The baronet had his own reasons: as soon as the banquet ended, he planned to work on forming alliances. He couldn't afford to drink himself into a stupor.
While so nobles might take offense to having their drinks declined, Sylas's personality so far suggested he might be slightly displeased but wouldn't hold a serious grudge.
The other nobles seed to think so as well and continued to watch without much thought—until Sylas suddenly spoke up.
"How fascinating."
Sylas's calm yet chilling voice cut through the air.
"How curious that a re baronet dares to refuse a drink offered by a count. I've never seen anything quite like it."
"W-what?"
Startled by the unexpected remark, the baronet looked up in shock. Sylas's expression turned cold as a sharp smile played on his lips.
"Say that again. What did you just say?"
At that mont, all eyes turned to Sylas.
In the frozen atmosphere of the banquet hall, Sylas furrowed his brows.
"What could this an? By refusing my drink, are you trying to elevate your status? Or are you saying my wine isn't good enough for you?"
"N-no, that's not it!"
Snap.
The tallic goblet in Sylas's hand crumpled again. It wasn't the first ti—each twitch of his fingers compressed it further.
The nobles swallowed nervously as the goblet continued to fold under Sylas's grip, as if it were a re piece of paper.
"So, it's not that? Then what is it?"
"I-it's simply that I couldn't take another sip. Please understand!"
"You couldn't take another sip? Is that so?"
Sylas chuckled dryly and grabbed a nearby bottle of wine. Giving it a shake, he confird it was completely empty, not a drop left inside.
"For soone who can't drink, you certainly managed well. Don't you think?"
"T-that was my limit. I had already surpassed my capacity and had no choice but to stop…"
"Surpassed your capacity? Fair enough."
Sylas stroked his chin thoughtfully. Though his expression suggested understanding, his words carried a completely different tone.
"In that case, I suppose we should investigate how much you usually drink. Asking around should reveal the truth soon enough. Whether you're lying or telling the truth."
"…!"
The baronet turned pale as he stared at Sylas. Of course, he had been lying. Rejecting the wine had been a simple excuse to avoid drinking further.
What madness is this? Is he seriously planning to investigate over one refused drink?
If such an investigation did occur and the truth ca to light, it would appear as though the baronet had insulted the count. The consequences would be dire. In the worst-case scenario, it could serve as grounds for being purged under suspicion of treason.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, the surrounding nobles began to intervene.
"Your Excellency, please calm yourself! He's simply soone who cannot handle his liquor!"
"That's right! Who here would dare to question your authority?"
"Haha, who would dare question my authority, you say?"
Sylas chuckled coldly at their desperate attempts to diate. Then, his expression sharpened as he raised his voice.
"Isn't it all of you who are questioning it right now?"
Boom.
Sylas stomped his foot heavily, and the entire building trembled. The nobles turned pale as they stared at him. To think a single stomp could shake the entire structure.
"How pitiful."
Sylas muttered coldly, turning his back on them. The marble floor where he had stood was shattered into fragnts in the shape of his footprints.
"I may be confident in my swordsmanship, but I lack experience in leading an army. My experience is limited to a few battles in the northern front."
"…?"
The nobles were bewildered by this sudden confession. Why was he saying this now?
"But even I know the first thing that must be done before leading an army: ensuring internal cohesion. A divided and disobedient force is far more dangerous than the enemy itself."
"…!"
"Refusing a single drink might seem trivial, but it raises doubts about whether such a person would obey orders. Or, worse, whether they might beco a dagger aid at my back."
The baronet's face turned ashen, almost devoid of color. How had a single refusal of wine escalated to being labeled a potential traitor?
The other nobles fared no better. Bowing their heads, they felt cold sweat trickling down their backs.
This is insanity… suspicion of betrayal has no end if viewed this way.
From now on, anyone who defies the count risks being branded a traitor.
I thought he was relatively easygoing, but this side of him is terrifying.
Normally, such declarations of betrayal would be empty threats without substantial military strength to back them. However, Sylas was an exception—he alone was as powerful as an army.
While everyone trembled in fear, Baron Kaspar stepped forward. Bowing deeply, he addressed Sylas with utmost respect, his expression calm and unflinching.
"Your Excellency, please calm yourself. This was rely a minor mistake committed in an attempt to elevate his own dignity. How could he possibly intend to betray you?"
"Who can say?"
"Please, grant him forgiveness this once. Now, you—apologize imdiately."
"W-what?"
"Authority is sothing proven through one's capabilities. Rejecting soone's goodwill to assert yourself is a grave mistake."
The baronet's jaw dropped. In essence, Baron Kaspar was accusing him of challenging the count's authority by refusing the drink.
However, while the baronet's actions may have been an attempt to elevate his status, he had no intention of betraying Sylas. From the baronet's perspective, it was maddening. How could he admit to attempting to challenge Sylas's authority when he hadn't even considered it?
Still, refusing to acknowledge it would almost certainly brand him a potential traitor.
Despite the injustice of the situation, he had no choice. The baronet quickly dropped to one knee and shouted,
"My deepest apologies, Your Excellency! Blinded by a desire for recognition, I committed a grave mistake. Please forgive !"
Sylas silently looked down at the baronet. The pause stretched on, seconds feeling like minutes. After almost half a minute of oppressive silence, Sylas finally murmured:
"It would have been better if you had admitted your wrongdoing from the start."
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