[WN] I Became the Genius Bastard of a Noble Dark Clan Chapter 70

 Chapter 70

Chris turned his gaze, his eyes wide with surprise. The other demonkin around him were all similarly astonished.

She was like a gentle breeze—a woman with a clear, delicate presence. Despite possessing the deep black hair and blood-red eyes characteristic of the Dark Demonic Clan, her image wasn't dark, but rather refreshing.

It was Yulian, the First Young Lady.

She has an elven aura about her. Chris thought, slightly surprised. He had vaguely felt it before, when he saw her from afar, but it was truly a unique atmosphere—similar to the forest-dwelling elves.

"Greetings, First Young Lady."

"Oh, hello. I'm sorry it took me so long to greet you; you're a new sibling now. And, am I not supposed to speak informally with you?" Yulian asked, her eyes widening.

Chris shook his head. "Not at all. Young Master Maishak was hostile to me from the start, so that was different. You, First Young Lady, are not like that. If you truly consider me a younger sibling, you may speak to me as casually as you wish."

If you don't consider me a younger sibling, then keep your distance. Yulian, who wouldn't be oblivious to the hidden meaning in his words, merely smiled sweetly.

"Then I'll speak casually. I'm glad to have a new younger sibling. You can speak to me casually too, whenever you see me from now on. How about we have some tea next time? I'll prepare some sweet cake that a child would love."

A child.

It wasn't a provocation. Yulian's gently curved eyes truly looked as if she was gazing at a younger sibling.

"I am not a child."

"If you're a minor, you're a child. Or should I prepare ginger ale?"

"...I don't like ginger ale."

After a brief, light conversation, Yulian laughed brightly. "Then, we'll be seeing each other often. Please take care of me."

With that, Yulian disappeared. Chris stood with his arms crossed for a moment, watching her retreating back.

Hmm.

The First Young Lady Yulian had the best reputation among all the young masters and young ladies. Not only was she beautiful and remarkably skilled, but her character was also gentle and full of consideration. She was the young lady everyone in the Dark Demonic Clan adored.

It was a meeting that matched the rumors, yet Christian subtly frowned.

-Be careful of the First Young Lady Yulian.

That was the warning his aunt, Merian, had given him. And now, Chris understood why Merian had cautioned him.

It was the faint sensation emanating from Yulian—a sensation Chris would never have noticed if he hadn't experienced the Age of Ruin, and if he hadn't been part of the Hero's party.

It was the afterglow of a demon.

In other words, the First Young Lady Yulian was a 'Demon Contractor.'

Demon Contractor.

It referred to an individual who had offered their soul to a demon in a pact.

Could it be that the First Young Lady Yulian was a contractor with a demon? After the banquet, Chris fell into deep thought. I never expected this.

In truth, demon contractors were not unfamiliar to Chris. The Blood King of Demons himself was a demon contractor. During the Age of Ruin, all sorts of individuals contracted with demons and rampaged across the world.

But that wasn't the case now. Unless there were truly special circumstances, those who contracted with demons were rare.

Others probably don't know, do they? They probably didn't. The Dark Demonic Clan was a family that forbade dealings with demons. If it were revealed that she had contracted, she would have been excommunicated from the Dark Demonic Clan long ago.

Aunt Merian must have only sensed that something was suspicious. What should I do now?

Though it was a brief meeting, he could tell at a glance. The most formidable competitor for the next family head wasn't the Second Young Master Aeshid, but the First Young Lady Yulian.

Yulian was a monster hiding her claws.

Her realm seems to be mid-4th Star, but she must be hiding her true strength.

The problem was that he couldn't gauge the extent to which she was concealing her power. This was the terrifying aspect of demon contractors. In exchange for sacrificing their soul, which guaranteed eternal suffering, they gained immense power that defied normal logic.

Of course, the power gained this way usually has clear limitations. But at my current level, it's still a burden.

The simplest solution would be to expose Yulian as a demon contractor. Then, Yulian's core would be sealed, and she would be cast out of the family.

But that's a poor choice.

For one, it was difficult to provide proof that Yulian was a demon contractor. Demon contractors thoroughly concealed themselves. Due to the demonic authority that granted them concealment, no matter how high one's realm was, it was impossible to detect. Chris wouldn't have noticed it either if he hadn't gained experience during the Age of Ruin.

First, I need to find out why the First Young Lady contracted with a demon.

The most crucial thing when dealing with a demon contractor was to understand 'why' they made the contract. If she had contracted with a demon purely out of greed, there wasn't much to worry about. They would receive a certain amount of power, and that would be the end of it. In such cases, the limitations were clear.

However, if there was a special reason—specifically, if there was a 'story' that would entice a demon—then the contractor might receive a special 'blessing' from the demon. Contractors who received such blessings often gained unimaginable power. The most prominent example was the Blood King of Demons. She was merely a grand duchess of the Blood Sword Demonic Clan, but thanks to the special blessing she received after contracting with a demon, she was able to become a destructive Demon King.

The 'Soul Eater' [TN: The Chinese characters literally translate to 'eat ghost'] blessing that the Blood Shadow Demon Leader received from the demon was equally terrifying.

Therefore, Chris needed to find out what kind of contract Yulian had made with the demon.

"Mari?"

"Oh-ho-ho... Shall I prepare a virgin's blood juice for you?"

"...No, that's not it. I have a favor to ask."

Mari looked puzzled. "Are there any ghosts you're close with in the main residence?"

In the mansions of ancient noble families within the Demonic Empire, ghosts commonly resided.

"Rather than being 'close'... I have a few children who've knelt before me."

"...Knelt?"

"They were gossiping about Young Master, so I... 'pampered' them a little, and they willingly offered to serve me as their master."

Chris was silent for a moment. ...Does that mean she's become a Banshee Queen?

A monster who subjugates surrounding monsters and forms their own faction is called a 'Lord.' In the case of a Banshee, it's a Banshee Queen. This meant Mari had conquered the ghost species in this mansion's vicinity.

Just how powerful is Mari? He couldn't gauge it at all.

A sudden question crossed his mind. What kind of story does Mari have?

Ghosts gained immense power the deeper their lingering resentment. Mari must undoubtedly possess a terrifying story beyond imagination.

"Anyway, investigate the First Young Lady Yulian for me. Find out what her past is like."

"Oh-ho-ho... Understood. I shall obey your command, my Lord."

Once he completed the investigation into the First Young Lady, he would be able to decide on future countermeasures.

As Mari disappeared, Chris closed his eyes for a moment.

There's something more urgent than that. Now that I'm a Young Master, I need to firmly establish my position.

It wouldn't be easy. Although he had somewhat refreshed his image at the banquet earlier, it was far from enough. He had to build a 'force' that could overwhelm the other young masters. As a branch family member, this was almost impossible.

Petty tricks won't work. Even if he tried to gather influence little by little, he couldn't catch up to the main lineage. Instead, Chris thought of a different approach.

I just need to show an overwhelming presence.

An unrivaled presence. Showing such extraordinary qualities that no other young master could compare. This would instill confidence in people that Chris would become the next family head. Then, people would begin to gather under him. It was a simple yet profoundly insightful method.

I need a spectacular stage that will capture everyone's attention at once.

He had to deliver a massive shock to everyone.

Fortunately, I have someone who can help me.

It was at that very moment. A summons came from outside.

"Young Master Christian, Marchioness Presia calls for you."

Chris's lips curled into a smirk. There was only one Marchioness in the Dark Demonic Clan.

Jukseolhwa Presia. Maishak's mother, who had been humiliated by Chris at the banquet, and the mistress responsible for the internal affairs of the Dark Demonic Clan.

And, she was the one who would be of great help in building his reputation in the future.

"Greetings, Marchioness."

"Yes, it's been a long time. How is your father, Count Kajar?"

"He's doing well."

"Though it's late, congratulations on becoming a Young Master. I was worried when you seemed to be adrift in your childhood, but you've grown up splendidly."

Presia, true to her epithet 'Jukseolhwa' (Crimson Snow Flower), was a woman of exquisite beauty. Even in middle age, she was a vibrant flower that had not lost its luster.

But she wasn't just a bright, cheerful flower. The 'Juk' (赤) in Jukseolhwa symbolized blood and destruction.

Her realm is even 5th Star.

Unlike her gentle greeting, a subtle pressure emanated from her, bearing down on Chris. His skin tingled painfully, but he didn't show it.

"You flatter me. Thank you for seeing me in such a good light."

"It's not flattery. I heard what happened at the banquet. It was impressive. If our Maishak had grown up like you, I would have no regrets."

Chris almost snorted. It was unexpected praise, but it was absolutely not meant as praise.

"However, your quarrel is difficult to speak of favorably. Though you are cousins, you are brothers by blood. I wish for you, as a younger brother, to get along well with Maishak."

Chris almost burst out laughing. She had said, "as a younger brother." Presia was now trying to persuade Chris to serve under Maishak and assist him.

No, it wasn't persuasion.

It was a threat.

Presia's eyes shimmered deeply as she looked at Chris. It was the crimson eye of destruction, different from the Dark Demonic Clan's blood-red eyes. The symbol of the Demonic Clan of Destruction, intent on shattering and annihilating all living things, glared sharply at him.

If he didn't obey, it meant she would inflict an unbearable punishment.

Nevertheless, Chris's lips curled into a smirk.

"Yes, I will obey your words. I will get along with Young Master Maishak like brothers."

"Really?"

"Only if that Maishak fellow becomes my younger brother."

"...What?"

"Isn't it natural for the more lacking one to be the younger sibling? Compared to a pathetic fool who runs crying to his mommy after a small quarrel, don't you think I'm much more suited for the role of an elder brother?"

"!!"

Presia's face turned fierce. A ferocious aura surged. The surrounding furniture trembled under the pressure of the aura Presia unleashed.

It was an aura of extreme destruction. If Presia merely flicked her hand, Chris would be annihilated without resistance. Even his corpse wouldn't remain intact.

Yet, I'm not afraid.

Chris met Presia's gaze directly. He could see it. The shimmering in those red eyes wasn't the aura of destruction bent on obliterating everything.

It was merely greed.