Lord of Caldera - Chapter 271

Chapter 271: Chapter 271

The longer their exchange went on, the more the nobles trembled. There was no mistaking it. The Dragonslayer had indeed sworn himself to the Elven Princess.

“He treated the King like an underling, and now he’s the Elven Grand Duke’s son-in-law?”

“What the hell is going on here?”

The nobles’ mental calculations had long since short-circuited. This development was well beyond their ability to comprehend.

Unfortunately for them, the surprises weren’t over yet. Another shocking interaction was about to unfold.

“Sir… I mean, Sylas,” Rey said as she approached.

“Rey, all done with your business? No interest in chatting with the people of the West while you’re here?” Sylas asked.

“No need for me to speak when I have representatives to do that for me,” Rey replied, glancing at a nearby noble.

The person she looked at was Gerard Cataldi, who had previously tried to flirt with her. As the representative of his aging patriarch, Gerard was trembling like a leaf as he bowed deeply.

“H-heir of the Hernin family, it is an honor to see you again. Do you remember me, Count?”

“Should I?” Rey asked coldly.

“N-not at all! It’s perfectly fine if you don’t!” Gerard stammered, waving his hands frantically. He then turned to Sylas, bowing even lower.

“Sir Sylas, it has been far too long! I trust you’ve been well?”

“How does my well-being concern you?” Sylas shot back.

“I-I apologize! Please forgive my unnecessary nosiness!”

Gerard, practically in tears, retreated as though fleeing for his life. The sight left the other nobles reeling.

“She’s the head of the Hernin family? But she acts like a vassal to the Dragonslayer!”

“And why is the Cataldi heir behaving like a servant? Isn’t their family gaining influence in the West?”

The nobles were on the verge of mental collapse.

As Sylas continued chatting with Rey, he noticed how unnaturally quiet the banquet hall had become. Looking around, he remarked,

“The imperial banquet is remarkably serene. I can feel the refinement of the capital.”

“….”

Count Bill shot a pointed glare at his son, silently scolding him for feigning innocence.

The first day of the banquet passed amidst a whirlwind of shock. The nobles were utterly overwhelmed by the connections Sylas revealed one after another, leaving them reeling as the event drew to a close.

That evening, one individual in particular was more shaken than anyone else. In his chambers, the Emperor himself let out a primal scream.

“AAAARGH!”

Crash!

A priceless glass goblet flew through the air, shattering against the wall. The room was already in shambles, with furniture broken and splintered everywhere. The culprit was none other than the elderly Emperor, who now panted heavily, struggling to calm his rage. His wrinkled face remained twisted into a monstrous scowl.

“This is all your fault! If you have a tongue, then speak!” he bellowed.

“F-Father,” Maximilian stammered.

“Call me Your Majesty! I am the Emperor!” the Emperor roared.

Maximilian flinched. When the Emperor lost his temper, not even his own children were safe. Defying him further could lead to dire consequences.

“You told me to grant the Drakenfels estate to Sylas Corleone! You said he wouldn’t complain if we gave him a suitable title along with it!”

“Th-that’s correct,” Maximilian stammered.

“And yes, he didn’t complain! He was even pleased! But the problem is that everyone else knew it wasn’t a reward at all! Everyone realized it was a poisoned gift!”

“That’s true, but…”

“But? But what?” the Emperor spat. “Yes, I knew it was a trap. That much I planned for! What I didn’t know was the extent of Sylas Corleone’s connections! Because of this, we haven’t just alienated one man—we’ve turned the King of the North, the Elven Grand Duke, and the Western Marquis against the imperial family!”

The Emperor had only considered Sylas as an individual when granting Drakenfels. He had known about the church’s involvement but dismissed it as a fleeting connection that wouldn’t pose a threat.

But the church wasn’t the issue. Now, with the alliances Sylas had revealed, the imperial family had alienated powers far greater than they could have anticipated.

“You even said this: ‘He’s of common birth, so even if we grant him Drakenfels, Count Bill will remain loyal.’ But you were wrong! The Count was clearly enraged with me!”

“Y-your Majesty…”

“This is your doing! Because of you, even the Corleone family, who were loyal to the imperial family, have turned their backs on us! If you have an explanation, say it now!”

“Please, Your Majesty, hear me out!” Maximilian pleaded, breaking into a cold sweat as he knelt before the Emperor. He knew that one wrong word could cost him his head.

Crown Prince Maximilian wiped the cold sweat from his back and raised his voice.

“Your Majesty, while it may seem the current situation is turning against us, it is quite the opposite. In fact, it presents a significant benefit to the imperial family.”

“What? What nonsense are you spouting now?”

The Emperor stared at Maximilian in disbelief. Acknowledging his fault would have been one thing, but calling this a stroke of fortune? It was absurd. Yet Maximilian’s expression radiated confidence.

“Let me begin with the Corleone family. It is true that Count Bill reacted differently than I anticipated and has since harbored ill feelings toward the imperial family.”

“Exactly! That’s the core of the problem! Because of you…!”

“But,” Maximilian interjected before the Emperor’s anger could boil over, “that is solely Count Leonard’s issue.”

While the Count’s reaction had been unexpected, Maximilian had not acted without preparation.

“My sources confirm that Sylas Corleone’s relationship with the legitimate heirs of the Corleone family is abysmal. So much so that both brothers have attempted to have him killed.”

“…Is that true?”

“It is an undeniable fact. Should you doubt it, send someone to verify.”

“Hmm.”

The Emperor frowned slightly but remained silent. If Maximilian was so adamant, the information was likely credible. Only a fool would lie about something so easily disproved, especially when the consequences could cost them their head.