Chapter 91
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Encounter
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Chris felt a pang of regret.
‘That infinite sword from before… It'll be difficult to manifest right now.’
If he could manifest even a quarter of that mental image, he would become much stronger.
‘I need to get stronger. Much stronger.’
Although he was already growing stronger at an insane pace, Chris always felt a sense of urgency.
Thinking of the enemies he would face in the future, he knew he had to become far stronger than he was now.
Just then, Mari's voice came from outside.
["Master... I apologize for the interruption... but do you have a moment?"]
"Hm? What is it?"
When he stepped outside, he saw Melin and Allos standing there.
Allos looked gaunt, as if he had suffered immensely under Melin's guidance.
Melin was the same as ever, but her eyes widened when she saw Chris.
"...You've grown stronger. As expected of the one I chose to serve."
Her eyes gleamed dangerously.
She had the look of someone who wanted to spar right then and there, so Chris cleared his throat awkwardly.
"So, what's this about?"
"I have a report. Young Lord Maisac has become the Squad Leader of the Dark Demon Squad."
Chris frowned.
"The Dark Demon Squad?"
"Yes. It's a temporary position, perhaps to avoid scrutiny, but it's as good as being the official Squad Leader."
It wasn't uncommon for a favored direct descendant to become an officer in a powerful combat unit.
The problem was that it was the Dark Demon Squad.
‘Why them, of all units?’
If it were simply about earning merit, there were many more suitable units.
But the Dark Demon Squad was a special unit that operated in the shadows.
‘There must be some other motive. Don't tell me...’
As if sharing his thoughts, Melin nodded gravely.
"It's possible they're targeting you, Young Lord. The plan might be to use the squad's power to strike you down while on a joint operation."
It was a plausible theory.
With the Dark Demon Squad's capabilities, they could kill Christian without a trace, completely unnoticed.
"The Dark Demon Squad is one of the most powerful combat units in our Dark Magic House. It would be wise to lay low for a while."
The Dark Magic House's Majin units are divided into two types.
First, large-scale knight orders.
They are numerous and form the core of our military strength.
Second, small combat units divided by purpose.
The Dark Demon Squad was considered the most elite of these combat units.
‘Even though it's just a 'combat unit,' all its members are said to be 3-Star or higher. There are many 4-Star Majin as well. Thankfully, their Squad Leader recently retired after suffering a major injury on a mission.’
For reference, the original Squad Leader of the Dark Demon Squad was a 5-Star Majin.
Maisac was appointed as the successor to the leader who had stepped down due to injury.
‘By the way, a force of this level would be considered one of the top knight orders in any kingdom on the Alliance's side. To think a mere combat unit, not even a full knight order, possesses such power.’
Chris was astounded.
He was once again reminded of the Magitech Empire's immense underlying strength.
‘In any case, even though I've reached 4-Star, it's impossible for me to fight and win against the Dark Demon Squad.’
However.
Chris's gaze grew cold.
‘What if I use the power of Starlight?’
As a Starlight user, he had now reached 5-Star.
From 5-Star onwards, one is called 'Elder Class' and is treated as a true powerhouse wherever they go.
‘If they had a Squad Leader at the 5-Star level, it would be difficult even with the Alliance's power, but fortunately, the original leader has stepped down due to injury. In that case, I might be able to face them.’
Of course, it wasn't something to be taken lightly.
Even with the Squad Leader gone, the rest of the Dark Demon Squad's strength was nothing to scoff at.
The minimum was 3-Star.
There were plenty of 4-Stars.
The Vice-Commander was an Upper 4-Star Majin, just shy of 5-Star.
Facing them alone would not be easy, even for Chris, who had reached the 5-Star level as a Starlight user.
But even so.
‘I can win.’
The reason?
It was simple.
He was a genius.
If he was only slightly outmatched, there was no way he would lose.
‘On the contrary, this is a chance to deal with that bastard Maisac.’
Chris had been looking for an opportunity to eliminate Maisac anyway.
It was a blessing that the other side was creating the opportunity for him.
‘If I wait, a call will come.’
Indeed.
A knock came from outside.
"Young Lord Christian, the Marchioness summons you."
"What for?"
"She said she has a mission to assign to you and the other heirs."
"A mission?"
The attendant bowed his head and spoke.
"Yes, she said a Shadow from a noble sword family has been detected infiltrating the Main House's territory. The heirs are tasked with tracking and capturing this Shadow alive."
***
‘This mission is targeting me.’
Chris realized it immediately.
Otherwise, there would be no reason to assign such a mission to the heirs.
The ploy was clearly to strike him down when he entered a remote area while chasing the Shadow.
‘But why would a Shadow from a noble sword family enter the Dark Magic House's territory?’
Usually, the Shadows of noble sword families operated within the Alliance; it was rare for them to venture into the Magitech Empire's territory.
Given their symbolic status, recklessly invading the Magitech Empire's territory could cause major problems.
‘In any case, this works out well. I can deal with the Dark Demon Squad and that bastard Maisac, then pin the blame on the Shadow.’
Coincidentally, the sword style he used most proficiently was also from a noble sword family, so it was perfect.
"Preparations are complete. But really, will the two of us be enough? Should I call some other colleagues I'm acquainted with?"
"Th-That's right! Won't it be dangerous? Perhaps you should reconsider this mission? N-No, it's not that I'm scared, I'm just concerned for your safety, Young Lord!"
Melin and Allos said, respectively.
If the Dark Demon Squad was indeed targeting Christian, it was true that it would be dangerous.
Even Jupien showed up unexpectedly and said this.
For reference, Eshid was out due to his injury and another heir, Yurian, had a different mission, so among the heirs, only Maisac, Jupien, and Chris were participating in this mission.
"I'll let you ride with us."
"Huh?"
"I'm saying I'll let you tag along."
It was an offer to help.
If he was with Jupien's group, the Dark Demon Squad wouldn't dare make a reckless move.
However.
"It's fine. I don't need it. Instead, can I ask you all for one favor?"
"?"
Chris grinned at their quizzical looks and began to speak.
The operation had begun.
***
*Fwoosh!*
Chris cut through the forest alone.
The Dark Demon Squad was after him, yet he was moving alone?
‘It's because I decided to use Melin and Jupien's group to disrupt the Dark Demon Squad's movements.’
What Chris had asked was simple.
To buy him time.
The method of disruption involved using various magical tools.
He had them use a device that tracks Magi patterns—the primary tool the Dark Demon Squad uses for pursuit—to lead them in a different direction.
‘Since I personally modified the disruption tools, they should be lost for quite a while.’
In the meantime, Chris planned to capture the Shadow from the noble sword family.
‘First, I need to capture the Shadow alive before anyone else does.’
Capture the Shadow and hide it somewhere no one knows.
Then, deal with the Dark Demon Squad and Maisac when they find me, and frame the Shadow for it.
Finally, Chris would deal with the Shadow himself and become the one who ultimately gets the credit.
‘It's a plan that kills two birds with one stone—getting rid of Maisac and earning merit.’
It would be a great achievement, as he would be the one who dealt with the Shadow that killed the Dark Demon Squad and Maisac.
‘Well, a Shadow isn't someone I need to feel guilty about anyway.’
Shadows are those who handle the dark affairs of the noble sword families.
They commit all sorts of sins unimaginable for a group from the Alliance.
‘By the way, what's that bastard Evan up to now? This is the time when he should be active as a Shadow.’
Thinking of the Hero, Evan, Chris's expression soured.
He remembered the hellish ordeal he'd recently gone through and felt a surge of irritation.
‘Originally, this suffering was meant for that bastard Evan, not me. Why did I have to be the one to regress? When I see him again, I'm going to punch him first thing.’
Of course, Evan was not at all to blame for his regression.
But he didn't need a reason.
Evan was simply in the wrong.
He was going to get punched.
‘Anyway, is it this way? The stealth is very by-the-book.’
Chris paused for a moment and looked at the direction of the bent bushes.
Based on the direction they were bent, it seemed to be northeast, but it wasn't.
It was a typical tracking-disruption tactic used by Shadows.
A few more misdirection tactics were added, but they were all methods Chris knew inside and out.
‘Putting all these misdirection tactics together, the answer is to head southeast. Anyway, this Shadow doesn't seem very competent. Then again, that must be why a Shadow got discovered and is now being chased.’
Thinking about it, it was a truly absurd Shadow.
According to the information, they were discovered not long after entering the Dark Magic House's territory.
‘What kind of Shadow is this dumb? Are they even a real Shadow?’
Well, it didn't really matter anyway.
‘Just a little further from here.’
Chris slowed his pace.
‘Blood?’
He saw droplets of blood, likely left by his target.
‘An injury sustained while being pursued?’
Judging by how much the blood had clotted, they weren't far.
They were nearby.
‘Where?’
*Fwoosh!*
In that instant, something chilling happened.
A sword of brilliant light burst through the trees.
A sword of Starlight, the counterpart to the Black Sword.
It was a 'Mana Blade'!
"!!"
Chris snapped his head back.
The sword grazed past him by a hair's breadth.
‘One Flash that Cleaves the Dead Sea?’
It was a secret technique of a noble sword family!
And it wasn't performed with ordinary skill.
‘A Shadow with this level of proficiency?’
Of course, there were many strong individuals among the Shadows.
But they usually specialized in stealth and ambushes, and were weak in direct confrontations.
That's why Chris had underestimated them to some extent.
But the move just now was like one executed by a formal knight of a noble sword family.
His guard shot up.
‘This one is strong. Maybe even stronger than me.’
Chris moved his hands urgently.
*Clang!*
Chris's sword hastily parried the opponent's. A throbbing pain shot through his hand as it trembled.
‘At least a Middle 4-Star or higher.’
The biggest problem was that his opponent seemed accustomed to frontal assaults.
Their penetrating sword strikes were incredibly aggressive.
A series of destructive, powerful sword strikes!
‘What kind of Shadow is this?’
Chris gritted his teeth.
Caught off guard once, he was now being continuously pushed back.
‘In this situation, it's difficult to use a Will-infused Black Sword.’
If he tried to force his power up, he was more likely to expose an opening and get his head cut off.
The situation was that precarious, with no room for error.
‘I have to turn the tables.’
Chris slightly twisted his body.
It was a feint.
One so natural, like flowing water, that it was impossible not to fall for.
As expected, the opponent reacted instinctively.
*Fwoosh!*
The Mana Blade descended, aiming for Chris's opening.
Just as the brightly glowing sword was about to sever his arm.
‘Now!’
The black magic spells he had prepared beforehand were unleashed.
Curse of the Mire.
Curse of Confusion.
And simultaneously, Fog of Pressure.
They were simple 2-Star black magic spells.
But they were effective enough to momentarily disrupt the opponent's balance.
It was a difficult move to react to, as they exploded in quick succession, and indeed, the opponent stumbled for a moment.
‘Now!’
Black Sword Transformation.
Fighting Flame.
*Fwoosh!*
The flames of the Black Sword erupted in front of his opponent's legs.
Flames that flared up without any warning. It was a trick only Chris could pull off, secretly suspending Magi in the air and igniting it with a time lag.
He intended to cut off their legs and subdue them.
"!!"
Chris's eyes flew open.
His opponent did something completely unexpected.