Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Chapter 6 Dream and Bubble (1)
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Sien spoke up while keeping an eye on the slush fund warehouse.
“This is ridiculous. Every head of the Rustal family who secretly built something like this... Honestly, the previous head scares me more.”
“Why is that?”
“All the heads of the Rustal family would have done everything to hide this place, right? And yet the previous head somehow uncovered the secret and taught it to you.”
The Blood Sword Unit issue could be treated as an internal Adalbert family matter.
But the slush fund warehouse was different.
The moment it was revealed they’d siphoned off dungeon byproducts, the Rustal family would be excluded from the Alteria Empire.
In effect, it had given Martin tremendous political power, so Sien was genuinely impressed.
That said, she had a question.
“If he’d exposed this while he was alive, it would have definitely crushed the Rustal family and kept the other branches in check. So why didn’t he?”
“Father only learned recently that the Rustal family had created the slush fund warehouse. By then, his health was too poor to expose it.”
“Ah. If he’d recklessly revealed it, you could have gotten caught in the crossfire too.”
“Exactly. So when he told me about the slush fund warehouse, he said to use it only at the most certain moment. But the opportunity came sooner than I expected.”
He’d lied so much about the past that the words now flowed smoothly.
Fortunately, Sien didn’t suspect a thing.
Martin headed toward the warehouse with Sien.
A massive metal door was installed at the entrance, incredibly thick, making it impossible to force open physically.
On top of that, it was covered in magic circles, barriers, and spells of every kind, so even spatial abilities couldn’t detect or enter the interior.
Sien shook her head in dismay.
“They even blocked unique abilities. Their cleanup is more thorough than with the Blood Sword Unit.”
“They had to. If even a hint of this leaked, the family would be finished. Well, no need to be cautious anymore anyway.”
Shing.
No sooner had he spoken than Martin drew the sword from his waist.
Lucas spoke up.
“If it’s breaking the barrier, I’ll do it, Young Master.”
“It’s fine, Captain Lucas. I can handle this much alone.”
Lucas couldn’t object further to Martin’s firm tone.
Gripping the hilt tightly with his right hand, Martin approached the warehouse.
Woooong.
Mana surged from the mana core in his abdomen, soon enveloping the blade in golden aura.
Maintaining it, Martin examined the barrier’s structure.
‘It’s drawing mana from the mountain range.’
It was practically permanent, with such vast amounts of mana that shattering it completely was impossible.
But Martin paid no mind, drawing mana from the core in his head.
Kuuooo!
The golden aura blade shone even more brilliantly, melting into space.
It spread wide, forming a perfect cube large enough to encompass the entire warehouse.
The core technique of Adalbert swordsmanship, the Space Sword, had been unleashed.
What happened next was the problem.
Crackle.
The golden radiance clashed with the blue barrier, sending fierce sparks flying.
“Urk.”
Martin let out a short groan at the same time.
The recoil was tremendous.
Flinch.
Sien shuddered involuntarily but showed no further reaction.
Martin was already pouring all his mana into it. Any hasty move would only interfere.
Believing he’d succeed and watching—that was the real way to help.
‘As expected, he’s calm.’
Grip.
Praising Sien inwardly, Martin gripped the hilt with his left hand too.
He lifted the now immensely heavy longsword activated with the Space Sword and swung it with full power.
The golden arc struck like lightning.
Kwarung!
The moment the sword strike hit the blue barrier, flashes erupted repeatedly.
The massive mana from the mountain had boosted the barrier’s defense to its limit.
“Grk!”
Groaning, Martin tightened his grip on the hilt. Then, slowly, he brought the sword down.
Something astonishing happened.
Crescent slashes appeared in every part of the cube, pouring onto the barrier.
Kududuk!
The barrier couldn’t withstand the barrage of slashes and cracked.
“Hah!”
Seizing the moment, Martin poured more power into the sword, bringing the blade nearly to the ground.
Kwaaang!
The barrier shattered, exposing the iron door.
Martin immediately swung upward.
A golden arc traced from the base to the top of the iron door.
When the light faded, the door split in half and fell flat.
Boom!
A massive boom echoed, dust clouds rising.
But no one paid it any mind.
Martin, who’d cleaved the barrier and door, and everyone else—all eyes were fixed on the warehouse interior.
There was a mountain.
A mountain of treasures.
“Ah...”
Sien’s mouth fell open unwittingly.
She was utterly overwhelmed by the sight.
She wasn’t alone. Members of the White Dragon Knights and Gold Dragon Knights were the same.
The mana stones piled like mountains gleamed in various colors. Even more shocking, this wasn’t the only pile.
Nor was it just mana stones.
Rare metals from dungeons like orichalcum and adamantium were heaped up. Precious metals like diamonds and gold overflowed, along with weapons and jewelry crafted with master artisans’ utmost care.
In sheer quantity, even the Overlord’s chamber couldn’t compare.
“The Rustal family is done for. Even His Majesty the Emperor couldn’t cover this up.”
“True. Though I doubt Baldemar will surrender quietly.”
“A guy who’d tuck tail over something like this wouldn’t have bared his fangs in the first place.”
“Yeah.”
Martin nodded at Sien’s words.
Either way, discovering this meant the end for the Rustal family.
Even if they succeeded in rebellion and killed him, there was no saving their house.
The other branches, elders—no, even the imperial family wouldn’t stand by.
“But with this much, the imperial family might step in. Things could get complicated.”
“That’s why I revealed the Blood Sword Unit and Rustal connection first. With my assassination on the line, the imperials can only watch for now. And they still have to back me.”
“Just as Viscount Vincent said. You truly excel at the big picture, Young Master.”
“Thanks for the praise, Captain Lucas.”
Even as they talked, Martin thoroughly scanned the warehouse items.
A moment later, his eyes flashed.
‘Found it.’
What he’d found was a curved crossguard like a trumpet, a longsword with a matching pommel and short ricasso.
It gleamed gold from blade to pommel, with impressive blue runes engraved on the blade.
Kaizen.
Meaning “unbreakable,” it ranked top among swords in durability.
But aside from that, it had no special abilities.
Thus, among the grades—famed sword, treasured sword, holy sword, divine sword—it barely made treasured sword, left abandoned here.
But if it were just that, he wouldn’t seek it out.
‘That’s not all there is to it.’
Kaizen was a foundation of sorts.
Absorb power under specific conditions, and it evolves into a divine sword.
In the past, Stefan had wielded the evolved Kaizen, achieving feats beyond his skill.
‘I was surprised back then.’
That wouldn’t happen now.
He’d secured it first.
Beyond its divine sword potential, Kaizen suited him perfectly.
His All-Things Distortion trait put immense strain on swords.
Few could endure it, but Kaizen could spare.
Martin gripped the hilt without hesitation.
In that instant, he felt an odd gaze.
He whipped his head around to see Sien staring.
“I grabbed it to prove we know about this place. As evidence, sort of. And legally, there’s no issue...”
“I know it’s fine. Whoever exposes a noble’s slush fund gets half the recovered amount as reward. So taking one early is no problem. But I haven’t said a word—why are you getting defensive on your own, Martin?”
“I just wanted to say it wasn’t my personal greed.”
“Sure.”
Sien replied playfully. Feeling an odd awkwardness, Martin protested.
Of course, it fell on deaf ears.
“Anyway, we’ve got the evidence. Let’s head back.”
“I’m looking forward to Baldemar von Rustal’s reaction.”
“Same here.”
Martin heartily agreed with Lucas.
Now, all that was left was to watch the foe in the palm of his hand.
Whatever ugliness they showed, he’d enjoy the spectacle.
* * *
The Rustal family’s key vassals gathered in Baldemar’s office.
The mood was the worst.
The Blood Sword Unit assassination attempt on Martin had been exposed, leading to complete ostracism from the Adalbert family.
That wasn’t all.
Once the slush fund from dungeon byproducts came to light, even unrelated families cut contact.
Not just the Ferdinand and Klaus families—pillars of the three great houses—but even the Royce Marquisate, where Baldemar’s father-in-law resided.
Complete isolation.
That was the Rustal family’s current plight.
“Even so, my resolve to crush Martin remains unchanged.”
Baldemar von Rustal spoke calmly.
His rage had peaked, turning him cold instead.
“I agree with the family head.”
A man with rust-red hair reaching his shoulders spoke up.
In his mid-40s, sharp aura emanated from him.
Raus Fuller.
The Green Dragon Knights’ captain’s eyes burned with zeal.
“If the elders or other branches had joined, it’d be different, but they only sent the White Dragon Knights and Gold Dragon Knights. They have more high knights, but that’s it. Factoring in mobilized troops, we can win.”
“Indeed. Catch that bastard, and the other branches’ heads and elders won’t intervene actively.”
“Yes.”
Baldemar believed capturing Martin would reverse the situation.
Martin had likely decoded the cipher; without him, the evidence’s credibility would plummet.
His vassals all agreed.
They had no other choice anyway.
“The Blood Sword Unit issue resolves with grabbing Martin, and the slush fund can be smoothed over with the Royce Marquisate. All solved by catching him. In the end, begging the imperial brat is irritating, but no choice.”
Baldemar suppressed his annoyance.
Endure this humiliation, seize the Adalbert family, and it’d be worth it.
With strong resolve, he commanded.
“We march to Mount Chelloti. There, I’ll capture that halfwit, make him repent his wrongs, and set everything right.”
“Understood, family head!”
Raus and Klazen dropped to one knee and shouted.
Watching them, Baldemar’s eyes gleamed coldly.
‘I’ve barely made it this far. I will achieve my dream.’
Martin Adalbert—that halfwit—he’d break him and avenge today’s humiliation.