Chapter 156: The Shifting Era (3)
“The elves have declared war on the Empire? Please, Elder Barthez, could you explain in more detail?”
“Sigh… While the access to dungeons and economic opportunities you granted did alleviate some of the elves’ anger toward humans, it wasn’t enough to erase it entirely. Particularly in our village, many have abandoned the notion of fighting humans. But the same can’t be said for the others.”
“You mean there are still many elves harboring resentment toward humans.”
“Exactly. And amidst this tension, a high-ranking noble from the First Prince’s faction went to the southern village of Redis and demanded reinforcements.”
“Of all places… the south, and Redis Village at that.”
Martin couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. He could already see where this was heading.
Redis Village was infamous for its deep-seated hatred of humans.
Solenne’s abduction had pushed their resentment to its breaking point.
“So things are playing out as they originally did after all,” Martin thought grimly.
When he had saved Solenne, he believed he had prevented the elves of the south from rising up in rebellion.
But seeing them prepare for war over a new grievance made it clear—rescuing Solenne had only been a temporary fix.
“Muller Altaria must have had a hand in this.”
Though no one had said it outright, Martin could sense the Third Prince’s involvement.
The elves’ actions were too calculated to be coincidental.
From Barthez’s account, the elves had attacked the First Prince’s forces as though they had been waiting for an excuse.
Immediately after, they had declared war on the Empire.
The sequence of events suggested Muller had gone to Redis Village ahead of time to stir the pot.
What Muller and Cry for Freedom lacked was powerful allies, and using the elves to fill that void was an obvious move.
“He’s likely aiming to bolster his forces while extending his influence into the west,” Martin mused.
The First Prince would have his hands full dealing with the southern rebellion, and now the elves were running rampant.
Martin even felt a shred of pity for Richard Altaria.
Still, his sympathy didn’t distract him from his true priority: maximizing the benefits of the current situation for himself and his family.
After formulating a plan, Martin turned to Claudia.
“Your Highness.”
“What would you have me do, Duke Adalbert?”
“At present, the forces of the imperial family and the west are already struggling against the Klaus family and the southern rebellion. The Ferdinand family and the east aren’t in any position to provide substantial aid either.”
“That’s true. It’s likely that Richard will request reinforcements from you soon.”
“I think so too. However, until then, Your Highness must do everything possible to delay the elves’ advance.”
Claudia hesitated for the first time.
Most of the nobles who had once supported her had defected to the First Prince’s faction long ago.
The few who remained, like Countess Irina von Minert, were dwindling. The Third Prince’s refusal to cooperate had further weakened her position, leaving her with limited forces to mobilize.
Understanding her plight, Martin spoke again.
“You don’t need to fight them directly. Focus on slowing their advance using Countess Minert’s forces. Meanwhile, reassure and rally the citizens of the west as much as you can.”
“That, I can do.”
Claudia sighed in relief and nodded, a faint smile crossing her lips.
She had quickly grasped the hidden meaning behind Martin’s words.
“You’re telling me to expand my influence in the west as much as possible.”
With the main western forces preoccupied, the remaining territories would inevitably fall to the elves.
This would spark widespread anger among the citizens, and the southern lords who had failed to defend their lands would face severe backlash.
In such chaos, Claudia could step in to protect the territories, earning the gratitude and loyalty of their people.
“Of course, this won’t make them abandon the First Prince’s faction immediately. But after Richard falls to Martin in the future, the situation will change.”
Her status would rise, and the groundwork she laid now would secure her position.
Naturally, when Martin eventually intervened, he would absorb much of the influence she had gained.
But Claudia didn’t mind.
She had already thrown her lot in with Martin. His success was her success.
“Even so, I hope you’ll join us as quickly as possible, Duke,” she added. “If more than two of their elders enter the fray, we’ll be overwhelmed.”
“Of course. I’ll negotiate with the First Prince as soon as possible.”
“I hope the talks go well. I’ll move out immediately.”
With that, Claudia ended the communication, leaving Martin alone with Barthez.
“The real work begins now.”
The elves’ mobilization would almost certainly prompt the dwarves to join as well.
They too had endured years of mistreatment at the hands of humans.
War inevitably brought change.
Martin’s role was to steer that change to favor his interests and those of the Adalbert family.
Turning to Barthez, he asked:
“Though I doubt this is the case, I have to ask—do you intend to join the elves of Redis Village?”
“By the World Tree, I swear our village will never take up arms against the Adalbert family,” Barthez replied firmly.
“I understand the hatred our kin harbor toward humans. I’ve felt it myself. But you gave us a path to coexistence, Duke. Having proven that we can move forward together, there’s no reason for meaningless bloodshed.”
Marcel’s declaration of war, Barthez concluded, was nothing more than an outburst of anger.
And rightfully so—the outcome was clear to anyone who thought rationally.
Barthez couldn’t sit idly by and watch his kin throw their lives away in vain.
“So you intend to cooperate instead?”
“You’re not someone who would allow senseless deaths. I believe the best course of action is for me to join the fight and persuade as many of our kin as possible to stand down.”
“I agree. I hope for a future where all elves, not just those of the north, can look forward together. Otherwise, our efforts to extend a hand will have been in vain. But this will take time.”
Barthez nodded. “Indeed. The elves are attacking the west. You can’t intervene until an official request for aid is made.”
The west was imperial territory, and Barthez knew well that the northern army could not act without proper authorization.
Despite Barthez’s confidence, he couldn’t help but feel sorrow.
By the time a request for reinforcements came and Martin deployed to the west, countless casualties would already have been inflicted among his kin.
“If we’re not careful, human prejudice against other races may grow stronger.”
That, at least, had to be prevented. Resolving to do whatever was necessary, even if it meant fighting his own kin, Barthez steeled himself.
Martin, on the other hand, was more satisfied with how events were unfolding.
“This is a perfect opportunity to solidify control over the elves and dwarves while weakening the Empire’s influence in the west.”
The only remaining issues were Muller Altaria and Cry for Freedom. Stopping their rise was essential, and Martin knew this was the time to eliminate Muller.
This was not just a chance to strengthen his faction but a key step toward his vision of a new empire.
“This is the first gate to my empire. I will succeed.”
With this determination, Martin burned with a fiery resolve for victory.
***
The news of Elder Marcel’s declaration of war quickly spread throughout the Altaria Empire.
Elves from the west and east joined the conflict, along with dwarves from regions outside the north.
Though the war only had one Ninth Circle powerhouse—Marcel—the sheer numbers of the allied forces made them a formidable threat.
The army that gathered at Redis Village swelled to nearly 500.
Each soldier, whether elf or dwarf, possessed the strength of a Third Circle knight, making the group arguably the most powerful unit in the Empire.
This formidable army marched directly toward the west.
To move from the south to the west, the army had to pass through Schreiber Fortress.
Boom! Crash!
Magical cannons mounted on the fortress walls erupted in bright flashes of light.
Between volleys, soldiers fired magical rifles in precision bursts, while commanding knights shouted orders.
“Impressive,” Marcel remarked as he observed the disciplined resistance of the fortress garrison.
“Even when caught off guard, they don’t falter. I suppose the civil war has made them battle-hardened.”
“Indeed,” Muller Altaria replied, a wry smile on his lips. “If not that, the regular dungeon expeditions have surely kept them sharp. Individually, they may be weaker than elves or dwarves, but their cohesion makes them a formidable force.”
“I agree,” Marcel said with a nod, impressed despite himself.
The magical cannons, built by dwarven craftsmen, roared ceaselessly, raining destruction on the advancing forces. Elves darted along the walls, trying to break through the defenses.
Yet the fortress’ defenders held firm.
Step. Step.
Marcel began walking toward the fortress with calm, measured steps.
“Is there any need for you to personally intervene? It looks like the fortress will fall soon enough.”
“Breaking the gates is not enough. They must feel a terror greater than when Akela Free City fell last year. They need to understand the price of their actions.”
“I see. Well, I suppose this is a lucky opportunity to witness your power firsthand.”
Muller chuckled, but Marcel did not respond, continuing his steady march.
Sensing his approach, the elves and dwarves halted their assault.
As the battle paused, the garrison soldiers glanced down from the fortress walls, their eyes fixed on Marcel.
“I am Marcel, Elder of Redis Village.”
Whoooom!
The moment his words ended, a green aura surged from Marcel, enveloping the battlefield.
The sheer weight of his presence blanketed both allies and enemies alike, leaving all frozen in awe and fear.
“Humans, know this. The anger of elves and dwarves is vast, our hatred for you, immeasurable. And because of this, I will show no mercy.”
“Hah! To hear such arrogance from lowly elves and dwarves is laughable! We will fight for His Majesty the Emperor until the end!”
“Hurrah!”
The garrison commander’s rallying cry was met with a resounding cheer from the soldiers.
Marcel’s face remained impassive as he gazed up at the defiant commander.
“I hesitated to attack humans who might reflect on their actions. But since you’ve made your stance clear, I suppose I should thank you for making this easier.”
Muttering to himself, Marcel raised the staff in his right hand, pointing it directly at the fortress.
“It’s time for you to understand how futile your pitiful beliefs truly are.”
Flash!
A blinding green light erupted from his staff, spreading across the ground like a living force.
Suddenly, the earth began to quake.
Rumble!
Massive trees burst forth from the ground, their roots and trunks snaking toward the fortress walls.
But the assault didn’t stop there.
Schlick!
“Aaargh!”
“No! Aagh!”
The trees’ roots and vines lashed out, piercing through the soldiers on the walls.
At the same time, the thick trunks pushed relentlessly against the fortress’ stone walls, causing cracks to spread like a web.
Crash!
Within minutes, the once-mighty Schreiber Fortress had crumbled to the ground.
“The capital city of Raize will share the same fate,” Marcel declared coldly, his eyes gleaming with menace.