Lord of Caldera

"Then maybe it's time to correct their misunderstanding," Toby suggested.

"You know how knights are—once they've made up their minds, they rarely change them until they see proof firsthand," Beric replied.

Toby was momentarily at a loss, acknowledging the truth of Beric's words. Knights, especially those confident in their own strength, were often stubborn about accepting others as equals. The only solution was for them to witness the strength of Sylas's group themselves.

"So, I ask for your patience," Beric said.

"Fair enough," Sylas replied, unfazed, though Toby still seemed a little annoyed. He knew it was only a matter of time before their abilities became evident.

Though a small wall of pride stood between the Winslow knights and Sylas's group, no significant issues arose. Occasionally, groups of monsters attacked, but the knights easily repelled them without suffering any casualties. Sometimes, they even cast smug looks, as if to ask whether Sylas's party was impressed, which only amused Sylas's group.

"Are they really bragging about that?" Toby chuckled.

"They are young, still hungry for a challenge," Beric said, embarrassed on their behalf.@@novelbin@@

Five days into the journey, a scout's report caused Leon to frown. Stay tuned to My Virtual Library Empire

"Monsters… already dead?"

"Yes, sir. And quite a few of them," the scout replied.

As they moved forward, the scene matched the report—a trail of monster corpses lay strewn across the path, killed by what looked like knights and soldiers.

"Damn, looks like someone got here before us," Beric muttered irritably. Sylas, puzzled, asked him to clarify.

"Is there an issue? If they are clearing monsters ahead of us, isn't that a good thing?"

"Yes, but it means we're likely to run into whoever is leading this group," Beric explained.

Given the timing and location, it was likely another noble house responding to Count Hernig's call for reinforcements. But none of the other three families involved in the alliance were on good terms with each other.

"From the traces, it looks like they have more troops than us… that could be troublesome," Beric continued.

"If you're worried about tensions, maybe we could travel slower and let them go ahead," Sylas suggested.

"That would make things worse. If we arrive noticeably later than the others, it could offend the count."

In other words, they were forced into an encounter. With the sun setting, it was almost inevitable that they would need to camp nearby, likely in the same area.

"Everyone, stay in formation! There's another party up ahead!" Leon called out, and the soldiers stiffened, focusing as the knights took on a more serious demeanor. Knowing they were likely to encounter a rival house, they couldn't afford any lapses.

After some hours of steady marching, they saw a group setting up camp in the distance. Upon recognizing the crest on the fluttering banners, Leon gritted his teeth.

"It's the Vindelun family. Prepare yourselves to meet them."

Leon's words cast a shadow over the group's mood. Sensing the sudden tension, Sylas looked at Ray.

"What's going on? The atmosphere just got heavy."

"It's because of our poor relations with them," Ray replied.

"I thought you didn't get along with any of the other families?"

"True, but you see our history with the Vindelun family is closer to outright hostility."

"Is there a particular reason?" Sylas asked.

"It's because the Winslow family serves as a buffer against monster attacks," Ray explained.

Geographically, the Vindelun family's lands lay behind the Winslow family's territory, meaning the Winslows bore the brunt of monster attacks. Occasionally, a few monsters might break through and reach the Vindelun lands, but that was rare. Naturally, resentment had built up over time within the Winslow family.

"Yet, the Vindeluns are stingy when it comes to offering assistance. Unless they are directly threatened, they refuse even minor aid."

"No wonder there's animosity," Sylas said, understanding. But that wasn't the only issue. Winslow's force, excluding Sylas's group, consisted of only ten knights and thirty soldiers. In contrast, the Vindelun group appeared to number well over two hundred. Facing an enemy family while also being outnumbered didn't sit well with the Winslow knights and soldiers.

As the Winslow family's banner approached, a young man with a confident grin stepped forward to greet Leon.

"Well, well! Look who it is! Our dear neighbor has come to join us!" he called out, laughing loudly. Seeing his face, Leon bit his lip in frustration.

"Walter Vindelun…!" Leon muttered, glaring at the heir of the Vindelun family, who was two years older than him and also the man Leon despised most. Walter surveyed Leon's group with a wide grin.

"With all these monsters lately, I was so worried our steadfast neighbors, the Winslows, might be in trouble. But it seems my worries were unfounded," he said.

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Leon growled, his eyes narrowing. Walter had a habit of dragging out his words only to drop insults that grated on others' nerves. Sure enough, a mocking smile crept across Walter's face.

"Ten knights and thirty soldiers! An impressive force indeed! If the Winslows have so much to spare, our family can rest easy, I'm sure. Hahaha!" he laughed.

Leon's entire group, apart from Sylas's party, clenched their teeth at the open mockery. To bring more than two hundred men and still taunt them so shamelessly—it was an insult.

"Surely. A family that lives peacefully at the cost of our blood would be confident. I see that even in these times, you live quite comfortably," Leon replied, hurling his own barb.

Walter only nodded, as if acknowledging the remark. "Ah, yes, thanks to your sacrifice, we live in peace. So keep spilling that blood for us. Not that we'll offer anything in return!" He laughed again, joined by his men.

The over the top mockery made Leon's face flush with fury, and Sylas, observing from the side, was impressed. At this rate, he wondered if Walter wasn't risking getting stabbed in his sleep. Sylas turned to Ray and asked, "Is he always like this?"