ALL NOVEL Chapter 70
Chapter 70: The Time of Reckoning (1)
As soon as Martin left the black market, he used spatial teleportation. In an instant, he regrouped with the White Dragon Knights stationed at the city hall.
Once there, Martin took out a communication crystal and contacted Lucas Hoffman.
“Greetings, my lord,” Lucas said through the crystal.
“It’s been a while, Captain Lucas. Have you arrived at the destination?” Martin asked.
“Yes, we’ve reached the mountain you mentioned. I assume you’ve also safely left the black market?”
“That’s right. There’s a warp device halfway up the mountain. I’ve left markers, so follow them. It might look like a solid rock wall, but it’s magically disguised.”
“Understood. Is there anything else we should be cautious of?”
“The real problem starts once you cross through the warp. The area is filled with magical traps, so be careful.”
“We’ll keep that in mind.”
“Have you received any word from Captain Philip?”
“He said they’ll be arriving in Akela City shortly.”
“It’s now 6:11 PM… Let’s begin the operation precisely at 7 PM.”
“I’ll relay your command to Philip.”
“Good.”
After ending the communication, Martin turned his attention to Fritz Khan.
“You’ve heard the plan. The operation will start soon.”
“The whole city will fall into chaos. They won’t know what hit them,” Fritz replied.
“Exactly. I’m counting on you to take care of them. Sien will manage on her own, but the others are more vulnerable. And honestly, they’re the key players in this operation.”
“I understand the importance of their role, my lord. You can count on me.”
Martin nodded in satisfaction before making his way toward the Gourmet District.
His next destination: another meeting with the Lord of Shadows.
‘If they want to observe me, they should at least try to hide their presence better,’ Martin thought with amusement.
Now that he had returned to his original appearance, it didn’t take long for dozens of people to start tailing him.
However, he could sense their growing confusion as they lost track of his movements upon entering the Gourmet District.
‘It’d be easy to kill them, but there’s no need.’
Soon, the entire city would be plunged into chaos, and those men wouldn’t be able to keep up with him for long.
With that in mind, Martin leisurely made his way to the “Crossroads of Fate,” where the Lord of Shadows resided.
“…Why have you returned?” one of the guards asked.
“I need to talk to your leader. I know he’s inside, so why not just let me through?”
“You should be thankful to our master, Martin Adalbert. If not for his orders, everyone here would have attacked you the moment you arrived.”
“You should be thanking him, not me. He stopped his subordinates from getting slaughtered.”
Grinding teeth.
The disguised servant clenched his teeth in frustration. He wanted nothing more than to attack Martin, but the Lord of Shadows had given strict orders to let him pass if he returned.
With a reluctant grunt, the man stepped aside and allowed Martin through.
Another assassin guided him to the basement, where the Lord of Shadows awaited.
“So, are you planning to start a war with the Royce family, young master?” the Lord of Shadows asked calmly.
“Come on. You don’t think the old man would declare war just because I killed one of his disowned descendants, do you?”
“Whatever you say, lying is clearly not your strong suit.”
“What are you trying to imply?”
“You took out Valdemar von Rustal before the Royce family could intervene.”
“True.”
“Everyone in the upper echelons of nobility knows that Nicholas von Royce controls the slave market through the Lord of Beasts. Through that market, he holds considerable influence over Akela City. Destroying the slave market is the same as severing Nicholas’ hand here. Do you think the Royce family will just sit idly by while you prevent them from gaining influence in the North?”
Martin’s lips curled into a mischievous smile. That alone was enough of an answer.
“I don’t particularly care about your fight with the Royce family,” the Lord of Shadows continued. “But meddling with the slave market is crossing a line.”
“You’re not great at lying either. Since when did the Assassin’s Guild start training killers through the slave market? You’ve been operating orphanages all over the continent for that purpose.”
“…I’ve always known you’re too well-informed for your own good. It’s downright infuriating.”
“Hey, my intelligence is nothing compared to the heads of the Klaus or Ferdinand families. They probably know everything happening on this continent.”
“Sigh, let’s leave that aside. So, what’s your reason for coming here?”
“You were expecting me, weren’t you? What made you think I’d show up?”
“Answering a question with a question is a bit rude, don’t you think?”
“I’m just curious.”
The Lord of Shadows shook his head as he looked at Martin’s playful grin.
Despite being only 18 years old, barely half the Lord of Shadows’ own age, Martin acted like a sly, old fox. It was hard to comprehend how someone so young could be this calculating.
“Akela City may not be the entire underworld, but it’s certainly a core part of it. At the heart of that is the black market, especially the slave market.”
“Of course. The amount of money flowing through there is astronomical.”
“Your goal is to take down the slave market, right? Once it’s gone, there will be a power vacuum in the underworld. You want to fill that void with me, don’t you?”
Clap, clap, clap.
Martin applauded as soon as the Lord of Shadows finished speaking.
“Wow. I didn’t even explain the specifics, and you figured it all out. I knew I made the right choice with you.”
“Anyone listening in would think I’ve already agreed to your plan. Why should I put a collar around my own neck?”
“Collar? No, no, I’m giving you an opportunity. Once the slave market is publicly exposed, the Lord of Beasts is finished. Jerome Metzelder will be ousted too.”
“So, before the Imperial Family or the Royce family can intervene, you’ll install your own choice as mayor and bring Akela City under the North’s influence?”
“Exactly. And then, I’ll eliminate anyone who opposes me, whether they operate in the light or the shadows.”
“Do you realize that no noble has ever successfully taken control of the underworld?”
“That’s because it’s filled with garbage that keeps popping up. But I have no intention of ‘cleaning up’ the underworld. I’ll just take out the slave market. The rest of the black market can stay. I’ll only target those who actively resist. Honestly, it sounds like a pretty easy job to me.”
The Lord of Shadows found himself at a loss for words. Martin’s plan was sound.
If all of Akela City’s underworld factions united against him, they might stand a chance of blocking his influence.
But right now, they were too fragmented to even communicate properly. If Martin struck during such a time, they’d be picked off one by one.
His moves were bold, decisive, and utterly unpredictable.
‘His ability to outmaneuver others is far more terrifying than his talent in martial arts or unique abilities,’ the Lord of Shadows thought.
Martin had been in Akela City for less than a day, and yet he had already caused a massive upheaval. The uncertainty of what he might do next was far scarier than anything else.
“…Why are you offering this chance to me, an enemy?”
“Enemy? That’s a bit much, don’t you think? We’ve never had a real conflict.”
“Technically true, but I feel like there’s more to it.”
“I think most of the major players in the underworld are hopeless scum. But you? You’re a bit better. At least you operate by your own code.”
The Lord of Shadows and his assassins only took on jobs that met their specific criteria.
While some of their actions might be considered evil, Martin had no intention of debating morality with them. As long as they had clear standards, they were easier to deal with.
That’s why he extended his hand.
“Although, I was disappointed that you got involved with the drug trade.”
“…That’s… sigh.”
“Judging by your reaction, there’s more to that story.”
“I can’t talk about it yet.”
“So, you’ll tell me when the time comes?”
The Lord of Shadows remained silent, but even that was an answer in itself. Martin nodded in understanding.
“How about this—join me fully. I’ll make you a proper lord, with your own fief.”
“I’m not from the Altaria Empire.”
“You’ve manifested a unique ability. Who cares about your origin? What matters is your status as a noble. Besides, you’re the same rank as me—7th circle. It wouldn’t be hard to grant you a title.”
“I’m sure there would be people who’d protest about making a stranger a lord.”
“I’m more than capable of shutting those people down. The only condition is that you and your assassins would have to give up that line of work.”
“…The fact that I can’t entirely dismiss that is what makes this terrifying.”
“So, what’s your answer?”
Martin stared directly at the Lord of Shadows, exuding no threatening aura. And yet, the Lord of Shadows felt an overwhelming pressure.
‘The Adalbert family really is on another level,’ he thought.
Martin was unlike any noble he
had ever dealt with.
“I’ll pass on the lordship offer for now. Trust is a bit hard to come by.”
“Well, trust is always hard to earn, especially when you’re hiding some huge secrets.”
“Fine. I’ll help you take control of the underworld, young master.”
“Good choice.”
Martin extended his hand, and after a brief hesitation, the Lord of Shadows shook it.
The deal was sealed.
“By the way, what time is it right now?” Martin asked casually.
“It’s exactly 6:59 PM. Why do you ask…?”
“Because the operation is about to begin.”
“Operation?”
The Lord of Shadows looked confused, but that confusion was short-lived.
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion echoed loudly enough to reach them even in the basement.
* * *
BOOM!
The sound of cannon fire erupted from the southern gate of Akela City.
Hearing the signal, Lucas Hoffman turned to the elves and shouted.
“It’s time!”
He immediately charged forward, following the marked path that Martin had laid out, and soon arrived at the hidden rock wall.
“This is a pathetic attempt at magic,” scoffed the high elf, Armand, as soon as he saw the illusion.
With a simple wave of his hand, the illusion dissolved, revealing a narrow passage just big enough for a person to fit through.
Inside was the warp device.
“According to the young master, there’s a vast space beyond this wall. But getting to the black market will involve dealing with a lot of magical traps…”
“You needn’t worry about that, knight of the White Dragon. Human mages’ spells are laughably weak to someone like me,” Armand said, cutting Lucas off.
Lucas wanted to argue, but before he could—
Flash!
A massive magic circle appeared beneath their feet, connecting with the warp device inside the cave.
In an instant, over a hundred people were transported through the spatial tear and emerged in the world beyond the rock wall.
“Pathetic,” Armand muttered, looking at the magical traps and barriers with disdain. His contempt was evident.
“This place is said to be capable of killing even a 7th circle master, Armand.”
“A 7th circle mage might die here, sure. But I am 8th circle, knight.”
Lucas fell silent at those words.
From the moment he met Armand, he had sensed the high elf’s extraordinary power. But he hadn’t imagined that Armand was an 8th circle mage.
What would compel such a powerful being to personally involve himself in this operation?
Thankfully, the answer came swiftly.
“I’ve wanted to burn this place to the ground for a long time. That’s why I’m here.”
“I understand.”
“I’m grateful to you, knight. Your guidance allowed us to reach this point with ease. Now, sit back and watch.”
The moment Armand finished speaking, a whirlwind of mana surged through the area.
It swept through the dark underworld within the rock wall.
A devastating calamity had arrived at the black market.
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