Chapter 84
Chapter 84
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Chapter 14 Demon Subduing Hall (8)
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As soon as Nicholas von Royce departed, Claudia Alteria summoned Martin to her chambers.
She let out a blatant sigh.
“You’ve gone and done something huge right after we formed our alliance, young lord.”
“They were the ones who picked the fight first. I’m just the poor victim here, Your Highness.”
“Well, I can’t completely deny that... but you’ve made the Royce Marquis eat dirt multiple times, haven’t you?”
“In the end, Your Highness benefited too. Their rival’s strongest force has been weakened.”
“You really are infuriatingly sly.”
Claudia shot Martin a glare.
It had zero effect on him, of course, and she sighed again.
But that lasted only a moment. Her expression turned serious as she continued.
“Honestly, this declaration of war was unexpected. Both I and Brother Theodore need to focus on gathering our full strength right now. For the core force of the Second Prince’s faction, the Royce Marquis, to move this early...”
It was common knowledge that the First Prince’s faction held the advantage among the three major factions.
Both the First Princess’s faction and the Second Prince’s faction were doing everything they could to close the gap.
If the Royce Marquis fell in this situation, the Second Prince’s faction would effectively collapse.
The 1:1:1 balance would shatter, and the First Princess’s faction would crumble as well.
They couldn’t beat the First Prince’s faction alone.
“They must be that confident of an overwhelming victory. They plan to offset the war losses by seizing the dungeon entrance.”
“If the Royce Marquis really wins, it’ll flip the current balance on its head. So answer me honestly, young lord. Do you think you have a chance in this territorial war?”
“Of course.”
“What’s your basis?”
“Originally, Nicholas von Royce shouldn’t have declared a territorial war. They lost the free city of Akella, their forward base.”
Supply lines were one of the most critical elements in any war—no exaggeration.
Even elite soldiers couldn’t fight properly if they were starving and ragged.
In that sense, losing control of Akella City was a fatal blow for the Royce Marquis, especially since all their accumulated influence in the north had vanished with it.
“And yet they declared war anyway. What that means is simple.”
“They’ve solved their supply problem?”
“Exactly. With their northern noble ties completely severed, how did they manage it? Obvious. A traitor emerged. Their confidence means they’ve got massive reinforcements.”
“As expected of the Adalbert family’s branch...”
“More precisely, the Gustin family led by Mateus von Gustin. Though others could have joined them too.”
Martin spoke with conviction.
Claudia’s face darkened.
“Hmm. Isn’t the Gustin family the strongest among the branches? They’ve got the longest history, and reports say their wealth is immense. If the other branches and nobles opposing you join in, even you might struggle, young lord.”
“Well, facing the Royce Marquis and traitors at the same time would be tough, sure.”
History was full of mighty powers crumbling pathetically due to internal betrayal.
He hadn’t expected the Adalbert family to be an exception.
“That’s why I need Your Highness’s help.”
“Since we’re allies, helping is a given. But as you know, I can’t openly fight the Royce Marquis right now. It could spark a full civil war.”
“And if civil war breaks out now, the winner would be His Highness the First Prince, no question.”
Claudia nodded grimly at Martin’s words.
Direct conflict between the First Princess’s and Second Prince’s factions would shatter the balance too.
It would be mutual destruction, leaving the First Prince’s faction to reap all the rewards.
“This balance will break eventually. With our alliance, my faction will grow stronger. But to maximize that power, we need more time.”
“I know that full well, so don’t worry. I never intended to ask Your Highness to fight anyway.”
“Then what do you need from me?”
“Simple. Just issue one order to the western nobles loyal to Your Highness: Do not let the Royce Marquis pass, under any circumstances. Block every route thoroughly.”
It was such a straightforward request that Claudia tilted her head.
Martin quickly addressed her doubt.
“...Isn’t that obvious? They wouldn’t yield to an enemy anyway.”
“The enemy is the Royce Marquis. Unless they’re one of the three great houses or the imperial family, they’ll waver under pressure. Everyone values their life. So Your Highness needs to steel their resolve.”
“You mean show them that if they attack my faction, I’m willing to go to full-scale war?”
“Precisely. They don’t want direct clashes any more than we do. Once they see Your Highness standing firm, they’ll detour on their own. That alone will delay their arrival in the north, buying me time.”
Of course, there were warp devices that could transport people and goods instantly.
But they had limits.
The more personnel, the heavier the load, the greater the distance—the exponentially more magic stones they required.
No faction could warp large armies because of this.
They were only used for small groups or urgent messages.
“Now I see your plan. While the Royce Marquis’s forces are delayed, you’ll eliminate all the traitors?”
A feral smile crept across Martin’s lips.
It was answer enough.
“Hmm. Quite the confidence. It’ll take roughly two weeks for their forces to reach the north. Even if we delay them, three weeks is the max. You plan to crush the Gustin family in that time... But what if more forces side with them?”
“Doesn’t change a thing. No matter who I fight, I’ll finish it before the Royce Marquis arrives.”
“If it goes your way, they’ll lose without swinging a sword properly. They won’t achieve their strategic goal.”
“That’s exactly what I’m aiming for.”
“You’ve racked up one achievement after another so far. I’ve seen enough to trust you this time too. Make your name resound far and wide, Martin Adalbert.”
“Of course.”
Even he couldn’t guarantee absolute victory against the Royce Marquis.
Not even if the Adalbert family’s forces were stronger.
The Royce Marquis had too many hidden cards.
But branches and elders? Different story.
He knew all their weaknesses and strengths from before his regression.
He even knew the Gustin family’s core secrets.
*You’ll regret this, Nicholas von Royce.*
It was as good as decided.
“Then I suppose you’ll head back tomorrow, young lord. Not much time to prepare for war.”
“I’m leaving the day after. I have someone to meet in the capital.”
“Haven’t you met everyone already? I introduced you to all my faction’s people.”
“It’s for personal reasons.”
“Well, you’ll handle it fine. See you when you return to your family.”
“Understood.”
With that, Martin rose from his seat.
Truth be told, he hadn’t paid Nicholas’s declaration much mind.
Once they lost Akella City, they had only one option left.
His heart was pounding now because of the meeting tomorrow.
*I’ll bring them back no matter what.*
Martin steeled his resolve.
* * *
The next day.
As soon as morning broke, Martin left the annex with Cyan.
“This is basically your first time, right? Me personally recruiting talent. Well, Christian came at your invitation too, but you baited him with the Rustal family’s territory first so he had no choice.”
“Technically, yeah?”
“The place we’re heading doesn’t scream famous or renowned... right?”
“You can’t find anyone truly exceptional in the capital anyway. They’d already be tied to one of the three factions.”
“That’s why I’m more curious. No name value at all, yet you’re going yourself. I want to know what you saw in them.”
“Don’t expect too much, Cyan. I’m just going off rumors to meet them once. I’ll judge after a proper talk. You know plenty of people don’t live up to the hype.”
“True. But you’ve never moved without reason so far. That’s why I’m excited.”
“You’re not pressuring me too much?”
Martin shook his head at Cyan’s eager tone.
They walked on and soon reached District 11 in the west.
Several large buildings stood at the street’s center.
“That’s the Raize Grand Library. I’ve only seen it in papers and books—never thought I’d come here in person.”
“Impressive, for sure.”
Agreeing with Cyan, Martin surveyed the building.
Raize Grand Library.
The empire’s center of knowledge and scholarship, it had produced countless renowned mages and officials over centuries.
The three great houses had their own institutions of equal quality.
But the Raize Grand Library’s prestige was unmatched, so imperial mages and officials had to attend as exchange students at least once.
It was non-negotiable for proper recognition.
Step by step.
Martin and Cyan wove through robed figures and those carrying thick tomes, reaching their destination.
“I’m Martin Adalbert.”
“W-Welcome to the Raize Grand Library!”
The guard recognized Martin’s face and bellowed.
District 11 prized quiet, but Martin was too big a deal for subtlety.
“I’m here to see Librarian Kurt Steinhoff. Do you know where he is?”
“We’ll find him right away!”
The guards rushed inside.
Soon, Martin and Cyan were escorted to a VIP room.
A young man in his late twenties waited there.
He had long crimson hair, a gentle face, and glasses that accentuated his intellect.
*This is Kurt Steinhoff.*
The Third Prince, Mueller Alteria—the empire’s worst criminal-to-be.
The genius of geniuses who turned him into a massive faction’s leader.
He’d finally met the man who’d be called the Devil’s Chancellor in the future.