Chapter 124
Chapter 124
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 124
Chapter Title: Chapter 18: Founding Festival (9)
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“…….”
Theodore and Nicholas exchanged silent glances.
Though they hadn’t spoken a word, both were acutely aware that the situation was dire.
They weren’t foolish enough to miss that the opportunity granted by the emperor was no opportunity at all.
“Whew.”
Theodore broke the silence with a sigh.
He furrowed his brow and spoke.
“For now, my brother holds the strongest position, followed by my sister. Regrettably, that leaves me in last place.”
Richard had the backing of House Ferdinand.
That meant he could draw on the full might of the East.
Likewise, Claudia could leverage her alliance with Martin to secure aid from House Adalbert and the North.
And that wasn’t all.
Claudia also had House Minert—her mother’s family—as a pillar of support, giving her military superiority in the West over even Richard.
Theodore’s own position was far different.
Even combining the forces of House Royce and his own, he controlled less than half of the West.
Of course, that made him the strongest in the region, but in the current circumstances, it was utterly meaningless.
Compared to Richard and Claudia, who could count on the full support of a regional hegemon, Theodore was starting from well behind the line.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. If we had won the territorial war and crushed Martin Adalbert, securing the dungeon entrance, none of this would have happened.”
Nicholas apologized sincerely.
As much as he hated to admit it, Martin had been right.
They should have ignored Richard and Claudia’s reactions and focused entirely on defeating Martin.
But they hadn’t, and now the Second Prince faced elimination from the most critical contest.
“I don’t blame the marquis in the least. Then as now, our resources were limited. To smash Claudia’s forces entirely and then go after House Adalbert in that situation? That would be as foolish as praying for a miracle.”
“You’re right that we should focus on breakthroughs in the present rather than dwelling on the past, but…….”
“It’s incredibly difficult.”
“Whew. As Your Highness says. And with that bastard Martin holding Your Highness’s weakness, it’s even more disadvantageous.”
“Ever since getting tangled up with that damned cur, nothing has gone right. Everything’s fallen apart.”
Theodore gave a bitter smile.
He had held his ground against Richard, asserting a strong presence.
But after clashing with Martin, everything he had built came crashing down.
He had even allowed a reversal by Claudia, whom he hadn’t even considered a real rival.
If he couldn’t find a way to turn this around, his entire faction would disintegrate.
It was then.
-Both of you seem to have your troubles.-
A man’s voice echoed through the room.
Theodore and Nicholas knew exactly whose it was.
How could they not, having heard it just moments ago?
They quickly exchanged glances and reached the same conclusion.
They wouldn’t attack him.
Humm.
Particles of light gathered in the room, soon forming the shape of a man.
The one who appeared was none other than Werner von Klaus.
“I didn’t expect you to let me in so easily, Nicholas.”
“No need to waste effort on pointless gestures. Especially not against someone I can profit from allying with.”
“Coming to you two was definitely the right call.”
Werner sat in an empty chair with a relaxed smile.
He fixed his gaze on Theodore and Nicholas.
“What I want is independence for House Klaus and the South. I have no intention of toppling the imperial family or the other great houses to replace the Altria Empire. That said, I can’t ignore them entirely. Even so, if they all unite their strength, it would be a tough fight.”
“That doesn’t sound like the man who spoke so boldly before His Majesty.”
“You have to bluff in a place like that.”
“Not wrong. But declaring independence so confidently means you’re not exactly weak.”
“Of course. If it’s just against Ferdinand and the First Prince, I can win for sure.”
As Marquis Royce pondered those words,
“What do you want us to do?”
Theodore asked in a calm tone.
He had given everything to claim the throne from Richard.
He was capable of anything.
Even joining hands with the enemy who had cursed his father and tormented him for so long.
“Very simple. Keep House Adalbert and the North’s forces from coming down to the South. Of course, you could smash House Adalbert first, then push north to seize the dungeon.”
“And what will you do, Duke Klaus?”
“I’ll make sure Karl von Ferdinand and Richard Altria are dead.”
“What about the dungeon entrance in the East? Will you take it?”
“I told you, didn’t I? I’m only interested in independence for House Klaus and the South. Leaving the East alone will drive ambitious upstarts mad to replace House Ferdinand, deepening the empire’s chaos. That alone gives me room to maneuver.”
“This deal is fairer than I expected. Given your advantage, I thought you’d demand more.”
“I don’t like being greedier than necessary.”
“I have to concede that.”
Theodore nodded readily.
Seizing the dungeon entrance in the East would amount to claiming half the empire—enough to declare not just a kingdom, but an empire of his own.
Toppling Karl von Ferdinand would open that door, yet Werner was casually letting it pass.
The attitude was worthy of respect.
“Understood. We’ll crush House Adalbert and Claudia’s forces. Then I’ll ascend the throne, and Marquis Royce will take House Adalbert and the North.”
“I’ll smash House Ferdinand, leaving the East in a vacuum. And I’ll kill Richard to clear your path to the throne.”
Swoosh.
Werner extended his right hand toward Theodore.
Theodore grasped it without hesitation.
‘Before I claim the throne, I’ll make sure you fall first, Martin Adalbert.’
He had no intention of settling for mere death.
He would vent every ounce of pent-up rage and resentment.
And he would punish Claudia too, for allying with him and driving him to the brink of ruin.
Theodore’s killing intent surged stronger than ever.
* * *
After his conversation with Claudia, Martin tried to rest.
But he couldn’t.
An absolute heavyweight had shown up out of nowhere.
‘This is a bit overwhelming.’
He tried to play it cool, but even that was hard.
Still, he wasn’t embarrassed.
Anyone would be intimidated facing one of the heads of the three great houses, Karl von Ferdinand.
“I was disappointed when I met the previous head of House Adalbert, but I also pitied him often. It wasn’t his fault that he lacked talent, or that his sole heir couldn’t properly manifest his unique ability.”
Martin stayed silent at Karl’s words.
The other man continued undeterred.
“But now he can watch over his son in peace from heaven, which is a relief. You’re leading the house admirably as heir. It’ll hold up to my generation, but I worry if my grandchildren can handle you. Good thing I set my sights on you early.”
“Wipe out House Klaus and House Adalbert…… When did you decide that?”
“After meeting your father, the previous head, I set the goal for the first time. And once I learned Werner dreamed of independence, I finalized it.”
“The empire has endured for a thousand years because the three great houses and the imperial family kept each other in check, maintaining balance. If only House Ferdinand and the Altria imperial line remain, conflict is inevitable. House Ferdinand could end up destroyed.”
“I agree that a clash is likely, though who falls is anyone’s guess. But that doesn’t mean I’ll ever move against my son-in-law or grandson.”
Karl’s calm reply.
Martin pressed, unable to comprehend.
“I wonder what drives you to absorb the other great houses, even at the risk of your own family’s destruction.”
“Like Werner dreams of independence, I have grand ambitions. I want House Ferdinand to surpass the lords of the East and forge an empire. Not some shaky confederation like the Altria Empire, but something greater.”
“……It’s terrifying that you think you can achieve that just by toppling Duke Klaus.”
“Didn’t I say it? I have no plans to attack my son-in-law or grandson. Absorbing either House Klaus or House Adalbert will make me the greatest head in our history anyway. The rest I’ll leave to my descendants. Even if they lose to the Altria imperial line.”
Hearing that, Martin recalled House Ferdinand’s iron rule.
‘To compete fairly and claim victory.’
He hadn’t expected it to be this extreme.
What more could he say to a man who didn’t care if his descendants failed?
“This civil war is your first and last chance, acting head of House Adalbert.”
“……So the moment House Klaus falls, you’ll come for me.”
“Exactly. Until then, I won’t harm you, whatever form that takes. I’d even accept a request for aid.”
“And your mercy…… is because I’m still no match for you. A fair fight isn’t even possible yet.”
“Sharp judgment indeed. Grow as strong as you can and struggle. It’s your only way to survive.”
“I won’t go down easily.”
“That’s exactly what I want.”
Karl smiled as he replied.
Martin shook his head at the sight.
He had met many people, but none as inscrutable as the one before him.
In any case, Karl left after delivering what was—or wasn’t—a declaration of war.
Martin thought he could finally rest, but he was wrong.
Knock knock.
A knock sounded.
“Yes.”
Sien entered at Martin’s response, a wry smile on her lips.
“A new guest, Martin.”
“Can’t you send them away? I’m plenty tired already.”
“I don’t want to see you suffer either…… but I don’t think that’ll work. It’s royalty here for you.”
He had spoken with Claudia first, and through Karl von Ferdinand as Richard’s proxy, confirmed intentions.
Theodore coming in person was out of the question.
Excluding all the candidates, only one remained.
‘Mueller Altria.’
He couldn’t fathom why.
But that left no choice but to meet.
“Let them in.”
“Got it.”
Watching Sien leave, Martin thought to himself.
This was going to be a really long day.