Chapter 132
Chapter 132
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: The Beginning of the Turbulent Times (7)
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Martin’s press conference quickly spread across the entire empire.
As if they had been waiting for it, Richard and Claudia stepped forward publicly to condemn Theodore.
They also claimed that his right to the throne should be stripped away.
Theodore countered by insisting that Martin Adalbert was slandering him, but he knew full well.
That there was no chance his claims would gain traction with the public.
“Martin Adalbert!”
Bang!
Unable to contain his rage, Theodore slammed his fist down on the desk.
It had been crafted with painstaking care by a master artisan, but it couldn’t withstand the immense force and split in half.
Even that did nothing to quell his anger, and Theodore kept roaring as he grabbed everything within reach and hurled it or smashed it.
“I’ll kill you! You, above all, I’ll tear you limb from limb!”
After being threatened by Martin at Claudia’s birthday party, he had cleaned up the villa.
He had thought that was the end of it and let his guard down, but unfortunately, it had all been wishful thinking on his part.
In the most despicable fashion, Martin had exposed the real incident.
What infuriated him even more was that it was laced with lies.
“What do you mean you were lucky enough to find one survivor! I confirmed every last one was disposed of!”
To avoid getting caught by the ankles, he had left not a single one alive.
Not only that, he had burned down the villa itself to leave as few traces as possible.
And yet, that bastard had the gall to spew bald-faced lies. If Martin were in front of him right now, he’d grind him down to dust and bones.
“Hoo. If I had my way, I’d lead all our forces straight into Barehain City and burn everything except the dungeon entrance to the ground. I know we’re not in a position to do that right now, though.”
Theodore glared at Nicholas with a murderous expression as he spoke.
Even at the peak of his fury, he hadn’t lost his reason.
Nicholas responded calmly.
“Your Highness is right that marching on Barehain City now would be difficult. With the troops so badly shaken, any rash move would lead to a crushing defeat.”
Wars on the Crasian continent were mostly decided by the exploits of superhumans like knights and mages.
That was why Nicholas was so desperate to kill Martin somehow.
However, ever since the magic engine era began, the role of regular soldiers had grown significantly more important.
In the recent preliminary battle alone, they had secured victory through the soldiers’ suicide attacks.
That was why they needed to bolster the troops’ morale.
“And considering Martin Adalbert’s personality, he’ll do everything he can to avoid battle. He’ll drag things out with a war of words, erode our morale, and sow unrest among the imperial citizens.”
“That slimy bastard would absolutely do that.”
“The real problem is His Majesty the Emperor. Has His Majesty received any word from Your Highness?”
“I only spoke with Marquis Maias. His Majesty said he won’t intervene in this war no matter what happens. At least he’s not stripping me of my succession rights immediately, which is something...”
“If His Majesty changes his mind, we’re done for. That’s all the more reason we need to calm the troops’ unrest.”
“I’ll distribute my personal funds to the soldiers. If I appoint those who earn merits as knights and promise unwavering support to help them reach higher realms, that should stabilize things somewhat. The problem is figuring out what to say to the public.”
“We can’t sway public opinion right now. The best course is to restore order as much as possible, win the war, and then reveal it was all a fabrication.”
Unlike Martin, they had no juicy material to redirect public attention.
That was why they had tried to plant a positive image with the preliminary battle victory, but Martin’s rampage in Akella City and this exposé had ruined everything.
“That’s too weak. Shouldn’t he taste at least some of the humiliation and disgrace I’ve suffered?”
A smile crept onto Theodore’s lips.
The smile, brimming with killing intent and madness, sent chills down the spine of anyone who saw it.
“...What is it you desire?”
“I’ve already been branded trash. There’s no fixing it right now, so that image is set in stone.”
Nicholas didn’t deny Theodore’s words.
Once something was imprinted in the public mind through agitation, it was hard to change.
Especially since this was based on truth.
It was practically impossible to clean up with ordinary means.
“So I’m going to become the real villain. I need to make an example of what happens to those who defy me.”
“Become the villain—what do you mean?”
“I’ll send my direct troops to burn the nearby territories. That’ll make it crystal clear what it means to be my enemy. At the same time, it’ll prove Martin Adalbert can’t protect everyone.”
“Hmm.”
Nicholas furrowed his brow slightly.
His ambition was to crush House Adalbert and become the hegemon of the North.
From that perspective, imprinting a tyrant image on the citizens wouldn’t do him any favors.
Once he reached the top of the North, rebellions popping up here and there would be a huge hassle.
But he couldn’t blindly oppose it now.
“If you’re going to do it, do it thoroughly. Bury everything in fear.”
“Thank you for the support, Marquis. I’ll etch that advice in my heart.”
Theodore’s eyes flashed intensely as he replied.
‘You’ll pay dearly for wagging your tongue, Martin Adalbert.’
He vowed to make him regret it for life.
* * *
Martin convened a meeting with his top brass.
But there was something special this time: Bartez, the grand elder of Altaire Village, and Elder Armand were present.
“Before we dive into the formal proceedings, allow me to express my gratitude to Sir Bartez and Sir Armand for deciding to fight alongside us as members of the alliance.”
“No need for thanks, young lord. House Klaus not only refused to rescue High Elf Solen but even scorned us. They are unequivocally our enemies. The Second Prince, their collaborator, and his forces are the same. If anything, we should thank you for giving us the chance to settle the score.”
“I’m glad our interests align.”
“You could say that.”
Bartez replied with a smile.
Martin nodded and continued, looking at the others in turn.
“If House Adalbert and the other northern lords unite our strength, crushing the Second Prince’s faction will be easy enough. Nicholas von Loys is the only real issue, but Sir Bartez here can more than handle him.”
That didn’t mean he planned to let Bartez finish Nicholas off.
Killing that bastard was his prerogative, after all.
“But our true enemies aren’t the Second Prince or Nicholas. The imperial family and House Ferdinand are the ones we really need to watch. Of course, if House Klaus defeats them and achieves clean independence, that won’t be an issue—but until the outcome is clear, we must regard those two as our top threats.”
“I agree with the young lord. With the Emperor tacitly backing the First Prince, we must prepare for the future.”
“Separate from vigilance toward those two, we still need to keep an eye on the Second Prince’s faction. Given their nature, they’re capable of anything.”
As Vincent chimed in, Philip followed with his own opinion.
Martin nodded lightly.
“The Second Prince is just the type. Say, burning nearby territories and massacring the locals indiscriminately.”
It wasn’t mere speculation.
Before his regression, Theodore had botched the monster wave response, earning the ire of his people.
Instead of soothing their discontent, he let it fester, until it boiled over into a revolt—which he crushed brutally.
A guy who slaughtered his own people without mercy wouldn’t hesitate to touch others’.
‘No way he’d hold back.’
Might as well entrust a fish to a cat.
“Elders Aren, Oriana, and Christian. Please lead your direct units to protect the territories near Akella City. Depart as soon as the meeting ends.”
“We obey your command, young lord.”
The three named elders replied in unison.
With units including 7th Circle powerhouses joining them, the Second Prince’s faction wouldn’t dare touch those places easily.
But Martin had no intention of stopping there.
Hadn’t he resolved to screw over the Second Prince and Nicholas as much as possible?
“Sir Bartez, Sir Armand.”
“Speak, young lord.”
“Please stand by near the Free City of Akella and attack if the enemy shows themselves. No need for a frontal assault—just hit-and-run raids to rack up small damages.”
“Guerrilla tactics to bleed them and keep them on edge, right?”
“Exactly.”
“Hit-and-fade is an elven specialty. We’ll follow your lead.”
“Thank you.”
With the elves on board, it wasn’t an exaggeration to say the Second Prince’s faction could do nothing.
One could say the entire enemy force was dancing in the palm of his hand.
Of course, he wasn’t satisfied with that.
“Sir Vincent. I have a favor to ask.”
“Don’t tell me... you’re making me acting commander again?”
“More precisely, proxy. Full-scale war is my call anyway, so it’s fine if I step out briefly.”
“Egh. What are you up to now?”
“Didn’t you say Duke Klaus entrusted research on Doom to an underworld group? Since things have come to this, I’m going to try catching the Medicine King.”
“Even if you catch him, does it change anything? I doubt he has some way to stop the suicide bombs.”
“I agree on that front. But I plan to publicly expose info on Doom to screw over House Klaus and the Second Prince’s faction. Though the real damage will hit the Second Prince’s side hardest.”
“Why is that?”
Vincent raised a question at Martin’s words.
Lucas spoke up.
“Just as House Adalbert wields influence over all northern citizens, House Klaus has gripped the southern ones. So the southerners would die for House Klaus without hesitation, but it’s different for the Second Prince. Once it’s revealed he’s kidnapping and massacring women, and using soldiers as suicide pawns, he’ll never win the public’s heart.”
“Exactly as Captain Lucas says. We’re fighting the Second Prince’s faction now, but we don’t need to push House Klaus too hard. We want them to weaken the imperial family and House Ferdinand as much as possible.”
“So you’re open to allying with House Klaus once the Second Prince’s faction is gone?”
“We won’t openly ally, but we can use them.”
As Martin spoke confidently, Vincent nodded in approval.
Then Elder Oriana spoke up.
“Do you know the Medicine King’s location? His hideout is supposed to be perfectly concealed.”
“Yes. The previous family head investigated it. I’ll be back soon, so please stay faithful to your duties while I’m gone.”
“Understood.”
The meeting concluded there.
Martin left Barehain City with Sien and Adel.