Lord of Caldera

Silence filled the room. Count Bill couldn't find words, nor could the knights, who glanced away and stayed quiet. In contrast, Dani and Ulrich stifled their amusement.

'Surely he should've exaggerated less,' they thought.

Knights often embellish their stories of valor, but there was a limit. Saying he had taken down dragons single-handedly as if it were child's play…

'Is this really the Sylas we thought we knew?'

'I can't even call him out on this.'

'I clearly misjudged him.'

Though most considered his tale exaggerated, they dared not voice their disbelief. This was, after all, a celebration for Sylas's return, and belittling him would be an affront not only to him but also to the Count's honor. The Count, fully aware of this, could only sigh internally.

'Has his extraordinary talent gone to his head?'

Everyone in the hall felt disappointed, but no one more so than Count Bill. Sylas was a son blessed with both ability and integrity. Yet, it seemed his brief time outside had led him astray.

'I'll need to keep an eye on him for a while.'

Perhaps it was only a temporary lapse. For now, monitoring his actions and guiding him carefully would be best.

"Very well. Let's conclude the banquet for now…" the Count began.

"Actually, Father, when I gained the strength of our ancestor Leonik, I realized something important."

Count Bill narrowed his eyes. Was he really going to continue with his boasting? Frustrated, his voice was sharp.

"And what, pray tell, did you realize?" Your journey continues on My Virtual Library Empire

"The Flame Wind Sword has been passed down incorrectly."

"What?!"

"The current Flame Wind Sword is a modified form. It has changed so much that it's completely different from what our ancestor left us."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop as soon as Sylas finished speaking.

Everyone was stunned by Sylas's unexpected declaration. His words touched upon a taboo.

'Is he in his right mind?'

'To question our family's swordsmanship?'

Swordsmanship was the pride of any knight, and pointing out flaws was enough to make lifelong enemies. Moreover, the Flame Wind Sword was a legacy left by their ancestor, Leonik, an art passed down through the Corleone family. Questioning it was like shaking the foundation of their family itself.

'This is serious. Should I intervene?'

'I hope the Count doesn't lose his temper.'

All eyes turned anxiously to Count Bill. Fortunately, he didn't lose his composure. But that didn't mean he wasn't angry.

"What exactly do you mean that the Flame Wind Sword has been passed down incorrectly?" he asked, his eyes flickering with restrained fury. His anger was like a volcano on the brink of eruption, awaiting only an unsatisfactory explanation. Yet Sylas remained calm.

"The Fire Sword was indeed designed for humans. But the Flame Wind Sword was not. It was meant for someone beyond human strength," Sylas explained.

"A technique meant for someone beyond human strength?"

"Yes. Only those with abilities akin to Ray or Sir Toby can wield it effectively."

Those present shivered slightly. They all knew how superhuman Ray and Toby's physical prowess was, vividly recalling their earth-shattering duels.

"But the Flame Wind Sword is also a technique I often rely on. It has proven effective in real combat."

"That's because it has been altered to be effective. The original technique was entirely different."

"You mentioned that before, saying it was altered. What exactly do you mean by that?"

"My guess is that one of our ancestors adapted it. They must have removed some moves that were meaningless to ordinary people," Sylas explained.

As head of the family, that ancestor may have had no other choice. After all, it was the Flame Wind Sword, passed down only to the direct line of the family head.

The Flame Wind Sword, as it currently stood, was less practical than the Fire Sword, which even regular knights could master. What use was such a technique if it couldn't be fully utilized? Count Bill could imagine that one of their ancestors, even at the cost of displeasing the family's founder, must have felt the need to make some adjustments.

"As a result, it became an impressive sword technique," Sylas continued. "However, it strayed far from its original purpose as a technique for someone beyond human limits. That's what the current Flame Wind Sword is."

"Do you have a way to prove this?" Count Bill's voice remained icy. No matter how rational his explanation sounded, it would be nothing more than an insult to their ancestor if Sylas couldn't prove it.

Sylas met his father's steely gaze with a smile. "Of course, I can prove it right now."

"What? Are you serious?"

"Would I speak so lightly of such things?"

Sylas had anticipated the reactions around him even before he spoke. In fact, this was exactly what he had hoped for. The best way to instill confidence was to erase all doubt with undeniable proof.

"If you wish, I can demonstrate the true Flame Wind Sword right here."

A tense silence followed. If Bill agreed, Sylas would have no choice but to perform the technique on the spot. And if his words turned out to be false, he'd face punishment from his father as well as from the family head. In the silence, Count Bill finally spoke.

"Very well. If you're that confident, show me!"

The prospect of seeing the true Flame Wind Sword brought a deeper smile to Sylas's face.

Before he began, Sylas made one request. "The current training hall won't do as a demonstration site."

"Why not?"

"There's a risk of damaging the surroundings. Please choose a place where it wouldn't matter if things got a little… messy."

After a moment's thought, Count Bill selected the site of the old training hall. Though it had been abandoned after a fire, it remained as a ruin in an unused part of the grounds.

"Will this be sufficient?"

"Just barely, but it should do," Sylas replied.

A sound of someone clicking their tongue came from behind him, clearly thinking he was being arrogant in this situation. Watching with great interest, Ulrich leaned over and whispered to Toby.

"Sir Toby, aren't you going to stop your lord?"

"Why would I?" Toby replied calmly.

"He's about to embarrass himself. If you don't come up with a solution, you'll regret it for a long time."

Though Ulrich pretended to be concerned, the subtle curve of his lips betrayed his amusement. Nearby, Dani was grinning widely, barely concealing his delight.