Chapter 182
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Prime Works
Chapter: 182
Chapter Title: Father's Wait (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Rustle.
The letter unfurled.
Determined eyes scanned the paper.
"Hmm."
Wrinkles formed between Queen Alicia Termina Magentano's brows.
"Hell Knight."
She rummaged through her memories.
She had seen it mentioned in ancient texts.
A knight who led the legions of hell, or so it was said.
Of course, excluding the primordial era, no Hell Knight had ever descended to the earth.
If such a being were to descend?
All earthly creatures would meet their end that day, the ancient texts had warned.
'If there's any silver lining, it's that such a being was summoned in an incomplete form.'
It could have turned the kingdom into a wasteland.
But that hadn't happened.
Thanks to the valiant knights and citizens of Namaran.
They had thwarted the black mages' plans.
They had barely subdued the descended Hell Knight.
That was what Count Namaran's report claimed.
'But is this report really true?'
A faint smile played on Queen Alicia's lips as she read under the flickering candlelight.
Something felt off.
'I can believe that Namaran's knights exterminated and captured a group of black mages, but a Hell Knight? Even in an incomplete form, subduing a knight from hell?'
It was hard to swallow.
'And the addendum at the end is even more suspicious.'
The queen's gaze drifted to the bottom of the report.
There was a more detailed account of the Hell Knight's subjugation.
'While Lloyd Frontera, the eldest son of the Frontera family, was staying in Namaran City by coincidence, he sang a strange song, which threw the Hell Knight into great confusion, allowing Sir Haviel Asrahan, Lloyd's guard, and the other knights to fight valiantly and subdue it. Hmm. What kind of song shakes a hell knight?'
She couldn't imagine.
But through the report, Queen Alicia could vaguely sense something.
'Count Namaran deliberately downplayed the eldest son of the Frontera family's contributions.'
That's what it smelled like.
Of course, she hadn't witnessed the incident herself.
But examining the circumstances in the report made the inference plausible.
'Even if Namaran's knights fought bravely, they couldn't have opposed a Hell Knight. Yet Sir Asrahan and the knights cooperated? No. In reality, Lloyd Frontera and Haviel Asrahan, those two, must have subdued the Hell Knight.'
She suddenly recalled a past event.
The night of the assassination attempt on her.
She reflected on the abilities Lloyd and Haviel had shown that day.
Haviel, who had subdued Swordmaster Sir Cherny.
Lloyd, not a Swordmaster but displaying bizarre talents.
Together, they could have more than matched an incomplete Hell Knight.
'But why did Count Namaran downplay those two's achievements in his report? Hm, to protect the peaceful life of the Frontera family's eldest son?'
Her thoughts reached that point.
Queen Alicia smiled with one corner of her mouth.
She knew Lloyd's modest nature well.
He had little ambition.
He just wanted to live ordinarily.
She had grasped this in detail through reports from various channels.
'That's why he must have asked Count Namaran to downplay his achievements in the report to me. But what to do, Lloyd Frontera. Your feats will all come to light anyway through the confession of that black mage Cannavaro, who was escorted here yesterday. Besides, I plan to make good use of you for a while.'
Those with ability must be used.
Letting ability rot is waste.
No, a sin.
The more the able tire themselves, the more the kingdom prospers and the people rest easy.
Especially now, in this critical time of diplomatic tensions with the neighboring power.
"That's why I added him to the envoy delegation. Isn't it?"
"A wise decision, Your Majesty."
Her question echoed softly in the study.
The Foreign Minister, standing respectfully to one side, replied.
A wry smile tugged at Queen Alicia's lips.
"A wise decision, you say. Weren't you tilting your head at my plan until just before sending off the delegation? Have you changed your mind in the meantime?"
"No, Your Majesty."
"Then what?"
"I can only voice doubts and offer opinions until the matter is decided."
"So once I decide, you won't make independent judgments?"
"That is so, Your Majesty. However..."
"However?"
"..."
"Speak. I won't reprimand you for your thoughts."
"Your benevolence is appreciated. But to state my mind, I'm merely curious what benefit there is in adding Lloyd Frontera to the envoy delegation."
The Foreign Minister said cautiously.
Queen Alicia's wry smile deepened.
"Hmm, I see what you're getting at. The eldest son of the Frontera family, no professional diplomat, joining the delegation to the Sultanate—what help could he be?"
"Indeed, Your Majesty."
"Truth be told, I don't have high expectations either."
"Pardon?"
The Foreign Minister looked up.
His eyes widened in surprise.
Queen Alicia smiled faintly.
"Lloyd Frontera will just be the face of the delegation, after all. A symbolic representative for the victims of the countless territories swept up in the Monster Domino incident."
"Is that all?"
"Honestly, yes. Though I do have some slight additional hopes."
"What do you mean?"
"I've never seen anyone as stingy as him."
"Pardon?"
The Foreign Minister tilted his head.
Alicia snorted.
"I've lived in the palace politics since birth. I overcame countless competitions and intrigues to inherit the throne. I've seen all sorts: cunning ones, fierce ones, foolish ones, vile ones, clever ones. But Lloyd Frontera was different."
"You saw something unique in him?"
"Yes. It was the first time I'd seen someone so thoroughly stingy, petty with grudges, and openly squirrel-like in their industrious cheapness."
"..."
"That's why I'm hopeful. He might bring unexpected results."
"..."
Queen Alicia's calm, monologue-like voice filled the study.
Perhaps it was that atmosphere.
The Foreign Minister dared not reply and only bowed his head.
And secretly thought to himself.
'What was that—praise or an insult...'
It was ambiguous.
The Foreign Minister could only hope inwardly.
For the envoy delegation dispatched to the Sultanate this time.
That they achieve successful negotiations.
And avert war with the Sultanate.
♣
"Pardon? You mean, to prevent war with the Sultanate, I have to join the envoy delegation?"
"You must know this isn't my words, but Her Majesty's decree."
Rustle, thump!
The imperial edict scroll was rolled up.
Viscount Ventura, the queen's special envoy who had just finished reading the decree, spoke.
"Lloyd Frontera, eldest son of the Frontera family, you know well that Her Majesty's decrees must be obeyed no matter what."
"Ah, yes, I know, but..."
"Departure is tomorrow morning. Prepare by then."
Whoosh.
Special Envoy Viscount Ventura turned away.
A chilly early-winter wind blew into the vacated space.
The wind struck Lloyd's chest with a thud.
'Hah.'
A sigh escaped naturally.
How did things end up like this?
Just last night, he had been happy.
He had solved the refugee problem by building apartments and the grand canal.
He had earned a tidy sum in Namaran.
For the time being, no worries.
No signs of storms ahead.
He thought he could just suck on honey from now on.
'Sister King, why are you doing this to me?'
He inwardly cursed the queen far away in the capital.
At the same time, he recalled this morning's events.
Right after an early breakfast.
He felt a bit short on sleep than usual.
So he tried to sleep more.
He flung himself happily onto the bed.
But around then, the first floor of the mansion grew noisy.
He heard servants and maids bustling about.
Wondering what it was, he went out to the hallway.
And witnessed it.
The Count and Countess of Frontera hurrying down the first-floor stairs.
Then the count turned to him and said.
Her Majesty's special envoy had arrived.
Hurry and dress properly to come down.
He wondered what it was about.
A bad feeling crept in.
He changed clothes as instructed and went down. He knelt on one knee. He took in the queen's decree read by the envoy.
The queen's decree was simple and destructive.
Join the envoy delegation.
Go hand-in-hand amicably with them to the Sultanate.
Assist the envoys in diplomatic negotiations with the sultan.
'Me? Assist the envoys? How?'
He couldn't even guess.
No, there was a faint inkling of his role.
'The face of the group.'
Lloyd's mind spun.
The queen sending an envoy to the eastern sultan now?
The reason was obvious without looking.
'Monster Domino.'
To hold them accountable for the incident.
To secure diplomatic reparations and an agreement to prevent recurrence.
That's why adding him to the delegation.
Frontera Territory.
It had suffered from the Monster Domino too.
No, among the damaged territories, it was one of the very few to survive.
It had become a center of reconstruction.
'They've saddled me with representing the victims. Yeah, that's it. Testify and appeal how this frontier suffered.'
Exactly that.
That's why they're sending him.
'Hah. Did I whine too much last time?'
He recalled when he had wheedled support funds from the queen.
Back then, he had openly whined and thrown tantrums via letter.
Apparently, Sister King had gotten a strong(?) impression of him.
'So that's why they're sending me. To whine like that in front of the sultan. To spice up the envoys' diplomacy. Hah, this is something.'
Lloyd smacked his bitter lips.
The decree was already issued.
He couldn't refuse or defy it.
Thus, tomorrow he had no choice but to join the delegation and go to the Sultanate.
'Now I'm stuck going on this unwanted Sultanate tour.'
But it wouldn't be a relaxing trip.
If the envoys' negotiations fail?
If the sultan shamelessly denies responsibility to the end?
The diplomatic rift between the kingdom and Sultanate would deepen.
War might even break out.
Then Frontera Territory would be in real trouble.
'Caugh in the crossfire of a war between two powers.'
If they invade the Sultanate?
Frontera Territory would be the beachhead.
If invaded by the Sultanate?
It would suddenly become the frontline to hold them off.
In other words, the battlefield.
Either way, a development he absolutely wanted no part of.
"Will you be alright?"
"Ah, yes."
At some point, Count Frontera's hand on his shoulder.
Lloyd turned and smiled brightly.
Honestly, suddenly having to leave the territory again wasn't welcome.
Especially when he was about to enjoy sweet days.
But if told to go, he goes.
Might as well wrap it up quick and return.
With that thought, Lloyd prepared for departure.
Truthfully, there wasn't much to prepare.
'I'm just tagging along with the delegation anyway.'
Food, lodging—all provided by them.
Campfires, tents, odd jobs—all handled by their attendants.
So he just needed travel clothes.
And something to stave off boredom on the journey.
"That something is me?"
"Yeah. Obviously."
"Am I just entertainment for you, Lord Lloyd?"
"Yup. Obviously."
Lloyd nodded at Haviel's question.
He replied with a straight face.
"Then in this situation where I'm dragged all the way to the distant Sultanate, you weren't planning to take me along?"
"Yes."
"Whoa. Look at you answering without a second's hesitation."
"Because I'm just one who follows my liege lord's orders."
"But didn't the count separately order you to guard me?"
"He did."
"Tsk. Seems he forgot."
"Forgot?"
"It's so obvious you'll follow me. No need for a separate order. Right?"
"I doubt it."
"That's your hope. Anyway, this works out. I'll tell him to let me take you."
"..."
"Ah, thank goodness. Oh, land of tears. Right? Think about it. If you don't come with me, huh? How will you sleep?"
"Sleep is..."
"Precious. How much does a good night's rest affect body and mind. And you'll give that up for a while?"
"It'd be far better than suffering under you, Lord Lloyd."
"What if something happens to me in the Sultanate? You'd be fine with that?"
"Yes, of course."
"..."
"Why look at me like that?"
"Uh, I'm resolving to definitely take you along. Now I really feel unjust going alone."
"..."
"Wait a sec. I'll request the count to let me bring you, then come sing you a lullaby."
Lloyd left Haviel's room.
He headed lightly to the count's study.
Count Frontera's study was brightly lit.
But the count's expression welcoming him had a faint shadow.
Because his son, who had suffered in Namaran and returned, was being sent far away again? Worried his son might face hardship once more?
All true.
But there was a bigger reason.
"Good thing you're still up. Actually, I have a favor to ask."
His son, Lloyd Frontera, entering the study with a bright smile.
When was the last time the boy called him father?
It was so long ago he couldn't remember.
"...Yes, what favor?"
Still, no scolding.
Give him time until he opens his heart.
With that resolve, Count Frontera forced a warm smile.