Chapter 151: Master of the White Dragon Throne (6)
“Is this truly a monster wave? Or is it another trick like earlier this year?”
Vincent von Igreet stared grimly at the rampaging monsters.
Fortunately, the adventurers had quickly reported the abnormality, allowing them to establish a defensive line on the 20th floor. However, this alone wasn’t enough to feel secure.
Last year’s monster wave had only reached the 30th floor, and the earlier incident this year involved just one Monster Lord showing an unusual reaction on the 50th floor.
But now, the Monster Lords from the 30th to 60th floors had all gone berserk.
This frenzy had driven the ordinary monsters between the 20th and 59th floors into complete madness.
Thankfully, the ordinary monsters hadn’t gained additional strength, but even so, the current situation was severe enough to be considered the worst.
To contain this crisis, not only had the White Dragon Knights and the Golden Dragon Knights been deployed, but also the three elders of the main family had lent their strength.
The Elves and Dwarves, sensing the gravity of the situation, had joined forces as well.
Even with all that, the power of the main family alone seemed insufficient to fully handle the calamity.
Thus, Vincent had mobilized the Silver Dragon Knights of the Igreet family and requested assistance from the Fezek family.
Adel, who had been staying at the main estate, also ordered the Blue Dragon Knights under the family’s command to join.
Wilhelm von Fezek and the captains and vice-captains of the branch knights had arrived at the estate through warp magic circles.
The remaining knights were scheduled to arrive as soon as the circles recharged.
“The immediate fire is out… but it’s still dangerous.”
The most significant issue lay with the monsters between the 51st and 59th floors.
Each of these creatures boasted exceptional physical abilities and unique traits.
To make matters worse, their numbers were overwhelming, and they continued to pour in endlessly.
For now, the strongest fighters of the Adalbert family were holding them back, but if the Monster Lords showed up in the midst of this chaos?
Vincent didn’t even want to imagine the outcome. It could lead to an unprecedented catastrophe.
And then, it happened.
“Graaaah!”
A ferocious roar echoed, and an overwhelming presence bore down on the knights.
Vincent and the others grimaced as the oppressive aura weighed on them.
“Of all the possible Monster Lords to appear first, it had to be that one…”
The creature had the face and body of a lion, a tail ending in a snake’s head, dragon wings, and drake legs.
This amalgamation of various monster traits was the Chimera.
As the Monster Lord of the 60th floor, it was arguably the most dangerous entity present.
Clench.
Vincent gripped the blade of his greatsword tightly.
He understood that leaving his position would create a significant gap in their defense, yet he also knew he had to step in.
If the Chimera went on a rampage, the repercussions wouldn’t end with a mere gap in their forces.
“Doesn’t something seem off, Lord Vincent?”
“…What do you mean, Sien?”
“That thing isn’t charging toward us—it looks like it’s running away in fear from something.”
“Hmm.”
Vincent was initially skeptical, but he knew his daughter well.
Sien never made baseless remarks.
Trusting her judgment, Vincent enhanced his vision with mana, allowing him to observe the monsters more closely.
“They’re definitely afraid of something.”
This wasn’t just mindless charging; it was frantic fleeing for survival.
And the Chimera’s body was covered in wounds.
It seemed almost unreal. After all, wasn’t the Chimera a Monster Lord?
Even enhanced as the core of the monster wave, it had been reduced to this battered state.
Yet, there was one person capable of causing such devastation.
“…It looks like the young lord’s handiwork, doesn’t it?”
“All those wounds were inflicted by a sword, so I’d have to agree.”
Flash!
As Vincent responded to Sien’s observation, a brilliant golden light filled the dungeon’s space.
The light distorted the surrounding area as Martin emerged from it.
A faint smile played on his lips.
“I’m truly fortunate to have such outstanding retainers,” he thought.
Despite witnessing Jurgen’s meddling, Martin hadn’t been overly worried.
He trusted the retainers of the main family to respond swiftly to the monster crisis, even in his absence.
And indeed, they had met his expectations brilliantly.
“Hide-and-seek ends here.”
With that, Martin swung the sacred sword Clariel, downward.
Slash!
A golden line appeared across the Chimera’s body.
Almost immediately, the creature, sensing its impending death, twisted desperately and unleashed a powerful acidic breath.
Boom!
The golden slash clashed with the acidic breath.
For a moment, the two forces seemed evenly matched. But within three seconds, the balance shifted.
The golden slash cut through the breath, heading straight for the Chimera.
The panicked Chimera poured all its remaining mana into a desperate defense, but it was futile.
Neither sheer mana reserves nor brute force could surpass the extreme cutting power generated by Martin’s mastery and the sacred sword.
Swick!
The golden slash tore through the Chimera, severing its head and torso cleanly in two.
With a resounding thud, the monster’s lifeless halves crashed to the ground.
Martin didn’t spare the fallen creature a glance, his gaze shifting instead to the approaching horde of monsters.
“Time to clean up.”
Whirr!
The golden slash, still radiating power, suddenly split into numerous streaks of light.
The multiplied lines of light began tearing through the horde of monsters, shredding them to pieces.
What was more astounding was that the golden attacks showed no signs of fading, even as time passed.
Watching this display, Vincent felt a profound sense of awe.
“In terms of pure swordsmanship… he might surpass Duke Ferdinand. No, perhaps he already has.”
It wasn’t just because both Martin and the duke were at the fifth circle.
Martin’s swordsmanship was unparalleled—far superior to that of any knight Vincent had ever encountered.
“Surpassing the Limits of Humanity”
It felt absurd—an overwhelming talent that defied logic itself.
“When the young master’s unique ability reaches its peak, the history of the empire will change.”
Vincent was certain of it.
The current Martin could easily achieve such a feat and more.
As that realization hit him, Vincent felt his heart pounding fiercely.
A new order, led by the Adalbert family.
He had the opportunity to play a part in that glorious future.
As a man and as a knight, what could be more thrilling than this?
“Lord Vincent?”
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
Vincent gently patted his daughter’s head, then turned his gaze back to Martin.
It wasn’t just him.
Everyone else, as if enchanted, looked up at their lord.
And for good reason.
With a single swing of his sword, Martin had annihilated every monster climbing to the surface.
It was, quite literally, a marvel—a miracle.
Crash!
The endless tide of monsters had finally been eradicated.
All around, the ground was littered with flesh and shattered bones.
Slowly, Martin turned his body and looked down at his gathered subordinates.
Then, he spoke.
“For the past year, I have sat upon the White Dragon Throne, but I could not truly call myself its rightful master.”
While he had met the basic conditions—being a direct descendant and awakening a unique ability—
“You all know that lineage and abilities alone aren’t enough to lead the Adalbert family, one of the three great noble houses. To lead such a grand family requires power worthy of its name.”
And that standard was none other than the Ninth Circle.
For that reason, Martin had remained the “young master” until now.
“The time of waiting is over. I declare before all of you—today, I claim the title of head of the Adalbert family. But I will not stop there.”
Swish.
With a light movement, Martin swung the sacred sword Clariel, causing the golden streaks filling the dungeon to vanish.
Then, to ensure everyone could see, he raised the sword high.
“This sword is called Clariel. It was born from the fusion of the sacred sword Crassion, passed down since the first head of the family, and the sacred sword Karadyl, which I acquired.”
Everyone present was a skilled warrior.
They all recognized the terrifying power imbued in Clariel at a glance.
“When this sacred sword was created, I pondered its significance. Soon, I realized that this era desires a new history. I will make this sword the symbol of a new era and a new empire.”
Gasp!
Everyone except for Martin’s closest aides trembled at his proclamation.
How could they not be startled when he suddenly spoke of founding a new nation?
But Martin, unconcerned with their reactions, continued speaking.
“Was the first emperor born an emperor? No. He ascended to the throne only after defeating the founders of the three great noble houses. I will follow in his footsteps and fulfill the aspirations that neither the first head of this family nor any of our ancestors could achieve.”
Outwardly, they still had to appear loyal to the imperial family.
But here, in the dungeon, with only members of the Adalbert family present, he could reveal his true intentions.
“Long live Martin von Adalbert!”
“Long live the Adalbert family!”
When Vincent shouted Martin’s new name, the others joined in with fervent cries.
Even the elves and dwarves, who didn’t echo the chant, gazed at Martin with reverence in their eyes.
“Unofficial or not, this is quite enjoyable,” Martin thought to himself.
He found it liberating to say all the things he couldn’t utter in official settings.
In a way, it felt like stress relief.
“I owe this to you, First Prince.”
Martin resolved to contact the prince as soon as he returned.
He was genuinely curious about what kind of expression the prince would show upon hearing this.
Ferdinand Family Estate
The Ferdinand family mansion had nothing in common with ostentatious displays of wealth.
Built for purely military purposes, it reflected the family’s values, which shunned extravagance.
There were no ornate decorations or sculptures, but the spaces were filled with weapons—spoils of war claimed by past heads of the family and their retainers.
Normally, these weapons, with their sharp edges and intricate designs, would have inspired admiration.
But not today.
“Phew.”
Richard let out a low sigh.
The thought that Martin and the elven elder were in the dungeon made him feel like everything had gone terribly wrong.
But that wasn’t the issue he needed to focus on right now.
He had hurriedly returned to the Ferdinand family’s main estate from the imperial palace because someone had summoned him.
Step, step.
Richard’s heavy footsteps echoed as he walked.
He stopped in front of a door at the end of the hallway.
A knight guarding the door spoke up.
“His Highness, the First Prince, is here, my lord!”
“Open the door.”
A low voice came from within.
The knight quickly opened the door, and Richard stepped inside.
He didn’t hesitate, nor did he wish to avoid this meeting.
Since he had acted recklessly, he needed to take responsibility.
Determined, he moved forward until he saw a man standing straight, gazing out the window.
Swish.
The man turned slowly.
It was Karl von Ferdinand.
Seeing Karl’s face, Richard unconsciously trembled.
It was the first time he had ever seen his grandfather so furious.
Gulp.
Richard swallowed nervously, feeling as though all his earlier resolve had melted away.