Chapter 182: Father’s Waiting (2)
Fwick! The letter opened, and a serious gaze looked over the paper.
“Hmm.”
A wrinkle appeared on Queen Magentano’s forehead.
“Hell’s Knight, huh.”
She searched her memory. She read a mention of it in an old book, about how it was a knight that led a corps in Hell. But it had never ascended to earth since ancient times. The book warned that its arrival on earth would bring apocalypse to every living being.
Should I be relieved that Hell’s Knight was summoned in such an imperfect form?
The kingdom could have been reduced to dust, but that didn’t happen. All the credit was due to the brave knights and people of Namaran. They thwarted the dark magicians’ schemes and struggled until they succeeded in suppressing Hell’s Knight. The report, written by Count Namaran, informed her.
But I question the veracity of this report.
Under the flickering candlelight, the queen’s eyes held a faint smile as they read the report. Something didn’t sit right.
Certainly, I could believe that Namaran’s knights defeated and arrested a group of dark magicians, but Hell’s Knight? Regardless of its defects, they really managed to defeat it?
She could not believe it.
The report added afterward is more suspicious.
Her gaze moved downward, which detailed how Hell’s Knight was subdued.
Lloyd Frontera, the eldest son of the Frontera family, was residing in Namaran just in time, and his singing threw Hell’s Knight into great confusion. Thanks to it, Sir Javier Asrahan and the other knights worked to defeat the formidable enemy. But hmm… What kind of song would one have to sing to throw a knight of hell into confusion?
She couldn’t imagine it. But she could faintly catch what was going on inside the report.
Count Namaran downplayed the report at the request of the eldest son of the Frontera family.
The queen could sense it right on. Certainly, she wasn’t at the scene to witness the event. But the hints and clues from the report allowed her to postulate so.
To begin with, Hell’s Knight is not an enemy the knights of Namaran can fight against. That is, even if they risked their lives. Yet the report says the knights worked together with Sir Asrahan. No. In reality, Lloyd Frontera and Javier Asrahan were probably the only ones who had fought Hell’s Knight.
The queen harked back to the past, particularly the night someone tried to assassinate her and the capacities Lloyd and Javier showed on that night. Javier suppressed Sir Kyle, the sword master. And Lloyd manifested a variety of talents and skills even though he wasn’t a sword master. Based on that night, the duo would have put up a good fight against Hell’s Knight, as the latter was imperfect.
But it is a wonder as to why Count Namaran understated their role in his report. Hmm, is he trying to help Lloyd lead a quiet life?
Just when her thought reached that point, Queen Magentano smirked. She was well aware of Lloyd’s modest tendencies. How he wasn’t ambitious and longed to live an ordinary life. The reports she had gathered in various ways allowed her to detailedly understand his character.
That must be why he asked the count. He must have requested him to understate his role.! But too bad. Lloyd Frontera. Cannavaro, the very man transferred here last night, will end up confessing everything. Furthermore, I plan on making good use of you for the time being.
A capable individual was meant to be used. Ignoring one’s talent was wasteful, and it bordered on being sinful. The more tired capable individuals became, the more prosperous the kingdom and people’s lives became. This was especially true at this critical juncture when the kingdom was experiencing a diplomatic row with a powerful neighboring nation.
“That is the reason why I included Lloyd Frontera in the delegation. Am I wrong?” asked Queen Magentano, her question echoing heavily in the study.
“You are certainly correct, Your Majesty,” answered the foreign affairs secretary standing politely beside her.
“Correct? But did you not tilt your head in confusion regarding my plan up until I dispatched the envoys? Did you change your mind?”
“Certainly not, Your Majesty.”
“Then what do you mean?” asked the queen.
“Your humble servant simply wanted to make inquiries and express his opinions until a decision was made, Your Highness.”
“Do you mean that you will not make an independent judgment on my decisions?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. However…” said the secretary, stopping midway.
“However?”
The secretary hesitated to speak.
“Do speak,” the queen urged, “I will not reprimand you for your opinions.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. To reveal my thoughts, I am simply curious what we stand to gain by including Lloyd Frontera as an envoy,” said the secretary, his words careful.
Deepening her smile, the queen said, “Hmm, I see what you are saying. Are you wondering what contribution Lloyd Frontera will make to the delegation when he is not an expert in diplomacy?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“To be honest, I have no high hopes for him, either.”
“Your Majesty?”
The secretary lifted his head, his eyes lifting in confusion. Queen Magentano smiled softly.
“Lloyd Frontera will only act as the face of the envoys. He is a symbolic figure that represents the countless victims of the Monster Domino phenomenon.”
“Is that all, Your Majesty?”
“Yes, that is it. However, I cannot say that I have absolutely no expectations of him.”
“Then…”
“I have never seen a man stingier than him.”
“Your Majesty?”
The secretary tilted his head in confusion, and the queen scoffed.
“From the moment I was born,” the queen went on, “I grew up in the political arena of the kingdom. I had to overcome countless competitions and feuds to rise to the throne. And I have met many people along the way. The wicked, the fierce, the fool, the cunning, and the clever. But Lloyd Frontera was different.”
“Do you mean that you saw a side of him that stands out from the others?”
“I did. It was my first time encountering such a hard-working yet cheap person who’s also incredibly stubborn and petty all at once.”
“…”
“The reason why I hold high hopes for him is probably because of his character. I think he may come back to us with a surprising achievement.”
“…”
Queen Magentano’s calm voice rang aloud the study, and because of that heavy atmosphere, the secretary couldn’t dare answer anymore. He simply hung his head down, thinking to himself.
Is she cursing the man or complimenting him…?
He couldn’t ascertain it. So, he only wished that the delegation dispatched to the sultan’s kingdom would strike a successful negotiation and not end in a war.
“Excuse me? So, um, are you telling me that I have to join the envoys for us to avoid a war with the sultan’s kingdom?”
“I am certain that you know this as well. This is not coming from me. It is an order from Her Majesty.”
Flip! Tick! The scroll of royal order rolled up. Count Ventura, the head of the envoys, spoke after he finished reading the queen’s order.
“Lloyd Frontera, the eldest son of the Frontera family, I have no doubt that you know this as well. A royal order from the queen must be abided by at all costs.”
“Ah, yes, I am aware of that, but-”
“The delegation departs tomorrow morning. Make sure you are ready before then.”
Whoosh. Count Ventura turned around. The empty spot he left behind was replaced with a cold gust of wind that hit Lloyd’s chest.
Ha…
The sigh just came out naturally. What in the world happened? Lloyd wondered to himself. He was happy up until last night. The refugee issue was all taken care of as the apartment complex and the main sewage system had been completed. He had earned a great sum in Namaran, and so he had nothing to worry about for the time being. There were no signs of any more trouble. And so, Lloyd thought he was set for a happy, lazy, and prosperous life.
My queen! Why are you doing this to me?!
Lloyd blamed the queen, who was in the palace far, far away from him, and recalled the event of this morning at the same time. It must have been right after breakfast. Lloyd felt slightly more sleep deprived than usual, so he decided to sleep more and threw himself on the bed, happy and content. That was when he heard a fuss on the first floor, and he heard the servants and maids moving around.
Curious as to what was happening downstairs, Lloyd went out to the corridor, and he met the count and countess hurrying down the stairs. Stopping short, the count turned around and told Lloyd that the royal messenger of the queen was here. He should dress up and get down. Lloyd wondered what it could be about and suddenly got an ominous feeling. After changing into formal clothes, he got down and kneeled. He carefully listened to the royal envoy reading the order. The order was simple yet destructive. Lloyd was to join the diplomatic delegation, which was heading to the sultan’s kingdom. It ordered that Lloyd must assist the team that would be engaging in diplomatic negotiation with the sultan.
Me? The delegation? Help them? How?
Lloyd couldn’t put his finger on it. But he had a vague idea of a role he could potentially take on.
What, am I the face?
Lloyd racked his brain, and it was clear as day as to why the queen would send the delegation to the sultan in the east.
Monster domino.
The queen was holding them to be accountable. She was trying to obtain compensation and a diplomatic agreement to prevent such an event from happening again. That had to be the reason why the queen put him on the team. The Frontera fiefdom was one of the places that were harmed by the phenomenon. It was the only fiefdom that survived and became the hub for reconstruction.
She’s making me the representative of the victims. Yeah. That’s it. I’m the witness in charge of describing the damage that was done to this region.
That was it. That was the purpose of sending Lloyd.
Haa… Did I whine too much the last time?
Lloyd looked back to the time he received funds from the queen. He had whined and thrown an ugly tantrum in the letter he sent, and that must have left a powerful impression on her.
That’s why she’s sending me. To whine and cry before the sultan like that time, so I can spice up the negotiation. Goodness.
Lloyd felt bitter. The royal order had already been announced, so there was no way of refuting or refusing it. In other words, Lloyd was forced to join the delegation first thing tomorrow and go to the sultan’s kingdom.
I never thought I’d have to visit the sultan kingdom.
But it wasn’t a light, carefree journey. Suppose the delegation failed to strike a negotiation, and the sultan brazenly refused to be held accountable. In that case, the diplomatic row would worsen for the two kingdoms. That could lead to war, which would be a disaster for the Frontera fiefdom.
We’ll be dragged into the war between the two powers.
In the case his kingdom lays a siege first, the Frontera fiefdom would become a bridgehead for invasion. On the other hand, in the case the sultan’s kingdom attacks first, the fiefdom would turn into a defensive frontline. In short, his fiefdom would become a battlefield, and Lloyd detested the thought of it in either scenario.
“Are you sure you will be all right?”
“Oh, yes.”
Count Frontera placed his hand on Lloyd’s shoulder, and Lloyd smiled at him as he turned. Truly, Lloyd didn’t welcome this situation wherein he had to abruptly leave the fiefdom again. He was even more bitter as his plans of spending his life in a peaceful retirement was delayed. But what else could he do? And since he was ordered to go anyway, he might as well finish up quickly and return. Thinking so, Lloyd got ready for departure. But there really wasn’t much to prepare.
I’m just a member of the delegation, so yeah.
The food and lodging would be all provided for. Starting a fire or getting a tent ready would all be taken care of by the people in the delegation, so Lloyd simply needed to pack a few of his clothes. And something else to kill his boredom during the journey.
“And that is me?”
“Duh. Of course.”
“Do I exist to kill your boredom, Master Lloyd?” asked Javier.
“Yes, Of course.”
Lloyd nodded his head at Javier’s question.
“Did you think you would be staying in this fiefdom while I am being dragged to that far, distant kingdom?” asked Lloyd with a nonchalant look on his face.
“Yes.”
“Wow. You didn’t even hesitate to give your answer.”
“I am merely a man who follows the lord’s command.”
“And the count hasn’t ordered you to protect me. Is that it?”
“That is right.”
“Tsk. I’m pretty sure he has just forgotten to.”
“What do you mean?” asked Javier.
“He didn’t bother to give a separate order because it is too obvious that you will go where I go. Don’t you think so?” asked Lloyd.
“No.”
“That is what you wish to believe. Anyway, let’s do this. I will go and ask him to let me take you.”
“…”
“Hoho, you’re thankful and moved to tears. Right? Think about it. What if you stay behind here all alone? How will you sleep?”
“Sleep? That is something-”
“Something very precious,” interrupted Lloyd. “Sleep greatly affects the body and mind. And you’re going to give that up?”
“I think that is better than being haunted by you, Master Lloyd.”
“And what if something terrible happens to me there? Are you fine with that?”
“Yes, of course.”
“…”
“Why are you staring at me like that, Master Lloyd?” asked Javier.
“You know, I just thought that I have to take you with me. Really, I can’t go alone. That’ll be unfair.”
“…”
“So, hold on for a second here. I’ll go to the count and request that you come with me. Then I’ll sing you a lullaby.”
Lloyd left Javier’s room and skipped toward the count’s study. The inside of the room was brightly lit. However, there was a faint shadow on the count’s face as he welcomed Lloyd. Was it because he had to send his son again after going through all the trouble in Namaran? Or because he was worried about the things Lloyd would go through there? They were right, but there was an even bigger reason.
“I am glad that you are not asleep. I have a favor to ask you, my lord,” said Lloyd.
The count looked at his son, Lloyd, who entered his study with a grin. He wondered the last time Lloyd had called him “father.” It had been too distant in the past that he couldn’t remember.
“I see… What do you need?”
The count decided not to push Lloyd just yet. Let’s wait until he opens up. Resolving such, the count beamed.