The Return of the Limited-Time Sword Master

Chapter 139: The End of the Rampage (3)

Shortly after solidifying his alliance with the Dark King, Martin received a communication.

The caller was none other than Claudia, her expression tense.

‘What crisis has erupted now?’

He could easily tell from her face that something serious had happened.

“Theodore has begun his advance on Morlok territory. He’s left only a minimal force in Akela City,” she reported.

“He isn’t aiming for Your Highness directly… he’s trying to lure me out.”

Morlok territory held no strategic value.

Moreover, the territory belonged to a baron, with only a modest force under its control. All Claudia could do there was regroup, and she certainly didn’t have the strength to mount an offensive against the Second Prince’s forces.

Theodore’s attack clearly had another purpose in mind.

“It takes at least a week to travel from Varehein City to Morlok, and that’s with highly mobile forces.”

Still, he couldn’t ignore it entirely.

If the Second Prince’s forces were allowed to storm in, Claudia’s position would be obliterated.

Claudia sighed, evidently aware of this.

“I’m just dragging you down throughout this whole civil war.”

“We’re allies. This much is expected.”

It wasn’t as if Martin sympathized with her or valued her forces particularly.

In truth, he didn’t need her to defeat the Second Prince’s faction.

Especially after her crushing defeat in the opening battle and being driven to a small, remote northern territory, she hardly warranted his attention.

‘But her symbolic value as a member of the Imperial family is still intact.’

Simply by fighting alongside her, he signaled to the public that he shared the Imperial family’s goals.

Thus, the Imperial House couldn’t touch him until he defeated the Klaus family.

And right now, with overwhelming public support secured from his recent press conferences, he had a shield against the Imperial Court’s interference.

Claudia’s role was merely to hold off the Imperial House’s pressure, nothing more, nothing less. For now, that support was useful enough.

“But I hope you’ll focus solely on defense, Your Highness. If you attempt any offensive move, such as deploying a special force against the Second Prince’s faction and lose, I’ll simply return to Varehein City. An alliance that does nothing but hold me back would be better left alone.”

Martin’s voice was cold as he issued his warning.

His press conferences had dealt Theodore a significant blow, dampening the morale of his soldiers.

If Claudia were to lose now, it would give a boost to Theodore’s forces—a scenario Martin had no interest in.

“I understand,” Claudia replied with a firm expression.

Martin smiled, nodding in satisfaction.

“The Second Prince’s intentions are obvious. He wants to seize everything in a single decisive battle by drawing me into his ideal setting.”

“And he’s using me as bait, so you’ll have no choice but to confront him.”

“Well, I intended to play along with his scheme anyway.”

“Why?” Claudia asked, surprised.

“By coming to your rescue, I’ll give him exactly what he wants. But when he fails to achieve his ultimate objective, imagine how he’ll feel. I find that prospect… intriguing.”

Overwhelming someone with brute force or intimidation alone couldn’t truly instill despair.

Only when everything seemed perfectly set for victory would he plunge the Second Prince into ruin.

“You’re truly… terrifying,” Claudia said, visibly unsettled.

“Prince Theodore and Marquis Royce brought this upon themselves. They’ve been meddling with me for far too long, and now it’s time they paid the price. I’ll set off tomorrow, so please hold out until then, Your Highness.”

“I will,” Claudia replied, nodding before ending the call.

Once alone, Martin contacted Elder Aren.

“Yes, Young Lord?”

“It seems the Second Prince’s faction has moved out of Akela City. Secure the city with Elder Oriana.”

“Is there anything else I should do?”

“Purge every figure from the underworld, including the black market.”

“As you command, Young Lord.”

After receiving Elder Aren’s respectful affirmation, Martin contacted Christian Havertz.

“I’d like you to head to Morlok territory. I need your abilities there.”

While they often spoke informally in private, this was an official request, so Martin maintained a respectful tone.

“You could replace me in terms of sheer firepower, but this is something only you can handle.”

Though Martin had discovered a way to counter Doom, only Christian had the skills to execute it.

“A task only I can accomplish? I like the sound of that. I’ll leave immediately.”

With a brief exchange, the call ended.

Martin then summoned the White Dragon Knights and the Gold Dragon Knights, requesting Vincent’s assistance as well.

As he’d told Claudia, he intended to sever all ties with the Second Prince’s faction through this battle.

With that resolve, Martin prepared himself.

—

The Second Prince’s forces began their assault as soon as they reached Morlok territory.

Since Martin was their true target, they didn’t commit their full strength.

But even a portion of their forces was enough to overwhelm the First Princess’ defenses.

Yet somehow, her forces didn’t collapse.

That was thanks to Irina von Minert, who had joined them.

She proved precisely why she was a 9th Circle mage, inflicting consistent and devastating losses on the Second Prince’s forces.

The only one who could counter her was Nicholas, forcing him to step in personally.

“I’d hoped to focus solely on capturing Martin Adalbert, but it seems things rarely go as planned.”

Hummm.

The moment Nicholas finished speaking, hundreds of his clones filled the air above Morlok’s walls.

The sight of hundreds of Nicholas’ clones was overwhelming, enough to leave soldiers and knights alike awestruck.

Irina, too, couldn’t help but be taken aback.

“To wield illusions of that scale so effortlessly… this won’t be an easy fight,” she thought.

It was no wonder the Emperor himself had bestowed Nicholas’ title.

But that wasn’t the end of it.

As all of Nicholas’ clones simultaneously harnessed their mana, countless orbs of pure white magic began to form.

Swoosh.

Hundreds of Nicholas clones aimed their staffs at Irina.

In that instant, a barrage of orbs streaked toward her, each leaving a long trail in its wake.

But Irina stepped forward into the air, slashing her sword with all her might.

A cascade of violet aura blades burst forth from her swing, but she wasn’t finished.

Flash!

Countless swords materialized around her.

Her unique ability—Forgemaster of Swords.

Without any cost, she could summon a variety of swords, a power classified as reality manipulation.

Bang! Boom!

The hundreds of summoned swords collided with the orbs, neutralizing them in midair.

Yet Nicholas didn’t falter. He moved seamlessly into his next spell.

An immense surge of mana flowed from the mana core in his heart—a reservoir only mages could access.

Then, even more mana streamed from the mana core in his head.

—Roaaar!—

A massive dragon, glowing white, took shape, roaring with a terrifying realism.

This was his unique ability—Phantasmal Summon.

Inherited by the Royce family, this power allowed them to bring illusions to life.

It was another reality manipulation ability and the source of the Royce family’s power, placing them second only to the Maiyas family in the West.

“What an absurd ability,” Irina muttered, though she remained resolute.

Irina raised her left hand high, her right still gripping her sword.

In response, light shimmered above her, forming a colossal sword twenty meters long.

“Go.”

All of her summoned swords were connected to her will.

At her command, the gigantic blade launched itself at the dragon, propelled by raw mana.

Crunch!

The massive sword not only pierced the dragon’s spine but drove it into the ground.

Yet Irina’s relief was short-lived.

The instant the sword hit the ground, the dragon dissolved into countless particles, which quickly regrouped in front of Nicholas, forming a blinding beam aimed directly at her.

But Irina remained determined. With unwavering focus, she slashed her sword downward, her aura blade cleaving the white beam in two.

“Retreat, all forces,” Nicholas commanded softly as Irina held off the attack.

His magically amplified voice instantly reached the soldiers, who began an orderly withdrawal.

As he withdrew himself, Nicholas cast a glance at Irina before vanishing into a rift in the air.

“Whew.”

After catching her breath, Irina descended from the wall.

Claudia, who had been overseeing the battle, immediately approached her.

“Thank you, Irina. It’s a relief to have you by my side. Alone, I wouldn’t have lasted even a day, let alone two—even without Marquis Royce’s interference.”

“I think it’s best to save thanks after we defeat the traitors.”

“I wonder… Do I even have a future to look forward to?” Claudia replied with a bitter smile.

The Emperor was already openly backing the First Prince.

And her alliance with Martin was increasingly becoming one-sided, as his influence had soared far beyond hers.

“To be honest, lately, I can’t help but think that even if I were to take down my second brother myself, my faction would still crumble.”

“Hmm.”

Irina couldn’t deny Claudia’s words.

The nobles had followed Claudia solely because they saw her as a potential future Empress.

But circumstances had changed.

Now, the Emperor’s favoritism toward the First Prince was evident to all.

“The moment my faction dissolves, I lose my value. Will the Young Lord of Adalbert still want to remain allied with me?”

“Considering his relationship with the Imperial House, I don’t think he’ll abandon you immediately, but…”

“That’s only a matter of time. Both the Imperial House and the Ferdinand family have shown their intent to destroy the Adalbert family as well. If he’s in his right mind, the Young Lord will resist, which will eventually lead to his declaration of independence.”

There was only one factor preventing Martin from declaring independence outright.

Without reaching the 10th Circle, he couldn’t establish his own kingdom on the Cracian Continent.

But given his extraordinary potential, it was certain he’d rise to the 10th Circle within ten years.

“So, what will you do, Your Highness? If you choose to break the alliance and join the First Prince, I’ll follow you.”

“That’s one option. But there’s another path.”

“You seem more inclined toward the other option.”

“If I’m honest… yes. At this point, joining my older brother would feel… wrong. Even if he welcomed me, others would openly mock me.”

Claudia spoke with self-deprecation.

Irina sighed, understanding the truth in her words.

“Don’t worry too much. I’ve got a plan for my future. I just don’t know if the Young Lord of Adalbert will agree to it.”

It was a hard reality, entrusting her fate to someone else’s hands.

She hated herself for her helplessness, but she kept her emotions hidden.

‘If I can’t sit on the throne, I’ll claim power another way.’

She sincerely hoped that her conversation with Martin would go as she planned.