Chapter 375

As soon as Nordian appeared, he examined Christian.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

“No, Grandfather.”

“Honestly, you whelp.”

Nordian frowned deeply.

As always, his grandson was reckless beyond compare.

“That’s enough. Let’s talk after we take care of that bag of bones first.”

Nordian strode forward.

“The two of us should be enough.”

[…You whelps.]

The Lord of the Four Kings' Castle ground his teeth.

[How arrogant. I am not the same person I once was. I have ascended to the throne of a perfect Demon King.]

Christian, too, was a 9-Star (advancing), as was Nordian.

Generally, even if two 9-Star (advancing) were to combine their strength, they would be no match for a low 9-Star.

That is, if it were ‘generally’ speaking.

“I wonder who is mistaken.”

Paat!

Nordian emitted his presence.

A deep, dark demonic energy confronted the turbid, white death demonic energy of the Lord of the Four Kings' Castle.

The problem was the result.

He was not pushed back.

Even though Nordian’s demonic energy should have been no match for it.

Nordian, with the face of a small child, twisted the corner of his mouth. It was an insufferable expression that somehow resembled Chris’s.

“Is it not natural that this body’s great dark demonic energy would be superior to the likes of your lowly and dirty demonic energy?”

It was due to the compatibility of their demonic energies.

Dark demonic energy possessed an attribute superior to all other demonic energies. It was the same for death demonic energy.

Of course, if the gap in class was severe, this advantage would be meaningless, but.

“Did you think I was just playing around all this time? To be so proud of just having ascended to a low 9-Star. And on top of that, using a heretical method.”

[You whelp… don’t tell me?]

The voice of the Lord of the Four Kings' Castle trembled faintly.

Only then did he notice the change in Nordian.

The Lord of the Four Kings' Castle was not the only one who had grown stronger.

Nordian, too, had grown in the time he had not been seen.

‘I haven’t fully ascended to a low 9-Star, but I’ve gotten very close.’

In other words, the difference between the Lord of the Four Kings' Castle and Nordian right now was only a paper-thin one.

“Grandfather, this is a hassle, so let’s take care of him quickly.”

Christian stepped up to Nordian’s side.

Paaaaaaaat!

A sublime dark demonic energy of a different nature from Nordian’s, one that ruled over even light, flowed out.

Two types of dark demonic energy were directed at the Lord of the Four Kings' Castle.

[You whelps….]

The Lord of the Four Kings' Castle ground his teeth.

But he could neither do this nor that.

He knew. That if they were to fight like this, his defeat would be certain.

But he could not avoid a fight, either.

Because if the Demon King of Silver Snow were to be released, he would absolutely not be able to escape death.

A flash of contemplation passed, and then.

[Since it has come to this, I have no choice. Do not resent me. It is all your fault that things have come to this.]

After an unknown warning, he took an unexpected action.

[O, Mystic One! I will follow your proposal, so lend me your strength!!]

“!!”

The complexions of Christian, Nordian, and Idrinne, who was with them, hardened.

“Don’t tell me?”

“…I believe it is so.”

Fwaaak! A wicked presence rushed in from across the dark labyrinth.

Thump.

Along with low footsteps, four figures revealed themselves.

All of them had terrible appearances.

Wings covered in a membrane, eyes slit like a snake’s, the horns of a magical beast.

They were human, yet they possessed an appearance like that of the demon tribe.

They were the demonic beings of the Mystic Demonic House!

‘As expected, the whelps of the Mystic Demonic House were on standby.’

Chris’s gaze sank.

He had not thought they would just stand by while the Four Kings' Castle fell.

However, the reason they had not revealed themselves until now was because the Mystic Demonic House, too, had its own schemes.

[Lord of the Four Kings' Castle. If we help you, will you swear to hand over everything in the Four Kings' Castle to our Mystic Demonic House?]

The Lord of the Four Kings' Castle ground his teeth and answered.

[…I swear.]

[Very well. The contract has been established.]

The one standing at the front nodded his head.

Unlike the others, he was a handsome youth with a neat appearance. If it weren’t for the four wings on his back, he would be considered an ordinary human.

[In the name of our Mystic, all the rats of the Dark Alliance that have set foot in the Four Kings' Castle will return to the embrace of the great Gehenna.]

An arrogant story.

But neither Christian nor Nordian could dismiss that story as a bluff.

‘An Archbishop. To think such a big shot would come.’

The Mystic Demonic House was a group of devil worshippers, so all of its members received the blessing of a devil.

Among them, the particularly strong ones were the high-ranking priests, referred to as Cardinals, Bishops, Archbishops, and High Priests.

‘Usually, Cardinals are 8-Star (mid) or higher, Bishops are 8-Star (high) or higher, and Archbishops are 9-Star (advancing) or higher.’

In other words, that youth’s power was at the level of a 9-Star (advancing) Lesser Demon King.

In a single breath, the tables had been turned.

‘The other three are all Cardinals and Bishops, too.’

Nordian frowned.

“I’ll have to call the others who are outside as quickly as possible.”

He was referring to the heads of the Destruction Demonic House and the Extreme Poison Demonic House.

“That will be difficult. The Mystic Demonic House has likely already set up a barrier around this area, so they will not be able to come until the fight is over.”

"...Then at least you should run away."

"Why would I run away?"

Chris said nonchalantly.

"We are going to win."

"!!"

The Lord of the Four Kings' Castle and the magi of the Mystic Demonic House wore dumbfounded expressions.

Nordian and Idrinne were the same.

Far from winning, it was a situation with no chance of victory.

"Grandfather, do you really think I wouldn't have anticipated a situation like this?"

"...No, if it's you, you would have."

Yes, everyone had expected that a magus from the Mystic Demonic House would appear.

The reason they had still carried out this plan was simple.

Because they were confident they would win.

"I will eliminate that Archbishop whelp in an instant and then join you. Then it will be our victory."

Chris knew.

That even if the Mystic Demonic House were to support the Four Kings' Castle, no one higher than an Archbishop could step forward.

Because the time of the Mystic Demonic House had not yet come.

As long as a 'High Priest' class did not step forward, they could win as much as they wanted.

"Please hold off the Lord of the Four Kings' Castle for just a moment, Grandfather. Idrinne, you take care of the other riff-raff. I will deal with this as quickly as possible."

The youth of the Mystic Demonic House, the Archbishop, wore a look of disbelief.

[As expected of the great vessel. Your confidence, at least, is quite something.]

"It seems you're the ones who are overflowing with confidence."

Chris raised the corner of his mouth.

"No, seeing as you can't even recognize your opponent, are you just stupid? I don't think you'll last five moves against me."

[!!]

The Archbishop's face hardened coldly.

[I was planning to escort you as gently as possible, but it seems that won't be necessary.]

Fwoosh.

An eerie energy began to flow from the Archbishop's body.

It was Evil Energy (惡氣).

[In any case, now that it has come to this, the fact that you are the vessel is no longer important, so it should be fine to handle you a little roughly. Prepare yourself.]

An important piece of information slipped past the Archbishop's lips.

'As expected, those whelps have almost finished their preparations for the coming of the Age of Ruin.'

After vanquishing the Demon King of Dead Blood who had descended upon Idrinne before, he had guessed that the Mystic Demonic House whelps would prepare another alternative method.

Because besides using the 'vessel', the Mystic Demonic House had several other methods.

That was why Chris had also pushed himself to bring down the Four Kings' Castle as quickly as possible.

'After today, the Mystic Demonic House will likely show even more本格的な (honkakuteki na - full-scale/serious) movements.'

In any case, that was something to think about after the fight was over.

Paat, he unfolded his Dark Demonic Energy in response, and it clashed with the Evil Energy.

Idrinne and Nordian also moved.

"Leave it to me! I will help you with the power of friendship!"

"...Friendship? Who are you?"

"Grandfather! I am Christian's closest friend, Idrinne! I pay my respects! I have wanted to meet you for a long time! Seeing your cute... no, your gallant figure, my heart is overwhelmed! I will pay my proper respects after we have taken care of these riff-raff!"

"Kh-khm? I like your courteousness. Yes, let's take care of that bag of bones and then see."

[You whelps...! Are you ignoring me!!]

Idrinne faced the Bishops and Cardinals.

Nordian confronted the Lord of the Four Kings' Castle.

However, unlike their confident appearances, the two were immediately pushed into a defensive position.

Because both of their opponents were beyond their capabilities.

They had followed his words because they trusted Christian, but they would not be able to hold out for long.

But the biggest problem was not Idrinne and Nordian.

[How foolish. All of you, meet your end in despair.]

The one in the most dire situation was Christian.

Paaaat!

The Evil Energy pushed back Christian's Dark Demonic Energy.

Contrary to his bold words, he was being pushed back helplessly.

[To think a mere fledgling who has just reached the 9-Star (advancing) state would dare to face me.]

The Archbishop twisted his lips.

It was the same for the states below 9-Star, but even within the same 9-Star (advancing) state, the power varied greatly.

Christian was in a state where he had just reached 9-Star (advancing).

On the other hand, the Archbishop possessed the power of a mature 9-Star (advancing).

It was only natural that he would be superior.

Fwaak! Unable to withstand the Evil Energy, the Dark Demonic Energy was completely pushed back, and Chris's surrounding view changed.

The Archbishop had unfolded his Advent of Creation.

[The Abyss of Gehenna shall descend.]

An ashen world.

The terrible screams of those in pain.

It was the Advent of Creation used by the Archbishops of the Mystic Demonic House, 'Gehenna's Shadow'.

It possessed an authority that allowed the magi of the Mystic Demonic House to exert a power like that of a devil.

[I will not kill you. I will have you experience all the pain you can, annihilate your mind, and make you into a proper vessel.]

Chwararararak.

The Evil Energy materialized in the air, creating countless intangible scythes.

Ultimate Skill.

Scythe of the Devil.

Not only did it possess immense power, but it was also a powerful attack that made the opponent incapable of resisting by imbuing them with the terrible curse of Gehenna.

In a moment of life and death, a sudden, incomprehensible event occurred.

Chris raised the corner of his mouth.

A smile that did not fit the situation.

And.

The raging Scythes of the Devil came to a halt in mid-air, then, pasasak, turned to dust and scattered.

[…Why?]

The Archbishop let out a dazed question.

He had not grasped the situation.

In that moment, the surrounding scenery changed again.

Cracks began to form in the ashen world of Gehenna.

The Advent of Creation was collapsing!

Through the cracks, darkness welled up.

A deep, deep darkness.

Not just a simple darkness, but a wondrous darkness that held a brilliant light, looking down upon the entire world, pushed away the ashen world and filled the entire surroundings.

Chris's Advent of Creation, the 'Throne', had swallowed the Archbishop's Advent of Creation!

[H-how?]

"Why ask what you already know?"

Chris let out a smirk.

"Because my Advent of Creation is superior to yours."

An unbelievable story.

But it was the truth.

'Of course, that's not to say I'm stronger than him.'

As mentioned before, Christian had only just reached the 9-Star (advancing) state, so his overall power was far lacking.

However, when limited to the Advent of Creation, the story was different.

'Even when I was an 8-Star, my worldview was already comparable to a decent Advent of Creation.'

No matter how much of a difference in level there was, he, too, was ultimately just a 9-Star (advancing).

Compared to Chris's Advent of Creation, his was bound to be lacking.

'That's why I deliberately induced him to unfold his Advent of Creation.'