Chapter 152
An astonishing revelation.
The ruler of the Southern Magic Kingdom—the Demon King of Clearstream—was actually a fallen High Elf.
Once the queen of the Fairy race, she had long ago sold her soul to a devil, taken refuge in the Magus Empire, and earned the title Demon King of Clearstream.
But for the Demon King of Clearstream to come meet Yulian in person? Why?
[Didn’t you ask me? To use my authority to prevent your identity from being exposed to the Four Kings Star.]
“…But I didn’t expect you to come in person.”
[Hehe. It’s true, I could’ve exercised my power through you as a medium, so there was no need to come myself. I just came because I was worried. You're a child I care for deeply. Are you all right?]
Yulian quietly shook her head.
“I’m fine.”
[Truly?]
“……”
Yulian fell silent.
The Demon King of Clearstream slowly approached her.
Clatter. Each step echoed with the sound of metal chains dragging.
She raised her hand and gently stroked Yulian’s head.
[Poor child. Steady your heart.]
“…You don’t need to worry. I truly am fine.”
[Good. That’s how it should be. You have a rightful ‘reason’ to be angry at the Dark Demonic House, don’t you? One strong enough to sell your soul to a devil.]
“……”
Yulian bit her lip hard—hard enough for blood to seep out.
[Besides, I didn’t help you out of mere pity. Now then, will you truly be able to drench the Dark Demonic House in blood, just as you promised me?]
Yulian gave a resolute nod.
“Yes. I can do it. No—I will do it. Because that’s the only reason I’m still alive.”
The Demon King of Clearstream smiled with satisfaction.
[Good. I trust you. Ah, there’s something that might be helpful to you.]
“What is it?”
[A discreet message came from the Central Region. A calamity is soon to strike the Dark Demonic House.]
The “Central Region.”
It referred to the imperial domain under direct control of the Demon Emperor.
“A calamity?”
[It’s a code word used in the capital for arrogant, irreverent scoundrels who don’t obey even His Majesty the Demon Emperor. They’re such lunatics that even the Central Region has given up trying to control them and merely watches from a distance. At any rate, this won’t be a bad thing for you.]
The Demon King of Clearstream smiled slightly.
[The ones they're targeting are Marquis Shupen and Young Lord Christian. Both of them were major obstacles to your plans—so isn’t this fortunate? Neither of them will escape death.]
“……”
For a moment, Yulian felt her heart sink heavily.
[Or… would you prefer to exclude Christhian from their target list so that you can kill him with your own hands?]
“…No.”
Yulian shook her head.
She harbored a deep hatred toward the Dark Demonic House.
So much so that simply being born with their blood drove her to self-harm whenever she was alone.
Strangely, however, Christian didn’t evoke that same feeling of disgust.
They didn’t have any special relationship, so even she couldn’t understand why.
‘But even so, I have to kill him.’
Perhaps it would be better to let him die through this incident.
* * *
Christian arrived at the Marquisate of Shupen.
The Marquisate of Shupen was located in the northeastern region of the Dark Demonic House’s territory.
It sat adjacent to the “Wall,” the border with the Four Kings Star.
‘The real threat to the Dark Demonic House has never been Gold Cross, but the Four Kings Star.’
Most of the Dark Demon Army was also deployed to guard against the Four Kings Star.
‘The size of this fortress is incredible.’
Christian wore a faintly impressed expression.
If the Baren Castle of his main family resembled a splendid urban estate, then this place gave the impression of a massive fortress.
The discipline of the demonic soldiers standing guard was utterly impeccable.
‘So these are the Dark Demon Army.’
Christian surveyed the line of soldiers standing atop the ramparts.
‘Just like I’d heard—every single one of them has mastered dark mana. For a single house to command such a force…’
The Dark Demon Army numbered ten thousand.
An astonishing figure for a single noble house to command.
Even more shocking was the fact that this entire force consisted of soldiers who had mastered dark mana.
‘Even if it were just ten thousand ordinary soldiers, it’d be a formidable military force. But for every one of them to wield dark mana… Of course, most are only at 1-star, but still, that’s no small feat.’
Regular soldiers were 1-star.
Veterans were 2-star.
Squad leaders were 3-star.
Centurions were 4-star.
Deputy commanders were 5-star.
The five generals at the top were 6-star.
That was the hierarchy of the Dark Demon Army.
The greatest military force the Dark Demonic House prided itself on.
Compared to other prestigious mage houses, they severely lacked 7-star or higher elite demonic beings—but this army was the reason no one dared take the Dark Demonic House lightly.
“You’ve returned.”
Once inside the fortress, a man with sharp features, bearing a striking resemblance to Marquis Shupen, came out to greet them.
Not just his appearance—the force radiating from him was intense.
Christian instantly recognized who he was.
‘One of the Five Generals—and the eldest son of Marquis Shupen, Baron Sanin.’
Marquis Shupen had married far earlier than Marquis Langham.
So his children had long since reached adulthood.
His eldest son was in his mid-thirties and had recently broken through to the 6-star rank, becoming one of the proud Five Generals of the Dark Demon Army.
‘Reaching 6-star in his thirties… He’s no less talented than Ashid.’
Ashid had reached upper 4-star in his early twenties.
Had he continued to grow steadily, he likely would’ve reached 6-star by his thirties—meaning they were comparable in potential.
If he were a direct descendant, he would be more than qualified to aim for the title of Archduke.
Perhaps because of that, the way Sanin looked at Christian wasn’t exactly pleasant.
“Your Excellency, who is this boy?”
“This is Prince Christian of the main house. He has come for the succession trial. Sanin, guide him to the residence of the family estate.”
“Why the estate and not the barracks?”
He asked in a subtly sharp tone.
“I have not yet accepted Prince Christian into the Dark Demon Army.”
Until Christian was formally acknowledged, he would be treated not as a soldier but as a guest.
“Understood.”
“Then I’ll take my leave. I’m entrusting the Prince to you.”
Once the two of them were left alone, Baron Sanin spoke to Christian.
“Prince Christian, please wait a moment. I will have a carriage prepared.”
“There’s no need for a carriage. I can ride a horse.”
That would be an unnecessary courtesy.
However—
“We cannot treat an esteemed guest from the main house carelessly. Especially when the Prince is counted among the candidates for succession, no less. And this is a border region; unlike the main estate, the roads here are not well-maintained. It would be inconvenient for someone of your standing to travel on horseback, so I’ll escort you by carriage.”
“!!”
Christian slightly furrowed his brow.
‘Look at this guy.’
At a glance, his words might seem courteous.
But this was mockery.
As if Christian were some delicate flower who couldn’t even travel a road by himself.
And it wasn’t an overinterpretation.
You could see it in his eyes.
Baron Sanin’s gaze was laced with contempt toward Christian.
And he didn’t seem to care to hide it—his expression was outright.
‘It’s been a while since I’ve gotten a look like that. Well, he has enough talent to be that arrogant, I suppose.’
Becoming a 6-star in his thirties—while not enough to be called a “true” genius—was still talent that wouldn’t be looked down upon in any house.
He would almost certainly reach 7-star eventually, and perhaps even aim for 8-star.
‘To him, a brat who hasn’t even reached 5-star acting all proud as a Prince of the main house must be an eyesore. Especially since I was originally a collateral branch member like him—he probably holds an even deeper grudge.’
But that didn’t mean Christian was going to sympathize with him.
After all, he was someone who would eventually be forced to kneel before him.
“There’s no need for a carriage. I’ll go by horse.”
“That would be inappropriate.”
Christian’s tone changed.
“Didn’t I just say I’m fine with it?”
“!!”
Baron Sanin’s eyes hardened.
“Or are you saying you find my words laughable?”
“…That’s not what I meant.”
“Funny, because your attitude seems full of dissatisfaction with me.”
“……”
Christian let out a short scoff.
“Pick a side. If you’re going to treat me as the Prince of the main house, then show proper respect. If not, then bare your fangs properly. What is that half-hearted attitude? That’s not very demon-like of you. What, are you testing the waters like those Union bastards?”
“……”
Like those Union bastards.
That was an insult on par with cursing someone’s parents. Especially to a prideful demon like Sanin.
Christian could see Sanin clenching his fists until they turned white, but he didn’t stop talking.
“If you’re so reluctant, you don’t need to force yourself to treat me as the main house’s Prince. I’ve already been assigned to the Dark Demon Army anyway.”
“…That won’t do.”
“Oh yeah? You’ll regret that.”
Christian looked at Sanin with a crooked smirk.
“Once I become Deputy Commander, I fully intend to treat you like a subordinate. You’ll regret every bit of arrogance you’re showing me now.”
“!!”
Sanin’s crimson eyes were brimming with fury.
“The day you become Deputy Commander will never come. You do know the rules for attaining a position in the Dark Demon Army, don’t you?”
“Ah, of course I do. You mean how one must defeat at least one of the Five Generals in battle to qualify, right?”
Christian continued.
“How about a bet? Let’s say two months from now—I’ll see if I can take down one of the Five Generals.”
“!!”
Sanin looked dumbfounded.
“What kind of nonsense—?”
“I think it’s possible, though?”
Christian tilted his head with a crooked grin.
“Seeing you, the Five Generals don’t seem that impressive. I think two months is enough to beat one.”
“!!”
Sanin’s face flushed as if it were about to burst.
Now he was truly angry.
“You’ll regret saying that.”
“So you’re accepting the bet, right? Then let’s set the terms. You’ll put up your General’s title. I’ll wager my Prince’s title.”
“!!”
“If you lose, you hand over your position as General to me. If I lose, I’ll forfeit my title as Prince.”
Defeating one of the Five Generals didn’t automatically make one Deputy Commander.
That was just the minimum qualification.
Separate merits were needed to officially be appointed Deputy Commander.
Still, it wasn’t like he could start from the very bottom—beginning with the rank of General would be appropriate.
Of course, only if he could win.
“Forfeit the title of Prince? Are you joking?”
Sanin growled harshly.
“I’m not joking. Seems you forgot—I’m in the middle of the succession trial. If I can’t even manage this much, then I’m better off giving up the title altogether.”
“……”
Sanin shut his mouth.
His eyes were filled with mixed confusion.
But only for a moment.
“Don’t expect any leniency. You’ll regret today’s decision.”
“I won’t show you any mercy either. Just don’t cry when you lose your position. I’d be a bit uncomfortable watching a thirty-something-year-old big brother cry.”
“…You—!”
Christian shrugged and said,
“That’s enough talk. Weren’t you supposed to show me to my quarters? While we’re at it, guide me to the best room in the mansion. Oh, and for meals—premium-grade beef only. Preferably sirloin cuts.”
“……”
“What are you standing there for? Hurry up and lead the way.”