Lord of Caldera - Chapter 206

Chapter 206: Chapter 206

“I didn’t think you were actually mad enough to do it,” Serge continued, his voice a fierce whisper. “I thought it was just the ravings of a lunatic.”

“Father, I had no part in—”

“I’ll strip you of your inheritance.”

“…!”

For the first time, Karl’s face faltered. Serge jabbed a finger at him, voice rising in anger.

“Did you really think you could remain my heir after pulling a stunt like this?”

“The territory is safe, Father. The dragons aren’t going to attack…”

“Silence! Do you think you’re some kind of god? You can’t control every variable!”

Serge knew Karl must have employed some method to lure the dragons here, though he had no idea what it was. But he did know one thing for certain.

‘If controlling dragons were so simple, anyone could do it.’

The histories were filled with tales of people who perished trying to command dragons. Even if one could direct them to some extent, there were severe limits. Karl’s confidence seemed like sheer arrogance to the Marquis.

“Enough of your excuses. Just tell me why the dragons are here!” Serge demanded.

“Do you think I’d tell you after you’ve disowned me?” Karl shot back defiantly.

“Do I need to drag you to the interrogation chamber?” Serge’s voice was cold.

Karl blinked in surprise, taken aback. He hadn’t expected his father to go so far. But Serge didn’t flinch, his gaze as hard as iron.

“Do you think I won’t?”

“Father!”

“I brought you into this family to carry on its name, not because I have any affection for you!” Serge’s snarl made Karl step back. Despite his age, the Marquis radiated an intimidating presence.

“This city, hailed as the jewel of the North, is mine—built by my hands! And you’ve dragged my legacy to the edge of ruin!”

“But that’s—”

“Silence! Whatever your reasons, you’ve gone far beyond what I can forgive.”

Serge glared at Karl, his tone final. “You are no longer my heir, regardless of whether this situation can be resolved.”

“…!”

“But if you know the reason behind this attack and choose to stay silent, you’d better prepare yourself.”

Karl bit his lip, his expression twisted in a mixture of bitterness and rage. His father’s disownment wasn’t what stung—it was the deeper intention he had discerned.

‘So Father wanted to end things with dignity.’

Despite clinging to the memories of his former strength, Serge had reluctantly accepted the idea of a king. The reason was obvious: as he neared the end of his life, he had little use for the glory of his house. They were alike, Karl realized—both sought to hold onto what mattered to them personally, without regard for the other’s ambitions.

‘Perhaps it’s a family trait,’ he thought, managing a grim smile. This ruthless selfishness seemed to be an inheritance of the Leiningen line.

As he turned to leave, Serge’s voice stopped him. “Where are you going?”

“I’m going to give you exactly what you wanted,” Karl replied, and walked away.

It was a cruel irony that the very storeroom where Serge had confronted him also hid the cause of the dragon’s aggression. Carefully wrapped in cloth, Karl retrieved the hidden item, then unwrapped it to reveal what lay beneath.

“A… dragon egg? You didn’t…”

“Indeed, a dragon egg,” Karl confirmed calmly.

“You madman!” Serge felt faint, his mind reeling. “How… how did you get this?”

“The location came from the Chieftain. During the second trial, one dragon nest remained untouched, so I sent someone to investigate,” Karl said smoothly. The mission had been a gamble—he’d never truly believed they’d manage to steal an egg and bring it back. But fortune, or perhaps an audacity greater than fear, had favored his hired hands, allowing them to snatch an egg from a clutch.

Karl’s smile was thin and twisted. “You could say it was a gift from the heavens.”

“It’s a curse from the devil! Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” Serge shouted, barely restraining his fury.

“Of course. I know precisely what I’ve done… and what I’m about to do.”

“What—?” Serge began, but Karl hoisted the egg high into the air, prompting the marquis to stifle a horrified cry.

“Stop this at once!”

“It’s too late,” Karl said, and let the egg fall.

Crack.

The egg shattered on the ground, crushing the underdeveloped dragon inside. Karl’s voice was chillingly calm as he watched his father’s reaction.

“They say dragons can sense the death of their offspring from miles away,” he said.

Serge’s face went ashen. “…!”

“You’d best hurry. They’ll be coming for us soon,” Karl added.

Without another word, Serge rushed out of the storeroom, desperate to prepare for the impending attack. He couldn’t afford to waste even a second being angry at Karl. Watching his father’s retreating figure, Karl’s expression hardened.

“Let’s see if you can survive this, Father.”

If Serge survived and testified to what had happened, Karl’s plans would fall apart. But if Serge perished in the ensuing chaos and the election was disrupted, Karl would win. The collateral damage mattered little.

‘After all, in the end, each of us cares only for ourselves.’

Reflecting on the final lesson his adoptive father had unwittingly imparted, Karl bit his lip and steeled himself.

A dragon’s roar resounded across the lands, echoing Serge’s worst fears. The dragons sensed the death of their young, the faint bond severed abruptly. But the timing couldn’t have been worse.

“Sir! The dragons are behaving strangely!” an officer shouted.

“What? Why now?” Sylas’s voice carried frustration. Whether this was deliberate or coincidence, it couldn’t have come at a worse time.

“We’re not even fully deployed yet!” he muttered.

The worst outcome in battle was a broken formation, especially when the attack came before the ranks were even set. With deployment incomplete, they were already starting in a fractured state.

“If they attack now…” Sylas’s thought was cut short. One of the four flame dragons ascended into the sky, seemingly preparing for an assault. The others, however, hesitated, appearing confused and uncertain. This slight delay was a small mercy, but Sylas knew it wouldn’t last.