Lord of Caldera

Chapter 151

But when they reached the point where arrows should've flown, nothing happened. Surprised, the soldiers looked around in confusion, now standing close enough that a thrown spear could reach them.

Meanwhile, within the castle walls, the commanders were even more shocked.

"Why aren't they firing?" The knight who had previously confronted Sylas shouted at the veteran soldier beside him.

The veteran stammered, "They...they're refusing to shoot."

"Give the order again!"

"I've told them multiple times, but they won't obey."

"Are they all insane?" The knight stormed over to the archers and yelled at them directly. "Shoot! What are you all waiting for? We have arrows!"

But the archers, sweating nervously, didn't move. The reason was simple.

"Are we really supposed to shoot?"

"If we do, that lord will kill us later," one murmured.

"He said he'd cut our taxes if he became lord," another whispered.

About a third of the soldiers had already secretly decided to betray Philip.

"Son, don't you dare shoot at that man," a mother had pleaded with her conscripted son.

"Mother, I'll be killed if I disobey!" he'd replied in frustration.

"You fool! Think about when he becomes lord."

Another third of the soldiers were struggling because of family pleas.

And the last third were simply swept along by their neighbors.

"Don't shoot! Put down your bows!" one of them shouted.

"But if others shoot, we'll be the ones in trouble!"

"Our neighbors already agreed not to shoot. Do you think other families won't do the same?" Stay connected via My Virtual Library Empire

With such a mix of hesitation and refusal, a proper defense was impossible. The knight, seeing his orders ignored, drew his sword, his face red with rage.

"You dare disobey orders?"

"Let's surrender and ask them to spare our lord's life. It's all we can do now."

"That's nonsense! If you want to surrender, do it alone!"

Furious, the knight raised his sword again. Now that he had nothing left to lose, he was prepared to set an example if necessary.

Just as he was about to swing, a flashing light grazed the head of his companion.

Thud.

"Gah?!"

The knight, whose neck had been cleanly severed, collapsed to the ground, leaving the others gasping in shock. It looked as though he had been struck by a ballista.

"A siege weapon? Where on earth did that come from?"

When he looked down, he saw Toby, drawing back after hurling his spear. A shiver ran down his spine at the sight. Had he just thrown a spear and decapitated someone?

"I won't waste words," Sylas said, appearing behind Toby and meeting the knight's gaze.

"Surrender. I will spare all who do not resist."

The knight looked around at his comrades, seeing no one pointing their weapons. All were merely waiting in anticipation for a command to surrender. Lowering his head, he opened the castle gate.

Once the gate opened, everything proceeded swiftly. Sylas, accompanied by Bjorn and a few elite soldiers, swept through the castle.

"Find the lord!"

"How did these scum get through the gates?! Urgh!"

Though two knights attempted resistance, they were quickly subdued. The administrators trembled, lying on the floor, while the soldiers backed away. Sylas rushed directly to the lord's office, kicking the door open.

Boom.

"Who would open the door like... huh?!"

"It's me."

Philip's face turned pale as he looked at the door, his expression one of shock. It seemed he had received no warning.

"What is this?! The battle hasn't even started yet!"

"Ha, should a lord say such things?"

With the army clashing in his own courtyard, he should have at least observed the situation personally. Instead, he remained secluded in his office.