Chapter 51
Chapter 51
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Chapter 10 Longing for Freedom (1)
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A young man leaned against the balcony railing, gazing down below.
He was a beautiful youth with green hair and finely sculpted features reminiscent of a statue.
But his amber eyes burned with a fierce intensity.
The Second Prince of the Alteria Empire, Theodore Alteria.
Still only 27 years old, yet a genius who had reached the 6th Circle.
Even that, however, failed to capture the full extent of his greatness.
The world had originally assumed the First Prince would smoothly ascend to the throne.
Yet he had displayed astonishing political acumen, successfully establishing the Second Prince's faction in the court.
An ambitious schemer.
That was the current evaluation of Theodore Alteria.
Thud. Thud.
An elderly man approached, his entire body shrouded in a black robe with only his face exposed. His black eyes, impossible to fathom, were particularly striking.
The old man's name was Nicholas von Roiss.
Patriarch of the Roiss Marquisate, ranked just below the Three Great Houses, and Theodore Alteria's maternal grandfather.
Thanks to that background, he wielded immense influence in the court.
But that was not all.
Nicholas was one of only seven 9th Circle powerhouses in the empire, with only the patriarchs of the Klaus and Ferdinand Houses—one of the Three Great Houses—standing above him.
The now-fallen emperor had recognized his talent and ability, bestowing upon him the title of Phantom Sovereign.
It was he who now spoke with a hardened expression.
"A report just came in. Martin Adalbert has left Barrehain City."
"He's departing earlier than expected? There's still three weeks until his beloved little sister's birthday."
"He's stopping by his territory on the way to the capital. His escorts are his guard knight, Sien Igrit, and the First Squadron of the White Dragon Knights. The White Dragon Knights' vice-captain, Fritz Kahn, is accompanying them as well."
"Wow. As expected of the empire's youngest 7th Circle master. Knowing he has many enemies, yet traveling with such minimal forces. I almost want to applaud that confidence."
Theodore replied while still looking down at the people milling about the imperial palace.
Contrary to his smile, his tone was utterly icy.
Unlike Barrehain City, the capital Reize had permitted the monster invasion.
In the process, the monsters had spread outward, and Theodore's territory near the capital had also come under attack.
But he had been forced to repel them with greatly weakened forces.
Many adventurers had flocked to Barrehain City after hearing Martin would waive fees.
That wasn't all.
The declaration of granting the old Rustal territory had shaken the loyalties of his vassal nobles—especially those without lands or prospects of inheritance.
In the end, facing stronger monsters with inferior forces than usual, he had suffered heavy losses.
Losing the trust of his territory's people was just icing on the cake.
On top of that, the fact that First Prince Richard Alteria's faction had smashed their core only fueled his rage.
"Even knowing I'm furious, to reach out to that half-wit. No matter how much he loves his little sister, this seems like taking the joke too far."
"The First Princess is the weakest faction, isn't she? I don't think it's strange for her to join hands with Martin Adalbert."
"It's absurd. Aren't the Three Great Houses and the imperial family supposed to avoid interfering with each other?"
"Principles are only upheld when you have the power to enforce them. Why couldn't the Three Great Houses and the imperial family interfere with each other? Because they maintained a delicate balance of power, checking one another. But the situation has changed now."
"Indeed. Father has been fallen for a long time, and the Adalbert patriarch passed away not long ago. Well, he was woefully inadequate as an absolute even in life."
"If the Klaus patriarch and Ferdinand patriarch had at least kept each other in check, things might have been better, but that's not the case."
"Sigh. The Klaus patriarch is preferable, at least. If they truly go independent, it's a loss for the empire as a whole, but it won't hit me personally."
"The problem is..."
"That damned Ferdinand patriarch. As a 10th Circle absolute, he should just look after his own house. Why insist on putting one of his many grandsons on the throne?"
The smile at the corner of Theodore's mouth deepened.
His handsome face looked as savage as a beast.
"The era of chaos has already begun, Your Highness. Once the wheel of ruin starts turning, those with ambitions will never stop. Just as the First Prince has gained the Ferdinand patriarch's backing, and the Princess has reached out to Martin Adalbert."
"Martin Adalbert... His forces, having more or less seized control of his house, will surely bolster his little sister. Only to be sucked dry by that viper of a boy and discarded later."
"That outcome is likely, but we still need to check them. After all, the Princess's faction is growing."
"The marquis I know isn't one to just talk. You've already prepared countermeasures, haven't you?"
Swoosh.
Theodore turned to look at his grandfather.
Blood relation aside, the man was his strongest backer.
He knew how exceptional his abilities were.
Thus, he could predict how the man would move.
"Yes. I've sent someone. Martin Adalbert will never leave his house's territory."
Nicholas's tone was calm.
But Theodore clearly felt it.
The killing intent laced in his words.
'Poor fool.'
Contrary to his words, Theodore was satisfied inwardly.
Once ensnared by the empire's most insidious man, Martin Adalbert's end would be anything but good.
"By the way, aren't you discriminating too much between the same grandsons, Marquis Roiss? If you'd given me even half the love you show Stefan, our relationship might be better."
"I don't think that's something for a prince who loves no one to say."
"That makes me sound like a monster."
Theodore quipped back with a laugh.
Nicholas said nothing.
Nor did Theodore expect a reply, so he didn't continue.
'No need to remember him anymore.'
Theodore erased Martin's name from his mind.
No point dwelling on a dead man.
* * *
A week had passed since receiving the invitation to First Princess Claudia Alteria's birthday.
Warp magic circles connected Reize and Barrehain Cities, allowing travel anytime, but Martin declared he would leave for home with three weeks until the banquet.
To inspect his disrupted territory after the monster wave crisis.
But he faced fierce opposition.
From all his close aides, no less.
"I understand the young master's intent to inspect the territory. But must it be now?"
"Lord Igrit is right. The entire empire is in chaos from the monster wave. Our situation may be better, but it's still dangerous."
When Vincent von Igrit voiced his concerns, Philip Alops chimed in.
Nor were they the only ones.
Christian Habertz and Elder Oriana also objected to Martin's decision.
"This monster wave has earned the young master many enemies. They won't miss this chance."
"Even without this incident, plenty of factions target the young master. Killing him alone would give them a shot at the dungeon, one way or another. Moving now, knowing that, is suicidal, isn't it?"
"If you insist on going, at least take one squadron from the White Dragon Knights or Gold Dragon Knights? I don't doubt the young master and Lady Igrit's skills, but traveling just the two of you is really no good."
The last to speak was Lucas Hoffman.
Judging that Martin would never yield, he immediately proposed a compromise.
The others nodded in agreement with Lucas.
'Good.'
Martin was satisfied inwardly.
He had planned to bring subordinates from the start.
But taking too many was problematic.
The trash in his path needed to stay bold enough to show themselves.
"Alright. As Captain Lucas suggests, I'll travel with one squadron of the White Dragon Knights."
"Good think—"
"But I'd like them to keep their distance normally. Possible?"
"Uh... We'll do that."
When Martin asked with a grin, Lucas nodded despite his reluctant expression.
Any further objection, and the young master might really leave with just Sien.
"Instead, in the capital, the White Dragon Knights under me will escort the young master. That's non-negotiable."
"Don't worry. I have no intention of tarnishing the Adalbert name."
With that, Martin stepped out the mansion's front gate.
A luxury carriage was parked ahead, with Sien standing by the driver's seat.
"Where to first, young master?"
"Fratel City."
The mining city of Fratel.
Home to numerous mines rich in iron ore and various minerals, it was second only to Barrehain in importance in the Alteria Empire's north.
Lately, however, rumors spread of a poor atmosphere in the city.
The result of the ruling Brightner House treating the miner majority with extreme harshness.
'Half a year from now, protests will erupt outright.'
The Brightner House crushes the protesters with force.
Numerous casualties ensue.
He could wait and intervene then, but Martin had no such plans.
'An opportunity to thwart the Gustin House.'
The Brightner and Gustin Houses were virtually allies.
Born from the marriage of Jürgen von Brightner's sister to Mateus von Gustin's younger brother.
That alone seemed typical noble intermarriage, but Martin knew a secret others didn't.
Jürgen wanted the Gustin House to replace the Adalbert House.
To that end, he falsified mine outputs, siphoning profits to the Gustins.
Mateus used those funds to secretly bolster his house's forces.
"Fratel City... You'll be in for some hardship right from the start."
"Probably."
"Don't act rashly, young master. Though part of the north, the Brightner House is a full independent lord. Mishandling it could be seen as meddling in internal affairs."
"I know, so don't worry."
As Vincent said, even as one of the Three Great Houses and overlord of the north, the Adalbert House couldn't ignore an independent lord's autonomy.
Interfering required plausible justification—and fortunately, he knew another weakness of the Brightner House.
Arguably more dangerous than the previous two.
"Then let's head out, Sien. Drive safely."
"Leave it to me."
At Martin's words, Sien bowed to the others and took the driver's seat.
"We'll be off."
"Take care of your health, young master."
"Many trust and follow you, young master. Don't overdo it."
Receiving their farewells, Martin sat beside Sien.
She stepped on the accelerator, and the carriage set off for their first destination, Fratel City.
'And so it begins.'
This northern tour marked the start of one goal.
Northern unification.
To navigate the coming chaos, the north must become one.
Under Adalbert rule.
He had finally taken the first step toward that grand objective.