Lord of Caldera - Chapter 90

Chapter 90: Chapter 90
“What’s going on? Is it not the real elixir? Hasn’t Sylas recovered?”

“I’m sorry, Your Grace,” Max replied, bowing deeply. “It’s not enough!”

“Not enough? Didn’t you say the elixir should have been more than enough to cure him?”

“The poison is extremely potent! Just two more doses, and we might be able to completely neutralize it…!”

At this, the count whipped his head around to stare at Ulrich.

“Do you have more?”

Ulrich remained silent, causing the count to issue a harsh warning.

“I’ll say this once, Ulrich. I don’t care how much of the medicine you’ve used already. Only the boy’s life matters.”

The implication was clear: if Sylas died, Ulrich would be held accountable, regardless of the circumstances. Ulrich, his expression deteriorating, glanced at Oscar, who stood awkwardly hesitant. Witnessing this, Ray coolly interjected from the side.

“What are you doing just standing there? We need two more doses to treat the sleeping sickness. Bring it at once.”

“Damn…” Oscar muttered under his breath as he retrieved another vial of the elixir, enduring the cold stares around him. Max promptly took it and hurried over to Sylas.

“My lord, please, wake up!” he pleaded, pretending to administer the potion by bringing the empty vial close to Sylas’s lips, while stealthily hiding the actual dose in his sleeve. He smoothly swapped the empty vial with the one he’d already emptied and, in one swift motion, drank the contents he’d been holding in his mouth.

Moments later, the elixir took effect. He moaned softly, perfecting the act.

“Ugh…”

“Sylas! Are you conscious?” his father cried out, rushing to his side.

“Father…?” Sylas’s eyes opened weakly, but the effects of the elixir quickly flushed life and color back into his face, filling his entire body with renewed vigor. Relieved, the count’s eyes filled with tears.

“Oh, thank goodness. Thank goodness…!”

“I’m sorry for worrying you, Father,” Sylas murmured.

“No, it’s enough that you’re alive!” the count replied, embracing him tightly.

Seeing the reunion, those nearby couldn’t help but grow misty-eyed. While holding his father, Sylas cast a glance at the two behind him, who exchanged discreet thumbs-ups.

The victory banquet, which had been eagerly anticipated, ended in chaos. None of the knights spoke a word about what had happened that day, and even the servants were sternly warned by Gordon, the head steward.

“Make sure not a word about the banquet leaks out. If rumors spread, I’ll hunt down the source and deal with it thoroughly.”

“Y-Yes, sir!”

“And that goes for everyone within the manor as well. From now on, I’ll be carrying a sword. It’s for personal protection, of course, but I may find other uses for it if I hear anyone talking about that day.”

Under Gordon’s grim threat, nobody dared speak a word. The mansion fell into an uneasy silence, each person fearful that a single careless word might cost them their life. Amidst the tense atmosphere, Sylas bit into a peach that Toby had brought him.

“Sweet. It’s really delicious,” he said.

“Is it? I thought it wasn’t quite sweet enough,” Toby replied.

“Must be my mood. Everything tastes sweeter these days,” Sylas mused.

Before his return, he had never bested Ulrich, whether it was in open combat or behind-the-scenes maneuvering. But this time, he’d managed to nearly bury him. Remembering how much Ulrich had tormented him before, Sylas felt an old burden lift from his shoulders.

“The real victory was how much his power has been cut,” he thought.

Ulrich had lost both trust and respect, and Oscar shared the same fate. Even Gerth, notorious for his shadowy dealings, had been executed. And Ray, the greatest threat to Sylas, had completely turned his back on Ulrich. Although Ulrich still held the title of heir, he would have to tread carefully until he could inherit fully.

“One less problem to worry about,” Sylas thought.

It wasn’t just personal revenge. Before his return, Ulrich had been one of the most dangerous lords in the eastern lands, ruling over nearly half the territory. But after everything that had happened, it was unlikely he’d ever regain the same influence.

“And how is Father doing lately?” Sylas asked.

“He seems deeply affected. Though his health is stable, he’s carrying a lot of regret,” Toby replied.

“I’d imagine so. After all, he saw the true nature of the son he’d trusted completely,” Sylas said.

Thanks to his strong constitution and willpower, the count hadn’t fallen ill, but this incident had surely taken a toll on him. It would take time for him to recover. In the meantime, Sylas would relax and enjoy his “patient” treatment, despite feeling almost too healthy because of the elixir’s effects.

The elixir had proven incredibly potent. It had nullified the earlier poison and Max’s medicine entirely, even restoring Sylas’s minor fatigue to the point that he felt as energetic as ever. He imagined it might even heal a severed finger if he ever tried it.

Just then, Max entered from outside.

“My lord, Sir Ray has requested to see you,” Max announced.

“Let him in,” Sylas replied, already expecting him.

A moment later, Ray entered, having removed his helmet—an unusual move for someone who normally kept her face hidden, preferring to be seen as a knight rather than a woman.

“She must be desperate enough to use her looks,” Sylas thought.

“Lord Sylas,” Ray greeted formally.

“Skip the pleasantries, Sir Ray. Why are you here?” Sylas asked directly.

Ray clenched her fist, searching for the words. There was something she had to reveal before she could address her real purpose, but doing so could upset Sylas and ruin any potential negotiation.

“If that happens…,” she thought anxiously.

After a long silence, Sylas let out a chuckle, pulling something from his pocket.

“If it’s hard to answer, let’s leave it for another time. Since you’ve come all this way, though, I’d like to give you a gift.”

“A gift…?” Ray echoed.

“Here,” Sylas said, handing her a small glass vial. Inside, a blue liquid shimmered.

Ray looked at the vial in disbelief, and Sylas explained with a light tone.

“It’s an elixir.”

Ray’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at the vial.