Lord of Caldera - Chapter 328

Chapter 328: Chapter 328 The Royal Family Remains Silent
“Because the alliance—”

“Alliance, my foot! Why should I be the one to charge straight at that monster?” Franz glared at his retainer, his tone filled with scorn.

“Do you think I’m insane enough to make myself his first target?”

As Conrad’s war unfolded, Sylas’s extraordinary military prowess spread throughout the southern region. In fact, it would be more accurate to say that the South learned of it the latest—every other region had already known. The shock among the southern lords upon realizing that all the rumors were true was immense.

“A one-man army, indeed. Is he even human?”

“Dragon’s lineage? Maybe he’s just a dragon in human form.”

Sylas, who tore through gates as if they were paper and eliminated enemy commanders after breaking through their armies, was a terror even to the lineage of Drakenfels. His power was enough to strike fear into them, at least enough to avoid becoming his first target.

“They say one can’t fend off ten with one hand. That’s not entirely wrong,” Franz murmured, tapping the armrest of his chair.

“No matter how monstrous he and his knights may be, there are only four of them. That’s hardly enough to hold an entire frontline. If we attack from three directions, taking back Conrad’s territory will be simple.”

“That’s exactly what I wanted to suggest…” one vassal began, but Franz cut him off with a sneer.

“Fool,” Franz scowled, his gaze making the vassal flush with embarrassment. After glaring for a moment, Franz continued.

“What do you think is the most effective strategy for the Dragonslayer right now?”

“The most effective strategy…?” the vassal hesitated. Franz didn’t wait for an answer.

“It’s to ignore every other army and focus solely on killing me and my rivals. There’s no other option currently.”

It wasn’t unprecedented. In desperate situations, assassinating enemy commanders had always been a common tactic. When the leader falls, the tide of war shifts. Naturally, those in power anticipated such moves and fortified their defenses, especially southern nobles, whose paranoia bordered on obsession.

However, Sylas was beyond such precautions. His power made any preparation meaningless.

“They don’t even need to sneak in for an assassination. They can just smash through the gates and march in. In the worst case, they could ignore every other castle and head straight for the lord’s keep.”

The vassals, stunned, realized this was true. Castles were merely defensive strongholds. Four riders bypassing them could render them useless.

“Then… isn’t that disastrous?”

“It is. But there’s no need to panic yet.”

“Pardon?”

“He’s likely still deciding whom to attack first.”

Sylas had more enemies than Franz. Six lords in total opposed him, with three being closest. If Sylas attacked one, the other two would surely take advantage of his absence. This made it difficult for Sylas to act hastily.

“Now imagine attacking him in this situation. What do you think the Dragonslayer would think? ‘This one has the audacity to attack, so let’s kill the others first?'”

The vassals fell silent. In such an irrational situation, emotions would likely dictate actions. If Sylas hadn’t decided whom to target, his choice might fall on the one he disliked the most—which would undoubtedly be the first attacker.

“Exactly! The enraged Dragonslayer could come after me first! And you want me to strike first? Absurd!” Franz slammed the armrest and stood abruptly.

“Tell them this: if they’re so eager to attack, they should go first! I’ll offer my full support once the battle begins. They need not worry.”

Franz’s response reached the two other lords, but their replies were unchanged.

“No. You go first.”

“Attack first, and we’ll follow.”

Franz smirked. It was clear they shared the same thoughts as he did. The three lords stationed farther back held similar views.

“Why aren’t you frontline lords attacking yet?”

“We’re monitoring the situation.”

“At this rate, a year will pass! Hurry up and attack!”

“We’ll clear the way for you; you attack first.”

“We’re too far.”

“We’ll even provide supplies. Just come.”

“…”

The “Drakenfels Alliance,” which had once rallied with calls to overthrow traitors, remained paralyzed. They all believed they could win but feared being targeted by the Dragonslayer.

As the six lords hesitated, Sylas penned letters.

“No need to send soldiers. I know it’s impossible. But if you have anything besides soldiers that could help, please support me.”

He didn’t specify what he needed; there was no need. His allies would know to send whatever substantial aid they could muster. The letters were dispatched swiftly to his acquaintances. The moment they read the contents, the entire continent stirred.

Count Bill set down the letter silently, his face reflecting a cold fury.

“My son, a traitor who bewitched the Emperor to steal land? Ha.”

The count’s dry laugh silenced the knights, not out of fear but because they, too, were struggling to contain their anger. They feared that a single word might unleash a torrent of insults. How dare anyone call their lord’s son a traitor?

“What does His Majesty say about this slander? Surely, news must have reached him by now.”

“He has said nothing. The royal family remains silent.”

“I see. Silent, is it?”

The last remnants of loyalty seemed to drain from Bill as he stood and addressed his knights.

“My son asks for help,” he said.

“…”

“But he is now independent. As his father, I can do nothing in this situation.”

“Lord!”

The knights were shocked. Never had they expected such words from their honorable lord.

“These pretenders dare label an honorable knight as a traitor!”

“How can we ignore such injustice?”

“If you command it, we’ll ride south immediately to support your son—”

“Enough!” Bill’s voice thundered, silencing them. He met their eyes one by one.

“If I send troops, the lords between us will suffer, and countless civilians will be caught in the crossfire. Is that the right thing to do?”

“…”

Count Bill addressed his knights with a calm yet resolute tone.

“More importantly, Sylas specifically requested not to send troops. How can I mobilize forces driven by personal emotions?”