The Return of the Limited-Time Sword Master

Chapter 24: How to Take the Initiative (6)

Stefan Rustal.

Simon Fezek.

Kalain Gustin.

Adel Bitenfeld.

These heirs of the branch families, excluding Sien Igreet, were all gathered together in one place.

However, their expressions were completely different.

Stefan Rustal’s face was contorted in anger, while Simon Fezek looked visibly frightened.

Kalain Gustin maintained a calm demeanor, and Adel Bitenfeld remained utterly expressionless.

“Reaching the 7th Circle at 18… No matter how much of a prodigy Martin is, this doesn’t make any sense,” Stefan growled.

“Hm. Direct heirs who manifest their innate abilities can obtain an elixir from the Tyrant’s Chamber. Plus, he’s started learning Adalbert swordsmanship, so…” Simon began.

“Don’t spout nonsense, Simon. Even if he acquired a dragon’s heart, it wouldn’t push him to such heights. Sure, the Adalbert swordsmanship is powerful, but there are plenty of martial arts that can rival it. Has anyone else reached the 7th Circle at 18? And in just three months?” Stefan snarled, his tone menacing.

Simon fell silent, intimidated by Stefan’s outburst.

Stefan ground his teeth in frustration.

Whip!

Stefan suddenly turned his head sharply towards Kalain, his gaze murderous.

“How long are you going to sit there acting all superior, Kalain? You and the Gustin family need to pick a side already. If you keep this ambiguous neutral stance, you’ll achieve nothing.”

“Why are you venting your anger at me all of a sudden?” Kalain replied coolly.

“It’s been two days since Martin returned from the dungeon. Has he come to see you at that time? As far as I know, he hasn’t, has he?”

“…”

“Isn’t that strange? He used to depend on you so much, so why is he suddenly ignoring you now?”

Stefan hit Kalain where it hurt, but Kalain’s face showed no reaction.

However, it wasn’t as if he felt nothing.

His pale hand clenched tightly into a fist.

Stefan’s point was something Kalain had been grappling with as well.

‘Why has he suddenly changed? There’s no reason for it.’

Martin had always been close to Sien, but Kalain had been the one he trusted more.

For over ten years, they had been close, and Kalain had never ostracized Martin for being labeled powerless.

But after returning from the dungeon, Martin suddenly distanced himself without warning, despite Kalain giving him no reason to.

“You’re worrying about pointless things.”

A sultry voice broke through the tension.

Everyone instinctively turned to look at the white-haired, red-eyed woman—Adel Bitenfeld.

“Pointless? What do you mean by that?” Stefan asked.

“The young master has proven his qualifications to become head of the family by manifesting his innate abilities. That alone would be enough, but he’s also demonstrated overwhelming strength, including the Spatial Sword, the symbol of the Adalbert bloodline. Do you really think anyone can stop him from becoming the family head now?”

“The support of retainers and branch families means nothing anymore.”

“There’s no need to worry about securing neutral factions either. At this point, we have only two choices left: kneel to the young master or bare our fangs and resist him to the end. There’s no middle ground.”

Adel continued, her voice still dripping with sensuality.

Kalain remained silent, his face hard.

She then turned her gaze to Stefan and Simon.

“You two have already betrayed your master. But now, are you cowering just because he’s grown stronger so quickly?”

“Who said we’re scared…?”

“You’re scared. It’s obvious from the way you’re spouting meaningless drivel.”

Grit.

Stefan ground his teeth in frustration.

But he couldn’t argue. He was genuinely frightened by Martin’s extraordinary and rapid growth.

Adel gazed lazily at each of them before standing up.

‘Father made the wrong choice,’ she thought, recalling what Oliver von Bitenfeld had told her the day before.

He had revealed that the Rustal and Fezek families had allied with them, and that they were trying to bring in the Gustin family as well.

But Adel hadn’t agreed with the plan.

‘The Adalbert direct heir has gained his claws and fangs. No one will be able to stop him now.’

Now was the time to join forces with Martin, not oppose him.

Yet, Oliver von Bitenfeld had been thrilled, thinking they could bring Martin down during the council meeting.

Adel had almost laughed at her father’s foolishness, even though he was her own blood.

‘Martin Adalbert.’

For the first time, she felt genuine interest in the man she had once pitied.

Her heart pounded more fiercely than ever before.

—

Oriana Flores stared at Martin with a hardened expression.

Though her face was full of wariness, Martin was smiling.

‘I wonder if she realizes how futile this is.’

No matter what stance she took, Martin was already prepared to sink his teeth into her.

It might not have been a bad idea to play the game slowly, but he had no intention of doing that this time.

‘A predator must always go all out, even against weak prey.’

Following that wisdom, he decided to give her no chance to escape, pushing her into complete despair.

“…I’m surprised. For the young master to come see me personally, we’re not exactly close,” Oriana said, her voice laced with suspicion.

“This isn’t a personal visit. I’ve come regarding official business, and I need your help for it, Elder Oriana.”

“Official business?”

“I have evidence that the Rustal family has been involved in corruption. Therefore, I plan to initiate a large-scale audit. Vincent has already agreed. All that’s left is your approval.”

“A-An audit? What are you talking about? What crime could the Rustal family have possibly committed?!”

Oriana’s eyes widened in shock, her face turning pale.

“They’ve been embezzling dungeon resources to amass a slush fund. I believe you understand how serious that crime is.”

“W-What?! Where’s your proof?! You can’t just make baseless accusations because of some personal vendetta, young master!” Oriana shouted in panic.

The Rustal family, along with the Fezek and Bitenfeld families, had planned to hold the council meeting.

But if an audit was initiated, the meeting would be derailed, or worse, Martin could take control of the proceedings.

Neither outcome was what she wanted.

“Come now, Elder. What do you take me for? I wouldn’t let personal feelings cloud my judgment in matters like these. I’m simply fulfilling my duty as the sole direct heir of the Adalbert family,” Martin replied smoothly.

“Then show me the proof! Without it, how can I trust your words, young master?” Oriana demanded.

“I’ll show it to you once you agree to the audit.”

“Stop this nonsense! In the thousand-year history of this family, the main branch has barely ever conducted an audit of the branch families. It’s a significant action, and you expect me to agree without any proof?”

Though the branch families belonged to the Adalbert family, each head was recognized as a legitimate noble of the Altaria Empire.

They had the right to manage their lands independently, so even the main family couldn’t conduct an audit freely.

‘Proof or not, it doesn’t matter,’ Oriana thought, trying to maintain her composure.

If Martin didn’t present any evidence, she could simply refuse to support the audit. And if he did show proof, she could still stall for time, claiming she needed to review it thoroughly, which would give the Rustal family enough time to prepare for the audit.

“You’re right, Elder. Let’s start by reviewing the evidence.”

“You’ve made a wise choice, young master,” Oriana replied, her confidence returning.

Buzz.

Martin used his Distortion of All Things ability to open a pocket of subspace.

The space around them seemed to split, and a bundle of papers emerged from the rift.

“Here’s the proof. I guarantee that once you see it, your perspective will change.”

“Let’s take a look and discuss this after I’ve reviewed it.”

With a calm smile, Martin handed her the papers. Oriana took them, feeling a sense of unease creeping in.

As soon as she started reading, her face turned pale.

“What… what is this!?” she shrieked, her voice trembling with fear.

Her entire body began to shake violently, her eyes losing focus as cold sweat dripped down her back.

“It seems you’ve been involved with the Yunes Adventurer Group, Elder Oriana.”

No nation could tolerate a private military force operating outside of their control.

However, due to the existence of dungeons, the Empire and other kingdoms had no choice but to allow adventurers to operate, leading to the rise of the Adventurers’ Guild and various adventurer groups under its umbrella.

To regulate these groups, nations imposed strict standards for their establishment, and any violation could lead to severe penalties.

“Establishing and operating an adventurer group illegally is considered treason. The same applies to nobles who are involved in such activities.”

Nobles with land had the official right to form knightly orders or mage battalions, and even that was enough to make royal families uneasy.

That’s why they imposed strict rules: no matter the size of their landholdings, nobles were not allowed to establish adventurer groups.

“Despite that, you not only supported the founding of the Yunes Adventurer Group, but you also turned a blind eye while they smuggled dungeon resources. In return, you’ve been accepting bribes and committing tax evasion through them.”

“H-How did you…? Was it the former family head? Did he tell you all this?” Oriana stammered.

She had been confident in keeping her involvement with the Yunes Adventurer Group hidden.

Yet, Martin had uncovered everything. The papers he handed over contained detailed information about her relationship with the adventurer group, exposing every secret she thought was well concealed.

“Does it really matter where the information came from? What’s important is that you’ve committed treason, Elder. The moment I reveal this, your head will roll.”

“If… If I support the audit of the Rustal family, will you let this slide?”

Martin’s smile remained cold. “I’m not sure. There’s more than one crime I could expose, you see.

I also have proof that you’ve accepted bribes from the Max Trading Company and the Blacksmiths’ Guild, granting them exclusive contracts with the main family.”

Thud.

Oriana collapsed into her chair, her body drained of all strength.

There was no point in arguing further. If Martin showed more evidence, she would be finished.

“…Who else knows about this? Have you told the head of the Igreet family?”

“Don’t worry. Right now, I’m the only one who knows. Ah, but you’re not thinking of silencing me, are you? I wouldn’t recommend that. It would only lead to your ruin.”

Oriana clenched her fists tightly, but her resolve quickly faded.

She was a 7th Circle master herself, yet she had no confidence that she could defeat Martin. And even if she could, there was no way to do it quietly or without consequences.

With a defeated look, she asked, “So, what do you want? Do you want me to swear loyalty?”

“Loyalty only exists when there’s mutual trust. I don’t think we’re quite there yet.”

“…Then what do you want, young master?”

“It’s simple. Just do as I say from now on, and your secret will remain safe. I do hope, however, that you’ll take care of your own sins along the way.”

“You’re making something simple sound difficult. In other words, you’re telling me to become your dog, aren’t you?”

Martin’s gaze sharpened as he replied, “Between losing your head and becoming a dog, I think the choice is obvious. Unless I’m mistaken? If you prefer, I could reveal everything I know right now.”

Though Martin was smiling, his eyes were piercing, as if he could see through her entirely.

‘It’s over,’ Oriana thought, letting out a silent sigh.

There was no other option.

No matter what happened, she would always choose survival.

“…I’ll follow you, young master.”

“You’ve made a wise decision, Elder Oriana. Oh, by the way, have you ever heard the saying, ‘A cornered rat bites the cat’?”

“What if I have?”

“In my case, I’ll never let that happen. I’ll kill the rat long before it even has a chance to bite.”

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good. I look forward to working with you.”

Martin extended his hand with a smile.

Gritting her teeth, Oriana reluctantly took his hand.

“When the time comes, we’ll proceed with the audit of the Rustal family. All you need to do is sign the official documents.”

“Fine. But what if Marquis Royce gets involved? The main family isn’t strong enough to handle their intervention right now.”

“They’re too tied up in factional struggles to interfere for the time being. Let’s just focus on dealing with our internal matters.”

The important thing was to eliminate the traitors.

Other families were of no concern.

‘No matter who stands against me, I won’t forgive any enemies.’

Martin’s eyes gleamed with a deadly light.

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