Chapter 267
Deniris was happy to see Mart reunited with their two children.
More than an hour later, he approached Deniris and kissed her; after that, he got up to continue exploring the surroundings.
As he walked around the mansion, he saw a place that looked like a large greenhouse; he immediately assumed it was the private garden they had built for little Persec.
Mart opened the glass door.
He saw Isirid reading a demonic grimoire, and on the lawn, atop a golden tablecloth, little Persec was making 12 locusts formed from "cursed energy" fly.
Isirid looked up, her eyes sparkling at the sight of Mart.
Little Persec quickly crawled toward his father, but Mart scooped his son into his arms before the little one could leave the area marked off by the golden tablecloth.
"I see you’re still quite the little rascal."
The baby babbled sweetly several times in response to his father’s words.
Mart looked around at his surroundings.
At that moment, he understood why there were two maids standing right at the door but not inside the private garden.
The place was terrifying for anyone who didn’t practice cursed energy.
There wasn’t a single living plant in that environment; all the plants were withered or rotten, and some were even black and gave off an aura of misfortune.
"Wow, I think you’re going to be a powerful sorcerer, my little one."
The baby smiled and began to babble as if he were proud and happy to be recognized by his father.
Persec Sevec wrapped his little arms around his father’s right arm and closed his eyes.
Mart immediately realized that the little one wanted to absorb his "pure cursed energy."
He stroked his son’s reddish hair and sat down next to Isirid.
Isirid looked closely at her husband.
"Your energy is still in chaos."
"I already have a solution," Mart smiled subtly.
Isirid remained silent.
He took her hand and kissed the back of it.
"Humans are strong."
"They’ve been defeating demons for centuries."
"When I was in human territory, I went to the Great Mountain Range. The beasts there are strong; but in the deepest part of that range, there was a force repelling me—a powerful force."
"What are you trying to say?"
"I wondered, what lies beyond that mountain range? How powerful is the entity—or entities—that lie beyond? But for now, I must focus on strengthening our territory."
"Do you want to create a kingdom?"
"Yes, and our little one will be the crown prince."
Mart smiled warmly as he looked at little Persec, who was still sleeping soundly.
"How much do you hope to achieve?"
She looked at Mart with concern in her eyes.
"I just want a territory that isn’t threatened by humans."
"You’ll have to defeat their empire, and it won’t be easy."
"I know, but they’re trying to wipe out the demons."
"That’s true..."
After several seconds, he broke the silence that had settled between them:
"You haven’t neglected your power, Sixth-Rank Midpoint."
She looked pensive for a moment, then replied:
"I, too, must become stronger to protect what matters to me."
Mart stepped closer to her and kissed her.
Then they both looked into each other’s eyes.
"I promised I’d protect you; I’ll face the consequences if I’m not even capable of doing that."
"I know, but I’m your wife—I won’t be a burden to you."
She flashed a gentle smile that highlighted her demonic beauty, then she kissed him.
...
That afternoon, Mart met in the study with the demons he trusted most.
Teraz Sevec, Selenia’s uncle, Moraf Arcaris, Er Sefcar, and even Balac Sevec.
"I want to know who has responded to our invitation and what has been happening around the marquisate over the past two weeks."
Mart Sevec’s voice made it clear that he stood before them as the marquis, not as a relative or a friend.
Balac Sevec swirled a glass containing a golden-colored alcoholic beverage, downed it in one gulp, and then said:
"There’s been activity along the borders; the Empire seems intent on taking action in response to your moves. Surely you knew they wouldn’t sit idly by; they’ve lost twice, even if they don’t want to admit it. According to our spies, the Empire and that small human kingdom are in a state of constant tension. They called it their victory, but the people aren’t so sure about it. They need a victory to quell the human population’s fear; if they can’t attack our territory, they’ll attack the Republic. Currently, forces have been gathering near the borders of what was once the Duchy of Ertrael."
Mart Sevec looked at Er Sefcar, who was in charge of screening all requests that came to the marquisate.
Er Sefcar looked tired; it was almost obvious that he had been working hard over the past few days. He took a deep breath and then spoke:
"Marquis, business requests from merchants, warriors, and adventurers; applications for residency; and many others... they just keep coming in. But most importantly..."
Er Sefcar handed over three envelopes bearing purple seals with the symbol of the Republican Council of Argariz.
The purple seals, infused with demonic energy, were seals that the Republican Council reserved only for matters of the utmost importance—considered matters of state.
Mart Sevec extended his "Perception of All Things" toward Er Sefcar.
Er Sefcar felt a cold sweat break out on his back; he didn’t understand what he had done, but he thought he was about to be punished.
Mart raised his beautiful left hand, and the three cards levitated toward him.
Mart also used his perception on the cards, and at that moment, he sensed the perception of a powerful demon activate in the distance.
Mart created spherical barriers in which he placed the cards and then stored them in one of his demonic rings.
"I’m sorry, Mr. Sefcar, I’ve had a bad experience with ’those cursed letters.’"
Mart’s Charm attribute was also useful in that it caused those susceptible to it to accept his words as true without needing excessive explanations, which in turn gave the demon a charming yet mysterious and fearsome aura.
Mart looked at the man who was now his father; Teraz Sevec seemed deep in thought.