Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 62
Chapter Title: Chapter 12: The City of Desire and Despair (1)
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After leaving Pratel City, Martin visited numerous cities and villages.
And in every place he passed through, wails of mourning echoed.
Ever since the previous family head had passed away, the Adalbert family's influence had plummeted.
Those who held some power in the northern Empire saw this as their chance, engaging in all sorts of illegal activities to swell their own coffers.
In the process, countless territory folk suffered under their tyranny.
Even when the previous family head was still alive, such situations arose from time to time—so after his death, it went without saying.
The oppression and tyranny showed no signs of ending, and the citizens' resentment and fury reached their peak.
That was when Martin appeared.
"If you've committed wrongs, you must face punishment."
Martin brought bloody retribution upon the sinners.
Some among them tried to shield themselves with their professions or statuses.
But they could not defy the authority of the Adalbert family's young lord, and all received punishments fitting their crimes.
However, this was mere child's play.
The lords—considered elite even among nobles—paid dearly for their lawlessness.
All of them lost their heads like Jürgen von Braithner, and their families were officially disbanded.
That number alone reached a staggering four.
In this way, Martin's actions were like a storm.
Naturally, many harbored grudges against him, but that was as far as it went.
No one dared to oppose him openly.
Part of it was that they had committed grave offenses first, handing him the justification—but above all, Martin's prestige had soared.
At this point, even if he ascended as the Adalbert family's new head, no faction in the north could challenge him.
"Things get tricky from here on out."
"But you can still wield influence, right?"
"That would be true normally, but not now. That city's lord has solid backing."
"Backing? Isn't the lord of that city supposed to stay strictly neutral?"
"These are chaotic times. Rules like that mean nothing."
Martin replied to Sien's words with a wry smile.
As he did, he gazed at the towering walls across the vast Debrizz River.
Even late at night, the glow of magystone lamps beyond the walls lit the city brilliantly.
It felt like gazing upon a galaxy on earth.
"As a kid, I thought those lights were so pretty. That's when I first learned there were beautiful places beyond Barehain City."
"It does look like a stunning city on the surface. If only you didn't know about the countless people shedding bloody tears in the shadows."
Sien responded to Martin's words without hiding her contempt.
Free City of Akella.
A city built on the border between the Adalbert family's northern domain and the imperial western territories.
Free from any faction's influence, with lax city laws to boot.
As such, it teemed with those who had risen swiftly to success or prominence.
Hence its nickname: the City of Opportunity.
'Though on the flip side, there are those who fell by the wayside in the competition.'
There were inevitably far more failures than successes.
Their corpses alone could pile into mountains, their spilled blood filling seas.
"But what can we do? We still have to go. For the family's sake, if nothing else."
"I won't oppose your decision, Martin. Just... be really careful this time."
"I know. That place is crawling with powerhouses who could kill me."
With their conversation concluded, Martin boarded his private carriage again.
Sien drove off immediately, followed by the vehicles carrying the White Dragon Knight Order members.
The four vehicles crossed the bridge toward Akella City's walls.
"Halt!"
As they neared the gates, a guard's voice rang out.
Sien brought the carriage to a stop accordingly.
"Tch."
Martin clicked his tongue as he eyed the guards.
He spotted a familiar face among them.
A sturdy middle-aged man strode purposefully toward the vehicles.
As the man drew near, Martin rolled down the window.
"Welcome to the Free City of Akella, Young Lord."
"Long time no see, Dietmar Hessler. First time since my father passed, right?"
"As you say."
"By the way, why is the lord's secretary waiting at the gates? I was heading to see him anyway—no need for this."
Martin paid no mind to the fact that the man had been waiting for him.
He had been acting boldly and openly since Pratel City.
With his identity no secret, his movements were reported in real time to others.
Predicting his arrival time was child's play.
"The lord wishes to invite you to dinner, Young Lord. However, he said that if the presence of another guest makes you uncomfortable, you may decline without issue."
"An invitation from the lord means heading to the official residence... Did he arrange our lodging there too?"
"As you surmised, rooms have been prepared at the residence. We've outfitted them with the finest amenities, so you won't find any discomfort during your stay."
"To go to such lengths. I don't even know what thanks to convey to the lord."
A smile tugged at Martin's lips.
He could clearly read the intent: to keep him close and under watch.
The addition of another guest was deliberate too.
Whoever it was, they were clearly meant to keep him in check.
'More likely someone from Marquis Royce's house than the lord's side.'
In truth, he had no real choice.
Regardless of his wishes, anyone the lord invited would hover around him one way or another.
"And the White Dragon Knight Order members?"
"As you know, Young Lord, knight orders are normally barred from entering the free city."
"They're my escorts now. Surely that qualifies as an exception?"
"As you say. However, only Vice Captain Fritz Kahn may accompany you to the residence. The rest must remain at city hall and may only act in true emergencies. This is Akella City's rule..."
"I know. The Three Great Houses and imperial members must all follow it. No intention of breaking the rules, so relax."
"Thank you for understanding. That aside, will you accept the invitation?"
"He went to such trouble for me—refusing would be rude. I'll attend."
"The lord will be overjoyed."
Dietmar Hessler bowed courteously, then turned to leave.
"You could ride with us?"
"My thanks for the consideration, but I have duties at the residence. All to serve you more comfortably, so I hope you understand."
"If you put it that way, no helping it. See you later."
"Yes. At the residence."
With that, Dietmar turned away.
Martin then stepped out of the carriage and headed to the rear seat.
Fritz Kahn promptly filled the empty spot, as if waiting, and spoke up.
"Jerome Metschelder, the current lord of Akella City, is infamous for his cunning. He wouldn't dare harm you outright, Young Lord, but he's surely plotting something."
"Have to bear it. Can't exactly skip out."
His tone was relaxed, but Martin's mind raced.
From Pratel City to Akella, none of what had happened so far occurred in his previous life.
'I only planned it out.'
After ending the civil war between the Adalbert main and branch houses victoriously, he had intended to purge the north's corrupt nobles.
As the family's new head, he needed to establish his authority—and above all, he wanted to clean up the north's mess.
In that process, he learned of the lords' corruption and crimes.
Yet even knowing that, he couldn't sweep them away.
The Gustin family struck him from behind before he could act.
Still, putting that prior intel to good use now held meaning.
'But it's not enough for this place.'
Free city in name only—this had long been Nicholas von Royce's domain.
With no easy openings for the man's schemes, Martin needed to predict and prepare for his moves as best he could.
'Nicholas von Royce always targeted the Adalbert family. Marrying his daughter to Waldemar von Rustal was part of it. And now that he's lost his cherished grandson to me, his rage must be immense.'
That said, given the man's nature, outright aggression was unlikely.
He would surely use someone with no overt ties to Marquis Royce's house.
That was the guest, summoned under the guise of an invitation.
Martin racked his brain for all he knew of Marquis Royce's house.
He'd never clashed with them directly, but indirectly? Plenty of times.
Because Nicholas von Royce backed the Rustal family.
He recalled the men he'd faced back then, one by one.
'And it'll be that guy.'
Finally, he pinned down one person.
And reality bore it out.
* * *
"Thank you for the invitation, Lord Metschelder."
"Just doing what needed doing, Young Lord."
Martin greeted the elderly man, whose face radiated likability.
Jerome Metschelder.
Akella City's 23rd lord, holding the post for an astonishing 30 years.
A 6th-circle knight like Fritz Kahn, but with one distinctive trait.
"We're comrades who awakened unique abilities later in life, aren't we? You know calling it rude is one thing, but as a senior looking out for a junior, it's only natural, no?"
"Junior... Personally, I think you're the impressive one, Lord."
Unlike Martin, a direct descendant of the Adalbert family, Jerome Metschelder was born the son of ordinary peasants.
Yet at 19, he awakened his unique ability—and now stood at 6th circle.
Impressive enough, but he also displayed keen political acumen to become lord of Free City Akella.
A true rags-to-riches legend, no exaggeration.
"Hahaha. To hear 'impressive' from the Young Lord himself—makes these long years worthwhile."
"Just stating facts."
Jerome let out a hearty, open laugh.
With his robust bearing, he truly seemed like a good-natured soul.
'Trouble is, countless people fell for that facade.'
Fritz Kahn hadn't warned him for nothing.
"You must have heard from Dietmar Hessler. I mentioned another guest. I wanted to introduce him to you before dinner."
"Curious who it could be. For you to arrange this personally, must be someone extraordinary."
"I guarantee it'll surprise you, Young Lord."
Clap.
With that, Jerome clapped his hands.
From the opposite room emerged an even older man.
Sien and Fritz reacted with genuine shock.
'Why is this man...'
'This guy...'
One the heir of the Adalbert branch, the other vice captain of the White Dragon Knight Order.
They had met many high-placed and famous figures—yet even they were stunned.
Martin, by contrast, regarded the gray-haired elder calmly.
And named him.
"Elder Heinz Schwarzenbeck."
An S-rank adventurer, a 8th-circle powerhouse.
His strength earned him the moniker 'Crimson Reaper.'
He had racked up brilliant achievements as an adventurer, now serving as an elder in the Adventurers' Guild.
Or so it appeared on the surface.
But Martin knew the truth.
His real identity.
'Human King.'
Leader of the assassin guild Martin had faced before—like the Dark King, a titan of the underworld.
His influence even surpassed the Dark King's.
Simple reason.
He was the true master of Akella City's black market—specifically, its most lucrative slave trade.
Hence the moniker Human King.
'And Marquis Royce's hunting dog too.'
Secretly raised by the previous Marquis Royce head to eliminate family enemies.
Never publicly acknowledged, but sworn brother to current head Nicholas von Royce.
And as expected, he had stepped forward to bite.
Which meant one thing.
No matter what Martin did here, this old man would be his greatest obstacle.