Lord of Caldera

Chapter 127

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.

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."