Lord of Caldera

"Good. Let's proceed with the plan."

Ending their conversation swiftly, Sylas stopped between the two armies, and then, with all his might, shouted, "Everyone, halt!"

All eyes turned to Sylas, including those of the Grand Duke. Sylas threw off the hood covering Eldira. Seeing her face, cries erupted among the elves.

"Eldira?!"

"Princess!"

Some of the elves, overcome with emotion, tried to rush forward, but Sylas quickly held a blade to Eldira's neck. "Stay back, elves! If you value the life of your precious princess!"

"How dare you!" Fury filled the Grand Duke's gaze, sharp enough to kill, though he restrained his army from moving. Sylas turned to the count and shouted urgently.

"Your Grace, retreat with the army!"

"What?"

"If we fight here, it will be our end! You know that!" Discover hidden content at My Virtual Library Empire

Sylas's words hit home; waging battle here would be the worst choice. The best course was to retreat while they still had a useful hostage. The count's mind raced despite the urgency.

'So the elf was the Grand Duke's daughter? But if they knew, why didn't they tell me? What are they scheming...?'

Caught in someone else's plan, the count felt a frustrating lack of control. But time was too short for reflection.

"Your Grace, there's no time!"

"Sir Toby?!"

"The lord is buying us time! If we don't retreat now, we can't know what will happen!" Toby, his face stained with what looked like tears, shouted, "Go, quickly! You must leave now!"

"But isn't Sir Sylas your lord?"

"He has given his orders. A knight's duty is to obey!"

Toby lowered his head in frustration, his shoulders trembling. This scene silenced the knights, a testament to their loyalty even in their powerlessness. Then Toby looked to Rey.

"Sir Rey, you feel the same, don't you?"

"Yes. I. Do." Rey's awkward response caught everyone off guard.

'Strange, did Sir Rey always speak like that?'

'He sounds... forced?'

While the knights stood puzzled, Toby nudged Rey with his foot. 'If you can't act, just look sad or something.'

'...Understood.'

Rey forced his face into a grimace. The knights recoiled, uncertain if he was angry or about to cry. Meanwhile, Toby urgently called out, "Your Grace, we have no time!"

"Very well. All units, fall back!" The count, snapping back to reality, ordered the retreat. Though Sylas held the line for now, there was no telling how long it would last. Strange as the situation seemed, they needed to retreat swiftly before the elves could encircle them.

"Fall back! The whole army, retreat!"

"Don't waste Sir Sylas's sacrifice!"

The elves seethed as the human forces retreated. They could have crushed them here if not for Sylas's interference. Some units tried to move forward, but Sylas anticipated every attempt.

"I told you not to move! Is the princess's life not dear to you?"

"Curse you, human!"

With Sylas's vigilant gaze upon them, the elf army couldn't budge. When the count's forces had gained a reasonable distance, Sylas whispered to Eldira.

"Hey, put on an act too. We agreed to this."

"In this situation, is it necessary? I think you're handling it well."

"To keep the elves chasing, it is. A full army retreat takes time."

"Hmm, understood."

Eldira, who had been silent so far under the guise of having a cut tongue, raised her voice as planned, calling out desperately, "F-ath-er! Help me!"

"..."

"…?"

Sylas went silent, and the elves tilted their heads in confusion. Strange... Did the princess normally speak like that? The Grand Duke's expression twisted in a way that was hard to describe. Sylas sighed and muttered, "Just keep quiet."

"Why!?"

The hostage situation in front of an army couldn't last long. As time went on, the hostage-taker's concentration waned, and the army blocked all blind spots and escape routes.

Sylas was well aware of this. So, as soon as he confirmed that the Count's forces were far enough away, he immediately threw down his sword.

"Surrender!"

"...?!"

"I demand prisoner treatment!"

The elves, bewildered, captured and detained him. Inside a temporary wooden prison, Sylas lay on the floor, humming a song.

"Oh, cloud, where do you go? With nowhere to go, why do you rush so?"

One of the elven guards around him looked at Sylas with an incredulous expression. It was clear from his gaze what he was thinking.

"Is he insane?"

Sylas ignored the others' stares. What did he care if they glared at him? After passing some time, his stomach growled.

"I'm hungry. Can I get some food?"

The elven guard looked at Sylas briefly and shook his head, seemingly determined to ignore him entirely.

"If you don't give me any, I'll complain to Eldira."

"Do not mention the Lady's name so carelessly."

A higher-ranking guard's gaze narrowed. Sylas shrugged and replied.

"She didn't seem to mind when I called her by name."

The guard fell silent.

"Anyway, I'm asking for food. Don't elves feed their prisoners?"

With a frown, the guard glanced at another soldier beside him. Shortly after, a wooden bowl filled with stew arrived.

It was still steaming, suggesting it had just been made. Sylas received the stew silently and commented.

"No seasoning?"

The guard remained silent.

"Just kidding."

Seeing the guard's vein twitch, Sylas quietly picked up the spoon. He didn't want to tease them so much that they stormed into the cell.

The stew was quite tasty. Sylas finished it in no time. As soon as the bowl was cleared, a voice came from outside.

"Come out, human."

With a clink, the wooden prison door opened. Sylas noticed it was one of the retainers who had been beside the Duke earlier.

Sylas stood up lightly and followed the elf. Though the elf briefly frowned at his casual attitude, he said nothing.

Following the retainer, Sylas was led to the Duke's tent.

"Go in," the elf instructed.

"Thank you for the escort," Sylas replied.

The elf's face twisted in frustration. Who asked him to sound so commanding? With a slight sense of vengeance, Sylas entered the tent.