Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Chapter 16: The End of the Grudge (7)
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I wanted to laugh like a madman.
Seeing Nicholas von Royce’s shit-eating expression—no, his utterly constipated one—made me really want to.
Of course, I didn’t actually do it, but I couldn’t stop the laughter from leaking out bit by bit.
“You, one of the Empire’s esteemed sages, must know full well. Even if you marched in right now, there’s no chance of victory.”
-You must know as well. If I personally step in, the tide of battle can turn at any moment.-
“I’m not sure it would actually flip... but fine, I’ll acknowledge you have that kind of power.”
Magicians were inherently superior to knights in area-of-effect attacks.
That was why they received higher strategic evaluations.
Moreover, Nicholas von Royce had reached the 9th Circle, just one step away from the realm of absolutes.
It was an undeniable fact that he possessed the ability to sway the course of a war.
But what did that matter?
“If House Royce were only up against House Adalbert, that is. But is that all?”
-......-
Nicholas fell silent, his face stiff.
Even in their stronghold in the west, House Royce didn’t wield absolute influence.
The lord of the west was none other than the Alteria imperial family—the imperial household.
It was only after his grandson, the Second Prince, was born and his faction gained momentum that their power had strengthened compared to before.
Even so, they still fell short of House Adalbert.
In contrast, House Adalbert had fully consolidated its influence over the north.
“No matter how strong you are, you can’t defeat the entire north. Sure, if you mobilized the Second Prince’s forces too, it might change things—but then the First Princess would join in.”
-Hoo.-
At Martin’s continued words, Nicholas finally let out a sigh.
Deep down, he wanted to tear the man before him to shreds right then and there.
But everything had its priorities.
His top priority was placing his grandson, the Second Prince, on the throne.
With the First Prince leading the race, he couldn’t squander his forces recklessly.
He had mobilized troops because of the heads of the Adalbert branch families.
He’d thought there was a chance if they actively supported from within, but now it was all for naught.
-I admit it. This time, I’ve lost.-
Aside from losing two squads of the Black Night Knights, the main force had suffered no losses.
Even so, with strategic objectives completely unattained, he couldn’t deny defeat.
-But we’ll clash again soon enough. And the battlefield then will be the west.-
“You’re fine saying that outright? Declaring you’ll start a civil war?”
-It’s what everyone predicts anyway. The heads of the three factions are all stockpiling power in preparation. Mark my words—you’ll die in that fight, Martin Adalbert. I’ll snap your neck myself.-
“Honestly, that’s the biggest mistake you made in this war.”
-......What did you say?-
As Martin laughed openly, Nicholas’s face twisted.
“If I were you, I’d have crushed me no matter what it took in this war. Sure, it would’ve cost you dearly. But if you’d killed me and taken Varehain City? You could’ve recovered from those losses in no time.”
Martin continued with an even thicker smile.
“That’s why I told you upfront—this war was your first and last chance. Now that it’s failed, killing me and taking House Adalbert is impossible for you.”
Crackle! Crackle!
Sparks flew, shaking Nicholas’s illusion violently.
The communication orb couldn’t handle the aura pouring from his entire body.
“Well, anyway, I am grateful to you. Thanks to your cautious approach, I’ve resolved all of the main family’s issues. Using this victory as a springboard, both I and House Adalbert will grow even stronger.”
Martin met Nicholas von Royce’s eyes and declared.
“I promise you here, Marquis Royce. No matter when or how the civil war breaks out, I will kill you.”
Boom!
An explosion finally erupted, completely erasing Nicholas’s illusion.
Seeing it, Martin shrugged lightly.
“What a nasty temper.”
He’d probably react the same way in that situation himself.
But as the victor, he had no interest in the loser’s feelings.
What mattered now was that he’d nearly resolved the main family’s and the north’s issues.
Of course, it wasn’t without costs.
The fallen Rustal family and the recently crushed Gustin family had both been powerful branch families.
Cutting them out naturally reduced House Adalbert’s overall strength.
‘Time will sort it out naturally...’
Having reclaimed the north’s lordship and maintaining the dungeon entrance, their forces would recover gradually.
But with civil war looming unpredictably, they needed to recover faster.
Fortunately, they had plenty of cards left to play.
‘I’ll make it work.’
The complete unification of the north under House Adalbert.
For the future, he would achieve that long-cherished goal.
* * *
Three days after the war ended, Martin disbanded the army.
Then, leading only the main family’s troops, he returned triumphantly to Varehain City.
Word spread widely that he had reached the 8th Circle during this time.
The citizens, already jubilant over the victory, went wild with the new news, and the moment Martin arrived, they declared a festival, sending the entire city into a frenzy.
But before the festivities could begin, one procedure remained.
The public execution of the ringleaders who had incited the rebellion.
Especially once it became known that Martin would personally behead Oliver Bittenfeld, former head of House Bittenfeld, and Kallain Gustin, heir to House Gustin, crowds flooded the square.
“Our founding family head wished that all who inherited Adalbert blood would walk the same path forever and gave even the branches a chance to serve the house. That’s the origin of the branches, and their role is to faithfully support the main family. In return, they share in the main family’s glory.”
With everyone watching, Martin declared in a solemn voice.
Before him knelt Oliver and Kallain, bound in irons at arms and legs.
Yet they glared at Martin murderously.
If looks could kill, he would have died countless times over.
“Share in the glory? Don’t make me laugh! Didn’t you yourself admit during the Monster Wave that the main family had endlessly exploited the branches?”
“I won’t deny that. But those born with superior blood are ahead from the start, so they have a duty to fulfill. You enjoyed all the privileges yet betrayed the main family.”
“What privileges? We were always treated like slaves—the glory always went to the main family!”
“If you hated it that much, you should’ve shattered your mana cores and lived ordinary lives.”
Swoosh.
Martin drew the holy sword Kaizen from his waist.
Oliver thrashed wildly, screaming.
“I may die like this, but your end won’t be pretty either, Martin Adalbert! Those who stain their hands with blood meet the same fate eventually!”
“Shut up, traitor!”
“Quiet!”
“You only maintained the bloodline by luck with your unique ability—the Adalbert line is doomed! I won’t live to see it, but House Adalbert will vanish into history!”
“Damn traitor, how dare you!”
“Kill him!”
The watching citizens erupted in fury at Oliver’s cries.
Martin ignored them, raising Kaizen high.
Then, in a voice only Oliver and Kallain could hear, he murmured.
“Still, you’re lucky, Oliver Bittenfeld. You raised a good daughter and spared your house total ruin. Better than Matheus von Gustin or Waldemar von Rustal, right?”
“Shut your mouth! You think I’d acknowledge that lowborn as my daughter?”
“After making her your heir yourself? Anyway, you’ve ranted enough—no regrets left? Then farewell.”
“Martin Ada...!”
Slash!
Oliver’s final words went unfinished.
Kaizen’s blade fell like lightning, severing his head.
It hit the ground, blood from the stump staining the surroundings crimson.
Martin paid it no mind and turned his gaze.
His eyes met Kallain’s.
“I understand the branches’ dream of independence, separate from their unforgivable betrayal. I don’t hate them fiercely for it—but House Gustin is the exception. Admit it yourself: your methods were vile.”
House Gustin had pretended friendship until the end, then tried to seize everything.
In his previous life, they’d supported him lavishly, like House Egret.
But when he aimed for family head, they’d backstabbed him and taken it all.
The despair and resentment from being thoroughly toyed with lingered vividly.
“You have to pay for playing with people’s hearts. Right?”
“......Before I die, one last question.”
“Ask.”
“Our house dreamed of independence long ago. The previous head aimed to rise above family head, and after you were born, we planned to replace the main family outright. But apart from harboring that wish, we always served faithfully.”
“And?”
“We decided to fully go our own way right after the Monster Wave. Yet you suspected me and my house from the moment you returned from the dungeon. What was your basis?”
“If you truly wanted to prove loyalty, you should’ve joined House Egret in supporting me. But your father? He stayed neutral without a word. No one calls that loyalty. They call it biding time.”
“And keeping distance from me for that reason?”
“That too... but your black heart was the real issue. Unlike your father, you couldn’t hide it. Flaunting jealousy—did that scream ‘friend’ to you?”
“Hoo.”
Kallain sighed.
He’d once thought the man danced in his palm, but it was all delusion.
“......Don’t think it’ll always go this well, Martin. You’ll pay properly for all the enemies you’ve made.”
“I don’t care about a loser’s curses. Your questions answered? Time to join your father.”
“Damn you.”
“That’s you.”
Martin swung Kaizen with all his might.
The blade cleanly severed the neck once more.
‘Finally!’
He’d finally taken down his worst enemy.
Unlike his previous life, this foe was no match, but avenging the one who ruined his fate felt utterly refreshing.
With this, all obstacles hindering House Adalbert’s progress were gone.
‘Now the real start begins.’
Thinking of the future ahead, Martin turned leisurely.
Then Cien approached.
“What is it?”
“The elves and dwarves have sent envoys, young master.”
“Faster than expected.”
Martin grinned.
He’d anticipated this since deciding to buy elves and dwarves at the slave market.
Them coming to him first.
The reason was surely as he guessed.
With this, the final pieces for the third stage of northern unification fell into place.
He’d fit them perfectly and complete the final stage flawlessly.