Lord of Caldera - Chapter 134

Chapter 134: Chapter 134

“Truly? That’s hard to believe,” the Duke replied, casting a doubtful glance at Sylas, who simply smiled in response.

“Trust me; that’s how trade works.”

While Arathion was nearly flawless in most areas, he knew little about trade, nor the benefits it could bring. Given their long-standing isolation, this was only natural. Once he saw the flow of resources from trade, even the Duke wouldn’t want to sever the alliance.

It was a mutually beneficial relationship of mutual dependence. Unaware of Sylas’s entire plan, the Duke sighed.

“Trade… It’s a field I’m unfamiliar with. I’d like to get more advice from you, if possible.”

“Apologies, but I have pressing matters that require my attention.”

“For you to leave after setting up such a lucrative arrangement—it must be something critical.”

Sylas nodded. He had prevented the destruction of the five families, but there was still one important task remaining.

“I’m heading north.”

To prevent the rise of the Barbarian King.

Two days after the death of Count Valdemar, Rey summoned the noble heirs who had pledged loyalty as vassals.

“I have urgent business that will take me away from the family, so I will appoint a regent in my place,” she announced.

“What?” one of them responded, clearly taken aback.

“Leon will act as lord in my stead.”

“…!”

It was a bombshell. Just when things had finally calmed down after all the upheaval, Rey was planning to leave? And to top it off, her chosen regent was Leon, who had previously held equal rank with them. Their expressions soured, but no one voiced any objections.

“Damn it, I’d like to stop her if I could…”

“Chances are this was decided in advance.”

They recalled how Leon had unexpectedly supported the Count during the duel, which was likely prearranged with Sylas. So, naming Leon as regent now was likely his reward for that role.

“Since this is already decided, there’s no point in opposing it and risking any further ill will.”

Though dissatisfied, no one was foolish enough to speak out. They were already forced into vassalage, after all. Sylas surely knew this, and if they caused trouble, he might make an example of them. For now, lying low was the safest option.

Satisfied with the atmosphere, Rey presented the incentive Sylas had prepared.

“However, before I leave, I’ll allocate trade shares equally among all families.”

“…!”

At this, the nobles’ scowling faces brightened again. This was, after all, the crucial issue. If Leon held power over the distribution of trade goods, the other families would be forced to bow to Winslow. But with the shares set before her departure, even Leon would be unable to alter the balance.

“A truly wise decision, Your Grace!”

“We wish you a safe journey and swift return!”

The heirs bowed with smiling faces, their previous displeasure gone. Leon, having been briefed beforehand, had no objections. Merely being given the authority to oversee Herning’s vast influence was reward enough.

“Not that I’d dare to cross Lady Rey, or rather, Sir Sylas.”

This peculiar balance of power revolved entirely around the Elven Duke and Sylas. In other words, if anyone fell out with those two, everything would fall apart. If Leon tried to seize control of Herning for himself, the Elven Duke would likely cut him down the moment he made his move.

“So, I’m merely a pawn in Sir Sylas’s game,” he mused with a bitter smile. Still, if it meant benefiting from the arrangement, there was no reason to complain. Better to be on the side of someone formidable than to oppose them.

Two days later, Sylas and his party prepared to leave House Herning, with Rey among them. It was an unprecedented event for the head of a family to set off on a knightly venture, but thanks to Leon’s swift preparations, the process was smooth.

Rey made a single request of Leon before departing.

“Bring my mother to Herning’s castle and ensure she’s well cared for.”

“I will.”

“If my father uses sentiment to hold her back, next time I’ll lead an army to Winslow myself.”

“That won’t happen, I assure you.”

Leon nodded firmly, aware that his role as regent was solely due to Sylas’s decision. Rey had no trust in her family, and Leon knew this all too well.

“If something were to happen to Sir Sylas, our family would be left in shambles.”

If he wanted to build trust, he had to act now, starting with treating Rey’s mother with the utmost respect. As Leon renewed his determination, Sylas called over Max.

“You’ll stay here until we return.”

“What?!”

Max’s eyes widened in surprise. After all the trouble of bringing him from House Corleone to here, why now?

“First, I want you to monitor the situation here.”

“Monitor?”

“Leon’s competent, and the other heirs aren’t fools, but just in case, I want a backup.”

In other words, Max was to be a silent observer, ready to report if anything went amiss. His mere presence would serve as an unspoken deterrent, making the others think twice before doing anything rash.

“It’s like insurance.”

“If that’s the first reason, then there must be a second?”

“Right. The second reason concerns our destination.”

The second reason was, in fact, the more pressing one.

“We’re headed to the North.”

“The North? Why?”

“Max, how long do you think you could hold out against me in a fight?”

Max recalled his first encounter with Sylas, where he’d initially mistaken him for an assassin. But even then, Sylas had held back. If Sylas truly intended to kill him, Max knew he wouldn’t last long. After calculating quickly, he answered.

“Maybe three moves at best.”

“Exactly.”

“But, for most tasks, I don’t need much strength.”

“No, you will this time.”

If it were a simple journey to the North, Max’s level of skill would suffice. Northern society revered strength, but even the servants didn’t need to be exceptionally powerful. However, they were not headed for just any part of the North.

“We’re going to Jarlngrim.”

“…!”

The name of the barbarian holy ground shocked Max.