The Return of the Limited-Time Sword Master

Chapter 117 – Founding Festival (2)

“Jurgen Ferdinand.”

The head of the Ferdinand family and a 10th Circle supreme master, Karl von Ferdinand, spoke.

At that single utterance, Richard felt a chill course through his entire body.

‘No matter how many times I witness it, I’ll never get used to it.’

Karl hadn’t projected any visible power; he had merely spoken a word. Yet that alone was enough to overwhelm them.

‘I’m at the 7th Circle, which ranks me in the top hundred within the empire…’

Richard had confidence in his own abilities, but facing someone like Karl rendered such considerations meaningless.

Only 9th Circle powerhouses might avoid feeling like insects before a 10th Circle master. For everyone else, death came just as swiftly.

Still, Jurgen, possessing the strength of a 9th Circle warrior, responded as best he could.

Despite the tremors that overtook him, evidence of Karl’s undeniable dominance, he steadied himself and spoke.

“…Yes, my lord. I am listening.”

“I heard you orchestrated an amusing scheme in Varehein City. Using the core from last year’s Monster Wave to replicate the chaos artificially…”

At the end of Karl’s sentence, Jurgen, along with Richard, felt a chill settle in their hearts.

The plan to descend into Varehein’s dungeon and empower a Monster Lord with the core’s influence had been executed in utmost secrecy.

Only a handful knew of the core’s research, and even they were unaware of Jurgen’s purpose.

Yet here was Karl, having uncovered every detail despite residing far away in the east.

‘The Ferdinand family… No matter how powerful they are, how could they be so aware of events in other regions?’

Richard was baffled.

Though the three great families maintained dominion over their territories, the royal family maintained complete control over the western region. With the emperor’s health declining, their influence had waned slightly, but they still held strong.

And yet, Karl seemed to know everything, as if the entire empire lay open before him. How he could have known, Richard couldn’t begin to fathom.

What mattered most, however, was that they had been discovered by the last person they wanted to cross.

“Do you remember, Jurgen? Ten years ago, when I formally acknowledged you as the acting head of our family, what I said to you?”

“Yes, you told me that one who stands at the pinnacle must walk a rightful path and never resort to half-baked schemes.”

Each word drew a deeper tension into Jurgen’s body, as if something heavy were pressing down on him. But he forced himself to remain composed, hiding his discomfort as best he could.

“Correct. And five years ago, when I instructed you to support your nephew, I had another piece of advice.”

“You said that, as a figure charged with reshaping the empire’s history, he must be guided along the proper path.”

“You remember well. Then why don’t you practice it?”

“My apologies, my lord,” Jurgen replied, bowing his head deeply.

The Ferdinand family upheld a strict code: victory must be achieved through fair means and a rightful struggle.

In that regard, the incident he and Richard had orchestrated in Varehein clashed directly with the family’s values.

“Richard,” Karl turned his gaze to the prince.

“Yes, Grandfather.”

“You may be my grandson, but you are not a member of the Ferdinand family. Thus, I will not impose our family’s values upon you. The Altaria royal family has its own traditions.”

Karl’s tone was calm, but Richard felt his chest tighten. It was as though something was constricting his heart.

“During times of chaos, some might dismiss honor and integrity as trivial pride. Perhaps you think an old man is pontificating, heedless of his own power.”

“No, not at all!” Richard responded, raising his voice in earnest.

He even channeled mana to shake off the crushing pressure that threatened to overwhelm him. Karl gave a faint smile but returned to a serious expression.

“You know this, I’m sure: the nobles of the empire are all paying close attention to Martin Adalbert’s actions.”

“Yes, I’m aware.”

“Though Martin’s youth places him behind you, both of you hold the potential to one day stand at my level. However, if asked who would make the better ruler, I would, without hesitation, choose Martin Adalbert.”

“…May I ask why?” Richard asked carefully.

“Unlike most nobles who hesitate to take risks, he leads from the front. He accepts responsibility and burden without fear, which is why he was the first to respond to last year’s Monster Wave and managed to resolve it so successfully.”

Richard knew there were many factors he could point to. Martin, having awakened his unique ability late, had always been in a weaker position within his family. Leading from the front had been his only option.

But he kept his thoughts to himself.

Martin had already proven himself through his achievements, and complaining would only make him look petty.

“People remember those who stand at the front. The loyalty of the people follows those who demonstrate leadership, and in turn, they become exceptional rulers. That is why I hope you’ll guide and lead as Martin Adalbert does, rather than manipulate from the shadows.”

“I will take your words to heart, my lord.”

“Of course, how you choose to act from here is your decision. Ultimately, all I ask of you is to prove yourself as someone worthy of becoming emperor.”

“I have never reneged on a single deal, and I will not begin now,” Richard replied confidently, his voice steady.

Karl nodded approvingly at the conviction in Richard’s tone.

“I’ll be watching closely. By the way, is your father still unable to get up?”

“…He is still breathing, but he has not regained consciousness since he collapsed.”

“It’s remarkable that someone who reached the 10th Circle would be felled by a mere illness. Well, since I am here as a guest in my son-in-law’s household, it would be polite to pay him a visit.”

“I’m afraid it may be difficult during this Founding Festival. His condition has worsened recently, and my siblings and I have restricted visitors.”

“Too bad,” Karl clicked his tongue lightly.

Richard gently intervened, offering his reassurance. “In that case, I’ll personally guide you through the palace, Grandfather. It’s been quite a while since we’ve had a chance to walk together, hasn’t it?”

“That wouldn’t be bad. I’ll be in your care, then,” Karl responded, accepting his offer.

As Richard quickly positioned himself next to Karl, the two began walking ahead, with Jurgen and the others following at a respectful distance.

—

Martin walked alongside Claudia, conversing as they went.

“Haa… It seems I’ve failed once again,” Claudia sighed.

“By ‘failed,’ you mean… Ah, the chairmanship of this year’s Grand Council,” Martin remarked, quickly realizing her meaning.

The role of chair for the Grand Council had traditionally always been held by the Emperor.

However, with the Emperor now incapacitated, the responsibility had to fall to one of the three heirs—the First Prince, the Second Prince, or the First Princess.

This led to fierce, behind-the-scenes competition among factions, which escalated each year as the Founding Festival approached.

“To be honest, Your Highness, you haven’t exactly competed directly,” Martin commented.

The First Princess’ faction held impressive martial strength, but in the realm of political influence, they were significantly weaker than the other factions. This often limited Claudia to indirectly supporting another faction to exert any influence at all.

“Did you really need to point that out, Martin?” Claudia cast him a pointed look.

“Apologies,” Martin replied with a grin. Although he apologized, his smile made it clear he wasn’t entirely sincere.

Claudia sighed deeply and resumed speaking.

“Even so, I thought I had a real chance this time. Since both Richard and Theodore have taken turns as chairman in the past, it was only right that I get a chance as well. But they opposed me so adamantly.”

“Ever since our alliance, Your Highness’s influence has been growing steadily. Securing the chair would have cemented your standing, leaving no doubt about your position as a contender. Naturally, both princes would try to stop that.”

“True, but I didn’t expect Theodore to outright support Richard. If they’d competed separately, I might have won,” she said, her voice tinged with frustration.

“That is unusual. It’s well known that the Second Prince isn’t particularly fond of the First Prince.”

“What’s even more concerning is that lately, Theodore has been exceptionally quiet,” Claudia added, her voice lowered. “He publicly declared his support for Richard as chairman and fought in the dungeon due to his ‘Noble Duty,’ but other than that, he hasn’t made any moves. His followers meet him only in his private residence.”

“That is indeed strange.”

“Isn’t it? Both Theodore and Marquis Royce have suffered multiple setbacks from you alone, Martin. I can’t help but feel they’re planning something to redeem themselves. What do you think?”

“Given the circumstances, that does seem likely. They’d want to regain their standing by dealing a blow to me. I’m guessing they’ll make their move during the Grand Council.”

“I think the same. I’ve been preparing myself for it.”

During the recent regional conflict, Marquis Royce’s faction avoided direct clashes with the First Princess’s faction by taking indirect routes to the northern regions.

However, it was unlikely that Theodore or Nicholas would choose the same approach again.

They would likely take this opportunity to confront Claudia and Martin directly, even if it meant mutual destruction.

“If a real fight breaks out, it could practically be a civil war…” Martin began to say, then winced suddenly.

“Ouch!”

“Gah!”

“Ahh!” cried several people.

Almost everyone—Martin, Vincent von Igreet, Wilhelm von Fezek, and several others—suddenly felt chills run down their spines. A cold sweat broke out, and goosebumps formed on their arms.

An instinctual warning echoed within them, one of a being approaching them, unlike any they had encountered before.

Martin quickly turned and looked at Irina von Minert. As a 9th Circle powerhouse, her expression was also tense.

“What’s wrong, Martin? Are you feeling unwell?” Claudia asked, concerned.

“Now’s the time to prepare for another guest, Your Highness,” Martin replied.

“A… guest?”

“A 10th Circle master is approaching. Someone with a restrained but unmistakable aura,” he said, his tone cautious.

Claudia took a deep breath, focusing on maintaining her composure.

“They’re coming.”

“Indeed,” Martin replied as he spotted the figures emerging from the building opposite them.

A group of robed individuals began to approach, all obscured by their hoods save for one. An elder with a head of silvery-gray hair and a matching beard strode confidently forward, his face clearly visible.

From him emanated an overwhelming aura that seemed to dominate the entire palace grounds.

“…Werner von Klaus.”

The head of the Klaus family, one of the three great families. Recognized as the most powerful mage and revered as the empire’s greatest sage.

This man, who prided himself on being the empire’s sovereign sky, was now approaching Martin and his companions.