Chapter 211
“Please. Everyone, hold out a little longer.”
Screeeech-!
Queen Alicia muttered.
Her wooden sword danced.
As if carving flashes into the void.
Or as if slicing through space.
It surged forth along a path devoid of any superfluous movement.
It struck the shields of the royal guard knights.
Thwack-!
It was merely a wooden sword striking a shield.
Yet a thunderous roar erupted as if a cannon had collided.
The shield, reinforced with five layers of steel, was deeply dented to the depth of a fist.
The royal guard knight holding the shield wasn’t unscathed either.
“…Guhk!”
The knight’s feet lifted off the ground.
As if flicked away along with the dented shield, he flew a full eight meters.
“Grrk…”
The royal guard knight, slammed into the sandy ground, wriggled his entire body like a caterpillar.
With the sensation of his insides being completely turned over, all the energy in his body dissipated.
But the knight wasn’t disheartened.
Because he wasn’t the only one getting hit.
Thwack! Thud-! Thump!
Every time Queen Alicia’s wooden sword swung, knights flew.
Bouncing around like pinballs, aimlessly.
Of course, being royal guard knights, they weren’t just helplessly taking it.
“Form a phalanx and coordinate formation!”
The shout of a mid-ranking command knight.
The roughly seventy remaining royal guard knights moved in perfect unison.
Forty men formed a dense phalanx.
Advancing with thick tower shields at the forefront.
But their speed was by no means slow.
This was the royal guard, composed entirely of individuals at the upper Sword Expert level.
Their feet would never be slowed by mere dozens of kilograms of armor.
Clank, clunk, clonk!
The sturdy wall of densely packed heavy armor instantly pressed in on Alicia.
Meanwhile, the remaining thirty royal guard knights surrounded the Queen.
Like intricately moving gears.
Instantly alternating their defensive positions and locations, they unleashed a fierce wave of attacks from the rear.
And were shattered.
Thwump-!
“Kehk!”
The moment Queen Alicia’s eyes flashed.
The knight who had been swinging his sword at her fluttered up five meters into the air.
‘Wha, what…’
A bewildered light rose in the knight’s eyes.
He was certain he had properly caught the Queen’s opening.
But the next moment he regained his senses, he found himself fluttering in the air.
Naturally, he had missed his strike.
Shock enveloped his entire body, and he couldn’t move a single finger.
But the next moment, the knight had to suffer a mental shock even greater than the physical one.
Thwump! Thud! Thwock! Thwack! Puhck!
“…!”
His comrades were popping up one after another.
All flailing helplessly just like him.
In the undignified state of having missed their strikes.
Even the height was precisely matched at five meters above ground.
Hovering there like that, they silently opened and closed their mouths like goldfish.
They exchanged astonished glances.
‘Hey, you too?’
‘Yeah. Me too.’
Soon, the moment of descent arrived.
Thududududud-!
“Ughk!”
“Hup!”
“Guhk!”
The eight knights who had been neatly lifted into the air fell to the ground almost simultaneously.
Even after that, Queen Alicia’s wooden sword did not stop.
“We believe We merely made a request. To hold out a little longer.”
She charged toward the dense phalanx of royal guard knights with their shields at the front.
Like a lion leaping into a flock of sheep.
In an instant, she tore through their ranks.
Thud-!
She struck, and struck again.
She never once used an upward slash.
Yet, without fail, the royal guard knights struck by her wooden sword ‘rose up’ into the air.
Wherever she stormed through, knights spouted up like a fountain, bouncing pop-pop.
Her low murmuring continued.
“But why can’t you hold out? Hmm?”
Crash-! Thwock!
She didn’t even use Aura.
She didn’t even generate Sword Ki.
She merely applied force normally to an ordinary wooden sword.
Only striking with the most appropriate timing, angle, and just the right amount of force.
Before her assault, the remaining royal guard knights couldn’t hold out and crumbled instantly.
A gesture as if venting her anger under the guise of training.
But even so, the rough emotions clouding Alicia’s eyes did not easily subside.
‘Lloyd Frontera.’
The name that came to mind as she swung the wooden sword.
A talent she had resolved to use preciously in the future.
But now?
The more she thought about it, the more absurd it felt.
On one hand, it was also irritating.
‘Do you dislike helping Us work that much?’
His true intentions were so transparent.
He had the ability but didn’t want to use it.
His appearance of struggling only to rest for his entire life had been clear for a while now.
The recent marriage between the Frontera Family and the Sultan’s royal family was also like that.
‘It’s definitely something Lloyd Frontera, that guy, intervened in.’
It was obvious even without seeing.
He must have intended to use the marriage as a stepping stone to build a bridge with the Sultan’s royal family as well.
Of course, one might feel regretful about this.
And indeed, regret was felt.
But it was also ambiguous to criticize him for it.
‘Because Julian Frontera, the party to the marriage, is the second son. He has no need to inherit the family.’
Moreover, this marriage was perfect for the royal family to package externally.
Especially the timing was like that.
‘We just successfully concluded peace negotiations with the Sultan. The marriage was finalized right after that. The second son of the Frontera Family, receiving the royal family’s full support, and the Sultan’s daughter. It’s too good a picture to package as a marriage symbolizing the friendship between Us and the Sultanate.’
It wasn’t just ‘too good’.
It was so good it seemed intentionally arranged.
That was why Queen Alicia gritted her teeth even more.
‘He must have aimed for that too. He probably thought he seized an opportunity to build a bridge with the Sultan without being disliked. That shrewd fellow.’
Crash-!
The emotionally charged wooden sword continued its destructive dance.
The innocent royal guard knights fell one after another, becoming human sandbags.
Queen Alicia’s thoughts continued.
‘Probably because he dislikes being wielded by Me. A subtle demonstration, hinting that if push comes to shove, he can get closer to the Sultan, and if treated negligently, he might defect to the Sultan. That’s why he’s more irritating… and cute.’
Grrind!
She gritted her teeth.
Lloyd Frontera.
Because he was irritating, she wanted to use him more.
The more he struggled to escape, the more she wanted to torment him.
The more he squirmed to get away, the more she wanted to grind him down.
She wanted to assign him tasks until he died and enjoy watching him flail pathetically within them. She also wanted to see him, tears welling up in his eyes, begging earnestly to please let him rest.
Thwack-!
“Grrk…!”
A royal guard knight, clutching his solar plexus, flew five meters and tumbled.
That was the last one.
Queen Alicia swept her arrogant gaze around.
Around her, there were no more royal guard knights left standing unscathed.
“Tch.”
She wanted to warm up a bit more.
She hadn’t even broken a sweat yet.
Ever since she recently elevated her realm by one stage, even sparring with the royal guard knights had become utterly unsatisfying.
It was around that time Alicia was feeling dissatisfied.
“Your Majesty, Lloyd Frontera, the eldest son of the Frontera Family, has entered the palace.”
A clear report from a palace official came from one side of the training grounds.
The corner of Queen Alicia’s mouth curled up fiercely.
Just at a moment like this.
It really makes one want to put him to work.
Suppressing her fierce desire, she commanded.
“Tell him to wait.”
She sheathed the wooden sword.
Emptied herself as if pouring down a glass of cold water, and left the training grounds.
After passing through a fairly long approach road and garden, she saw a man kneeling on one knee.
“Lloyd Frontera pays his respects to Your Majesty.”
“…”
Looking at that shamelessly bowed head, she felt a genuine impulse to give it a good smack or two.
Then he’d probably collapse pathetically and roll around.
That sight, if actually witnessed, would probably be truly thrilling.
But Alicia barely managed to suppress that desire.
Instead, she spoke only of the matter at hand, with dignity.
“You may follow Us.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
She turned.
Headed outside the detached palace where the training grounds were located.
Passed through the garden leading to the main palace.
Lloyd followed behind the Queen, scurrying along.
At the same time, he cautiously observed the mood.
The conversation with the Queen only began after they had walked for quite a while longer.
“So. You have complied well with Our request. Seeing that you have come this far.”
“Your grace is boundless, Your Majesty.”
“Boundless grace, my foot.”
“…”
“We will not bother with pleasantries, calling you here when you wish to rest. Let Us get straight to the point. You must have already heard the news that We recently completely exterminated the remnants of the Black Wizard faction?”
“Yes, I have heard.”
Lloyd nodded.
It was true.
So, was it three days ago?
Right after Julian’s wedding ended in the Frontera Estate.
When he received the Queen’s ‘request’ through Count Ventura, there was something else he heard as well.
‘While I was working on the Qanat project in the Sultanate… Queen noona carried out an incredible feat, I hear.’
They said they had finished interrogating Black Wizard Cannavaro.
The Black Wizard captured in Namaran.
They said they unhesitatingly poured out various mental incapacitation spells and truth serums on him.
As a result, they said they extracted a highly nutritious confession.
The locations, numbers, and even plans of the remaining Black Wizard remnants.
They said they obtained almost all the high-level information.
‘And then they said she immediately went into action.’
Queen Alicia did not hesitate in the slightest.
As soon as the analysis of the obtained information was finished.
She immediately mobilized troops.
Organized an extermination force, and commanded it personally.
They said she struck their hideout like lightning before the Black Wizard remnants could even respond.
“Good that you heard in advance. Then you must also already know that We slaughtered them without leaving a single one?”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
That statement was not false.
That statement about completely wiping out the seed of the Black Wizards was a clear truth and a fact.
‘And it’s also true that, during the process, the Queen demonstrated swordsmanship more powerful than before.’
A story heard from Count Ventura came to mind.
Was it at the end of the extermination battle?
They said the Queen personally beheaded the leader of the Black Wizards.
In the process, they said she displayed an Aura even more brilliant than that of a typical Swordmaster.
Thanks to that, they said the damage to the extermination force was minimized.
‘The Queen has grown stronger than in the original work too.’
He didn’t know how much stronger the Queen had become.
But it seemed likely she had become far more powerful than in the original.
‘Because in the novel, she lost an arm and even fell into being a tyrant.’
She became one-armed.
She neglected training as she fell.
On the other hand, now?
It was completely different.
‘Perhaps the attempted regicide incident was a major stimulus.’
The thought briefly crossed his mind.
Indeed, ever since that incident, every time he had an audience with Queen Alicia, she would always greet him looking like she had just come out from training.
In other words, it meant she was undergoing extreme training every single day without fail.
‘Royal guard knights, poor things.’
Those people, probably receiving the Queen’s training daily.
Perhaps they are the overwhelming winners of the lowest job satisfaction in this kingdom.
Most likely, it seems certain.
‘Are they victims created by the history I changed? Tsk.’
Lloyd smacked his lips, feeling a slight sense of apology toward the royal guard knights.
Meanwhile, Queen Alicia’s words continued.
“Anyway, after successfully concluding that extermination, We obtained an unexpected spoil of war. Hence, We have summoned you thus.”
“Is that spoil of war an item related to me?”
“It will be if you think it is. Because We intend to entrust to you a project that utilizes it.”
“A project… you say?”
“That is correct. Is it perhaps not to your liking?”
“That is…”
Lloyd, about to answer, flinched and closed his mouth without realizing it.
“…”
The Queen, who had been walking ahead, had already stopped at some point.
She was looking back at him with an intense gaze.
That gaze seemed to say.
That it would be wise to carefully choose the answer you give from this moment on.
Gulp.
The moment he saw that gaze, Lloyd could tell.
‘The Queen knows all my intentions.’
He had felt it all along, but.
As expected, Queen noona is no joke.
‘I calculated angles while observing countless situations.’
And at the end of it, he succeeded in uniting Julian and Scheherazade.
He managed to build a bridge with both the Magentano Royal Family and the Sultan’s royal family without incurring resentment from either.
Thanks to that, he was even able to change the Queen’s ‘orders’ into ‘requests’.
But looking at it now?
‘It’s still a bit too early.’
To openly refuse work the Queen assigns.
To boldly declare that he doesn’t want to do tasks the Queen entrusts.
It still seemed far too premature.
‘Even if I possess the praise [Bearer of Magentano].’
The praise is powerful but not absolute.
Its effective period can change depending on one’s actions.
For example, a moment like this would be such a case.
‘If I openly go against the Queen’s mood here, it’s over.’
That intuition came.
At this moment, if he acted insensitively and stiffly again?
The [Bearer of Magentano] praise effect—never suspected of treason under any circumstances.
That honey-like option’s validity period might be slashed away or disappear entirely. A sinister feeling crept up.
That was why.
Lloyd acted like a cockroach prowling around the kitchen sink at midnight who suddenly encounters the homeowner.
In other words, the moment he sensed the cue, he completely changed his attitude.
He served up a genuinely servile line, slapped it onto his tongue, and presented it.
“I, Lloyd Frontera, have always been eagerly awaiting any task Your Majesty might entrust to me. Please issue any command, no matter what it may be.”
“Truly?”
“That is so, Your Majesty.”
“Sincerely?”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
“You truly speak lies so naturally and effortlessly, eldest son of the Frontera Family.”
“…”
“Who in the world likes working?”
“Um, that is…”
“Enough. We already know your heart. We also know for what purpose you married your younger brother to the Sultan’s daughter, and what you pursued so unhesitatingly for. Therefore, We shall specially enjoin you.”
“…”
Queen Alicia faced him.
Her gaze took on a peculiar light.
“We like you. We are fond of you. Therefore, henceforth, We shall not use you recklessly or frequently. However.”
Her gaze turned slightly fierce.
“Do not get too close to Our enemies. And do not recklessly test Our affection. Understood?”
“I shall keep it in mind.”
Nodding vigorously.
Lloyd nodded his head so much it felt like his second and third cervical vertebrae would get stuck.
Only then did Queen Alicia’s gaze soften somewhat.
“As expected, you are quick-witted, which is convenient, you fellow.”
“Your grace is boundless.”
“That convenient ‘boundless grace’ you keep spouting whenever you have nothing to say.”
“…”
“Anyway, now that you understand Our will, it is time for Us to reveal the task We will entrust to you. Now, this way.”
Queen Alicia took the lead again.
Lloyd followed behind, scurrying along.
They passed through the garden, entered the main palace, and traversed numerous corridors and staircases.
Finally, they arrived at the destination.
It was the treasury where various treasures of the Royal Palace were stored.
At the entrance of the treasury, a meaningful smile formed on Queen Alicia’s lips as she turned to look back.
“Are you prepared to behold the spoils of war?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Just what does she intend to show me?
And what task does she intend to entrust?
While thinking that, the Queen gestured.
The royal guard moved.
The sturdy door of the treasury opened.
Finally, the true form of the ‘spoils of war’ placed inside was revealed.
“We wish for you to utilize that to create a large-scale garden that will externally elevate the national power of Our royal family.”
The spoils of war that Queen Alicia pointed to with a pleased smile.
It was, precisely, a pile of dragon bones, with a body length alone reaching two hundred meters.
The moment he saw it, Lloyd intuited.