The Return of the Limited-Time Sword Master

Chapter 116 – Founding Festival (1)

The Founding Festival.

A grand celebration commemorating the establishment of the Altaria Empire nearly a thousand years ago.

For one week, all citizens are officially exempt from work, and the lords of each territory are expected to host festivities so their people can fully enjoy the holiday. To the citizens, the Founding Festival is simply a joyous holiday, nothing more, nothing less.

For the nobility, however, it holds immense significance.

Firstly, all true nobles who hold their own territories gather in the capital. They review the events of the past year and discuss the direction the empire should take in a grand assembly.

Ordinarily, only the lords attend, but anyone recommended by a high noble, an earl or higher, can join even without being a lord themselves. Because of this, lesser nobles flock to the capital, eager to catch the eye of influential nobles.

“It’s better to be the head of a branch family than to wag your tail and flatter like a dog. If anyone dares to look down on you, you can always just crack their head open in a duel. Don’t you agree?”

“Well… you’re not wrong,” Wilhelm replied with a wry smile at Vincent’s comment.

There had been a time he longed for independence, disliking the way lesser nobles often dismissed him. But since Martin had taken complete control of the family’s power, that had become an impossible dream.

‘Still, better than the family falling apart.’

The lands of the Rustal and Gustin families, as well as those of the families annihilated during Martin’s tour of the north, still remained without rightful owners.

Wilhelm thought it was far better to preserve his family in some form, even if it meant being a branch family.

“Ah, it seems I forgot to congratulate you,” Wilhelm continued. “I hear your daughter reached the 6th Circle. Meanwhile, my son remains stuck at the 3rd Circle despite all his training… It really brings home just how unfair this world can be.”

“Haha! As if that’s something you should bring up with me. I never expected my daughter to reach the 6th Circle at her age either. And I’m sure the head of the Bitenfeld family feels the same,” Vincent chuckled, glancing over to where Sien and Adel were standing.

“It’s a bit much, don’t you think?” Adel commented casually. “Reaching the 6th Circle and still not being able to wield an aura blade?”

Sien’s teeth clenched audibly at her words.

But Adel paid no mind, continuing with a hint of smugness. “The Adalbert family is known as the pinnacle of swordsmanship not only in the Altaria Empire but across the entire Cracian Continent. As part of such a lineage, shouldn’t we be focusing on swordsmanship more than unique abilities?”

“…Looks like we’re going to need to settle this, just to see who’s superior,” Sien replied, her voice tinged with annoyance.

“Is there any need for that? Even if we’re both at the 6th Circle, I can wield an aura blade, and you can’t. In swordsmanship, I’d say the outcome is obvious. Not that I think I’d lose to you even in a fair fight,” Adel said with a smirk.

As she spoke, Sien’s teeth ground even louder, while Adel felt a deep-seated satisfaction bubbling up inside her.

Not long ago, in the dungeon, she had been at a disadvantage against Sien and the frustration had been immense.

But now that she could wield an aura blade, she was finally free to tease Sien as much as she wanted.

‘I’ll repay this debt in full.’

Adel resolved to give Sien a hard time, and she wasn’t going to let up easily.

‘If I stay here any longer, I’ll be dragged into their bickering.’

Martin quickly looked away from the two, hoping to avoid getting caught in their clash. If things escalated, he’d inevitably get roped into the dispute, which he would much rather avoid.

Looking around, Martin spotted someone he could chat with and quickly approached Simon Fezeks.

“How have you been, Simon? I heard you’ve been doing well, staying with the family and training as an heir.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Acting Head!”

“Oh, come on. I didn’t do anything. You’re the one who’s worked hard.”

“I learn so much just by watching you, Acting Head!”

“Well, I’m glad I could help,” Martin replied, putting an arm around Simon’s shoulders.

Simon’s face instantly paled.

His close friends, Stefan Rustal and Kalain Gustin, had both met their end at Martin’s hands.

The thought of following the same fate plagued Simon so much that he often had nightmares about it.

Now, coming face-to-face and being physically touched by the very person from those nightmares, he felt his heart might stop at any moment.

Wilhelm sighed, noticing the look on Simon’s face, and stepped in to save him.

“If you’re done tormenting my only heir, I’d appreciate it, Acting Head.”

“Tormenting him? I’m honestly hurt by that. I was simply catching up with him since it’s been a while. Right, Simon?”

“Yes, absolutely, Acting Head!” Simon shouted in a shaky voice, his face so close to tears that it was almost pitiful.

‘Seeing a man cry… now that would be unfortunate.’

Not wanting to take it that far, Martin patted Simon’s shoulder before turning and heading toward the warp gate.

The branch family heads and their heirs quickly followed.

“Please take care of the main family in my absence, Elders,” Martin said, looking at Elder Aren, Elder Oriana, and the recently appointed Elder Christian.

He then exchanged nods with Captain Lucas and Captain Philip.

“Worry not about the family, Acting Head. I’m more concerned for your safety and that of the others. The Founding Festival has always been lively, but this year, it’s bound to be on a different level,” Elder Aren said gravely.

“I agree with Elder Aren. I plan to keep things as low-key as possible… although I doubt that will make much of a difference. Once the era starts spiraling out of control, there’s no stopping it.”

In his previous life, nothing major had happened during the Founding Festival, as the internal conflicts within the Adalbert family had kept everyone on edge, forcing nobles to tread carefully.

But with the course of history changed, expecting the same results would be naive.

‘This time, they’ll come at each other even more fiercely.’

With the elements that once restrained civil war gone, everyone would pursue their goals without hesitation.

The chaos of an era was about to commence, with the signal flare expected to launch from the capital itself.

“Well then, I’m off,” Martin said, steeling himself for what lay ahead.

“Safe travels, Acting Head,” the elders and captains said respectfully, bowing as they saw him off.

Martin channeled mana into the warp circle, and in a flash of brilliant light, he and his entourage vanished.

—

When the pressure and light dissipated, Martin opened his eyes to find familiar faces waiting to greet him.

“Welcome, Acting Head,” greeted the First Princess, Claudia Altaria, with a warm smile.

Standing beside her, Irina von Minert gave him a slight bow.

“Let’s work together to get through this week,” Claudia said.

“Hah… That’s the last thing I want,” Martin sighed, but he knew he had no choice.

The wheels of fate were already in motion.

‘Whatever future awaits, I’ll face it head-on,’ he resolved.

—

“Just my luck,” muttered the First Prince, Richard Altaria, upon hearing that Martin had arrived.

“It’s hard to believe how unfortunate things can get sometimes. For the Acting Head of the Adalbert family to stumble upon the Monster Lord before it could fully mature… and now I’ve lost one of my precious prototypes.”

But the losses didn’t end there. By personally taking down the Monster Lord, Martin’s reputation had only grown further. And with the corrupted mana stone altered by the core in his possession, there was a chance he might uncover the truth.

There wasn’t enough evidence to reveal Richard’s own involvement in the Monster Wave, but it was enough for him to be regarded as a suspect.

“My apologies, Your Highness. Had I known this would happen, I would have stayed behind to watch the situation unfold,” Jurgen Ferdinand said with a bitter smile.

But Richard shook his head. “No, it was more important not to be discovered. If anyone had caught even a hint of your presence, it would have caused us far more trouble.”

“That’s true. We did essentially create a Monster Wave.”

“Losing the succession rights would be the least of my concerns. I’d be branded as a public enemy, and Grandfather would cut all ties with me on the spot.”

“If I could silence the Acting Head of the Adalbert family, there’d be no issue…”

“Unless you’re a 10th Circle supreme master, there’s no chance of catching him once he decides to escape.”

Richard’s tone was confident, as he knew the limits of their capabilities well.

Even he understood that Martin would stand no chance in a direct confrontation with Jurgen Ferdinand. But that wasn’t the issue here.

Jurgen’s unique ability, Wave Domination, could shatter space, but it couldn’t replicate the finer control required for spatial manipulation or teleportation like Martin’s Gravity Manipulation.

“Besides, even Gravity Manipulation has its limits. Even if you had stayed, the moment he used Spatial Shift to escape, everything would be over, and we’d only put ourselves at risk.”

“True. I think I now understand why Marquis Royce always falls short against the Acting Head,” Jurgen said thoughtfully.

“No matter how well-planned, it’s hard to beat someone who’s blessed with luck. And Acting Head Martin isn’t just lucky—he’s absurdly talented. I have to admit, hearing that he’d reached the 8th Circle caught me off guard,” Richard replied.

“I’ve seen my share of people hailed as prodigies, but his talent is on another level entirely. It’s truly a shame… If only Marquis Royce had stamped out that threat in its infancy.”

“There’s no point in dwelling on the past. Besides, the battle is far from over. If we make our move during the Grand Assembly…”

Richard trailed off as a bright light erupted from the warp circle in front of him and Jurgen.

Both men immediately straightened up, assuming a serious demeanor as they waited.

With a low hum, the warp circle distorted space, and a group of about a dozen figures began to materialize.

But neither Richard nor Jurgen paid them much attention; their focus was on the single figure leading the group.

Step.

An elderly man with flowing white hair and a long, white beard stepped forward, walking slowly out of the circle.

‘As powerful as ever,’ Richard thought, a shiver of awe coursing through his body.

Strangely, despite the overwhelming presence emanating from the man, there was no discernible aura. Like a still, silent lake, his power was undetectable.

And yet, every fiber of Richard’s being warned him that the man before him was someone beyond comprehension—someone to avoid at all costs.

Karl von Ferdinand.

Head of the Ferdinand family, one of the three great noble houses, and one of only two dukes in the Altaria Empire.

But titles meant little in his case.

At the 10th Circle, he had transcended humanity and even the realm of superhumans, achieving the status of a supreme being.

Simply breathing, he was a force of history unto himself.

The true pinnacle of power in the Altaria Empire had arrived in the capital.