Chapter 109
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Translator: Prime Works
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: Savior of the Bell Sound (2)
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[For risking your life to save the people of both Frontera Barony and Racona Viscounty, you have shown heroic courage and resolve.]
[The residents of both territories were deeply moved and now shower you with praise.]
[A new praise has been generated for you.]
“…….”
Hmm, finally.
A message suddenly popped up before his eyes.
Rather than being surprised, Lloyd carefully read it over.
‘As expected, I suppose.’
He was quite used to messages appearing at moments like this by now.
He’d been secretly anticipating it ever since he wiped out the locust swarm threat.
‘Since it was prime timing for a new praise to appear.’
He’d risked his life to save the territory.
If even one praise didn’t pop up for that, it’d feel downright unfair.
In fact, that was why he’d deliberately shouted “Captain Frontera” and made a big show of announcing that he was the one saving everyone.
‘Otherwise, no one would properly know who saved them. Why bother with achievements if no one acknowledges them?’
In today’s world, self-PR was key, after all.
With that thought, Lloyd checked the succession of messages appearing one after another.
Ding-dong.
[A new praise, [Savior of the Bell Sound], has been generated.]
[Savior of the Bell Sound]
[Praise Grade: Regional Folk Tale]
Dark clouds blanketing the eastern sky.
Wings bearing the apocalypse rained down.
Livestock died, homes collapsed.
People wept, their blades snapped.
In that moment when death loomed over every heart.
When all in both territories writhed in despair.
A single bell toll rang out loud and clear.
Dong. Saving the livestock.
Dong. Rousing the people.
Dong. Driving away the end times.
Thus we hail that one as our savior.
[Praise Effect: All residents of Frontera Barony and Racona Viscounty, who endured the locust swarm disaster, will regard you as their lifelong benefactor. Additionally, all insect-type monsters will instinctively feel wary and fearful upon seeing you, becoming greatly intimidated.]
[Praise Region: Frontera Barony, Racona Viscounty]
[Praise Duration: 110 years]
[The praise's effects apply 24/7 within the praised region and duration. Furthermore, depending on your future actions, the praised region and duration may expand/extend, shrink/shorten.]
[CP provided monthly by this praise: 3]
[Current CP held: 2]
‘Whoa.’
Savior of the Bell Sound.
The grandiose name came with an equally tremendous effect.
‘Does this mean I’ve become the most revered figure in the region?’
And that wasn’t all.
‘Summing up the option effect: it automatically intimidates all insect-type monsters.’
It was an incredible perk when he thought about it.
The option description didn’t specify details like monster size.
‘Meaning there are no criteria for size or other conditions. Any monster vaguely insect-like falls under this effect. In other words, even something like the Gigatitan I fought in Creemo would cower and shrink back at the sight of me.’
In Korea, an S-class guild would’ve been drooling over talent like this.
No, even here, this option would prove endlessly useful.
‘Considering how often I’ve tangled badly with insect-type monsters up till now.’
He really had, when he thought back.
Beast ants.
Gigatitans.
Locust swarms.
Every one of them had brought his greatest crises.
But if he’d had this praise’s option back when he clashed with them?
Victory would’ve come far more easily.
He’d have staked his life far less often.
‘Plus, it’d be perfect for swatting mosquitoes sneaking into the bedroom at night.’
In a way, that might be the sweetest perk of all.
Lloyd smiled contentedly and closed the message window.
He glanced across the table.
There sat the baron and baroness, enjoying their dinner.
Both looked delighted.
They savored the peaceful evening moment, forks in hand.
It made sense, of course.
The territory had faced an unprecedented disaster.
In that desperate situation, their son had shone as a hero.
How could they not be joyful?
How could they not feel proud?
Lloyd could fully empathize with the baron and baroness’s feelings.
But that was that, and future preparations were another matter.
That was why he spoke up.
“Um, I hate to bring this up, but it’s not over yet.”
He said it while staring at his empty salad plate.
The baron and baroness’s warm conversation halted.
Soon, he felt their gazes turn toward him.
The baroness’s voice carried worry.
“Oh dear. Do you want more salad, dear?”
“…….”
“Speak up. ‘Not over’? Well, of course that wouldn’t fill you up. You still haven’t recovered from the fatigue of traveling from the capital.”
Rustle rustle. The baroness took his plate and piled it high with salad.
When it returned, there was far more meat than vegetables.
“If it’s not enough, just say so. You worked so hard today.”
“Uh, um, that’s not what I meant by ‘not over’…….”
“Want some sausage too?”
“…….”
His heart swelled unbidden.
Memories were such a problem.
Why were all mothers like this?
He forcibly shoved aside the sudden thought of his own mom.
He cleared his throat loudly, shaking off the awkward expression.
“Ahem! Um, no, it’s that—I actually have something to tell you both.”
“Something you want to say?”
The baron asked.
The baroness paused with her salad tongs.
Both seemed to sense it wasn’t just about food.
Lloyd addressed the baron and baroness.
“I’m sorry to say this while you’re happy and relieved. It feels like pouring cold water on you. But I think we should save that joy and relief for later. Both of you, and me too.”
“……Is something else going to happen?”
“Yes.”
“Something upcoming?”
“Yes.”
“Can you explain in detail?”
“Of course.”
The baron’s eyes grew serious.
Meeting that gaze, Lloyd opened his mouth.
“Yesterday’s disaster was truly terrifying. We were fortunate to get through it. But now the real ordeal begins. Let me explain the reasons and circumstances in detail…….”
He explained carefully.
Just as he’d reported the full story to Queen Alicia in the capital.
The knowledge he had from reading Iron-Blooded Knight.
The facts he’d inferred and grasped based on that.
He laid it all out step by step.
Clear and concise.
“……So, there will be several more invasions like the last one from now on.”
“Several?”
“Yes.”
“That’s…….”
“I estimate at least three, up to seven times or so.”
“…….”
The baron and baroness paled.
The warm, peaceful dinner atmosphere turned into a suspenseful disaster special in an instant.
“Good heavens. What are we to do……? Then how about we abandon the territory?”
“That won’t do.”
Lloyd shook his head firmly.
“Remember this: if we lose the territory, it’s all over.”
“All over?”
“Yes.”
It was the truth.
They couldn’t abandon and flee this territory.
This place held his dreams, hopes, peaceful retirement, and prosperous old age—like a jar of honey.
But if monsters came and he gave up?
If he let it fall to ruin?
If it became wasteland, residents dead or fled?
‘The territory would be lost. Someone might say, “Some escaped safely and can rebuild on the empty land later,” but this isn’t a game. That’s impossible.’
The lord’s family abandons the territory.
Retreats without facing the danger.
Flees to save only their own skins.
No resident would trust that family afterward.
No matter how much money they poured into farmland and settlements, people wouldn’t gather.
Before that, the royals would demand harsh accountability.
‘The territory is, after all, land granted by the queen to her vassal.’
Land to be managed on her behalf.
Abandoning it and fleeing?
That meant forfeiting the right to manage it themselves.
They’d lose the territory forever.
“So fleeing must remain the absolute last resort, only for the moment we truly think we’ll die. For now, unconditionally, defending the territory here comes first.”
He didn’t want to lose the territory.
Didn’t want to become landless nobles summoned to the capital.
He’d end up receiving a government post amid the queen’s perfunctory condolences.
Spending life slaving away at her orders until death.
He absolutely wanted no part of that.
He’d already endured such a grueling existence back in Korea.
Perhaps sensing his strong resolve.
The baron nodded with a firm expression.
“I understand your intent. You’re right a hundred times over.”
“Exactly.”
Good.
The baron, who’d seemed briefly frightened, now steeled himself.
Now they could make a fight of it.
But this time, the baron’s resolve seemed a bit overly(?) firm.
“So you flee.”
“……Pardon?”
“You said hordes of monsters and beasts will swarm the territory like the locusts. So…….”
“What…….”
“If you need to do surveying and design for defenses, do that much. As quickly as possible.”
“You don’t mean just do that, hand over construction, and flee?”
“That’s right.”
The baron spoke as if it were obvious.
“Why risk your life too? You’ve already taken enough reckless risks this time. No, honestly, your father feels ashamed and sorry for letting you do even that. So from now on, stay safe. No more rash actions—leave the danger to me.”
It was a rare stern tone from the baron.
That made his feelings all the clearer.
His sincere wish to keep Lloyd safe, even at his own peril.
“…….”
His heart swelled again.
Why did thoughts of his father surface at times like this?
Despite mountains of debt, “It’s fine, don’t worry—just focus on college. I’ll handle it all, no need to fret.”
His father, forcing sternness through the strain.
‘He must’ve been the most scared and burdened.’
Was trying to shoulder everything alone a universal trait of fathers?
Lloyd took a deep breath.
He suppressed the emotions welling up unbidden.
Then he said to the baron.
“But that alone won’t be enough.”
“Won’t be enough……?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think your father can’t defend the territory?”
“No. It’s just—”
“Just?”
“We’ll manage far better together. So I promise.”
“Promise what?”
“If it really gets dangerous, I’ll flee first. Without looking back. To somewhere far and safe. How’s that?”
“……Will you keep that promise?”
“Of course.”
It went without saying.
No matter how much of a honey pot the territory was, it wasn’t worth more than his life.
If he truly thought death loomed, he’d bolt first.
With that thought, Lloyd continued.
“So please withdraw the order to flee ahead of time. Instead, I have a request.”
“A request. What is it?”
“Gather as many hands as possible.”
“To shorten construction time on defenses?”
“Yes. Beyond just territory folk and the Engineering Corps, we need even more laborers. Especially strong, sturdy ones. That’s why.”
Lloyd looked at the baron.
He smiled brightly and casually dropped words that’d horrify him.
“After dinner, summon the White Lancers’ captain. And tell him: starting tomorrow, the entire White Lancers unit joins our territory’s Engineering Corps.”
“……What?”
Gulp.
His vow to spare no effort in defending the territory forgotten for the moment.
‘Sure, as lord, I’ve received command authority, but it’s Her Majesty’s directly dispatched unit—what am I supposed to do with that?’
Wouldn’t the lancers’ captain fly into a rage?
But Lloyd grew even more brazen.
“Of course you’re worried. Wondering how to even say it. But this is something only the lord—not me—can request. And it must be done.”
“Must? Why?”
“It’s our chance to secure five hundred strong, energetic workers.”
Lloyd pressed on.
“The next monster horde after the locusts will come soon. We’ll need their shoveling then.”
“Shoveling?”
“Yes. And not just this time. For the even grander plans I’m drawing up with the future in mind, they absolutely must master shoveling now. Get used to it ahead of time. So you must convince him. And if he gets angry…….”
“Angry?”
Baron Frontera asked hurriedly.
Hoping his son had some clever ploy.
He awaited Lloyd’s answer with desperate hope.
Lloyd smiled brightly.
“Just brazen it out with thick skin.”
“…….”
“You can do it.”
“…….”
“Fighting.”
“…….”
Can I really do that?
Baron Frontera’s Adam’s apple bobbed dramatically.