Chapter 81
Chapter 81
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: Chapter 14: Demon Subduing Hall (5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Thirty minutes before Martin and Sien entered the banquet hall.
Richard Altheria stepped out of the northern annex.
“I pride myself on having considerable abilities, but the ways of the world are truly unpredictable. That’s why they say that even if humans make the plans, whether they come to pass depends on heaven’s will.”
“You’re talking about Martin Adalbert.”
“Exactly, Uncle.”
Richard turned his head to the right.
A middle-aged man with ash-blond long hair stood there.
He had a refined appearance much like Richard’s, with a high nose bridge and thick eyebrows that stood out.
Jürgen Ferdinand.
The current head of the Ferdinand family, one of the Three Great Houses.
A powerhouse who had reached the 9th Circle at just 45 years old, with evaluations that he would smoothly attain the 10th Circle.
At present, he was assisting his nephew Richard on the family head’s orders.
“Honestly, it was unexpected. I never imagined Martin Adalbert would escape Marquis Nicholas von Roys’s clutches.”
“I agree on that point. To be frank, if we don’t crush him now, the future landscape will shake dramatically. Martin Adalbert definitely has that kind of capability now.”
“If he holds out to the end, that might be true. But I don’t believe he’ll keep surviving in this competition. Anyone else, maybe, but Marquis von Roys won’t let someone who’s offended him live for long.”
Marquis von Roys’s ruthlessness was famous even in the imperial capital.
But Jürgen Ferdinand thought a bit differently.
“It’ll be hard for the marquis to step in personally, won’t it? With me and two other 9th Circle powerhouses checking each other.”
“Of course, the chance of him acting directly is slim. But the House of Roys hides far more forces than what’s known publicly. Meanwhile, the Adalbert family hasn’t fully resolved its internal conflicts.”
“Martin Adalbert defeated Waldemar von Rustal.”
“That’s exactly why I think he’ll struggle to hold on. The branch family heads with rebellious hearts won’t let their guard down anymore.”
“That’s not wrong, but underestimating him too much isn’t wise.”
Caution was evident on Jürgen Ferdinand’s face.
In contrast, Richard’s expression overflowed with leisure.
“It’s not underestimating. Honestly, Uncle, you know better than I do how vicious and cunning Marquis von Roys is. In my view, Martin Adalbert’s talents surpass even his beloved little brother or sister. But that doesn’t mean he can handle the marquis.”
The reason Nicholas von Roys was feared wasn’t just his 9th Circle strength.
His true nature lay elsewhere, beyond that power.
He had an eye for talent, surrounded by capable retainers, and his personal political and administrative skills were extraordinary, making his marquisate as wealthy as those right behind the Three Great Houses.
“What we need to do is clear, Uncle. Marquis von Roys or Theodore should seize the Adalbert territory, but we must ensure they suffer maximum damage.”
“You mean to target them when they’re recovering from their wounds.”
“Exactly. The Klaus family can wait until after that.”
“I agree. Neither the Adalberts nor House Roys can compare to the Klaus family.”
“Indeed. So we’ll move on the Klaus family after swallowing up the Adalberts and House Roys.”
Afterward, Richard continued his leisurely conversation with Jürgen as they headed to Claudia’s annex.
Along the way, he noticed Martin and Theodore clashing in a battle of auras and intervened out of personal curiosity.
That naturally allowed him to size up Martin...
“Hmm.”
Richard clicked his tongue as he looked at his opponent, who smiled with ease.
It was a first.
Among his peers or juniors, no one had ever looked at him so nonchalantly.
His two younger siblings, known as rivals, and even the direct descendants of the other Two Great Houses were too busy wary of him.
Naturally, Richard himself had never felt anyone worthy as an equal.
But seeing Martin changed his mind for the first time.
‘I need to watch him more, but I should be careful.’
There was no concrete evidence, but his instincts blared a fierce warning.
Never underestimate this opponent.
Moreover, his martial talent was already famous even in the imperial capital.
Purely in terms of realm, he could climb higher, faster than Richard himself.
His gaze and expression suggested his mental fortitude was no ordinary thing either.
‘Even Marquis von Roys won’t have it easy this time.’
Richard still predicted Nicholas von Roys’s victory.
After all, Martin was still growing, while Nicholas was already complete.
But Martin just might inflict serious damage on the marquis.
‘This is getting exciting.’
That much was sincere.
* * *
Richard Altheria wasn’t the only one impressed by his opponent.
Martin also clicked his tongue as he regarded Richard.
‘This guy really is different.’
Those who inherited the blood of the Three Great Houses or the imperial family were inherently superior to others.
Even at the same realm, they held advantages in physical abilities, mana capacity, and more, with their unique abilities far superior as well.
And among them, the direct descendants like Martin were even more exceptional.
‘This one’s special even among those direct descendants.’
The prince evaluated as having talent rivaling the founding emperor of the Altherian Empire.
That was Richard Altheria.
His personal abilities were fearsome enough, but he also had the backing of the Ferdinand family, one of the Three Great Houses.
Martin could clearly feel why they said he was closest to the throne.
And so the two regarded each other with admiration.
Then Richard glanced at his younger brother Theodore.
“I’ll pay some attention to the head of the house for now. We see each other enough to get sick of it anyway.”
“......Do as you please.”
Theodore said that and stepped back a pace.
But his gaze remained fixed on Martin, his eyes glinting murderously.
The opponent had seen through his one and only secret—his weakness.
The slave market in the free city of Akella had already been exposed, heightening resentment toward those who used slaves.
In this situation, if his secret got out?
Facing massive backlash was inevitable, and Theodore or Claudia could use it to dismantle his political position.
Judging that far, Theodore steeled his resolve.
‘I have to eliminate him.’
It was the only way he’d survive.
As Theodore ground his teeth,
“I am Richard Altheria.”
“Martin Adalbert.”
Richard and Martin finally exchanged greetings.
“I’ve always wanted to meet you. My wish has finally come true.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
“Oh? Care to share why?”
“I was curious why Your Highness the First Prince is considered closest to the throne.”
Martin said that while subtly glancing at Theodore.
It was practically a provocation.
Yet the other showed no particular reaction.
‘Guess that’s what being the head of a faction means.’
Even with his weakness prodded, holding himself together to the end was praiseworthy.
Separate from Nicholas von Roys being the biggest problem, Theodore was undoubtedly a heavyweight too.
But for now, Martin needed to focus on another opponent and turned back to Richard.
“So, what’s your impression now that you’ve seen me? Any different from your beloved little brother or sister?”
“Denying it would be a lie.”
“Oh?”
“I also realized how badly I’d been mistaken. Honestly, after manifesting my unique ability, I thought I was the best.”
“I felt the same. I figured the rumors were exaggerated, but they weren’t at all. I knew the moment I saw you—you’re someone destined for great achievements. That made me even more curious. How far can you go?”
“Hmm. Is that okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“If I live up to expectations, Your Highness will take a hit. Can you handle that?”
“For anyone else, I’d call it bluffing, but not this time. You have the capacity to make it happen.”
Richard nodded lightly.
But a smile still played on his lips.
It wasn’t confidence or leisure.
It was pure enjoyment.
“Besides, I don’t particularly mind.”
“I’m curious why.”
“Because that sounds interesting in its own way.”
“You’re brimming with confidence.”
“You’ve got it wrong, head of the house. Even I can’t afford to be leisurely against the leader of one of the Three Great Houses. Imagining a bout with you just excites me, that’s all.”
“I think I get the sentiment... but I’ll let it slide for now. The real stars of this banquet have arrived.”
“Her Highness the First Princess, Claudia Altheria, and Countess Irina von Minert of the House of Minert enter!”
No sooner had Martin finished speaking than the attendant bellowed in a resounding voice.
The banquet hall doors swung wide open, and Claudia Altheria appeared, adorned in a splendid dress and jewelry.
Irina Minert, dressed in a neat uniform, stood at her side.
Under everyone’s gaze, Claudia approached Martin without hesitation.
“I could hear you bullying my guest all the way from outside, big brother?”
“Maybe you misheard, Claudia. I was just thanking the ally of my beloved little sister.”
“Thanking me?”
“You’ve been through so much lately. I always felt bad for you, but now it seems you can finally unburden yourself, and that puts me at ease.”
“As expected of my big brother. The way you speak without a care for others’ feelings is something to aspire to.”
“Bottling up what you want to say only leads to trouble.”
At Claudia’s sarcasm, Richard shrugged.
Then he glanced around.
Everyone watched them with tense faces.
“Oh dear. I’ve made the banquet hall’s atmosphere heavy.”
“That’s right. So how will you take responsibility for ruining your little sister’s birthday, big brother?”
“I’ll liven things up again. Forgive me then, Claudia?”
“If you do that. But what are you planning?”
“Nothing much. Just something simple.”
Richard grinned broadly.
Martin thought as he watched.
He looks just like a kid about to play a prank.
At the same time, he had a gut feeling.
Something extremely annoying was about to happen.
“How about a light spar, head of the house?”
“Eh?!”
Sien gasped in shock and hurriedly covered her mouth, realizing her mistake.
But no one paid her any mind.
Everyone else was equally stunned.
Even Jürgen Ferdinand, watching Richard from behind, shook his head.
Martin was no different.
‘Why do these damn siblings all have to make my life so annoying?’
It was unlikely, but at this point, he half-suspected they were in on it together.
“Whew.”
A sigh escaped him naturally.