LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 10
Chapter 10: The Return (2)
“You’re quite bold, Branch Chief Beyren.”
“Huh?”
Beyren, with a blank expression, questioned Sien’s cold remark.
“It’s the guild’s duty to monitor those entering and exiting the dungeon. Yet, an assassin infiltrated the dungeon and attacked the young master. Isn’t that your responsibility for neglecting proper inspections?”
“I… I am truly sorry!”
Thud!
Only then did Beyren realize the weight of Sien’s words.
He quickly stood up from his seat and knelt, pressing his head to the floor.
Blood dripped from the wound on his forehead caused by the force, but he didn’t care at all.
To say he didn’t feel wronged would be a lie.
Even if the guild’s staff strictly inspected adventurers and others entering the dungeon, there were limits to what they could do.
Especially when it came to assassins who were determined to hide their identities—how could they possibly detect and stop them?
Yet Beyren offered no excuses.
No, he couldn’t offer any.
After all, this was Varehein City, the heart of Adalbert territory for over 1,000 years.
And Martin was the son of the former head of the Adalbert family—the only direct heir.
Even though his standing among the nobles had fallen, Martin was still regarded as the most noble figure in Varehein City.
And he had been ambushed.
Now that the incident had occurred, Beyren, as the manager, had to take full responsibility.
“You understand this isn’t something that can be resolved with a simple apology, right, Branch Chief Beyren?”
“I will take full responsibility for this incident…”
“And how do you plan to take responsibility?”
“I-I will step down as branch chief…”
“Come on. Resigning is the bare minimum.”
Beyren’s body trembled as Martin responded so nonchalantly.
Resigning from his post as branch chief was no small decision. It required tremendous resolve.
The entrance to the dungeon was indeed part of Adalbert territory.
However, the management was handled by the Adventurer’s Guild, and the same was true for the entrance to Varehein City.
There were only nine dungeon entrances across the entire Cracian Continent, and being the branch chief of Varehein City meant that Beyren was among the most powerful figures within the guild.
Their authority was immense, enough to disregard most nobles.
Stepping down as branch chief meant giving up everything he had enjoyed so far.
Yet Martin spoke as if that were the most natural outcome, leaving Beyren suffocated with dread.
“Do you really think this will end with you just stepping down, Branch Chief Beyren? If that’s what you truly believe, then you’re sorely mistaken. At the very least, the Adventurer’s Guild will have to get involved, don’t you think?”
“Th-the guild headquarters, you mean?”
“The only direct heir of the Adalbert family was threatened due to the guild’s failure in managing the dungeon. In a situation like this, should we really continue entrusting the entrance’s management to the Adventurer’s Guild?”
“Are you planning to revoke the guild’s management rights?”
“Why not? The heads of the branch families and the elders would love it. They’d be thrilled at the chance to seize such a lucrative opportunity.”
Gulp.
Beyren opened and closed his mouth repeatedly, speechless.
The Adalbert family had the authority to manage the dungeon entrance themselves whenever they wished.
If that happened, the Adventurer’s Guild would take a huge blow.
How could they possibly shoulder that responsibility?
Beyren couldn’t even begin to imagine.
“P-Please, spare me! I beg of you, young master!”
“Ah, don’t worry about that. Why would I kill you?”
“If this incident becomes public, the Adventurer’s Guild will not let me live. Please, show me mercy…”
“Mercy, huh?”
Smirk.
The smile on Martin’s lips deepened.
Watching this, Sien shook her head.
‘His personality has gotten even worse.’
Martin had always had a harsh streak due to his difficult upbringing. But he had never toyed with someone’s life like this before.
Now, he held Beyren’s life in his hands, maintaining a high-pressure stance.
Yet, Sien didn’t necessarily view this change negatively.
To reign as the head of the family, to sit at the top, one needed a ruthless heart.
“Personally, I think highly of you, Branch Chief Beyren. You have your faults, like taking care of things behind the scenes, but you’re undeniably capable. In fact, you’re even considered a candidate for the next guild leader.”
Swoosh.
Martin helped Beyren sit up straight.
“Honestly, I don’t want to deal with a new branch chief coming in. It would just be a hassle. So, if you swear one thing, I won’t hold you responsible for this incident.”
“A s-swear?”
“It’s not difficult. While you’re the branch chief of Varehein City, pledge your loyalty to me.”
“That’s…”
Beyren hesitated, unable to answer immediately.
If Martin failed to awaken his unique ability during this training, the Adalbert family would collapse.
Beyren might escape responsibility for the assassination attempt, but he could still face ruin for aligning with the wrong side.
“Don’t worry about the unique ability.”
Martin smiled broadly.
From the start, he had never intended to make this incident public.
It would only cause unnecessary turmoil within the family, and worst of all, Valdemar von Rustal might make his move first and wipe out the Blood Sword Guild.
If that happened, the valuable information he could obtain would disappear as well.
Instead, Martin chose to handle the situation differently by binding Beyren to him.
Beyren wasn’t a paragon of virtue, but his competence was undeniable.
When it benefitted him, someone like Beyren would display his full potential.
By aligning with him, Martin could gain access to the guild’s information and influence.
But first, he needed to drive the point home.
Swoosh.
Martin raised his right hand.
The moment Beyren saw what happened next, he swore absolute loyalty.
—
Even though Martin had refused a carriage and chose to walk, word of his return from the dungeon quickly reached the main estate.
The residents of the mansion promptly gathered at the main gate.
Although Martin hadn’t been recognized as the heir, he was still the sole direct descendant of the Adalbert family.
Naturally, they had to show the proper respect.
“We greet the young master!”
The members of the White Dragon Knights, who were responsible for the estate’s security, raised their swords in salute with a loud, unified shout.
With twenty knights standing in two rows, all in perfect formation, the scene was an impressive display of discipline and strength.
Martin glanced over the knights with little interest. His attention was drawn instead to the group gathered at the main gate, especially those standing at the forefront.
‘Aren Cruse.’
One of the elders, and the only one who had seen him off to the dungeon all the way to the end.
A plump man with a warm, fatherly appearance, his face beamed with what appeared to be genuine joy.
Martin turned his gaze to the other two standing alongside him.
To his left was an elderly man with a muscular build and deeply tanned skin.
To his right stood a beautiful woman, youthful enough in appearance that she could be mistaken for someone in her early thirties.
‘Marius Protal, Oriana Flores.’
Including Aren Cruse, the three of them had served the Adalbert family for over fifty years.
Their contributions had been recognized, and they had risen to the position of elders.
From mere retainers, they had ascended to roles where they could influence the family’s major decisions.
But that wasn’t all.
They had also become official nobles of the Altaria Empire, having been granted the title of baron.
However,
‘They betrayed my father’s last wish, blinded by their own power and greed.’
Daniel von Adalbert had left a dying wish for them to protect Martin to the end.
Despite hearing that, the three elders chose betrayal.
And for one reason only: to establish their own families.
In fact, they had nearly succeeded once, though it didn’t last long.
‘This time, I won’t let them achieve anything.’
To completely take control of the family, Martin knew he had to deal with the elders.
He had already formed a plan for how to proceed.
What would their reactions be when their ambitions turned to dust? Martin couldn’t help but anticipate it as he looked beyond the elders at the group standing behind them.
All of them were his age—three men and one woman, the heirs of the other four branch families.
‘Stefan Rustal, Simon Fezek.’
The large-framed young man and the slender one both locked eyes with Martin. As they did, sly smiles crept across their faces.
They weren’t blatant about it, but it was clear they looked down on Martin.
‘They’ve always been slow learners. Even after all the beatings they’ve taken since childhood.’
Martin had always been behind them when it came to their Circle ranks.
It was no surprise. They had the privilege of learning both unique abilities and martial arts, while all Martin had was swordsmanship.
But that was where their advantage ended.
Martin had never once lost to them in actual combat. In fact, he had trampled them mercilessly.
His overwhelming skill in swordsmanship more than compensated for his lack of physical abilities and a unique ability.
And yet, here they were, still acting this way.
It was laughable.
But he decided to hold off on putting them in their place for now.
There was someone else who required his attention at the moment.
Martin’s gaze shifted to the striking red-haired young man.
‘Kalain Gustin.’
The man who would, two years from now, become the true victor of the Adalbert Civil War.
He stood there with a bright smile on his face.
‘Your days of smiling like that are numbered.’
All the branch families, except for the Igreet family, sought to replace the Adalbert family.
The Gustin family had come the closest in Martin’s previous life.
Kalain Gustin, in his arrogance, had lost his head—literally—before he could fully realize that goal.
‘This time, you won’t even get the chance to try.’
The reason Kalain had been able to grow so powerful was because of the Fist King’s Legacy, but Martin had already claimed that for himself.
Moreover, with his unique ability from his past life now in hand, he held all the justification he needed.
Kalain wouldn’t have any moves left to make.
Smirk.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, a smile spread across Martin’s face.
But it vanished the moment he saw the woman standing beside Kalain.
‘Adel Bitenfeld.’
She had long, snow-white hair reminiscent of freshly fallen snow, and her green eyes sparkled like precious gems.
Her face had a languid, almost seductive quality, triggering a sense of protectiveness in others. But Martin didn’t fall for it.
He simply stared at her, expressionless.
The Bitenfeld family, and its head, were nothing but traitors.
But Adel herself had been more like a benefactor to Martin.
She hadn’t joined in her father’s betrayal. In fact, she had saved Martin’s life once.
To this day, he doesn’t know why.
If she chose not to betray him again in this life, he would make sure to ask her the reason when the time came.
With that thought, Martin continued walking until he came to a stop in front of the elders.
Grab.
At that moment, Elder Aren clasped Martin’s hands tightly.
“You must have endured so much hardship. Now that I see you safe, this old man will finally be able to sleep peacefully.”
“Elder Aren, you worry too much. There’s no way I’d face danger on the 10th floor of the dungeon.”
“No matter which floor it is, the dungeon is a perilous place. I’m just relieved you made it back unharmed, young master.”
“Thank you for your concern, Elder Marius. And have you been well, Elder Oriana?”
Martin bowed to Elder Marius before turning to Elder Oriana.
“Oh ho ho, I’ve been well as always, young master. But… you’ve returned much earlier than expected. I thought you still had about 20 days left…?”
“Since I achieved my goal, there was no reason to stay longer.”
“…Your goal? You don’t mean…”
“What you’re thinking is correct. I awakened Spatial Domination in the dungeon.”
Martin answered confidently.
Though Elder Oriana tried to suppress her emotions, Martin noticed the slight tremor in her left eye.
In fact, she wasn’t the only one to react. Everyone who had secretly harbored thoughts of betrayal—except for Adel—was shaken.
Their effort to conceal their surprise was almost commendable.
“Oho! You’ve finally proven your worth as a direct descendant! This is truly a cause for celebration!”
Elder Aren, unable to maintain his composure, exclaimed with enthusiasm.
Elder Marius nodded approvingly, a pleased smile on his face, before cautiously asking,
“This is truly a joyous occasion. Would it be possible to witness your ability firsthand, young master?”
“Of course. But wouldn’t it be boring to just show you?”
“Hmm, do you have something else in mind?”
“Nothing too elaborate, but I’d like to have a light sparring match. With someone present here, of course. Isn’t that more exciting than me pulling out the Monster Lord’s head from a subspace?”
“A sparring match, you say… Do you have anyone in mind?”
“I don’t particularly care who. Even if it’s one of the elders.”
With a provocative look, Martin stared at the elders.
The elders who had been singled out immediately stiffened.