Lord of Caldera - Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Chapter 44 Dani
On the third day since Sylas began his sword training, Werner visited the count’s office.

“I need to teach Young Master Sylas the Flame Wind Sword.”

“…!?”

The count dropped his pen in shock at the unexpected statement. The Flame Sword, all of a sudden?

“What do you mean by that? He hasn’t even mastered The Wind Sword yet.”

The Corleone family’s swordsmanship is divided into two categories. One is the basic sword style, the Wind Sword, which is permitted only for those who have signed a lifetime contract as knights.

The other is the Flame Wind Sword, which can only be learned by a select few close knights approved by the family’s direct lineage or head.

“I’ve already registered that child in the family tree, so there’s no reason I can’t teach him. But shouldn’t he first learn The Wind Sword?”

Although the names of the sword styles differ, there is a connection between the two. The Wind Sword is grounded in basic techniques, while the Flame Sword is its application.

In other words, one must first solidify their basics with The Wind Sword before learning the Flame Wind Sword.

“And isn’t The Wind Sword not a simple technique? It would take quite a while to master.”

Though it is a fundamental sword style, it was founded by the first ancestor known as the Dragon Slayer. To fully learn its essence takes at least three years.

“I don’t know what talent you see in that child, but at the very least, teach him the entirety of The Wind Sword before discussing this.”

“It won’t take a month.”

“…What did you say?”

“The time for him to master The Wind Sword entirely is sufficient within a month.”

“…!”

Unconsciously, the count stood up abruptly. The shocking statement was so overwhelming that he didn’t even notice the sound of his chair falling over.

“Are you serious?”

“Honestly speaking, this estimate is on the longer side.”

Sylas perfectly mimicked the movements of the sword upon seeing them just once. If he were to focus purely on learning the forms, it wouldn’t take even a week.

However, swordsmanship is a skill meant to be used in real combat. If one merely learns the forms, it is meaningless.

That’s why he added an additional three weeks. Mastering the application of swordsmanship is naturally more difficult than simply learning the forms.

“In a month, you’ll be able to see it firsthand, Your Excellency. You’ll witness him using The Wind Sword in practical situations.”

“Ho.”

At the firm response, the count was left speechless. To learn enough to actually use swordsmanship in practice within a month? And not just any swordsmanship, but The Wind Sword?

Had any other knight besides Sir Werner said the same thing, he would have first questioned their sanity.

“How far do you see that child’s talent going?”

“With my limited understanding, I believe…”

After a brief pause, Werner spoke seriously.

“I believe we will witness the reincarnation of His Excellency Leonick, the founder of the Corleone family.”

Leonick Corleone. The great knight said to possess the blood of dragons and the heart of a lion. He was known as the Dragon Slayer who single-handedly slayed a black dragon with a single sword.

The people of the Empire refer to him as the last remnant of the mythological era, the last figure who could achieve great feats with nothing but their human body.

‘But the fact that Sylas might be the reincarnation of the founder.’

The count felt his heart racing. From the beginning, he had thought his child was extraordinary. He was pleased with that exceptional talent, but guilt and responsibility also compelled him to do everything within reason.

However, now he felt entirely different emotions surging within him.

‘I want to see how far that child can go.’

It was not simply because he was a father. As a knight who admired epics, he was genuinely curious.

If he were to fully unleash that talent, what kind of being would he have become when he reached adulthood?

The count, lost in thought with his eyes closed, soon nodded his head.

“Very well. Do as you wish.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m talking about the Flame Wind Sword. Teach him as you desire.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency!”

“Why thank me for teaching my own child?”

If he had any talent for swordsmanship, it was a style he would have taught regardless. It was just the timing that was accelerated due to Werner’s request.

Still, he never expected it to speed up this much.

Just as Werner was about to leave the office after their conversation, the butler Gordon entered.

“Your Excellency, Young Master Dani has returned.”

“What? Dani?”

At the sudden news, the count wore a blank expression. Dani Corleone, the second son born to Helena.

He had accompanied his older brother to the capital to see him off to the academy and had ended up staying there for the past six months.

Now, the boy who had been in the capital without a word for all this time had returned.

“Where is he now?”

“Well…”

“Father!”

Just before Gordon could respond, the door burst open, and someone rushed in. A boy with violet eyes resembling the count and golden hair like Helena’s, the same age as Sylas.

It was the face of the second son he hadn’t seen for half a year. The count suppressed a sigh wanting to escape and forced a smile.

“Welcome back, Dani. Did you enjoy your time in the capital?”

“That’s not what’s important right now!”

Dani stepped forward and slammed his hand on the desk. The rude action caused not only the count but also Werner and Gordon to frown. But Dani, oblivious to their reactions, huffed and continued speaking.

“I heard that a lowly bloodline has entered this illustrious Corleone family. Is that true?”

“Your brother has simply been born.”

“Brother? How can you call something so inferior that it wouldn’t even suffice to wipe my feet a brother?”

“Can’t you watch your words!”

Bang.

The count could no longer contain himself and slammed his hand on the desk. He exerted so much force that one of the desk’s legs broke with a crack.

Only then did Dani step back in surprise. The count glared at him, suppressing his anger.

“Even if he doesn’t please you, that child is also my blood. I won’t force you to get along, but at least maintain a minimum line of courtesy.”

“….”

Dani fell silent at the count’s scolding. However, his face was filled with undisguised discontent.

Seeing that, Count Bill sighed deeply.

He understood Dani’s feelings. It was essentially the same as discovering that his father had committed an infidelity. But even so, wasn’t it a bit too much? Helena herself never spoke with such foul language.

“You must be tired from returning from the capital, so take a good rest today. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“…Yes.”

Dani replied in a barely audible voice and left the office. The count sighed and turned to Werner.

“Sir Werner.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“Stay close to Sylas today. I plan for them to meet tomorrow if possible, but I doubt that boy will wait patiently given his personality. He might seek out Sylas, so I need you to stop him.”

“Understood. Don’t worry.”

“I’m counting on you.”

Sir Werner bowed deeply and left the office. The count, left alone, scanned the room.

Seeing the desk, which had been tilted due to the broken leg, and the chairs that had fallen over, he sighed again.

***

Sylas was swinging his sword vigorously in the training grounds. He was practicing on his own while Werner was at the count’s office. Next to him, Toby, who had now become Sylas’s knight, gaped and yawned.

“This is my first time guarding someone, and it’s more boring than I imagined. I’m about to fall asleep.”

“Control your expressions. Others are watching.”

“Eh, if someone is watching, they’d notice right away. There’s no one around now.”

Waving his hand as if to say not to worry, Toby resumed watching Sylas’s swordsmanship with a bored expression. After watching for a while, Toby spoke up.

“My lord, have you learned The Wind Sword somewhere?”

“Why do you ask that?”

“Your movements are those of a complete expert. It doesn’t seem like you’ve swung it just a few times.”

“I just mastered it in an instant thanks to my genius talent.”

“That seems a bit different…”

Toby scratched his cheek with a puzzled expression. Sylas, who had been swinging his sword with a serious demeanor, couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.

‘This guy, did he just realize it by watching me?’

Just a moment ago, Toby had said that the mention of talent was “something different.” He could immediately differentiate between swordsmanship honed through effort and that gained through talent. It was likely that the physical abilities derived from his giant lineage also affected his eyesight.

‘He has a silly personality, but his core is terrifying.’

He had played with a promising knight even while under a curse. It was unimaginable how strong he would be now that the curse had been lifted.

At that moment, Toby suddenly stood up straight and adopted a serious expression.

“My lord, they’re coming.”

“What?”

“There’s someone approaching. And they seem fast.”

Hearing Toby’s words, Sylas put his sword down and turned his gaze to the road. Not long after, a figure appeared at the edge of the training grounds.

“Stop right there!”

Toby yelled, drawing his sword. Sylas also turned to look, readying himself to draw his own sword.

But the person who approached was none other than Dani.

“Wait! It’s me!”

Upon realizing that it was Dani, Toby lowered his sword in relief, but the young master remained vigilant.

“Why did you come here? This is not a place for you.”

“Stop talking nonsense. I came here to see how much that bastard has grown!”

“…What?”

Toby’s mouth dropped open at the boldness of the words.

But before he could comment, Sylas turned to him and signaled to lower his sword.

“I’ll handle it.”

“My lord!”

“Just stand back.”