Lord of Caldera - Chapter 360

Chapter 360: Chapter 360 Tarnished Reputation
“Well, it’s certainly a privilege too powerful to ignore. They’d likely want to take it back even if it meant going back on their word.”

“I agree. We should prepare something to counter such a scenario.”

“There’s no need for that.”

Sylas smiled, seeing Isaac’s worried expression.

“That anxiety is precisely my greatest advantage.”

How could anyone in their right mind predict what madness a lunatic might unleash?

“That damn dragonslayer even attracts equally insane companions! Birds of a feather, indeed…”

Maximilian cursed loudly, clutching his head in frustration. Never in his wildest dreams had he expected things to turn out like this.

The situation was so far removed from his expectations that it gave him a splitting headache.

“What is His Majesty doing now?” he asked.

“He’s drinking himself into a stupor in his chambers,” came the reply.

“What? And the affairs of the Empire?”

“He has left everything to the court nobles.”

A loud grinding noise emanated from Maximilian’s teeth. Rogier, alarmed by the Crown Prince’s imminent outburst, quickly intervened.

“Your Highness, you must restrain yourself! There are ears everywhere.”

“I know, I know! But what is the meaning of this? Leaving the Crown Prince aside and entrusting state affairs to the nobles…”

“The court nobles aren’t exactly thrilled about it. They’re floundering, unsure of how to handle the responsibilities thrust upon them.”

“Of course. Though he disliked work, His Majesty would never let go of truly important tasks.”

Maximilian scowled. Knowing the Emperor’s personality, he hadn’t formally delegated responsibilities or appointed deputies. He had likely thrown everything into the laps of the nobles with no real structure, leaving them to flounder.

Naturally, the nobles were at a loss. Mishandling such tasks could lead to dire consequences, including being made scapegoats if things went awry.

“In time, he’ll likely find a few sacrificial lambs and return to his duties. But for now, the tax exemption granted to Drakenfels must be revoked…”

“That will be difficult,” Rogier interjected. “His Majesty has already attacked the dragonslayer too many times. If he tries to revoke an authority he personally granted, it will irreparably damage his reputation.”

“True. Even His Majesty must understand that much.”

Though every noble in the Empire was aware of the Emperor’s temperament, he had at least maintained a semblance of dignity. Revoking an authority he had granted so hastily would tarnish even that minimal dignity.

Having already suffered humiliation at the hands of Eldira, the Emperor was unlikely to debase himself further.

“At the very least, this won’t be undone until I ascend the throne. Damn it.”

“There’s no helping it,” Rogier said with a resigned tone.

“But why did His Majesty remain so obstinate, even with the Elven Archduchess involved?”

It had been Maximilian himself who had stirred the pot by forcibly summoning the Elven delegation. Had he known the Archduchess was among them, he would have adjusted his plans immediately.

Instead, the Emperor’s stubborn desire to assert authority had cost him dearly, tarnishing his dignity and empowering the very dragonslayer he sought to suppress.

The thought that he would have to clean up this mess made Maximilian’s blood boil.

“Giving a rebellious figure thirty years to prepare is utter madness. Without a way to monitor internal affairs or control them through taxes, this is a recipe for disaster.”

With time, the dragonslayer would only solidify his foundation. He had to be dealt with immediately, yet Maximilian remained shackled under the current Emperor.

If the old Emperor passed away soon, there might be hope. But if he lived another ten, or worse, twenty years, the consequences would be unbearable to imagine.

Overwhelmed by the uncertainty, Maximilian closed his eyes. When he opened them again, a deadly glint flickered in their depths.

“This won’t do. I’ll wait a few more years, but if it comes to it, I’ll act personally.”

If the Emperor passed away early, all would be well. But if he continued to rule and ruin the Empire, Maximilian would have no choice but to intervene, even if it meant committing treason.

Grinding his lips with determination, Maximilian’s thoughts were interrupted by the approach of one of Rogier’s confidants.

Rogier paled as he received the whispered message.

“Your Highness, there’s a problem,” he said, his voice trembling.

“What now?” Maximilian demanded.

“The newly appointed southern lords are returning their lands to the dragonslayer.”

“…What?”

Maximilian tilted his head, stunned by the incomprehensible news.

After the civil war in Drakenfels, many new lords had risen in the southern territories. Though they had initially become lords, they remained bound to Sylas’s influence.

However, after the Imperial family officially granted them titles, they became legitimate noble houses, marking a meteoric rise in status.

These newly appointed lords had only one thing to say about the Emperor:

“That senile old fool deserves to be fried in sewage water!”

Though the exact words varied, the sentiment was largely the same. Among them, Halken Lugos, who had received the largest estate in the war, was the most vocal.

Fuming with anger, Halken cursed the Emperor loudly, startling one of his former knights.

“S-Sir! I mean, Your Excellency! Someone might hear you!”

“Let them hear! Who in the south sincerely supports that senile fool?”

“But if the Imperial family takes offense…”

“What can they do about it? Things can’t possibly get any worse!”

Halken flung the Emperor’s letter aside. If it weren’t considered treason to destroy an Imperial letter, he would have shredded it on the spot.

Grinding his teeth, he jabbed his finger into the air as if the Emperor were standing before him.

“Taking a third of the estate’s yield as taxes? Where in the world does that old man keep his conscience?”

“From what I hear, the other lords have been asked for similar amounts. Isn’t this normal?”

“Normal? Are you daft?”

Halken’s brow twitched in irritation. Even after years as a wanderer, he wasn’t so ignorant as to misunderstand a typical tax rate.

This demand exceeded all reason. Had such a rate been imposed on established lords, rebellion would have erupted instantly.