Chapter 43

“Damn you! What kind of power do you possess…?! How can you use magic without incantation?! That’s impossible!! Just, are you really His Highness, the Second Prince?!!”

“Who knows…though, I prefer if you call me, White-masked phantom thief. The thief that steals even hearts~” A light and playful voice responded.

“Don’t joke with me! Do you think that you can do this?!”

“What are you still talking at this point? Don’t you think everything is already too late?”

“!!?”

“Since I had dared to do this, of course, I already set up everything—Thief entered, robbed everything, killed everyone—then, in the end, the entire mansion blew up—a good headline, don’t you think~”

“YOU DARE!!?”

“Of course, I dare… wanna bet?” Cian grinned wickedly.

*** ***

"Duke Rabilla is done for!" Six powerful experts had been hiding unseen outside of the mansion as they watched the ongoing battle.

With their abilities, even if Cian was certain that they are there hiding somewhere, he has no proof or confirmation that they are really there. In fact, their power levels were very high. So, it was unlikely that anyone would be able to spot them, even if it was Cian who possess the [ Eye of Night ].

These experts had seen the entire scene unfold, and couldn’t help but sigh. The person who had spoken this was Dryad’s current Chief, Cian’s future mother-in-law: Silvia Vandlehouse…

Since the time Cian had accepted Sibylla as his fiancé, Silvia Vandlehouse had been a great supporter of the Empress Faction and a secret adherent on the Second Prince Faction—of course, due to the Second Prince pitiful reputation that was stinkier than a septic tank, it was proven difficult and hard to gather followers, making it an almost impossible mission.

However, due to the support of the Empress and Silvia as well as Sibylla’s hard work, it’s slowly, well, really slowly but surely turning into shape.

"That Duke Rabilla had long been done for! He had lost the moment he hadn’t sensed His Highness imposing aura and manner, and still continued to underestimate him," One of the only two old people in the group commented in a cold manner, "He was doomed to be defeated the moment he lost his temper. Duke Rabilla’s defeat can only be attributed to his own mistakes. He may have no morals, but he’s still the Duke of the Demon Empire. So, he shouldn’t have lost to the Second Prince regardless of how bad he is…!"

[ Man-Hunting Tiger ] he was called as such in his younger years, and even now he still carried that name. With both bloods of a Demon and Bloodthirsty Tiger Beastman, he was feared in the battle as one of the four Demon Generals of the Empire.

In his words, everyone nodded to show their agreement in a pensive manner. However, the [ Man-Hunting Tiger ] was left dumbstruck the moment he finished speaking. In fact, Silvia and even the others, aside from the Vampire Lord had been left terrified of what he had just spoken...

He then suddenly cried out in horror. And, his long crimson hair stood up as he said, "Eh? Now that I mention it… I, it never crossed my mind but… is High Highness the Second Prince, really that strong…?”

“… …”

“If I’m not mistaken… wasn’t His Highness supposed to be a tra—”

“Don’t say it, Sir Gustav, or I’ll beat you up—” The one who cut Gustav, the Man-Hunting Tiger, was a black-haired, one-horned girl around eighteen to nineteen years old. If Cian was here, he would surely recognize her immediately as it was the one who had tried attacking him inside his room.

The Empress devoted and loyal retainer; Somelia Lush.

“However, I’m with Sir Gustav here. How did His Highness acquire this kind of power? Magic without incantation—was this the result of [ Imagis Realis ]?” Silvia asked in doubt.

“Doubt. [ Imagis Realis ] doesn’t have that kind of ability…!”

“But this is impossible! For even Duke Rabilla can’t even make a stand… this is already far from reality!” Gurth Dastan, another Demon General appeared in shock as his eyes swept over Somelia and the others. In fact, the great general’s eyes were reeking of a sense of extreme shock at this time, "I clearly remember that this brat was still nothing but good-for-nothing silk pants who bully the weak but fear the strong? How the hell does he possess this kind of power?! Did he hide this from everyone?!”

The others had realized the extent His Highness the Second Prince level had reached a long time ago. After all, all of them except for Somelia were high ranking Demon experts and was standing at the summit of the Demon Empire. So, how could they not tell?

However, they hadn’t thought about this factor until the moment the [ Man-Hunting Tiger ] had pointed it out. Consequently, the mouths of these talented people became round like an ‘O’ in the face of that issue. In fact, there were no exceptions to this reaction…

That’s right! Everyone knew that this brat was trash just a few days ago. But although he had shown some change and was even gifted [ Imagis Realis ] even being praised change at that time. But, this kind of power was still unbelievable? How did this happen?

What words would someone use to praise him now?

The eyes of seven among them turned and got focused on Somelia and the Vampire Lord’s face. Both the two women are extremely close to the Empress so if something was wrong, they should know of it.

Their thoughts were clearly discernable… You must’ve known about this! You didn’t tell us, but you still knew it… right?!

The Vampire Lord frowned in displeasure. Why are you looking at me? I genuinely didn’t know! You don’t know… I can be considered to be her aunt, yeah but I had no idea either! This brat has a lot of secrets! God knows how many cards he has hidden in his hands?!

Everyone was stupefied when they saw that Vampire Lord was unable to explain this. However, there was a wonderful scene playing out up-ahead at that moment.

So, they couldn’t help but shift their gazes to focus on the fight. The once good-for-nothing trash in the Demon Empire against a Duke that was once made a name for himself in the war!

Both were like heaven and earth and yet this had toppled all established logic in reality.

Back in the room…

The situation was already reaching its climax.

Duke Rabilla’s eyes had become round in a glare while hands moved like the wind as he launched relentless attacks.

Cian’s body seemed like cotton as it floated free and unhindered. And, his hands moved as freely as the wind as he attacked back. Cian’s gruesome training and foresight would’ve allowed him to avoid Duke Rabilla’s devastating attacks even if he hadn’t become a Demon, albeit barely.

However, his reaction had been sharper and his stance had become perfect after the transmigration. It seems like he had gotten used to the Demon’s body which was high spec compared to a human. What’s more, his lineage didn’t stop being just a Demon—he had innate characteristics of a High Elf as well!

Duke Rabilla seemed to be attacking in a wild frenzy. His style of fighting was powerful, bold, and tyrannical in the eyes of others. But, it had a hundred loopholes as far as Cian’s eyes were concerned.

Being born and trained in a family of famous assassins isn’t just for show! He had he been trained in a wide range of fighting style by his family. And, those fighting styles had evolved over thousands of years. However, even they had some loopholes. So, what would the mere centuries-old fighting style of the Duke Rabilla be in comparison?

It would be like a thug against a master martial artist!

Endless explosions instantly sent shock waves in all directions. This was a collision between two horrifying forces which caused even the space to distort.

However, how could Cian’s strength be so simple?

All of a sudden, Cian’s figure descended from above like lighting, with the sword in his hand letting out a resplendent luster, unleashing an uncontrollable wave of killing intent!

He needs to kill Duke Rabilla as soon as possible!

As a killer, just like a lion that will go all out just to hunt a rabbit, regardless of whether your target was an unparalleled expert or ordinary person, one must definitely give it his all in the first strike to kill in a single attack!

He must not give the enemy the chance to even catch his breath!

Duke Rabilla suddenly felt as though the space around him seemed to be completely sucked dry as this black dressed figure appeared! Everything had been gathered on that long slender sword!

As though acting out of instinct, Duke Rabilla flipped himself up. The Slender sword passed him by hair’s breadth. In this moment, seeing Cian less than a meter from him, completely defenseless after attacking, Duke Rabilla grinned wickedly.

I don’t know what kind of magic you are using…

BUT—!!

Magic power gathered around Duke Rabilla’s palm and instant, an ice cold air was congealed on his palm, and a blue colored ice wrapped his palm like a spearhead.

Without hesitation, he stabbed it towards Cian’s body, and Pierce! through him.

“Oh no!!”

“This is bad! We need to quickly save him!” Those who were watching from the outside suddenly started making a ruckus.

Gustav and Silvia panic and was about to rush out but the Vampire Lord suddenly before them, stopping them from bursting inside.

“What are you doing, Vampire Lord!?”

“That attack just now, it’s the forbidden magic; Eternal Cold! Once you’re hit by that, even if you survive you will still be cursed forever!”

“… …” The Vampire Lord knows that as well but she didn’t say anything and just narrowed her eyes, seemingly wanting to see something.

“Vampire Lord!”