NOVPUB"Ha! As expected of theunt!"
"Iuld sense his boldness even from his proclamation!"
"Truly, he is the famed Dragonslayer of the empire!"
Kaspar suppressed the urge to laugh at their sudden sphancy. Famed Dragonslayer of the empire?
None of them had seen Sylas in action, yet they spouted praise as if they had.
Kaspar recalled his earliernversation with Sylas before the proclamation was issued.
"This proclamation will make an example of Conrad."
"But, my lord, they're a rabble without siege experience or weapons."
"Don't worry. I have the perfect siege weapon for the job."
"You do? Such an extraordinary artifact?"
"Indeed. This," Sylas said, patting the cursed sword at his side.
Kaspar had blinked innfusion.
"Forgive me, my lord, but isn't that a sword…?"
"If it can shatter gates and destroy walls, it's a siege weapon. What does its form matter?"
"…"
Even in hindsight, thenversation felt absurd to Kaspar. He understood that the Dragonslayer's sword was no ordinary weapon, capable of slicing through steel as if it were paper.
But there was a vast difference between cutting stationary steel and tearing through a castle gate in the chaos of battle.
"Whatnfidence."
Kaspar shook his head silently. It was difficult to discern the basis of Sylas'snfidence. Was it grounded in reality, or was it mere recklessness?
"Then again, it's laughable that I even have such thoughts."
Kaspar had once fallen prey to Conrad's schemes. He wasn't in any position to question Sylas, who was currentlyrnering Conrad through superior strength and cunning.
Kaspar, lacking both the military might and the wit to match Sylas,uld only hope not to embarrass himself. Offering advice under these circumstances would be presumptuous at best.
"Let's hold out just a little longer until theunt arrives!" Kaspar shouted, rallying the dwindling morale of thealition.
For now, his role was little more than a figurehead, propping up these opportunistic allies while awaiting Sylas's arrival.
"Greetings, brave warriors! It's a pleasure to meet you all!"
Two days later, Sylas arrived at thealition's camp, leading his knights. A bright smile of genuine joy lit his face.
"I'm truly moved to see so many gathered torrect this injustice. It speaks volumes about the honor of the southern nobles!"
"You flatter us, my lord!"
"Howuld we shirk our duty when the right path is so clear?"
"It is but our obligation as nobles!"
The gathered nobles eagerly returned Sylas's praise, their words dripping with practiced drum.
Kaspar, watching from the sidelines, nearly choked at their hypocrisy.
"Duty? Honor? These opportunists are here for land, blinded by greed. How shameless."
Apparently, the nobles had discarded any semblance of shame in the presence of Sylas, the man with the final say in dividing the spoils. Sylas smiled knowingly at their antics.
"Such noble intentions! I have a special gift for all of you, which I hope you'll appreciate."
"A gift, my lord? What might it be?"
"It is an ancient artifact that will destroy that castle gate!"
"Oh! Such a marvelous treasure!"
"Truly a priceless relic!"
Despite having heard about the artifact two days earlier, the nobles reacted as if it were brand new information. Kaspar smirked at their theatrics, understanding their motive.
They wanted to please Sylas. Feigned surprise was ammon way to elevate the giver's mood during a grand reveal. 𝘯𝑜𝘷𝘱𝘶𝘣.𝘤𝘰𝑚
"You flatter me! It's merely a relic passed down by my family," Sylas said, puffing out his chest with feigned modesty.
The nobles exchanged sly smiles. This was the reaction they'd hoped for.
"The treasures of such a noble lineage are bound to be extraordinary!"
"Indeed, as expected from the descendants of the Red Dragon—House Corleone!"
"Ha! Thank you for your kind words!" Sylas replied.
"My lord, where is this artifact? We are eager to see it!" one of the nobles asked, steering thenversation toward their actual goal.
They hoped Sylas would hand over the artifact and leave the battlefield. But Sylas, feigning a serious expression, shook his head.
"Ah, my apologies, but I can't show it to you now."
"What? Why not?"
"This artifact, while incredibly destructive, is also very small. In other words, ituld easily be stolen," Sylas explained, lowering his voice.
He insinuated that Conrad's spies might be among them, ready to snatch the artifact at the first opportunity.
"Fortunately, it can't be used by anyone but its rightful owner. However, if it were stolen, it would still causemplications. For security's sake, I must keep it hidden until the moment of use."
"Ofurse, my lord. That's understandable," the nobles replied reluctantly. His reasoning was sound, leaving them no room to argue.
However, one noble seemed struck by a realization and exclaimed, "Wait! My lord, are you saying you'll personally use the artifact on the battlefield?"
"Indeed," Sylasnfirmed.
The nobles' facesllectively darkened. The prospect of Sylas personally entering the fray was a nightmare for them.
"Damn it. Now we'll have to worry about protecting theunt in the middle of battle."
"He's not going to takemmand of the troops himself, is he?"
"If he gets killed by a stray arrow, we lose everything…"
As their unease grew, Sylas narrowed his eyes.
"Is there a problem?" he asked, his tone pointed.
"N-no, my lord! We were onlyncerned for your safety," one noble stammered.
"Ha! You needn't worry about that. Have you forgotten my nickname?"
They hadn't. Everyone knew the tales of the Dragonslayer and his legendary exploits. Yet their anxiety lingered. No matter how skilled a warrior, a stray arrowuld kill anyone. And they had never witnessed Sylas's prowess firsthand.
'We can't let him die before dividing the spoils…'
Sensing their hesitation, Sylas offered reassurance.
"Just ensure I'm well-guarded on my way to the gate. I won't be taking overmmand or making any reckless moves. Once I destroy the gate, I'll retreat immediately."
"That would be greatly appreciated, my lord!"
Relieved, the nobles exhaledllectively. Sylas's assurance calmed their fears. But unbeknownst to them, he had no intention of keeping that promise.
