The Return of the Limited-Time Sword Master

Chapter 114 – Noble Duty (6)

Every monster has a mana stone embedded within it, which essentially serves as its heart.

The only exception is the dragon race; in addition to the mana stone, they possess a separate heart.

That being said, mana stones generally retain a round shape, regardless of the monster’s species.

Of course, there are distinctions.

The greater the monster’s mana, the larger the mana stone; likewise, a weaker monster’s mana stone is smaller.

The color varies according to the monster’s characteristics, but it rarely deviates from the spectrum of rainbow hues.

However, the mana stone that emerged from the manticore was entirely different.

It was pitch black, just like the monster wave core that came from the Basilisk King.

“That looks a lot like the core that came from the Basilisk King, doesn’t it?” Sien observed.

“At this point, it’s not just similar—it’s almost identical,” Adel replied, her voice filled with the same suspicion.

Swish.

Martin extended his left hand.

The manticore’s mana stone floated into the air and drifted gently into his grasp.

“If you only look at this, it really seems like another monster wave is happening… It’s clearly been affected by a monster wave core, hasn’t it?”

“Based on appearances alone, yes, but I wouldn’t say it’s identical. Only the manticore was berserk,” Martin noted.

“Exactly. So why was it only this creature that ended up this way?” Adel questioned.

“Who knows?” Sien shook her head, looking just as perplexed.

Then she turned to Martin.

“What do you think, Acting Head?”

“At this point, it’s hard to say if this truly is a monster wave core. The one from the Basilisk King vanished, after all.”

To be precise, Karadyl had absorbed it.

Everyone else assumed the core had been destroyed.

At the moment, however, there simply wasn’t enough information to make a definitive conclusion.

“When we return to the surface, I’ll need to check on the state of other dungeons. If the same phenomenon has happened elsewhere, we may be seeing the beginnings of another monster wave.”

“Agreed. But, Acting Head,” Adel interjected.

“Yes?”

“If this incident is isolated to this dungeon alone, what would you make of it?”

“Then I’d say someone’s been tampering with things… perhaps one of those involved in breaking the core during the last monster wave.”

It was too early to make accusations.

Suspecting someone without concrete evidence would only complicate matters further.

But then—

Flash!

Suddenly, a bright light flared from Karadyl, trying to engulf the mana stone in Martin’s left hand.

In response, dark energy poured out from the mana stone, seeming to resist the light.

It was futile.

‘This… is just like last time.’

Martin was about to react instinctively but then recalled how Karadyl had absorbed the Basilisk core previously. He let it happen.

The light swiftly overwhelmed the dark energy, enveloping the entire mana stone.

Moments later, the mana stone vanished, just as the monster wave core had.

Or rather, Karadyl had absorbed it.

“Are you alright, Martin? Nothing went wrong, did it?” Sien asked, concern evident in her voice.

“Relax, Sien. I’m fine. Actually, I feel more energized.”

He wasn’t merely trying to reassure her—he could feel a tremendous surge of power from Karadyl filling his body, revitalizing him.

“Phew, that’s a relief. But what just happened? Did the sword actually absorb the mana stone’s power?”

“Not exactly the mana stone—more like the core’s power,” Adel corrected. “The Acting Head has slain countless monsters, but this has never happened with any other mana stones, has it?”

“That’s true, but… wait. Does that mean it really was a monster wave core?”

“Hard to say,” Martin responded. “If it were a true monster wave core, we would have seen another full-blown wave. But the manticore was the only creature affected.”

Adel glanced at Martin and nodded.

“Then it’s highly unlikely to be genuine.”

“So, what was it?”

“Likely a mana stone tainted by the core’s influence.”

“In other words… someone deliberately caused this, as Adel suggested?”

“Just a theory, but yes, that’s how it looks to me.”

“Then we’re looking at three likely suspects: First Prince Richard Altaria and the heads of the other two great noble families.”

All three had reportedly destroyed cores to stop the last monster wave.

In the First Prince’s case, his success in this feat had cemented his superiority over his younger siblings in the eyes of those in the western regions.

“And destroying a core would mean they were the closest to it, so it wouldn’t be strange if they acquired some fragments,” Adel reasoned.

“Yes. All three would have every reason to do so,” Sien said, nodding thoughtfully. “After all, thanks to Martin, Varehein City and the northern regions weren’t hit as hard by the last wave. Maybe they saw this as a chance to harm us.”

Adel nodded in agreement with Sien’s deduction.

Martin’s expression hardened as he voiced his thoughts.

“I think the same as you both. Not that we can confront them about it without clear evidence, but if we find out who’s behind this…”

“And if we do?” Sien prompted.

“Then I’ll make them pay with interest for what happened today,” Martin replied, a deadly smile forming on his face.

The two women nodded in unison, resolute in their shared determination.

They had no intention of letting this matter slide.

‘Still, it’s fortunate we discovered it early. We managed to prevent any disaster, and it seems Karadyl’s power has been enhanced.’

While Karadyl hadn’t evolved from a holy sword into a divine sword, the power within this mana stone hadn’t been enough for that.

Still, absorbing the energy had been worthwhile.

Previously, Karadyl only amplified his power, but now it provided him with additional abilities, directly channeling energy into his body to enhance his physical abilities.

It was the most significant gain from this dungeon expedition.

In that sense, they had thwarted the unknown schemers.

Not only had they prevented the plot to devastate Varehein City, but Martin had also managed to compensate for one of his own weaknesses.

‘Of course, this isn’t enough to settle things.’

Just as he had vowed to the two women, whoever was behind this would live to regret it.

—

Following the battle with the manticore, the adventurers returned to the surface.

They were eager to report the situation’s resolution and Martin’s role in the victory.

Upon hearing the news, the adventurers and knights who had gathered at the dungeon finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The citizens of Varehein City, who had been anxiously awaiting news, were overjoyed.

They gathered once more to cheer for their city’s protector.

Knights at the front waved the banner of the Adalbert family tirelessly, while musicians from the guild played their instruments with all their might.

The chilly winter air might have made it difficult to keep up such energy, yet not a single person showed signs of fatigue.

Then, a voice rang out.

“The Acting Head is coming!”

Chief Beyren announced, his voice carrying over the crowd.

Martin emerged from the adventurers’ guild, each step causing the elegant cloak gifted by the elves to billow behind him like a scene from a painting.

Following him were Sien and Adel, both capturing the crowd’s attention effortlessly.

“He’s here! The Acting Head is here!”

“Woooah!”

The citizens of Varehein and members of the Adalbert family erupted into cheers.

“Honor to the true guardian of the city!”

“Glory to the great hero!”

Martin had already achieved so many heroic feats that it almost seemed futile to keep count.

And now, he had eliminated yet another abnormal monster, preventing a potential catastrophe.

The citizens celebrated their young leader with genuine enthusiasm.

“Long live the Adalbert family! Long live the Acting Head!”

“Let’s elevate him to full family head status!”

Martin’s heart swelled with pride, the excitement of the crowd lifting him.

He’d experienced moments like this before, but they never grew tiresome.

‘Not that I can become head of the family just yet, though.’

As an 8th-Circle mage, he didn’t yet have the strength required to assume the position of a great family’s head, typically held by those who reached the 9th Circle and aspired to the 10th.

With that thought, Martin approached Chief Beyren.

Swish.

As Martin stepped forward, Chief Beyren knelt on his right knee, holding out an adventurer’s badge marked with an “S.”

“The Acting Head has descended as far as the 40th floor. While this alone wouldn’t normally qualify as an achievement for an S-rank adventurer, the Acting Head defeated the Monster Lord of the 50th floor, the manticore. Even though it had been abnormally strengthened, it still fell to his blade! Essentially, this is equivalent to reaching the 50th floor, so the Adventurers’ Guild recognizes him as an S-rank adventurer!”

“Wooaahh!”

The moment Chief Beyren finished speaking, the crowd burst into a thunderous cheer.

Swish.

Martin raised his left hand, and the crowd fell silent as if by magic.

“I’ll gladly accept the S-rank adventurer badge.”

“We believe that one day, you’ll earn even higher honors!” Chief Beyren responded with a smile.

“I’d like that,” Martin replied, accepting the S-rank badge.

While he had received it in his previous life, accepting it here in front of the citizens felt entirely different.

“Sien Igreet,” Beyren continued, calling her name.

“Yes.”

“You have reached the 6th Circle and aided the Acting Head in slaying the manticore. This is a remarkable accomplishment, and as such, the Adventurers’ Guild recognizes you as a B-rank adventurer.”

Chief Beyren stood and extended a B-rank adventurer’s badge to her.

With a confident smile, Sien accepted it.

At that moment—

“Well done, my daughter!”

A booming voice echoed through the square.

There was no question who it was, and Sien’s expression faltered.

“Seeing how well you’ve done brings tears to my eyes!” Vincent von Igreet continued to shout, heedless of his daughter’s reaction.

Martin gave a wry smile, glancing toward Captain Lucas and Captain Philip, who stood beside Vincent. Understanding his signal, they gently urged Vincent to take his seat.

Only then did Sien manage to fully accept her badge, and she shot Martin a sly grin.

“Congratulations, Sien,” Martin said.

“Thank you, Martin. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Come on, I should be thanking you. You’ve helped me far more,” he replied sincerely, recalling her selfless sacrifices to protect him.

“Congratulations, Sien,” Adel added, hugging her friend. “But I’ll catch up to you soon.”

“Well, I’ll be reaching the 7th Circle before that,” Sien teased.

Martin shook his head, watching the two banter, but the crowd’s cheers continued at a fever pitch, as if their voices might give out.

And so, Martin successfully completed his first duty as Acting Head.

‘I’ll finally get some rest.’

Soon, he would have to head to the capital, Raize, for the Founding Festival, so he resolved to get as much rest as he could in the meantime.

—

Unfortunately, Martin’s plans for rest were short-lived.

“Thank you for accepting my sparring request, Acting Head.”

It was Adel, who had approached him late at night to ask for a duel.

Seeing the determined fire in her eyes, Martin let out a resigned smile.

‘It feels like I’ve been busier than ever lately.’

Though he had improved significantly, he was still technically a recovering patient—it was almost too much.

But what choice did he have?

He couldn’t ignore someone requesting help to grow stronger.

“I’ll go all out, so don’t regret it later.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t,” Adel replied, raising her rapier with resolve.

‘I’ll definitely catch up to Sien.’