Lord of Caldera

Chapter 167

"Wait for my return," Sylas instructed as he prepared to leave. He didn't need soldiers, just a few to oversee his two territories.

"Veldaine is secure, I assume?"

"You've already appointed officials?"

"No, some of the officials who originally supported me still remain."

Apparently, even Lugres had concerns about a potential administrative gap, so the officials remained unchanged. For Elmholt, Sylas decided to leave it under Rotten's continued supervision.

"Please," Sylas said.

"...Understood," Rotten replied with a difficult expression, nodding in agreement after his contract with Philip had been terminated due to lack of funds. With everything settled, Sylas stepped out with his retainers.

"Alright, let's go," he announced.

"Bold, aren't you?" the commander of the Snowflake Knights remarked, narrowing his eyes at Sylas's attitude.

"Do I have any reason not to be?" Sylas responded.

"You are a criminal."

"Then why don't you bind my arms and drag me along?" Sylas offered mockingly. Your next read is at My Virtual Library Empire

The commander clenched his jaw, unable to respond. If Sylas were truly a traitor, such treatment would be warranted, but the situation was more complicated. Sylas looked at the commander, a small smirk on his lips.

"Let's skip the pointless power games and just do what we're here to do," he suggested.

The commander's frown deepened, but he kept his silence, acting as if he hadn't heard a word. Sylas, too, refrained from saying anything further. He climbed into the carriage brought for his "detainment," and his retainers followed.

"We're moving!" the commander called, and so began the peculiar "escort." Toby glanced at Sylas in bewilderment.

"My lord, what did you write in that letter?" he asked, still unable to grasp the nature of Sylas's actions. Although the Snowflake Knights seemed to treat him with respect due to his Corleone lineage, there was still the fact that he had been summoned on charges of "treason."

"Treason... I never thought I'd hear that charge outside of books," he muttered.

"Oh, it was nothing serious," Sylas replied nonchalantly.

"But my lord, it's dangerous."

"It's fine. If they wanted to harm me, they wouldn't go through this whole show. It's just an insurance policy."

"Take care," Rey replied reluctantly, watching Sylas walk forward with a mix of trepidation and respect. Sylas's calm demeanor left them wondering if he was a criminal or an invited guest. A few of the guards frowned but said nothing.

"This way," a knight directed him, leading Sylas to a secluded room, ideal for private conversations. As the door opened, a deep voice spoke from within.

"So, you've arrived."

Inside, Sylas saw a face full of wrinkles and hair as white as snow. The man looked old enough that death could come at any moment, yet he radiated a powerful presence, rivaling even Ragnar's. He was a figure like an old lion.

"Leave us," the Marquis instructed the knights who had escorted Sylas.

"But, my lord—"

"I said, leave us."

Reluctantly, the knights retreated, closing the door behind them with a sharp click. The Marquis's gaze grew intense as he held up a letter, his fingers flicking it.

"They say you sent this letter."

"Yes, I did," Sylas replied.

"Then this will be a simple matter," the Marquis said coldly, indicating the contents of the letter.

"Sylas Corleone, traitor to the Empire, is there anything you wish to say before I charge you?"

"Why am I considered a traitor?" Sylas asked, his expression unapologetic, prompting the Marquis to furrow his brow.

"What else would you call advocating for a king's coronation if not rebellion?"

"But a king, not an emperor," Sylas corrected.

"It's been centuries since the title of king was abolished."

Once, kings did exist in the Empire's territories, ruling their regions while pledging loyalty to the Emperor. But as imperial power strengthened, the title of king gradually disappeared, eventually replaced by titles like prince-electors, grand dukes, and dukes—mere honorary positions for powerless royals. Even suggesting the revival of the grand duke title would cause an uproar.