Chapter 152: Master of the White Dragon Throne (7)
Karl von Ferdinand wasn’t the only one in the office.
The young master, Jurgen, stood with a stiff expression. A vivid bruise marked his right cheek and eye.
‘As expected of Grandfather.’
Even in an age when magical engineering had advanced enough to create artificial limbs with ease, the head of the family had not hesitated to use violence on his heir for losing an arm.
“Jurgen Ferdinand.”
“Yes.”
“I instructed you to assist your cousin, yet you defied my orders by conspiring with him.”
“…I apologize, my lord.”
“What’s the point of apologies now? The damage is done. From this moment onward, you are confined to the main family estate. You are not to leave until I permit it.”
“I will obey your orders, my lord.”
Jurgen, his expression unwavering, gave one final bow to Richard before leaving the office with heavy steps.
Sigh.
Richard exhaled inwardly.
Jurgen was more than just a mere aide.
With his overwhelming strength, he had been instrumental in helping Richard execute his plans.
Now that Jurgen was effectively exiled within the family, Richard’s military strength would inevitably weaken.
Even if his political influence remained intact, in terms of pure force, he was now outmatched by the First Princess.
‘I don’t regret my decision, and I understand my grandfather’s anger, but…’
It would be a lie to say he wasn’t bitter.
Nevertheless, Richard steeled himself.
He had acted knowing the potential consequences of failure, and he had to bear the responsibility.
“Richard Altaria.”
“…Yes, Grandfather?”
“Do you wish to be treated as the First Prince, or as my grandson? Choose.”
“As your grandson, please.”
“Very well.”
Boom!
The moment Richard answered, Karl’s overwhelming presence crushed down on him like a tidal wave.
It felt as if his very soul was being wrung out, making it difficult even to breathe.
Richard’s face turned pale, and cold sweat soaked his body.
“I swore on my name to the young master of the Adalbert family that I would not harm them until after our feud with the Klaus family is resolved.”
“Y-you also instructed me on this matter, Grandfather.”
Richard barely managed to respond, his voice trembling.
Karl’s brow twitched.
“So, you do remember my instructions. And yet, despite that, you ignored them and acted on your own?”
“…I believed it was something that absolutely needed to be done. Grandfather, you know better than anyone how extraordinary Martin Adalbert’s potential is.”
At Richard’s words, Karl remained silent, the oppressive aura fading slightly.
Seeing an opportunity, Richard continued.
“Until the start of last year, he was at the Third Circle. Yet in just one year, he has reached the Ninth Circle. Recently, he even took my uncle’s left arm. While it may have been accomplished with the power of a sacred sword, this shows how dangerous Martin Adalbert has become—even capable of overwhelming another Ninth Circle master.”
“So, you’re saying Martin Adalbert will soon reach the Tenth Circle, and I’ll lose to him?”
“Grandfather, you are considered the strongest among the Tenth Circle Absolutes. I don’t believe Martin Adalbert could defeat you, even if he reached that level.”
But that didn’t mean they could afford to be complacent.
Richard pressed on.
“Even with the imperial family and the Ferdinand family united against the Klaus family, it’s estimated that it will take at least ten years to destroy them. If Martin Adalbert reaches the Tenth Circle in the meantime, we’ll have to face two Absolutes at once. That would put us at a disadvantage.”
The emperor was no longer a viable combatant, and Richard still required more time to reach the Tenth Circle himself.
Karl couldn’t possibly hold off two Absolutes on his own.
“We can’t kill Duke Klaus immediately. Therefore, as a compromise, I believed it was necessary to eliminate Martin Adalbert, the budding threat, and reduce the strength of the Adalbert family.”
“I recognize the intent behind your actions.”
Karl’s calm response offered no solace to Richard, whose expression remained tense.
In moments like these, the follow-up was always the most critical.
“But your plan was a complete failure. To make matters worse, the leaked substance has left Martin Adalbert holding our leash. How do you plan to handle that?”
“…I will take full responsibility for everything. I initiated the research on the core of the monster wave; it was my project from the start. Martin Adalbert won’t trouble you, Grandfather. However, I have one request.”
“You wish to annihilate the Adalbert family. I understand. But he has done no wrong, and he currently enjoys the public’s favor. Attacking him without justification would expose both the imperial family and our house to relentless criticism.”
“I know the importance of public opinion, but with overwhelming strength, that criticism could—”
“Even if Martin Adalbert becomes a Tenth Circle Absolute, I am confident I can defeat him. Therefore, I see no need to break my promise and confront him prematurely.”
“Grandfather—”
“Your concerns are valid, so I won’t hold you accountable for your actions this time. But if you defy me again, I will sever our ties.”
The frustration was unbearable.
Richard thought so, but he didn’t let it show.
The First Prince’s faction had grown thanks to the Ferdinand family’s support.
Using that foundation, they had succeeded in attracting many western nobles, but that was the limit.
If Karl withdrew his support, the faction itself would collapse.
If that happened, Richard would be overtaken by the First Princess for good.
‘I must become stronger. By any means necessary.’
Richard vowed to rely on no one else.
Bowing his head to Karl, he said, “I will follow your will, Grandfather.”
“Good. Then return to the imperial palace.”
“Yes.”
Richard left the office without delay.
As he walked toward the warp magic circle, his eyes burned with fierce determination.
But when he finally returned to his office and sat at his desk, he sighed deeply.
The name that appeared on the communication crystal in front of him brought another wave of anxiety.
Martin Adalbert.
At last, he had reached out to Richard.
‘There’s no escaping this, even if I tried…’
Richard let out a long, deep sigh.
In his mind’s eye, he could already see his future—a life cut short by stress and frustration.
But he had no other choice.
“Well, well. Shouldn’t you take a break? You don’t look so good.”
Martin openly mocked the faint image of Richard displayed before him.
‘Respect? I’d sooner give it to a dog.’
After all, this man had plotted behind his back—not once, but twice.
Though Martin had managed to thwart both attempts, minimizing the damage, it had been sheer luck.
If he’d been even slightly delayed, countless lives would have been lost, and his political standing utterly destroyed.
So while he might have shown restraint in public, Martin had no intention of being civil to Richard in private.
“I’ve recently come across some excellent medicine. Care to try it out?”
Sigh.
Richard exhaled heavily. He wasn’t oblivious enough not to understand the implication behind the “medicine.”
Nor was he blind to Martin’s deliberate mockery.
“I won’t bother apologizing,” Richard said, his tone firm. “I believed it was something necessary for the empire’s future.”
“I can understand the desire to eliminate a rival,” Martin replied. “But shouldn’t there be limits to what one is willing to do? Using monsters? How are you any different from the Second Prince, who tried to blow people up with human bombs?”
At that, Richard’s expression faltered.
It was Werner von Klaus who had initially developed the explosive substances.
While Richard had simply used them, Martin had shifted all blame onto Theodore, completely ruining his reputation in the process.
“What do you think would happen if this were revealed? Would His Majesty protect you? Or strip you of your right to the throne?”
Martin’s grin widened.
No matter the choice, it would end badly for Richard.
If the emperor supported him, it would imply that the imperial family condoned the invasion of monsters.
On the other hand, if the emperor abandoned him, the imperial family’s future would grow uncertain.
Even though Claudia was exceptional, she fell short when compared to Richard.
“Whatever you do is your decision. But you don’t need my permission. So, let’s cut to the chase, Young Master. What do you want?”
“What I want…” Martin replied leisurely. “Not much. I already have everything I need. Even if something else comes up, I doubt I’ll need anyone’s help to get it.”
Martin’s relaxed tone only deepened Richard’s scowl.
His words couldn’t have been further from favorable—and they might have been the worst possible outcome for Richard.
“…You won’t ever release your hold over me, will you?”
“Why would I? It’s the most advantageous position for me.”
If Martin exposed Richard’s actions, it would destabilize the imperial family, leaving the Klaus family with the upper hand in the ongoing conflict. But that wasn’t what Martin wanted.
The longer the war between the noble families lasted, the better it was for Martin.
He needed the other families to deplete their strength over time.
Moreover, if Richard’s position were weakened, Claudia’s prominence would rise naturally.
That, in turn, would jeopardize the contract Martin had with her.
‘That won’t do. I can’t let a carefully crafted piece go rogue.’
Martin’s ultimate goal was clear: he wanted the empire’s civil war to drag on—at least until he became a Tenth Circle Absolute.
Richard had pieced together Martin’s intentions.
“You’re a cruel man, Young Master. Watching others sacrifice themselves for your goals…”
“If I recall, it was your side that provoked the main family first. And don’t you think it’s a bit hypocritical, Your Highness? You, who used monsters to threaten innocent citizens, calling me cruel?”
Martin laughed, louder this time.
Though Richard’s expression twisted in frustration, Martin remained indifferent.
“Phew. If your goal was to make me laugh to death, you nearly succeeded. I thought I’d choke from laughing so hard.”
“I won’t meddle with the Adalbert family for now,” Richard said at last. “But that’s as far as I can go. I have no authority over Duke Ferdinand’s decisions.”
“That’s fine. Unlike you, he doesn’t stoop to underhanded schemes.”
“…We’ve exchanged our intentions, so let’s end this here.”
“Very well,” Martin agreed. “But let me warn you—if you break your promise, I won’t hesitate to expose everything. The balance, the secrecy—it’ll all go up in flames. And keep in mind, there are plenty of others willing to negotiate with me besides you.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Richard replied before cutting the connection.
As the communication crystal dimmed, the sound of something shattering echoed in Richard’s ears.
“Why does he get angry when this is all his fault?” Martin muttered, reclining in his chair.
There was a limit to shamelessness, yet Richard seemed determined to surpass it.
Tap.
Martin leaned back fully, satisfied.
Everything he wanted was now in his grasp.
Only one task remained.
“Now, I just have to ascend as head of the family.”
A genuine sense of anticipation filled him.