Chapter 154: The Shifting Era (1)
Hundreds of soldiers, armed with all manner of weapons, marched with imposing dignity.
At the forefront rode nobles and knights clad in ornate uniforms, their sharp auras making their prowess clear.
Among them, a man in his late thirties commanded attention, his presence eclipsing that of the others.
This was Count Günter von Arnold, lord of the Arnold Territory in the west and a skilled warrior at the Seventh Circle.
He was also a key noble supporting the First Prince’s faction.
His formidable reputation matched his influence, but his expression was cold and unyielding.
“Damn Martin von Adalbert. What’s this nonsense about not having recovered from the damage of the last war? He barely suffered any losses in the first place.”
“His arrogance seems to grow worse by the day,” another knight chimed in. “Aside from the family head’s own prowess, the Adalbert family’s military power is said to rival its prime. So what exactly does he need to recover?”
“Claiming he needs time to focus on the family’s affairs because he just ascended as head? Ridiculous. He seized full control of the family’s power over a year ago.”
As Günter voiced his grievances, the knights around him joined in, their complaints piling up.
It had been six months since Martin officially became the head of the Adalbert family.
Freed from the civil war, the Adalbert family and the northern region had devoted their resources entirely to growth and development.
The family had amassed vast wealth by selling weapons and supplies to lords in the east and west.
That wealth had been funneled back into strengthening the Adalbert family and the surrounding territories.
“The civil war has essentially entered a prolonged stalemate,” one knight noted. “The longer it drags on, the more the eastern, western, and southern forces will weaken. If this continues, the gap between them and the north will only grow.”
“‘A gap’ would be the least of our concerns. If the north gains too much power, they might try to swallow the other three regions once the war ends.”
“You don’t think I’m aware of that?” Günter snapped. “That’s why I’ve repeatedly suggested to His Highness that if Martin continues refusing to send reinforcements, we should destroy the Adalbert family and claim their power for ourselves. We could do it easily, especially now that we’ve allied with the east.”
“What was His Highness’ response?”
“Hah. He flatly refused. Said Duke Ferdinand has vowed not to touch the Adalbert family until the civil war is over.”
“But why…?”
At the mention of Karl von Ferdinand, the others fell into uneasy silence.
Günter himself seemed equally vexed.
“He said there’s no justification to attack the Adalbert family and added that it wouldn’t be honorable to defeat a young head like Martin in his current state.”
“Even so, we can’t ignore the possibility of Martin reaching the Tenth Circle before the war ends. If he does… it will be a nightmare for all of us.”
No one dismissed Martin’s talent, regardless of their personal feelings toward him.
A genius who had reached the Ninth Circle within a year of awakening his unique ability could not be underestimated.
Everyone believed he was destined to reach the Tenth Circle sooner rather than later.
It was precisely why Günter and others viewed him as a threat.
“As much as you’re worried, I share your concerns,” Günter admitted. “Which is why this operation must succeed. If it does, the First Prince’s faction will grow significantly stronger, and my influence within the faction will soar.”
“Your plan is sound, my lord,” one knight agreed. “But acting without explicit orders from His Highness could provoke his anger. What then?”
“If it succeeds, His Highness will celebrate the achievement. If it fails, I’ll take responsibility. Not that failure is an option.”
Günter’s confidence was evident as he gazed across the forest.
Though he couldn’t yet see them, he could sense the presence of numerous individuals on the other side.
A sly smile spread across his lips.
“If I can draw their forces south and break through the front lines, the credit alone will secure my rise. Wealth and glory will soon be mine.”
“I miss my friends more than ever today.”
Solenne lifted her head, her expression grim.
The clear blue sky above stood in stark contrast to the turmoil within her.
But her gaze didn’t linger on the sky for long.
Several days ago, a small group of humans arrived.
Now, a far larger force had appeared—an entire army.
Though both groups were human, their affiliations were clearly different.
And the second group was clearly more dangerous.
With the commander of the town’s militia away negotiating with the humans, Solenne, as the vice-captain, had to make the decisions.
“It seems the civil war among humans is escalating, just as the earlier visitors warned us,” one militia member observed. “They’ve likely come to demand our support.”
“I agree,” Solenne replied calmly. “They’re likely imperial forces.”
The Klaus family wouldn’t come here. After she had been abducted by humans, the elves had confronted Werner von Klaus directly.
But Klaus had ignored their grievances entirely, worsening relations between his family and the elven village of Redis.
“What will you do, Lady Solenne?”
“…I’ll talk to them first. But we won’t be joining them. This is a human conflict, and it should remain their problem.”
“If the earlier warnings are true, it could become a serious issue…”
“That will depend on the elder’s decision. Until then, we’ll do our duty. Let’s move out.”
With that, Solenne leapt from the tree she had been perched on, her militia following closely.
Advancing swiftly, she climbed another tree near the human forces, positioning herself above them.
“Halt! This is the forest of Redis, domain of the southern elves. Any further trespass will be considered an act of hostility.”
“Stop!”
At her command, the lead noble raised his voice, and the army came to a disciplined halt.
Solenne narrowed her eyes as she observed the scene below.
“Elite troops.”
The formation of 300 soldiers was impeccable, their halt executed with precision. This alone made them a formidable force.
At the forefront stood a nobleman whose expression only deepened her unease.
She recognized that look all too well—a blend of greed and malice, the face of a beast in human guise.
Though he quickly masked it, the impression lingered.
“I am Günter von Arnold, lord of Arnold Territory and loyal servant of His Highness, the First Prince. And you are?”
“Solenne. Vice-Captain of the Redis Village Militia. What is your purpose in invading our forest, human?”
“I am here under the orders of His Highness, the First Prince. As a mere vice-captain of the militia, you lack the standing to hear them. Fetch someone with higher authority.”
“I am Solenne, the only daughter of Marcel, the elder of Redis Village. Surely that qualifies me to hear what you have to say.”
“The elder’s daughter, you say? Well, that does change things.”
Straightening his posture, Günter continued.
“We have received reports that some elves from Redis Village have joined the Klaus family.”
“What nonsense is this?!”
“The only reason the elves of Redis Village can live here is because of the imperial family’s permission. Yet, you’ve repaid that kindness by turning your blades against us.”
“I don’t know where you heard such lies, but that information is wrong. The elves of Redis Village have never cooperated with the Klaus family. If anything, they are our sworn enemies.”
“Sworn enemies, are they? That simplifies things. Then, by the order of His Highness, the First Prince, the elves of Redis Village are to join the First Prince’s faction and fight against the Klaus family. Consider it your chance to repay the imperial family’s favor.”
“…We have no interest in human conflicts. We will never ally with the Klaus family, but neither will we join your war. Leave at once.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
Günter sneered openly, his knights and soldiers echoing his contempt with cold smiles.
“The elves of this village have long been reclusive. And now you expect me to trust you after a few words? Can you even trust yourself, elder’s daughter?”
“I…”
Solenne faltered, her words trailing off.
The expressions of the other elves darkened as well.
“Your choices are simple,” Günter said, his voice low and menacing. “Refuse our proposal and face annihilation, or accept and join us.”
Fwoosh!
At Günter’s signal, several knights set fires across the forest. Flames erupted in various spots, spreading rapidly.
That wasn’t all.
Elite knights stepped forward, their killing intent palpable, while others raised their weapons.
“Do you truly think you can survive this, human noble?”
“Oh, I don’t doubt the elves of this village could kill us all. But remember this: the moment I die, His Highness’ wrath will burn this forest to the ground far worse than now. And not just His Highness—Duke Karl von Ferdinand will intervene. Can you handle that?”
The mention of the Tenth Circle Absolute made Solenne and the other elves’ faces grow even grimmer.
Neither the elves nor the dwarves had an Absolute among their ranks.
The presence of a Tenth Circle Absolute could drastically shift the balance of power, a fact proven repeatedly throughout history.
Many monarchies across the continent had collapsed due to their inability to produce an Absolute.
“As expected, elves are wise,” Günter said with a sly smile. “But I’d rather serve His Highness alive than dead. So, until a decision is reached, I hope you’ll cooperate.”
Whoosh!
Before anyone could respond, Günter disappeared. His unique ability, Rapid Movement, had activated.
At close range, it was faster than teleportation. In the blink of an eye, he appeared directly in front of Solenne.
“Lady Solenne!”
“Stay back!”
The other elves shouted warnings, but Günter’s movements were faster than their approach.
“Perfect. She’ll make an excellent toy to break in tonight.”
But then—
Slash!
Günter’s right arm was severed at the shoulder, flying through the air and spraying blood everywhere.
That wasn’t the end.
Boom!
A tremendous pressure slammed down on him, forcing him to the ground.
“Aagh!”
Günter howled in agony, but his cries were soon drowned out.
“Aaaagh!”
“Ughhh!”
Elves appeared out of nowhere, launching an immediate counterattack against Günter’s forces.
Though Günter tried to rise, his body refused to obey.
Step. Step.
Ominous footsteps echoed in his ears, sending his heart into a panicked frenzy despite himself.
“You burn our forest and dare threaten my daughter. I thought the south was trash for turning a blind eye to my daughter’s abduction, but it seems the west is no different.”
The cold voice pierced through the chaos.
Using every ounce of strength, Günter raised his head.
Standing before him was a striking elven man who appeared to be in his early forties. His icy gaze was fixed on Günter.
This was Marcel, the elder of Redis Village. A Ninth Circle powerhouse had finally revealed himself.
“I-If you kill me, His Highness and Duke Ferdinand—”
“Do you think I don’t know that Duke Karl von Ferdinand is too preoccupied with Werner von Klaus to intervene here? Even if he did, it wouldn’t change anything. Die, and we’ll no longer hold back.”
“Y-You wouldn’t!”
“Humans must learn the enormity of our wrath. And you will be the first to experience just how deep our hatred runs.”
Rumble!
The ground quaked violently as trees began to move.
“So, this is the World Tree’s Grace, the unique ability granted to the elven elders.”
Watching from a distance, the Third Prince of the Altaria Empire, Muller Altaria, smirked as he observed Marcel’s display of power.