Chapter 101: Unexpected Spoiler (1)
[All of your past achievements and accomplishments have satisfied a hidden condition. A new system has been made available as a result.]
[
Eh?
Lloyd’s eyes went wide when he read the messages that popped out of nowhere.
Compliment system?
Lloyd had never heard of it before. Things like “likeability” or “RP” had appeared so many times that he had grown familiar with them. But “compliment” was unheard of. But Lloyd didn’t panic because the answer to his questions was in the message itself.
A hidden condition… Hmm…
The countless achievements and accomplishments he had undertaken after he arrived in this world replayed in his head.
Career-wise, it is quite impressive for me.
The word “impressive” fell short of capturing his feats. Just off the top of his mind… He revived the flat-broke barony, formed an alliance with the orc tribe in the wilderness, killed a monster that was the size of a skyscraper, and almost became the son-in-law of a count. And tonight, he had put a stop to an assassination attempt on the queen. In short, he had saved the country.
And such accomplishments accumulated until I satisfied a hidden condition.
Lloyd could guess what was happening, and he suddenly grew hopeful and expectant.
A compliment system. I wonder what it is.
The likeability and RP he had accumulated were like wings that let him soar through life, enabling him to achieve impossible things and saving him from a host of crises. So Lloyd naturally wondered how this new system would empower him, how it would bring the impossible possible. Feeling the beating of his heart, Lloyd looked down at the message, and there was a selection window.
Ding Dong.
[You have selected the “Compliment System Guide.”]
[Praise breeds willingness. The accomplishments you have achieved are turned into a title. People will praise you through that title. Each given title comes with its own bonus skill. Additionally, at midnight of every full moon, a certain amount of compliment points (CP) will be awarded.]
Bonus skill… A compliment point.
Lloyd was still lost after reading up to that point. He opened the title list.
Ding Dong.
[You have selected the list of titles you hold.]
The list of titles unfolded before him.
[Exemplifying Punisher]
[Builder of Dead Estates]
[Honored Warrior of the Barbaric Tribe]
[Guardian of Cremo]
[Magentano Carry]
So this is just like the titles in video games…
Lloyd recalled the many games he had enjoyed back in South Korea. The games used to give out titles whenever he successfully achieved certain missions and quests.
The titles there gave me certain powers or buffs as bonuses. This reminds me exactly of those games. Let’s first check it out.
Lloyd selected one title and put it on a test.
Ding Dong.
[You have selected
[Guardian of Cremo]
[Title Level: Regional talk]
Carpeted the night sky, the monster’s gaze. Stood a man’s powerful will. The city’s blaze died at his yell. The monster’s heart dropped as his feet fell. Night of disaster may not quell. But the morning ray shall fall. Come. Oh, the monster of the deep sea. Come. Oh, to the dawn of protection.
[Compliment Effect: When you fight an opponent ten times or heavier than you, “Iron Stance” is invoked. The damage you deal against the opponent will double. The damage you receive from the opponent will be halved.]
[Title Region: Entire Cremona region, including the City of Cremo.]
[Active Period of Title: 120 years]
[A title’s powers can be activated for 24 hours in the region for which the compliment was given. Moreover, the time and region can expand or shrink depending on your actions.]
[Monthly CP Earned from the Title: 6]
[Current CP: 0]
“…”
Lloyd was still in the dark about where this CP was used. But something was made clear when he read the guide.
So, I now have a buff that will last 120 years as long as I am in the Cremona region.
Come to think of it, the condition for the title was enormous, and the same went for the effect. Lloyd found himself gulping.
Okay, let me look at another one.
This time, Lloyd picked the “Exemplifying Punisher,” which was his first title.
Ding Dong.
[Exemplifying Punisher]
[Title Level: Fiefdom rumor]
The hooligan is out for trouble again! He endured everyone’s mockery. In doubt and suspicion, he fought while drenched in sweat. Against the sword of the traitor, he stood with bravery. No retreat. He remained canny. At last, he punished the big snitch. The root of injustice he plucked, willful and witty. Lloyd Frontera, the hooligan, the eldest son of the barony.
[Compliment Effect: You hold great influence on those below you. Those who work for you pay more attention to your words. Cases of disobedience and insubordination will be reduced significantly.]
[Title Region: Frontera barony.]
[Active Period of Title: 7 Years.]
[Monthly CP Earned from the Title: 1]
[Current CP: 0]
This is pretty good as well.
Judging from the description, the title seemed to have come from the time when he took care of Sir Neumann, who turned his back on the barony. As such, the accomplishment was more modest than the one back in Cremo. The period and region of influence were far more limited, too.
It’s better than nothing.
This system wasn’t like the ones in games where he could equip only one title. Using several of them at once offered great help. The more the better, especially when the time period and region expanded.
The same goes for the CP that automatically gets awarded when I wear the titles.
The usage of CP was still a mystery to Lloyd. Not a single word described where it could be used in the messages.
But it will come in handy if I save them.
Lloyd wasn’t guessing. He was sure of it. Thinking such, Lloyd glanced around, and he quickly closed the system window after reading the room. It wasn’t the best atmosphere to leisurely read the messages.
I want to look over more, but let’s read them later.
An air of disorder hung in the banquet hall. But it was dead silent. The nobles and the knights were on their knees, bowing down before the queen standing beside Lloyd. And her dignified voice reached into their ears.
“Therefore… I proclaim. Tonight, every individual who has set foot in the banquet today shall be suspended from leaving until the investigation is over. Since this is an urgent measure for the safety of the monarch, I request close cooperation…”
Temporary lockdown. Everyone in the hall would be investigated until the mastermind of the assassination attempt on the queen was found. Such declaration was spoken forth by the queen.
Looks like the most appropriate measure.
The situation involved a murder attempt on the queen, and the assassin was no other than Sir Kyle. Not a single soul could be trusted. Everyone had to be put into question. The nobles were even included in this group. Though the measure may have seemed overly strict and comprehensive, it was most necessary. And her proclamation was immediately put into effect.
Clack! Clang!
New forces arrived at the hall. The number was small, a total of less than 30. But each boasted a strong and grave aura more powerful and serious than the royal guards. Lloyd noticed the insignia on their armor and presumed who they were.
The three roses. The Order of Thornbush, the unit directly working beneath the monarch.
Just then, Lloyd recalled the beginning of The Knight of Blood and Iron. The Order was a secretive force directly working under the monarch. The royal guards were like the guard dogs that were in charge of protecting the queen on a daily basis. The Order of Thornbush was the queen’s hunting dog mobilized only when traitors needed to be chased down.
Whew. They look so serious.
All of them were high-level sword experts. Apathetic killing machines. That was how the novel described them. But when Lloyd saw them in real life, he realized the novel barely did justice to what they actually looked like. The men’s armor clacked and clanged as they approached in his direction. At last, the queen turned to Lloyd’s side.
“Lloyd Frontera,” she said.
“I am at your service, Your Majesty.”
“You and Sir Asrahan have saved my life tonight. So, I shall ask one more favor from you.”
“Do you wish for us to help out the Order of the Thornbush?” asked Lloyd.
“Precisely. This is why I like you. You’re very good at reading the room.”
The queen smiled in contentment. Lloyd replied with a wry smile on his face.
It’s going to be a long night.
Lloyd was exempted from being a suspect because he had saved the queen. Instead, he was to join the knights to find out those involved in the treason.
“I am at your service, Your Highness.”
I can look at the compliment system later, Lloyd thought to himself, and he bowed down. It was the beginning of a busy night.
The morning rolled around. And Lloyd was able to walk out of the hall only after the sun rose.
“Woah.”
The bright morning sun nauseated him a bit, and he wondered if it was because he had stayed awake all night or gone through the ruckus of saving the queen.
My head hurts.
He was tired, and rightfully so. He had spent the entire night investigating even when he was already worn out.
I don’t think I’ll ever snitch as much as I did today.
The afternoon before, he had told on the royal academy. And just on the same night, he testified everything he heard and reported that to the queen and the investigator as the person behind the monarch needed to be discovered.
Whatever. I told them everything about the Lord Great Chamberlain and all that, so it’s up to the palace now.
The investigation was beyond his jurisdiction. He did his part to save the queen and prevent her from becoming a tyrant. That alone was a goal achieved.
I never want to experience this ever again.
His stomach churned as he thought about the fuss he had to go through the night. And then, he suddenly became curious.
“Hey.”
“Did you call me?” Javier asked.
Javier shot back with a question right away. A laugh escaped Lloyd.
“Look at you. All I said was ‘Hey.’ How did you know that I was calling you?”
“Just a hunch. Please do ask.”
“Ask what?”
“Do you not have something to ask me?”
“Are you by any chance… a mind reader?”
“I just had a feeling that you might have one,” said Javier coolly.
“Aha. You are a psychologist.”
“…”
“What I meant to ask you was about whether you became that,” asked Lloyd.
“Do you mean a sword master?”
“Yeah.”
“Yes, I did.”
Pfft! The sound of something spraying out came from the opposite of Javier. When Lloyd turned around, he found Julian looking at him, and then Javier with a flustered expression on his face.
“Eh…? Sir Asrahan? Sword master?”
“Yeah.”
“But how can you say that so easily?” Julian asked in wonder.
“Then, should I say it with more difficulty?” asked Lloyd.
“No, it’s not that, but…”
“Then, what do you mean?” asked Lloyd.
“You know, you and Sir Asrahan. We’re talking about him being the sword master. But you two talk so nonchalantly like you are talking about breakfast.”
“Hmm,” drawled Lloyd, “should I have asked as though we’re talking about lunch then?”
“Oh, come on. Don’t joke with me,” Julian said as he waved his hand.
“I mean, there’s no need to make a fuss, don’t you think?” asked Lloyd again as he chuckled and shrugged.
Surely, he was happy that Javier had become the sword master. But it was something that he knew would happen. It was just that he became one earlier than what was written in the novel.
“No need to make a fuss, really. To Javier, he simply met his goal for this year. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes, that’s right.” Javier nodded. “That’s why I’m relieved. I was actually getting anxious because summer was nearing its end.”
“Why, because you feared you might not meet your goal this year?”
“Yes, but today, I achieved it. I’m happy.”
“By the way, did the queen say anything about your achievement?” asked Lloyd.
“She did.”
“Bet she told you to serve her, no?” asked Lloyd again.
“Yes.”
“And what did you say?”
“I rejected her.”
Julian was drinking from his cup when he sprayed it again. Javier, unperturbed, continued to speak.
“She wanted to see me separately right after the investigation. Her voice was serious.”
“What did she say?”
“She told me that the position of the commander of the royal guards is open,” Javier explained.
“Did she promise to offer you the position? The queen?”
“Yes,” Javier nodded as he spoke. Then he added, “So I told her I don’t want it.”
“And?” Lloyd stared at Javier intently.
“She asked why.”
“What was your answer?”
“I told her that my only master is Baron Frontera, and no one else.”
Javier’s voice grew more serious as if he felt assured by his own words.
“Thankfully. Her Highness understood my heart. She smiled and said that she envied the baron. I am very relieved,” said Javier.
“Yes, truly, it’s a relief,” Lloyd couldn’t help but smile, and he thought Javier’s reaction was very much like his.
The same thing happened in the novel, I think.
In the novel, Javier turned down the offer from the queen and the emperor to work for them. And the reason he gave them was pretty much the same as what he just gave.
I think it was about how there was only one lord for him, and that was the late Baron Frontera.
With such talent, Javier could’ve lived a life of fame and luxury, but he rejected all those good things for the sake of loyalty.
Seriously, he’s an impressive guy
Lloyd internally clucked his tongue and looked at Javier. He was smiling like a student who had finished his homework in time for a vacation. But his smile vanished soon.
“I wonder, however, who was behind it.”
“The assassination attempt of the queen?” said Lloyd.
“Yes.”
Javier’s voice was cold.
“Whomever the person was, Sir Kyle was cajoled into the scheme. The sword master of the kingdom and the commander of the royal guards.”
“Yes, it’s a shocking event,” agreed Lloyd. A sigh escaped him because he couldn’t put a finger on who did it. That was the case even when he finished the novel.
The novel didn’t specify who was behind such a plot.
Incomplete hook. The assassination attempt of the queen was just that. There seemed to be some sort of organization hidden in veils, but it was never brought to light even in the end. The only thing that was mentioned in the novel was about Javier secretly bracing himself for the threat that wasn’t over.
That’s the thing with authors these days. It’s just a setup for the second novel.
It was an ending, but not technically quite so. It was just an unfinished hook to be expanded in the sequel when it received more attention from the readers. The secret organization behind the assassination attempt was exactly just that.
Tsk. Why didn’t they publish the second novel?
Unfortunately, there was only one book for the novel. It looked like the second would come out soon, but it never got published. So Lloyd didn’t know a thing about the unfinished hook. That was the conundrum at the moment.
It just doesn’t feel right.
Originally, the assassination attempt should have been executed two and a half years later. So, Lloyd meant to hint at it much later. But now, it happened much earlier than expected, causing him to wonder.
But the important thing is that we were able to stop it.
Rustle. Rustle. Before he realized it, there were already leaves falling from the trees. The sign of fall hit Lloyd’s feet each time he walked. And the stroll cleared his mind a bit.
Let’s not think too much about it.
Whatever the case was, Lloyd did prevent the assassination attempt from succeeding. So what was to come after wasn’t part of his job description. After all, his goal was to live doing nothing for the rest of his life in the fiefdom.
So it’s all good as long as there aren’t any large uproars, natural disasters, monster attacks, measles, or anything like that.
The thought brought an onrush of peace to his mind. He returned to his quarters, caught up on sleep, and lazed around. He had a late dinner and stared at the night sky. And at last, the much-awaited full moon floated in the sky, bright and shiny. Lloyd waited some more as he lay on the grass in front of his lodging. As the waiting continued, he looked over the descriptions of the titles he wasn’t able to read a while ago.
The Builder of the Dead Estate makes everyone in the fiefdom cooperate with the construction projects I hold in the fiefdom… The one about the barbaric tribe lets me use the roar unique to the orc tribes… And the Magentano Carry, hmm… it gets me the absolute trust of Queen Magentano and frees me from treason at all costs…
Each title was unique and efficient in its own way. He liked them. Meanwhile, midnight came near, and the full moon stood right in the center. Just then, the message Lloyd had waited for appeared in front of his eyes.
Ding Dong.
[The full moon is lighting up the night sky.]
[You will receive CP for the five titles you have.]
I knew it.
It was just as he expected. The corners of Lloyd’s lips rolled upward. Fixing up his posture, Lloyd read down the messages.
[The people in the Frontera barony are showering you, the Exemplifying Punisher and Builder of the Dead Estates, with compliments. You have acquired 3 CP.]
[The orcs of the Sand and Steel Tribe are showering you with compliments for being the Honored Warrior of the Barbaric Tribe. You have acquired 2 RP.]
[The entire Cremona region has turned upside down from your reputation as the Guardian of Cremo. You have acquired 6 RP.]
[The news of you being the Magentano Carry is spreading to all corners of the kingdom at the moment. You have acquired 11 RP.]
[Current CP: 22]
22?
To be honest, he didn’t know where this CP would be used. So that may have explained the uncertainty of whether the number “22” meant plenty or not. Just then…
Ding Dong.
Another message appeared right away as soon as the previous ones disappeared.
[You have succeeded in acquiring CP for the first time.]
[As a result, you can spend your CP to enable “Ending Spoiler,” which gives you a glimpse into the future.]
[Skill Name: Ending Spoiler.]
[Skill Class: ???]
[Required CP: 20 (1st)]
What…? Ending… Spoiler?
An unbelievable message appeared in front of him. Lloyd’s eyes widened as he read it.