Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Chapter 5: Grabbing the Tail (4)
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Vincent von Egret took great pride in his arms.
The well-defined muscles evoked the image of a sculpted statue.
But they weren't just for show.
Backed by unmatched strength, he could swing a sword over 1.5 meters long with one hand.
Even after thousands, tens of thousands of swings, he felt no fatigue.
Yet right now, in this moment.
Tremble, tremble.
His right arm was shaking uncontrollably.
All because of a mere crumpled ball of paper, thick though it was.
“……Is this real?”
Vincent's face was stiff as he posed the question.
There was no reason for Martin to lie to him, so the paper's contents had to be true.
Even so, it was hard to believe.
How could anyone accept that the Rustal family had established an assassination organization over a century ago and used it to eliminate their rivals?
Horrific as that was, the Rustals had crossed the final line.
They had targeted the only direct descendant of the main house, the Adalbert family.
It was blatant treason, an act of rebellion.
“This is a direct transcription from the ledger. Unless the Blood Sword Unit is playing games, we have to assume it's true.”
“That so.”
Vincent let out a low sigh and slowly shook his head.
But that lasted only a moment. He lifted his gaze to meet Martin's.
“Three days ago, when the young master announced the audit of the Rustal family.”
“Yes.”
“There was something I wanted to say then. It's meaningless now, but.”
“It's no trouble to hear a few words. Go ahead.”
“I hoped you'd use the audit to pressure the Rustals, but soothe them in the end.”
“Meaning we'd continue together?”
“Exactly. Even divided into main and branch houses, we're still family from the same founder. If relations collapse, it's a massive loss for the main house too.”
“You're right, Vincent.”
Martin readily agreed.
As a branch house of the Adalbert family, they couldn't step into the spotlight, but the branches had always boasted formidable power.
Over time, many branches rose and fell, leaving only five now. Yet the Adalberts remained one of the three great noble houses without issue.
Especially since the previous family head ascended, the family's strength had waned, earning them the label of the weakest among the three.
Given that, embracing the branches as much as possible was the right call.
“But only if this truth never came to light.”
“Whew. That's the problem. Looks like you've made up your mind, young master. To exterminate the Rustal family.”
“Yes. Since it's come to this, I plan to make an example of them for the other branch heads. But I ask that you simply watch, Vincent.”
“You mean that seriously?”
Vincent furrowed his brow and asked again.
It was clear the Rustals were the weakest among the branches.
But compared to the nobility at large, they were strong.
Their family head, Valdemar von Rustal, was included among two 7th Circle powerhouses.
To attack such a family without the Egret house's help?
This time, he couldn't support Martin's choice.
“I see this incident as a test. A way to confirm if I have what it takes to become family head.”
“I think you've proven more than enough already. The Adalberts' only direct descendant, who's firmly manifested spatial dominion even if late. And at 18, reaching the 7th Circle—a miraculous talent. Who could oppose your ascension?”
“And yet, the other branches except the Egret house still haven't officially supported me.”
“Hmm.”
“I'll wipe out the Rustals using just my power and the main house's. Then I'll demand the other branch heads choose a side clearly.”
The head of one of the three great noble houses couldn't be strong alone.
They received treatment nearly equal to other kingdoms' kings, so their prestige and authority had to be absolute.
That's why he planned to demonstrate it now.
That he could effortlessly crush a single branch house.
“But even the main house's power isn't fully reliable, is it? The elders alone—I doubt they'll help you.”
“To be precise, only Elder Aren and Elder Marius won't step up.”
“Huh?”
“Elder Oriana has agreed to stand with me going forward.”
Twitch.
Vincent shuddered involuntarily.
Goosebumps prickled across his skin.
They lacked formal territory, but the elders' influence within the family was immense. Decades of loyalty, plus power rivaling branch heads, made it so.
And he'd already won one over.
Just three days after announcing and starting the Rustal audit.
The shock was so great he couldn't find words.
“Well, the two you're about to introduce matter more to me anyway, Vincent.”
“……Did you foresee all this and challenge me to that duel?”
“No way. The Blood Sword Unit's ties to the Rustals shocked me too.”
“You seem awfully calm for that.”
“I was surprised when we subjugated the Blood Sword Unit.”
“Not buying it.”
At Vincent's words, Martin just smiled.
That was when it happened.
Knock, knock.
A knock echoed in the office, and Sien stepped forward as if she'd been waiting.
The door opened, and two men entered together.
The man on the left had short but vibrant golden hair, exuding a bright aura as a handsome fellow.
He looked early thirties, dressed in a crisp white uniform.
‘And they say he's 42.’
His immense power let him retain such youthful looks.
The man on the right had a fierce, stoic impression. Unlike the lean and neat left man, his face was covered in thick stubble. Slightly shorter than Vincent but with a massive build.
Clad head to toe in pitch-black uniform, he radiated intimidation that would deter most from approaching.
Swoosh.
Martin rose to greet them, and Vincent did the same.
“Lucas Hoffman, captain of the White Dragon Knights, at your service, young master.”
“Philip Alrofs, captain of the Golden Dragon Knights, at your service, young master.”
The White Dragon Knights and Golden Dragon Knights—known as the Adalbert family's two wings.
Their leaders had come to see Martin.
* * *
Everyone gathered in the room took their seats.
Martin, in the head seat, gazed at Lucas Hoffman and Philip Alrofs with eyes full of goodwill.
‘Good men.’
Before his regression, the two had rushed to him upon hearing of his unique ability's manifestation and pledged loyalty.
They'd rejected countless offers of land and titles.
But back then, their lord-vassal bond remained purely formal.
Not because of any fault in them, but because Martin hadn't fully trusted them.
‘That was when my distrust of people peaked.’
Martin smiled bitterly to himself.
Now he boldly claimed the young master title, but then was different.
The Adalberts had been officially expelled from the three great noble houses, and he'd fallen to commoner status.
Protected in the Egret estate, his body was safe, but two years as a commoner were worse than nightmares.
He barely spoke to anyone except Sien and Kallain.
It improved somewhat after manifesting his unique ability, but his reluctance to trust others didn't change much.
‘Then that damn Kallain used me properly.’
Kallain focused on sowing internal division, and it worked perfectly.
Despite Martin's prowess earning him the title of Sword Saint and crushing the Rustal, Bittenfeld, and Pezeks families, his subordinates never united.
Instead, they turned on each other, falling for Kallain's schemes and losing trust entirely.
Lucas Hoffman and Philip Alrofs had always stood by Martin amid the chaos.
When they volunteered to sacrifice for him, the guilt he'd felt rivaled losing Sien—never minor.
‘One mistake is enough.’
He would trust those worth trusting.
And make them truly his own.
“First, I owe you two an apology. I've been back in the family a while, but only now making time for you.”
“Nah, don't worry about it, young master. 'A while' is less than a week. Anyway, drop the formalities. The White Dragon Knights are the family head's direct unit—your only one lord. Hearing honorifics feels off.”
“I'm not family head yet.”
“Procedures remain, but everyone's acknowledging it. That you'll officially ascend. So like Lucas says, speak freely.”
Lucas grinned brightly, while Philip replied with his usual stoic face.
Feeling their sincerity, Martin nodded.
“If that's how you want it, I'll treat you casually.”
“Perfect.”
“Much better.”
“Glad you like it. Anyway, to business. I have a request for you two.”
“Hey, young master, just give us orders.”
“No matter the command, we'll carry out your will.”
“Thanks, everyone. Then, assemble all your knights by tomorrow morning.”
Martin's words instantly changed Lucas and Philip's expressions.
Each showed composure differently, but now they were deadly serious.
“All of them, young master?”
“Yeah. You heard right.”
Martin nodded readily at Lucas's question.
Then Philip spoke up.
“Even one squad from the White Dragon or Golden Dragon Knights could raze a small city.”
“I know.”
Martin's casual reply.
Unlike his calm, the two captains' faces went completely blank.
Because fully assembling the White Dragon and Golden Dragon Knights meant war.
“To call up the full White Dragon and Golden Dragon Knights—who exactly are you targeting?”
“The Rustal family.”
At Martin's answer, Lucas and Philip were stunned.