Lord of Caldera - Chapter 310

Chapter 310: Chapter 310 A Mistake?
“I’ve survived,” Ervin thought, feeling a glimmer of hope. Politics was something he excelled at. He could play along with Sylas here and eventually return to his master’s side.

Sylas’s next words, however, shattered that hope.

“I’d like to know where your lord’s domain is. I hear you often fought with Malossi due to the proximity of your territories?”

“Yes, Count. It’s here,” Ervin replied, indicating the upper part of the Malossi territory on a map.

Sylas stared at the map, his gaze fixed on the spot Ervin had pointed to.

“That’s your lord’s domain?” Sylas asked, blinking in mock confusion.

“Yes, it is,” Ervin confirmed confidently.

“Strange. Very strange,” Sylas said, tilting his head exaggeratedly.

“Why do you say that, Count?” Ervin asked nervously.

“Because, according to the emperor, that’s part of Drakenfels. My land,” Sylas said coolly.

Ervin froze, his blood running cold.

It was a mistake.

Ervin’s eyebrows twitched uncontrollably as the realization hit him. His earlier relaxation had led to a careless slip of the tongue. To have so openly referred to the land as “my lord’s territory” was a fundamental error.

For over 30 years, it had been an uncontested truth, so much so that he had spoken without thinking. But to Sylas, it was the perfect justification he needed.

“The emperor’s decree might not carry practical power, but that’s not the point.”

What mattered was the stigma of treason. Sylas, as the newly appointed Count of Drakenfels under the emperor’s authority, had the law on his side.

All lands within Drakenfels officially belonged to Sylas, at least in name. Anyone claiming ownership of those lands could be branded a traitor.

“Why aren’t you answering?” Sylas pressed.

“Th-that is…” Ervin stammered, cold sweat streaming down his face. What could he say? Should he admit he misspoke? Claim that the land was indeed the count’s, merely held temporarily by his lord?

“If I say that, he’ll just demand it back! Damn it!”

It was a no-win situation. If he admitted it was his lord’s land, Sylas would label them traitors. If he said it belonged to the count, his enraged lord would surely have him executed.

Cornered and overwhelmed, Ervin felt himself on the verge of fainting when Sylas unexpectedly broke the silence.

“Well, Drakenfels did go nearly 30 years without a lord. It’s not surprising that ownership might have gotten a bit ambiguous. I understand.”

“Y-you do?” Ervin asked, dumbfounded.

“Yes. We’ll discuss this matter calmly at a later time. Depending on the circumstances, I might even recognize your lord’s governance over the territory,” Sylas said smoothly.

“…!”

The proposal was so unexpected that both Ervin and Baron Kaspar widened their eyes in disbelief. This wasn’t merely a concession—it was akin to granting de facto independence.

Kaspar, startled, interjected, “Count, how can you say such a thing? That land is rightfully yours. If it’s been occupied unlawfully, shouldn’t you hold them accountable first?”

Ervin shot Kaspar a venomous glare but held his tongue as Sylas casually dismissed the baron’s objection.

“Enough of that. While it might appear so on the surface, every situation has its hidden truths. We don’t want to wrong anyone without a thorough investigation.”

“…”

The words sounded magnanimous, but neither Ervin nor Kaspar believed them. There was undoubtedly a hidden motive, though neither could discern what it was.

“But to clear up any misunderstandings, we’ll need to talk first,” Sylas continued.

“T-talk?” Ervin repeated nervously.

“That’s right. Sir Ervin, I’d like to invite your lord to join us for a discussion. The three of us should meet to resolve these misunderstandings.”

The suggestion, while seemingly kind and cooperative, was impossible to refuse. After all, it came from the nominal lord of Drakenfels. To reject it could be seen as an act of rebellion.

“I understand. I will convey your request to my lord,” Ervin replied reluctantly.

“Good. Then you should leave immediately,” Sylas instructed.

“R-right now?”

“Misunderstandings should be resolved quickly, don’t you agree?”

Ervin stared at Sylas, unable to discern his true intentions. As his lord’s confidant, it was his duty to uncover even a hint of Sylas’s motives. But with his life on the line, he couldn’t afford to squander the opportunity to leave.

“You are absolutely correct. I’ll take my leave now,” Ervin said, hurrying out of the drawing room.

Kaspar’s expression darkened as he watched Ervin depart. This had been a rare opportunity to eliminate his enemy, and now it was wasted.

“Why did you let him go?” Kaspar asked.

“Does that bother you?” Sylas replied.

“To be honest, yes. I would have preferred you killed him. He’s practically my sworn enemy,” Kaspar admitted.

“Perhaps you’re aiming your hatred at the wrong target,” Sylas remarked with a faint smile.

“What do you mean?” Kaspar asked, confused.

“Even if he’s your enemy’s right-hand man, he’s still just a servant. The one giving him orders is your true enemy,” Sylas explained calmly.

“…”

Kaspar’s face twisted in frustration. He was well aware of that fact. The problem was the power disparity. If he faced his true enemy outside the castle, his forces would be utterly crushed.

Taking revenge was an unattainable dream, so he had settled for eliminating the servant instead.

“You don’t seem convinced,” Sylas observed.

“No, I understand,” Kaspar replied tersely.

“You don’t, but that’s fine,” Sylas said with a chuckle, watching Kaspar sip his wine in silence.

After a moment, Sylas leaned in closer and spoke softly, “What if I told you there’s a way to take revenge on your enemy and expand your territory at the same time?”

“…!”

Kaspar’s eyes flickered with interest at the tantalizing offer.

The original Drakenfels territory had been divided into fifteen parts. For most noble domains, such fragmentation would mean the loss of prestige and a fall from power.

But the sheer size of Drakenfels made it an exception. Even after being split, its lands remained so vast that the imperial court had lamented,

“Even divided into fifteen, it’s larger than most viscounties. How is this even an earldom? Not even the great dukes of old held such vast lands!”