Chapter 123. Rip off the investment (3)
“Prepare for launch.”
Kirik click! Cheek!
This is the courtyard of the royal palace in Magenta, the capital city.
The officer’s voice resounded in the great hall there.
Following the voice, 50 crossbowmen turned their loading windlass.
The killing bolt was put on the protest.
The sharp bolt head coolly absorbed the light.
At that moment, the officer’s solemn order was issued.
“launch!”
Tupa Pak! Papak!
Fifty lethal bolts were fired all at once.
Each loaded up to 1250 pounds of tension and rushed toward the target.
There was King Alicia Terrmina Magentano.
“….”
Alicia’s eyes flashed coldly.
50 crossbowmen surrounded him from all sides.
The position they occupied was higher than their own.
Therefore, all the bolts were fired obliquely in this direction from above.
She instantly felt all the trajectories of those 50 bolts, listened to them, and engraved them into her senses.
The reaction was instantaneous.
Iron spatula!
The moment she wants to pull out her sword.
The silvery aura revealed its canine teeth.
Snug! Tsuguk!
In the blink of an eye, twelve sword strikes poured in.
After cutting, beating, lifting, removing, spraying, twisting, cutting, striking, and photographing, it was cut diagonally.
Twelve lines of aura roared.
It raged around her like a hurricane.
And it turned into a breeze as if it had never blown.
Dududuk….
Fifty bolts, cut exactly in two, fell at her feet.
It wasn’t just cut.
with the same length ratio.
cut at the same angle.
There was not a single exception.
However, there was no inspiration in the eyes of King Alicia.
This is just a warm-up.
“again. This time with random sequential fire.”
Her name fell dry.
The officer, who was swallowing dry saliva, looked back at the crossbowmen.
“Ready to fire, load!”
Kirik click!
The 50 crossbowmen got busy again.
Just like that, the crossbowmen worked hard to reload.
Hundreds of bolts were stacked beside them each.
It was a killing bolt capable of penetrating even heavy armor at once and delivering a fatal blow.
However, even in such a bloody scene, King Alicia was calmly catching her breath.
It was natural.
To most people, it might look bloody, but to her, it was just an ordinary, routine training.
‘But this isn’t enough.’
You have to become stronger.
I need to sharpen my sword more.
You can’t be complacent just because you’ve become a sword master.
If you do, you will experience the same humiliation as in the past.
‘Because I don’t want to experience something like that again.’
I remembered that day.
The day the suspension bridge of the royal capital was completed.
The day the banquet was held, drunk from poison and attacked by Lord Cherny.
Even now, when I think of it, I feel ashamed and resentful about that day.
‘I got a lot of help and threw it away.’
Xaviel, who was just an unknown knight, subdued the sword master, Lord Cherny.
Besides, what about Lloyd, whom he thought was just an ordinary boy?
He showed off an unheard-of technique.
Absorbed mana indiscriminately.
With one blow, a huge hole was pierced through the roof of the banquet hall.
With just one dining knife.
‘But I couldn’t do anything.’
I was ashamed.
It’s called Sword Master.
I was ashamed of myself for being complacent.
It has been since that day.
After recovering from the aftereffects of addiction, she spent every day devoted to training like now.
‘Besides, it’s a headache because of various agendas.’
No confession was received from Lord Czerny.
A strong psychological barrier unique to the Sword Master.
In order to break it, various drugs and confession magic were mobilized.
It was like digging out dozens of layers of steel walls with a spoon.
But I didn’t give up.
Dozens of wizards were hung for close to a month.
I finally lifted all of Lord Czerny’s psychological barriers.
However, Lord Cherniy’s true intentions, which were revealed in such a way, were astonishing.
‘Lord Cherny…It was empty. I didn’t know anything.’
To be precise, part of the memory was completely erased by powerful brainwashing.
The motive for attempting to assassinate the king.
The one who ordered the work.
I had forgotten all.
All that was left was a powerfully inscribed purpose: ‘Kill Alicia according to his will’.
‘There must be something.’
Who is it that puts such brainwashing on the sword master Lord Cherny?
What was he trying to kill himself for?
I couldn’t tell.
This was true even after countless investigations.
In addition, the situation in the east has recently become dizzy.
‘Lloyd Frontera. His prediction was exactly right.’
A monster domino created by the Eastern Sultanate.
It was much larger than expected.
The damage was also enormous.
The 17 estates in the eastern mountain range were literally wiped out.
Tupa Pak! Papa pat!
Fifty bolts poured out while I was deep in thought.
Amidst the storm of random fire, she kept thinking.
‘When I heard his advice, I just regarded it as a disaster that could happen. Even if it did happen, I thought each territory would be able to respond to some extent and block it. I can’t believe that such a large-scale tragedy would happen…. This is obviously my mistake.’
I looked at the situation very well.
Snap! Skacak!
Like a bolt that cuts so easily.
I wish I could get through this situation easily.
It was then.
“Your Highness has received a reply to the edict from Baron Prontera in the eastern part of the country.”
A clear voice rang from one side of the gymnasium.
When I turned around, the palace staff had their heads down.
King Alicia lowered her sword and wiped the sweat from her brow.
“Answer?”
“It is, Your Highness. We have just arrived through the Western District.”
“Bring it and see.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
I received a reply from a member of the palace staff.
unfolded
[His Highness’s most loyal subject, Lloyd Frontera, conveys this message from the bottom of my heart.]
Lloyd’s handwriting was slightly scrawled.
King Alicia’s eyebrows furrowed slightly.
‘With sincerity? I don’t think so.’
No matter how you look at it, there is absolutely no human who would eat such a heart.
She tightened her guard and moved her eyes.
[I have solemnly extended the edict issued by His Majesty the King today. I have firmly sworn to uphold that will wholeheartedly. However, I don’t have the money for that.]
“….”
what did i just see
Her eyes continued to move.
[The behavior of the refugees flocking is truly pitiful. The children are starving and only bones and skin remain, and the old man has collapsed and is barely dependent on the support of his children. I wish to feed and clothe them fully in accordance with Your Majesty’s noble will. However, I don’t have the money for that.]
“Tsk.”
Now, slowly, the intention appears.
Her eyes followed the reply.
[I sincerely want to overcome this disaster wisely. Ha, but then I don’t have any money. I wish to serve Your Highness’ will with allegiance. I’m sorry, but I don’t have any money. There is no food either. They don’t have clothes, and they don’t even buy necessities. The only thing I have is this painful and agonizing loyalty to Your Highness, so my eyes are bleak, and I’m just calling out Your Highness’ name day and night.] “
….”
don’t call that
I really wanted to dry it.
I just wanted to cover the answer at this point.
However, the demonic whining that Lloyd inscribed in his reply did not let go of her eyes.
[Therefore, in order to overcome this sad disaster together, I have carved Your Highness’s Jade Eye on a large canvas and hung it on one wall. Last night, along with the starving refugees, I looked at Your Highness’s prison eyes for a long time in the canvas. Then, I wonder if the refugees are forgetting hunger with their ardent loyalty!]
“….”
[The pain of evacuation was also the same. This morning, along with the refugees, we formed an organization called ‘King Gassia’, named after Your Majesty’s Hamja. Yes, here is a fan club, a group of people who try to forget the pain of evacuation with loyalty and affection for Her Highness.]
“….”
for a moment. what?
Are you insane now?
[When I feel hungry, I look at Your Highness’s eyes on the canvas, when pain sets in, I sing a song in honor of Your Highness. Then you can forget all the hunger, pain and cold, and everyone smiles happily.]
“….”
Do you think that would be terrifyingly boring?
[Of course, I’m not bored at all. Every moment is fun. Every time you do it, a new mood comes. After saying this, I really did not know that the fact that I had no money would provide such a happy and meaningful experience to both the refugees and the local residents. I have no money and I am hungry and happy. I have no money and I am sick and having fun. It’s thrilling because I don’t have money and it’s cold.]
“….”
stop it you madman
[What would you do if you had no money? We are only loyal to Your Highness! I will overcome this hunger, pain and cold by embracing only one. So, in the distant future, when spring comes when flowers bloom beautifully, I will carefully engrave Your Highness’s beautiful letter on the skull forehead that we will leave behind. Alas, Your Highness. Aaaaaaaaa!]
“….”
I couldn’t think of anything to say anymore.
With a look of resignation (?), she looked at the bottom of the reply.
[P.S. – Your Highness knows very well that there are not many territories left in the Cremona region except for us, and I am also well aware. Haoni, the me who carried Her Highness on my back! If you still remember at least some of the warmth of Lloyd Frontera’s devoted back, please give me some money…In addition, the elder Kogidus, the master of the royal blacksmith, also moved to our estate…I earnestly ask.]
“Ha ha ha.”
After reading all the replies, King Alicia let out a laugh.
didn’t pray
‘I made a mistake again.’
I’d rather not have issued an edict to Baron Prontera, if not anywhere else.
sent them together
I ended up giving Lloyd an excuse.
It’s a reason to whine against yourself.
‘Tsk. If I hadn’t sent an edict, I would have been able to ignore this whining.’
I never expected to whine so openly as soon as I received the edict. I didn’t even know how to use it as if I was holding on to the hem of my pants.
‘I’ll have to increase the scale of support more than I originally had in mind.’
If I didn’t, I thought I’d whine again.
No, it was obvious that I would whine more than this time.
I didn’t want to dirty my eyes (?) by seeing such a reply.
So, the support that I was determined to do anyway.
I suddenly thought that I would like to make it bigger while I was doing it.
‘At this point, how about making Baron Frontera the center of reconstruction in Cremona?’
She recalled the news of Baron Frontera that she had heard through intelligence.
Two massive monster raids.
He said he blocked it all.
I heard that a huge monster from the Eastern Mountains was assigned as a subordinate.
It was also said that the Orc tribe in the wilderness was relocated to the mountains.
‘Then, the safest place from the monster domino crisis should have been Baron Prontera. If Lloyd’s ability and ample support were added to those conditions, it would be worth pursuing the reconstruction project.’
beyond the reconstruction project.
Even to the second city of Cremona.
What if you support the growth of Baron Prontera?
‘Lloyd Frontera should be able to use him as my eastern shield.’
The population must have exploded due to the refugees who have already flocked there.
What if you stably accommodate and settle that population?
The Barony of Frontera will be able to grow in size at once.
It will soon develop into a big city.
‘That would never be a loss to me and the royal family.’
only if there is a clear advantage.
as long as the gains are maintained.
Lloyd was the one to whom he would give unchanging loyalty.
That kind of person is to increase power.
In that way, his kingship will be strengthened.
In addition, it will also serve as a shield to keep the enemy Sultanate in check in the east.
In many ways, it was an investment with little to lose.
After completing the calculation, King Alicia raised her head.
“I’m sorry. The Minister of the Interior should immediately enter the palace and hold a special county elevation review committee for the Baron Frontera.”
Her solemn name fell.
♣
“So this is not an order, it’s a request.”
On the other hand, it is the beginning of a sunny winter day.
Lloyd said in an empty lot far east from the palace in Baron Prontera.
“Have you ever tried spinning a treadmill?”
“Ppodong?”
On top of his palm, Podongi tilted his round head.
Lloyd laughed happily.
“Are you missing?”
“Ppodong!”
“also. Then, shall I make one for you right now?”
“Podo-dong?”
“The diameter of the treadmill is about 20 meters. to make it completely fun. how is it?”
“Ppodong!”
It’s a play wheel.
I didn’t expect to receive such a surprise gift.
Joy spread over Pudongi’s chubby cheeks.
The puffy bottoms shrugged and twitched spontaneously.
Lloyd’s face looked at him like that, and a hearty smile spread.
Are you happy to give Podongyi a treadmill as a gift?
Of course not.
‘Huh-huh. It’s okay to use this equipment for apartment construction.’
When Podongi gets excited and rolls the hamster wheel.
The equipment connected to it will also run happily.
‘That way the cement won’t harden!’
Just like that, at the beginning of a sunny winter, Baron Prontera.
There, a device for a mixer, also known as Ready Mixed Concrete, which is a special equipment for the construction of the first apartment complex in the history of the Laurasia continent, was being invented.
Its identity was a treadmill with a diameter of 20 meters that a giant hamster would spin vigorously.
