Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: The Way to Seize the Initiative (2)
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An awkward silence enveloped Martin's office.
But it didn't last long.
"Kuhahaha!"
Vincent von Egrid burst into mad laughter once more.
This time, he bent over, clutching his stomach with his right hand while relentlessly pounding the table with his left.
Tears welled up in his eyes.
"I'm truly grateful, Young Lord. Both just now and this—it's been ages since I laughed like this."
"I wasn't particularly joking."
"Don't misunderstand. I never took it as a joke. I just like your guts, that's all. Your nerve alone makes you the strongest in the Alteria Empire."
The moment he finished speaking, Vincent's expression turned deadly serious, as if by magic.
"I've always thought highly of you, Young Lord."
"I know. That's why you readily allowed Sien to become my guard. But I still don't know exactly what it is you like about me."
"You must know this yourself, Young Lord. Among those afflicted with the Dragon's Curse, not many awaken their true talents."
"That's true."
Martin nodded lightly in agreement.
Those with the Dragon's Curse lived on borrowed time.
Even with the greatest talent, twenty years was too short to bloom.
Knowing it was meaningless made it hard to ignite any passion.
'Overcoming that deep-seated skepticism is incredibly difficult.'
Even if they did overcome it, problems remained.
The pain only intensified over time.
Practicing swordsmanship or magic, developing unique abilities while enduring that?
Easy to say, but incredibly hard to put into practice.
"In that sense, I was lucky. I managed to push through because someone was there cracking the whip."
Martin's gaze turned to Sien.
A soft smile graced her lips.
"Ahem."
Vincent cleared his throat awkwardly to lighten the mood.
His daughter, who only scowled in his presence.
To see her smile so brightly—it made him envious of Martin this time.
Of course, he didn't show it outright.
"What's important is that you overcame resignation and pain. You knew you had no future, were branded incompetent, yet you devoted yourself to the sword. Even consuming dragon blood. I hold your mental fortitude in high regard."
"Thank you for thinking so highly of me. So I can assume you're with me now, Sir Vincent?"
"Not quite."
"Didn't you say you thought highly of me?"
"Didn't you promise to entertain me? You haven't kept that promise yet, Young Lord."
Sssk.
Martin grinned as if amused by Vincent's words.
"You're right, I slipped up. A promise once made must be kept."
"Confident you can deliver?"
"Of course."
Sssk.
Martin removed his gloves and tossed them lightly.
Vincent caught them with a laugh.
"I'd like a proper match, Sir Vincent."
"Martin, what are you..."
Sien trailed off, glancing between the two men.
They were already smiling at each other, minds aligned.
She wasn't so obtuse as to try stopping them now.
"Excellent. If you're declaring yourself the next head of House Adalbert, you need that kind of guts. I accept your challenge, Young Lord."
"Thank you."
"Your smile hasn't faded—do you think you can beat me?"
"Perish the thought."
"Aren't you being too modest, Young Lord? A single circle difference isn't that significant, is it? And Space Domination is a powerful ability that closes gaps on its own. It wouldn't be strange for you to show some confidence."
"That might work on others. But not against sword aura."
He was an 8th Circle mage, but Vincent could ascend to 9th at any moment—a true powerhouse.
In his Sword Saint days, maybe, but now? His chances were slim.
'Win or lose doesn't matter anyway.'
What mattered was that Vincent von Egrid was a knight officially recognized by the Emperor.
In other words, the most respected knight in House Adalbert today.
His public endorsement alone would grant immense influence—enough to check the elders or branch family heads.
'If it were anyone else, there are plenty of ways to bind them besides a spar.'
He knew the weaknesses of many high-ranking members of the main house.
Vincent was the exception.
He had never committed any misdeeds.
'Sir Vincent is the quintessential knight. Better to win his heart this way than threaten with words.'
Of course, that didn't mean he'd throw the fight just because victory wasn't the point.
It was in the past, but hadn't he been called the Sword Saint before his regression?
Even with the skill gap, his pride wouldn't easily allow defeat.
"By the way, there's one thing I need your permission for."
"Hm? What?"
"I want to make this bigger."
Unlike the puzzled Vincent, Martin wore a playful smile.
* * *
News of Martin's challenge to Vincent spread like wildfire.
Crowds gathered at the training grounds to watch.
Martin Adalbert, direct lineage who had reclaimed his power.
Vincent, the pinnacle among the five branch families—and the strongest.
How could anyone ignore their clash?
"I'm curious. How will the genius Young Lord fight someone stronger than him?"
"Even for the Young Lord, this is tough. Viscount Egrid is an 8th Circle powerhouse. The Young Lord, freshly at 4th Circle, won't withstand a single blow. Even if Viscount Egrid goes easy."
"Nah, one blow is too much. The Young Lord awakened Space Domination. He's no ordinary 4th Circle."
"Wanna bet? Whether the Young Lord blocks Viscount Egrid's first strike. I'll bet he can't."
"I'll take he can. Loser stands watch for the winner once?"
The knights gathered to watch chattered excitedly among themselves.
But they all thought the same.
Martin and Vincent wouldn't truly clash. The skill gap was too vast.
So they took it all in stride.
Not everyone could, though—the elders.
They had no choice but to take it seriously.
"Viscount Egrid seems set to officially back the Young Lord. Setting the stage like this."
"Not surprising. He's been favorable from the start. With Space Domination awakened, no reason to hesitate now."
Aren Cruise sighed bitterly, and Marius Protal replied indifferently.
Oriana Flores shook her head.
"The problem is Viscount Egrid's reputation. You know many young main house knights admire him, Marius Elder? Calling his straightforward actions bold or manly, whatever."
"Hmm."
"And there's more to worry about. The Captains of the White Dragon Knights and Golden Dragon Knights are close with Viscount Egrid. If they publicly support the Young Lord, we'd lose over half the main house's forces."
"Sounds like the Young Lord called Viscount Egrid early, factoring that in. Am I right?"
"Personal guess, but that's the most likely. Seizing the dungeon entrance brought House Adalbert immense wealth, but at its core, we're a martial house. Control the main house's core combat units, and as Young Lord, he'd have nothing to fear—even from the three branches or us."
Marius Elder's face darkened at Oriana Elder's words.
"I hope you're not fixating only on negatives, Oriana Elder. The heads of Bittenfeld, Rustal, and Pezeks are dead set against him. They vowed to block his ascension at this大会."
"They wouldn't speak lightly, so they must have something prepared."
"Exactly. We just bide our time, watch, and block any gains for the Young Lord."
"That's ideal, but... I doubt it'll be that simple. The Young Lord doesn't seem the type to go down easy."
She knew Aren Elder had a point.
Yet Oriana Elder's expression remained grim.
Martin's actions since returning to the main house had been too unconventional.
"As Aren Elder says, excessive worry isn't good. Even a genius Young Lord is just 18. Slim chance a fresh adult fends off three heads' political offensive."
"Marius Elder is right. We just align with them properly."
With Aren Elder backing Marius, Oriana Elder nodded.
Her grim expression unchanged.
Thud. Thud.
As they debated heatedly, heavy footsteps echoed, a weighty presence blanketing the training grounds.
They all fell silent and turned.
At the edge of their vision stood Martin and Vincent, ascending side by side.
Whoosh!
Aren Elder shot to his feet in alarm.
No, not just him.
Marius and Oriana Elders also leaped up, staring at Martin in disbelief.
All three were 7th Circle powerhouses.
They recognized it immediately—Martin's true power.
'What the hell happened!'
Aren Elder screamed inwardly.