Lord of Caldera - Chapter 263

Chapter 263: Chapter 263

With little choice, Sylas explained the situation. The rumors, the slander, the Royal Guard’s acceptance of the false stories, and Dietrich’s challenge to “reform” him.

“With my honor at stake, I had to defend myself.”

As Bill listened, his face flushed with anger, and veins bulged on his clenched fists.

“Who is the scoundrel spreading such lies?! If I find them, I’ll see their head on a pike!”

Behind them, Dani, pale as a sheet, instinctively touched his own neck.

“Please, calm down. The rumor has already spread, and there’s nothing we can do about it now.”

Sylas cast a sidelong glance at Dani, whose pale face was a sight to behold. But Sylas wasn’t planning on exposing him—at least, not right now.

“Once a rumor spreads through a town, it’s nearly impossible to find its source. How could we possibly trace a rumor that’s spread throughout the capital?”

“Are you suggesting we just let it go?!”

“Rumors are like monsters that grow as they pass from one person to another. The person who started it might have only said a few words.”

“Hmm.”

Sylas’s words finally brought Count Bill back to his senses. After all, that’s the nature of rumors. What starts as a small bit of gossip can snowball, growing into a monstrous insult as it spreads. Often, even the originator is shocked by the extent of the chaos it creates.

“You’re right… And it would be unbecoming to stir things up over the source of a rumor during His Majesty’s celebration.”

“Exactly. Besides, I’ve already restored my honor through the duel.”

“Ugh.”

Count Bill groaned, pressing a hand to his forehead. Given the circumstances, he could see why Sylas had chosen to duel the Royal Guard apprentices. If people were questioning his abilities, there was no simpler solution than proving his strength firsthand.

“I understand. If things unfolded that way, I suppose it couldn’t be helped.”

“I appreciate your understanding.”

“But know this—at the celebration, someone is bound to raise an issue about your actions. Be prepared.”

Sylas nodded. After confronting the Royal Guard, it was inevitable that people would gossip. But there was one thing Sylas hadn’t mentioned to his father: he was counting on that backlash.

‘The Royal Guard won’t stay quiet about this.’

Even as apprentices, the Royal Guard recruits held honor dear. Senior knights would likely want to avenge their apprentices’ losses, and Sylas was simply waiting for that moment to arrive.

With a sigh, Count Bill addressed his sons.

“Anyway, get some rest for tonight. I’ve informed the palace of our arrival, and they’ve prepared guest rooms. Tomorrow, we’ll leave the inn and head to the royal palace.”

“Yes, Father.”

Both sons answered in unison and left the room. Dani shot a suspicious look at Sylas, filled with questions.

‘Why did he keep quiet?’

His father’s anger had been no small matter. If he had found out that Dani was responsible for the rumors, he might not have executed him, but the punishment would have been severe. In the worst case, Dani could have lost his right to inherit. From Sylas’s perspective, exposing him would have been satisfying. So why didn’t he?

As they walked away, Sylas turned to Dani and spoke.

“Dani.”

“Y-Yes?”

“Come with me for a moment.”

Dani swallowed nervously. It seemed this wasn’t going to be brushed off after all.

The two moved to a secluded area behind the inn. Sylas glanced around and muttered.

“This should be private enough.”

Dani, tense and rigid, watched as Sylas turned to face him, his cold gaze sending a chill through Dani’s body.

“Got anything you want to say to me?”

“I… I’m sorry.”

“Of course you’re sorry. Anything else?”

“Thank you… for your mercy.”

“Mercy? Gratitude?”

Sylas tilted his head, as if he didn’t understand. Dani assumed it was Sylas’s usual mocking tone and quickly added.

“You could have told Father about it, but you didn’t. I will never forget this kindness.”

Not that he intended to repay it, but it seemed wise to flatter him now. Sylas practically held his life in his hands. But at Dani’s words, Sylas merely smirked.

“No need to thank me. It wasn’t mercy or kindness.”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

“If I’d reported your little stunt, what do you think would’ve happened? Father would have punished you, right?”

“Y-Yes, he would have.”

“Then, with a proper punishment given, I wouldn’t be able to get my own revenge. And that would be far too boring.”

Crunch.

Sylas picked up a small pebble and crushed it in his hand. As his fist clenched and twisted, the pebble disintegrated into dust and scattered to the ground. Dani’s face turned ashen.

“W-Wait! What are you going to do?!”

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m going to beat you up.”

“W-What?! That’s something only street thugs would do!”

“Today, I’ll gladly be a street thug if it means I get to hit you.”

Sylas was utterly unaffected by Dani’s attempt to invoke noble dignity. Abandoning his pride, Dani quickly dropped to his knees.

“Brother! I, Dani, am kneeling before—urk!”

Before he could finish, Dani doubled over as pain lanced through him, feeling as if it shot from his stomach to his back. Sylas’s voice whispered sharply in his ear.

“Let’s start with a few hits.”

“…!”

That day, Dani discovered that a person could remain airborne for over 15 seconds.

At dawn, Count Bill prepared to lead his entourage from the inn. However, Dani was nowhere to be seen. He had suddenly come down with a severe fever, rendering him unable to move.

“Tsk, tsk. You must take better care of yourself.”

“S-Sorry… ugh!”

Dani winced, even speaking seemed painful. His father frowned at his son’s discomfort. While a fever wasn’t life-threatening, the fact that Dani looked this miserable was unusual.

“How did this happen? You were fine just yesterday.”

“Perhaps he caught something from one of the crowds we passed through,” Sylas said, chiming in casually. At the sight of Sylas, Dani’s eyes darted frantically.

“There’s no way he can accompany us to the palace in this state. Bringing an ill person would only be a burden.”

“Th-That’s… right.”

Dani nodded vigorously, though even that hurt. But the prospect of staying far away from Sylas seemed worth any pain.