Lord of Caldera

Chapter 133

As the young nobles anxiously exchanged glances, the Duke addressed Rey.

"As I mentioned before, the grudge between our houses is settled."

"Yes," Rey replied.

"Don't dwell on the Count's death. It was a fair duel."

"Yes."

"...No spokesperson?" the Duke asked.

When Rey faltered, Sylas stepped in with a wry smile. Hiding things was no longer necessary, but even he hadn't expected it to be this direct.

"Since the grievance has been settled, we only need to work out the terms for trade."

The young nobles' eyes lit up at the mention of trade with the elves. Trade was as appealing as obtaining magical artifacts, if not more.

The Count who had promised them artifacts was dead, so Rey would need to offer a new incentive. But as they eagerly awaited the next step, the Duke interrupted.

"No, there is one matter left to resolve first."

"One matter left?" Sylas asked.

"I said I would settle the grudge with the Herning family. But I never said I would forgive the other houses."

The Duke's cold gaze swept over the young nobles.

"Your families also share responsibility for the suffering my people endured."

"...?!"

Their faces turned pale. Why was the Duke now turning his ire toward them?

"M-Misunderstanding, Your Grace!"

"The actions of our predecessors have nothing to do with us!"@@@@

"Ridiculous excuses from those who dared bring their armies here."

Their desperate attempts at explanations fell flat. Matters of ambiguous responsibility were ultimately subject to the will of those in power. If the Duke was unwilling to forgive, no excuse, however logical, would sway him.

"S-Sir Rey. No, Count!"

The nobles turned to Rey. For the elves to advance, they would need to pass through the Herning family's fortress.

If Rey didn't open the path, the elven army couldn't move. Considering her ties with the other families, it was obvious...

"Will you allow us passage?"

"Yes."

"Count!?"

It was a clear threat to invade their lands next. Damian, one of the three nobles, clenched his eyes shut.

"If there's no other way..."

Just as the Duke stood to leave, Damian stepped forward and knelt.

"I, Damian Orfus, as acting head, pledge loyalty to House Herning!"

"What...?"

"Please accept me under your command!"

Ignoring the shock of his peers, Damian called out. Rey looked at him with a stoic expression.

"Do you have the authority to redirect your family's loyalty?"

"I pledge it under my name. I will persuade them."

"Very well."

With Rey's permission, Damian stepped over to join Sylas and the others. Now, only two remained.

"Will you continue to honor your loyalty to the Empire?" Sylas asked again.

The two remaining nobles' choice was clear. That day, House Herning took all four families under its command.

Late at night, once everyone had left, Sylas and the Duke remained in the drawing room, raising their glasses to each other.

"Will that be enough? They wouldn't be above rebelling."

"Without perks, it might erupt someday," Sylas replied. "But there will be."

The Duke narrowed his eyes. "So there's something to gain?"

"Trade alone will suffice," Sylas said, taking a sip of his wine.

"You may not realize it, but this is the first official trade agreement between elves and humans."

"That's true."

"This means the profits will be immense."

It was a premium of sorts. Goods made by a race still possessing magic—these were not plundered but pristine, new merchandise. Even by merely handling trade as intermediaries through House Herning, the profits would be staggering.

If his guess was right, each family's wealth might double.

"An elven army capable of annihilating families, and the risk of halving their assets if they disrupt the alliance—they'd have to be mad to rebel. Right now, they may feel humiliated, but when the gold starts flowing, humiliation will be the least of their concerns."

Soon, they would likely beg to increase their share of elven goods for their families.

"And in this trade, the elves will receive the resources they need?"

"Yes, enough to meet the Duke's desired resources three times over."