The Return of the Limited-Time Sword Master

Chapter 137: The End of the Rampage (1)

“When we last met, I sensed it as well—Young Lord Adalbert has an impressive talent for putting people in difficult positions, doesn’t he, Marquis Maiyas?”

The Emperor’s gaze shifted to Hendrick von Maiyas.

“Indeed, Your Majesty. People focus on his overwhelming talent with the sword, but I believe that his cunning is far more remarkable than his skill.”

“You’re right. It’s evident from how so many of the Empire’s prominent figures have fallen prey to him one by one.”

The Emperor nodded with a wry smile.

The heads of the three great families and the Imperial House alike were at his mercy.

“It’s a little saddening that I am no exception to that.”

“…My apologies, Your Majesty.”

“I’m not blaming you, so raise your head.”

The Emperor watched Hendrick bow, then gave a bitter smile.

After letting out a faint sigh, he voiced the name of someone he’d kept buried in his heart.

“What is the current sentiment toward the Second Prince? I have a general sense, but I’d like your honest opinion.”

“…It’s no exaggeration to say that the majority of the Empire’s citizens harbor anger toward His Highness, the Second Prince. In fact, they dislike him even more than they resent Duke Klaus, the one who instigated the rebellion.”

“So, many support the call to strip him of his right to the throne.”

“Yes. The public awaits Your Majesty’s decisive action.”

“Decisive action… How have the First and Third Princes responded?”

“They’ve condemned His Highness’ actions, but neither of them has mentioned the matter of succession.”

“Debating the succession is within my authority. Those two likely know better than to overstep.”

The Emperor sighed once more as he spoke.

As long as Theodore aligned himself with the Klaus family, he couldn’t be seen as anything but a traitor.

Under normal circumstances, revoking his claim to the throne would be the proper course of action.

Yet, there was a simple reason he hadn’t done so.

He had been ensnared by Duke Klaus’ schemes and had not been able to fulfill his duties as a father for years.

If he had been fully conscious, he might have been able to keep his second son from straying down a dark path.

He already felt remorse, so how could he bear to disown his own son?

“But if I hesitate here, the people’s anger will only grow. That would undermine the Imperial family’s standing. For the future of the Empire, we must prevent the situation from deteriorating further.”

Hendrick remained silent in response to the Emperor’s words.

He couldn’t interrupt the Emperor as he struggled to convince himself.

“Marquis Maiyas.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Hold a press conference as soon as you leave here. Announce it formally—that I have stripped the Second Prince of his claim to the throne.”

“…As you command, Your Majesty.”

Although there was much he wanted to say, Hendrick held his tongue.

The Emperor had made a difficult decision, suppressing all else.

As a loyal subject, he owed it to his sovereign to respect that resolve.

After bowing, Hendrick rose from his seat.

Just then, the Emperor spoke again.

“I still consider Young Lord Adalbert to be a benefactor. Without him, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

“I am truly grateful to him as well.”

“I see. In any case, I don’t regret the favor I bestowed upon him. And I never will.”

It was only right for an Emperor to reward those who served the Empire well.

Abandoning a benefactor out of fear of their potential threat? That was something he couldn’t accept as the sovereign of the continent.

“But that man is bound to obstruct the Imperial family’s bright future. Look at him even now. He initially aligned himself with the Imperial House, but it seems he’s gradually positioning himself as neutral. Once he defeats Theodore, he will surely declare his neutrality and focus on building his own strength.”

Hendrick said nothing, but in silence, he showed his agreement with the Emperor’s view.

Martin was still at the 8th Circle and only a Young Lord and Acting Head. Yet he was already shaking the Empire to its core.

If he were to fully unleash his potential and ascend to become the Empire’s new absolute power—

With his strength alone, even the heads of the three great families would struggle to keep him in check.

“Isn’t there still the First Princess?”

“I hate to say this, but I doubt Claudia can keep Young Lord Adalbert in check. With the personalities of Theodore and Marquis Royce, they’d likely seek direct confrontation with the Adalbert family, and if he emerges victorious, she would be rendered irrelevant.”

Regrettably, Claudia’s chances were slim.

In other words, only the First Prince had the potential to fulfill the Imperial family’s aspirations.

Hendrick nodded in agreement, acknowledging that while Martin claimed neutrality, only Richard possessed the ability to lead the Empire.

Richard would be able to contend with Martin Adalbert to some extent.

“There’s only one way for me to atone for all those years I was incapacitated—to make the Empire, and the Imperial House, greater than ever. And for that, I will not hesitate to make any sacrifice.”

Even if it meant forsaking his own blood.

Hendrick bowed again, moved by the Emperor’s determination.

Then he departed the palace and held a press conference that sent shockwaves throughout the Empire.

—

Immediately after Martin revealed the kidnapping and imprisonment of women, Theodore moved swiftly.

He mobilized his vassal nobles or led knights himself, launching an attack on northern territories.

But all of Theodore’s plans fell apart.

The moment his troops set foot outside Akela City, relentless elven assaults began.

The elves attacked with fierce persistence, forcing the nobles loyal to the Second Prince to retreat without even mounting a proper response.

Some managed to shake off their pursuers but soon faced another obstacle.

The three Elders of the Adalbert family lay in wait in neighboring territories, repelling the Second Prince’s forces through defensive tactics.

Theodore himself clashed with Christian Havertz, resulting in a wound on his right cheek.

Even then, he’d barely escaped with his life—he had nearly lost his neck.

Outraged, Theodore tried to bring Nicholas von Royce into action, but this attempt failed as well.

The elven High Elder appeared, suppressing Nicholas’ movements.

As the only one in the Second Prince’s faction who could face the 9th Circle mage Barthez, Nicholas was forced to stay put.

As a result, Theodore’s plans crumbled entirely.

But then, something even worse happened.

“His Majesty has spoken. He will no longer overlook the crimes of Theodore Altaria.”

Hendrick von Maiyas’ voice rang from a communication crystal.

Theodore and Nicholas wore grim expressions, while the other nobles trembled as they listened.

“By order of His Majesty the Emperor, as of this moment, the traitor Theodore Altaria is stripped of his claim to the throne. He is no longer a prince of the Empire, and anyone following the traitor will be punished in the same manner. There will be no exceptions.”

The mark of traitor was now officially stamped upon him.

When he had declared allegiance with the Klaus family, he’d essentially committed treason, so this recognition had only come later than expected.

Some nobles had hoped the Emperor might tolerate the Second Prince’s actions to some extent, but their expectations were brutally crushed.

“Anyone here want to kill me?” Theodore finally spoke, wearing the deadliest smile they’d ever seen.

His eyes, like those of a ravenous beast, caused the nobles to avert their gazes or bow their heads.

“At least I’m fortunate that I have no traitors among you.”

With those words, Theodore stood.

“Being abandoned by the Empire doesn’t mean it’s over. If we capture Varehein City and Martin Adalbert, we can survive. No, beyond mere survival, we can discuss founding a new nation. I’ll take control of the north, then march west and dethrone the Emperor himself.”

Revealing his grand ambition, Theodore didn’t stop there.

Anyone could make grand proclamations.

A true leader needed to present a concrete plan.

Fortunately, he already had one in mind.

“A prolonged campaign works against us. It would be challenging enough just to face the Adalbert family, let alone other lords of the north. And with the elves siding with them, it’s even harder.”

Even advancing toward Varehein City would be difficult.

Despite his deadly expression, Theodore accepted the harsh reality.

“So we need to lure Martin Adalbert out, ensuring he brings only a minimal force with him. And there’s only one way to make that happen—we’ll attack Claudia.”

After losing control of the free city of Akela, Claudia was currently regrouping her forces in Morlok territory.

It was a remote area in the north and held little strategic value.

For that reason, Theodore hadn’t pursued her further.

What mattered to him was Varehein City.

“Considering the distance, the closest city to Morlok territory is Akela. There are no other territories nearby, so if Akela falls, Claudia will have nowhere to escape. To rescue her, Martin Adalbert would have no choice but to come himself.”

Moreover, time was on Theodore’s side.

It would take three days to reach Morlok from Akela City.

In contrast, traveling there from Varehein City would take at least a week.

“And to reach Morlok territory, he’d have to cross the Mountains. By arriving first, we can secure the high ground.”

“So, we’ll act as though we’re pushing Claudia to the brink, and then confront Martin Adalbert’s forces in the mountains. When Marquis Royce finally kills that cursed man in battle, we’ll have everything we need.”

As long as they maintained their alliance, Martin would have to rescue Claudia.

Her presence served as a symbolic bond, showing others that Martin walked the same path as the Imperial House.

In that sense, Martin couldn’t choose to abandon her.

Theodore’s confident words revived the nobles’ spirits.

“If he arrives with a small force, we can win.”

“We have the advantage. Both time and terrain are on our side.”

A powerful energy surged from the nobles, a surge of conviction in their imminent victory.

Seeing this, Theodore’s face twisted into a smile, filled with manic fervor.

“We don’t need to keep winning. We just need one final victory. With this fight, we’ll secure the north and become the pillars of a new nation.”

“We obey your command, Your Highness!”

They were already traitors; there was no turning back.

They would rampage to the end and seize everything.

The nobles of the Second Prince’s faction steeled their resolve.

—

While Hendrick von Maiyas’ press conference plunged the Empire into chaos, Martin was occupied with another matter.

“It’s been a long time since we met face to face.”

—From your expression, it seems you anticipated my message, Young Lord Adalbert.

“I’ve been eagerly waiting.”

Martin smiled as he looked upon the glowing form of Werner von Klaus, composed of pure light.