Chapter 86
Chapter 86
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 86
Chapter Title: Chapter 15: Settling the Ranks (1)
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Time had passed since returning to the imperial capital, and the weather had turned cold as temperatures dropped.
With the new year just around the corner, Martin was grinning happily.
“What the hell are you? No, what kind of freak are you?”
Aurelia von Adalbert wore an utterly incredulous expression.
Considering how long Martin had skipped training due to his northern tour and trip to the capital, she had pushed him through intense sessions.
And she was genuinely shocked.
By the overwhelming talent of her descendant.
The second chapter of Aurelia swordsmanship, the Chapter of Flames, was far more difficult to master than the first chapter, the Chapter of Winds.
Yet Martin had picked it up at an astonishing speed and was now on the verge of the final trial.
She had expected it to take at least half a year, but that prediction had gone completely awry.
“If I act humble here, you’ll scold me, right?”
“Of course. That would just be deceit. And deceivers deserve to be punished.”
“I’ll have to be careful, then.”
Martin chuckled at Aurelia’s firm tone.
But that lasted only a moment—his expression turned serious.
Aurelia was the same, planting her sword into the ground.
Boom!
A powerful earthquake shook the barren wasteland, cracking the earth wide open.
From the fissures, crimson lava erupted wildly, some of it shooting up like fountains to engulf Martin.
But Martin didn’t panic, gripping his holy sword Kaizen.
Winds gathered along the blade, spinning at ferocious speeds.
‘The core of the Chapter of Flames is to spin the wind at high speed and crash it against spatial surfaces to generate heat.’
It was essentially friction heat.
Whoosh!
The whirlwind glowed red-hot, transforming into flames.
Golden aura blade layered atop it.
Martin swung Kaizen down.
The silver blade flashed brightly, cleaving the lava in two at once.
“Not bad.”
Hum.
Aurelia nodded slightly, then used spatial teleportation.
She reappeared exactly 100 meters away.
“The second trial is the same as the first. Reach me using only the Chapter of Flames.”
“Understood.”
Martin replied calmly, surveying his surroundings.
The lava had already formed a lake.
Just basking in its heat felt like his body might melt.
‘A true 10th Circle’s power is insane.’
He understood why so many called 10th Circle powerhouses absolute beings.
That didn’t mean he was scared, though.
If it were direct combat, maybe—but feeling fear over passing a trial like this? He couldn’t call himself an Adalbert.
‘I need to end this fast.’
His frail body made him more vulnerable to the lava’s heat than most, but even accounting for that, it was brutally hot.
Even the absurdly tough Cyan wouldn’t last long here.
That realization hit him.
What he needed to grasp in this trial.
‘If Chapter 1 was about resonance, Chapter 2 is about eruption.’
In the first chapter, he learned to wield wind and become one with vast power itself.
The second demanded exploding and unleashing that power temporarily.
He had to finish quickly for that very reason.
Groooar!
Martin drew every drop of mana from the cores in his abdomen and head.
Thanks to the dragon’s curse, the mana stored in his body was monstrous, overloading his mana circuits.
But he ignored it, focusing on amplifying the flames infused in Kaizen.
Compressing them relentlessly all the while.
Flash!
Moments later, the flaming aura blade shone brilliantly, changing form.
If aura blade resembled a blade of light, now it was as if a sword of pure flame overlaid Kaizen.
“Hah!”
Martin swung Kaizen with full power.
The flame sword flashed, unleashing a silver gleam.
Boom!
The beam split the lava lake perfectly in half, exposing the molten ground beneath.
Martin then stepped through the air, reaching Aurelia in no time.
“Huff… huff… How was it?”
“…I dare say, no descendant after you will ever surprise me again.”
“I’m glad I met your expectations.”
“Nonsense. Your talent is unparalleled. I doubt another like you will ever appear.”
“For someone like that, I’m awfully late to 8th Circle.”
“You greedy bastard.”
“Hey, it’s because my enemies are so damn strong.”
Mateus von Gustin.
The strongest and core figure in this plan.
An 8th Circle like the Crimson Death, but age had dulled his peak strength.
Mateus, by contrast, was at his absolute prime.
Even Vincent, rated slightly higher, couldn’t be their sole reliance.
With a clear chance of facing him, Martin needed to grow stronger.
“Sigh. Heroes are born in chaotic times, but your fate feels excessively harsh.”
“Doesn’t matter. By the way, ancestor, when do you think I’ll reach 8th Circle?”
“With Chapters of Winds and Flames mastered, you’ve gathered all the pieces. You could break through anytime with the right trigger.”
“A trigger, huh…”
“No need to rush. You’re not just doing well—you’re overachieving. Congrats on mastering Chapter 2, anyway.”
“Thanks to your excellent guidance, ancestor.”
“Normally I’d love hearing that, but from you, it feels off somehow.”
“I truly am grateful, though.”
Aurelia shook her head at Martin’s words.
Thinking what a sly descendant he was.
“So, what’s next?”
“Someone I need to meet. I’ve been quiet these past few days—it’s time to move.”
“The world’s most pitiful soul. Falling into your schemes… I can’t imagine the misery awaiting them.”
“They wouldn’t have fallen into the trap if they’d just known their place. See you later.”
“Very well. Next time, I’ll teach you the Chapter of Gravity. It’s lacking compared to the imperial family’s ‘Gravity Dominion,’ but it won’t hurt to learn.”
“Isn’t the essence of All Things Distortion its versatility? I’ll enjoy whatever you teach.”
“Your silver tongue is something else. Off with you.”
“Yes.”
Martin bowed politely and left the Overlord’s chamber.
He then scanned the entire mansion using spatial detection.
‘Just as I thought.’
One person was missing, as expected.
Hum.
Martin’s body vanished into a spatial rift.
* * *
In a pitch-black secret chamber.
Two Adalbert elders and three branch family heads had gathered.
Not in person, though.
They used communication orbs, appearing as bodies of light.
In the heavy atmosphere, Mateus von Gustin spoke first.
“You’ve all heard. Marquis Nicholas von Royce declared war on the young lord.”
Five days prior, House Royce had formally declared territorial war on House Adalbert.
Everyone’s faces were grim.
House Royce had long been rated just below the Three Great Houses.
They couldn’t match the Three Greats, of course—but House Adalbert had been declining since the previous lord’s ascension.
Martin’s rise as young lord had restored some strength, but major issues remained.
Namely, unresolved internal conflicts in House Adalbert.
Even at full strength, victory was doubtful.
Facing Royce while divided?
They’d likely fall before the new year.
“We shouldn’t have provoked Marquis Royce directly. But the young lord ruined everything just to boost his status. Now we’re the ones suffering.”
“No need to beat around the bush. What’s the point, Mateus?”
Oliver von Wittenfeld cut straight to it.
Mateus glanced at the others before replying.
“Nicholas von Royce contacted us directly. He wants to join hands.”
“Join hands? Isn’t it basically submitting to him?”
Oliver von Wittenfeld objected immediately.
Independence was key.
Even ousting the main house, bowing to a replacement negated the rebellion.
Mateus shook his head as if he’d anticipated it.
“Not quite. He proposed splitting the dungeon shares among me and the three branches.”
“What’s the ratio?”
“House Royce takes 40%, we each get 20%. And he promises our independence.”
“Not bad. Assuming we maintain good relations.”
“I don’t see us fighting anyway. None of us want to be swallowed by House Royce.”
Wrapping up with Oliver, Mateus turned to Elders Aren and Marius.
“I have a promise for you two as well. He’ll grant us the vacant lordships.”
“Looking out for us too? Royce is committed, I see. Can’t complain.”
Elder Marius was pleased.
Feeling his value recognized.
Elder Aren’s expression was complicated, though, and Mateus didn’t miss it.
“Any complaints, Elder Aren?”
“No… none.”
“I can read you. After the young lord’s tour, many lordships are vacant. It’s natural to think you could snag one if you obey him. Right?”
“Hmm.”
“I’ll say it plainly: you’re gravely mistaken. You’ve watched him long enough. How ruthless he is. To him, you and I are nothing but disloyal elements. When the time comes, he’ll purge us without fail.”
Elder Aren couldn’t refute Mateus.
Indeed, all who’d opposed Martin had lost their lives.
True, the dead had rebelled openly, while he hadn’t crossed that line yet.
But as Mateus said, Martin was unlikely to show mercy.
“That’s all I have to say. Any conclusions?”
“I’ll accept Marquis Royce’s offer.”
“Same here.”
Oliver and Elder Marius answered promptly.
Mateus nodded in satisfaction.
He then eyed Elder Aren and Wilhelm von Pezeks, who hadn’t spoken.
“I… need more time to think.”
“Me too.”
“The answer’s obvious, but I’ll respect it. Just decide quickly—Royce’s offer has an expiration.”
Despite his words, Mateus had already concluded internally.
Wilhelm and Elder Aren were untrustworthy going forward.
No point allying with those who hesitated at crunch time.
Plus, their disloyalty was obvious.
“That ends today’s talk. I relayed Royce’s message this time, but next we can all speak together.”
With that, all lights in the chamber vanished.
Elder Aren, cutting communication, sighed softly.
“Sigh. Nothing’s easy.”
Since awakening his unique ability, he’d dreamed of becoming a lord.
Like the branch heads craving independence.
But vacancies were rare, so he’d kept it as a secret wish.
He’d earned recognition, becoming an Adalbert elder, and been content.
Until the previous lord’s sudden death.
When the main house falls, vast territories lose their lords in an instant.
Claiming one wouldn’t be hard.
“But now I can become a lord without that. No need to abandon all my built reputation to oppose the young lord…”
“You truly are a wise man, Elder Aren.”
“Gah!”
The familiar voice made Elder Aren jump in genuine fright.
Hum.
Space warped before him, and a figure stepped out.
It was Martin.