The Martial God: Demonic Cultivator in a World of Magic [Isekai LitRPG]

The carriage rolled to a halt, its wheels creaking to a stop on the gravel path that led to the Carlstein Barony. Even before stepping out, I could sense the stark contrast between this place and Romer. The warmth that characterized my home was absent here, replaced by an overwhelming aura of cold efficiency.

Sitting across from me, Lilian watched the landscape shift with curiosity and unease. Her eyes narrowed when the carriage moved deeper into the city, and she caught a glimpse of the dark, towering structure of the mansion through the window. 

“It’s so different from Romer… It feels colder and harsher,” she muttered, her voice tinged with a note of discomfort.

I nodded, sharing her sentiment. “It’s like that because it has to be,” I replied, my tone flat. “This isn’t just the home of a noble—it’s a fortress.”

As my horse-riding knights outside conversed with the guards at the mansion gate, I allowed my gaze to sweep over the area. The Carlstein mansion loomed ahead, its dark gray, gothic-style architecture starkly contrasting with the vibrant greenery surrounding Romer. Here, there were no such luxuries—only hard stone, towering spires, and a moat that circled the entire estate like a snake coiled around its prey.

The air here was heavy with the scent of iron and earth, a reminder of the military alacrity that defined this place. Carlstein wasn’t built for comfort or aesthetics; it was built for war.

The estate itself felt more like an armed outpost than a noble’s home. The guards stationed at regular intervals along the walls, the strategic placement of watchtowers, and the imposing gates—all of it screamed of defense rather than hospitality.

“Why’s-”

Lilian started, but a voice interrupted her from outside. “Young master, we have to get off here,” Sir Carlos called, making me frown.

So we aren’t even allowed to take the carriage inside? Even if it’s a border city, that was pretty disrespectful to the son of a Count—the fiance of the house’s young lady, no less.

I stepped out of the carriage, my boots crunching against the gravel as I took in the grim surroundings. A massive, black-painted gate stood before me, already being opened by the guards.

In the meantime, maidservants approached us with polite smiles, their heads bowed in respect, but there was a distance in their demeanor that hadn’t been present in Romer. These were people accustomed to living on the edge, and their eyes reflected the hardness that came with it. They took our bags and belongings and headed back inside the mansion when the gate opened. 

I guessed even the bags would go through inspection inside.

“You were saying, Lilian?”

Lilian followed, her gaze darting around as she absorbed the atmosphere, as she continued her question. “I was saying, why’s it so fortified?” she asked.

I glanced at her, noting the genuine curiosity in her tone. “I guess you don’t know much about the border towns, eh?” I said, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of my lips. “Carlstein is one of the last lines of defense before the border. Beyond that lies the Kingdom of Roshmar,” I recalled the name from the Game. “It’s a small kingdom sandwiched between us and the Erebian Empire on the other side.”

Lilian’s eyes widened slightly, and I could see her piecing the information together. “And if Roshmar falls to the other side, then the Erebian Empire would be right on our doorstep. Is that it?” she asked, understanding dawning in her voice.

“Exactly,” I confirmed, my gaze shifting back to the mansion. “That’s why this place is so fortified. If Roshmar were ever to fall, it could spark a war between the two empires. Carlstein is a critical stronghold.”

Lilian nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. “It’s crazy, though,” she murmured. “Why do big empires always have to fight?”

I didn’t have an answer for that, so I merely shrugged. “Human nature, I suppose.”

“Let us head in, young master,” Sir Carlos said when the guards cleared our entry, moving behind me. Lilian and I led the two dozen knights inside, our heavy boots clattering against the cobblestones.

We stepped through the gates, and my attention was immediately drawn to a figure in the distance. A patch of white hair caught the light, standing out against the darker surroundings. My eyes narrowed, and I recognized my fiancé, standing with a maid, watching our arrival from a distance.

Nebula Carlstein.

[Level 27].

What’s up with her? It’s barely been a month… 5 Levels so fast? How?

I was an anomaly in this world, I killed a 4th Ascension on my own, and then a 9th Ascension vampire demigod. My growth made sense. Hers did not. What was she eating?

Regardless, I felt a smile tug on my lips. The table’s been turned. I was now stronger than her. 

Nebula receiving me wasn’t unexpected, but there was a certain weight to her gaze as it met mine. The last time we’d spoken, things had been a little complicated. I pushed her down and told her to behave. I was unsure if she would be offended by that or not.

As I approached her, a smile on my face, I took her hand with practiced grace, bending slightly to place a kiss on her knuckles. “Nebula, my sweetheart,” I greeted, the words rolling off my tongue as smoothly as they always did in such formal settings. Kissing the hand was an old custom, I wasn’t used to it, but the original Iskandaar was. The memories helped.

Nebula nodded in acknowledgment, her expression composed, but her eyes held a hint of something frigid even as she revealed a smile. “My dear Iskandaar,” she replied, and I was surprised to see her voice laced with sweetness. “It’s heartwarming to see you well. I’ve heard about your encounter in Lockdarn, are you doing well?”

She’s making a show for the crowd, huh? I released her hand and stood up, while the Knight Order behind me smiled seeing their young master act like a gentleman. It’d have been embarrassing if the lady didn’t show courtesy. How considerate.

“Yes, my dear. Lockdarn gave me a difficult time, but I lucked out and survived,” I said, and her gaze shifted from me. She looked at Lilian.

“You must have taken this girl from there, hm? I don’t recall such a peculiar maid the last time I visited your estate,” she said, blue eyes digging into red.

The vampire looked at her archnemesis, as the lunewolf met her gaze in equal cool. The maid did not bow to her lord’s fiance. Her pride didn’t allow her to.

Both of them had already realized what they were. Perhaps not their exact tribe and family, but their race for sure. Especially the maid behind Nebula, smiling gently at Lilian. She might even know Lilian’s affiliation.

“My, such a prideful maid you have there, young master,” said the old lady, turning her gaze toward me. 

Mirella Obsidian.

[Level 58].

An Obsidian not by birth, but by enthralment.

A woman who was once a human, but now a vampire. Servant of Munera Obsidian, Nebula’s mother. I recalled her from the game, as she went to Waybound with Lilian.

Lilian, who had been standing just behind me, had already noticed their scent. There was a frown on her face, her body tense, and I noticed her nostrils flaring slightly. She nudged me subtly, her usually curious eyes now sharp and filled with hate.

“Young master…” she whispered. 

“I talked to you about this. Stay quiet.”

Lilian’s eyes flashed with confusion and frustration, but she nodded, backing off.

Mirella noticed the exchange between me and Lilian. Her gaze flickered to the demi-wolf’s ears, her interest piqued. There was something in the way she looked at Lilian—something almost predatory, yet restrained. Could she recognize a Lunewolf tribe member? 

Well, I guess silver-haired demi-wolves aren't that common. I showed her a practiced smile, “I am yet to teach her all the noble manners, my apologies. I’m sure my dear doesn’t mind, right?”

Despite the tension simmering beneath the surface, Nebula remained composed, her voice smooth as she addressed me again. “No, of course. Your personal maid can be considered my own. It’d be odd to take offense when you’re not offended, my dear. Let us put that aside. The event will begin soon, my dear. Please, follow me inside,” she said, turning to lead the way into the estate.

Mirella stepped forward as well, her gaze lingering on Lilian for a moment longer before she spoke to Sir Carlos. “I’ll escort you to your quarters, knight sirs. You must be tired from the journey,” she looked at Lilian. “Come, leave the young master alone with the lady.”

“....” Lilian’s gaze sharpened, and she opened her mouth. I spoke over her.

“It’s alright, I was planning to show her the ball. She’ll be accompanying me,” I said, unwilling to find out what’d happen if I left her alone with the thrall vampire of the Obsidian Family. Mirella exchanged glances with Nebula, who nodded.

“Of course, as the young master wishes,” she said, bowing, and then taking the knights away.

“Ah yes, of course. Then I’ll see you later, young master,” Sir Carlos said, and I nodded at him. I exchanged goodbye with Sir Lucas as well.

I watched as the group began to move, the knights falling in line behind Mirella. Nebula started walking, and I stayed back a few steps, exchanging glances with Lilian. She looked at me in confusion, and I whispered with a shake of my head. “She doesn’t know that I know she’s a vampire. She didn’t know it herself, until a year ago, when she turned 18. She grew up as a human, so don’t show signs of aggression. You understand?”

“...I got it,” Lilian slowly nodded, the hate in her eyes dampening, although her gaze remained sharp. Giving her one last nod, I followed Nebula’s figure in the distance toward the foreboding entrance of the Carlstein estate. Lilian stayed still for a moment, and then quickly followed behind.

The mansion loomed above us, its dark stone walls seemingly absorbing the light rather than reflecting it, casting long shadows over the courtyard. As we crossed the threshold into the estate, a sense of unease settled in my chest. 

I knew the worry was meaningless, but this place was a fortress in every sense of the word, and now, we were stepping into its dark heart. It felt like I was stepping into a prison. 

“I’m glad you’ve come through this door, my dear,” Nebula said when I caught up with her. “If you had taken the main gates, I’d have had to take you to the ball right away. But this way, I’ll be getting to share a conversation with you before that. Let us head in.”

We stepped into the large, fortress-like gate and it closed behind us with a resounding thud, sealing us in with whatever awaited us inside.