Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Settling the Hierarchy (3)
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Two days had passed since Martin received the unexpected contact from Adel Bittenfeld.
Martin and Sien had secretly left the family estate and headed for Ratzek City, the main city of the Bittenfeld territory.
To be precise, it was a wild mountain near the city, not the city itself.
The snow-covered mountain was beautiful to behold from afar, but walking through it firsthand was anything but pleasant.
"Hoo. What kind of ordeal is this because of you, Martin?"
"Sorry. But who else can I trust besides you? You know that."
"You're seriously pissing me off."
Sien shot Martin a glare.
They had left the mansion without a car due to the need for secrecy.
After that, they chugged potions like mad and leaped through spatial transfers, barely managing to reach their destination.
Despite knowing full well it would be a grueling journey, they had come all this way to meet one person.
"Asking an enemy—practically the same as one—to help topple your father? I can't even fathom what you're thinking. Sure, you'll lap it up happily."
"I haven't accepted yet. I said I'd talk it over and then decide."
"The enemy is handing you infighting on a silver platter, and you won't take it? If you're gonna lie, at least wet your lips first."
Martin shrugged lightly at Sien's words.
Wooong.
That was when it happened.
A vibration in space detected one person.
Martin glanced toward the 2 o'clock direction.
"That way."
"Yeah."
The two immediately set off.
Moments later, a figure cloaked entirely in a robe entered their view.
As they approached, the figure removed the robe.
Long silver hair cascaded down, revealing Adel Bittenfeld's face.
"It's been a while since we've met like this, Young Lord. Good to see you too, Miss Sien."
"Skip the greetings. Are you really planning to oust the Bittenfeld family head? Or is this just a ploy to trick us while pretending to ask for help?"
"Sorry, but Miss Sien doesn't have the right to hear that answer."
"What?"
"It's true that I asked for help in toppling my father. But the one who received that proposal was you, not the Young Lord. So shouldn't the Young Lord be the one to judge and decide how to proceed?"
"So?"
"Your job is simple. Just sit quietly and listen until my conversation with the Young Lord is over."
"......I really hate you."
"Oh dear. That's a shame. I like you, though."
Adel smiled brightly.
Sien ground her teeth at the sight but said no more.
As the woman had pointed out, the decision rested with Martin.
"I heard through personal channels that Oliver von Bittenfeld is plotting a rebellion. First off, can you confirm if that's true?"
"I've heard your information-gathering skills are terrifying, but this is impressive. As I said, Father told me himself not too long ago. He said he's formed an alliance with the Royce Marquisate alongside the Gustin family. He insisted we must respond from within once the Royce Marquisate makes their full move."
"Is the Gustin family the only one they've joined hands with?"
"No. Elders Marius and Aren have agreed to join as well."
"What about the Pezeks family?"
"They haven't voiced any opinion yet. Father was furious about it. Called it betrayal at this late hour."
"Calling that betrayal? Unbelievable."
"I agree. Anyway, that's the situation."
Martin nodded at Adel's explanation.
It matched exactly what he had heard at Elder Aren's secret hideout.
This meant she had no intention of deceiving him.
"Telling me all this info means you're serious about ousting Oliver von Bittenfeld."
"Yes. For the family's future, Father must step down."
"The future...... What exactly do you want?"
"I dream of the family enduring long-term. But clashing with you would derail that future. Just like all those who've fought you so far and met ruin."
"It's a bit awkward saying this myself, but the Royce Marquisate is on a whole different level from the ones we've faced before."
"Probably. But I don't think you'll lose easily."
"Why's that?"
"Through your northern procession, you brought the entire north under your sway. The Adalbert family alone might be one thing, but can the Royce Marquisate beat the whole north? I'm skeptical."
"Other lords could betray us."
"If that becomes reality, the Adalberts could lose. But that's it. Nicholas von Royce might emerge victorious, but our situation would be different."
"In what way?"
"Winning a war requires tight internal control, and naturally, Father would be the target. As his daughter, it's uncomfortable to say, but I don't think he can beat you. The Gustin family head might even have better odds."
Adel coolly assessed Oliver von Bittenfeld.
Her open disdain nearly made Martin chuckle unwittingly.
"And this rebellion lacks any justification. Once you manifested your unique ability, all controversy vanished. Shouting for independence now is pure greed. Dragging in forces from other regions? No northern faction would support that. Our own territory's people would revolt first."
"It'd be nice if everyone judged like you."
"Well, people have varying views of you, so unavoidable."
"And you?"
"I'm more afraid of you than the distant Royce Marquis, Young Lord. Considering your main house's current forces, you could crush us anytime. Plus, you have the support of all northern factions and adventurers."
"Thanks for the honest opinion. But one thing bothers me."
"What is it?"
"You're the Bittenfeld Young Lady, backed by many key retainers. Yet you've clashed often with the family head, shaking your position as heir. Right?"
"Sigh. I tried to hide it, but you saw right through."
"Easy stuff. Anyway, if I help topple the Bittenfeld head, you'll naturally ascend as head. You're just using me for your goal, aren't you?"
Kuuooo!
No sooner had the words left his mouth than Martin unleashed his aura.
It became immense pressure bearing down on Adel.
"Urk!"
The overwhelming power of a 7th Circle powerhouse drew a groan from her.
But that was it.
She stared back at Martin without flinching.
"......In a way, yes. But it's not bad for you either. Help me, and you can subdue the Bittenfelds without full-scale war."
"Wow. Sounds like you've prepared something."
Martin's eyes flashed intensely.
He had no use for someone relying solely on his presence.
But someone prepared and seeking aid changed things.
Thinking that, he withdrew his aura.
"I asked for your help to gain legitimacy. It turns the rebellion into a rightful struggle."
"And you can handle the rest alone?"
"Yes. Over half the key retainers already support me. Including the Azure Dragon Knights' captain and vice-captain."
"You've pulled in both the captain and vice-captain? Impressive maneuvering. You'll make a far better family head than your father."
"Sorry, but that's an insult to me. I don't want to be compared to someone obsessed only with honing swordsmanship, ignoring everything else."
"Okay, noted. Last question then. Do you want to be family head?"
"I won't deny it."
"What about your brother? He's still gunning for the Young Lord spot, right?"
Ernst Bittenfeld.
Adel's younger brother and the Bittenfeld family's sole legitimate son.
Same age as Martin, he had just turned 18 and been recognized as an adult.
"Discussing that is pointless. Foolishly, he's chosen to follow Father's will."
"So he's a rebel too?"
"Yes. I'm the only direct line who opposed the rebellion."
"Okay. We can handle him too...... Let's discuss how to take down the Bittenfeld head."
"The stage is set. Father called a meeting today. Tomorrow at noon, all key retainers will gather in the conference room."
"You're declaring it officially there. The alliance with Royce Marquisate and Gustin family. And what you get in return."
"Spot on."
Adel said, reaching into her pocket.
She handed over a slip of paper with coordinates written on it.
"It's the underground warehouse of the mansion. The meeting starts tomorrow at noon, so time your arrival accordingly."
"Then?"
"Come to the 4th-floor conference room. I'll leave the entry timing to your judgment."
"You've prepared thoroughly. That ambitious for the head seat?"
"Ambition...... Hard to agree. It's just the only way to save the family. Anyway, that's my story. Made your decision, Young Lord?"
"Yeah. I'll join hands with you. Once it's done, I'll recognize you as Bittenfeld head. That work?"
"Yes. Thank you so much."
At Martin's firm answer, Adel beamed.
Thus, the pact between them was sealed.
'Things are resolving much smoother than expected.'
Facing the Royce Marquisate plus two branches simultaneously would mean heavy losses.
But now he could avoid that.
'What face will Oliver von Bittenfeld make when he learns he's been betrayed by his daughter?'
He was genuinely curious—and hoped tomorrow came soon.
* * *
The next day at noon.
Martin and Sien, staying at an inn in Ratzek City, activated spatial transfer.
Wooong.
Moments later, they appeared in the Bittenfeld mansion's underground warehouse.
Upon entry, Martin activated Distortion of All Things for spatial detection.
Golden mana spread in dozens of threads upward without end, finally reaching the 4th-floor conference room.
'They're there.'
Two beings with power rivaling his own.
The stronger one among them was surely Oliver von Bittenfeld.
'If only I could hear the sound too.'
He could if he tried.
Just create a space rift—it was simple.
But 7th Circle powerhouses with keen senses might detect it.
For now, detection was priority.
About ten minutes passed like that.
'Now!'
He sensed Oliver drawing his sword and aiming at Adel.
Martin immediately used spatial transfer, and the two teleported straight to the 4th-floor conference room.
The real fight was just beginning.