Chapter 391. The Night Before the Storm (3)
“Are you here? Come sit down. The food will get cold.”
“yes.”
A chair to sit on.
When I look up, the dining table spreads out in front of me.
Food was prepared that was much more simple than usual.
Because even the maids had all evacuated.
It was food prepared by the Countess herself.
Across the table was the Countess and his wife.
The two of them were laughing towards this side.
He gave me a warm and happy smile.
It’s a bit embarrassing at times like this.
Do I deserve that kind of attention?
I turned the topic to the sense of entitlement that I felt unknowingly.
“How about His Highness the King?”
“Your Highness is having dinner separately.”
“Are you alone?”
“He told me to spend time with my family since it’s the last dinner before a big fight.”
“ah….”
I see
The last evening before the big fight.
I suddenly felt that it was today.
Count Prontera’s words continued.
“In addition, he said that he did not want to see his beloved servant and his family suffer from indigestion. I mean, it’s Lloyd. Perhaps Her Highness’ dining manners are a bit rough…Are you on my side?”
“Oh, no.”
“Isn’t it?”
“yes. Dining manners are superb and elegant. The tone you use is a bit overbearing, but even that suits the authority of the ruler well. He is relatively good at considering the inner circumstances and feelings of his subjects.”
“I see. I guess His Highness was considerate of us in case we felt burdened.”
“Perhaps. Originally, Her Highness is a bit like that.”
“Are you like that?”
“Because he pretends to be harsh and takes good care of you.”
“Hmm, that’s right. But that’s why it’s a little strange.”
“yes?”
It’s strange.
Unconsciously, I tilted my head.
The Count’s words continued.
“Usually, according to the words of those who have had an audience with or stood by Your Highness, Your Highness is fair and stern, but on the other hand, they say that Your Highness has a very cool and cold disposition. If you listen to the common words of many people.”
“Um, that….”
“Perhaps you see a different side of Her Highness that others don’t see?”
“That…same?”
To be honest, I am a bit perplexed.
How did the conversation flow in this direction?
Besides, why did the count couple look at me with such a coy look?
“Umm, it seems the time spent with Her Highness wasn’t light.”
“Well that’s just um.”
“We heard it too.”
“Are you listening?”
“For two months with Your Highness….”
“thank you for this food!”
I started eating in a hurry.
Embarrassed, I think I’ll pretend to be without the king’s sister.
However, the smiles did not disappear from the faces of the couple watching this side.
“It’s okay. We decided to understand everything.”
“…yes?”
“It will be a little different from the ordinary meeting we have been thinking of, but what can we do? This must also be related.”
“…yes?”
“But since you’re also a sword master, you won’t be beaten every day, right?”
“….”
Oh, I’m leaving
As expected, this is why I shouldn’t have camped out with the king’s sister.
Thanks to my sister’s arm repair, the misfortune that followed was prevented.
Thanks to you, I think I got over the hurdle.
‘It seems that this has been firmly misunderstood.’
No, when people live, they can do some training camps.
Why does everyone enjoy driving people into the valley of misunderstanding?
It was embarrassing.
My face kept getting hotter.
I guess I should get the topic right.
I made up my mind and measured the timing.
“But the two of you…Aren’t you afraid?”
“Aren’t you afraid?”
“Tonight.”
A count whose smile fades at a word.
said to those two.
“Actually, I was very surprised earlier. You didn’t join the evacuation procession. It might be a mess here tonight…It seems too risky.”
It was an honest heart.
Immediately after completing the evacuation operation.
How surprised I was to see the count couple outside the magic circle.
She was so embarrassed to see the count go back to the mansion with a big smile as if it was natural for her to stay here.
“Even now, it’s not too late. I’ll contact the dragon who lent the rare, so why don’t you change your mind and cross over?”
“Hmm.”
“Perhaps the villagers who crossed over to Dragon’s Lair will welcome you two. They will need someone to rely on in a strange place.”
I said it with sincerity.
But the count shook his head slowly.
“It’s Lloyd. This father thinks a little differently.”
“yes?”
“Think about it. What kind of person is this father?”
“Here in Yeongji….”
“okay. right. Aren’t you the lord of this place?”
“but….”
“no. It worked because I knew your heart that cared for us. This father is the lord of this place. He is the one who rules this land according to His Highness’ command, and he is the one who is in charge of the people’s home here. But just because everyone is evacuating, something dangerous will happen, so I can’t let go of my responsibility and run away.”
The Count’s voice grew more serious.
“So, even if everyone evacuates, shouldn’t this father remain here to protect the home and base for everyone to return to? Because that is the responsibility of a noble and a lord. Even if that responsibility doesn’t add much to it.”
“Hey, but….”
“I don’t know. what are you talking about But it’s Lloyd. This father is actually afraid. So is your mother. Even so, we decided to stay here and fulfill our responsibilities, even if we embraced that fear. So please respect our decision too.”
“…yes.”
I have no choice but to accept this.
In fact, I came up with dozens of words to refute.
After confirming the sincerity of the two people, I did not dare to speak.
So, I had to ask instead.
“Then keep the door locked tonight.”
“Can’t this father also fight together?”
“It’s not possible.”
“I took out the sword and armor after a long time and cleaned them.”
“It doesn’t work though.”
“You are firm.”
“Because it has no choice but to be.”
It really has to be.
An uproar that will start in a few hours.
I didn’t want to lose the two of them in it.
Maybe that was it.
A slightly impulsive thought came to mind.
‘Shall I reveal that now?’
Their real son, the crazy Lloyd Frontera.
What kind of fate and ending the guy met.
What kind of wandering did you go through before committing to a future life of your own?
I thought maybe this might be my last chance to tell you that.
‘No, it definitely will.’
Hellgate will open in a few hours now.
But considering the answer I heard earlier from the Jewel of Truth….
‘Let’s talk.’
It was a promise to the real Lloyd.
It was something I had promised many times before.
So I must tell you now.
Even if I hear resentment from the two of you.
If you miss now, there will be no more opportunities.
“I have something to tell you.”
I took a deep breath.
My heart thumped.
The fingertips holding the fork trembled slightly.
“Actually, I….”
It was then.
The moment I was about to continue talking behind my back.
The Count spoke first.
“wait for a sec. It’s Lloyd.”
“…yes?”
“I know what you want to say, but let’s hear it after tonight is over safely.”
“Yes?”
“It tickled me a little. haha. We don’t know either. How much you cherish and love this father and mother. But I’m afraid that if I listen to it now, something bad will happen later. hani…Please tell me that after tonight has passed safely.”
“Here I am….”
“Will you do this father’s favor?”
“….”
The Count looks at me warmly. and the Countess.
When I saw the two of them staring at me, my mouth fell shut.
I became unable to speak at all.
In the end, I had to nod my head.
“all right.”
“Thank you.”
The two of them smiled with relief.
Are you trying to give me strength like that?
So I think I’ve found an excuse to postpone what I have to say, and I’m relieved abominably.
“…Then be sure to be safe tomorrow.”
finished eating like that.
went out of the mansion
The glow of the early summer evening hit her whole body red.
walked through it
Slowly, I soothed my fearful and complicated feelings.
But it was in the middle of that.
“Actually, I used to get secret pleasure when I was doing politics in Summoner’s Rift…How should I interpret this secret?”
A soft voice came from behind.
Steps that naturally join and walk like a lane-breaking master.
I glanced back and saw Xaviel.
Seeing the gaze from this side, the boy shrugged his shoulders.
“These are the secrets you revealed while using the Gem of Truth. No matter how much I think about it, I’m a little confused about what it means.”
“What do you mean? What is the truth?”
“It’s understandable that you felt joy while playing politics.”
“then?”
“Where is Summoner’s Rift?”
“There is a place like that. A hell full of Carries and trolls and cries for mothers.”
“…Have you ever been to a place like that without people noticing?”
“uh.”
It’s true.
I used to skip private academies and go to internet cafes without my parents knowing.
So, the answers you just gave are definitely not lies.
“by the way. Aren’t you scared?”
“Are you afraid?”
“later.”
“You mean the Hell Army?”
“uh.”
walking side by side
He nodded.
“Honestly, I’m a little scared.”
“So do i.”
“yes?”
“yes.”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
Today is a bit of a strange day.
Is it because of the ending of the day that I heard earlier through Book?
I keep wanting to spit out cheesy words that I wouldn’t even dream of normally.
“Thank you so far.”
Still, it won’t be today.
Only today, these words can be understood.
“I wouldn’t have come this far without you. I wouldn’t have been able to do this. You grumbled sometimes, quite often, but I never hated you.”
Xaviel listened silently.
Words that I do not know.
“So thank you. So please take good care of me today. Instead, don’t overdo it. Don’t go too far and don’t get hurt. got it?”
I said it honestly.
These words are sincere.
It’s like I’ve never done anything to him.
If I don’t do it today, I think I’ll regret it forever.
So said.
But the answer from him is….
“Write. I hear people do things they shouldn’t do when it’s time to die.”
“….”
“It’s a big deal. Seeing you tremble in agony like this.”
“…hey.”
“yes.”
“Did you not feel my sincerity?”
“yes.”
“….”
“Instead, I felt something different.”
“what.”
“I felt a surge of alertness within me.”
“why.”
“I wonder if this human being is going to try to beat and pamper this side with some kind of flattery again.”
“No, I’m not some kind of human, evil business owner.”
“….”
“Did you think so?”
“It’s enough and it’s easy enough.”
“….”
“But it is. Lloyd.”
“uh.”
“I also want to say thank you.”
“Don’t be fooled.”
“It’s just how I feel.”
“I’m not being fooled.”
“I thought that if it wasn’t for Lloyd-nim, everyone in the Frontera estate would have lived a much more miserable life. You always worked hard, but you never showed it, so I am grateful and respectful.”
“Because I’m not being fooled.”
“So I made up my mind. When today passes and the sun of tomorrow safely greets you, from then onwards, I will serve Lloyd-sama with more sincerity.”
“I’m not fooling you, man. Shouldn’t you put up a death flag on a day like today?”
“What is a death flag?”
“There is such a thing. Tsk. I’m just saying something like that Should I sprinkle some salt?”
“….”
“Anyway, let’s go back now. It’s time.”
“All right.”
I took Xaviel and turned around.
Enjoying the view ends here.
It really is about time.
‘The scheduled invasion time is midnight.’
At that time, the gates of hell will open.
The invasion of numerous Hell Knights and Satan the King of Hell will begin.
So, before that, you must be fully prepared.
Of course, preparation is sufficient.
♣
Several hours have passed.
The sunset is gone.
The night was deep.
Dense darkness dyes the sky.
The constellation of the pleading prisoner came to mind.
In the meantime, countless people in the territory defense allied forces held their breath and waited for midnight.
Settled according to Lloyd’s plan.
Someone hid in the bush and stole sweat.
Another person bit his lip nervously on the roof of an apartment building.
Tension and anxiety ahead of battle.
But no one was shaken.
Because I was prepared for this.
It’s because you’re following the plans of Lloyd Frontera, who is known for being picky.
Today’s battle will definitely be like that.
That everything will go according to plan.
Everyone had no doubts.
Meanwhile, the full moon rose high.
occupied the crown of the night sky.
That moment.
change has begun.
Parts zuzes…!
Like thunder or the ominous flapping of wings.
A flash of red flashed across the night sky.
The full moon was dyed red.
And the gates of Hell opened.
Parts Tsut-!
100 meters above the central village of Frontera Territory.
The bleak red ring that opened there spewed out the heat of hell.
Before long, beings more ominous than the heat of hell appeared with their eyes shining.
It was the Hellnite vanguard.
Clap! Clap!
Hell’s knight clasps his armor.
Accompanied by the Hell Steed’s Turegil.
Crossed over Hellgate.
Breathing in the air of this world.
To stain this place with death and ruin.
They jumped one after another towards the ground beneath the Hell Gate.
the moment you see it.
All members of the Alliance to defend the Prontera Territory clenched their fists.
convinced all together.
‘Operation Success!’
with that certainty.
The first Hellnite that jumped to the ground fell not into the solid ground, but into the sparkling holy water.
It was neither expected nor planned by the Hell Knights.
It was a full-fledged dive into the holy water pool.
Fondant!
