formality and naturally easy.
In contrast, Chris’s situation was completely different.
‘First of all, just becoming the Deputy Commander of the Dark Demon Army is already an obstacle.’
Look closely at the wording of the trial.
It didn’t state that he would be appointed Deputy Commander.
He had to prove himself and attain the position on his own.
‘My current achievements are far from enough to qualify as Deputy Commander of the Dark Demon Army.’
Setting aside the Commander, Marquis Shupen, even just the five generals beneath him — the “Five Commanders” — were all 6-star high-ranking Magi.
At best, Chris’s level was that of a deputy officer serving under the Five Commanders.
No matter how much he was the main house’s prince, there was no way he could surpass them and become Deputy Commander.
‘To become Deputy Commander, I’ll need to prove my strength to the Five Commanders.’
And that wasn’t the only obstacle.
‘Earning the loyalty of the Dark Demon Army is another immense challenge for me.’
This task obviously didn’t refer to gaining the loyalty of ordinary Demon Soldiers.
Marquis Shupen.
The Commander of the Dark Demon Army, a top-level 7-star Magus, and the third strongest figure in the Dark Demonic House — it meant Chris had to subdue him and earn his loyalty.
‘Traditionally, the Commander of the Dark Demon Army has always been the current Marquis Shupen.’
Thus, fully subjugating Marquis Shupen was an expected condition for the heir.
‘…The problem is, Marquis Shupen is not someone to be taken lightly.’
It wasn’t simply a matter of strength.
A man of iron discipline with no weaknesses.
That was Marquis Shupen.
‘The worst part is that he’s known to lean toward Marquis Langham’s side.’
Strictly speaking, Marquis Shupen was considered neutral.
The Shupen family, which led the Dark Demon Army, was supposed to avoid getting entangled in the main house’s politics and offer loyalty only to the family head.
‘But that’s only in public matters — things are different in private.’
Chris narrowed his eyes.
He spotted Marquis Shupen in the distance.
Normally, he rarely visited the main house, but on this rare occasion, he had attended the banquet.
A presence like a blade, fiercely honed.
‘As expected, the two seem close.’
Marquis Shupen was casually conversing with Marquis Langham at the head table.
Since they were the second and third most powerful figures in the Dark Demonic House, it was only natural for them to talk, but what mattered was the atmosphere.
It wasn’t exactly a warm or friendly one.
Given their personalities, neither Marquis Langham nor Marquis Shupen seemed like the type.
Still, despite the stiffness, there was a sense of familiarity. It was clear they had known each other for a long time.
‘They must have grown up together as peers from the same bloodline, so they’re practically like old friends.’
Of course, Chris didn’t think Marquis Shupen would act pettily or antagonize him just because of his friendship with Marquis Langham.
According to what he’d heard, Shupen was a man who strictly separated public duty from personal matters.
Even so—
‘He definitely won’t be favorable toward me.’
It was obvious just how overwhelmingly difficult it would be to win over someone like Marquis Shupen.
‘Still, I have to do it.’
Just as Chris lowered his gaze with firm resolve—
Something unexpected happened.
Marquis Shupen, who had been speaking with Marquis Langham, suddenly raised his head and looked directly at Christian.
“!!”
Chris drew in a sharp breath.
They were standing at opposite ends of the banquet hall.
It was a considerable distance, yet a chilling tension gripped him.
Because of Marquis Shupen’s gaze.
Like the rest of the Dark Demonic House, Shupen had jet-black hair and blood-red eyes.
But his eyes weren’t just red.
They flickered with the traces of bloodshed from countless battlefields.
In that instant, Chris instinctively understood.
Marquis Shupen was a true warrior.
‘He’s no less than those I faced during the Age of Ruins.’
Truly a man worthy of guarding the walls of the Dark Demonic House—Chris admired him internally, even as worry crept in.
Winning the loyalty of someone like that would be no easy task.
‘But I can do it. I have a plan.’
Just as Chris steeled his resolve and downed his glass of ginger ale—
Another surprising event occurred.
Marquis Shupen began walking toward Christian.
“!!”
With each heavy step of the giant, the banquet hall fell silent.
All eyes turned to Marquis Shupen and Christian. A breathless, high-tension silence filled the air.
And then—
“Ginger ale? How childish.”
“!!”
Marquis Shupen opened with an unexpected remark.
Chris was momentarily caught off guard but bowed his head without showing it.
“I greet Your Excellency, Marquis Shupen. I’m currently abstaining from alcohol, as I have yet to reach the legal drinking age under the laws of the Magus Empire.”
“You’re saying you’re drinking ginger juice because you’re not of age?”
Chris flared up for a moment at the genuinely scornful look Shupen gave him.
‘I mean, it’s not like I even like ginger ale.’
“I’m simply following the laws His Majesty the Demon Emperor has set for the Empire.”
Marquis Shupen frowned, clearly unimpressed, then spoke.
“Are you going to cling to such rules even on the battlefield? You’re just like the Alliance bastards.”
“!!”
“I’ve heard so much about you that I was curious to see how great you were, but you’re just a soft little brat raised in comfort.”
Christian’s brow twitched.
‘What kind of nonsense is that?’
Even so, since this was their first meeting, he tried to suppress his irritation—but then a different thought crossed his mind.
‘No... do I really need to hold back?’
Christian looked into Marquis Shupen’s eyes.
Cold, sharply focused eyes.
A gaze that was testing him.
‘He’s not provoking me for no reason. He’s trying to see how I’ll react to his jabs.’
This was an important moment.
How he responded here would drastically affect his future relationship with Shupen.
‘Just bowing meekly definitely isn’t the right answer.’
Chris finished his mental calculations.
“I wasn’t aware that following the regulations His Majesty the Demon Emperor has decreed is something to be criticized. Or perhaps Your Excellency believes your own judgment stands above His Majesty’s laws?”
“!!”
Unlike his initial polite tone, his words now carried a sharp edge.
Those around them collectively held their breath.
Chris continued firmly.
“Besides, I don’t see how drinking or not drinking alcohol is such an important matter. Isn’t what matters as a Magian something entirely different?”
It was a veiled rebuke toward Marquis Shupen for nitpicking over something so trivial.
The air around them instantly froze—but Shupen responded in an unexpected way.
Instead of displeasure, a faint look of approval flashed in his eyes.
Chris hadn’t seen it wrong.
It was clear that Shupen hadn’t disliked what he’d just said.
But only for a moment.
Then Shupen said something completely unexpected.
“You speak well. Since you’ve said so much, I suppose I have no choice. I was going to offer you a drink in celebration of your appointment to the Dark Magic Corps.”
“!!”
Chris’s eyes widened.
‘What did he just say? A drink? Did I hear that right?’
He had definitely said he’d offer him a drink!
‘What is going on? A chance to drink has actually come to me?!’
Suddenly, Shupen looked like an angel in his eyes.
Of course, there was probably some hidden motive behind Shupen offering him a drink—but who cared?
He was going to get to drink!
“Well then, I’ll be off.”
Chris quickly stopped Marquis Shupen.
“Please wait just a moment!”
And he began to work his silver tongue.