Chapter 179
Lloyd’s hand moved.
He pointed not at the Count, but at the Count’s daughter—Lady Namaran.
The Count’s white beard twitched.
“My daughter? A fine ruler, you say?”
“Yes. That is correct.”
“What do you mean by that?”
His beard twitched again. Then his eyebrows.
The Count simply could not understand Lloyd’s words.
He was old, weakened, and needed rest.
He needed someone to rule in his place.
But he had no sons.
He had only one daughter.
And for days, he had agonized over this.
Who should inherit the city?
Should he continue working despite his failing strength?
After much thought, the Count had reached the conclusion that Lloyd was the best candidate—both in title and ability.
‘Young and competent. Intelligent and diligent. A hero who saved this city. And someone who even has Her Majesty the Queen’s favor. Who could manage Namaran better than him?’
That had been Count Namaran’s answer.
And so he proposed:
Marry my daughter.
Inherit my title.
Rule my city.
He had fully expected Lloyd to accept without hesitation.
From the Count’s perspective—no, from almost anyone’s perspective—this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a Count and rule a prosperous city at such a young age.
But then…
‘Not only does he refuse, he says my daughter should rule instead?’
It was inconceivable.
To him, a daughter was simply… a daughter.
He had hoped she would marry a good young man and strengthen the family.
He cherished her deeply, yes—but he had never, ever imagined giving her the Count title.
His only daughter, raised delicately.
A greenhouse flower who had experienced little hardship.
He simply could not picture her as a ruler.
“Are you mocking this old man?”
Deep wrinkles carved into the corners of Count Namaran’s eyes.
A ruler’s pressure seeped through his voice despite his weakened body.
But Lloyd didn’t waver.
He didn’t smile, didn’t dodge.
He simply met the Count’s stern gaze with a serious one of his own.
“Count, what I said comes from sincerity.”
“Sincerity?”
“Yes.”
He nodded gently.
Looking between the Count and Lady Namaran, he spoke slowly.
“What benefit would I gain by mocking you, Count? I have no reason to do such a thing. Please understand—that is not my intention.”
“Then what did you mean earlier? That my daughter is suited to rule this city?”
“That was also sincere. Without a hint of exaggeration.”
“Sincere?”
“Yes.”
“Based on what?”
“Because I saw it myself. The day the Barrier with the Black Wizard’s curse was erected, I witnessed your daughter’s dedication and sacrifice.”
“Dedication and sacrifice…?”
“She fainted while helping the mansion’s old maids and servants move into the shade.”
A faint smile touched Lloyd’s lips.
Lady Namaran.
The more he thought of her, the more he smiled.
Because she truly was consistent—both here, and as described in the novel ‘Iron-Blooded Knight’.
In the novel, and here, she wore the same pendant—a gift from her father on her birthday. It wasn’t just jewelry; it had rare protective properties that blocked curses and evil spells.
Thanks to it, she had endured the Barrier longer than most.
Even crawling, she had moved.
In the novel…
‘She crawled and seized Cannavaro’s ankle. She disrupted the Hell Knight summoning ritual with nothing but her body—and died. Thanks to those few seconds she bought, Javier was able to stop the summoning.’
Her tragic heroic end.
But here?
She didn’t die.
Barely supported by the pendant’s protection, she used every ounce of strength to help people.
Moving fainting maids.
Massaging their limbs.
Fanning them.
Caring for them until she collapsed herself.
“I saw it while treating the citizens. And I heard the maids praising her. They said, even in their fading consciousness, they saw the Lady trying to protect them. That they would never forget her.”
Lloyd glanced at her.
Her face was red as a ripe apple.
He smiled wider.
“That is who she is, Count. Someone willing to sacrifice herself for this city and its people.”
“But this child doesn’t know anything about ruling…”
“Yes. She lacks experience.”
The Count was ready to object.
Lloyd spoke first.
“She will make mistakes. She will stumble. But would I be any different? Were your early years so perfect, Count?”
“…Ahem! Ahem! Why bring me into this?”
“I mean that everyone struggles at first. Especially with something as heavy as ruling a city and protecting lives. That is why—”
Lloyd pointed at Lady Namaran again.
“If clumsiness is unavoidable… shouldn’t the one ruling be someone truly willing to dedicate herself to this city?”
“What about you?”
“I am not suited for it.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m greedy. I might raise taxes tenfold immediately. It’s not my hometown, and I have no particular attachment to it. To put it bluntly, I wouldn’t care if the citizens starved.”
“…You are obviously saying that on purpose.”
“I just wanted to emphasize that your daughter would never do that.”
“……”
“Besides, she is local. She understands this city far better than an outsider like me ever could.”
“……”
“What do you think?”
Lloyd ended with a gentle smile.
Count Namaran looked at him with a complex, searching gaze.
“You… what is the real reason?”
“Yes?”
“I offered you a position anyone would covet. One guaranteed through marriage to my daughter. So why are you so calm while rejecting it?”
“As I said earlier—because I’m greedy.”
“What?”
The Count frowned.
Lloyd spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.
“To be honest, I’m greedy for money, but also greedy for rest. That’s why every night I secretly pray: Please let our Count Frontera live past a hundred years.”
“…That does not sound like simple filial piety.”
“Of course not. If he stays healthy and in charge, I won’t have to take any responsibility.”
It was pure sincerity.
He respected Count Frontera deeply and wished him a long, healthy life.
Because if the Count lived a long time, Lloyd’s workload would remain blissfully small.
He could live comfortably.
Quietly.
Happily.
“I’m that kind of person. I’ve been through physical and mental exhaustion. I want rest. I don’t want big responsibilities. I want to live quietly and enjoy the comfort given to me.”
“Do you have no grand ambitions?”
“Ambition doesn’t put food on the table.”
Truly—
Lloyd only wanted a small, stable, comfortable life.
A peaceful, low-effort, honey-sucking existence like a retired landlord.
“…I understand. If that is truly how you feel, I won’t force the proposal.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“But recommending my daughter as my successor—that I will not decide rashly. I will consider it carefully.”
“That is all I hoped for. I worried my advice might have been impudent.”
“Heh. You shameless fellow.”
“I would be grateful if you praised me for being tactful.”
“Tsk. If someone like you ruled my city, it would be wonderful.”
“Your daughter will do a far better job.”
“…Where did the man who was afraid of being presumptuous go?”
“Was there such a man?”
“Hahaha… unbelievable. And strangely, I don’t dislike you even when you speak like this.”
“Count, you are too generous in your judgment of me.”
“Hahahaha! Look at this rascal!”
The Count burst into laughter at last.
He looked at Lloyd with a warmer, deeper gaze than before.
“…Very well. I will truly consider your advice.”
“Thank you.”
“No—I should be the one thanking you. Without you and Asrahan’s miracle, neither I, my daughter, nor this city would have survived. And I will report your achievements to Her Majesty in full detail.”
“…Ah, um, that—”
“What? You’d rather I didn’t?”
“If I accumulate too many achievements… things get troublesome.”
Lloyd smiled bitterly.
The Count looked pleased.
“Oh? Is that so? Then I shall hire the finest writer to embellish, exaggerate, and dramatize your story before reporting it to Her Majesty.”
“Please spare me.”
“I refuse. Think of it as revenge for rejecting an old man’s request.”
“……”
“Well, enough of that. What is that?”
The Count pointed to the rolled bundle in Lloyd’s hands.
Lloyd brightened immediately.
“These are the blueprints and plans for the Slope Stabilization Construction.”
Grateful for the topic change, he quickly unrolled the documents.
“First, I analyzed the geological condition of the cliffs supporting Namaran City. As a result, the destruction of the slopes has progressed significantly… blah blah… lateral earth pressure is higher than expected… blah blah… so we will line the ground with piles and reinforce with anchors…”
Without pause, he explained every detail, tapping areas of the blueprint.
A satisfied smile tugged at his lips.
He had rejected the unexpected marriage proposal.
He had escaped becoming the city’s ruler.
Now, once he completed this job, earned his fee, and returned to Frontera Territory—
He could finally begin his small-scale, peaceful honey-sucking life.
While Lloyd explained, the Count stared at him with an extremely pleased expression.
The gaze of a grandfather watching a grandson receive first place.
Not because of competency.
Not because of achievements.
It was something else entirely.
‘What an extraordinary talent.’
Lloyd Frontera.
Young and capable.
But more importantly—
He was humble. Self-aware. Restrained.
A man who knew his limits and did not overstep.
Most capable people became overconfident and reckless.
But Lloyd?
He held himself back.
The power of restraint far exceeded mere talent.
‘I tried to seize such talent too easily.’
He realized Lloyd couldn’t simply be constrained or contained by Namaran.
And so, while watching Lloyd explain the blueprints, the Count made a quiet resolution.
‘No matter how much a sharp awl is hidden, the tip will pierce through the pocket. Talent is the same. No matter how much he tries to live quietly, someone will eventually covet his ability. He will be dragged into a storm at least once in life.’
When that day came—
This old man would step forward.
He would protect the young man who saved his daughter and his city.
He would protect Lloyd’s peaceful future.
Using every material, every resource, every connection at his disposal—
He would definitely repay this favor.
Silently making that vow, Count Namaran gazed at Lloyd with deep benevolence.
It was the moment a reliable supporter—one who would become a tremendous help in Lloyd’s future—was born.