Chapter 273. Shameless Demand (1)
Royal Road Magenta.
The capital that is the political and economic center of the Magentano Kingdom.
In fact, this was a city with a long history.
Immediately after the Great War of the Mythic Age.
The giant king Oculus built a palace here.
They ruled over humans for a long time.
Then he was pushed back by the Human War of Independence and fled.
Those who succeeded in independence built mankind’s first royal palace here.
‘Thalia’, named after the proud leader, became the name of the city.
Since then, Talia has flourished.
Then it crashed.
Because of the greedy king.
Because the king was chosen twice by the dragon.
After the fall, a new dynasty took over the city.
At that time, the name of the city naturally changed to ‘Magenta’.
The landmark of the current royal capital, the half-buried egg-shaped royal castle, was also built at that time.
And today, in the office inside the egg-shaped royal castle.
King Alicia Terrmina Magentano was sighing as she forgot a raw egg.
Click!
“…Whoa.”
Alicia wiped her damp hair with a towel.
I drank the raw egg served by the attendant in one sip.
Even so, the wrinkles between the eyebrows did not smooth out.
It was because the feeling of stuffiness didn’t go away.
‘It’s a mess indeed.’
She stared at her office desk with her brow furrowed.
A rather messy pile of paperwork.
It was a report related to the restoration work of Terrmina Grand Garden, which was damaged by the bone dragon’s rampage.
‘Fortunately, the restoration work went well. The finish also went smoothly. It cost quite a bit of money, but it wasn’t enough to put a strain on the royal family’s finances. but….’
The damage from the bone dragon rampage could not be fully restored.
In particular, the invisible and intangible damage was serious.
‘The royal family has lost a lot of face.’
It was a large garden built for the long-awaited display of national power.
It was a commemorative event to celebrate the completion of the Grand Garden, which was planned to publicize the achievements abroad.
In other words, the event was a grand showcase to publicize the authority of the Magentano royal family.
However, the showcase failed.
screwed up very well
A skeleton of a dragon erected in the center of the Grand Garden.
Because it moved unexpectedly.
To the chaos that causes a riot.
The attendees of the completion ceremony had to flee to Baeksan Mountain.
The capital’s defense forces had to move hurriedly.
Even the king himself had to take up the sword.
At least it wasn’t the worst so far.
‘The real worst…It means the royal family couldn’t catch the bone dragon.’
The wrinkles between Alicia’s eyebrows deepened.
That day, the royal family was unable to subdue the bone dragon.
To be precise, the appearance of the smashed Bone Dragon could not be publicized.
Much of the prestige of the royal family has fallen to the bottom.
It has become an international laughingstock.
‘The royal family decorated the capital with threats themselves. The royal family failed to deal with the threatening enemy properly. Even so, the royal family tried unreliable self-defense…The stigma of being a stranger came as a bonus.’
A violent emotion flashed in her eyes.
Right after the bone dragon rampage.
After Lloyd and Xaviel left for Hell.
She was the one who devoted all her energy to dealing with the situation.
The victims who were caught in the accident were commemorated, honored as heroes, and appropriate compensation was given.
A large amount of money was poured into the restoration of the horribly destroyed large garden.
Meanwhile, he tried to revive the lost authority of the royal family.
It is said that the King of the Magentano family fought the Bone Dragon’s threat at the forefront.
He said that he bravely stood up with Lloyd Frontera, Xaviel Asrahan, and others under his command.
At the end of it, he finally subdued the bone dragon.
They tried to reveal the truth by mobilizing the testimony of the witnesses, the knights of the Royal Guard.
But what about the world?
international community?
‘No one believed that.’
Thinking that far, Alicia thought of a wry smile.
In fact, it was a natural thing.
It was the undeniable truth that overpowered the bone dragon that day.
Although there was a decisive performance by Xaviel, the bone dragon was clearly subdued.
But there was no evidence to prove it externally.
‘Because that Lloyd took the Bone Dragon and took him away.’
It would have been nice if the broken Bone Dragon could have been revealed to the public.
Unfortunately, no such evidence was left behind.
So it was.
The explanation of the Magentano royal family rather fell into an international laughing stock.
Wasn’t it the fact that I couldn’t control it?
Didn’t the bone dragon run amok and then get bored and fly away to another place?
If you really subdued the bone dragon, why can’t you provide evidence?
Everyone began to question the authority of the Magentanos.
It wasn’t just foreign.
‘Even domestic aristocrats started to talk behind the scenes.’
Of course, it was not a big concern because his kingship was strong and firm.
His legitimacy would not be shaken by this.
But even so, it was not pleasant.
‘We have to revive the lost royal family’s authority.’
authority in the international community.
what about losing it?
It would have been no different from the meaning of diminishing diplomatic influence.
Conflict, conflict, and negotiations between conflicting international interests that occur from time to time.
It meant that I was going to have a hard time dealing with all those things.
Just like a wounded lion being looked down upon by hyenas.
‘but….’
It was hard to see a sharp number to reestablish that authority.
That was the reason Alicia had been frowning all day lately.
“Tsk.”
She picked up the towel with a nervous motion.
He vigorously brushed off the remaining moisture from his hair.
Even so, the worries did not go away.
“….”
Originally, drinking a raw egg after finishing swordsmanship training and taking a bath would refresh the whole body.
It wasn’t like that these days.
It’s like a problem that can’t be solved even if you think about it every day.
This worry that had gripped her these days could not be resolved no matter how much she tried.
‘Just restoring the broken garden and holding an event? That’s not enough. A restoration celebration won’t change anything. Either side of the border would be better, so it would be nice if there was even a small military conflict.’
If something like that happened, it would be possible to turn domestic and international attention to it.
At that opportunity, he could show off his overwhelming military power and regain his authority.
‘But it’s not like that.’
I didn’t like to send pathetic soldiers into battle to regain authority.
Because it is an authority to take care of them in order to keep them better and take care of them.
Thanks to this, the king’s worries deepened.
how much time has passed like that
It was around the time when the King’s hair was half-dried in agony when the warm voice of the old chief chamberlain was heard.
“Your Highness, there is someone who has specifically asked for an audience, so I dare to tell you.”
The voice of the chief chamberlain came from outside the office.
The king, who had escaped from the world of worries, asked across the door.
“An audience? who?”
“This is Lloyd Frontera, the eldest son of Count Frontera.”
the moment you hear the answer.
The king unknowingly clenched his fists.
Because it’s an unexpected name?
Or because I feel an unexpected anticipation?
But before she could find the answer herself, she had the answer in her mouth.
“Stop by.”
“I will honor your order.”
The chief chamberlain’s steps went farther away.
It was probably to bring Lloyd here.
While waiting for the unexpected moment of audience, King Alicia rested her chin on her hands.
“Whoa.”
worry?
or surprise?
I don’t even know why I let out a sigh.
But one thing was certain.
It was that he was welcoming Lloyd’s visit.
‘Lloyd Frontera.’
The one who always behaves conscientiously.
Although he is a subject, he has gained power greater than himself before he knew it.
But even so, for some reason, someone who doesn’t feel very wary.
‘It must be because my political interests coincide with his.’
She thought.
I’m glad Lloyd isn’t ambitious.
Thank you for choosing to live a normal life in the countryside.
At the same time, she was also feeling uneasy.
‘Why did he come all the way here?’
Alicia licked her lips.
Lloyd Frontera.
The person he knows is never just a person who moves.
There is no particular benefit, but I am not a human being who will come here blindly.
‘You must be sorry for yourself to contact and reach out. No, is this the first time he came to me in this way?’
Looking back, it was always like that.
always called him
Only then did he reluctantly come in front of him, frowning really arrogantly, twisting his whole body like a man who had been forced to work, spraying grass all over his body begging him to release himself.
‘Tsk.’
That he came all this way today on his own?
It must be because there is something regrettable, a request, or something to do.
If it’s not that, you’ll never know.
‘Then, what is the request?’
What kind of grandiose favor did he come all the way here on his own?
I was very curious.
At the same time, I was also feeling hopeful.
‘Because he’s a shrewd guy. If there’s something you’re trying to get from me, you know full well that it’s not free.’
So, he must have brought something as much as he wanted as a negotiation card.
I also thought that the card would be of great help to us.
‘Because he’s clever.’
in this state of affairs.
At a time like this when you are engulfed in trouble every day.
What if you come and ask for something and offer a negotiating card?
‘Perhaps you are noticing the core of my troubles. I hope it can help you solve my problem. It’s probably because they’re using that as a bargaining chip to ask for help or support.’
If you think about it, it was a simple problem.
In that way, King Alicia quickly pulled out the hidden meaning and intention behind Lloyd’s unexpected visit, as if pulling out a quote from a shopping cart.
The voice of the chief chamberlain was heard again when her hair was finally dry.
“Your Highness, Lloyd Frontera, the eldest son of Count Frontera, has arrived.”
“Come in.”
The office door opened.
After that, I saw a familiar figure.
“Long live His Highness the King. Lloyd Frontera, the eldest son of Count Frontera, is pleased to see His Highness the King, the rightful owner of this land.”
Lloyd lowered his head in an obeisance.
His nasty back of his head was visible.
Instead of accepting the example, should I hit him once?
It was the back of the head round and round like a chestnut that aroused such a strange impulse.
“….”
Alicia calmed down the absurd urge that had briefly crossed her mind.
Instead, she looked down at Lloyd with a cold gaze.
“It’s been a while, Lloyd Frontera.”
“That’s right, Your Highness. Have you been in good health all this time?”
“very. Unfortunately, thanks to you disobeying Jim’s orders.”
“…yes?”
Lloyd looked up at me with a bewildered expression.
Alicia smiled bitterly at his pupils.
“You said it with your own mouth. before crossing the gates of hell. before going to hell. Don’t you remember?”
“If you say before you go to hell….”
“Didn’t I tell you that you have to go to hell by the method you chose so that you can come back to Jim’s side?”
“…ah.”
“Also, Jim asked you to. If you truly care about Seong-eun, please come back safely to Jim’s side. How did you answer Jim’s request?”
“I will keep in mind…Called.”
“I heard you answered savagely.”
“….”
“However, why did Jim have to hear about your return from hell through reports from other people rather than from you?”
“….”
“I mean, I heard it suddenly one day. You, who disappeared from the capital during the bone dragon’s rampage, suddenly returned to Frontera territory.”
“….”
“After that, you went to Count Cremo, right?”
“….”
“okay. understand The Earl of Cremor has to greet you warmly.”
“….”
“answer?”
“…Please kill me, Your Highness.”
“really? sincerely?”
“That’s not it….”
“if?”
“I really feel very sorry for me to tell you these words, but I couldn’t help but return to Your Highness because there were so many urgent and difficult twists and turns during that time.”
“is it?”
“It is, Your Highness. Even so, my loyal heart has always stayed by Your Highness’ side.”
“Eh, there was no way to find out the heart that stayed by Jim’s side until now.”
“that….”
“However, I was clearly aware of the unfortunate fact that your steps, not your heart, went to Count Cremo before Jim.”
“That is….”
“How did Count Cremo greet you? Did they throw a grand welcome banquet? If not, it would be really difficult. It was the first place I went to after putting my luggage aside. The Earl of Cremo must have warmly welcomed you who visited with such a sincere heart. Is Jim right?”
“…Please save me, Your Highness.”
Lloyd just lay flat.
That’s how much the bitter smile that floated on the king’s lips turned into a relieved smile.
There was a subtle pleasure and satisfaction in her eyes as she looked at Lloyd.
“As expected, that’s why I like you.”
“…yes?”
“It happened. Did you solve the problem of going to hell?”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
“Are there any injuries?”
“As you can see, you are well-spoken, Your Highness.”
“I’m sure you were trying to say that Jim’s surname like Hahae is thanks to him, right?”
“….”
“good. Small talk to welcome the reunion would be enough. Then, shall we move on to the main subject?”
The king’s eyes grew cold.
He took out what he had guessed and directly inserted it into Lloyd’s eardrum.
“I’m sorry, Lloyd Frontera. Did you ask for an audience today to help solve Jim’s troubles and to claim compensation?”
“It is, Your Highness.”
Lloyd did not deny the king’s guess.
On the contrary, I thought it was really good because I didn’t always go round and round because I thought it was comfortable to talk with the king.
And I remembered.
a month ago.
A jewel base found in the mermaid kingdom.
A blueprint for the jewel obtained there.
The key material that the blueprint told us.
What to do now to get it.
With everyone in mind, he replied.
“Your Highness, everything you guessed is correct.”
“is it.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“If you do, you must mean that you have come up with a plan to drastically raise the authority of the royal family, which has been lost due to the failure of the grand garden completion ceremony and the bone dragon’s rampage, right?”
“It is indeed so, Your Highness.”
Lloyd nodded.
It really was.
He had already roughly guessed the king’s worries.
He was the one who came up with a way to solve the problem at once.
King Alicia understood his intentions almost exactly.
‘also.’
It’s like Lloyd Frontera.
Because he is a person who always looks for profit.
So, if I wasn’t sure of the success of the work, I wouldn’t have come this far.
‘Thanks to that, I can trust him and entrust him with the work.’
Alicia felt reassured.
Is there anyone else so smart and trustworthy?
Seeing Lloyd’s self-confidence like that made him feel as if his worries had already been resolved.
So it was.
King Alicia’s voice softened.
“good night. If your plan is so sure, then surely you have the reward you want for Jim?”
“That too, of course.”
“If you do, tell me in advance what reward you want.”
Let’s get in early on what interest wants.
After all, you are the one who will solve your problems.
Because he is such a trustworthy god.
Accept even the most unreasonable request.
The King so promised.
You want to save on interest.
I always want to keep you under my command.
I made up my mind, made up my mind, and asked with a broad and generous heart.
right after that.
“My humble request is indeed simple. What is it….”
Lloyd Frontera’s shameless mouth opened.
“Please allow Your Highness to uproot the royal castle.”
