Chapter 71
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: The Die is Cast
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‘If she had the ferocity of a beast to begin with, she never would have married into the Dark Magic House.’
Fresia had married Marquis Langham and come to the Dark Magic House out of a thirst for power.
She had hoped to take control of the family by becoming the wife of Marquis Langham, the most likely candidate for the next Head.
But her dream never came to fruition.
The Old Lord, Nordian, declared that he would not pass the position to Marquis Langham, but would instead select the next Head from the following generation.
Marquis Langham would never become the Head, destined to remain merely the Acting Head who handled the duties in his stead.
Frustrated, Fresia’s next target became her son, Maisac.
Even though she knew Maisac wasn't cut out for it, she never gave up and is still struggling to make him the Head.
A person who had lost a Majin's spirit, chasing only the lust for power.
Chris was not afraid of her.
He then said something that would provoke her even further.
“As family who share the same blood, may I say a word as well?”
“What is it?”
“I will give you a chance. To both you and Maisac.”
Chris shot her a crooked look.
It was a detestable glare, one that grated on a person's emotions.
“Have that whelp Maisac call me his elder brother and kneel before me, even now. If you do, then after I become Head in the future, I will at least spare his life. I’ll let him live managing the stables or something of the sort.”
“You!!”
Crash!!!
All the furniture in the room was destroyed.
Shattered into a million pieces, as if turned to dust.
It was a tremendous force.
A trickle of blood ran from Chris’s nose.
Unlike the auras of the powerful individuals he had met before, the force Fresia was now emitting was mixed with a killing intent that genuinely sought to end his life.
Naturally, he couldn't withstand it.
But Chris did not back down.
He stood tall and looked Fresia straight in the eye.
He knew.
Even if this killing intent was real.
Even if Fresia truly intended to kill him.
Still, she could never kill him.
Why?
Because she couldn't cross that line.
That was the limit of one who pursued only greed.
As expected, Fresia’s hand stopped dead in front of Chris’s neck.
If she extended her hand just one inch further, she could take his life, but she didn’t. No, she couldn't.
She simply ground her teeth and said.
“Get out. You will regret what you’ve done today.”
Her voice and eyes were chilling.
Chris shrugged and bowed his head.
“Have a good night.”
When he stepped outside, an unexpected person was waiting for him.
A familiar face.
It was his aunt, Merian.
“What on earth have you done now….”
Merian frowned deeply.
Chris looked slightly surprised, then smiled.
“By any chance, did you come to protect me?”
“What nonsense. I was merely passing by.”
Merian huffed.
‘There’s nothing out here, though?’
The Marchioness’s quarters were in the deepest part of the mansion, so there was no reason for Merian to be passing by.
It seemed she had been nearby, felt Fresia unleash her energy, and rushed over.
“Thank you. I’ll be sure to bake you some delicious cookies next time.”
“Did I not just say I didn't come to help you?”
“Still, it’s an expression of my feelings for you, Aunt.”
“Hmph, you’re all talk, as always. You haven’t brought me cookies a single time since you came to the main house.”
“…I’ll really make them this time.”
Merian shook her head.
“That was reckless. You know what I’m talking about, don’t you?”
Fresia was the matriarch of the Dark Magic House.
She was the third most powerful person in the family, after the Old Lord and Marquis Langham.
He had just made a perfect enemy of such a formidable figure.
“Yes. I am well aware.”
“This isn’t something to answer so casually. Do not underestimate the power Fresia wields. From now on, everyone in the family will be hostile to you.”
He knew.
He knew what kind of situation he was in.
But.
Chris simply replied.
“Thank you again for your concern.”
Merian’s eyebrow twitched.
There wasn’t a single trace of worry on Chris’s face.
It meant he was confident.
In the end, Merian could only let out a sigh.
“Such a reckless fool.”
“……”
“Whatever mischief you get up to is your own business, but keep one thing in mind. The Lord Head is watching you.”
Chris looked slightly surprised.
“That’s unexpected. I never thought the Lord Head would be paying attention to me.”
“Don’t get too excited. He is the type to withdraw his interest the moment you make a single misstep. So, be prudent, and think of every single moment as an evaluation of you.”
It was sincere advice.
“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”
“Good.”
Just as Merian was about to turn and leave.
A thought occurred to Chris, and he asked.
“Is the Lord Head well?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Well… no particular reason. I’m just asking out of concern as his grandson.”
“A pup worrying about things far beyond you. You, who might lose your head tomorrow.”
Merian almost burst out laughing, but Chris was being quite serious.
‘It’s about time for the Old Lord to start weakening.’
The Old Lord had already lived well past his natural lifespan.
It was an open secret that he was extending his life through a heaven-defying forbidden art.
There was no telling when he would reach his limit.
‘I stopped the Twilight Amulet from falling into Marquis Langham’s hands, so I’ve overcome one hurdle for now.’
For the future, the Old Lord needed to stay healthy for as long as possible.
After a moment of thought, Chris spoke.
“Does the Lord Head have any favorite foods?”
“What?”
“You know, like cookies or things of that nature. It’s not for any special reason, I just want to give him a gift out of filial piety.”
Of course, that wasn’t the real reason.
Chris was planning to give the Old Lord a gift that would be of great help.
Using the Spirit Pill Art of the Divine Doctor Noble Family.
Chris quickly added a reason.
“The Lord Head also helped me awaken to the Dark Demonic Arts before. I wish to express my gratitude.”
Merian was silent for a moment.
She looked at Chris as if he were some kind of freak.
‘A gift of filial piety for the Lord Head. Is he insane?’
If his goal was to score points, it would completely backfire.
This clever boy couldn’t possibly be unaware of that fact.
In any case, he wanted to give a gift as a grandson, so there was no real justification to rebuke him.
“As for his preferences, he enjoys chocolate.”
“…Pardon?”
An unexpected taste.
The image of that overwhelmingly intimidating Demonic Lord eating chocolate. He couldn't picture it at all.
“But even with your skill, it won’t be easy to satisfy the Lord Head’s palate. His taste is quite peculiar. He prefers chocolate that isn’t overly elaborate, something crude yet simultaneously refined.”
“…I see.”
Chris looked bewildered.
Hot ice.
It was a quirky taste, like a ship that sails slowly and quickly at the same time.
After his conversation with Merian, he returned to his room.
He lay down on the plush, high-end bed and closed his eyes.
‘The die is cast. I suppose my life as a wealthy young master is over for a while.’
He was sure Fresia’s schemes would begin the moment he opened his eyes.
As expected, the next day.
A notice arrived.
It was a notice of his expulsion from the mansion.
* * *
“…From now on, this will be the Young Lord’s residence.”
The servant said with a thoroughly intimidated expression.
It was a shabby building, like a stable.
On the outskirts of the estate grounds. They had given him an abandoned building that even the servants didn’t use.
“I-I’m sorry. These were the orders.”
The servant was flustered.
He seemed worried about what would happen if Chris were to fly into a rage.
But Chris spoke calmly.
“I understand. Can you at least clean the inside? You can do that much, can’t you?”
“…I-I’m sorry. Strict orders were given not to provide any assistance whatsoever.”
Chris almost burst out laughing.
‘She’s being really petty.’
No, this wasn’t just simple revenge.
It was a declaration that she would thoroughly isolate Chris.
At the same time, it was a warning to others.
A proclamation that siding with Chris meant turning their backs on the family’s power.
‘Being swayed by such low-quality, childish ploys isn’t my style, though.’
Chris grinned.
‘This is perfect. I was wondering how to get out of the main house anyway.’
There were too many eyes in the main house.
It was a situation where he had not a single ally, completely surrounded by enemies.
It was better to have his own place, even if it was shabby.
‘The appearance of being kicked out is good, too.’
Since he looked like he was being unjustly oppressed and cast out, the Majins’ public opinion would be on his side.
Though they wouldn't dare say it out loud for fear of Fresia.
The problem was that without servants to attend to him, life would be inconvenient.
But he had a solution for that too.
“Mari. Clean up.”
[Ohoho… Very well. Everyone?]
Oooooh.
An eerie, ghostly wail echoed, and the ghosts inhabiting the estate swarmed in.
[This is the Young Master’s and my sweet house… you know what happens if I find even a single speck of dust, right?]
[We… will obey.]
[We… will obey.]
[We… will obey.]
The ghosts caused all sorts of poltergeist phenomena, sweeping, wiping, and tidying the building.
[…Please enter.]
[…Please enter.]
[…Please enter.]
Receiving the ghosts’ welcome, Chris fell silent for a moment.
‘…But when will I ever get to have human servants?’
Come to think of it, he hadn't been attended to by a human servant once since his regression.
And now, for the time being, he was in a situation where he had to live with only ghost maids(?).
‘Once I get settled, I’m definitely getting servants of pure human blood.’
Making a firm resolve, Chris entered the neatly organized building.
[Ohoho… It may be shabby, but a sweet house just for the two of us is quite charming, isn’t it? Shall I bring you some virgin’s blood juice to commemorate the occasion?]
“No, more importantly, watch outside and see if anyone approaches.”
[Young Master?]
There was something he needed to do away from prying eyes.
‘I have to get stronger.’
That was what Chris had to do.
He had to build his strength.
In the end, what mattered most was one’s own power.
But for now, there were limits.
No matter how much of a genius Chris was, getting stronger took time.
Raising one’s Star level required not just enlightenment, but also the accumulation of Magi, the expansion of one’s vessel, the tempering of the body, and mastery of the corresponding demonic arts, all of which demanded time.
Of course, Chris could raise his Star level in a fraction of the time it took others, but a certain amount of time was still essential.
So Chris thought of a way.
He decided to obtain a power that transcended the Star levels, hidden from the eyes of others.
‘Black Aura Blade.’
That was the power Chris desired.
Of course, it was absurd.
Chris was only a 3-Star.
But the Black Aura Blade was a 5-Star power.
Even for Chris, manifesting a Black Aura Blade at the 3-Star level was impossible.
However.
‘What about imbuing my will into the Black Sword to give it the properties of a Black Aura Blade? Is that also impossible?’
It was a thought that would make others call him crazy.
An idea that completely disregarded the system of Stars.
Above all, the Black Sword was merely a materialization of Magi. Imbuing it with will was nonsensical.
And yet.
‘For some reason, it doesn’t feel impossible.’
A baseless conviction.
Because he was Chris.