Chapter 110
Chapter 110
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 110
Chapter Title: Chapter 18 Noble Duty (2)
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“Young Master.”
“What is it? Were you waiting?”
“I came ahead since you often emerge around this time.”
“Spooky.”
“This much is basic for a secretary.”
“Ah, right.”
Kurt responded calmly.
Martin started to say something but just shook his head instead.
He knew Kurt was competent, but sometimes it gave him chills.
“Anyway, what’s up so early in the morning?”
“I have a report. The First Prince, along with the heads of the three major factions in the capital, have all entered the dungeon.”
“I didn’t expect them to go on New Year’s Day. Things must be urgent.”
“They had no choice. The citizens of Reize City and the people in the western territories are seething with discontent. To soothe public sentiment, they need to show active effort in monster subjugation.”
“Oh yeah, you were sent to the front lines, right?”
“Yes.”
From the 3rd circle, mages are treated as full-fledged wizards.
That’s why Kurt was immediately pulled to the front lines as soon as the capital was in danger.
But it didn’t seem like a good memory, as his expression soured visibly at the response.
“Honestly, thinking back on it still makes my blood boil. It was a total mess.”
“I heard the three factions didn’t cooperate properly due to fighting over command. They ended up deciding to fight separately, which caused a mismatch and bigger casualties. Is that right?”
“That’s the truth. The commanders were constantly bickering to rack up achievements.”
“Man, what a disaster.”
“What’s even more infuriating is how support, including supplies, was frequently neglected. Naturally, the soldiers’ morale plummeted, the defensive line collapsed, and casualties mounted.”
“At that point, a mutiny wouldn’t have been surprising.”
“Sigh. It actually happened a few times. They were all harshly suppressed, though. At least they knew deaths on their side would look bad, so it was mostly just injuries.”
“What about the press? I can guess, but.”
“As you suspected, they turned a blind eye to the truth. It was only thanks to the First Princess soothing them that no full-scale revolt broke out.”
“Sheesh.”
Martin clicked his tongue lightly.
Kurt continued without paying it any mind.
“Separate from the citizens’ feelings in the capital, the First Princess and Second Prince desperately need a major achievement this time.”
“Yeah. The First Prince destroyed their core, and they successfully planted the image in people’s minds that he was the one who resolved the monster wave. For the First Princess or Second Prince, their only option is to achieve something big in this dungeon run. It won’t be easy.”
“The difference in ability is clear.”
“Exactly.”
Unlike the First Prince, who had reached the 7th circle, the Second Prince and First Princess were stuck at the 6th circle.
Considering their ages, that was impressive, but the problem was their rival had pulled way ahead.
No matter how hard those two tried, they wouldn’t close the gap easily.
“By the way, what about the Klaus House or Ferdinand House? They can’t be taking it easy either. They fared better than the capital, but still took heavy losses.”
“As you guessed. Both family heads have declared they’ll break the record for the dungeon’s deepest layer.”
“That’s intimidating. 10th-circle absolutes have more than enough power for that.”
Heinz Schwarzenbeck, the Crimson Reaper, held the current record at the 69th floor.
There were stronger people on the continent, but they occupied high positions and couldn’t be away for long.
That’s why record-breaking had been slow.
“But this time is different. Beyond restoring public sentiment, there’s a lot to aim for.”
“The Klaus House head yearns for independence, so he needs to prove his greatness.”
“The Ferdinand House head wants to devour the other three great noble houses, so he has to flaunt his strength everywhere. Ugh. The more I think about it, the gladder I am not to have taken the family head position right away.”
Right after the Cradle of Fairies and Dwarven Iron Fortress opened, public opinion had rallied to appoint Martin as head.
Some retainers even directly urged him to take it.
But he flatly refused.
“If I’d become head, I definitely would’ve been compared to those other two.”
“I think the same. At the level of the three great noble houses’ heads, age doesn’t matter. They’ll keep comparing each other, and any shortcomings will draw immediate criticism.”
“Same here. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to be head, but there’s no need to give them ammo when my power is lacking.”
What truly mattered was real authority, which he clearly held.
There was no need to cling to the head position under these circumstances.
“At minimum, I need to hit 9th circle to become head of one of the three great noble houses without being dismissed. Until then, staying as young master quietly is better.”
“Wise judgment.”
“Thanks. So, is the report done?”
“One more left. The Bittenfeld House head expressed a desire to join you on this dungeon run.”
“Why her? Isn’t this the time for her to show dignity as family head?”
Martin voiced his doubt.
Even as a branch family, a head was a head.
To display dignity as head, going personally would be better, so why follow him?
“The Bittenfeld House head answered your question like this: It’s true she became head because the situation fit, but she’s only 5th circle at best.”
“Hmm.”
“Better to go deep with you than show weakness by dragging down the retainers. That’s what she asked me to pass on.”
“Our situations are similar.”
At 5th circle, one could receive decent treatment anywhere.
But this was the Adalbert House, one of the three great noble houses.
With powerhouses like Vincent and Wilhelm among the branch heads, Adel would inevitably be compared to them.
It was far safer for her to descend with him than face that.
“Well, no problem. I haven’t recruited companions besides Sien yet.”
“Then I’ll tell her to come to the main house this afternoon.”
“Do that. I’ll rest a bit.”
“Understood.”
Kurt bowed as he spoke.
Martin nodded and headed to his room.
Then, something suddenly flashed through his mind.
The relationship between Sien and Adel.
‘I remember the one who got ahead first teased the other mercilessly.’
Their talents were essentially equal.
They always leapfrogged each other, pushing toward higher realms.
It was because the rival’s presence stimulated them greatly.
The problem was the commotion that arose in the process.
‘Well, it’ll work out somehow.’
Everyone knew the two were frenemies anyway.
He figured they’d handle it themselves and decided not to dwell.
With the exam so intense, he didn’t want to worry about that already.
‘Even if I go to the dungeon, I should sleep first.’
Once he descended, he wouldn’t sleep in a bed for a while.
So he’d rest fully in bed today.
* * *
Jurgen Ferdinand was genuinely intrigued by the current situation.
“This will be the first for a Ferdinand House member. Not only entering the dungeon via Varehain City, but reaching the 50th floor.”
The three great noble houses and the imperial family generally used only their own territory’s entrances.
No need to go elsewhere when close ones existed, and their competitive natures made it risky to use a rival’s.
So even though Jurgen had visited Varehain City several times, this was his first dungeon entry.
Of course, it wasn’t easy.
He had to alter his face and build using a polymorph artifact to match the forged ID.
He also used a mana drain artifact to constantly absorb mana, minimizing his presence.
‘Didn’t even approach the Adalbert mansion.’
No matter how cautious, he couldn’t guarantee fooling an 8th-circle powerhouse’s senses completely.
So he moved carefully, and it paid off.
He entered the dungeon without issue and reached the desired floor.
“Grrr!”
At the feral cry, Jurgen turned his head slightly.
A massive monster was there.
It had a lion’s face and body, but its hide was flame-red. Muscles bulged like iron plates everywhere, and each claw on its paws was blade-sharp.
Long spines covered its back densely, and a scorpion tail with a venom stinger hung from its rear.
Manticore.
The monster lord guarding the 50th floor, considered the strongest among non-draconic monster lords.
“Kyaooo!”
The manticore roared thunderously.
But wariness dwelled in its eyes.
Instinct told it.
The opponent before it couldn’t be easily defeated.
Jurgen nodded in satisfaction.
“Suitable as a test subject.”
Grip.
He tightened his right hand on the greatsword’s hilt.
Purple aura blade enveloped the blade, but that wasn’t all.
Fierce vibrations erupted, making the blade and aura blade shake violently.
Wave Dominion.
The Ferdinand House’s unique ability, passed only to direct descendants, activated.
“Krraaang!”
Sensing something off, the manticore charged wildly.
Jurgen swung the greatsword down in response, a purple arc slashing toward it.
Kwaduduk!
Flesh tore and bones shattered in a gruesome sound.
The manticore tumbled, deeply slashed from shoulder to torso.
Jurgen approached the fallen beast leisurely.
A syringe was now in his left hand, filled with glowing blue liquid.
“Consider it an honor. You’re the first monster lord to receive this power.”
Stab.
Without pause, Jurgen plunged the syringe into the manticore’s wound.
The blue liquid injected into its body through the gash.
Flash!
As all the liquid entered, brilliant light burst from the manticore’s body.
Its wound healed rapidly at the same time, and its size suddenly grew.
The mana within surged at a terrifying rate.
But it wasn’t mere enhancement.
Reason vanished completely from its eyes, replaced by madness and rage.
“Kroooo!”
It rose and roared once more.
Jurgen watched the scene with a pleased expression.
The berserkization experiment had succeeded.
Now, only one thing remained: confirming if this could artificially trigger last year’s monster wave incident.
“This time, I can’t help but agree with His Highness the Prince.”
The Ferdinand House, Klaus House, and Alteria imperial family had all suffered massive losses in the monster wave.
In contrast, the Adalbert House took no damage.
Where was such injustice?
Kwaaang!
The madness-consumed manticore kicked off the ground toward higher floors, even the surface.
“I hope you understand our pain a little, Martin Adalbert.”
With that, the Ferdinand House young master departed.