The Return of the Limited-Time Sword Master

Chapter 89: Hierarchy Re-organization (4)

All the key retainers of the Bitenfeld family had gathered in the mansion’s conference room.

The peculiar thing was the difference in expressions between those sitting on the right and those on the left.

Those on the right wore expressions of confidence, while the faces of those on the left clearly showed signs of unease.

As a heavy silence hung in the air, a young man with short silver hair and green eyes approached Adel von Bitenfeld.

His name was Ernst von Bitenfeld.

“Are you still opposing Father’s decision, sister?”

“Of course. A rebellion without justification leads only to ruin.”

“Without justification? I can’t understand. Didn’t the war break out because of the head of the Adalbert family’s greed? Besides, independence is the earnest wish our ancestors have always harbored.”

“Do you think there’s any meaning in achieving independence by siding with the enemy who covets the North?”

“The result is what matters. As long as the end is good, no one will care about the process.”

Ernst spoke with confidence.

Watching her younger brother, Adel sighed inwardly.

It was absurd that her position as heir had been threatened because of such a fool.

Then, it happened.

“I’ve told you countless times, but you still haven’t changed, Adel von Bitenfeld.”

A heavy voice echoed throughout the conference room.

At that moment, everyone, including Adel and Ernst, stood up.

But Oliver von Bitenfeld only glared at his daughter.

Even so, Adel did not avoid his gaze at all.

Grit.

Oliver ground his teeth at his daughter’s defiant look but soon turned his head to look at the others.

“You’ve all heard the news. It’s true that we’ve allied with the Royce Marquisate along with the Gustin family. After we wipe out the Adalbert family, our family will achieve independence.”

“What about the share of the dungeon, Head?”

Bastian Friedrich, the leader of the Blue Dragon Knights, asked with a stiff expression.

“If Wilhelm joins, the Royce Marquisate will get 40%, and the remaining 20% will be split. If he doesn’t side with us, it will rise to 30%.”

“…I understand the situation. However, it’s regrettable. In terms of legitimacy, both our family and the Gustin family are ahead, yet we have to give the Royce Marquisate a larger share.”

“I fully understand your feelings, Commander Friedrich. But we can’t have everything we want. We can reclaim the dungeon’s shares after achieving complete independence.”

At Oliver’s words, Bastian Friedrich bowed his head and said no more.

However, Oliver did not miss the displeased expression on his face.

It wasn’t just Bastian.

Many on the left side, including Vice Commander Othmar Brigel, showed signs of discomfort.

This was enough to provoke Oliver’s anger.

In the end, his long-suppressed resentment exploded.

“300 years! For 300 years since the Bitenfeld family was founded, we have been treated with disdain by other nobles just because we are a branch family. You all know this well! Even families with smaller territories and weaker forces than ours flaunt their status as independent lords!”

Oliver’s outburst continued.

“But what about us? No matter how wealthy our territory becomes or how powerful our forces grow, we are forever stuck as barons, forever bowing our heads to the main family! And now, the chance to fulfill the long-standing wish of our family has come, and you want to ignore it?”

His angry shout shook the conference room, and everyone remained silent.

They could understand the feelings of the family head, who had revealed his inferiority complex.

However, understanding did not mean they condoned his actions.

“If the head of the Adalbert family hadn’t manifested his unique ability, pursuing independence might be fine. But he eventually mastered Spatial Domination, and at that point, he earned the right to become the formal head. In contrast, on what grounds are we seeking independence? Even if we succeed, will other nobles recognize an independence achieved with the help of the Royce Marquisate?”

“Power can suppress everything!”

“On the contrary, we could be crushed by a greater power. Let me be frank, Father. No, Head. You are driving the Bitenfeld family toward destruction. As the heir of this family, I can no longer stand by and watch this unfold.”

“…Are you saying you’ll betray me?”

“This is not betrayal. I am trying to correct a wrong. We don’t know how the head of the Adalbert family will deal with the Royce Marquisate. But one thing is clear: under the pretext of securing his rear, he will try to destroy both us and the Gustin family.”

“I can’t listen to this nonsense any longer. Do you really think he has the capability to do that?”

“The Rustal family thought the same, but they were defeated and wiped out. Jerome Metzelder, the mayor, and the Crimson Reaper of the Adventurer’s Guild couldn’t stand against the head either. Considering the influence he’s gained in the North, we have no chance of defeating him.”

“We share the same opinion.”

“We’re sorry, Head. We ask that you step down voluntarily.”

Othmar Brigel, the vice commander of the Blue Dragon Knights, and Commander Bastian Friedrich spoke up.

However, not everyone agreed with them.

“You traitors! What are you saying?!”

“You’re betraying the head just because you want to save your own skins? I’ll kill you all!”

“There’s no need to hesitate, Head! We must crush these traitors right now!”

Ernst and the elders of the Bitenfeld family voiced their fury.

Oliver nodded as if in agreement with them.

Then he glared at Adel and those on the left, his eyes flashing with murderous intent.

“Don’t think I’ll show you mercy just because you’re my daughter, Adel von Bitenfeld. From this moment, I strip you of your position as heir. Furthermore, for betraying the family and defying the head’s will, I sentence you to death.”

Woom.

A blue aura blade enveloped Oliver’s sword, and he pointed it directly at Adel.

Though her mother was of low status, Adel had succeeded in manifesting the family’s unique ability, Illusory Transformation.

Moreover, she had demonstrated exceptional skills in various areas, including swordsmanship, which earned her the position of heir.

Being the eldest daughter also played a significant role.

Despite the great favor bestowed upon her, she repaid it with betrayal.

No matter how close the blood ties, he had no intention of forgiving her.

“Die.”

Oliver immediately executed Spatial Movement and appeared right in front of Adel.

“Head!”

“Don’t do it!”

Bastian and Othamar tried to stop him, but they couldn’t.

The elders and others blocked their path.

Swish!

Without any hesitation, Oliver swung his sword. The blade aimed to split Adel’s head in one stroke.

‘Even if she uses Illusory Transformation, it’s useless.’

Now that Spatial Slash was added to the technique, Illusory Transformation held no meaning.

—

Boom!

A deafening explosion resounded.

At the same time, Oliver furrowed his brow.

Just before he could strike down Adel, someone had appeared using Spatial Movement and blocked his sword.

‘Could it be?’

Though the smoke obscured the figure, the aura emanating from them was familiar.

“Gasp!”

“How… How is he here?!”

As the smoke cleared, everyone in the conference room couldn’t hide their shock.

The person who had blocked Oliver’s sword was none other than Martin.

“No matter how angry you are, can a parent really go so far as to kill their own daughter?” Martin said playfully, his face lit up with a wide grin.

* * *

Oliver furrowed his brow and spoke.

“Why are you here, Martin von Adalbert? I heard you entered the Dark King’s chamber.”

“You won’t even acknowledge me as the family head anymore just because you think I betrayed you? That’s quite the quick change in attitude, don’t you think?”

“Answer my question.”

The spy Oliver had planted in the main family had reported three days ago that Martin had entered the Dark King’s chamber.

He had supposedly gone there to train in preparation for the upcoming war.

But for him to suddenly appear here, considering the distance between the main family’s estate and Latzek City, it was absurd.

“I don’t think I owe you any explanations. Besides, what matters now is punishing the traitors.”

“Traitors? Don’t make me laugh! You of the main family forcibly shackled us with the burden of being a branch family and treated us like slaves!”

“Slaves? You inherited a powerful ability and gained territory easily thanks to your ancestors, yet you call that slavery? How ridiculous. Taking responsibility for your own bloodline is one of the duties of nobility.”

“There’s no point in listening to any more.”

“Is that because you have no counterargument?”

Oliver was about to retort, but Martin’s shout came first.

“Oliver von Bitenfeld! I hereby declare you a traitor to the main family! From this moment on, you are no longer the head of the Bitenfeld family, and all the authority you’ve enjoyed will be stripped away!”

“How dare you…”

Oliver’s face twisted in fury.

Wasn’t this exactly what he had said to Adel?

It was a blatant mockery.

“I’ll kill you and fulfill our ancestors’ long-cherished wish!”

“Really? If anything, I think the founding head of the Bitenfeld family would have been grateful to the main family’s ancestors. Isn’t it more accurate to say that it’s the foolish descendants who have twisted the will of their forebears?”

With every word Martin spoke, Oliver felt as if he was the only one becoming angrier.

Continuing the conversation would only put him at a disadvantage.

Determined to kill his opponent, Oliver raised his aura.

Not to be outdone, Martin unleashed his own power.

Boom!

The two 7-circle powerhouses finally clashed.

* * *

“You filthy traitor! Our father made you the head of the family despite your lowly blood, and you dare sell out the family?”

Ernst glared at Adel and shouted.

As the legitimate son of the main wife, it had been infuriating to lose the position of heir to her.

But he couldn’t oppose it because the gap in their talents was just too vast.

“I will never, ever forgive you!”

Unable to contain his rage, Ernst drew his sword and charged.

However, he didn’t get far before he had to shield his body with his arms.

Thud!

“Urgh!”

Ernst let out a groan, not realizing what had just happened.

‘My arm bones… are broken?’

He had channeled as much mana as he could, yet this had still happened.

Dumbfounded, he lifted his head, and in a harsh tone, he called out the name of his opponent.

“Sien Igreet… you dog of the family head…”

“Hey, don’t you teach your younger brother any manners? How is someone so young so lacking in respect?”

“I’ve never been involved in his education. If you want to complain, take it up with my father or stepmother.”

Sien and Adel exchanged words casually.

Completely ignored, Ernst was furious.

“I’ll start with you!”

“What nonsense.”

Slap!

“Gah!”

Sien’s palm smacked across Ernst’s cheek.

He hit the ground, rolled multiple times, and then lay motionless, his body twitching as if in convulsions before going limp.

“I didn’t kill him. But he won’t avoid a trial.”

“That’s more than enough. Thank you for stepping in for me.”

“It’s not like I did it for your sake. Even half-siblings shouldn’t be fighting like this, so I just stepped in.”

Feeling suddenly embarrassed, Sien quickly turned her head away.

Adel watched with a smile.

But this wasn’t the time to relax. Both of them jumped back into the battle.

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