Lord of Caldera - Chapter 258

Chapter 258: Chapter 258

Dani had to admit it made sense. Ulrich, having graduated, would be fine staying behind, but Dani still had studies to complete. If he needed to go to the capital eventually, he might as well go now. The only problem was that he’d be traveling with Sylas. He’d been practically groveling to Sylas lately, and the thought of running into classmates during this trip was horrifying.

‘This is going to be unbearable.’

Dani shuddered at the thought. Sylas placed a hand on his shoulder, giving a small smile.

“A family trip, huh? Sounds fun, doesn’t it, little brother?”

“….”

“No response?”

“Y-Yes, it does.”

Under Sylas’s pressure, Dani closed his eyes and forced himself to answer. Trying to resist was pointless; memories of Sylas reducing the training grounds to rubble lingered in his mind. He imagined his shoulder being ripped off if Sylas applied even a bit of force to his hand. The thought sent chills down his spine.

‘Goddess, please let me avoid meeting anyone I know along the way! And may this monster not harm me!’

All Dani could do was pray, as he had no other means to protect himself.

Sylas’s entourage was the same as usual: his two vassals, Ray and Toby, along with Max, who accompanied them as a servant. However, Ray’s status posed a minor issue.

“Sir Ray, wouldn’t it be appropriate to attend the celebration as a Count rather than a knight this time?”

“Is there really a need? I am both a Count and a knight.”

“That’s true, but…”

“There’s no need to make a distinction. Just because my lord’s rank is lower than mine doesn’t mean I won’t serve him.”

But that’s precisely what looks strange to others, thought Count Bill. He attempted to persuade Ray, but his words seemed to fall on deaf ears. When the Count was about to give up, Sylas chuckled and interjected.

“There’s no need for such distinctions, as Ray said. This is simply how our lord-vassal relationship works. It may seem unusual to outsiders, but…”

“Well, I suppose your opinion is what matters most. Do as you wish.”

The Count sighed but nodded in agreement. After all, the nature of their relationship wouldn’t change based on others’ opinions.

The journey to the capital was smooth. The roads were well-maintained, security was tight, and there were no cities blocking their path with inspections. The name of Corleone proved its influence.

“Halt! Identify yourselves!”

“This is Bill Corleone.”

“B-Corleone…! It’s an honor to meet the Red Dragon of the East!”

The territories they passed through quickly cleared the way for them. No one in the region would dare impersonate the Corleone family. Some lords extended invitations to dine with Count Bill, but each time, he politely declined.

“His Majesty awaits us, so we cannot delay. But we will be sure to visit on our return.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency!”

The minor nobles, who hadn’t received invitations to the celebration, were deeply moved by his respectful response. Even though they would have understood if he’d brushed them off, he’d responded courteously. Though they couldn’t meet with him in person, they praised the Corleone family’s honor. After similar encounters repeated a few times, the party finally reached the capital.

“The celebration hasn’t even started, yet I’m already worn out,” the Count remarked.

“Did we not waste too much time on people we could’ve ignored?” Dani grumbled.

“You don’t understand.” Count Bill’s expression hardened at Dani’s complaint.

“It might seem trivial to us, but it could sow seeds of resentment that last for generations in their hearts. Thinking about the future, you should never treat anyone carelessly. Such small courtesies may yield significant returns one day.”

“I understand.”

Dani gave the response, though he didn’t seem entirely convinced. This time, Sylas silently agreed with Dani’s skepticism.

‘Being polite isn’t always enough, Father.’

Sylas smirked to himself. Despite Count Bill’s efforts to win favor everywhere, when the Imperial Family declared the destruction of his house, almost no one came to his aid. Since there was no shared fate or significant benefit, everyone simply turned away, pretending not to see.

‘Unless there’s a binding relationship or a major debt involved, it’s just an empty connection.’

Anyone can offer help when things are going well. A true ally is someone who risks losses and lends a hand even in life-or-death crises. True allies are hard to forge; it takes a life-altering favor or deeply intertwined interests.

Sylas, in this life, had already secured numerous “true allies,” using his past memories as a lesson.

“Well, we’ve arrived. Look,” Count Bill said, pointing out the carriage window. Before them loomed walls more massive than any they had seen.

It was a human marvel, a testament to the power of a thousand-year empire. Although Sylas had seen it before in his previous life, he couldn’t help but be awed once again.

“The Imperial capital, Chronoa,” Count Bill announced.

‘Amazing as ever,’ Sylas thought as he looked around Chronoa. In the Empire, each territory was practically a separate country, and each lord could be considered a ruler in their own right. As such, economic conditions and levels of development varied widely across territories. Some regions differed so much that one might wonder if they were even part of the same Empire.

‘Chronoa, though, stands out even among them.’

From the buildings to people’s clothing, it seemed an era ahead of other regions. This wasn’t merely an impression. Among nobles, it was well known that the Imperial Family withheld several advanced technologies from other territories.

‘There’s masonry, metallurgy, and gem-cutting techniques, for example. Just polishing raw gemstones from the North brings in more than twenty times the profit.’

As a result, even without taxes, the Imperial Family held the Empire’s wealthiest coffers, reaping the benefits of these monopolized technologies. Sylas, who planned to eventually overturn the Imperial Family, desired these technologies as well.

‘I’ll ensure the preservation of these techniques during the chaos. After all, they’ll be mine.’

Lost in such thoughts that would have shocked anyone listening, Sylas remained pensive. Count Bill had arranged for a high-class inn, reserved for nobles, as their temporary lodging. As a great noble, the Count could secure accommodations within the palace itself, but prior notice was required for arrangements.