Chapter 74
Chapter 74
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Chapter 13: The Time of Reckoning (5)
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That evening, Martin met with some very special individuals.
His counterparts were high elves and high dwarves—elders among them, no less.
‘I need to convince these people thoroughly.’
Both were elders with significant influence in their respective villages.
That was why the conversation they were about to have was so crucial.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the future hinged on the stance they took from here on out.
“I’m Martin Adalbert.”
“The name’s Armand.”
“I’m Paolo. I’ve got a lot I want to say, but first, I have to get this off my chest. Thank you, young master. Thanks to you, we’ve wiped out that cursed slave market and successfully rescued our kin. Of course, you called us here because you want something in return.”
“It’s only natural to join hands for mutual benefit. Isn’t that right, Armand?”
When Martin’s gaze turned to him, Armand nodded readily.
“I agree. Whatever intentions you had doesn’t matter. All that counts is that you burned down the slave market where our people’s grudges and hatreds converged and saved the oppressed. On top of that, our greatest worry has been lifted, which is encouraging.”
“Our greatest worry... So the elves were preparing for war after all.”
“It couldn’t be helped. The kidnapping of High Elf Solen dealt a massive blow to our people’s pride.”
To humans, Solen was the equivalent of a princess.
When word spread that she had volunteered for reconnaissance only to be captured by humans, elves everywhere—regardless of region—erupted in fury.
The southern elves, who had spent a long time with Solen, had even pushed to declare war on the Alteria Empire outright.
Fortunately, Martin’s rescue of Solen had eliminated the immediate risk of war.
“Even so, it’s too soon to relax, young master. There are many among the elves and dwarves who hate humans. In most regions, the hardliners are in the majority.”
“That’s why this trial is so important. If the market lord and everyone connected to the slave trade don’t receive proper punishment, the hardliners will call for war again.”
“You needn’t worry—it won’t come to that, Paolo. The executions are proceeding as scheduled tomorrow morning.”
“I hear there’s been a lot of pressure from those around you?”
“Heh. How did you find that out, Paolo? We thought we’d kept it quiet.”
“Those who walk the earth cannot escape my eyes and ears.”
Paolo replied with a sullen expression.
Martin, on the other hand, smiled faintly.
As his counterpart had said, he’d just spent time fending off nobles and officials from Akella City.
Their arguments were all much the same.
Jerome Mechelder knew nothing about the slave market, and any wrongdoing was the fault of his underlings—that was their line of defense.
It was absurd, but some had even threatened him outright.
Punishing Jerome Mechelder was overstepping his authority, and if he pushed it, they’d make him a target of condemnation in the noble council.
Of course, Martin had ignored them cleanly.
He didn’t care about the opinions of those who’d taken bribes or feasts.
“I understand the imperial family and the other great houses haven’t intervened yet. But what if they apply direct pressure?”
“I am an Adalbert.”
Martin was still smiling, but his eyes burned with intensity.
Paolo and Armand read the unyielding resolve there and nodded.
“Now, now. Let’s set aside the dreary talk and have a constructive conversation. Say, about the future of the North.”
“You have something in mind, young master?”
“I’ve been moving toward one goal from the start, Armand. The stability of the North.”
Northern unification.
Bringing all northern factions under the Adalbert banner or into alliance.
Creating a stable situation through that was the true objective.
“What results have you achieved?”
“Smooth sailing so far. Though there are still plenty of enemies to deal with.”
“It seems the North you speak of includes elves and dwarves as well.”
“I won’t deny it. But I have no intention of interfering in your villages. And certainly no plans to start a war.”
“We didn’t think otherwise. If you’d meant to treat us as enemies or force us, you wouldn’t have bothered rescuing our kin. That’s why I want to ask—what is it you truly desire, young master?”
“Exchange.”
Martin met their eyes squarely as he answered.
“Elves and dwarves are too insular. Humans harbor fantasies about things they haven’t experienced firsthand, and those feelings often turn into desires. That’s why they keep trying to capture slaves, even after slave traders have died off in droves.”
“You’re saying things would change if we stepped forward?”
This time, Paolo posed the counterquestion.
Martin shook his head.
“Perceptions won’t shift overnight. But it would plant the seeds of change.”
“How exactly do you envision this exchange?”
“I want to open markets in Altaire Forest and Rannens Mountains. Places where we can buy and sell each other’s goods. We’d need to discuss the specifics further, of course.”
“Is that really necessary? We dwarves and elves can live just fine without human goods.”
Unlike humans, dwarves and elves didn’t operate markets.
Their trades were mostly bartering among themselves.
The reason was simple.
They could produce or procure most of what they wanted on their own.
Their populations were tiny compared to humans as well.
Given all that, it was no wonder Paolo and Armand were skeptical.
“I won’t argue the downsides of self-sufficiency or individual desires. What I’m focused on is the market itself. For it to function smoothly, we need trust between us.”
“It’s a valid point, I’ll grant you. But what if it only fuels human greed, making them try to enslave us all?”
“I can’t promise there won’t be such people. That’s why I want to give elves and dwarves the chance to grow stronger.”
“Grow stronger... You don’t mean...?!”
Paolo shot to his feet.
Armand’s eyes widened.
Martin nodded, his smile even brighter.
“I’ll permit elves and dwarves to enter the dungeons. I’ll have to coordinate with the Adventurer’s Guild, of course, but with the Human King issue, they won’t object strongly.”
Around a thousand years ago, after the Alteria Empire seized the four dungeon entrances and founded their nation, only humans had reaped the dungeons’ benefits.
The same held true for other countries.
As a result, elves and dwarves had been pushed to the hinterlands.
The two races had negotiated with governments and adventurer guilds across nations to gain dungeon access, but they were repeatedly rebuffed.
Now, Martin was promising them that opportunity.
“I’ll make sure to relay this to the Grand Elder!”
“Same here.”
Paolo and Armand’s eyes blazed like flames.
“I hope it leads to good results.”
At Martin’s words, the two nodded vigorously.
Even watching them, he remained composed.
His proposal was solid, but it wouldn’t resolve everything so easily.
‘A good offer, but it won’t be that simple.’
The mainstream among elves and dwarves were the hardliners.
No matter how tempting the dungeons, they wouldn’t readily agree to exchanges with humans.
There would be supporters like Armand and Paolo, but not enough to overpower the opposition just yet.
Still, he didn’t see it as a major issue.
This was merely step one of the plan.
The real way to win their hearts lay elsewhere, and it would take time.
‘No problem. After all, I’m the only one who can resolve that.’
He just needed to handle his tasks and wait patiently.
Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t notice Armand and Paolo leaving the room.
Martin started to rise, but he couldn’t.
“Could we talk for a moment?”
“It won’t take long.”
It was because High Elf Solen and Dwarf Andrea had arrived.
Martin looked at them.
“Certainly.”
He accepted readily.
* * *
“I wanted to thank you once more.”
“Same here. I still hate humans... but I can’t treat my benefactor that way.”
Andrea and Solen bowed their heads to Martin.
Not only had he saved them, but he’d also destroyed the slave market steeped in their people’s anguish.
They would never forget this grace until their dying day.
“Ahem. I did it because I wanted something out of it too, so hearing that makes me... a bit embarrassed.”
“No matter the reasons or process, you saved me and many of our kin. I’ll be staying in Altaire Forest for a while, so I’ll do my utmost to spread word that you and Sien are good humans. I’m not from that region, but as the Grand Elder’s daughter, my words will carry some weight.”
“I appreciate it, but weren’t you heading straight back home?”
“I’m too worn out, body and soul. We’ve decided to rest in Altaire Forest for the time being.”
“Ah, I see. Well, it’s awkward to say this, but take care.”
“I’ll do my best. Not sure how much sway a young one like me will have.”
“Having your support alone helps tremendously.”
Solen gave a faint smile at Martin’s response.
Then Andrea spoke up.
“I’m heading straight home, so convincing the folk of Rannens Mountains will be tough. But I’ll spread the word that there are humans like you—fine ones—and that not all humans are evil.”
“That’s more than enough. Since we’re talking anyway, let me make a promise here too. At least in the northern Empire, no elf or dwarf will ever be reduced to slavery. If I find anyone trying it, I’ll wipe them out on the spot.”
“We can trust you with that.”
“Agreed.”
The smiles on Solen and Andrea’s lips deepened.
Martin’s did as well.
Separate from his sincerity, though, he had one goal in mind.
‘I need to make elves and dwarves see the North as paradise.’
If they gathered in Altaire Forest and Rannens Mountains, and he later allied with them, it would greatly bolster his forces.
It would also mitigate the Adalbert family’s biggest current weakness: the lack of 9th-circle-or-higher powerhouses.
Every village’s pinnacle—the grand elders—were all at 9th circle or beyond.
“Then we’ll take our leave. You have work to do.”
“Thanks for understanding.”
As Martin replied, Solen and Andrea offered thanks once more and departed.
But it wasn’t bedtime yet.
He still had one more person to meet.
The former market lord of the free city Akella, Jerome Mechelder.