The Return of the Limited-Time Sword Master

Chapter 88: Hierarchy Re-organization (3)

Two days had passed since Martin received the unexpected communication from Adel von Bitenfeld.

Now, Martin and Sien were traveling in secret, having left the Adalbert family estate to head toward Latzek City, the capital of the Bitenfeld territory.

More precisely, they weren’t going to the city itself but to a small snow-covered mountain nearby.

From a distance, the snow-covered peaks looked beautiful, but walking through them was far less pleasant.

“Huff. What kind of trouble are you dragging me into, Martin?” Sien groaned.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t have anyone else I can trust for this. You know that as well as I do.”

“You’re so frustrating!” Sien shot a glare at Martin.

Due to the need for secrecy, they had left the estate without a car. Since then, they had consumed countless potions while using spatial travel, barely managing to reach their destination.

Despite knowing it would be a difficult journey, they had come here to meet someone important.

“I can’t believe you’re asking an enemy for help to overthrow your father. What are you thinking? Of course, you’d jump at the offer.”

“I haven’t accepted it yet. I said I’d hear her out and then decide.”

“An enemy is offering to cause internal strife on her own, and you’re not going to accept? At least be convincing when you lie.”

Martin simply shrugged at Sien’s retort.

Whirrr.

It was then that they detected a disturbance in the space around them—someone had arrived.

Martin turned to the 2 o’clock direction.

“That way.”

“Got it.”

The two of them quickly moved in the indicated direction.

A short while later, a figure dressed in a full-length robe came into view.

As they approached, the figure pulled back the hood, revealing Adel von Bitenfeld’s long, silver hair cascading down.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve met like this, heir. Sien, it’s nice to see you too.”

“No need for pleasantries. Are you really planning to overthrow the head of the Bitenfeld family? Or are you trying to deceive us?”

“I’m sorry, Sien, but you’re not entitled to that answer.”

“What?”

“I did ask for help in deposing my father, but the person I made that offer to is the heir, not you. So wouldn’t it be up to him to decide what to do and how to proceed?”

“So?”

“Your role is simple. Just listen quietly until the heir and I finish talking.”

“…I really don’t like you.”

“Oh dear, that’s unfortunate. I quite like you.”

Adel smiled sweetly, which only made Sien grit her teeth in frustration. She held her tongue, though, because as much as she disliked Adel, the decision was ultimately Martin’s to make.

“I’ve heard through certain channels that Oliver von Bitenfeld is planning a rebellion. I’d like to confirm if this is true.”

“I’ve heard rumors of your impressive information-gathering skills, but this is truly remarkable. Yes, my father recently spoke to me about it. He told me that he had allied with the Gustin family and the Marquis Royce family. He was adamant that we should support them internally once Marquis Royce made his move.”

“Is the Gustin family the only one he’s allied with?”

“No. Elder Marius and Elder Aren have agreed to join as well.”

“And what about the Fezek family?”

“They’ve remained neutral so far, which has greatly angered my father. He sees their lack of involvement as a betrayal.”

“Calling that a betrayal is laughable.”

“I agree. Regardless, that’s the current situation.”

Adel’s explanation matched exactly with what Martin had overheard at Elder Aren’s secret hideout. It was enough to convince him that Adel wasn’t trying to deceive him.

“You’ve given me all this information, so I’ll assume you’re serious about deposing Oliver von Bitenfeld.”

“That’s right. I believe my father must step down for the sake of the family’s future.”

“The future… what exactly do you want?”

“I want our family to endure for generations to come. But if we clash with you, that future will be cut short. Just like all those who opposed you and were ruined.”

“I hate to say this myself, but Marquis Royce is on a different level from anyone I’ve fought so far.”

“He certainly is. But I don’t think you’ll lose so easily.”

“Why do you think that?”

“You’ve already secured control over the entire northern region through your grand tour. If it were just the Adalbert family alone, maybe Royce could win. But can the Marquis Royce family take on the whole north? I’m doubtful.”

“The other lords could still betray me.”

“If that actually happens, then yes, the Adalbert family could lose. But that would be the end of it. Nicholas von Royce might emerge victorious, but things are different for us.”

“In what way?”

“To win a war, you need to maintain internal stability, and naturally, my father will become a target. As much as it pains me to say this as his daughter, I don’t believe my father can defeat you. The head of the Gustin family might have a better chance.”

Adel spoke about Oliver von Bitenfeld with a cold, almost disdainful tone. It was so blatant that Martin couldn’t help but feel amused.

“Also, this rebellion has no legitimate cause. Once you manifested your unique ability, any debate was effectively settled. Continuing to push for independence is nothing more than greed. Bringing in outside forces? Which northern faction would support that? Our own citizens would rebel before anyone else.”

“I wish everyone thought as logically as you.”

“Well, people will always have different opinions of you.”

“And what about you?”

“I’m more afraid of you than I am of Marquis Royce, heir. Considering the current strength of the main family, you could crush us at any time. And on top of that, you have the support of various northern factions and adventurers.”

“Thanks for your honesty. But there’s something that’s been bothering me.”

“What’s that?”

“You’re the heir of the Bitenfeld family. You had the support of many key vassals. But you frequently clashed with the family head, and as a result, your position as heir has become unstable. Isn’t that true?”

“Haah. I tried to hide it as much as I could, but you found out easily enough,” Adel sighed.

“That wasn’t hard. If I depose Oliver von Bitenfeld, you’ll naturally take over as the family head. Isn’t that your goal? To use me for your own purposes?”

Rumble!

No sooner had Martin finished speaking than he unleashed his aura, a massive pressure bearing down on Adel.

“Ugh!”

Adel groaned under the weight of Martin’s power—a strength belonging to a 7th-circle master.

But that was as far as it went. She didn’t cower and instead met Martin’s gaze with determination.

“…If you put it that way, yes, I suppose you could see it like that. But I don’t think it’s a bad deal for you either. If you help me, you can take down the Bitenfeld family without a full-scale war.”

“Interesting. You must have something prepared then?”

Martin’s eyes gleamed sharply.

He had no use for someone who would rely solely on his strength. But if they were prepared and sought his help, the situation was different.

With that thought, he withdrew his pressure.

“I’m asking for your help to legitimize my cause. It wouldn’t be seen as a rebellion but as a rightful struggle.”

“So, you’re saying you can handle the rest on your own?”

“Exactly. Over half of the key vassals already support me. Among them are the captain and vice-captain of the Blue Dragon Knights.”

“You managed to recruit both the captain and vice-captain? Impressive. You’ll make a much better head than your father.”

“I’ll take that as an insult. My only interest is honing my swordsmanship. I have no desire to be compared to someone who ignores everything else.”

“Got it, I’ll be careful. Last question: Do you want to become the head of the family?”

“I won’t deny it.”

“And what about your brother? He’s still after the heir position, isn’t he?”

Ernst von Bitenfeld.

Adel’s younger brother, and currently the only legitimate heir to the Bitenfeld family.

He was the same age as Martin—having turned 18 this year, he was now recognized as an adult.

“There’s no point in discussing him. Foolishly, he’s chosen to follow our father’s wishes.”

“So, he’s a traitor as well?”

“Correct. I’m the only direct descendant who’s opposed the rebellion.”

“Alright. We’ll take care of him as well… Now, let’s talk about how we’ll handle Oliver von Bitenfeld.”

“The stage is already set. My father called for a meeting today. All the key vassals will gather in the meeting room tomorrow at noon.”

“He’ll officially declare the alliance with the Royce Marquisate and the Gustin family there, won’t he? And reveal what he stands to gain from it.”

“Exactly.”

As Adel spoke, she reached into her pocket and handed Martin a slip of paper with coordinates written on it.

“The meeting will take place at noon tomorrow, in the underground storage of the mansion. You’ll need to move there at the right time.”

“And after that?”

“Head to the meeting room on the fourth floor. I’ll leave the timing of your entry up to you.”

“You’ve prepared meticulously. Does this mean your ambition to become the family head is that strong?”

“Ambition… I wouldn’t call it that. I’m just choosing the only way to save the family. Anyway, that’s all I had to say. Have you made your decision, heir?”

“Yes. I’ll join forces with you. Once this is over, I’ll recognize you as the new head of the Bitenfeld family. Is that satisfactory?”

“Yes. Thank you so much.”

As Martin confirmed his decision, Adel smiled brightly.

And with that, a pact was made between the two.

‘This is turning out much easier than I expected.’

Taking on both the Royce Marquisate and two rebellious branch families at the same time would have been costly.

But now, that situation could be avoided.

‘I wonder what expression Oliver von Bitenfeld will make when he realizes his own daughter has betrayed him?’

Martin was genuinely curious and couldn’t help but hope tomorrow would arrive quickly.

* * *

The next day, at noon.

Martin and Sien, who had been staying at an inn in Latzek City, used spatial travel.

Whirrr.

A moment later, they appeared in the underground storage of the Bitenfeld mansion.

Upon arrival, Martin immediately activated Omni Distortion, spreading his senses to scan the space around them.

Golden mana spread like countless threads, snaking upward and finally reaching the meeting room on the fourth floor.

‘There they are.’

Two individuals possessing power comparable to his own.

The stronger one would undoubtedly be Oliver von Bitenfeld.

‘If only I could hear what they’re saying.’

He could, if he wanted to. All he needed to do was create a rift in space, which was a simple task.

However, there was a high risk of being detected by the sensitive 7th-circle masters. For now, focusing on detection was the best course of action.

After about 10 minutes had passed—

‘Now!’

Martin sensed Oliver drawing his sword and aiming it at Adel.

Without hesitation, Martin activated spatial travel again, and he and Sien instantly appeared in the meeting room on the fourth floor.

The real battle was about to begin.

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