Lord of Caldera - Chapter 180

Chapter 180: Chapter 180

‘Damn it, how did things end up this way?’ The Marquis stared at Sylas, feeling an unsettling awe. Sylas was young—barely an adult. His body was lean, and his experience limited. And yet, why did he feel so… vast?

‘It’s not just physical strength,’ he realized. ‘It’s something deeper… something innate.’

It seemed foolish now to have thought he could control this young man, who was clearly beyond his grasp.

‘It’s too late for regrets.’

The Marquis looked down, lost in his thoughts, when Ragnar’s thunderous voice rang out, jolting him back to the present.

“Very well! Let the second trial commence here and now! Candidates, prove your bravery to all of the North by hunting a dragon!”

“Waaahhh!” Cheers erupted from the tribesmen gathered around, and even the onlookers from neighboring territories couldn’t help but join in, swept up by the fervor. The nobles, usually so concerned with politics and personal gain, felt their blood stir. The sight of a successful dragon hunt would ignite a flame of pride, reminding them of the strength of the North.

‘If someone completes this trial, I too may need to bow my head in respect,’ the Marquis thought quietly, his eyes shut in resignation.

The announcement of the second trial was met with enthusiasm, but the candidates weren’t expected to charge off to slay dragons immediately. Instead, they were given some much-needed preparation time.

“Though traditionally, candidates would set out immediately, I suppose some time to prepare is in order,” Ragnar allowed.

“That’s obvious,” muttered one of the candidates.

After all, this wasn’t just any hunt—it was a solo dragon hunt. To attempt it without preparation would be a death sentence.

“You all have three days to get ready,” Ragnar continued. “Use this time wisely and bring whatever equipment you deem necessary. Tradition doesn’t restrict personal belongings for this trial.”

The candidates sighed in relief. That meant they could gather specialized weapons, artifacts, or any resources they could get their hands on.

With this announcement, the candidates dispersed, though the camp buzzed with conversation. The attention of all Northern folk was fixed on them now, and gossip spread rapidly.

“Did you hear? Those lords are going off to hunt a dragon, all on their own!”

“Imagine! For the title of king, it seems only fitting.”

“No matter how brave a knight is, though, isn’t that a bit… extreme?”

“Who knows? Maybe we’ll actually see a dragon-slaying hero in our lifetime!”

Listening to the murmurs, some candidates wore dark expressions. Now that they had committed, there was no turning back.

Meanwhile, Sylas spent his time differently, comfortably enjoying a meal. He savored a well-cooked steak, relishing the rare treat. His relaxed demeanor earned a sigh from Toby, his loyal retainer.

“My lord, are you really eating steak at a time like this?” Toby asked, exasperated.

“It’s going down very well, actually. What’s the issue?” Sylas replied, cutting another piece.

“You’re about to hunt a dragon!” Toby nearly shouted, pressing a hand to his chest as if the mere thought caused him pain. “To be honest, even Sir Ray and I would hesitate to take on a dragon. How do you plan to do it alone?”

“I’m not the only one hunting,” Sylas replied with a smirk. “Bjorn’s also going for it.”

Toby grimaced, unable to argue. True, Bjorn had already lost to Sylas numerous times, so if this was suicidal for Sylas, it would be no different for Bjorn. But refusing would hand Ragnar an easy win. While Toby struggled to find words, Ray stepped forward.

“My lord,” Ray said seriously, “I believe you should reconsider. This is far too dangerous.”

Seeing the genuine concern in Ray’s gaze, Sylas paused, then chuckled, popping the last bite of steak into his mouth.

“I appreciate the loyalty of my retainers more than you know,” Sylas said, his tone warm. “But do you think I’ve gone into this with no plan?”

Bjorn, sitting across the table, looked at him expectantly, having come to trust in Sylas’s foresight. So far, Sylas had always seemed to have a strategy in place.

Sylas smiled and held out his forearm. “Do you know what this is?”

“A wristband?” Bjorn tilted his head. “It’s rare to see one that color—orange.”

“Wait… that’s…!” Toby’s eyes widened in realization. Of course! He had nearly forgotten. It was one of the relics used by the famed Dragonslayer, Leonik—a runic band imbued with magic to withstand intense heat and flames. Even dragon fire couldn’t burn through it.

“With this, I won’t be melted to a crisp by a dragon’s breath.”

“But, my lord, dragon fire is only one of many dangers,” Toby argued. “Their claws, scales, and sheer size…”

“That’s true, but with a salamander, things are different.”

“A… salamander?” Toby echoed, blinking.

The salamander was a unique sub-species of dragon. It lacked the sharp claws and impenetrable scales of other dragons, but it constantly radiated extreme heat, making it nearly impossible to approach. When angered, its body could reach temperatures high enough to melt armor and weapons. Though it lacked wings and scales, it was one of the more formidable creatures due to its intense heat.

“With this relic, I could handle a salamander easily.”

“That… might work.”

“But what if there isn’t a salamander?” Toby questioned, still uneasy.

“There will be. I’m sure of it,” Sylas replied confidently. In the past, Ragnar had gained support in the North by performing extraordinary feats, including conquering dungeons, discovering ancient tombs, and slaying dragons. He had even displayed three dragon corpses—one of them a salamander—to solidify his authority.

‘The salamander’s body was there too,’ Sylas thought. Considering Ragnar’s knowledge of the region, he likely knew where each dragon subspecies lived and would ensure everyone was aware of them before the trial began. That way, no one could claim unfairness later.

“This… this could work!” Toby said, finally convinced.

“Yes, with this band, Bjorn, you should be able to handle a salamander.”

“…What?” Bjorn asked, caught off guard.

“Here, take it.” Sylas removed the band and tossed it to Bjorn, who instinctively caught it.