Chapter 234
“You guys in the merchant guild should have a rough idea where the House of Medical Saint’s Taebong Mountain is located within the White Mountain Range, right?”
“As I said, it’s only a rough estimate. It’s hidden by a legend-grade formation. We can’t even approach it.”
Chris nodded in understanding.
“I’ve got a way around that. Come on, let’s head for the White Mountain Range. Use your spatial teleportation artifact.”
For reference, Ruina possessed a legendary artifact that allowed her to traverse vast distances, crossing from the Magus Empire to the Alliance with ease.
Time was of the essence, so Chris planned to make use of that artifact’s power.
“One million rupels per jump.”
“……”
“I told you, this thing costs money every time I use it! Sir Evan, could you not look at me like I’m some greedy little rat? Ugh, whatever, both of you, hold hands!!”
Fwoosh!
With Ruina’s grumbling and bickering as background noise, the teleportation activated.
* * *
When they opened their eyes, they were in the White Mountain Range.
A spatial leap of this distance… definitely a top-tier artifact.
Chris let out a low whistle.
That said, Ruina’s artifact wasn’t without limitations.
If I recall correctly, it channels the power of a Constellation, so each time it’s used, she has to offer a tribute to the Constellation, right?
And oddly enough, that tribute was always gems.
The farther the teleportation distance, the more expensive the gems needed as offerings.
Only someone like Ruina could manage using this artifact. Or… maybe not?
Over by the side, Ruina was clutching her head, screaming, “Gyaaah! That was way too expensive!! Damn you, you greedy Constellation!!”
Ruina hated losing money more than she hated losing her life, so every teleportation probably felt like having her skin peeled off.
“What now? I don’t see anything.”
Evan, currently in hiding and wearing a mask, asked while scanning the snow-covered landscape.
Just as he said, there was nothing around them but vast mountains and endless white snow.
“We’re in the right place. This is Taebong Mountain. The House of Medical Saint is nearby, just hidden from sight.”
“A formation?”
“Yeah. A massive legend-grade concealment formation covers this entire area.”
A legend-grade formation.
That meant a spell imbued with the power of a Constellation or a demon.
It wasn’t even comparable to the formation of the Venomous Demonic House. Even Chris couldn’t break a legend-grade formation.
Passing through the Life Gate might work… but that would take a lot of time.
And time wasn’t something he had.
“So what are we going to do?”
“If we can’t find them… then it’s simple, we’ll make them come to us.”
“…What are you planning?”
Chris smirked.
“You know how to catch a rabbit hiding in a burrow?”
“Don’t tell me...”
“That’s right. You smoke it out.”
Chris glanced around.
No matter where he looked, all he could see was snow. Not exactly the best environment to start a fire.
“No fire? Then I’ll just cause some other kind of trouble.”
He raised his demonic energy and shouted at the top of his lungs.
“Hey, people of the House of Medical Saint! The great Christian has arrived, show yourselves immediately!!!!!!”
Show yourselves.
Show yourselves.
Show yourselves.
His voice echoed off the mountains.
Of course, no one appeared.
Instead...
Rumble.
The thick snow covering the mountain began to crack.
It was the harbinger of an avalanche!
Evan and Ruina both went pale.
“You… did you just?”
“Are you insane?!”
“Well, if they don’t want to get buried alive, they’ll show up. Want me to yell again?”
Even a legend-grade formation only served to hide the location from the outside, it wouldn’t protect against a natural disaster.
If an avalanche struck, everything would be swept away.
“I know you’re watching from inside. If you don’t want to be buried under tons of snow, I’d suggest you come out now.”
Chris summoned more of his demonic energy.
Thick, dark energy resembling black smoke began to rise into the air.
Ever since the Holy Grail duel, his core capacity had expanded. The power radiating from him now was overwhelming.
If he roared again while infused with that demonic force, it would truly trigger a catastrophe.
Just as he was about to unleash it...
“Wait! Stop!!”
Fwoosh!
Suddenly, a group of people appeared.
Knights, swords drawn.
“The Knights Hospitaller, House of Medical Saint’s armed force.”
They were well-known: warriors trained in both swordsmanship and the healing martial art known as Medical Energy.
There weren’t many of them here, though.
“Looks like the main forces were deployed to Kalbern Kingdom.”
Still, they weren’t to be taken lightly.
The man leading them was a 6-star Master-class knight.
“I am Lawson, commander of the Knights Hospitaller. What business does a mage from the Dark Demonic House have here?”
“I’ve got no interest in talking to a foot soldier. Bring out your Sect Leader.”
“…What did you say?”
“Sorry, I don’t have time to waste on small talk. Or should I call her out loudly instead?”
“!!”
It was a direct threat, he’d shout again and bring on the avalanche.
The knights of the House of Medical Saint radiated killing intent. But none dared to make a move.
Because it was clear: Chris was absolutely crazy enough to go through with it.
At that moment, a clear voice rang out.
“Apologies, but the Head of the House is currently ill and cannot receive visitors.”
“!!”
“My name is Ella. If you have business, please address it to me as the acting head.”
She was a girl with white hair and blue eyes, her expression firm and composed.
Christian’s eyes lit up with recognition.
‘The 26th Head of the House of Medical Saint!’
In his previous life, she was the former head who had passed down the position to him.
‘She’s young. Then again, when I met her back then, quite some time had already passed.’
Not just her age, the impression she gave was different too.
Back then, even as she lay dying, she had radiated a strong will befitting the one who led the entire house.
But now, while she did appear resolute, there was an undeniable sense of immaturity.
He even caught a glimpse of anxiety flickering in her eyes.
“I am Christian, the Archduke of the Dark Demonic House.”
“I know you are the rising star of the Dark Demonic House. Please state your business. Have you come because of the Kalbern Kingdom incident?”
Ella lowered her head with a heavy expression.
“It’s shameful to admit, but we’re currently unable to take any action regarding that matter. Some of the disciples violated house doctrine while the Head was bedridden. I’ve already issued a recall order, but they’re ignoring it.”
“Why would they commit such an act?”
“That is…”
“Is it over the succession to the Head’s position?”
“!!”
Ella flinched slightly, then nodded.
“As expected of the Dark Demonic House’s rising star, your wisdom truly lives up to the rumors. Yes. This entire situation was caused by my sister, Michelle, the Saintess of Medicine, out of ambition.”
Ella continued with a bitter tone.
“She wasn’t selected as the next Head. So she’s trying to build merit through this incident and use it as leverage to claim the position for herself.”
So this was the root of the upheaval in the House of Medical Saint.
Christian nodded slightly.
‘This incident will become the catalyst that shakes the entire house. From here on, they’ll gradually lose their influence.’
Ella let out a weary sigh.
“As the acting head, I apologize for the misguided actions of our disciples. However, if you’ve come to demand retribution in blood, I ask that you understand, we cannot simply sit back and take it.”
It seemed they had assumed Christian came seeking blood.
The knights of the Hospitaller Order around her surged with tense energy.
But then, Christian spoke something entirely unexpected.
“No, that’s not why I’m here.”
“…What do you mean?”
“My purpose is something entirely different.”
Christian smirked slightly.
“I’ve come to teach your House of Medical Saint a lesson in the healing arts.”
“!!”
Everyone present looked stunned, as if they hadn’t heard him right.
Who was he claiming to teach the healing arts to?
But Christian, completely serious, continued speaking.
“In fact, I’m quite accomplished in medicine myself. This great me shall personally bestow precious instruction upon you frogs in a well.”
“…That joke goes too far.”
Ella narrowed her eyes.
“Of course, here at the House of Medical Saint, we do not reject wisdom freely offered. We even show our gratitude with formal compensation.”
It was a long-standing tradition of the House.
When an outsider provided knowledge that helped treat patients, or when they cured a patient the House had failed to treat, they were compensated accordingly.
“But you don’t appear to be the type of person worthy of that. I suggest you stop this nonsense and leave.”
Ella’s voice was cold, but then she was forced to fall silent by Christian’s next words.
“What if I heal your master?”
“…What did you just say?”
Christian flashed a sly grin.
“If I can treat your master, someone no one in your House has been able to cure, then that would prove my medical skills are unmatched, wouldn’t it?”
* * *
Silence fell over the chamber.
Ella let out a small scoff, then spoke with a frosty tone.
“…I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that foolishness. Leave.”
“You should be grateful I’m offering to heal your House Head. You’ve already failed, haven’t you? Let me do it instead.”
“What?!”
Ella’s face stiffened.
“So that’s your intention… You’re here to mock the House of Medical Saint. This is your final warning. Leave at once.”
The knights of the Hospitaller Order flared with killing intent.
Christian simply shrugged.
“Well, this is troubling. I’m just trying to treat a patient, but you’re casting me out just because I’m a demon? I didn’t think the House of Medical Saint was this narrow-minded.”
“……”
“You once claimed even a demon could be embraced, so long as they had a sincere heart for saving lives. What happened to that?”
At his biting words, Ella bit her lip.
What Christian said was correct, but this time, she couldn’t accept it.
‘Every healer in the House of Medical Saint has already failed to treat Master. And now he says he can?’
It was impossible.
There could be no other motive than to insult their House.
But just then, a surprising voice cut in.
It was Evan.
“Wait. Calm yourself, Ella.”
“Who are you?! How dare you speak so casually to the acting head?!”
The knights snapped at him.
For reference, Evan was currently wearing a mask, so his face wasn’t visible.
“Hold on. Let him speak,”
Ella raised her hand to stop the knights.
It was a voice she found familiar.
“Who are you…?”
“It’s me. It’s been five years.”
At that voice, undeniably familiar, Ella’s eyes widened in shock.
“No way… Is it really you, Brother Van?”
“It is.”
To everyone’s surprise, the two already knew each other!
But it wasn’t so strange.
The House of Medical Saint and the House of Swordsmanship were among the most prominent families in the Alliance, they had maintained close ties for generations.
“But… why are you with that demon…?”
“There are circumstances. For now, will you trust me and have your knights stand down? I swear upon my sword, we mean no harm.”
Ella hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Though the knights resisted at first, when she gave a firm order, they had no choice but to back off.
Once it was just the few of them remaining, Evan removed his mask.
“It really is you, Brother Evan… You’re alive!”
“Yes. And it’s all thanks to Grand Duke Christian here. He’s the one who saved me.”
Ella’s eyes widened even further at that unexpected revelation.
“Ella, won’t you place your trust in Grand Duke Christian?”
“…You want me to trust that demon?”
“Yes. He’s not like the others. He carries a light more noble than any light I’ve ever known.”
Ella looked at him, stunned.
Christian blinked.
Even Ruina’s eyes widened slightly.
‘…What’s with him all of a sudden?’
‘…There he goes again. Has he gone blind?’
But Evan was entirely sincere.