Chapter 155: The Shifting Era (2)
The forces led by Günter von Arnold had been annihilated.
Even in death, they found no peace.
Slash!
The elves decapitated every fallen soldier, collecting the severed heads.
The reason was simple: to send them to the First Prince as a message.
“They say Richard Altaria is the most capable of the princes… yet his attitude toward the elves is no different from any other human’s.”
Marcel, elder of Redis Village, spoke as he gazed down at Günter’s severed head.
Behind him, a figure approached—it was Muller Altaria, the Third Prince.
“I told you, didn’t I? Humans fundamentally do not respect other races. Of course, you could point to the new head of the Adalbert family as an exception, but exceptions are just that—exceptions.”
“Indeed. Aside from the Adalbert Duke, there isn’t a single noble who treats other races fairly.”
Marcel’s piercing gaze settled on Muller.
Though the elder’s Ninth Circle aura was overwhelming, Muller held his ground, fully aware that any display of weakness could undermine his ambitions.
“As I said before, I despise the way status is determined by unique abilities. That’s why I aim to dismantle the current aristocratic system ruling the continent.”
“Our elves also base status on unique abilities.”
“What the elves or dwarves do doesn’t concern me. My focus is on reforming human society. Still, Elder Marcel, I believe you share my distaste for the current human aristocracy. I see an opportunity for us to align our interests here.”
“You intend to fill the gaps in your forces with us, don’t you? Especially since having elders like me on your side means securing Ninth Circle power.”
“I won’t deny it. That’s why I proposed handing over the western dungeon entrance to the elves if you overthrow the imperial family.”
“Controlling a dungeon entrance is meaningless without a Tenth Circle Absolute. But at the very least, it will show humans the extent of our fury.”
Marcel’s tone was calm but resolute.
He had made his position clear earlier when he spoke to Günter’s lifeless body.
Even if they had to face a Tenth Circle Absolute and die, the elves would demonstrate their wrath.
Victory wasn’t the priority—action was.
“I must admit, you’re cunning, Muller Altaria,” Marcel continued. “You’ll use us not only to bolster your forces but also to expose the flaws of the current system.”
“I didn’t think you’d see through me so easily,” Muller replied with a wry smile.
Indeed, his plan was to exploit the collapse of western forces to discredit the unique-ability-centered aristocracy.
As humans’ belief in their own superiority crumbled, the despair and anger of the citizens would inevitably align with Muller’s ideals.
He was confident they would support his vision.
“As I’ve said before, this is a mutually beneficial arrangement. My proposal aligns with what both you and I aim to achieve.”
“Strictly speaking, I’m at a disadvantage here. But I’ll accept your offer—an opportunity like this won’t come again.”
When Marcel agreed, Muller’s heart surged with triumph.
“It’s done!”
The lack of sufficient power had been the only obstacle to Muller’s ambitions.
Even as a Sixth Circle mage, he was only considered a middling figure within his faction, Cry for Freedom.
While the imperial and western forces were preoccupied with the south, formidable opponents like Marquis Hendrick von Maiyas and Countess Irina von Minert still remained.
Alone, Cry for Freedom had no chance of facing them.
But now, with the elves as allies, those obstacles seemed surmountable.
“Of course, Martin Adalbert’s actions remain the key variable…”
Although Martin focused on the north, he wouldn’t ignore a crisis in the west, as it would be a prime opportunity to expand his influence.
Muller knew the elven invasion was likely to fail if Martin intervened, but he wasn’t concerned about that.
All he needed was for the elves to wreak havoc in the west.
If they went further and managed to topple the imperial family, so much the better.
“After that, it’s best if they disappear entirely.”
His plans were progressing smoothly.
“The empire’s antiquated system is no longer needed. I’ll usher in a new era.”
Muller’s eyes glinted with determination as his resolve solidified.
***
After the battle, Marcel dispatched messengers to every elven and dwarven village.
The message was clear: the elves could no longer tolerate humanity’s arrogance, and it was time for retribution.
Both the elves and the dwarves responded favorably.
For centuries, they had been forced to live in remote and desolate regions.
That alone was humiliating, but humans’ greed knew no bounds.
Time and again, they kidnapped their kin and turned them into slaves.
Even the abduction of Marcel’s own daughter, Solenne, had gone unanswered.
Neither Werner von Klaus nor any other noble had offered assistance—in fact, they had openly ignored the elves’ pleas.
The accumulated rage had long since reached its boiling point, beyond even the conciliatory efforts of Martin’s policies.
But not everyone was eager for war.
“Please reconsider, Elder Marcel,” Solenne pleaded, her voice strained with suppressed emotion.
“The empire’s humans will destroy themselves through their civil war. There’s no need for our people to risk their lives for this.”
“You’re wrong, Solenne. This is precisely the time to strike. If we attack now, we can deal the humans the greatest possible blow.”
“I don’t like humans either. But not all humans are driven solely by their desires. Look at the new head of the Adalbert family. He’s getting along well with the northern village of Altair, and in reality, that side didn’t refuse to participate in the war, did they?”
“Indeed, Martin von Adalbert is a human worthy of respect.”
Marcel responded in a calm tone.
Martin didn’t just save his daughter; he also protected the World Tree of the North.
He made it possible for the elves and dwarves of every village, including the North, to use the northern dungeons.
There was a desire to repay that kindness, and it was true that they held him in high regard.
“But there is only one noble like Duke Adalbert. The rest still treat us with contempt. You saw it for yourself, didn’t you? The attitude of that human noble just a moment ago.”
“That’s…”
“Duke Adalbert is a man capable of changing the times. But the flow he’s leading will inevitably take a long time, and I have no desire to wait for that day to come.”
Why should elves and dwarves continue to endure in silence?
Even if it meant facing destruction, they had to show the world just how vast the wrath of the elves could be.
Only then could their descendants be treated differently from how they were treated now.
Marcel insisted on his opinion to the end.
“However, I have no intention of forcing my will on those who refuse to fight. So, I give you this command, Solenne.”
“…Please, speak.”
“Go to Altair Village with those who share your resolve. If you go there, you’ll be able to escape the flames of war.”
“I wish you would put a little more faith in Duke Adalbert, Great Elder. Isn’t he being evaluated as someone who will reach the level of a 10th-circle Absolute within 10 years? When that time comes, many things will change.”
“He may indeed open a new era. But people like me, who are consumed by past anger, have no place in such a future. So you must lead our kin, Solenne. I will bear the weight of our past rage and disappear.”
“Father…”
When Solenne’s form of address changed, a faint smile appeared on Marcel’s lips.
But that was all.
Seeing that there was no room left for persuasion, there was little more she could say.
“…I pray that you will achieve your will, Father.”
“I hope you will witness the new era to its end, my daughter.”
Tears streamed down Solenne’s face.
Her instincts told her.
This would be the last conversation she would ever have with her father.
Clench.
Sensing his fate, Marcel tenderly embraced his daughter.
***
-Sigh. I realize now how incompetent I am. I’m truly sorry, Duke Adalbert.-
The 1st Princess, Claudia Altaria, bowed her head.
She had attempted to expand her influence in the west by joining forces with her younger brother, Muller, but the endeavor ultimately ended in failure.
Of course, just because Muller didn’t join her, it didn’t mean she would suffer immediate damage.
After all, Muller was already shunned by the nobles.
Still, everyone knew he had a considerable following, and Claudia had sought to absorb that influence to strengthen her own power.
But now that it had fallen through, it would be impossible for her to increase her power for the time being.
“It doesn’t matter. Whether or not the 3rd Prince is present, it will have no impact on the overall situation.”
Unlike Claudia, who seemed regretful, Martin responded with a calm and composed expression.
The strength of the Adalbert family and the North continued to grow.
At this point, accepting Muller Altaria would only create unnecessary confusion, so it was better to have nothing to do with him.
“However, there’s one thing I’m curious about.”
-Please, ask.-
“Why did the 3rd Prince reject the offer? With his lack of strength, I thought it was natural that he would take the princess’ hand.”
-Well… I’m not sure either. He said he’d found a way to secure his own power, but I can’t imagine what force he could possibly rely on.-
“Hmm. Do you know where he is now?”
-He left the capital a short while ago, but since then, his whereabouts have been unknown. Even the knights of the Royal Guard who were monitoring him have lost contact.-
“He’s definitely up to something.”
In the future, Muller Altaria would strengthen his forces by bringing in a 9th-circle powerhouse from a foreign nation.
But that event was still 2-3 years away from now.
At this moment, the ideology pursued by Cry for Freedom had yet to spread properly, so it was unlikely that a foreign powerhouse would be by Muller’s side.
‘Whatever scheme you’re plotting, it won’t be a big problem for me.’
Even so, he had no intention of leaving someone who rubbed him the wrong way unchecked.
At that moment…
“Master, Elder Barthez has come to see you.”
Sien’s voice echoed from outside.
“Let him in.”
Creaaak.
When Martin responded, Barthez entered.
‘What’s this?’
Martin felt a sense of unease.
Barthez’s expression was darker than ever before.
“…The elves have declared war on the Altaria Empire, Master. The dwarves have joined them as well.”
At that moment, Martin realized what Muller Altaria had been aiming for.
‘So, that’s your play, huh? You really do need to die, Muller Altaria.’
At that moment, the fate of one man was decided.