Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: How to Seize the Initiative (6)
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Stefan Rustal.
Simon Fezeks.
Callain Gustin.
Adel Bittenfeld.
The heirs of the branch families had gathered in one place, excluding Sien Igrit.
However, their expressions were all different.
Stefan Rustal's face was contorted in rage. In contrast, Simon Fezeks clearly looked frightened.
Callain Gustin maintained a calm demeanor, while Adel Bittenfeld was utterly expressionless.
"7th Circle at 18? Even if that Martin bastard is one of history's greatest geniuses, this doesn't make sense."
"Umm. Direct descendants who manifest their unique abilities are guaranteed one spirit elixir from the Tyrant's Chamber. And he's started learning Adalbert swordsmanship..."
"You know that's nonsense, Simon. Even taking a dragon heart wouldn't boost your realm that much. And yes, Adalbert swordsmanship is the strongest, but there are plenty of martial arts on par with it. Has anyone ever reached 7th Circle at 18? In just three months, no less?"
Stefan growled accusingly.
Simon shut his mouth at the other's menacing glare.
Irritated, Stefan ground his teeth.
Whoosh!
Stefan roughly turned his head. His fierce gaze landed on Callain.
"How long are you going to pretend to be aloof, Callain? Don't you and the Gustin family need to pick a side already? You won't accomplish anything with that half-hearted neutral stance."
"Why are you suddenly taking it out on me?"
"It's been two days since Martin returned from the dungeon. Has he come looking for you in that time? As far as I know, no. Right?"
"......"
"Isn't it weird? Why would a guy who relied on you so much suddenly ignore you?"
Stefan struck at the heart of the matter, but Callain's face showed no change in expression.
That said, it wasn't as if there was no reaction at all.
His white hand clenched into a tight fist.
Stefan's point was something Callain had been pondering too.
'Why did his attitude change so suddenly? There's no reason for it.'
Martin had clearly been close with Sien.
But the one he trusted more was himself.
They had spent over ten years together, and he had never shunned him for being talentless.
Yet after returning from the dungeon, he was suddenly keeping his distance?
Without giving even the slightest opening.
"You're worrying about useless things."
It was then.
A sticky voice echoed through the room.
Naturally, everyone's heads turned toward the white-haired, red-eyed woman—Adel Bittenfeld.
"......Useless? What do you mean by that?"
"The young master has proven his qualifications to become family head by manifesting his unique ability. That's more than enough, but he even demonstrated overwhelming power and the direct lineage's symbol, the space sword. Do you think anyone can stop him from ascending as family head right now?"
"The support of retainers and branch families no longer matters, then."
"Forces claiming neutrality don't need to be courted anymore either. We only have two choices left: kneel to the young master or bare our fangs to the end. There's no middle ground."
Adel continued in her sticky voice.
Callain remained silent with a hardened expression.
She then stared at Stefan and Simon.
"You've already decided to betray your lord. Are you scared now just because he grew strong so quickly?"
"Who said I'm scared..."
"You are scared. I can tell from the meaningless squeaking."
Grind.
Stefan ground his teeth.
But he couldn't retort.
It was true that Martin's transcendent growth speed instilled fear in him.
Adel scanned the others one by one with languid eyes before standing up.
'Unfortunately, Father took the wrong path.'
Adel recalled what Oliver von Bittenfeld had said yesterday.
He had formed an alliance with the Rustal and Fezeks families.
He also planned to pull in the Gustin family.
But she hadn't agreed.
'A direct descendant of Adalbert has grown fangs and claws. No one can stop him now.'
Now was the time to join hands with him, not oppose him.
Yet Oliver von Bittenfeld had been thrilled at the thought of disqualifying Martin at the grand assembly.
Even as her father, she couldn't help but scoff at his foolishness.
'Martin Adalbert.'
For the first time, she felt interest in the man she had pitied.
Proving it, her heart pounded harder than ever.
* * *
Oriana Flores stared at Martin with a stiff face.
Even with her blatant wariness on display, Martin was smiling.
'I wonder if he knows this is pointless.'
No matter what attitude she showed, she was already ready to rip out the opponent's throat.
Testing the waters a bit wouldn't be bad, but she had no intention of doing so now.
'Predators go all out even against the weakest prey.'
Following that example, she resolved to crush him without mercy.
To plunge him into despair, making him realize escape from her grasp was impossible.
"......This is unexpected. For the young master to visit me personally. We're not close enough for that."
"This isn't a personal visit. I need Elder Oriana's help to carry out official duties."
"Official duties?"
"I've received information that the Rustal family has committed embezzlement. I'm planning a full-scale audit. Lord Vincent has already given his approval. I just need Elder Oriana's consent."
"A—an audit? What on earth do you mean?! What crime has the Rustal family committed!"
Elder Oriana's eyes widened round. Her face drained of color.
"They siphoned dungeon byproducts to build slush funds. You know well how grave a sin that is, Elder."
"Wh—what is this all of a sudden! Fine, pr—proof! Do you have proof for these claims? Don't make baseless accusations out of personal grudges, young master!"
Elder Oriana cried out desperately.
The Rustal family was set to hold the grand assembly with the Fezeks and Bittenfeld families.
If an audit happened?
The assembly would be canceled, or if held, control would inevitably shift to Martin.
Neither was what she wanted.
"Come on, Elder. What do you take me for? I don't let personal feelings interfere in matters like this. I'm simply fulfilling my duties as the sole direct descendant of the Adalbert family."
"Then show me the proof! I can't believe the young master's words without it!"
"I'll show you after you agree to the audit first."
"Don't talk nonsense! Cases where the main family audits a branch are rare enough to count on one hand. In the last 1,000 years! This is a major matter—expect me to agree without proof?"
Even branch family heads were official nobles of the Alteria Empire.
With rights to independently manage their territories, the main family couldn't audit them at will.
'It doesn't matter if there's proof or not.'
Elder Oriana tried to stay as calm as possible.
If Martin didn't produce proof, she could just refuse to agree.
Even if he did, no problem.
She could say she'd review it, then give the Rustals time to prepare.
"You're right, Elder. Let's start with the proof."
"Good thinking, young master."
As things went her way, Elder Oriana finally regained her composure.
Humm.
Martin activated Distortion of All Things to open his subspace.
Space split open, and a bundle of papers emerged from the rift.
"This is the proof. I guarantee it'll change your mind."
"Let's read it first, then talk."
"Here you go."
Martin handed over the papers with a sly smile. Elder Oriana took them, feeling uneasy.
The moment she started reading,
"Wh—what is this!"
She screamed.
Tremble, tremble.
Her body shook violently, proving the shock.
Her eyes lost focus, cold sweat soaking her back.
"You've had close ties with the Unis Adventurer Party, haven't you, Elder Oriana?"
No nation liked armed groups outside their control.
Yet due to dungeons, empires and kingdoms tolerated adventurers, leading to the Adventurers' Association overseeing countless parties.
Each country imposed strict controls on these parties.
First, forming one required passing rigorous national standards.
Even after, violations brought heavy penalties.
"Especially illegal formation and operation of adventurer parties is punished as treason. Same if a noble gets involved."
Territory-holding nobles could officially form knight orders or mage legions.
That alone threatened imperial and royal houses.
Thus, they restricted nobles from forming adventurer parties, regardless of territory.
"Yet you backed the Unis Adventurer Party from its creation and turned a blind eye to them siphoning dungeon byproducts. In return, you took hefty bribes and enabled their ongoing tax evasion."
"......How did you find out, young master? The previous family head? Did he tell you?"
Elder Oriana forced her mouth open.
She thought she had hidden her involvement thoroughly.
But Martin had uncovered all her secrets. The papers even detailed her relationship with the Unis adventurers.
"What does the source matter? The point is you've committed treason, Elder Oriana. The moment I reveal this, your head will roll."
"Will you overlook this if I su—support the Rustal audit?"
"Well, there's more than one thing to overlook. I've confirmed you took bribes from the Max Merchant Guild and Blacksmiths' Guild too. In exchange, they got to supply the main family with their goods."
Thud.
Elder Oriana collapsed into her chair powerlessly.
She couldn't demand more proof. If Martin showed it, she wouldn't hold out.
"......Who else knows? Did you tell Lady Igrit?"
"Don't worry. Only I know for now. Ah, you're not thinking of killing me to bury the truth, are you? I don't recommend it. You'd only destroy yourself."
Elder Oriana was a 7th Circle powerhouse.
But Martin was certain.
He could definitely win against her now.
Clench.
Gazing at the confident Martin, Elder Oriana clenched her fist hard.
But it didn't last. She let go.
She felt no certainty of victory, and even if she could win, not quietly without a fuss.
With a resigned face, she asked,
"Fine, what do I need to do? Swear loyalty?"
"Loyalty only works with trust. I doubt that day will come between us."
"......Then what do you want, young master?"
"Very simple. From now on, just do as I say. Then this secret stays buried. Though you'd better clear your own karma."
"You're making it complicated. In short, become your dog?"
"Losing your head or becoming a dog. The Oriana Elder I know has her choice set. Am I wrong? If so, I'll expose everything right now."
Even smiling, Martin's eyes were sharp.
Deep beyond measure, as if seeing through everything.
'It's over.'
Elder Oriana sighed quietly.
No room for choice.
She would always choose survival.
"......I'll follow you, young master."
"Good choice, Elder Oriana. Ah, do you know the saying 'even a cornered rat will bite a cat'?"
"And if I do?"
"In my case, I won't let that happen. I'll kill the rat first."
"......I'll keep that in mind."
"Good. Looking forward to working with you."
Martin extended his right hand with a smile.
Elder Oriana ground her teeth but grasped it.
"When the time comes, we'll audit the Rustals. Just stamp the official document then."
"Got it. But what if the Royce Marquis House steps in? The main family can't handle their intervention right now."
"They're tied up in faction fights for a while. We just focus on our business."
The important thing was punishing traitors.
Other families were irrelevant.
'No matter who it is, I won't forgive enemies.'
Martin's eyes flashed murderously.