Chapter 122
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: A Test of Worth
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Receiving a title didn't automatically guarantee becoming the Heir Apparent.
The point Marquis Langham was aiming for.
The reason this reward was a ‘poisoned chalice.’
“You understand the meaning of the title, I presume?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then do you also know what trial you must undergo?”
That was right.
The moment a successor received a title, they had to prove themselves worthy of being the head of the Dark Magic House.
It was a test.
A long and infamous tradition of the Dark Magic House.
“What the head of the Dark Magic House needs is the ability to manage both external and internal affairs. Therefore, the trial is divided into two parts. The first test is to elevate the prestige of the Dark Magic House against the Alliance scoundrels.”
Marquis Langham spoke coolly.
“The time limit is three months. Within that time, you must achieve a feat against those abominable Alliance bastards befitting the next head of the Dark Magic House.”
“!!”
The Majin who heard the declaration held their breath.
Just three months.
It was absurdly short.
And the conditions were even more impossible.
‘Befitting’ the next head of the Dark Magic House.
This wasn’t simply about achieving something as a successor.
One had to accomplish a feat truly worthy of the position of Head.
‘To meet that condition, you’d have to, at a minimum, take the head of an Alliance 7-Star Knight or achieve something on the level of leading us to victory in a war against the Alliance.’
A task impossible for the current Christian—no, for any successor.
This was why Eshid, despite being considered the next Heir Apparent, had not yet received a title.
Because of this brutal tradition, past successors of the Dark Magic House had only received their titles and taken the test after reaching at least 6-Star.
“Marquis.”
Nordian frowned, his gaze reproachful.
Marquis Langham bowed his head respectfully.
“Considering the abilities he has shown thus far, I judged Christian to be the talent who will lead the Dark Magic House in the future and bestowed this reward. If you, Lord Head, deem it improper, I will retract it.”
Nordian couldn’t say anything in response.
To step in here would go against his principle of not interfering in the family’s affairs.
Above all, this was not for Nordian to decide.
“…Christian, what are your thoughts? Will you accept the trial?”
Everyone in the hall looked at Christian.
They all expected Christian to refuse this trial.
After all, it was impossible with his current strength.
However, if he refused, he would be branded a coward who fled the succession trial.
A label that would be a considerable flaw in his bid to become the Heir Apparent.
‘But it’s still better to refuse.’
‘This is impossible.’
Just as everyone was thinking that.
Christian opened his mouth.
“I will accept the trial.”
“!!”
Everyone in the hall gasped.
Even Marquis Langham seemed surprised and asked again.
“Did you understand me correctly?”
“Yes, I did. Within three months, I must accomplish a feat against the Alliance worthy of the name of the next Head.”
Christian said in a strong voice.
“It is more than possible.”
“!!”
A voice filled with conviction.
Christian even took it a step further.
“I won’t even need three months. I will finish it within one.”
A stir went through the crowd.
Everyone looked at him as if he had gone mad.
‘Why is Young Lord Christian saying something so reckless?’
Some Majin clicked their tongues, thinking Christian had grown arrogant from his repeated successes.
“In return, I have one request.”
“What is it?”
“That from now until the end of the trial, should any conflict arise with the Alliance, my opinion will be given first consideration.”
“……”
Marquis Langham narrowed the eye behind his monocle.
He couldn't fathom what scheme that audacious brat was plotting now.
However.
‘Considering the incident that will soon occur at Gold Cross, it doesn’t matter what scheme he’s plotting.’
Marquis Langham knew what kind of terrible event was unfolding at Gold Cross.
The moment that brat Christian overstepped his bounds and acted rashly, he would be swept up in the tide and become a dead man.
“I accept your terms. A grand banquet will soon be held to celebrate your appointment, so be prepared.”
And so, the Judgment Duel that had completely upended the succession structure of the Dark Magic House came to a close.
Eshid had fallen completely and faded into the background, while Christian had emerged as the undisputed center of the succession race.
But the succession competition was not over.
No, in a way, it was just the real beginning.
Because he had yet to truly face his most powerful rival.
‘Princess Yurian.’
Just then, his eyes met with the First Princess, Yurian, in the distance.
She gave Chris a gentle smile.
A beautiful smile, as if celebrating her younger brother’s victory.
But why?
Chris found her far more threatening than someone like Eshid, who was merely loud on the outside.
‘In terms of danger, she’s on par with Sherard.’
This wasn’t just about strength.
Sherard’s danger level was low compared to the power he possessed.
He was too engrossed in the pleasure of slaughter, which left him with many openings.
Yurian was the opposite.
You never knew when a fatal dagger might fly from that smiling face.
And on top of that, there was Marquis Langham, who was now beginning to bare his fangs at him in earnest.
The higher he climbed, the more powerful the enemies that awaited him.
‘It will be the same from now on.’
Would it be over once he surpassed Marquis Langham?
Not a chance.
From the Poison Demon of the Extreme Poison House,
the Fallen Ruin of the Destruction House,
the Demon King of the Clear Stream,
the lords of the Four Kings Castle,
the Demon King of Bloodletting,
And then.
perhaps even the ultimate cause of all this, the first of the Demonic Path, the ‘Mystic House.’
Until Chris finally reached the pinnacle of the Magitech Empire, he would endlessly face powerful foes.
‘Later problems can wait. For now, resolving the Gold Cross tragedy comes first.’
The tragic news would soon reach the Dark Magic House as well.
Thinking that far, Chris suddenly let out a heavy sigh.
‘Ugh. It really never ends. When the hell do I get to rest!’
It had always been tough after his regression, but lately, it felt like there wasn’t a single moment to rest.
‘Just wait until all this is over. I’ll laze around without lifting a single finger and enjoy all the riches and glory in the world!’
Chris looked up at the sky and shouted his dream.
Just then, the sun was setting.
The twilight seemed to taunt Chris, telling him he still had a long way to go.
***
Two days later.
A banquet was held.
As it was a celebration of Christian's appointment, the new leading figure of the Dark Magic House, countless people flocked to the event.
“Ohoho. To think so many people have come to see the Young Master in his magnificent form. This girl’s heart is simply overflowing.”
“……”
Chris stared, bewildered, at the cute-looking girl standing next to him.
Yes, a ‘girl.’
Not a ghostly form.
Mari had appeared in a human body!
“You, how did you materialize?”
“Ohoho. As my master, the Young Master, has grown stronger, I too have become able to use some of my abilities.”
Mari smiled sweetly.
It was a cute and lovely smile, unbecoming of a ghost.
Her appearance was that of a pure and delicate beauty.
“Which means I can now serve the Young Master ‘properly’ with this body. Ohoho. You may look forward to it every night.”
“…Like hell I’ll look forward to it.”
“Ohoho. You look so cute and lovely when you’re embarrassed. I will serve you every night with all my heart and passion, so please look forwa— Aah.”
*Psssssh.*
With the sound of air escaping, Mari’s body wavered like smoke and reverted to her transparent, ghostly form.
[…It seems the duration is still quite short. I am sorry, you must have been greatly looking forward to it. Serving you at night will only be possible once the Young Master becomes a little stronger.]
“…I wasn’t looking forward to that crap. Stop with the weird jokes.”
[Ohoho. A joke? My wondrous feelings for the Young Master are always sincere. You too, Young Master, should fight on to grow stronger faster, in anticipation of this girl’s passionate nightly service.]
Chris shook his head, looking fed up.
Just like a banshee, she was talking like a virgin ghost.
‘Still, materialization. I knew she wasn’t an ordinary banshee, but…’
Mari’s materialization just now was not something to be taken lightly.
The ability to manifest one’s essence in the physical world was something only the highest-level spiritual beings could do.
Perhaps Mari was a being of a far higher class than Chris had anticipated.
‘Anyway, I want a drink. I’m the guest of honor at this banquet, yet I’m stuck with ginger ale again.’
Christian scowled at the ginger ale in his hand.
Everyone else was drinking and having a good time, but in the banquet hall, only Chris was stuck with non-alcoholic ginger ale.
‘When the hell can I start drinking! Why are Majin so damn old-fashioned!’
As he was sighing heavily and sipping his ginger ale, people began to flock to Christian.
“Young Lord, congratulations.”
“I am Count Lloyd. I was most impressed by the recent duel. Thanks to an outstanding individual like you, Young Lord, the future of the Dark Magic House seems bright.”
“I am Baron Enya. I look forward to being in your good graces.”
They all came and bowed their heads.
A starkly different scene from the previous banquet.
It was a scene that showed Christian had become the undisputed power within the Dark Magic House.
However, the tide hadn’t completely turned in Christian’s favor yet.
Because Yurian still remained.
‘She may not command a faction like that brat Eshid did, but that doesn’t mean Princess Yurian can be underestimated.’
Chris glanced over at Princess Yurian.
As always, Princess Yurian was treating people warmly with her unchanging expression.
That was Princess Yurian’s strength.
Her popularity, loved by all.
There was no one in the Dark Magic House who disliked Princess Yurian.
Unseen, her influence spread throughout the entire Dark Magic House.
‘Most importantly, Marquis Langham will now start backing Princess Yurian in earnest.’
For that reason, there were also Majin who thought this way.
It was an open secret that the Old Lord was discreetly supporting Christian.
But how much longer could the Old Lord live?
A few years at most.
He might not even last that long.
What would happen then?
‘The moment the Old Lord’s life ends, Young Lord Christian is finished.’
The one who blocked Marquis Langham’s succession to the Headship was the Old Lord.
But if the Old Lord dies?
There would be no one left to stop Marquis Langham.
Marquis Langham would ascend to the Headship himself, and it was unlikely he would let Christian live peacefully.
Thus, the smarter ones came to a conclusion.
Christian’s storm was temporary, so they had to be cautious about choosing sides.
For that reason, the atmosphere in the banquet hall was divided.
Those who were enthralled by Christian’s recent performance and supported him.
And those who looked to the distant future and chose Yurian.
An invisible tension naturally flowed through the banquet, but Christian thought of it dismissively.
‘Well, it’s the scene I expected. Anyway, it’s about time the news of the Gold Cross tragedy arrived.’
Chris’s gaze lowered.
‘It’s already in motion.’
The news will reach the Dark Magic House now.