Lord of Caldera

Inside were the Duke and Eldira. Unlike before, Eldira now wore elaborate attire befitting a noble lady as she addressed Sylas.

"Human, welcome." Find more adventures on My Virtual Library Empire

Sylas noticed something strange in her pronunciation and looked at her. Her cheeks were swollen, suggesting someone had pinched her mercilessly.

"What are you staring at?!"

"Your cheeks."

"…You don't need to look there!"

Her already flushed cheeks grew even redder. Sylas smirked and looked at the Duke.

The Duke's face was calm, contrasting with the earlier look of fury.

"You seem quite lenient with your daughter," Sylas remarked.

"Do I?"

"If it were me, I'd have broken her legs."

"I considered it," replied the Duke. "She'll have more to answer for once we're home."

At the Duke's words, Eldira flinched. Unfazed, the Duke continued speaking to Sylas without breaking eye contact.

"The elixir… It's truly a rare item. Even we, inheritors of the ancient heritage, have lost the recipe for it."

"One should use treasures where they're needed," Sylas responded.

"It's fortunate that you're a wise man. Had you not been, much misfortune would have befallen many humans."

Though the Duke's tone was light, his words carried weight. After a pause, he glanced at Eldira.

"You may leave now."

"But…"

"This is state business from here on."

With no official position, the Lady had no right to be involved in state affairs. Eldira's eyebrows shot up.

"But I am my father's heir!"

"So you're asking for permission to observe?"

"Yes! At least allow me the chance to learn."

The Duke gave a bitter smile and turned to Sylas.

"Speak in Imperial tongue," he said.

"As you wish."

"Father!"

Despite Eldira's protest, the two men ignored her. After they exchanged a few brief words, Eldira slumped and left.

Since she didn't understand the Imperial tongue, she had no idea what was being discussed. After watching his daughter's back for a moment, the Duke turned to the main subject with a serious expression.

"First of all, I thank you for saving my daughter."

"Think nothing of it."

"But accepting your proposal and thanking you are two separate matters."

Of course. A true leader wouldn't let personal sentiments sway their decision. Sylas had anticipated this response.

"Eldira told me. You claim you have a way to kill the human lord and safely free the captured elves."

"It's possible if Your Grace offers some assistance."

"I wonder if there's a need for me to help you."

The Duke extended his hand towards the outside of the tent.

"You must have seen my army. It's elite, the pride of the elves. Even a human force ten times the size would be no more than scarecrows before us."

Sylas said nothing. The Duke wasn't wrong; the elven army was indeed impressive.

From the quality of their equipment to their precise maneuvers, it was evident they had trained together in both drills and real battles for at least twenty years.

"The same goes for a siege. I could bring him to his knees myself. Why should I borrow your hand?"

"Indeed. I was equally surprised by the army Your Grace brought," Sylas murmured in feigned admiration.

"Just by pressing them, all hostages would be freed, and Count Valdemar would tremble in fear. You could take his head whenever you wish."

"Well understood."

"It's a remarkable army. You may not win the human lands, but you'll achieve everything else."

The Duke, who had been calm and composed, suddenly froze, a slight reaction that didn't go unnoticed by Sylas.

"Just as I thought," Sylas mused to himself.

As expected, Duke Arathion, the elf lord, was the very man who, in the original timeline, had led his army half-mad with a vendetta for his daughter.

However, with his daughter alive, the Duke's intentions were inevitably different than before. Sylas understood what he desired.

The Duke wanted human land.

An intense silence fell, each second feeling like an eternity. In the suffocating atmosphere, Sylas calmly waited for the Duke's response.

The Duke scrutinized Sylas with a sharp gaze.

"Strange words. Land? What reason would I have to desire human land?"

"Wouldn't you agree, Your Grace? You've never ventured into human territory before," Sylas replied.

"True, but even if I wanted it, I could take it anytime."

"No," Sylas firmly denied the Duke's confident words.

"Land is not something you can take. No matter how much you want it, Your Grace cannot claim even an inch of human territory."

A cold tension suddenly swept through the room, like the edge of a blade. The intimidating aura emanated from the Duke, making Sylas swallow dryly.

"The title 'Sword Duke' wasn't given to him without reason," he thought.

Being an elf, the Duke had naturally trained with a sword for far longer than any human. Decades, even centuries, of swordsmanship radiated from him in a palpable, skin-tingling pressure.

"You certainly have a way with words."

"My tongue is known to be quite skillful, especially when I'm speaking the truth."

"Mind your words. Even a savior of my daughter has limits," the Duke warned.

Sylas shrugged, indicating that he wouldn't elaborate unless the Duke asked. The Duke was the first to yield.

"Explain. Why do you think I cannot obtain human land?"

"It's simple. The Imperial forces would act."

The Duke scoffed in disbelief.

"Do you think me a fool? I already understand human society. Even if this lord dies here, the Emperor won't act. He might even welcome it since a threat to his rule would be eliminated."

"That's true. The Emperor couldn't care less whether the Count lives or dies."

The Duke's face twisted in confusion. First, Sylas said the Imperial forces would move, but now he claimed they wouldn't even care if the Count died.

"Are you mocking me?"

"The Imperial forces wouldn't move because of the Count."

"What?"

"They would react because an elf had come within attacking range."

The Duke's eyes widened, realizing the underlying meaning in Sylas's words. Sylas continued.

"Think about it. The elves are an enticing target, possessing superior skills and long-lost magic. If humans could, they'd seize it without hesitation."