ALL NOVEL Chapter 93
Chapter 93: The End of a Bitter Tether (1)
Adel von Bitenfeld, the new head of the Bitenfeld family, officially announced that Oliver’s rebellion had been quashed.
Shortly thereafter, Martin declared the Gustin family as accomplices, branding them as traitors as well.
Elders Aren and Marius, who had fled to the Gustin family, were likewise marked as traitors, and the covert alliance between the Brightner and Gustin families was revealed.
It wasn’t long before Martin mobilized all forces from the Adalbert family, including the main house and affiliated factions, and began marching toward Amelzen City, the capital of the Gustin territory.
“Haa.”
Mateus von Gustin sighed as he looked up at the ceiling, then turned to the glowing image of Nicholas von Royce.
“…I am completely isolated. While I plan to focus on defense for now, there’s a clear limit to how long we can hold out. You don’t wish for my downfall either, so I ask you to increase the speed of your forces.”
—I’m doing my utmost, but it’s not simple. The 1st Princess has ordered the lords loyal to her to block any movement from our forces.—
“With the might of the Royce family, breaking through those barriers should be trivial.”
—You’re not wrong, but now is not the time to directly confront the 1st Princess.—
“Don’t be absurd! You mean to delay over something so trivial? While we’re being pushed to the brink of ruin?!”
—I understand your urgency, Mateus von Gustin, after the collapse of your initial strategy.—
“Ugh!”
—Let me assure you, I do not wish for your ruin. Had I wanted that, I wouldn’t have sent the covert knights our family raised, nor would I have promised asylum for your son should things go wrong.—
Nicholas replied evenly, silencing Mateus.
A unit disguised as an adventurer group, made up of secret knights from the Royce family, was stationed at the family mansion to guard Kalain.
They would attack on Kalain’s command if the situation turned favorable; otherwise, if things went badly, they would retreat with Kalain to Marquis Royce’s domain.
—Hold out for ten days, Mateus. I swear on my name that the main forces will arrive within that time.—
“Ten days… I’ll try to hold out as long as I can. But keep this in mind.”
—What would that be?—
“If we fall, the dream that you and your ancestors in the Royce family harbored will crumble to dust.”
—A word of caution, sincerely noted.—
With that, Nicholas ended the communication first. Alone once more, Mateus let out another deep sigh.
‘Did I act too rashly?’
The Gustin family had separated from the Adalbert family over 600 years ago. Initially, they only sought independence, but as the bloodline’s power in the main family weakened, they began to dream of taking its place.
After Martin’s birth, Mateus had been certain their golden opportunity had arrived—Martin hadn’t awakened his unique ability and therefore was unfit as a successor.
But the hopes he had nurtured for over a decade had been utterly extinguished only a few months earlier.
‘I should have given up back then…’
Yet he couldn’t bring himself to. Who could guarantee another opportunity like this in his generation?
So, when Nicholas declared support, Mateus thought it was his final chance. Instead, he and his family had been driven to the edge.
Could they truly endure?
Mateus couldn’t promise himself an answer.
Just then—
“Traitor Mateus von Gustin! Open the gates and surrender! Do you intend to drag your poor soldiers into your foolish actions?!”
Wilhelm’s voice echoed through the command post within the outer walls of Amelzen City.
Gritting his teeth, Mateus’ face twisted with anger. The fact that a coward like Wilhelm dared to address him this way was beyond infuriating.
Bang!
Kicking open the door of the command post, Mateus stepped out and looked over the walls.
The 200 Black Dragon Knights of the Fezek family, along with 2,000 private soldiers, had spread out before the city. Over 30 magical cannons were aimed at the fortress walls.
“You dare speak of treason to me, Wilhelm von Fezek?!”
“You betrayed the main family without just cause and allied with the Royce family. If that’s not treason, what is? And that’s not even all; we’ve discovered you colluded with the late Jurgen von Brightner to siphon off profits from the mines. I’d say ‘traitor’ is the most fitting title for you.”
“Stop attaching baseless rumors!”
“The Young Lord has already uncovered all the evidence, yet you’re still in denial? It’s not too late, Mateus. Surrender now and beg the Young Lord for mercy. That way, at least you might keep your life.”
“Spewing nonsense, you washed-up pawn!”
“Isn’t it a branch family’s duty to suppress traitors? I’m simply honored to serve in the vanguard.”
Wilhelm smirked with a brazen grin, fueling Mateus’ rage. For a brief moment, he wanted to kill Wilhelm more than he wanted to kill Martin himself.
Sensing his boiling fury, the two elders quickly intervened.
“Calm yourself, Mateus. It’s unlike you to fall for such cheap provocations,” said Elder Marius.
“Indeed, it’s just an attempt to lure our forces out,” added Elder Aren. “Remember, Mateus, our role is to hold this fortress and await Marquis Royce’s main force.”
“Hah… I apologize for my unbecoming behavior.”
Realizing his lapse, Mateus lowered his head in apology. He turned back, but his eyes remained fixed on Wilhelm, gleaming with a deadly glare.
—
The main force under Martin’s command set up camp a little ways from Amelzen City. They were waiting for reinforcements from the Bitenfeld family.
Today, Adel von Bitenfeld joined the main force, leading 150 Blue Dragon Knights and 1,500 private soldiers. With his arrival, the total force now numbered around 8,000, with over 700 knights.
‘An overwhelming force against the Gustin family.’
Yet Martin hadn’t amassed this force just to crush the Gustin family. It was in preparation for the potential arrival of Marquis Royce’s main force before the Gustin family’s downfall.
While Martin’s plans accounted for avoiding a direct conflict with Royce, things didn’t always go as planned.
‘Which is why we need to bring them down efficiently, with minimal losses.’
Martin glanced around his tent at those assembled.
Vincent and Adel, the heads of the branch families; Oriana, the only elder remaining with the main family; and Christian, designated as the next elder. Alongside them were the commanders and vice-commanders of each knightly order, all watching him attentively.
Sien stood directly behind him as his guard, an exception to the others.
“The Fezek family recently reported that various defensive barriers and magical formations have been placed on the city walls, making it difficult to breach.”
“Looks like they intend to stay on full defense until Marquis Royce’s main force arrives,” Vincent remarked.
“Yes. While we could break through with brute force, it would be highly inefficient.”
“Do you have another approach in mind, Young Lord?”
“Yes. First, I’d like you, Vincent, to take command of the siege and lead the assault. However, there’s no need to attack relentlessly.”
“Huh?”
Vincent couldn’t hide his surprise at the unexpected suggestion. And the others were equally taken aback.
Martin was, after all, the Young Lord of the Adalbert family, acting in place of the family head. For him to refrain from taking command was baffling.
Elder Oriana was the first to catch on to Martin’s intentions.
“…So, you plan to act separately while we engage in the siege?”
“Precisely, Elder Oriana. From what I’ve heard, the Gustin family has reserves stationed at the inner mansion, led by Kalain Gustin.”
“Reserves? Does the Gustin family even have enough forces left for that?”
“Jerome Metzelder once mentioned to me that Marquis Royce has a covert knightly order. They’re disguised as an adventurer group, and it seems they’ve joined the reserves as reinforcements.”
“I understand that you want to attack them, but how do you plan to get into the inner city? Even as the Young Lord, there’s no way you could teleport into the inner city with the spatial barrier that’s set up over the outer city.”
“You’re right, teleportation won’t work here. That’s why I plan to enter through a hidden passage.”
“What?!” Elder Oriana gasped, visibly shaken, and the others stirred with unease.
Martin chuckled as he continued.
“Surely you all know that lords often create escape routes for themselves or their families, should they lose a war. The Gustin family is no different.”
“…Isn’t that kind of passage usually a closely guarded secret, known only to the lord and heir? How is it that you know about it?” Adel asked, his face serious. If Martin knew the Gustin family’s escape routes, it wasn’t hard to imagine he knew other families’ secrets too.
“The previous head of the Adalbert family devoted his life to gathering intelligence. He left it all to me, hoping it would prove useful.”
“He must have done extensive research to know this,” Adel said, clearly impressed.
“I was surprised too, Adel. Anyway, the passage is narrow, so only a small group can enter. That’s why Sien and I will go alone.”
If the Gustin reserves were truly on par with a knightly order, or if they had the Crimson Moon Magic Order among them, he wouldn’t attempt this strategy.
But intelligence indicated that the reserves consisted of only two squads of knights. The Crimson Moon Magic Order wouldn’t appear for another three years.
“Mateus von Gustin cares deeply for his son. If he learns that the Young Lord has taken his son hostage, it will certainly disrupt him. That’s why you said a full-on assault isn’t necessary, isn’t it?” Lucas, head of the knights, said.
“Exactly right, Commander Lucas. And there’s another intriguing element.”
“What do you mean?” Philip, another commander, asked curiously.
“I’ll keep it as a surprise for later, Commander Philip. You’ll all find out soon enough.”
With that, Martin rose from his seat, preparing to head toward the Gustin family’s hidden passage. But just then, Adel stood up as well.
“May I join you, Young Lord? I believe adding one more person wouldn’t make much difference.”
“But what about leading your troops…?”
“I may have inherited the role as family head due to my direct bloodline, but there’s much I still lack. Commander Bastian Friedrich is more experienced and stronger than I am, so I believe he should lead the forces.”
“Hm.”
Martin pondered for a moment. Adel’s reasoning was sound, and, as a 5th Circle knight, he was a formidable ally on par with Sien. His presence would undoubtedly be a great help.
Glancing at Sien, Martin noticed she wore a slight frown but didn’t object.
“Very well. Let’s go together.”
“Thank you, Young Lord.”
With that, the group added another member and departed from the main force.
A short while later, Adel spoke up.
“Sien Igreet.”
“Yes?” Sien responded cautiously, now adopting a more respectful demeanor toward Adel, the head of a branch family. Proper decorum was necessary.
“You might act formally in front of others, but I’d prefer if you spoke casually when we’re with the Young Lord. I don’t want to lose one of my few friends over such formalities.”
“Well… that’s a bit…”
Adel’s sudden suggestion caught Sien off guard. Despite being the same age, he was still a branch family head, not someone to be addressed informally.
“You’ll also be a head of a branch family someday, Sien. So, when it’s just the three of us, let’s talk like we used to.”
Though his voice was calm, a hint of genuine sincerity lay beneath his words. Sien looked intently at Adel, sensing his earnestness, and eventually nodded.
“Alright, but only if you drop the formalities with me as well. I wouldn’t want the head of a branch family addressing me so formally.”
“I’ll do that.”
A smile spread across Adel’s face as he agreed readily.
‘This is good,’ Martin thought, nodding with satisfaction as he watched the two.
With a sense of renewed resolve, the three picked up their pace.
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