Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: Chapter 14: Demon Subduing Hall (2)
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“I’ll borrow the seat for a moment.”
Third Prince Mueller Alteria said this while looking at Cien.
She stepped back silently and joined the members of the White Dragon Knight Order.
Mueller naturally took the empty spot and looked at Martin, his eyes flickering strangely.
“It’s been a really long time since I’ve felt admiration looking at someone else. And it’s truly the first time I’ve felt this toward someone younger than me.”
“You flatter me. I don’t think I’ve done anything particularly worthy of admiration.”
“Excessive humility can sometimes be poison, Young Lord.”
Mueller looked incredulous at Martin, who chuckled.
Swiftly subjugating the Rustal family, predicting the Monster Wave crisis and blocking it with minimal damage—both were tremendous achievements.
And that wasn’t all.
During his northern tour, hadn’t he purged all opposition or potential troublemakers under the pretext of illegal activities?
In the process, he’d not only elevated the mining city of Pratel to free city status but also placed it directly under the Adalbert family, maximizing his own authority.
He’d also succeeded in building ties with other races by abolishing the slave market and brought the free city of Akella under northern influence.
“Even one of those accomplishments would earn you resounding praise as a monumental feat, but how many have you racked up already? With just these, you’d rank in the top tier among past house heads of the three great families or even the continent’s ruling monarchs. And you did it all in less than half a year. How great will your achievements be once you ascend as house head, Young Lord? Just imagining it makes my heart race.”
“I got lucky.”
“Oh, come on. I don’t think so at all. Weren’t you terribly persecuted because of the Dragon’s Curse? Even after awakening your Unique Ability late, you had almost no foundation in the family. Yet you accomplished all that. That’s the biggest reason I admire you.”
Mueller spoke in a low but clear tone, his sincerity dripping from every word.
Martin was impressed too.
For a different reason.
‘He’s a good actor.’
It hadn’t been intentional on his part, but in the end, he had completely ruined one of the other’s plans.
Yet Mueller only showed surprise when mentioning it, revealing no further emotions.
He hadn’t earned the title of the empire’s greatest criminal for nothing.
It was then.
“It worked out in the end, but haven’t you ever thought about it, Young Lord? That there’s something wrong with the current empire—no, the continent’s system.”
Mueller’s voice dropped even lower.
Martin felt puzzled watching him.
He’d expected some subtle probing.
His own situation overlapped with the ideals they pursued, after all.
But he hadn’t anticipated such a direct question.
‘Does he see me as a potential ally?’
He grew even more curious.
About the true intentions hidden in the other’s heart.
So he bit at the bait the other tossed.
Or more precisely, pretended to.
“The system... You mean how social status is determined by Unique Abilities, Your Highness?”
“Exactly. I figured someone like you, Young Lord, would have complaints about that.”
“Well, it’d be a lie to say I don’t.”
“As expected. I understand the trend of valuing those who’ve awakened Unique Abilities. Dungeons still threaten every nation on the continent, after all.”
“Yes. That’s why every group, regardless of nation or race, favors those with greater growth potential.”
No matter how much one trained in martial arts or magic, 5th Circle was the limit.
Only those with Unique Abilities could aim beyond that realm.
“It’s not a problem that the strong are respected. But talent in this world comes in many forms. To discard them all and favor only strength? To ignore those with other exceptional talents? I think that’s deeply wrong, Young Lord.”
“It can’t be helped. It’s a perception hardened over a thousand years. Overturning it is practically impossible.”
“It’s certainly an enormous challenge. But I don’t think it’s truly impossible. Not if a great hero like His Majesty the Founding Emperor of the Alteria Empire emerges. Hmm. Though maybe using that example with the Adalbert Young Lord isn’t ideal?”
“It doesn’t matter. He was indeed remarkable.”
Regardless of the other’s intentions in mentioning the name, the Founding Emperor was the first to establish an empire in Krasian continent history.
Setting aside family grudges, his abilities were undeniable.
“I believe you have the qualities to become such a hero too, Young Lord. Though you’ll need a bit more time.”
“Such excessive praise is hard to bear. I don’t have that kind of capability.”
Martin shook his head slightly.
As he observed Mueller, the other was still gazing at him with an intense, burdensome gleam in his eyes.
‘He’s definitely skilled at stirring people’s hearts.’
Anyone ordinary would have fallen for Mueller’s words.
They felt so earnestly sincere.
This alone proved Mueller had the qualities to rule over others.
Trapped by the limits of his birth, he had no choice but to rebel.
“I think differently...”
Mueller closed his mouth.
At the same time, Martin turned his head forward.
Too absorbed in conversation, he’d missed how close the imperial capital had come.
But that hardly mattered.
What truly demanded attention was at the city gates, where a figure radiating immense presence stood.
The woman had light green long hair and amber eyes.
Her overwhelming beauty made even elven allure pale in comparison.
But Martin forcibly suppressed a sigh.
‘This is why I hate royals. They’re all masters at being a pain.’
Even as he inwardly cursed, he stared straight ahead.
At First Princess Claudia Alteria.
* * *
Step, step.
Claudia Alteria approached Martin as if she’d been waiting.
It was unexpected, but her accompanying knights didn’t bat an eye.
Not even her confidante, Irina von Minert.
It felt like such boldness was nothing to them.
Claudia, now beside the two, looked at Mueller.
“Why are you there, Mueller? The Adalbert Young Lord is my invited guest.”
“I’m sorry, sister. The Young Lord has made his name known across the empire lately. I couldn’t help but want to meet him once, so I...”
“I wonder. Would you have stepped forward first even if the Young Lord had been invited by Richard or Theodore?”
Claudia said this with a radiant smile.
Her tone was gentle too.
But the content was far from gentle.
Mueller replied with a calm expression.
“No matter which of my two brothers invited him, I would have gone to meet the Young Lord. I wanted to see him that badly. And I had so many questions.”
“Then you’ve gotten your wish, so no need to stay longer?”
“Yes. I’ll head to the palace first. I’m truly sorry for the rudeness, sister. And Young Lord, I’ll see you at the palace.”
“Please wait a moment.”
Mueller turned to leave immediately, but Martin’s call made him turn back.
“There’s one thing I’d like to ask.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“Freedom isn’t given by others or obtained on its own—it’s seized through struggle. I’m curious what Your Highness the Third Prince thinks of that.”
It was a line from Sara Minert, leader of Freedom’s Roar.
No, more accurately, words she’d heard from someone else.
Freedom’s Roar had been founded on that ideology.
“...I think it’s a dangerous ideology. Then I’ll really be going.”
With that, Mueller entered the imperial capital first.
Claudia stared intently at her half-brother’s retreating figure.
“That kid’s impossible to read, isn’t he, Young Lord?”
“He seems to have a lot on his mind.”
“Like you, Young Lord?”
“I’m always quite relaxed.”
“You tell that childish lie so smoothly. Anyway, he must have a complicated head too. He wants just one thing, but it’s not easy to achieve.”
Claudia’s smile deepened.
It was so beautiful it seemed to brighten the surroundings, but Martin remained composed.
Strictly speaking, he had no choice but to stay calm.
‘She’s a total beast.’
Her appearance was stunning, but her true nature was terrifying.
Not that he was any different.
“Just one thing?”
“Aren’t you being too obvious in playing dumb, Young Lord?”
“I’m really asking because I don’t know.”
“You were terrible at acting just now too. Well, since it’s our first meeting, I’ll let it slide today.”
“Thank you.”
“What for? As you know, the vast majority of the three great families and imperial direct descendants are born with superior qualities—and that applies to him too. But my situation, and that of my other siblings, is a bit different.”
The faction leaders, including Claudia, all had mothers from noble houses.
Mueller’s mother, on the other hand, was a commoner, so he had no succession rights.
Even if his brothers died, succession would pass to direct lines or close families, never to him.
“He’s forever denied opportunity just because of his mother’s low status. Wouldn’t resentment build up? Would he keep suppressing it, or try to resolve it somehow?”
“You say such frightening things too casually.”
“Isn’t that rich coming from you, Young Lord? Aren’t you fiercely competing with the branch family for the house head position?”
“After awakening my Unique Ability, I’ve never really seen them as competitors.”
“You’re so annoying.”
Martin maintained his leisurely demeanor.
Claudia glared at him with an exasperated look.
Then she strode toward the imperial capital, and Martin quickly caught up, walking side by side.
The entire group followed behind them.
* * *
‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen Raize.’
Martin surveyed the buildings and streets of red brick one by one.
This was the imperial capital, Raize.
One of the Alteria Empire’s four great dungeon cities and the largest on the continent.
Famous for its population exceeding a million, though few people were visible now.
Many roads and buildings were damaged or collapsed, making it hard to appreciate the city’s beauty.
The one saving grace was the absence of corpses.
Though the smell of blood and traces lingered.
Claudia turned to Martin and asked.
“By the way, Young Lord, you perfectly blocked the Monster Wave. Seeing the ruined imperial capital, what are your thoughts?”
“I think I got lucky. I happened to check the situation first and respond in time.”
“You pulled in a huge number of adventurers, leaving other regions unable to bolster their defenses. To be honest, even among the nobles who follow me, many harbor grudges against you.”
“I only fulfilled my duties as the Adalbert Young Lord. If they botch their own handling and then blame me, I’ll just leave. Though that won’t happen.”
“What makes you so confident?”
“Aren’t you showing it openly right now? That I’ve joined hands with Your Highness the Princess.”
The moment Martin posed the question, Claudia dropped her sulky expression.
A mischievous smile bloomed on her lips.
“Of course. You may lack a bit of gravitas, but the current Young Lord is a powerful card. Joining any side could upend the factional struggles in the capital. Even if you backed Mueller, no one would ignore it.”
“So you’re claiming me first.”
“Naturally. Honestly, it’s not bad for you either, is it? Considering Nicholas von Roys’ threat has become reality. But if you still refuse, we’ll have to part ways.”
“I’m not particularly attached either way. I can decide my course after a proper talk with Your Highness the Princess.”
“You’re going to keep me on edge till the end, Young Lord.”
Claudia shook her head.
In her 25 years of life, begging someone like this was truly a first.
And.
‘It’s frustrating that I can’t even complain about it.’
The imperial family and Adalbert house were essentially equals.
Thus, Martin now stood on par with the crown prince, meaning he outranked her by a hair.
That wasn’t all.
Martin had racked up massive achievements in the north, effectively recognized as house head.
She, meanwhile, had no public accomplishments to her name.
The gap in their prestige had widened significantly.
“That’s the palace.”
Even knowing Claudia was inwardly stamping her feet, Martin neatly ignored it.
For now, the thrill of seeing the palace after so long overshadowed everything.
‘Kruger Palace.’
If Raize was the continent’s largest city, Kruger Palace was its grandest.
It was also hailed as the most beautiful.
Unlike the surrounding ruin, it retained its former splendor intact.
‘But it’s still the Demon Subduing Hall.’
How many would die here going forward?
Even gazing at the beautiful sight, a thick stench of blood filled his senses.