Chapter 77
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Shifting Tides
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Merian stopped in her tracks.
Just as Nordian had said.
She, too, was curious.
What kind of miracle would Christian perform this time?
*FWOOSH!!*
The moment the fierce darkness, which pulverized everything it touched, was about to engulf Christian.
Chris drew his sword.
A Black Sword enveloped the blade.
Though it was a perfectly formed Black Sword, at the level of an Upper 3-Star, its power was hopelessly faint and meager against the encroaching darkness.
Just then, Chris's Black Sword changed.
Its form remained the same.
His will was imbued into the Black Sword.
A will to cleave the approaching darkness.
Will transcends physical limitations.
The miraculous power, realizable only through an aura blade, was now contained within Chris's Black Sword.
And then.
*FSHHHH!!!*
Chris's Black Sword vertically split the Requiem of Destruction.
The annihilating darkness that destroyed all in its path split in two and scattered into pieces.
“!!”
Everyone in the training grounds shot to their feet in astonishment.
A miracle that should have been impossible had just occurred.
*'N-No way!'*
*'Only a Black Aura Blade can block 5-Star Destruction black magic. How did he do it with a Black Sword?'*
A select few.
Those who had surpassed the 5-Star level to reach the 6-Star realm or higher.
Only those known as 'Masters' recognized what Chris had accomplished.
*'Imbuing a Black Sword with will?'*
*'...Impossible?'*
It was something impossible according to the common sense of demonic arts.
He had accomplished an insane feat that overturned the entire system of Star levels.
Receiving the stunned gazes of everyone, Christian let out a long sigh.
The Magi consumption was immense; it had been difficult.
“You… you…”
He could see Maisac staring at him with trembling eyes.
Christian let out a sneering laugh.
“You fool.”
*Thwack!*
With one final blow, Maisac collapsed, unconscious.
The training grounds sank into a breathtaking silence.
Not a single person could utter a word.
That was how shocked they were by what Christian had shown them.
From beginning to end, there wasn't a single moment that wasn't astonishing.
A single word surfaced in the minds of everyone looking at Christian.
*'Genius.'*
*'...No, he's not just on that level.'*
The Majin swallowed hard.
There had been many called geniuses until now.
Since the descendants of noble houses were all born with exceptional bloodlines, how many of them must have possessed outstanding talent?
But Christian wasn't merely at that level. He was beyond comparison.
No genius in history could have ever hoped to match even a fraction of what Christian had displayed.
Truly, a demonic talent.
It seemed the word 'genius' would have to be reserved solely for Christian from now on.
“The competition ends here.”
The Old Lord rose from his seat.
It was time to deliver his verdict.
Nordian looked toward Yurian and Jupien, who was receiving treatment in the barracks.
“You two were not particularly at fault. Continue to strive forward.”
“Thank you, Lord Head.”
Yurian bowed her head respectfully.
Next was Maisac's turn.
The Old Lord looked at Fresia, whose face was pale.
“Marchioness, you would do well to pay more attention to Maisac's education.”
“!!”
“Our Dark Magic House places no restrictions on what power one uses, but at this rate, it would be better for that child's future if he went to the Destruction House instead.”
Fresia's complexion turned deathly pale.
It was the worst possible critique.
“I-I will keep that in mind for the future.”
Fresia bowed her head with a trembling voice, but the Old Lord no longer gave her his attention.
As if he had no interest in Maisac or her whatsoever.
Instead, Nordian looked at Christian.
“And… Christian, as for you.”
The assessment was not long.
“You were excellent.”
“!!”
“It was worth the effort of coming here in person.”
Everyone in the training grounds once again widened their eyes as if they would tear.
It was the highest praise anyone had ever heard—not only the current young lords, but even the older generation, including Marquis Langham.
Christian grinned and bowed his head.
“Please continue to look forward to my progress. I will show you things that will please you even more, Lord Head.”
Nordian chuckled, then turned and disappeared, bringing the grand competition to a close.
And then.
A fierce aftershock rocked the Dark Magic House.
It was the moment Christian emerged as a new centerpiece in the Dark Magic House's succession structure.
* * *
After that day, many things changed.
First, perception.
Christian was no longer the ugly duckling, the worthless young lord.
He had become a legitimate candidate for succession.
Those who had looked down on him for his branch family origins vanished completely.
-Insane talent.
Seeing the talent Chris had displayed, people began to think he might just perform a miracle in the succession race.
Of course, this was still just a possibility.
Setting aside the Third Prince Maisac, who had shown a pathetic side, the Second Prince Eshid and the First Princess Yurian were not to be underestimated.
But what mattered was that even if the probability was slim, such a thing could happen.
If the day truly came when Christian became the 'Grand Prince', those who had ignored him would not get away unscathed.
*'Especially since the Old Lord clearly thinks highly of Young Lord Christian.'*
*'I should at least try to get on his good side.'*
With such thoughts, various Majin came to visit Christian.
“Young Lord, my apologies for visiting so late. I've brought a humble gift to commemorate your appointment as a young lord.”
“We of the County of Aren have also brought a gift for you, Young Lord.”
“We of the Barony of Raan have also…”
Chris chuckled to himself.
For his treatment to change so drastically overnight.
*'Indeed, whether it's the Majin or the Alliance, the way people live is all the same.'*
A laugh escaped him, but he accepted the gifts without a word.
It was, after all, a symbolic gesture.
One that showed he accepted their sentiment.
“Thank you for your sincerity. I will be sure to remember the goodwill you have shown me.”
“Thank you!!!”
“Thank you!!!”
After the guests left, Mari approached, wagging her tail.
[Ohoho… Young Master… you truly are the best… to have so many followers already…]
“Followers? Not a chance.”
Chris flatly shook his head.
“They're the type to turn their backs on me the moment I falter.”
He couldn't afford to be mistaken.
They were only testing the waters because his influence had grown; they were by no means his people.
*'Most of them are probably cozying up to the other young lords just like this. It's about time I started making my own people.'*
He needed his own faction, one that would pledge loyalty to him and him alone.
He already had some ideas about who to bring under his command.
*'It's about time they showed up.'*
Just then, someone knocked on the door of his residence.
*Creeak*, the door opened.
The person Chris had been waiting for appeared.
“It's been a while, Young Master. No, I suppose I should call you Young Lord now.”
A captivating appearance.
But her entire being radiated an aura as sharp as a blade.
“As we discussed before, I have come to pledge my loyalty to you, Young Lord.”
Melin, the Vice-Commander of the Black Swamp Knights and an Upper 4-Star Majin whom he had met at the County of Cazar, knelt before him.
“You will keep your promise to fight me to your heart's content, won't you?”
She said, sending him a somewhat dangerous look.
* * *
Melin has pledged loyalty to Christian!
The Dark Magic House buzzed once more.
“Melin? Isn't that the bitch who was dispatched to the County of Cazar?”
“That crazy bitch?”
Melin was a rather famous Majin.
First, her Upper 4-Star level.
She was a powerhouse certain to reach 5-Star soon and become a combat unit commander.
But what Melin was most famous for was her personality.
Among the Majin, she had the disposition of a fighting dog that particularly loved to battle.
“Wasn't she sent to the County of Cazar as punishment for severely injuring a comrade?”
“And now that crazy bitch has decided to serve Young Lord Christian?”
“Didn't Melin always boast that she'd never serve any of the young lords? What kind of trick did Young Lord Christian pull?”
Before people's surprise could fade, another shocking event occurred.
Melin wasn't the only one who had decided to serve Christian.
One of the three branch families, the County of Tiramin, declared its support for Christian!
This wasn't something to be dismissed as 'just a branch family's support'.
The three branch families were called the trident of the Dark Magic House, playing a role in firmly supporting it from below.
The County of Cazar was already on Christian's side, and with the County of Tiramin also raising its hand, two of the three branch families now supported Christian.
It was by no means a small matter.
“That is the reason for my visit, Young Lord.”
“…Yes.”
Christian looked at the person standing before him with slightly surprised eyes.
A massive figure, large as a bear, stood there.
It was Cayson, the eldest son and heir of the County of Tiramin.
“As promised, our County of Tiramin has decided to support you, Young Lord.”
“…Frankly, this is unexpected. We did make a promise, but for you to make such a swift decision.”
In the past, during the Black Dan Hunt, Chris and Count Tiramin had made a promise.
That if Chris proved his qualifications as a young lord, they would stand under his banner.
But it was just a promise with no binding power?
“It is the will of my father, Count Tiramin.”
Cayson said.
“All this time, my father has been closely watching your actions, Young Lord. And he has come to a conclusion. That you are worth trusting and betting on.”
“I see. I understand. You will not regret the decision the County of Tiramin has made. Thank you.”
Cayson nodded in satisfaction at the response, which was filled with strong will.
“However, we have one condition.”
“What is it?”
“Please take responsibility for one person.”
“…Pardon?”
Cayson called outside.
“You, come in too!”
The door opened and a boy hesitantly entered.
It was a familiar face.
“Oh?”
Chris had a surprised look on his face.
“Little brother Allos?”
From the Black Dan Hunt to the Sacred Black Ceremony.
It was Allos, the youngest son of the County of Tiramin, with whom he had been entangled in various ways.
“Wh-Who are you calling little brother?!”
As Allos yelled, Cayson smacked him hard on the back of the head.
“How dare you! This is the young lord you will be serving from now on!”
“B-But…”
“Hah!”
Allos's eyes welled with tears, as if he had a lot of pent-up feelings.
“Is this guy, Allos, the one you want me to take responsibility for?”
“Yes, that's right. This one failed to obtain any Sacred Black during the Sacred Black Ceremony, so his future is bleak.”
At that time, none of those who attended the Sacred Black Ceremony with Chris had obtained even a single grain of Sacred Black.
“Ah, not that we blame you for it, Young Lord. We would simply be grateful if you would take him in.”
Chris understood the County of Tiramin's intentions.
*'They want Allos to accomplish something while he's with me.'*
A bloodline of the Dark Magic House that failed to obtain Sacred Black could never succeed.
So, they hoped to gain an opportunity, even if it was like this.
*'The problem is, he's not exactly a helpful kid.'*
Chris looked askance at Allos for a moment.
*'Though he does have some talent.'*
During the Age of Ruin, Allos did manage to make a name for himself.
He remembered him growing to become a 5-Star Majin.
*'If I work him hard, I might be able to make him somewhat useful.'*
“Very well. However, I have a condition as well. Have Allos serve me as his master.”