Chapter 179
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Prime Works
Chapter: 179
Chapter Title: A Sturdy Patron (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Lloyd's hand moved.
He pointed to the seat next to the count across from him.
The Namaran Lady, his daughter.
The count's white beard twitched.
"My daughter? A fine ruler?"
"Yes, that's right."
"What do you mean by that?"
The twitching extended from his beard to his eyebrows.
The count couldn't quite grasp what Lloyd was saying.
He was old and his health had deteriorated so severely that he needed rest.
In that situation, he needed someone to govern the city in his place.
Unfortunately, he had no son.
He only had one precious daughter.
That's why he'd agonized over it for days.
Who should he hand the city's governance to?
Should he push himself a bit more and hold on?
In the end, the person the count had thought of was Lloyd.
In his view, Lloyd was an excellent candidate both practically and in terms of legitimacy.
'Young and capable. Not only sharp and diligent, but he's also earned great merits for this city. And on top of that, he's someone who receives the queen's boundless favor. Who could manage this city better than him?'
That was the Namaran Count's conclusion.
And so.
He'd proposed to Lloyd.
To marry his daughter.
To take over and rule the city.
And he'd expected.
He thought Lloyd would accept.
From the count's perspective—no, from any common viewpoint—that was a natural assumption.
Wasn't it an incredible opportunity for a young man to rise to count and govern a major city?
But...
'Not only does he refuse, but he says my daughter is more suited to rule?'
He'd never even considered it.
His daughter was just his daughter.
He only hoped she'd marry into a good family and contribute to their future.
He cherished and loved his daughter in his own way, but the idea of passing the count's title to her was something he'd never even imagined.
His one and only daughter, raised with the utmost care like gold and jade.
A flower grown in a greenhouse, never exposed to hardship.
He couldn't even picture her ascending to the count's position.
"Are you mocking this old man right now?"
Deep wrinkles formed around the Namaran Count's eyes.
Discomfort settled into every crease.
Though old and ill, the pressure of a lifelong ruler emanated from him.
But even before the count's gaze and voice, Lloyd didn't flinch.
He didn't flash a grin or shrug.
Instead, he met the count's eyes with an even more serious look.
"My lord count, this is my sincere belief."
"Sincere?"
"Yes."
He nodded slightly.
Taking in the count and the lady alternately, he spoke slowly and deliberately.
"What could I possibly gain by daring to mock you, my lord count? I have no such intention whatsoever. Please understand my heart."
"Then what did you mean earlier? That my daughter is suited to rule this city."
"That was my sincere belief as well, without the slightest exaggeration."
"Sincere?"
"Yes."
"On what basis?"
"Because I saw it myself. On the day the barrier infused with the black mages' curses was erected, your daughter acted with unwavering devotion and sacrifice."
"Devotion and sacrifice...?"
"She collapsed from exhaustion while moving the old maids and servants from the mansion to the shade."
A faint smile played on Lloyd's lips.
The Namaran Lady.
The more he thought of her, the more the smile grew.
Because of the consistent way she'd appeared in the novel Iron-Blooded Knight and here.
'How can someone be so steadfast?'
In the novel and here.
In both places, the Namaran Lady wore a single pendant.
A birthday gift from her father in her girlhood days.
It wasn't just any pendant.
It was a rare and expensive item that offered some protection against evil spells and curses.
Thanks to it, she didn't pass out immediately even when Namaran's barrier went up.
She could barely crawl, but she could still move.
'And she crawled like that to grab Black Mage Kannava's ankle. She threw her body at him to disrupt the Hell Knight summoning ritual and got killed for it. Those few seconds she bought allowed Haviel to stop the summoning.'
That was her end in the novel Iron-Blooded Knight.
But here?
She didn't meet her end.
Instead, with the pendant's power, she barely moved and performed acts of kindness.
She tried to care for the old maids and servants in the mansion.
She moved them to the shade and massaged their limbs.
Even in her own grueling state on the verge of collapse, she continued nursing and caring for them.
Until she finally fainted herself.
"I happened to see it while rushing around for emergency aid. And I heard it. The maids and servants were all praising her. Even as they were losing consciousness, they said. That the lady had tried to protect them, mere underlings. That they'd never forget that sight."
Lloyd sent a pleased glance at the lady.
Did she think her good deed had been exposed(?)?
Her face was already completely flushed.
Lloyd's warm smile deepened.
"That's the kind of person she is, your daughter, my lord count. Someone always ready to sacrifice herself for this city and its people, even carving away at her own flesh."
"But this child has no experience in governance..."
"Yes, I know. She lacks experience."
The count tried to counter.
Lloyd spoke to him slowly.
"Of course, there will be many mistakes at first. Plenty of trial and error. But wouldn't it be the same for me? Or for you in your younger days, my lord count?"
"...Ahem! Hm! Why bring me up as an example all of a sudden?"
"I just wanted to say that it's natural to be inexperienced at first. Especially when taking on the role of governing a city and bearing responsibility for so many lives."
"So that's why."
Lloyd pointed to the lady once more.
"If anyone's going to be clumsy at first anyway, wouldn't it be better for someone truly devoted to the city to take the reins?"
"And you?"
"I'm not the type. No, I can't be."
"Why is that?"
"I'm too greedy. I might just raise taxes tenfold right away. It's not my hometown anyway, and I have no particular attachment. To put it coldly, whether the citizens starve or not is none of my business."
"You're obviously saying that on purpose."
"I just wanted to say that your daughter would absolutely never do such a thing."
"..."
"Besides, she's a local. This is her home. She's far more familiar with the situation here than an outsider like me."
"..."
"What do you think?"
Lloyd finished and smiled faintly.
The Namaran Count gave him a meaningful look.
"You... what's your real reason for this?"
"Pardon?"
"It's a position anyone would covet. One that comes with my daughter to ensure legitimacy. Yet how can you refuse it so calmly?"
"As I said earlier, I'm too greedy."
"What?"
The Namaran Count frowned.
Lloyd said innocently.
"To be honest, I love money, but I also love slacking off. That's why. Every night, I secretly pray to the heavens. That our Frontera Count lives to over a hundred in perfect health."
"...That's not exactly filial piety."
"You're right. He needs to stay healthy and hold his position for a long time so I can live easy."
It was his honest truth.
Of course, he liked the Frontera Count.
He was a respectable, good-hearted man.
So he sincerely hoped the count would live long without illness.
Because there'd be far less responsibility on the count's son.
Less duty, but plenty of luxuries to enjoy.
He could just laze around sucking honey.
"That's the kind of guy I am. After all this physical and mental toil, I'm worn out. I want to rest. Too much responsibility is burdensome. I just want to quietly enjoy what's given to me."
"No grand ambitions or aspirations befitting a man?"
"Ambitions don't put food on the table."
Really.
Just modestly.
Just ordinarily.
Without any lacks.
He wanted to live comfortably for himself and go.
That freeloading landlord life was Lloyd's ultimate life goal and wish.
"...I see. If you put it that way, I can't force the proposal on you."
"Thank you for understanding my wishes."
"But I won't blindly accept your radical advice to make my daughter the successor. I'll consider it positively, though."
"I'm relieved. I was worried my advice was overstepping."
"Heh, look at this brazen fellow."
"It'd be even more appreciated if you praised my tact instead."
"Tsk. It'd be great if someone like you would take charge of my city."
"Your daughter will do far better than me."
"Where did that guy go who was just worrying about overstepping?"
"Was there such a guy?"
"Heh heh heh. Amazing. I don't hate you even like this."
"What talent do I have? It's all thanks to your generosity, er, my lord count."
"Heh heh heh heh! Look at this guy!"
In the end, the count burst into hearty laughter.
He looked at Lloyd with deeper warmth.
"...Alright. I'll seriously consider your advice."
"Thank you."
"No, I should be the one thanking you. If not for you and Sir Asrahan, I, my daughter, and everyone in our city would have been wiped out. Since it's come up, let me say it: thank you truly. I'll make sure to report your merits in full detail to Her Majesty the Queen."
"...Um, about that."
"What, you don't want me to?"
"Too many merits keep getting me in trouble."
Lloyd gave a wry smile.
The count's gaze warmed further.
"Heh heh heh? Is that so? Then I get it. I'll have to hire a master writer to embellish your feats even more dramatically for Her Majesty."
"Go easy on me."
"No. This is my petty revenge for refusing this old man's request so heartlessly."
"..."
"Anyway, enough of that. What's that?"
The count, laughing with a lingering tease, pointed to Lloyd's side.
Color bloomed on Lloyd's face.
"Ah, these are the blueprints and plans related to the slope stabilization work we'll carry out this time."
Perfect timing—he'd wanted to change the subject.
Lloyd quickly pulled out the documents and spread them out.
"First, I've analyzed the properties and condition of the cliff slope supporting Namaran City. The results show significant degradation already... blah blah blah... lateral earth pressure is expected to be higher than anticipated... so and so... Therefore, we'll install piles in a row in the ground and use anchors to increase frictional resistance... blah blah..."
He pointed precisely to spots on the blueprints before the count could interject.
As he did, a satisfied smile formed on his lips.
He'd safely refused the unexpected marriage proposal.
He'd averted the crisis(?) of taking over the city.
Now he was done.
Once this project was finished.
Once he earned the money and returned to Frontera Territory.
He could finally live that modest honey-sucking dream.
With that expectation, Lloyd continued his technical explanation to the count. He secured promises for material support and such.
All the while, the Namaran Count watched Lloyd with utmost pleasure.
His gaze was like that of a grandfather warmly beholding a grandchild who'd brought home top-of-the-class grades.
Impressed by Lloyd's fluent presentation?
Or awed by his achievements?
Neither.
'What a coveted talent.'
Lloyd Frontera.
Young and capable.
But what caught the count's eye was something else.
Capable, yet not arrogant, knowing his limits.
He evaluated himself coldly and didn't overstep.
That wasn't something an ordinary young man could do, the count judged.
'Usually, talent breeds confidence. Then arrogance creeps in, lines are crossed. They lose the ability to judge themselves coldly and fall into delusion. They cause incidents. Harming themselves and everyone around. But this guy? No. Even with that talent, he already knows restraint.'
Restraint beyond his abilities.
That was an even more extraordinary and rare gift than talent itself.
At least in the count's estimation.
'I was too greedy trying to claim such a talent so easily.'
He wasn't someone he or the city could casually keep.
The Namaran Count realized that watching Lloyd.
On one hand, he reflected and resolved.
'A sharp awl will poke through a pouch no matter how you hide it. Talent is the same. No matter how peacefully he tries to live, someone will covet that skill. He'll inevitably face such storms in life.'
When that time comes, this old man will step up to protect him.
That young man who saved his daughter and city.
The moment Lloyd Frontera gets caught in the world's tempests.
He would strive to guard the young man's peaceful path.
Mobilizing all his resources and power if needed.
He would repay the favor at least once.
With that firm inner vow, the Namaran Count gazed at Lloyd with boundless benevolence.
It was the moment a sturdy patron was born—one who would greatly aid Lloyd's life for years to come.