The Return of the Limited-Time Sword Master

Chapter 131: The Beginning of Turmoil (6)

It had been a day since Martin stirred up chaos in the free city of Akela.

Upon hearing the news, Werner von Klaus immediately sent a communication to Nicholas von Royce.

“After finally securing the free city of Akela and gaining a foothold to shake the North through the underground network, you’ve squandered it in no time. On top of that, you’ve missed a golden chance to capture Martin Adalbert. To think that I joined forces with someone this incompetent—I’m beginning to question my own judgment.”

Werner spoke in a relaxed tone, causing Nicholas’ expression to twist with irritation.

After successfully taking control of Akela City, he had stepped away momentarily to assess his next target.

Although the plan to invade the North had been in place for quite some time, the changes Martin had brought to the region necessitated a reevaluation.

Yet, during this gap, Martin launched his attack, inflicting severe damage on both his forces and the underground networks.

This effectively diminished the significance of their earlier victory.

“He may have managed to live a little longer, but it ends here. Martin Adalbert surviving this war is an impossibility. I’ll see to it myself that he dies by my hand.”

“To dominate the dungeon entrance, you’ll have to at least accomplish that much. There’s no better way to signal to the people that a new ruler has arisen in the North.”

Werner nodded, wearing an easygoing expression.

Watching him, Nicholas felt humiliated, but kept his thoughts hidden. He had already made a grave mistake; showing further weakness now would only worsen the situation.

In an effort to change the subject, he brought up something else.

“By the way, what exactly is this drug called Doom? Simply refining Clodel can’t achieve those effects. Why was it made, and with what intentions?”

He had examined Doom as soon as he received it, but even as a 9th-circle mage, Nicholas couldn’t determine its composition, only suspecting that some unique magic was involved.

“I can’t divulge its recipe—it’s top secret.”

“So, you’re keeping it from an ally?”

“There are only two people who know about Doom, myself included. Not even my own children know about it, so I ask for your understanding. As for its purpose, it’s simple. For a long time, I pondered how to enhance combat power more effectively. That’s when a question arose: could innate abilities be manifested artificially?”

“The conventional drugs made with Clodel stimulate the brain to significantly heighten the senses. And, as innate abilities are also brain-related, you thought of using Clodel to create a new drug.”

“Precisely. And I did make some progress. I managed to unlock the mana core in the brain, forcing the expression of an innate ability. The problem was that all users of Doom died shortly afterward.”

Werner had thus continued his research, aiming to extend the life span of users, and to maximize their potential. To avoid becoming too narrowly focused, he even involved numerous leaders from the underground world.

Still, he had yet to perfect Doom.

But his research was not without any achievements.

“One of my collaborators discovered an intriguing potential for Doom. By adding a specific magic circle to the original Clodel drug, it was found that the user’s mana and life force would temporarily amplify, leading to an explosion.”

“So, you refined it?”

“That’s right. I strengthened the magic circle to create the current Doom, allowing the user’s entire body to become a weapon. The only drawback is that users need to be at least at the 1st circle, but as a weapon, it serves its purpose.”

“I can agree with its utility, though ethically, it’s questionable. What if the royal family condemns us jointly? How will you handle that?”

“What is there to fear? There’s no evidence.”

Werner chuckled softly.

When the body exploded, it left no trace. There would be no proof of Doom usage.

“It can simply be explained away as loyal soldiers sacrificing themselves willingly. It’s not as if history lacks such cases.”

“Fair point.”

“As long as we keep our promises to our soldiers, there’s nothing to worry about. Just make sure not to skimp on rewards for their sacrifices.”

Before distributing Doom, Werner had been straightforward with the soldiers. He had told them they wouldn’t survive long after consuming it.

In exchange, he promised generous compensation and a commitment to their families’ future.

“That’s only possible because the Klaus family has long educated the common people on their duty to pledge loyalty to the Klaus family and the South. Some soldiers and underground operatives were swayed, but large-scale deployment is out of the question.”

“Then we’ll save it for decisive moments. In any case, make sure that no word of this leaks.”

“Understood.”

Just as Nicholas nodded, the door to Werner’s office swung open, and a messenger hurried inside, a look of urgency on his face.

“What is it?”

“Martin Adalbert held a press conference. And the content is…”

The messenger hesitated, glancing nervously at Nicholas.

Nicholas frowned and pressed him impatiently.

“Speak quickly—what happened?”

“Well… he’s claiming he’s going to reveal crimes committed by the Second Prince.”

“Crimes? Did the Second Prince really commit acts vile enough to warrant a formal press conference?”

Werner looked at Nicholas with curiosity, noticing his expression had become extremely troubled, then clicked his tongue.

“So, he did.”

“This… is…”

“It seems I really did make a mistake in choosing my ally. I won’t be involved in this—clean it up as you see fit. Let’s continue this conversation another time.”

With that, Werner cut off the communication.

He sighed deeply.

“Sigh… Attempting to challenge one of the three great noble families was already distasteful, but now this.”

Although the Second Prince’s faction and Martin’s Adalbert family had not yet clashed directly, he could already foresee the outcome.

After all, both the Second Prince and Nicholas had constantly fallen prey to Martin’s schemes.

This pattern had continued so far, and with Martin now stronger than ever, it was almost painfully obvious how things would unfold.

After a moment’s thought, he came to a decision.

“Looks like it’s time to make a deal.”

Though an alliance was impossible, if both parties could secure their own advantages, then at least a conversation might be worthwhile.

For now, though, he would need to keep watching.

With that thought, Werner reached out for the report detailing the recent movements of the Ferdinand family.

—

Standing on the platform, Martin glanced around briefly.

He had summoned numerous reporters for this formal announcement, filling the press room to capacity.

While they jostled intensely to secure good spots, no one dared to speak. All awaited Martin’s statement in tense silence.

“I am Martin Adalbert.”

In the Altaria Empire, only the Emperor and the heads of the three great noble families were exempt from using honorifics in official settings.

Every other high-ranking noble had to do so, as their statements were relayed directly to the imperial populace.

“As you all know, around 300 years ago, slavery was officially abolished. Enslaving not only humans but also other races was prohibited. Yet, recently, violators of this decree have been discovered, and in accordance with imperial law, I have punished them severely.”

Martin inwardly smiled as he spoke.

There was no need to start a direct power struggle from the beginning.

The battle with the Second Prince’s faction was about securing dominion over the North.

It was essential to prove who held true authority, meaning a full-scale confrontation through open warfare was unavoidable.

In more specific terms, the decisive clash between himself and Nicholas von Royce would ultimately determine everything.

Knowing this, the Second Prince’s faction had abandoned the defense of their territories to gather in the North.

With one victory, they could take it all—how enticing.

Although the Adalbert family’s current strength assured him of victory, Martin saw no need to waste resources recklessly.

That was why he had arranged this press conference.

“A certain noble has recently been abducting commoner women and enslaving them to satisfy his desires. Worse still, if any of these women became pregnant, he forced them to take harsh drugs to terminate their pregnancies, resulting in numerous fatalities.”

“What?!”

“How could anyone do something so monstrous…?”

Though he had planted some sympathetic reporters in the crowd, genuine outrage was sweeping the room. How could anyone commit such horrifying acts?

“But that’s not all! This individual has mercilessly murdered women who attempted to escape or resist. Even more appalling, when he feared his crimes might be exposed, he tried to erase all evidence of his deeds! Here is the proof!”

At his signal, Sien, who stood nearby, distributed photographs to the journalists at the front.

They hurriedly examined the images.

“Ugh!”

“Oh no!”

In unison, they recoiled, suppressing retches and averting their eyes.

Though journalists, they were still ordinary people. Witnessing scenes of women brutally mutilated or horrifically burned was far from bearable.

Other reporters, upon seeing the images, also shuddered in horror.

That man truly was deranged.

Martin admitted that he had indeed used leverage to coerce the man. But even then, how could someone kill so many people without a shred of remorse?

Regardless of his triumphs in war, Theodore Altaria’s atrocities had to be publicly condemned.

One of the reporters asked timidly, “W-were there any survivors?”

“Fortunately, we managed to find and protect one survivor.”

“Oh, thank goodness!”

“Thank the heavens for showing mercy.”

Relieved sighs echoed around the room at Martin’s words.

“I haven’t brought her here today for her own safety, and I hope you understand this decision.”

Nods of agreement followed. While a survivor’s testimony would provide additional confirmation, the photographic evidence alone conveyed the gravity of the situation.

Now, the only thing left was to reveal the person responsible for these heinous acts.

Seeing the crowd’s anticipation, Martin chuckled inwardly.

Consider this a minor deception, Theodore Altaria.

A touch of drama seemed necessary, and aggravating Theodore further was just a bonus. What could he possibly do in response?

Even if he claimed it was all lies, no one would believe him.

“The culprit’s identity is truly shocking. I know many of you may doubt me upon hearing this. But, citizens, I swear everything I am about to say is true.”

Martin took a deep breath for effect, then delivered the final blow.

“The one who abducted and murdered these women is none other than Theodore Altaria, the Second Prince of our Altaria Empire!”

“What?!”

“This can’t be true!”

The journalists were genuinely shocked.

Observing their reactions, Martin felt sure.

The defeat in Akela now holds no significance.

The commotion he had caused in Akela City would likely fade into obscurity, but it hardly mattered.

What mattered was that Theodore Altaria’s image had been utterly destroyed.