Chapter 117
Chapter 117
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: Founding Festival (2)
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“Jürgen Ferdinand.”
The head of the Ferdinand family and an absolute being of the 10th Circle.
Karl von Ferdinand opened his mouth.
At that moment, Richardt felt chills creeping over his entire body.
‘I feel it every time, but I just can’t get used to it.’
His opponent hadn’t revealed any power at all.
He had merely uttered a short phrase, yet Richardt was overwhelmed by it.
‘Even 7th Circle mages are said to rank in the top hundred in the Empire…’
He took pride in his own abilities, but comparing himself to the man before him was utterly meaningless.
Those who had reached the 9th Circle were the exceptions; for anyone below that, there was little difference from insects to 10th Circle absolutes.
They could all be crushed with a single strike.
In fact, Jürgen, as befitting a 9th Circle powerhouse, opened his mouth to speak.
His entire body continued to twitch with chills, proving how thoroughly he had been overwhelmed by Karl.
“……Speak, family head.”
“Something interesting happened in Barrehain City. To think you’d try to artificially recreate last year’s incident using the core of the monster wave.”
The moment Karl finished speaking, both the singled-out Jürgen and the listening Richardt felt their hearts sink.
The operation to descend into Barrehain City’s dungeon and infuse the monster lord with the core’s power had been conducted in utmost secrecy.
Even the researchers who had studied the monster wave core to create drugs had no idea what Jürgen intended to do with it.
Yet here was Karl, remaining in the east, seeing through it all crystal clear.
‘Even for the Ferdinand family, how do they gather such detailed information from another region…’
Richardt clicked his tongue in amazement.
Just as the three great noble houses guarded their own territories, the imperial family perfectly controlled the west.
It had only begun to waver slightly after the emperor’s collapse, but it hadn’t yet spiraled into the worst.
And yet, Karl saw through everything.
There was no way to know how he had found out.
But more importantly, they had been caught by someone they absolutely could not afford to be discovered by.
“Do you remember? Ten years ago, when you were officially recognized as the vice family head, what I said to you.”
“That those who would reign at the pinnacle must walk the righteous path and must not resort to half-baked tricks.”
Throb. Throb.
With every word he spoke, Jürgen felt as if his body was being crushed.
But he maintained his composure as best he could, showing no outward sign.
“That’s right. And five years ago, when I tasked you with supporting your maternal cousin, I had some words for you.”
“You said that His Highness the Prince bears the great task of changing the Empire’s history, so he must be guided along the proper path.”
“You remember well. So why aren’t you putting it into practice?”
“I’m sorry, family head.”
Jürgen immediately bowed his head.
The ironclad principle revered by the Ferdinand family was simple.
To compete fairly and claim victory.
In that sense, what he and Richardt had done in Barrehain City directly clashed with the family’s ideals.
“Richardt.”
“……Yes.”
“You are my maternal grandson, but you are not a member of the Ferdinand family. Thus, I cannot impose our family’s values on you. The Alteria imperial family has its own pursuits as well.”
Karl von Ferdinand’s tone was calm.
But Richardt, the listener, felt differently.
It was as if his heart was being squeezed.
“In these chaotic times, pursuing righteousness or justice might seem like pointless pride. Perhaps you even think an old man like me is spouting obvious nonsense without a care.”
“No, sir!”
Richardt shouted with all his might.
He even circulated his mana to shake off the oppressive pressure dominating his body.
Karl smirked at the sight, but only briefly.
He soon resumed his serious expression and spoke.
“You must know this. Every noble in the Empire is paying close attention to Martin Adalbert’s movements.”
“Yes.”
“There may be a time difference, but both you and Martin Adalbert have the qualities to stand on equal footing with me. However, if asked who would make the better ruler, I would choose Martin Adalbert without hesitation.”
“……May I ask why?”
“Nobles are generally heavy in the seat, but that man is different. He always leads from the front, unafraid to shoulder heavy responsibility and burden. That’s why he detected last year’s monster wave incident faster than anyone and ultimately stopped it more successfully than anyone.”
From Richardt’s perspective, there were plenty of points to argue.
Martin had awakened his unique ability late, so his position in his family wasn’t great. He had no choice but to take the lead.
But Richardt didn’t voice it.
Martin had proven everything with results.
Any excuses would only make him look worse.
“The people remember only those who shone brightest at the forefront. Public sentiment gathers to those who perform such feats, and in the end, they become excellent rulers. That’s why I hope you won’t manipulate things from the shadows but lead from the front like Martin Adalbert.”
“I will keep your words in mind, family head.”
“Of course, how you act going forward is your freedom. What I want from you, after all, is just one thing: to clearly prove you have what it takes to become emperor.”
“I have never once broken a deal with anyone. This time will be no different.”
Richardt revealed his confidence in a calm tone.
Karl nodded at the sight.
“I’ll be watching. By the way, your father still hasn’t awakened?”
“……His breathing is steady, but he hasn’t regained consciousness once since collapsing.”
“To think a man who reached the 10th Circle would fall to mere illness. Well, since I’ve come to my son-in-law’s house, it would be rude not to pay my respects.”
“It may be difficult during this Founding Festival. His condition has worsened recently, so visits are prohibited except for me and my siblings.”
“What a shame.”
Karl lightly clicked his tongue.
Richardt gently placated him.
“Instead, your grandson will personally guide you through the imperial palace. It’s been a while since we’ve walked together, hasn’t it?”
“That’s not a bad idea. I leave it to you.”
“Leave it to me.”
Richardt gladly replied and immediately moved to Karl’s side.
The two headed outside, while Jürgen and the others followed at a distance.
* * *
Martin stood side by side with Claudia, conversing.
“Phew. We failed again this time.”
“Failed… Ah, you mean the chairperson position for the grand assembly.”
The chairperson of the grand assembly was, naturally, always the emperor.
It had been tradition, but with the current emperor incapacitated, it was impossible now.
Thus, one of the heirs—the First Prince, Second Prince, or First Princess—had to take the role.
With the situation as it was, every year as the Founding Festival approached, the factions engaged in fierce behind-the-scenes competition for the chairperson seat.
“Strictly speaking, Your Highness the Princess hasn’t really been competing up until now…”
Claudia’s First Princess faction had distinguished itself only in military might; its political influence was far weaker than the other factions.
So in cases like this, the best they could do was indirectly support one side rather than stepping forward directly.
“Do you have to point that out to feel satisfied, vice family head?”
“I’m sorry.”
Claudia glared at Martin.
He immediately apologized, grinning brightly in a way that no one would mistake for sincerity.
In the end, she let out another sigh before continuing.
“Still, I really thought we had a chance this time. With Richardt oppa and Theodore oppa alternating as chairpersons, it’s my turn by rights. But they’re all dead set against it, aren’t they?”
“Ever since allying with me, Your Highness the Princess’s momentum has been growing day by day. If you took the chairperson role on top of that, no one could deny you’re the frontrunner, so the two princes have no choice but to block it desperately.”
“Even so, I didn’t expect Theodore oppa to openly support Richardt oppa. If they’d competed separately, I would’ve had a much better shot.”
“That is odd. Everyone knows the Second Prince dislikes the First Prince, yet he openly endorses him.”
“Honestly, there’s something else that bothers me.”
Claudia spoke in a low voice.
Martin, intrigued, asked.
“What is it?”
“Theodore oppa has been extremely quiet lately. Aside from declaring support for Richardt oppa as chairperson and fighting in the dungeon for some noble duty, he hasn’t done any public activities at all. Even his faction’s nobles only meet him at his detached palace.”
“That does seem suspicious.”
“Right? Both Theodore oppa and Marquis Lois have been thwarted by you multiple times. It feels like they’re plotting something to make up for those failures. What do you think?”
“I agree that’s the most likely scenario right now. They need to strike at me to restore their standing. They’ll probably make a big move during this grand assembly.”
“That’s my view too. So I’m steeling myself.”
During the last territorial war, Marquis Lois’s faction had avoided clashing with the First Princess faction by taking detours to the north.
But there was no way the now diminished Theodore or Nicholas would make the same choice again.
Even if it meant mutual destruction, they would target Claudia and Martin.
“If a real fight breaks out, it would essentially be a civil war… Ugh!”
“Urk!”
“Eek!”
As Martin continued speaking, he let out a groan.
Vincent von Egret and Wilhelm von Pasek, following behind, were the same.
Drip.
Almost simultaneously, cold sweat soaked their backs, and goosebumps rose on their arms.
Their instincts warned them.
A being on an entirely different level from anyone they had encountered so far was approaching.
Whoosh!
Martin turned his head to look at Irina von Minert.
Even she, who had reached the 9th Circle, looked unwell.
“What’s wrong all of a sudden, vice family head? If you’re not feeling well…”
“It’s time to receive another guest now, Your Highness the Princess.”
“……Another guest?”
“An absolute of the 10th Circle is approaching. Subtly emitting an aura that only powerhouses can sense.”
At Martin’s words, Claudia steadied her breathing.
To maintain her composure somehow.
“He’s coming.”
“Yeah.”
Martin agreed with Vincent’s words.
A group emerged from the building across the way, all cloaked from head to toe in robes.
Except for one: an elderly man with gray hair and beard, boldly showing his face.
From him emanated an aura that seemed to dominate all creation, as if the entire imperial palace were under his control.
“……Werner von Klaus.”
One pillar of the three great noble houses, the head of the Klaus family.
The strongest mage in the Alteria Empire, evaluated as its greatest sage.
The man who claimed the Empire’s skies was now approaching Martin’s group.