Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Chapter 14: Demon Subduing Hall (3)
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Only the Imperial Guard Knight Order was permitted to set foot in the imperial palace.
All other knight orders had to remain in the manors built outside the palace grounds.
Accordingly, the members of the White Dragon Knights headed to their manor, leaving only Martin and Sien to step into the annex where Claudia Alteria resided.
"Wouldn't you like to have a chat with Lady Egret outside, Irina?"
"Yes?!"
Sien was genuinely flustered by Claudia's unexpected remark.
Irina von Minert was currently regarded as the strongest woman in the Alteria Empire.
As a fellow female knight, Sien truly admired Irina for attaining such power, and now she had the chance to speak with her one-on-one.
"I shall obey your command, Your Highness. Then I'll step out, Lady Egret."
"That's..."
Sien glanced at Martin.
She had come to the palace under the pretext of being Martin's direct guard knight, so she wondered if it was all right to leave like this.
Martin gestured lightly to her.
"Go on, Sien. You've always wanted to talk with Vice Captain Irina von Minert."
"Then I'll be right back."
Sien followed Irina out of the room.
Naturally, that left Martin and Claudia alone.
She picked up the tea in front of her, took a sip, and then spoke.
"You must be aware of it too, young lord. The empire's situation is more chaotic than ever. What do you think is the reason?"
"The empire's central pillars are the imperial family and the three great noble houses. With problems arising in two of them, turmoil was inevitable."
"To be precise, it's gone beyond mere turmoil. It's no exaggeration to say fragmentation has already begun."
"Fragmentation... That's a frightening word."
Martin smiled.
Even before his regression, signs of civil war had been visible.
They had only been delayed by the internal strife in the Adalbert family and the war with the elves in the south.
"Even so, that doesn't change the truth of my words. To survive in such chaotic times, you need reliable allies."
"So, I'm to understand that the only partner I can trust is Your Highness the Princess?"
"Exactly. Do you think Brother Theodore would ever join hands with you? When his maternal uncle, Marquis Nicholas von Royce, is eyeing the Adalbert territory?"
"What about His Highness the First Prince?"
"Are you joking, young lord?"
Claudia let out a scoff at Martin's retort.
It was unmistakably a sneer.
But Martin didn't mind in the slightest.
"Brother Rihardt believes the chaos in the empire stems from the imperial family failing to crush the nobles with overwhelming force. That's why he's trying to wipe out all three great noble houses except his maternal Ferdinand family—to maximize the imperial authority and power."
"Ah. So that's why the Ferdinand family supports His Highness the First Prince. I thought it odd that their family head would help just because he's his grandson. Now it makes sense."
"They want to reduce competitors too. In any case, there's zero chance of you allying with Brother Rihardt."
"Unfortunately, I have no choice but to admit it."
The scarier fact was that First Prince Rihardt Alteria had the ability to realize his ambitions.
He was known as a monster among monsters, excelling in every field.
"There are other problems too. A thousand years of injustices, people questioning a world where status is determined by innate abilities. Some have even formed organizations among themselves."
"The empire and the three great noble houses suppressed all those injustices with force. But now, with half the central pillars shaken, the accumulated discontent is bound to erupt."
"Whoever rules the empire going forward must account for that. To do so, they'll need someone who can strike a proper balance through compromise. In that sense, Second Brother is out. He refuses to even discuss things with others."
"Well, with the First Prince's capabilities, nothing's impossible..."
"The problem is Brother Rihardt has no intention of doing so. Elevating imperial authority comes first; he thinks injustices can be dealt with later. And finally, my inept little brother has no succession rights, so no reason for you to ally with him, right?"
"Indeed, only Your Highness the Princess remains."
"Now do you understand? I'm the only one you can ally with."
As she spoke, Claudia met Martin's gaze.
Her eyes blazed like flames, but he didn't flinch.
Instead, he relaxed his body, exuding leisure.
No matter what she said, he was the one holding the initiative.
"The Minert Count family, Your Highness's maternal house, is renowned as a swordsmanship powerhouse, but that's about it. Still, I respect how you've broken the one-on-one standoff between the First and Second Princes. But the limits are clear."
"I'll admit that. Unlike them, it's hard for me to wield power independently. With both factions keeping me in check, it's all I can do. That's why I want to ally with you, young lord."
"For an alliance to form, the parties' strengths must be comparable, or at least mutually beneficial. Yet Your Highness fulfills neither condition."
"Can the current Adalbert family handle Marquis Royce's house alone?"
"To be frank, we're only lacking in one area: the absence of an absolute powerhouse. The Adalbert family currently has no 9th Circle expert or higher."
Martin radiated nonchalance.
Claudia's face hardened as she spoke.
"...If you ally with me, you can borrow the power of Vice Captain Irina von Minert."
"We could receive help, sure. But I doubt it'll come to that. Right now, each of the three factions has a 9th Circle powerhouse guarding their leaders. If even one steps away? I'd strike and kill the opponent immediately. What do you think, Your Highness?"
"It might happen. But your weaknesses don't end there, do they, young lord? Only the White Dragon Knights and Golden Dragon Knights remain intact; many elites have defected. The elders and branch family heads harbor ill intentions, ripe for internal strife anytime."
"Since the Monster Wave incident, we've been recruiting talent. Fire Dragon Sword Christian Haberz is a prime example. And we've got the potential troublemakers under control to some extent."
Martin never lost his confidence throughout the conversation.
Then he drove the nail in.
"Besides, even without them, the main family's forces alone surpass Marquis Royce's. Unless they deploy hidden troops—but they're the invaders, and I'm just defending."
"Haa."
In the end, Claudia sighed.
"You're saying put up a price instead of an alliance. You have a knack for roundabout expressions, young lord."
"Isn't that how all deals work? I do intend to ally with Your Highness, but I'm not about to get taken advantage of."
"Fine. What do you want? I'll grant anything except the Adalbert family's independence."
"You won't regret it?"
"Someone like you wouldn't demand the impossible. If you were that foolish, you wouldn't be here."
"Making me feel guilty— isn't that a bit unfair?"
"I don't think it compares to tormenting a sucker like you, young lord."
Even in a disadvantageous position, Claudia didn't lose her momentum.
Watching her, Martin inwardly acknowledged it.
She was indeed a figure who would shape this era's fate.
"What I want is..."
Hearing Martin's demand, Claudia looked troubled.
"Hmm. It sounds a bit unrealistic."
"But it's that appealing, isn't it?"
"You're right."
She extended her right hand toward Martin.
He grasped it without hesitation.
Thus, an alliance was forged between the Adalbert family and the First Princess.
* * *
Sien trembled uncontrollably, against her own will.
'I shouldn't be like this...'
She knew she was showing a pathetic side.
Yet she couldn't stop her heart from racing or her limbs from shaking.
And who was Irina von Minert?
She was the sole woman in the Alteria Empire—among female knights or mages—to have reached the pinnacle of the 9th Circle.
And she was only 38 years old, leading to speculation that she might one day ascend to the 10th Circle.
In the empire's history, only the heads of the three great noble houses and the emperor had ever achieved 10th Circle status.
If she truly reached it, it would rewrite the empire's history.
'That's why some call her the second Arellia von Adalbert, due to those expectations.'
It was impressive, to say the least.
Especially since Irina had no ties to the Adalbert family.
Thud.
Irina, seated across from the tense Sien, set down her teacup.
"I hope it suits your taste."
"Th-thank you!"
Sien snatched up her teacup and took a sip.
Her excited heart quickly calmed.
"Are you settled now?"
"...Yes. I'm sorry for showing such an embarrassing side."
"I don't know the reason, but every female knight I've met reacts just like you. That's why I always serve this tea to them. It's effective for calming the mind."
"Lady Minert Count is no less than an idol for women walking the path of the sword."
"An idol... I'm pleased to hear that from a promising junior."
A faint smile graced Irina's lips.
In contrast, Sien beamed broadly.
What could be more joyful than praise from a senior knight she admired?
"I've heard a lot about you, Sien Egret. They say you'll be a renowned female knight alongside Adel Vitinfeld in the future. Even without Her Highness's order, I wanted to talk with you at least once."
"I'm grateful, but she's a bit..."
Sien smiled bitterly at the mention of her ill-matched rival and competitor.
"Her Highness the Princess and Young Lord Adalbert will surely ally. So I want to ask: what kind of person do you think the young lord is?"
"Hmm. Someone fit to rule at the pinnacle?"
"What makes you say that?"
"His Highness the First Prince is highly rated for excelling in martial arts and more, right? I see Martin in the same vein. If there's a difference... the First Prince is cautious, while Martin is incredibly bold. Lady Minert experienced it firsthand in the Free City of Akella, didn't she?"
"Indeed."
Irina nodded.
Martin had devised a plan and immediately requested the First Princess's cooperation without hesitation.
Then he acted swiftly, achieving everything he wanted.
His decisive resolve and bold action were undeniable.
"May I ask a question now?"
"Of course."
"What kind of person is Her Highness the First Princess?"
"She's suited for the pinnacle too. In terms of desire."
"Desire?"
Sien looked puzzled.
Wondering if that was a good thing.
Understanding her, Irina explained promptly.
"I believe desire itself is a virtue a ruler must have. It's what drives you forward to greater heights. And Her Highness the Princess covets the throne by greedily seeking her own growth and talent."
"Ah. I see. In that case, Martin fits too."
"Exactly."
Irina nodded with a smile.
Then she rose from her seat.
"Their conversation must be over. Now that the alliance is set, I hope for more opportunities like this."
"Um... may I visit occasionally?"
"Of course. Meeting a promising junior is always something to look forward to."
"Thank you."
Sien bowed politely.
She had to know.
The secret to her strength.
'That way, I can be more help to Martin.'
She had no desire to linger in the back like she did in the Free City of Akella.
With that, she steeled her resolve.