The Successor to the Underworld Is a Cheat Player

No matter how many times they looked, it didn’t become familiar.

“Even if they claim to have given birth alone, I believe it.”

That face triggered Sein’s PTSD.

No, everyone in the main house would be the same as Sein.

“Prepare yourselves.”

This time, Rohan spoke to Jane and Sebu.

“Here is Colan Demorus, the heir apparent of the main family.”

Colan Demorus.

He was the successor of the Demorus family, bearing the closest resemblance to Tezera.

In appearance, aura, and being said to carry the thickest bloodline, Colan was the one designated as the successor.

“…!”

“I present the successor.”

Startled, Sebu momentarily froze, speechless, while Jane naturally bowed her head in greeting.

“I present the successor!”

Sebu belatedly also bowed his head.

“And these?”

“They are the youngest members of the Black Blade.”

“They… are called Sebu.”

“And I am Jane.”

That was the end of it.

“I see.”

Colan, seemingly indifferent, moved forward, followed by Rohan.

Jane and Sebu hurriedly followed suit.

With Dante’s internals under control by Rohan’s command, they could move without encountering anyone.

Finally, they reached their destination.

“…?”

Sebu, with a puzzled expression, and Jane, with a slightly sunken face unlike her usual self.

“Follow Jane.”

At Rohan’s words, Jane moved along, while Sebu remained behind.

“Wait here.”

Rohan also halted the newcomers who came as Colan’s escort.

“We cannot leave Colan’s side.”

“It’s what even Colan has permitted.”

Tension mounted between Rohan and the escort.

“Wait.”

Colan addressed the guards.

“But…”

The guards added a word, expressing their disbelief.

“You seem particularly defiant today.”

Colan spoke with a low, calm voice and a composed gaze, observing them.

Thud!

At that, like powerless soldiers who had received harsh training from Rohan, they knelt before him.

“Please reconsider!”

“Hmm.”

Colan seemed to ponder for a moment.

“Would cutting off both arms suffice?”

Out of the blue, Collan looked at Rohan and spoke.

“….”

“They are obligated to protect me. Though they cannot leave my side, it seems the only way to ease their worried hearts is to wait by, isn’t it.”

It was Collan speaking now.

Those unauthorized cannot enter this place.

The reason being the possibility of them becoming a threat.

So, the question was, would they be allowed in if they cut off their arms.

In the face of such strange logic, both Collan and Rohan fell momentarily silent.

“Just for a moment.”

In the end, Rohan gave his consent.

“To cut off your ar…”

“You don’t have to cut them off.”

*

*

*

Rohan had a reason for going to such lengths.

The place Collan had come to was the most sensitive spot in Dante at the moment.

“Everyone, step back.”

Rohan addressed the duty personnel of Dante.

The duty personnel of Dante.

Here, there were saints who had been injured and escorted from their homes.

Although the 3rd Military Unit had been given to the saints, most had left for their missions as part of their home military unit, leaving only Roberta and the 3rd Military Unit’s Dantallu here.

“I greet Collan, the successor candidate.”

Roberta and Dantallu greeted Collan with a slight bow.

Nodding.

“This place is…”

“I have come to see Saint Demorus.”

Before Roberta could say anything, Collan spoke first.

“I have come to see my brother. Do I need permission? If I do, I have already received it from Rohan here.”

At Collan’s words, Roberta and Dantallu fell silent.

There was no error in Collan’s words.

“As you must maintain stability, we are not receiving guests.”

However, Roberta did not step back and continued speaking.

“If it’s for protection, then yes. But…”

Collan’s eyes turned to Roberta.

“Do not doubt me. I have no intention of harming the wounded.”

Roberta quietly sent a glance towards Rohan.

Nodding.

Yet, it was Jane who nodded her head, giving the signal.

In the end, Roberta and Dantallu stepped aside.

“May I come in with you?”

“Go ahead.”

A pungent herbal scent wafted through the open door.

Inside, lay Sein surrounded by numerous potions.

Colan approached Sein slowly.

“What did the Oracle say?”

Colan inquired to Rohan.

“It’s a deadly poison, so much so that its nature remains unidentified. They are unsure how long it will take for the victim to awaken.”

Rohan replied sincerely.

The counterpart was Colan Demorus.

Among the potential heirs, Colan, with exceptional abilities, was one of the first to be designated as a successor, completing his first mission successfully at the age of twelve, earning him the title of a veteran.

“Tsk. Should have stayed at the main house.”

Though his words seemed dismissive of Dante, Colan appeared genuine.

“And about the assassin?”

“We have only determined that they are skilled in using poisons.”

In the Shadow Realm, there were hundreds who excelled in poison use. While few could handle poisons of this caliber, it made it challenging to accuse them without evidence.

“Tampia, that child.”

Nevertheless, Colan responded bluntly.

“They have caused unnecessary trouble.”

As Colan slowly scanned Sein lying down, he moved his hand deliberately.

A shudder.

Everyone was startled, hastily reaching for their weapons.

But that was the end of it.

Thud.

Sein’s body remained motionless as if frozen.

During that moment, Colan achieved his goal.

Thwack!

In a swift motion, Colan plunged a dagger into Sein’s heart.

All of this unfolded in a blink of an eye.

Even Rohan couldn’t intervene in time.

Yet, the outcome was truly explosive.

Clang!

In an instant, Rohan, Roberta, and Dantallu drew their weapons simultaneously, pointing them at Colan’s throat.

Colan’s guards did the same, but their blades were aimed at Rohan.

“…What is the meaning of this?”

Rohan managed to speak through his anger.

It was Rohan who had hesitated about allowing Colan to see Sein in the Oracle.

Though he had contemplated granting permission, he decided to do so, fearing that hiding it could raise suspicions.

Never did I imagine such a thing.

No matter how unpredictable Colan was, I never thought he would do something like this in Dante.

“At once!”

Rohan shouted.

“Explain yourself!”

Everyone present was mustering the courage to confront Colan.

The reason they hadn’t moved yet was one and only.

Swoosh.

Jane.

Because he hadn’t drawn his sword.

“Seems like I’ve startled you.”

Even with three swords poised at his neck, Colan remained unfazed.

Instead, he spoke in a calm voice.

“I wasn’t trying to kill my brother.”

“…Stabbing a dagger into the heart, aren’t you?”

“See for yourself.”

Keeping his eyes on Colan, Sein hesitated.

And soon, a startling realization dawned.

“…!”

Though the dagger had pierced, not a drop of blood flowed.

As if piercing through something invisible, the dagger lodged in Sein’s heart was glowing white.

“…What is this?”

“It’s called the Purification Dagger.”

Colan explained.

“I happened to acquire it by chance. It’s an artifact that purifies most poisons it encounters.”

“….”

“Though Tampia’s poison is potent, it’s not fully developed, so it should have an effect.”

Everyone present was formidable.

It wasn’t hard to discern whether Colan’s words were true or false.

Above all, Jane’s gesture signaled to lower the sword.

-It’s true.

Colan’s words were true.

“…I won’t say you’ve committed a sacrilege. It was a misunderstanding.”

“I understand.”

Colan said nonchalantly.

“It’ll take effect soon. Somehow.”

“Why go to such lengths?”

Though unaware of the Purification Dagger, it was evident that it was an extraordinary item.

Especially the dagger embedded in Sein’s heart had turned to dust in no time.

A disposable artifact.

It was strange to have written such a valuable item to his competitor, Sain.

“He’s too valuable to be expelled in this way.”

Collan said.

“I admire Sain’s abilities.”

Every word was sincere.

“I am confident that someday he will be of great help to Demorus.”

It was a statement based on Sain’s accumulated reputation.

“Someday.”

Collan said.

“It is merely a favor to hope he will assist me by my side.”

Everyone’s faces stiffened.

Only then could they clearly understand.

Collan believed without a shred of doubt that he would be his own protector.

“Should I clarify further?”

Only then.

“Yes.”

Everyone sheathed their swords and stepped back.

◈

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“Collan Demorus.”

He was an unusual character.

He resembled the leader the most, and could also be considered the most powerful competitor.

Already, three of Demorus’s Five were supporting Collan.

Considering even those who declared neutrality or supported other factions, Collan had garnered such unwavering support that he couldn’t be compared to Sain, who had Tampia in his hands.

The reason was simple.

“He fits Demorus’s leader role better than anyone else.”

His personality, blessings, abilities.

All of it was overwhelmingly recognized as Collan’s.

Indeed, even Sain acknowledged that.

“Still…”

He recalled the incident at the Obligation.

“I can’t believe he would do such a thing.”

Just as his unpredictable nature suggested, he committed an unpredictable act.

At the moment when a dagger slipped from Collan’s embrace, if Sain hadn’t seen it properly, he might have struck Collan’s neck first.

If that had happened, it would have led to an all-out conflict.

That was not what Sain desired.

“Jane.”

Rohan called out to Jane.

He was not alone.

From Sebu to Valak.

Colan’s visit to Dante was not simply to see his sick brother.

“You called for me, Master.”

There was another reason.

“For a brief period, you will depart from the Black Sword.”

“…?”

“This is a duty that those affiliated with Demorus must fulfill.”

Valak and Sebu, who had looked puzzled until then, nodded their heads.

Finally, Colan revealed the true reason for his visit to Dante.

“Colan Demorus, the heir presumptive, has ordered the recruitment of talent.”

It was common for the main house to recruit talent from its subordinate organizations.

“From now on, you will work with Colan Demorus, the heir presumptive, to carry out the mission.”

It was an unavoidable notification.

“What is the mission?”

When Sebu asked, Colan, with a calm face, approached from behind Rohan.

“It’s a suppression.”

Suppression.

“Monsters?”

Whether it was a creature of darkness or shadows.