The Return of the Limited-Time Sword Master

Chapter 60: Cleanup Time (5)

The protestors managed to escape the battlefield without sustaining major losses.

This was made possible thanks to the guidance of Sara Meinert and the members of the Free Voices.

And they witnessed it clearly.

They saw Martin and the White Dragon Knights utterly defeat the Brightner family’s forces.

Thus, even though Jurgen had died, the citizens did not fall into confusion.

In fact, they were genuinely overjoyed.

No longer would they suffer under tyranny.

However, the show Martin had prepared wasn’t over yet.

The next morning.

Whispers, murmurs.

The citizens of Fratel City had gathered in the plaza in front of the city hall.

What caught their attention was the guillotine standing in the center.

The blade, gleaming in the sunlight, looked terrifying even at a glance.

“Bring forth the criminals.”

As the executioner of Fratel City declared in a solemn voice, the guards dragged out ten men bound by ropes.

Among them, the first four, including Pierre Brightner, were the main culprits responsible for operating the drug farm.

The six behind them were mine owners who had collaborated with Jurgen, falsifying mining reports and embezzling profits.

“P-please, spare us, young master!”

“It was all Jurgen von Brightner’s doing! We were merely forced by his threats!”

“How shameless, trying to deny it when all the evidence has already been found?”

The condemned criminals all wailed in desperation.

But Martin, with a cold expression, dismissed their pleas without a second thought.

Even though they continued to beg earnestly, their voices were soon drowned out by a louder outcry.

“You bastards! Was it fun living well while we struggled?”

“We work ourselves to death just to survive, and you steal money behind our backs? How can you even call yourselves human?”

“People like you all deserve to die!”

“Tear their bodies apart! Leave no trace of them!”

The citizens’ rage engulfed the criminals.

Overwhelmed by the fury, they fell silent.

Then, Martin rose from his seat.

“Criminal Pierre Brightner operated a drug farm for the past two years, distributing drugs that severely damaged the health and wealth of the people. Meanwhile, he amassed a vast fortune through illegal activities.”

“It was under the orders of the family head and the lord! They threatened to kill us if we didn’t obey!”

Pierre Brightner cried out pitifully.

But Martin paid no heed to his words.

“Do you think that’s a valid excuse? Two years ago, the former head of the Adalbert family was still alive. You could have reported the lord’s crimes, but you didn’t. And that’s not all. You used the money from drug distribution to indulge in whatever you wanted, didn’t you?”

“T-that’s…!”

“Enough. Shut your mouth, Pierre Brightner. After enjoying all the luxuries, now you try to make excuses? Don’t you think that’s a little too pathetic? Under imperial law, I sentence you to death for exploiting the people.”

“No! Please, just once, just forgive me this one time!”

Pierre cried out desperately.

But the executioner silently dragged him to the guillotine.

Even as he was forced onto the platform, Pierre struggled in vain, his mana core already shattered.

“P-please, spare me! Young master, show me mercy just once…!”

Before Pierre could finish speaking, the executioner pulled the lever.

Thunk!

The blade fell swiftly, cleanly severing Pierre’s head.

Bright red blood flowed from the clean cut.

Seeing this, the other criminals’ faces turned deathly pale.

“I’ll never do it again, young master!”

“I’ll surrender everything I own! Please, just spare my life!”

“Why boast about wealth gained through illegal means? That was already set to be confiscated from the start. A criminal should die like a criminal.”

Martin mocked the criminals coldly.

The guillotine’s blade continued to rise and fall.

One by one, the remaining criminals were decapitated, their blood splattering the area like a fountain.

With each execution, the citizens cheered.

These people were finally paying for draining the lifeblood of the citizens.

When the executions were finished, the citizens turned their attention back to Martin.

“As I said earlier, all the wealth these criminals accumulated illegally will be confiscated and distributed to the citizens of Fratel City as compensation!”

“Wow!”

The citizens shouted in excitement.

It was already enough for them to be freed from oppression, but now they were even receiving unexpected compensation.

Martin, unfazed, continued to speak.

“The first head of the family once said: ‘Bring peace to all the people in the territory.’ Therefore, anyone who commits unjust acts for personal gain will not be forgiven. Likewise, those who neglect their duties and focus only on abusing power will face severe punishment.”

“Thank you, young master!”

“Glory to the Adalbert family!”

Martin’s declaration was brief, but his tone was resolute.

The citizens cheered loudly for the hero who had liberated them from oppression.

And so, the execution ended, and Martin made his way to city hall.

Now, it was time to discuss matters with the city’s influential figures, high-ranking officials, and the leadership of the Free Voices.

They had to determine the future of the Brightner family’s territory and the mining city of Fratel.

* * *

“The Brightner family’s territory will be managed by the main family for the time being. Of course, this is only a temporary measure.”

No one objected to Martin’s words.

It was not an exaggeration to say that the Adalbert family was the dominant force in the northern region of the Altaria Empire.

They had the authority to punish independent lords who caused trouble, and there wouldn’t be any significant issue even if they reported their actions to the imperial family after the fact.

Therefore, all the families in the northern region were obligated to respect the will of the Adalbert family.

However, Martin’s next words left everyone in shock.

“However, Fratel City will remain under the direct management of the Adalbert family.”

“Young master, what do you mean by that…?”

“Fratel City is the heart of the Brightner family’s domain. If we’re not careful, the entire territory could collapse.”

“I agree with that. So, no matter who becomes the lord, half of the mining rights will be guaranteed. As for the other half, it will be entrusted to the new mayor and the city council members.”

At the mention of “mayor” and “city council,” the city’s influential figures and high-ranking officials fell silent.

They had assumed it would end with the simple dispatch of an Adalbert family official, but this was different.

The mention of a mayor and a city council meant only one thing.

Fratel City was being elevated to the status of a free city.

This was a golden opportunity for them to seize political power.

In the midst of this, Sara voiced her concern.

“Unlike the Rustal family, which is a branch, the Brightner family is an independent noble house. If you claim control over their main territory under the Adalbert family’s domain, other nobles might push back.”

“Are you aware of that?”

“What do you mean, young master?”

“The Altaria Empire’s royal family, the royal families of the five kingdoms, and the three great noble houses—all of them control the entrances to dungeons and have gained ownership. Yet even they are kept in check.”

“You’re referring to the adventurer guilds.”

“Exactly. These nine families are considered the strongest on the continent, but even they can’t do as they please with the dungeons. So how does it make sense for an ordinary noble family to monopolize all the rights just because they were there first? Does that seem reasonable?”

Sara didn’t respond.

Instead, the influential figures and officials, having finished calculating their interests, shifted their stance.

“I fully agree with the young master’s words.”

“I also believe this is the best course for everyone.”

“Thank you for agreeing. The city council members will be selected from within the city. However, the mayor will be decided by me and the heads of the Adalbert family. Like in other free cities, the mayor will serve for life.”

Martin subtly included himself among the family heads, but no one raised any objections.

Even though he had not officially assumed the role yet, Martin’s status was already equivalent to that of a family head.

“So, the mayor will be a vassal of the Adalbert family?”

“Correct. And with that in mind, the first mayor will be… Sara Meinert. I believe you are the only one qualified for this position at the moment.”

“What?!”

Sara was genuinely shocked by the sudden nomination.

The other leaders of the Free Voices were momentarily taken aback as well, but only for a brief moment.

“Congratulations!”

“If it’s you, you’ll do a great job!”

They hugged Sara with genuine joy.

In contrast, the influential figures and high-ranking officials couldn’t hide their awkward expressions.

It wasn’t because they disliked Sara personally.

“A mayor of a free city must be a noble, young master. While we acknowledge Sara Meinert’s contributions in fighting for the citizens, she is not a noble.”

“There is no imperial law stating that only nobles can become mayors. Nobles have merely taken the position to avoid submitting to the lords of other territories.”

“That’s…”

“Do you think Sara or any future mayors of Fratel City will need to worry about that? No matter how great the nobles may think they are, I doubt they would openly ignore a direct vassal of the Adalbert family head. Am I wrong?”

“…You’re right, young master.”

“Sara Meinert’s personal achievements are commendable. She risked her life to rally the citizens and expose the Brightner family’s atrocities. She even found the location of the drug farm and reported it to me. I guarantee you, without her, today’s events wouldn’t have happened. At best, Jurgen would have simply stepped down as family head.”

With Martin’s firm statement, those who opposed Sara’s appointment as mayor bowed their heads.

Even they couldn’t deny Sara’s achievements.

Compared to Jurgen, who only cared for himself and his family, entrusting the city to Sara was the better option.

Moreover, opposing further would be seen as disrespecting the Adalbert family—and by extension, Martin.

That was something they absolutely had to avoid.

“Young master…”

Sara looked at Martin with a face that seemed on the verge of tears.

She hadn’t fought expecting any reward.

But knowing that someone truly understood her intentions filled her heart with emotion.

“I’m entrusting this to you because I believe in your love for the citizens, Sara. But there’s one thing you must always remember.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Never forget to take care of the citizens. If you ever commit the same atrocities as Jurgen von Brightner, I won’t forgive you.”

“That will never happen, young master.”

Even as she wiped away her flowing tears, Sara responded firmly.

She was well aware of her own shortcomings.

But she had no intention of giving up.

She vowed to continue working hard to become an excellent mayor.

“That’s the spirit. That’s why I entrusted this responsibility to you.”

“I promise. I will make Fratel City the most outstanding city in the Empire.”

“Oh? Are you planning to outshine Varehein City?”

“I could never surpass it in terms of economic power. But in terms of the quality of life for the citizens, I think it’s possible.”

“Good confidence.”

Martin replied playfully, and a bright smile appeared on Sara’s face.

Watching her, Martin nodded.

‘One thing settled.’

Aside from the benefits he had gained, this was a desirable conclusion.

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