Lord of Caldera - Chapter 96

Chapter 96: Chapter 96
“Understood,” Sylas said, pleased. For him, that was precisely what he wanted—there would be no honor in being a wandering knight if he received help from his family.

“Alright then, where do you plan to go first?” the count asked. Wandering knights were expected to distance themselves from their family’s territory—staying in their own backyard wouldn’t be much of a journey.

Sylas, who had already thought it through, replied immediately, “The West.”

Upon hearing Sylas’s plans, Toby’s eyes widened in surprise.

“A wandering knight? They still keep up with that musty old tradition?”

“Maybe you could keep that opinion to yourself,” Sylas replied dryly.

“No, I’m just saying it because it’s surprising. There’s no benefit to it.”

Toby knew his master’s personality well by now. Sylas rarely took on anything without a clear advantage. But wandering knight missions came with little reward—perhaps some admiration from older nobles or applause from commoners who found such young nobles refreshing. There was a bit of honor, but the hardships didn’t exactly make up for it.

“Besides, once you start, you’re in for a year at least. If you quit halfway, you’d just get ridiculed,” Toby pointed out.

“I know. I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t have a plan,” Sylas replied.

Toby tilted his head thoughtfully. “What could he be thinking this time?”

Sylas fell silent, lost in his own thoughts. “It’s almost time for those events to happen…”

In his previous life, two major incidents shook the entire empire around this time. One was the annihilation of five powerful families in the West, and the other was the rise of a barbarian king in the North. Both had devastating effects on the empire—and for Sylas, they had been terrible setbacks.

“Because of those events, the West and the North couldn’t properly stand against the emperor.”

Both regions had suffered significant damage. The repercussions were so intense that no one dared challenge the emperor’s outrageous plans, including his infamous “exterminate the Corleone bloodline” order. With the West and North compromised, the emperor could run rampant. Had those regions remained intact, they wouldn’t have allowed such insanity to go unchecked.

“This time, there’s no way I’ll let that madman have his way.”

Sylas’s primary goal was to head to the West and North and get involved in the incidents, steering them toward different outcomes. In that regard, becoming a wandering knight was an ideal cover. A knight could travel anywhere under the guise of chivalric duty, and no one could question his involvement if he claimed he was helping those in need.

“By the way, any word from Ray?” Sylas asked.

“Not yet,” Toby replied.

“She’s taking her time,” Sylas mused.

“Well, given the distance to the West, it’s not surprising, is it?”

“She should’ve at least been able to send some news by now,” Sylas said, frowning.

Although communication usually relied on messenger birds, there were relics in larger cities that allowed for long-distance messages. A brief notice shouldn’t have been difficult. The delay was strange.

“Could she have gotten involved in something?” Sylas wondered, clicking his tongue. He’d sent her at an inconvenient time, after all. Ray was also from the West, so it wasn’t impossible she’d been caught up in the events there. In his previous life, she’d stayed in the Corleone household, so he hadn’t considered this possibility.

“Well, since I’m headed to the West anyway, I’ll stop by the Winslow family’s estate,” Sylas decided.

“Won’t you just miss each other that way?” Toby asked.

“As long as I confirm she’s safe, it doesn’t matter. Missing her isn’t a big deal.”

If it turned out to be a needless worry, so much the better. But if she were in trouble, his visit could be just what she needed. Toby scratched his head, suddenly remembering something.

“Oh, by the way, what about travel expenses? I doubt the count will give you much.”

Even for a year-long journey, Bill would likely provide only the bare minimum. Given his belief that knights should embrace hardship, he wouldn’t shower Sylas with coins for a comfortable trip.

“Are you telling me you’re planning to rough it for a year, sleeping outdoors or on strangers’ floors?” Toby asked skeptically.

“Hardly. I’ve got a source of funds lined up,” Sylas replied.

“A source of funds? Ah!” Toby’s eyes lit up as realization struck. Indeed, there was one reliable source he could turn to.

“What do you mean he’s asking me for money?” Ulrich shouted, staring incredulously at Max, who had arrived as Sylas’s messenger. After two months of silence, Sylas had suddenly sent someone with a request—for money.

“The deal is over! There’s nothing more to give, and nothing left to get! What is he even thinking, asking for money now? Does he have anything to offer in return?” Ulrich demanded.

“No, he just said to bring back the money,” Max replied calmly.

“This maniac…” Ulrich’s fist trembled in anger. Did Sylas think he was some bottomless well, a fool to be milked dry?

Ulrich could hardly believe his ears. Losing the power struggle was one thing, but being treated like this was infuriating. His voice turned icy as he barked at Max.

“Get out. And tell him this: if he keeps spouting nonsense like this, I won’t stand by and take it. I won’t tolerate these ridiculous demands anymore.”

Max looked thoughtful. “Hmm. Alright. I suppose that means Sir Ulrich’s curse hasn’t been fully lifted?”

“W-what?” Ulrich stammered.

“The curse, sir. Master Sylas said it was gone, but it seems there’s still a faint trace left. Who knows, it might flare up again at any time,” Max said ominously.

Ulrich’s expression froze. He understood the message loud and clear. If he refused to give Sylas what he wanted, he’d subtly spread word that Ulrich’s “curse” was still affecting him—a single comment that could upend the entire household’s perception.

If something unusual happened in the manor, what would people think?

“If they believe the curse is gone, they won’t suspect me,” Ulrich thought, his mind racing. “But if that one comment gets out…”

Whether Ulrich was guilty of mischief or someone else caused trouble, Ulrich would be the first suspect. People would wonder if the “curse on Sir Ulrich” had flared up again, dragging him back into suspicion and conflict.

“Damn it!” Ulrich ground his teeth in frustration. Just when he thought it was over, this vulnerability had emerged. Max watched him for a moment, then suddenly clapped his hands as if remembering something.

“Oh, right! Sir Sylas did say to pass along one last message,” Max said.

“What is it?”

“He said if you’re planning to act tough, remember you’re one curse away from insanity. So behave accordingly.”

“…”

That day, Max left carrying a small chest of jewels. Though it was small, each jewel could be sold for a pouch of gold. Left alone, Ulrich took a sip of tea, noticing with bitterness that it tasted slightly salty.