Chapter 179: A Reliable Supporter (1)

Lloyd’s hand moved and pointed at the seat beside the count across from Lloyd. He was pointing at his daughter, Lady Namaran, and that made count’s white beard twitch.

“My daughter? An excellent ruler?” inquired the count.

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Followed by his beard, his eyebrows twitched next. Lloyd’s words were a mystery. Old and in severe need of rest, he needed a successor to rule the city after him. And unfortunately, he didn’t have a son but an only daughter. As such, he contemplated the matter for several days. Who was a suitable candidate? Or should he overtax himself and endure a little longer? That was when it occurred to him that there was Lloyd. Practically and nominally, he was a good candidate.

He’s young and competent. He’s clever, industrious and has accomplished a great thing for the city. Not only that, he is greatly favored by Her Majesty. There is no one better than him who can reign the city.

That was the conclusion the count drew at last. And so, he had made an offer to Lloyd. Marry my daughter. Be my successor and rule this city. Assured that Lloyd would accept the offer, the count waited in anticipation. From the count’s standpoint, no, according to common sense, his acceptance was only obvious since it was a tremendous opportunity to become a count at a young age and rule over the great city. But what?

He refuses and tells me that my daughter is a more fitting ruler for the city?

Such a possibility never crossed his mind. His daughter was just his daughter and nothing more. He simply wished that she would marry a good man and help advance the family line. Though he cherished and loved her, he never imagined handing the countship to his daughter, who had been sheltered and had never seen the harshness of life. Her being a ruler never crossed his mind.

“Are you mocking this old man?”

Count Namaran scowled, wrinkling his eyes. Though old and sick, he nonetheless gave off the force befitting a man who has ruled over a city his whole life. But Lloyd remained calm and unperturbed despite the other’s glare and tone of voice. He neither grinned nor shrugged. Instead, he looked at the count with a more serious look.

“Your Excellency, I am being sincere,” said Lloyd.

“Sincere?” asked the count.

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

Lloyd slightly nodded, alternately looking at the count and Lady Namaran.

“What will I ever attain by mocking you?” asked Lloyd, emphasizing every word. “I have no intentions of that. So, please consider my words, Your Excellency.”

“Then where are you getting at? How is my daughter a suitable ruler of this city?”

“I meant every word when I said it,” said Lloyd.

“Sincere?”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“And where is your basis?” demanded the count.

“I saw it myself. I saw how her unreserved hesitation and sacrifice the day the cursed wall was erected,” said Lloyd solemnly.

“What could you mean…?”

“I saw how exhausted she was after guiding the old servants and maids to the shade.”

A soft smile escaped him. Lady Namaran. His smile deepened as he thought about her more. It was because of the deeds she manifested in the novel and this life.

How could she be so relaxed?

In the novel and his current life, in both worlds, she wore a pendant, which was her father’s childhood gift. But it wasn’t an ordinary pendant. It was rare and held the invaluable power of partially protecting the effect of various spells and curses. Thanks to it, she managed to stay awake longer than other people, even when the wall was put up. She had enough strength to crawl with some struggle.

And that was how she thwarted Cannavaro. By crawling. She used all of her body to thwart and disturb that warlock who was in the ritual to summon Hell’s Knight. That was how she died, and those few seconds she bought allowed Javier to stop the summoning ritual.

That was how she met her end in the novel. And what about here? Though she didn’t die, she did good deeds relying on the power of her pendant as she strained to take care of the elderly servants and maids. She guided them towards some shade and massaged their arms and legs. Then, even when she was on the brink of fainting, she continued to nurse and tend to them until, at last, she passed out.

“I accidentally spotted her while I moved around treating people. And I heard it too. The servants and maids were all praising her,” Lloyd said, “the sight they saw as they lost consciousness. How the lady strove to take care of their menial existence. How they will never forget that scene for the rest of their lives.”

Lloyd sent a content gaze at her. But her face was bright red. Could it be because her good deeds were revealed? This made his eyes glint with more contentment.

“That is the kind of person your daughter is, Your Excellency,” Lloyd continued, “She is always ready to sacrifice herself and give her life to this city and its people anytime.”

“But this girl has never reigned-”

“Certainly,” Lloyd cut in modestly, “she lacks experience.”

Before the count could rebut, Lloyd began to speak, slowly persuading him.

“Of course, she’ll probably make many mistakes at first. But she will learn from them. But will it not be the case for me as well? I am certain the same was true of you as well when you were young, Your Excellency.”

“Ehem…! Ehem! Why do you have to cite me as your example?” huffed the count.

“I simply wanted to say that we all start somewhere,” defended Lloyd, “especially in a position that involves ruling a city and shouldering countless lives. And that is why…”

Lloyd pointed at Lady Namaran again.

“If everyone will be inadequate at the beginning, why not entrust it to someone who is ready to devote herself completely to the city?”

“What about you?” asked the count.

“I am not cut out for it, Your Excellency. I can’t.”

“Why do you say so?”

“Because I am greedy,” replied Lloyd with certainty in his voice. “I might increase the tax by tenfold right away. Why shouldn’t I? This isn’t my hometown. And I’m not particularly attached to it. Well, speaking straightforwardly, I couldn’t care less whether the people here starve or not,” drawled Lloyd.

“I can see that you are saying that on purpose,” pointed Count Namaran.

“Yes. I am trying to emphasize that at least your daughter will never do the things I just said.”

“…”

“What’s more, she is a local here. This is her home. She will be more knowledgeable than a stranger like me.”

“…”

“How does that sound, Your Excellency?”

Lloyd grinned after finishing speaking. Count Namaran shot a meaningful gaze at him. “My good fellow, why are you doing this?”

“My lord?” asked Lloyd in mild surprise.

“I offered a position,” the count went on, “one which anybody would be envious of. I even offered my daughter’s hand with it, making it all the more legitimate. How can you remain so nonchalant as you refuse this offer?”

“I have told you, Your Excellency, I am greedy.”

“What?” Count Namaran frowned.

“In all honesty,” Lloyd said casually, “money isn’t the only thing I’m greedy for. I am avaricious when it comes to leisure as well. That is why I secretly pray every night that my Count Frontera will live long, even after he reaches 100 years old.”

“Your reason… seems far from filial piety.”

“That is right,” Lloyd answered. “It’s more convenient for me if he lives a long, healthy life.”

There wasn’t a single lie in his words. He liked Count Frontera as a respectable leader. And so, he dearly wished that the count would live a long life. After all, a count’s son had fewer responsibilities compared to the count. The less work there was for him, the more things he had to enjoy. Just like that, he would lead a comfortable life of relaxation.

“That’s who I am,” continued Lloyd, “After going through a lot physically and mentally, I am now drained. I want to rest. I don’t want to be burdened by too many responsibilities. I simply want to live a quiet life, enjoying what I already have,” replied Lloyd, his voice dripping with exhaustion.

“Do you not have any grand ambitions or dreams as a man?” inquired the count.

“Ambitions and dreams do not put food on the table, Your Excellency.”

That certainly was the case. A modest life. An ordinary life. A life where he simply had enough. Lloyd simply wanted to live without a care in the world and pass away when his time came. His ultimate dream and wish were to live as a lazy landlord.

“I see… Since you are adamant… I cannot force my will on you,” said the count in resignation.

“Thank you, Your Excellency, for acknowledging my will.”

“But I won’t immediately agree with your drastic plan to designate my daughter as the count. However, I will give my full consideration for it.”

“That is very relieving to hear. I was getting worried that I crossed the line,” answered Lloyd.

“Haha, what a brazen fellow you are,” chuckled the count.

“While you are complimenting me, Your Excellency, please say that I am tactful.”

“Tsk. It would have been wonderful if you reigned the city,” the count said wistfully.

“Lady Namaran will do a much better job than I ever could, Your Excellency.”

“Now, where is the man that worried whether he had crossed the line?”

“Was there such a man?” joked Lloyd.

“Ahaha. How strange. I do not hate you even when you act like this.”

“There is nothing special about me. It is all because of your generosity, my father-in-law, oops. I meant to say, my count.”

“Hahaha! Look at you!”

The count finally burst into laughter, and he gazed at Lloyd more meaningfully than before.

“I see… I will seriously think over your advice.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency.”

“No,” the count said as he waved his hands, “the gratitude is mine. Had it not for you and Sir Asrahan, I, my daughter, and this city would have perished. While we are on this topic, I have something to say. Thank you very much. I will make sure to give a detailed report to Her Majesty about your accomplishments.”

“Um… About that…” mumbled Lloyd.

“Why,” the count asked, “do you not want me to?”

“The thing is, having too many accomplishments can also be troublesome.”

A bitter smile escaped Lloyd. The count’s gaze grew with more contentment.

“Hahaha. Is that so? I see. Then I will hire a skilled writer to narrate your dramatic feat to Her Highness in great detail.”

“Please, spare me, Your Excellency.”

“I will not,” refused the count. “This is my way of getting revenge for how you coldly turned down this old man’s favor.”

“…”

“Anyway, let us put this subject behind us. What do you have over there?”

Still holding the grudge, the count spoke as he pointed at Lloyd’s side. Lloyd’s face lit up at his question.

“Oh,” said Lloyd, “it is the blueprint and plan for the slope stabilization project.”

Welcoming the change of subject, Lloyd immediately brought out the document and opened it up.

“First, I analyzed the characteristics and current state of the cliff slope that supports the city. I found that the slope is considerably damaged… Blah blah blah… The pressure on the side is expected to be high… Blah blah blah… Therefore, the piles in the ground must be installed in a file, and the anchor bolts will increase the friction resistance… Blah blah blah…”

Lloyd started to pinpoint and explain the blueprint so eloquently that the count was left speechless. A proud smile bloomed on Lloyd’s face as he spoke. He had succeeded. He peacefully turned down the unexpected proposal and passed off the responsibility of ruling the city. Therefore, his plan was completed. Once this construction ended and he went back to the Frontera fiefdom with money, he’d be able to achieve his modest dream of living high off the hog.

Lloyd continued to explain the project with an expectant heart, and he finally got the promise of assistance necessary for the project. Count Namaran glanced at Lloyd with the most satisfying gaze as he listened to the latter’s explanation. His gaze was likened to the warm look of a grandfather looking at his grandson with a 4.0 GPA. But such a gaze had nothing to do with Lloyd’s amazing explanation or his stellar accomplishment. None of it.

He’s really a man I’d like to keep by my side.

Lloyd Frontera. Young and competent. But there was something else the count paid more attention to. Despite Lloyd’s competence, he was humble and never crossed any lines. He had the wit to evaluate himself objectively and never went beyond his limits. Count Namaran judged that such a character wasn’t something most ordinary young men could manifest.

By and large, a competent man usually holds confidence that equals his skills. And so, he starts overstepping boundaries while becoming arrogant and conceited. Losing the capacity to objectively evaluate himself, he falls into delusion. That is when he makes a mistake, hurting himself and everyone around him. But Lloyd? He’s different. He already knows how to restrain himself despite his skills.

The power to restrain himself despite holding such tremendous talent. That quality was greater and rarer than his talent itself. That was at least the way the count saw him.

I tried to win over him too easily.

Count Namaran realized that Lloyd wasn’t the type of person he and his city could easily get a hold of. He reprimanded himself as he looked at Lloyd and secretly made a resolution.

A sharp nail may try to hide under a cloth, but its end will inevitably pierce out. Talent is the same. No matter how much he tries to leave in peace, someone will eventually desire his talent. And eventually, he will find himself in turmoil at least once in his lifetime.

Count Namaran resolved that should such a time come for Lloyd, he would step up and protect this young man, the savior who saved his daughter and the city. When a chaotic storm rushed to hit Lloyd Frontera, he would strive to protect this man’s peace even if it took everything he had. He would return the favor he received at least once in his lifetime. Resolving such, Count Namaran eyed Lloyd with a gentle look. For Lloyd, that marked the birth of a reliable supporter who was set to become a great help in his future.