Chapter 212
Translator: Prime Works
Chapter: 212
Chapter Title: Bone Broth More Precious than Treasure (2)
'Holy shit, insane.'
Lloyd nearly clapped a hand over his mouth without thinking.
Inside the wide-open treasury.
There lay a massive pile of dragon bones.
It was on an enormous scale.
A museum dinosaur skeleton?
This was in a whole different league.
If assembled properly like a museum fossil, the body length would easily hit 200 meters.
Just the skull alone was as big as a city bus.
But what caught Lloyd's eye wasn't the size or scale of the dragon bone pile.
'Three horns.'
The dragon skull had three horns.
To be precise, it originally had four, but one on the left temple was broken off.
So two horns on top of the head, and one more on the right temple.
It looked strangely familiar.
'Of course it does. I've seen the pattern version of it to death.'
The emblem of a dragon-headed reaper with wings.
The suspicious emblem buried near Frontera Territory alongside the undead mastodon.
The emblem he'd seen countless times while tracking Kannavaro in Namaran.
And... the emblem used by the shadowy figure beside Queen Alicia after she became a tyrant in the novel *Iron-Blooded Knight*.
The dragon head in that emblem looked exactly like this.
Even the broken left temple horn.
Even the way the remaining three horns protruded.
It matched the dragon head in the emblem perfectly.
'Almost like they copied and pasted it straight from the real thing.'
No doubt about it.
Identical.
Lloyd opened his mouth with that certainty.
"Your Majesty, I have one impertinent question, if I may."
"Ask."
"Yes, Your Majesty. You mentioned these dragon bones were spoils obtained after subduing the black mages, correct?"
"Indeed."
Queen Alicia smirked.
A hint of pride flickered in her expression.
"They hid it in the deepest part of their lab. They resisted desperately to protect it."
"The black mage remnants, Your Majesty?"
"Yes. As if guarding their most vital treasure. Likely, the various reagents and powerful ritual tools they used were extracted or processed from these dragon bones. Like that black gem you dug up in Namaran."
"You knew I took it?"
Lloyd was startled.
A wry smile tugged at the queen's lips.
"I heard it from Black Mage Kannavaro's confession. Actually, he brought it up unprompted—five times, no less. Seemed awfully resentful about losing it to you."
"......"
"Anyway, only after wiping out his gang and slaying the final ringleader could I claim this for myself. Honestly, I was shocked at the time."
Queen Alicia gazed at the dragon bones with evident satisfaction.
Lloyd figured that made sense.
'It's dragon bones, after all.'
Dragon bones were treasures in their own right.
Like the black mages had done, they could serve as a potent magical source when mana was extracted. Or processing the bones themselves could yield national treasure-level artifacts.
And she'd scored a full set—one entire dragon's worth.
No wonder the queen was openly pleased.
'Plus, she doesn't know yet, but if my guess is right, this subjugation was a massive achievement.'
Not just rooting out dangerous black mages?
Or scoring a heap of precious dragon bones?
No.
In Lloyd's view, this subjugation hid far greater significance.
It seemed to have eliminated the shadowy force that never fully emerged even in the novel *Iron-Blooded Knight*.
'Almost certain. That dragon skull's horns. The dragon head in the reaper emblem. Identical. What does that mean?'
It meant the black mages belonged to the force using that emblem.
They were the ones who buried the undead mastodon near Frontera Territory.
And... they were the mysterious aide who parasitized the corrupted Queen Alicia in the novel *Iron-Blooded Knight*.
'But whoa, it gets resolved in one go like this.'
That aide never got properly exposed until the end of part 1. Everyone expected them as the part 2 black curtain.
Then part 2 got shelved, leaving them in limbo.
'That's why it bugged me. Even I, who'd read the novel, couldn't predict them. Worried they'd pull some random curveball later.'
But Queen Alicia wiped them out.
Like a nagging tooth finally pulled.
Like the girl next door paying off your loan.
The more he thought, the more he wanted to kowtow to the queen.
'She probably has no idea what kind of feat she's pulled off.'
Lloyd swallowed a laugh.
Good things were good.
If sketchy bastards got cleaned up like this, it was all gravy.
He hadn't lifted a finger and blew his nose.
Or like skipping the bug spray and the mosquitoes offing themselves in the sink dishwater.
A perfect fisherman's gain.
Totally worth celebrating.
Sorting his thoughts, Lloyd asked,
"Then, Your Majesty, you wish to use these dragon bones to create a grand garden?"
"Indeed. Assemble the dragon skeleton in a prostrate, worshipful pose on the ground, and erect a statue before it."
"By any chance, a statue modeled after Your Majesty?"
"Exactly. That's why you're so convenient. You always grasp my intent without me spelling it out."
Queen Alicia smiled in satisfaction.
She continued.
"You're wondering why I'd use precious dragon bones for mere statues and a garden. Vanity? No. Something more important."
"To showcase the Magentano Royal Family's prestige to the world?"
"You even guessed that?"
"Yes, a little..."
"You're right."
Queen Alicia went on.
"In this day and age, on the Lorasia Continent, who dares challenge the Magentano Royal Family head-on? No one. Militarily, economically, across all fields—who dares claim to surpass us? No one."
Her voice brimmed with arrogance—and confidence.
Lloyd nodded inwardly.
Facts.
Even coldly scrutinized, her words were damn near gospel.
The Magentano Royal Family was at its peak might.
Earth 21st century equivalent?
Russia in a world without America, maybe.
No exaggeration to say they'd climbed to hegemon of the Lorasia Continent, half a step from total dominance.
'The sultanate was a China-like rival, at best.'
But they'd even sealed proper peace with the sultanate lately.
Real threats? Vanished.
'So now? Time to cement royal authority. Unify the nobles domestically. Boost international standing. Preempt any nation thinking of testing us, like the sultanate's monster domino ploy.'
Socially.
Geopolitically.
Profits all around.
It reminded him of Earth history.
Where? Peak France.
Who? Sun King Louis XIV.
To flaunt Bourbon wealth and power, he'd poured fortunes into expansion.
That palace and garden?
Versailles.
And now, right here.
Queen Alicia fixed him with a regal gaze like the Sun King.
"First, expand the rear garden of the main palace for the site."
Yes, ma'am.
"The expansion should secure at least 800 hectares. Total path length in the garden: over 20 kilometers. Plus canals about 30 kilometers long."
Of course, ma'am.
"Plant over 200,000 diverse, beautiful trees. The centerpiece: this dragon skeleton in prostrate pose. And before it, my statue standing proudly."
Naturally, ma'am.
"And most crucially."
Name it, ma'am.
"Around the dragon skeleton and my statue, beautiful canals. They must accommodate ships carrying up to 50 passengers comfortably. Ships entering from the Majena River in the capital, cruising the canals to admire me and the dragon, then exiting via the opposite canal."
......Mercy, ma'am.
Her demands kept coming.
Incredibly detailed, too.
Yes.
Queen Alicia was the meticulous type, with clear guidelines for her tastes.
So Lloyd?
'Whew.'
He reeled internally but memorized every demand.
Part of him even welcomed it.
'Better this kind of client.'
It reminded him of rolling on Korean sites.
Once, called to a private house interior job.
The client? A total headache.
Abusive grinder?
Power-tripping laborer?
Nah.
'Vague, indecisive good-guy type.'
That's when he learned.
The most infuriating clients when taking jobs were the 'clueless about their own wants' vague ones.
'Couldn't believe it at first, but true.'
That client was like.
Alcohol watered down.
Water diluted.
'Just make it nice.'
'That'll do if it's decent.'
Super affable at first contract.
But as work progressed?
'Demands ballooned.'
Wants piled up.
Simple reason.
'Didn't know what they wanted at the start.'
So the client gradually realized their 'needs' mid-project.
'Huh, now that I see it, entrance tiles better gray than white?'
'Sorry, but thinking about it, maybe a different style for the vestibule door...'
'Looking now, better scrap the shower booth.'
......Like that.
If it'd ended there, fine.
He'd hammered out every change.
But no happy ending.
'Ah, now I see the original was best. Back to that.'
......The client's sunny demand.
Site flipped upside down.
'Damn. Still pisses me off.'
Busted ass fixing it all.
Lloyd clenched a fist unconsciously, lost in memory(?).
He also felt relief gazing at Queen Alicia.
Thank goodness.
King Sis wasn't that type.
"Then, shall I implement everything Your Majesty described?"
"Indeed. Harmonize every element I mentioned without omission. Funds and manpower aplenty—no worries there. What say you, eldest son of Frontera?"
"I deem it splendid, Your Majesty."
"Is that so?"
"Assuredly."
"Good. But you've already thought of conditions to extract from me for this project, haven't you?"
"Of course."
"Speak."
Queen and Lloyd.
They knew each other well.
Neither was a pushover.
No need for haggling.
After her demands.
Lloyd's turn naturally.
*Lloyd Frontera. You could've rested in your homeland, yet you take this massive project without complaint. So this once, I'll grant even a slightly excessive demand of yours.*
Queen Alicia's gaze deepened on Lloyd.
Talented, quick on the uptake—perfect tool.
But now, too thorny to overwork.
'Tch. Boldly cozying up to the sultan, no less.'
Didn't expect having to sweeten deals every task.
She smacked her lips bitterly.
Lloyd bowed politely.
"Then, I humbly request of Your Majesty."
Too early to outright refuse her tasks.
Since taking the job anyway.
In exchange for no fuss.
Secure solid pay.
Grab a fat haul this time.
Shiny national treasure artifacts, full sets, a dozen or so.
Legendary potion-grade bone broth extract, 2 liters PET full.
Vowing that, Lloyd said,
"I, Lloyd Frontera, seek a 10-year labor exemption upon successful completion."
"......What?"
Queen Alicia's eyebrow twitched.
Outlandish demand.
Shock turned to irritation.
Defy my commands for 10 years?
Even you dare?
As she moved to rebuke sternly.
Lloyd's clear, brazenly calm words flew fast.
"If that request displeases Your Majesty, then I, Lloyd Frontera, instead desire one large dragon long bone as recompense."