Chapter 131
Chapter 131
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: The Beginning of the Turbulent Times (6)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A day had passed since Martin rampaged through the Free City of Akella.
Upon hearing the news, Werner von Klaus immediately sent a communication to Nicholas von Reuss.
“To think we finally seized the Free City of Akella and gained the chance to shake the North through the underworld organizations, only to blow it all in an instant. On top of that, we missed the opportunity to capture Martin Adalbert. To think the ally we joined hands with turns out to be this incompetent. I’m starting to wonder if I made a mistake.”
Werner spoke in a relaxed tone, which twisted Nicholas’s face.
After successfully taking control of Akella City, he had stepped away briefly to scout the next target.
He had long laid out plans for conquering the North, but with so many changes since Martin took power, he needed to reorganize them.
But in that gap, Martin had stormed in and dealt massive blows not just to their own forces, but to the underworld organizations as well.
At this rate, the meaning of their initial victory in the opening battle was bound to fade.
*It’s true he’s gained a bit more time to live, but that’s as far as it goes. There’s no chance Martin Adalbert survives this war. I’ll make sure to kill him with my own hands.*
“To control the dungeon entrance, that much was necessary. Isn’t it the perfect way to prove to the public that a new master has appeared in the North?”
Werner nodded with a leisurely expression.
Seeing this, Nicholas felt humiliated but hid his inner thoughts.
Hadn’t he already committed a blunder?
He didn’t want to show further disgrace in the midst of it.
To that end, he changed the subject.
*By the way, what exactly is this drug called Doom? It’s impossible to achieve those effects just by refining Clodel. How was it made? What was the intent?*
He had investigated immediately upon receiving Doom, but even Nicholas, who had reached the 9th Circle, couldn’t figure out the recipe.
He could only guess that some special magic had been applied.
“The method of production is top secret, so I can’t tell you.”
*You’re keeping it from your ally as well?*
“Only two people know about Doom, including me. Not even my own children know anything, so I’d appreciate your understanding. As for the intent, it’s simple. I’ve long pondered how to more effectively enhance our forces. Then one question came to mind: is it possible to forcibly awaken unique abilities through artificial means?”
*The existing Clodel drugs stimulate the brain to exponentially enhance the five senses. And unique abilities are also linked to the brain. That’s why you tried manufacturing a new drug through Clodel.*
“You’ve got it exactly right. And we achieved some results. We succeeded in forcibly opening the mana core in the head to awaken unique abilities. The problem is that everyone who took Doom died shortly after.”
That was why Werner continued his research.
How to extend the user’s lifespan.
And how much it could be utilized.
To avoid getting tunnel vision, he brought in a large number of underworld leaders.
Yet he still couldn’t find a way to improve Doom.
It wasn’t that there were no results at all, however.
“Then one of my collaborators discovered a new potential in Doom. If a specific magic circle is added to the existing Clodel drug, the user’s mana and life force temporarily amplify, leading to an explosion.”
*You improved it based on that?*
“Exactly. I reinforced the magic circle and developed the current Doom, turning the user’s entire body into a weapon. It’s regrettable that the user needs to be at least 1st Circle, but as a weapon, it has its merits.”
*I agree on that point, but you can’t deny the ethical issues. What if the imperial family issues a joint condemnation?*
“What’s there to worry about? There’s no evidence to begin with.”
Werner smirked.
The body shatters completely the moment it explodes.
So there was no way to find traces of Doom use.
“We can just say they were loyal soldiers who willingly sacrificed themselves. Cases like this are quite common in history anyway.”
*When you put it that way, sure.*
“We just need to keep our promises to the soldiers. So I’d appreciate it if you didn’t skimp on the compensation.”
Before distributing Doom, Werner had explained everything to the soldiers.
That taking Doom would cost them their lives soon after.
In return, he promised massive compensation to the families of those who willingly sacrificed themselves, and to take responsibility for their futures as well.
*That’s only possible because the Klaus family has long educated the commoners to pledge loyalty to the Klaus family and the South. We’ve pulled in some soldiers and underworld members, but we can’t use it on that large a scale.*
“Then we use it at the decisive moment. Just make sure the secret doesn’t leak.”
*I’ll keep that in mind.*
It was then, as Nicholas nodded.
“We have a problem!”
Werner’s office door burst open, and a messenger rushed in.
The man’s face was filled with urgency.
“What is it?”
“Martin Adalbert has held a press conference. And the content of it…”
The messenger hesitated, glancing at Nicholas.
Nicholas frowned and urged him on.
*Tell us what happened, quickly.*
“W-well, he said he would reveal the crimes committed by His Highness the Second Prince…”
“Crimes? Did the Second Prince commit something bad enough to warrant an official press conference?”
Werner looked at Nicholas with a puzzled expression.
Seeing the man’s face twist dramatically, he clicked his tongue.
“So he did.”
*That’s…*
“I’m really starting to think I chose the wrong ally. I won’t interfere, so handle it yourself. We’ll talk later.”
With that, Werner cut off the communication.
He then let out a sigh.
“Whew. I didn’t like how he was overreaching for the Three Great Houses, but to think he’d drag me down like this.”
The Second Prince’s faction and Martin’s Adalbert family hadn’t clashed yet, but the outcome was clear.
After all, hadn’t both the Second Prince and Nicholas been toyed with by Martin’s schemes every time?
It had always been that way so far, and now with Martin even stronger, the picture was all too obvious.
After a moment of contemplation, he made a decision.
“I guess we’ll have to negotiate.”
Alliance was impossible, but they could at least talk if mutual benefits were on the table.
He’d need to watch the situation a bit more, though.
With that thought, Werner reached for the report on the Ferdinand family’s movements.
* * *
Martin, standing at the podium, lightly scanned the surroundings.
He had invited many reporters for the official announcement, filling the conference room.
Unlike their fierce struggles for good seats, no one spoke up.
They all remained silent, waiting for Martin’s announcement.
“I am Martin Adalbert.”
In the Alteria Empire, only the emperor at the pinnacle and the heads of the Three Great Houses were exempt; even high nobles below them had to use formal speech in official settings.
It was because every word was transmitted directly to the imperial citizens.
“As you all know, about 300 years ago, the slave system was officially abolished. Not only humans but enslaving other races was forbidden as well. Yet recently, violators were discovered, and I punished them severely in accordance with imperial law.”
With that, Martin smiled inwardly.
*No need to go head-to-head from the start.*
The battle with the Second Prince’s faction was for hegemony in the North.
They had to prove who the master was, leaving no choice but all-out war through repeated engagements.
More precisely, the decisive battle between him and Nicholas von Reuss would decide everything.
Knowing that, the Second Prince’s faction had abandoned defending their own territories to swarm the North.
How tempting was it to monopolize everything with a single victory.
Of course, with the Adalbert family’s current power, victory wouldn’t be hard, but did he really need to waste that strength?
That was why he held the press conference.
“There is a noble who kidnapped commoner women to satisfy his desires and made them slaves. Not content with that, he forcibly induced miscarriages with poison when they became pregnant. The number of lives lost in the process is considerable.”
“How could that be!”
“To wear human skin and commit such atrocities…”
Even without the reporters Martin had arranged to react, everyone was outraged.
How could a person commit such heinous acts!
“That’s not the end of it! He mercilessly murdered women who tried to escape or resist. Even more horrific, when he thought his crimes would be exposed, he tried to erase all traces! This is the evidence!”
With that, Martin signaled to Cyan, who stood below the podium.
Catching on, she quickly distributed photos to the reporters in the front row.
The reporters hurriedly looked and then.
“Urk!”
“Blech!”
As if on cue, they dry-heaved and averted their eyes from the photos.
Even reporters were ordinary people.
They couldn’t stomach scenes of women butchered with blades or horrifically burned to death.
In fact, the other reporters gasped in horror upon seeing the photos.
*That bastard really is insane.*
It was true that he had blackmailed the man.
But even so, how could he kill that many people?
Separate from winning the war, Theodore Alteria’s crimes needed to be properly exposed.
One reporter asked.
“Were… were there no survivors?”
“We were fortunate to find and protect one survivor.”
“Phew! Thank goodness!”
“O God, we sincerely thank you for your mercy.”
Martin heard sighs of relief from various places at his words.
“We couldn’t bring her here due to potential threats to her safety. I ask for your understanding on that point.”
Everyone nodded at Martin’s words.
A survivor’s testimony would make it easier to spread the truth, but the photos alone were more than enough to convey the severity.
Now all that remained was hearing who committed such horrors.
Looking at them, Martin smiled inwardly.
*I hope you’ll let this little lie slide as a cute embellishment, Theodore Alteria.*
He thought a bit of drama was needed, and he wanted to grate on Theodore’s nerves even more.
What could the guy do about it anyway?
No one would believe him even if he called it a lie.
“The culprit’s identity was shocking. Honestly, many of you will doubt my words even after hearing them. But citizens, everything I say is the truth.”
With that, Martin steadied his breath.
And drove in the wedge.
“The name of the criminal who kidnapped and murdered the women is Theodore Alteria—the Second Prince of our Alteria Empire!”
“What?!”
“No way!”
The reporters were genuinely stunned.
Seeing them, Martin was certain.
*The defeat in the opening battle is now meaningless.*
The fact that he rampaged in Akella City might get buried too, but it didn’t matter.
What was important was that Theodore Alteria’s image was completely shattered.