Chapter 194

“The reason the Demon King of Azure Flow has stepped in is simple. She plans to side with the Venomous Demonic House.”

Chris spoke calmly.

[And what makes you think that?]

Nordian, in the form of a young boy, posed the question.

Due to the gravity of the situation, he had sent a thought-form to the territory Chris was occupying.

“Because if not, then the Demon King of Azure Flow wouldn't have involved herself in something so trivial in the first place.”

Trivial.

It might seem inappropriate to call an incident that nearly killed thousands “trivial,” but it wasn’t far from the truth.

The Demon King of Azure Flow had stayed silent during far greater crises than this one.

Though the Demon Emperor’s general policy was noninterference, her disinterest had often gone beyond even that—bordering on neglect.

‘After all, the Demon King of Azure Flow has no real concern for carrying out the Demon Emperor’s will or for governing the Magus Empire properly.’

Chris shook his head as he recalled the Demon King’s true “objective.”

In his previous life, she had committed countless atrocities in pursuit of that goal.

Because of her, the Southern Demon Nation had been plunged into ruin, and they had been utterly helpless against the invasion of the Four Kings’ Castle.

[You think the Demon King of Azure Flow has a reason to support the Venomous Demonic House?]

“I don’t know the exact reason. But if I had to guess, perhaps the Venomous Demonic House made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. She’s already been indebted to them before—she often relies on their help because of her condition.”

After her fall from grace as the Fairy Queen, the Demon King of Azure Flow continued to suffer lingering aftereffects. She often sought assistance from the Venomous Demonic House to alleviate that pain.

[If what you say is true… this isn’t good. Even if she delivers a biased verdict, we’ll have no choice but to obey.]

Nordian’s voice grew heavy.

[In the worst case, she may even place the blame on you.]

It sounded absurd—but it wasn’t impossible.

If she refused to acknowledge the evidence Chris had presented and instead declared him responsible for the incident, the consequences would be disastrous.

[I’ll personally attend this negotiation.]

“Grandfather?”

[Even a Demon King wouldn’t be able to force something unreasonable on me.]

But Christian shook his head.

“There’s no need. I’ll lead the negotiation myself.”

[Is this because of the restriction on my body? Don’t worry about that. I won’t need to fight. I can endure one negotiation.]

“It’s not that.”

Chris smiled faintly.

“I need to do it myself—because only then can I drag Marquis Goras of the Venomous Demonic House down into the gutter where he belongs.”

Nordian flinched slightly.

[You?]

“In a way, this is a great opportunity. A chance to properly bring Marquis Goras to justice.”

Under normal circumstances…

It wouldn’t have been easy to achieve a satisfying outcome through negotiation alone.

After all, Marquis Goras was the highest authority within the Venomous Demonic House.

If the result of the agreement endangered him in any way, there was no chance he’d accept it willingly.

‘But now that the mediator is the Demon King of Azure Flow, things are different. Even Goras has no choice but to comply with her ruling.’

…Does Goras realize that yet?

He had no idea—

Just how foolish a choice he had made.

Of course, it wouldn’t be easy.

The Demon King of Azure Flow would undoubtedly take Marquis Goras’s side.

Chris had to overcome that and push her into delivering a ruling that condemned Marquis Goras.

[Do you really think you can pull this off?]

[The Demon King of Azure Flow is no pushover. She’s not as fair or righteous as the rumors claim. On the contrary—she hides a nature more terrifying than any other demon.]

As expected of Nordian.

He saw through the Demon King of Azure Flow completely.

[Besides, you have a weakness in this matter, don’t you?]

An unexpected remark—

But true nonetheless.

[Why did you fabricate evidence in the first place? Even if it was to resolve things quickly, that was careless.]

Before striking the Venomous Demonic House, Chris had intentionally foregone collecting real evidence, instead having Ruina fabricate false evidence to create justification for the attack.

Of course, after seizing their strongholds, he secured actual evidence.

However, if the Venomous Demonic House chose to fixate on the fake evidence, it could still become a serious issue.

Especially with the Demon King of Azure Flow—she might seize on that fabricated piece as an excuse to reject all of the legitimate evidence Chris had gathered later.

‘The Demon King of Azure Flow is looking for any excuse to side with the Venomous Demonic House. That fake evidence I created will serve as the perfect pretext for her.’

Nordian scowled.

[Those Venomous bastards aren’t amateurs. They’re especially crafty. They’ll definitely prove you tampered with the evidence.]

“Of course. That’s exactly what I was counting on.”

[You were counting on it? What do you mean—?]

Nordian’s eyes widened.

Chris was grinning.

“Surely you don’t think someone as brilliant as me wouldn’t have foreseen how this would all play out?”

[Wait, you mean—?]

“That’s right. That fake evidence… it was a trap I laid.”

The truth was—

Chris hadn’t had Ruina falsify the evidence just to justify the battle.

The real purpose had been to bait a trap.

‘It was obvious Marquis Goras would try to frame me… so I set the snare in advance.’

Marquis Goras was completely unaware.

The moment he tried to dig into the fake evidence to discredit Chris,

the trap would snap shut—

around his own neck.

‘I didn’t expect the Demon King of Azure Flow to personally step in… but that just makes things even better. If I use her, the trap will be perfect.’

Chris curled his lips into a sharp smile.

And then he turned to Nordian, who was staring at him in disbelief as if thinking, “What crazy plan is this lunatic scheming now?”

“Would you grant me a single request?”

[What is it?]

“Make the negotiation site the main estate of the Venomous Demonic House.”

[!!]

Absolutely outrageous.

In post-war negotiations, the choice of venue is often the first and fiercest battle of wills.

Naturally, both sides preferred their own home ground.

At present, both the Venomous Demonic House and the Dark Demonic House were insisting the talks be held on their own turf.

“It’s fine. No matter how nasty the bastards of the Venomous Demonic House are, they won’t dare lay a hand on me when I’m there as an official envoy.”

[That’s not the point. This is about the pride of both Houses.]

Usually, the weaker side is the one to lower their head and send envoys to the other’s territory.

If the power dynamic is even, the negotiations are held in a neutral zone.

So if Christian were to head to the Venomous Demonic House’s main estate as a delegate, it would carry the implication that he was surrendering first—something that was absolutely unacceptable.

“You don’t have to see it that way. I’m not going there to bow my head. I’m going there to trample them into the dirt.”

[!!]

“Wouldn’t it be far more satisfying to humiliate them at their own stronghold?”

Nordian was at a loss for words.

The sheer confidence, bordering on absurdity, left him speechless.

But Christian had never once failed to back up his words.

This time wouldn’t be any different.

[Fine. We’ll do as you say. But you’d better crush them—completely.]

His blood-red eyes flared with a chilling light.

[I’ll trust you with everything. Just make sure those bastards pay the proper price.]

In truth, no one was more furious about this incident than Nordian, the head of the Dark Demonic House—

even if he hadn't shown it on the surface.

“Those venomous scum dared to pull something like this on our House?”

It was unthinkable while Nordian still held power.

He was itching to flood the Venomous House in blood, but he restrained himself for the sake of the Dark House’s future.

“You needn’t worry.”

Christian gave a bold smile—

That mischievous, troublemaker kind.

“I’ll be bringing them a gift. So please, Grandfather… just wait for the good news.”

And just like that—

The final act of the operation began.

* * *

With the venue set as the main estate of the Venomous Demonic House, the envoy delegation departed.

Naturally, Christian was the one in charge.

[Ohohoho~! It’s been so long since we’ve had an outing together, young master. Oh, I’m positively tingling with excitement. Even those poisonous bugs in the grass seem to be celebrating our trip. Shall we sneak into that bush over there and share a steamy moment of love~?]

“…Stop saying weird things.”

[Ahh, the way you blush is just too precious. I missed your embrace so much while we were apart. I feel like kidnapping you right now and holding a wedding!]

“…Please don’t.”

Apparently thrilled to be out and about, Mari wagged her ghostly tail as she hovered around Christian.

[Still, I was a very good girl while I was away, you know. I diligently followed your instructions and served that idiot to the best of my ability. He seemed deeply… moved by my devotion.]

“…Yeah, he was moved. Just not in a good way.”

Christian shook his head as he recalled Hubert’s current state.

Whatever kind of mental assault he’d been subjected to, the poor Duke Hubert had practically become a half-broken shell of a man.

—“Aaaaaaah! I’ll do anything you say! Just please… please get that ghost away from me!!”

"Well, this works out. I’ve got an important use for her anyway."

Christian let Mari’s endless babbling drift in one ear and out the other as he surveyed his surroundings.

Since he was heading out as the representative of the Dark Demonic House, it was natural that an escort unit would accompany him.

But the makeup of the escort was surprising.

“They actually sent the Black Lion Knights with me?”

Christian’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.

They were the strongest knight order of the main family.

Leading them was Count Berkel, a high-ranking demon of 6-star Upper Rank.

One of the strongest among the regular demons of the Dark Demonic House.

“And he hasn’t taken Marquis Langham’s side… He’s still neutral.”

More precisely, his loyalty was solely to Lord Nordian.

“If I want to fully control the Dark Demonic House, I absolutely need to win him over. This might be a good opportunity.”

The problem was—it didn’t look easy.

He didn’t seem hostile toward Christian…

But he was excessively stoic.

Even when Christian tried to strike up a conversation, it went like this:

“Thank you for accompanying us on this long journey.”

“I only follow the Lord’s command.”

“Seeing the might of the Black Lion Knights makes me proud as Grand Duke. Your efforts are impressive.”

“I only follow the Lord’s command.”

“...Is there anything the order needs? It’s not much, but I’d like to support you in my role as Grand Duke.”

“No need. We simply follow the Lord’s command.”

“……”

There was no flow to the conversation.

‘…What a boring man.’

Just as Christian was about to give up and pull back, knowing private rapport wouldn’t be easily built—

“You don’t need to concern yourself with me, Your Grace. You are someone whom the Lord himself has acknowledged. We simply follow.”

Count Berkel finally spoke in his usual flat tone.

It was a statement fitting of someone who pledged loyalty only to the head of the house.

But Christian replied—

“I’m not looking for loyalty to the Lord. I want your loyalty—directly to me.”

“!!”

“Well, it might be a bit early for that now, but it doesn’t matter.”

Christian shrugged and flashed his trademark grin.

“Count Berkel—

You will, without a doubt, swear loyalty to me one day.”