Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Chapter 6 Dreams and Bubbles (4)
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No matter the nation, on the Krasian Continent, a person's status was determined by their own strength.
There were exceptions like commoner bureaucrats, but among nobles, the law of the jungle reigned supreme.
They all manifested unique abilities from the start, and it was inevitable that they would train in either magic or martial arts.
As such, it was safe to assume that the lord ruling a territory or the head of a family was the strongest in their domain.
In fact, those considered the strongest in the Alteria Empire were the emperor and the heads of the three great noble houses.
However, being strong didn't mean they could act recklessly.
On the contrary, because they were strong, they bore responsibilities and duties.
For instance, if war broke out, they had to face the enemy's strongest fighter. No amount of weaklings could match a single powerhouse.
'As a ruling class, their mindset is correct, but their flaws can't be ignored.'
There was meaning in the supreme commander fighting personally.
It could boost allied morale with their own bravery.
The problem was what happened if they lost.
A supreme commander like the overall commander usually held the core of the forces. If such a figure was defeated or killed by the enemy, allied morale would hit rock bottom.
Wooong.
Martin stored Kaizen in his subspace, then wiped the blood from his face with his right hand.
He then grabbed Valdemar by the throat with his left hand and floated into the air.
His body was already a mess from the fierce battle with Valdemar, and activating flight ability again made it scream in protest.
But Martin endured the pain.
No matter how much it hurt, he had to finish what needed doing.
"Martin Adalbert has beheaded the rebel leader, Valdemar von Rustal!"
Martin's shout shook Mount Chelotti.
Naturally, the eyes of everyone on the battlefield turned skyward, where they could clearly see Valdemar's head.
"The young master has slain the rebel!"
"Let's take down the remaining rebels too!"
The members of the White Dragon Knights and Golden Dragon Knights roared.
Lucas Hoffman and Philip Alrofs had pledged loyalty to Martin, but some had followed with half-doubts.
Regardless of his 7th Circle strength, wasn't Martin afflicted by the dragon's curse?
It was hard to believe he could perform properly in war, but in this battle, Martin had instilled conviction in his followers.
In contrast, those aligned with the Rustal family fell into despair.
They had no justification for rebellion in the first place.
The assassination attempt on Martin via the Blood Sword Unit and embezzlement of dungeon byproducts banned by the imperial family.
The sinners were clearly Valdemar von Rustal and the Rustal family.
With their leader Valdemar dead, they had no future.
"Spare those who surrender! But kill all who resist!"
Martin shouted, infusing his voice with mana.
As if living up to his expectations, the White Dragon Knights and Golden Dragon Knights rampaged even more ferociously.
In response, the Green Dragon Knights could barely resist.
Most ordinary soldiers armed with mana rifles and mana cannons discarded their weapons and fled or surrendered on the spot.
Mount Chelotti was too rugged for normals to escape quickly, but no one cared about that.
Thud.
Having finished his task, Martin descended to the ground.
Right beside Sien, precisely.
The moment she saw his face, she opened her subspace and handed him a top-grade potion.
"You know your complexion looks awful right now, right? Drink it quick before the others' morale drops."
"Got it. Thanks, Sien."
With that reply, Martin downed the potion.
The pain gnawing at his body rapidly subsided.
"I still have a long way to go. I'm wheezing without even taking a single hit."
"If you were trying to burst my outfit, congrats, Martin. You nailed it."
Sien grinned.
At the same time, Martin saw it.
Her right hand clenching into a fist.
He shuddered instinctively.
"You reached the 7th Circle at 18. And you beat Valdemar von Rustal, head of a branch family, one-on-one. And you say you still have a long way? Huh?"
"T-That's..."
"I don't mind humility. But if it's overdone, it becomes deception. It'd be nice if you realized that."
"I'll keep it in mind! I'm truly sorry!"
Martin straightened up and shouted.
His instincts warned him.
One wrong word here, and he'd really get smacked.
Even after the potion, his body wasn't fully recovered. He couldn't guarantee what would happen if he took a hit.
Satisfied with Martin's reaction, Sien nodded lightly.
"The captain of the White Dragon Knights, Lucas Hoffman, has beheaded Raus Fuller!"
"The captain of the Golden Dragon Knights, Philip Alrofs, has defeated Klazen Wagner!"
Good news arrived just then, and Martin quickly turned.
Lucas Hoffman and Philip Alrofs were hoisting their foes' heads high.
With Valdemar gone, followed by the Green Dragon Knights' captain and vice-captain, the Rustal forces completely collapsed.
Most ordinary soldiers surrendered, but the knights mostly chose to flee.
However, none succeeded in escaping.
The White Dragon Knights and Golden Dragon Knights, superior in skill, relentlessly pursued the fleeing enemy and slaughtered them all.
"Surrender..."
"Too late. You should have taken the chance when it was offered."
Lucas sneered at the Green Dragon Knight.
His sword swung, and blood sprayed from a severed neck.
With that, the battle on Mount Chelotti ended.
* * *
After the battle, Martin headed straight for the Rustal family mansion.
Upon arrival, he burned their family flag and plaque.
He then declared that the Adalbert family would directly govern not only Talonia City but the entire Rustal territory.
In fact, Jerf Nets, who handled paperwork for the main family, along with numerous bureaucrats, teleported to Talonia City.
They dove into administrative tasks upon arrival, reviewing the Rustal family's internal affairs.
The Golden Dragon Knights remained in Talonia City to prevent civilian panic.
Executions for Pierre the scribe and other key retainers were scheduled, but Martin didn't wait.
The one who truly needed executing was elsewhere.
Thus, he returned to the Adalbert mansion via portal with Sien and the White Dragon Knights.
Step, step.
Emerging from the portal, Martin headed straight for the mansion's main building.
There, key Adalbert family members had gathered: Vincent von Egret, Elder Aren, Elder Marius, and others.
'They can't even manage their expressions.'
Martin chuckled inwardly.
Those supporting him, like Vincent, beamed.
In contrast, the two elders and other branch successors eyed him with unease.
Adel Vitinfeld's odd smile bothered him, but he ignored it cleanly.
"Just what is the meaning of this, young master? You said it was an audit, but starting a war?!"
"Even if the Rustal family sinned, war is an entirely different matter, young master. Handling something that should be decided in a council on your own is clear overreach."
"I'm afraid I can't agree with either of you."
Elders Aren and Marius pressed him with stern faces.
Of course, Martin's eyes didn't even twitch.
"It was an unavoidable choice to minimize damage. Giving them time would have let them get reinforcements or bolster defenses, increasing our losses. Plus, the risk of hiding slush funds."
"What of the pressure from Marquis Lois? If they declare territorial war by mistake..."
"The Rustal family struck first, so justification is on our side. Marquis Lois can't intervene. And if they do, the other princes and princesses won't stay quiet. It'd be seen as shielding rebels guilty of treason."
"Marquis Lois has the power to shake even that off, young master."
"Then we fight, Elder Aren. You know it too, don't you, Elder? The Adalbert family doesn't bend to outside pressure."
"Reckless words."
"From what I see, Elder Marius isn't fulfilling his duties. You too, Elder Aren. It looks like you're shielding rebels."
At Martin's words, Elders Aren and Marius clamped their mouths shut.
The Blood Sword Unit assassination could be seen as mere internal strife.
But Valdemar and past Rustal heads had openly violated imperial law to amass wealth. Clear treason—no benefit in associating with him.
"If you have nothing more to say, I'll finish my business."
Without waiting for replies, Martin stepped forward.
At the center of the circled crowd stood Vincent and Stefan.
Vincent stood tall, while Stefan knelt on both knees, covered in wounds and bruises.
Yet he glared at Martin with a murderous expression.
"A few hours ago, he tried climbing over Barhein City's walls to escape."
"Who caught him?"
"I got bored and handled it myself. Felt like there'd be unnecessary bloodshed if I sent underlings."
"You've worked hard, Lord Vincent."
"It's nothing worth calling hard work."
Despite his words, Vincent grinned.
He then stepped aside slightly.
Allowing Martin to converse easily with Stefan.
"Stefan Rustal."
"...Do you think you can handle Marquis Lois, my grandfather?"
"Like father, like son. Same nonsense. Why worry about aftermath when you're about to die? You won't see it anyway."
"..."
"Cut the crap and listen. Valdemar von Rustal died by my hand. The Rustal family is officially disbanded, and their territory will be governed by Adalbert main family bureaucrats for now. I'll erase every trace of their history."
Tremble.
Stefan shook with rage.
His lifelong idol of a father defeated by this terminally ill patient? Unbelievable.
The family's glorious history ending? The same.
He loathed him.
Wanted to tear him apart right there.
Martin Adalbert, who blocked him and his family to the end.
To fulfill his final wish, Stefan burned his life force.
"Martin Adalbert!"
Whoosh!
Enraged, Stefan shot to his feet.
But that was it.
He didn't advance a single step before crashing to the ground.
Gravity manipulation via All Things Distortion.
Stefan couldn't resist the immense force crushing his body. He could only flail his limbs pathetically.
Even then, Stefan lifted his head to glare at Martin.
Drip.
Blood tears streamed from Stefan's eyes.
A gruesome sight, but Martin kept his gaze fixed on his foe.
"If you have any knightly pride, draw your sword now, Martin Adalbert! Fight me fairly!"
"Drop the noble act, Stefan. Where's the honor in a rebel?"
"You won't die easy either! Even in death, I'll curse you!"
"Pfft. That's not even close."
Martin smirked faintly.
He was already afflicted with the dragon's curse, worse than any curse.
Stefan's meant nothing.
Wooong.
Martin drew Kaizen from his subspace.
Then, he raised the hilt high with both hands.
Squeezing his last strength, Stefan shouted.
"Callain Gustin, Adel Vitinfeld, Simon Pezeks! Watch with eyes wide open! This demon will drag you to ruin someday too! If you don't want my fate, think carefully from now on!"
"Stirring discord with your dying words? Sly like your father."
"Don't insult my father!"
"Insult? Just stating facts. Anyway, feel better now? Then goodbye."
Slash!
Kaizen's blade fell, and Stefan's head rolled across the floor.
With that, the Rustal direct line was utterly severed.
Ignoring it, Martin eyed the elders and branch successors.
Their faces were grim.
Except for Adel Vitinfeld, who grinned.
"Anyone who bares teeth at me will end up like the Rustal family. If you harbor ill intentions, prepare yourselves."
This was a declaration of war.
He would never spare traitors.
Of course.
'Even after this, you'll reveal your greed.'
But no faction would openly challenge him like before.
Instead, they'd scheme more insidiously for his position.
'Not that it matters.'
He'd crush all betrayers.
Just uphold that vow.
For now, though, he had to set it aside.
Other problems were arising.
In his past life, he'd only heard rumors, but this time, he'd intervene directly and resolve it.