Chapter 213
Viscount Norte.
A middle-aged gardener soon to turn fifty-six.
A garden designer with a brilliant career.
He had started as a mere assistant gardener in his boyhood and revealed extraordinary talent.
Countless gardens had passed through his hands.
Desolate gardens became beautiful.
Disorganized gardens became neat.
He rose to become a first-class gardener.
And he didn’t stop there.
He turned his attention to full-scale civil engineering.
He opened his eyes to designing the land and layout itself, rather than simply tending to a completed garden.
Thus, he rose to the ranks of the best of his time in garden construction and management.
Despite being from a commoner background, he even received the honorary title of Viscount for his ability alone.
Naturally, he was proud of his skills.
In particular, he believed he was far superior to the upstart young designer who had begun to gain fame in just a few years.
‘Hmm, so this is Lloyd Frontera.’
He’s much younger than I heard.
No, he’s incredibly young.
He had been given a heads-up by Her Majesty the Queen in advance.
That this was the most up-and-coming young designer of the day, and the one who would be working with him on this large-scale garden construction. He had also heard that Lloyd built the beautiful Roy-Harvy Suspension Bridge in the royal capital.
He hadn’t expected him to be this young.
‘Isn’t he almost the same age as my son?’
A faint dissatisfaction rose in Viscount Norte’s gaze as he looked at Lloyd.
A young man not even thirty yet.
What was I doing at that age?
‘I was making a name for myself as a gardener and only just starting to touch design. Even after that, I had to work and study for another ten years. But this brat is already famous as a designer at that age?’
Frankly, it was a bit absurd.
He thought Lloyd was different from him, a commoner.
He thought the young brat had been born into the nobility and studied comfortably while living in luxury.
He didn’t like it.
As he introduced himself, the Viscount’s voice turned slightly brusque.
“So, you’re the eldest son of the Frontera Family?”
“Yes, nice to meet you, Lord Norte. I’ve heard a lot about you from Her Majesty the Queen as well.”
“You heard about me from Her Majesty?”
“Yes. She said you’re a great designer worthy of emulation.”
“…Ahem, ahem! What are you saying? I’ve heard a little about you too.”
“Is that so?”
“They say you have quite the talent. You’ve made some achievements.”
“Ah, you flatter me.”
Lloyd smiled awkwardly.
And at the same time, he could tell.
‘This guy doesn’t like me very much.’
He was looking at him with a disapproving glare.
And he wasn’t even trying to hide it.
Come to think of it, what the Queen had revealed earlier also came to mind.
♣
“What? Dragon bones?”
Her Majesty asked back.
At that moment, Lloyd clearly saw it.
The bewilderment that rose in her eyes.
Then the hearty snort of laughter that followed.
“My. Lloyd Frontera.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You wanted dragon bones from the beginning, didn’t you?”
“I apologize, Your Majesty.”
He quickly lowered his head.
It was true that he’d been aiming for dragon bones from the start.
So he deliberately brought up the ten-year exemption from labor to rattle Her Majesty first.
If it wasn’t accepted, fine.
If it was accepted, jackpot.
It was an offer made with that in mind.
Her Majesty’s smile turned slightly bitter.
“You’re aiming for dragon bones, but the bait you’re using to shake Me is a labor exemption. What’s the intent behind subtly revealing your true feelings like that?”
“I want to rest, Your Majesty.”
“Ha. Now you’re being very blatant.”
“Whether it comes true or not, it’s just an honest wish.”
“But you know it’s a wish that’s unlikely to come true, right?”
“Please allow me to have at least one ambitious dream, Your Majesty.”
“Dreaming is free. Anyway—”
Her Majesty spoke with a meaningful look.
“A piece of dragon bone. Do you dare desire it, knowing how much it’s worth?”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
He didn’t avoid her gaze.
He answered quickly and shamelessly, without even taking a breath.
“I think it’s a value that suits me perfectly, who works wholeheartedly for Your Majesty.”
“Sincerely?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Ha. Shameless.”
“I apologize.”
“…Okay. One tailbone.”
“Thank you for your grace.”
“But it can’t be too big. I’ll give you the end part so it won’t be noticeable.”
“Thank you…”
“Aren’t you a little less grateful?”
It seemed she thought she’d gotten one over on him.
A mischievous smile appeared on Her Majesty’s lips.
A rare kind of smile—one you hardly ever saw on her.
Then she added,
“Even so, it’ll be about the size of a wagon, so it should be plenty. You’re not dissatisfied with that much, are you?”
“Of course not, Your Majesty.”
“Good.”
That was how the negotiation with Her Majesty concluded.
A construction order contract was drawn up.
And he was introduced to Viscount Norte, who would be working with him.
“If you follow the servant’s guidance, you’ll be able to meet him. Viscount Norte is an outstanding expert in garden design and management, so I think he’ll be perfect to work with you. Oh, and—”
Lloyd had been about to express his gratitude and step back when Her Majesty called him again.
As if remembering something belatedly, she added,
“Viscount Norte is very proud of his work and achievements. If possible, please understand his pride.”
♣
…So that’s what she meant.
Lloyd swallowed a bitter smile.
When he heard those words earlier, he’d wondered what they were getting at.
But after exchanging greetings with Viscount Norte?
Now he understood.
‘This guy is jealous of me.’
He could feel it.
Viscount Norte was clearly displeased with him.
It was like his eyes were saying this.
‘You lucky upstart.’
After that, Viscount Norte stayed prickly.
“Well, anyway. Since I’m working with a famous young designer, I’ll ask you just one thing, if possible. Do you have any experience designing and constructing a garden on your own?”
“No. I don’t.”
“Tsk. Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“Then it’s difficult. I don’t quite understand how you gained such a high reputation without ever having made a garden.”
“I just got lucky somehow.”
“Was that so? Hmm. Then, how many years have you been involved in construction?”
“Hmm, it hasn’t been many years.”
“Surely it hasn’t been less than ten years?”
“Yes.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. That’s also difficult.”
“What’s the difficulty?”
“As a matter of course, rich experience accumulated over many years is what shines on the spot, isn’t it? Isn’t that so?”
“You are absolutely right.”
“Do you think so too?”
“Yes.”
“Then you won’t be dissatisfied even if I take overall command of this construction, will you?”
“Oh my, of course not.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Then I will leave my name in history as the constructor of this garden.”
“I understand.”
“You’re still okay with that?”
“Oh my, of course.”
Lloyd nodded as if it were truly obvious.
Without pretense.
With nothing but sincere sincerity.
And a bright, welcoming smile that looked downright eager.
He happily accepted the Viscount’s stance.
“How could a newbie like me dare stand shoulder to shoulder with a Viscount like you? Of course, it’s impossible. Isn’t that right?”
“…Well, that’s true.”
“That’s right. You’re wise, Viscount. What would a green newbie like me know? The reputation I gained from a few impressive constructions is just a bubble. The achievements you’ve steadily accumulated are the real thing.”
“Ahem, ahem! This friend… knows something?”
“Oh no, I’m just learning on-site by watching great seniors like you, Viscount. Isn’t that right?”
“Heh, heh, heh. Is that so?”
“Yes. So, in fact, I was going to say it first before you did, Viscount. How about you take overall responsibility for this construction?”
“Was that so?”
“Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t say it first because I was oblivious.”
“Ahem! There’s no need to be sorry for such a thing…”
“No, I’m truly sorry. I mean it.”
Lloyd suddenly reached out his hand.
He politely clasped the Viscount’s hand with both of his and shook it.
He met his gaze with sincere eyes.
Then delivered the finishing blow with a soft, earnest tone.
“So, I’m honored to be able to assist a great person like you in this construction. I look forward to working with you.”
“Heh, heh, heh! I’m the one who looks forward to working with you. Ahem, ahem!”
The Viscount’s prickly expression, like coarse sandpaper, melted away like spring snow.
Listening to Lloyd’s sweet talk, his shoulders rose without him realizing it.
An uncontrollable smile hung on his wrinkled lips.
The Viscount felt awkward inside.
‘Oh dear. I made a mistake. I thought he was just someone who got famous early because he was lucky.’
So rude.
So arrogant.
That’s what he’d assumed.
But now that he’d actually spoken to him?
It didn’t seem to be the case.
He was humble, and his character seemed fine.
‘Unexpected.’
Viscount Norte’s gaze softened.
A young man who knew how to respect experienced seniors in the field.
Someone who knew how to stay humble even after gaining fame.
Lloyd, who had felt unpleasant until now, looked different.
If he’d seemed slick before?
Now he just looked clever.
And his attitude—grabbing his hand and speaking so carefully—was downright polite.
“I always wish I could work with a friend like you. Heh, heh, heh.”
The Viscount’s laughter grew satisfied.
Lloyd also enjoyed the satisfaction of watching that change.
‘Good. Excellent. Operation “Just Do the Minimum” is a success.’
Lloyd had never intended to be exploited by Her Majesty from the start.
He hadn’t taken this on because he wanted to.
But the Viscount was so eager.
He volunteered to take the main role in the project.
From Lloyd’s perspective, it was a gift from the heavens.
‘There was a saying in the army too. Just do the minimum. Don’t stand out.’
If you show too much competence, you get assigned more work.
And you end up suffering through hardships you never needed to take on.
It matched his own experience perfectly.
Back when he’d first been assigned to his unit.
He’d been sitting nervously in the company admin office when the sergeant major sidled up.
He asked if anyone there had done some shoveling in civilian life.
‘And without thinking, I raised my hand.’
He even added that he’d graduated from the Department of Civil Engineering.
He just wanted to make a good impression and score points.
But he didn’t know then.
That it was the stupid act of opening the gates of hell with his own hands.
‘Damn it. I should’ve just stayed still.’
If he hadn’t raised his hand that day.
If he’d quietly pretended he didn’t know anything.
His military life wouldn’t have turned into nonstop construction work.
Lloyd buried that stupid past deep in his heart.
Then lifted his head.
“Yes, I truly look forward to working with you from here on.”
So please do a lot of work for me instead.
So I can relax for a while.
Lloyd smiled with sincere warmth.
Viscount Norte, unaware of his inner thoughts, smiled back in satisfaction.
That was how Lloyd gained an unexpected voluntary design bot.
The design bot’s effects showed immediately from the very next day.
“Hmm. Are you perhaps well-versed in surveying?”
“Surveying? I just roughly do it by eye…”
“Heh, heh, heh. You do surveying by eye?”
“Yes.”
Lloyd nodded.
Bewilderment spread across Viscount Norte’s face.
“It’s surprising that a designer as skilled and famous as you does surveying with the naked eye. Then, have you ever used a Surveying Transit like this?”
“Ah, yes. Somehow…”
Lloyd smiled awkwardly.
In truth, he had barely used a Surveying Transit since coming to this world—no, he hadn’t used one at all.
‘Because I have surveying skills.’
Extracting data directly was easier and more accurate than using a transit.
And it even linked into his design skills.
But the Viscount had no way of knowing that.
“Tsk, tsk. That won’t do. Originally, I don’t tell this to just anyone. Come here for a moment. I’ll specially teach you how to use a Surveying Transit.”
Viscount Norte held up the Surveying Transit.
It had a long support about 1.2 meters in length, with a crossbar set on top, and strings and weights hanging from the four corners of the crossbar.
“Watch me closely. You set up the support like this and align the crossbar. Like this. Like this. Do you see?”
“Ah, yes…”
“Then you place the weights on the four corners in balance. Like this.”
“Yes.”
“Also check whether the hanging lines are perpendicular to the ground. Like this.”
“Yes.”
“Now, look through the sight. This way, you can accurately confirm whether the point the transit is aiming at intersects at the desired angle. How is it? Isn’t it amazing?”
“Yes, it’s amazing. I’d like to see a little more demonstration.”
“Heh, heh. You seem impressed by my skills?”
“Yes, a little…”
“Then keep watching. Watch closely from the side and feel what my accurate and precise surveying is like.”
“I understand.”
…It was like that.
Viscount Norte was brimming with enthusiasm, just as much as he was proud of his work.
Thanks to that, Lloyd—
‘All I have to do is react like he’s amazing. Then he gets fired up and solves everything himself?’
It couldn’t be more comfortable.
So Lloyd spent the surveying days with a happiness index higher than any construction work he’d ever done.
And at the same time, he thought,
I hope it stays like this for a while.
I hope Viscount Norte takes on everything, just like now.
‘And in the meantime, I can enjoy a leisurely life in the royal capital. Then, when the construction is all done? I take my piece of dragon bone—no, my dragon tailbone—and go back to the Frontera Estate. Perfect. Really perfect.’
Anything free in this world is always right.
Lloyd wore the smile of a man who had won a 365-day free staycation ticket.
♣
– Dare… to do something to my tailbone?
Clatter.
This was deep within the Magentano royal palace’s treasury.
The place where the most precious national treasures owned by the royal family were kept.
Something huge, placed at the center of that vast and luxurious space, stirred.
Clatter… Clatter…
The movement was by no means large.
So trivial it would be hard to notice at first glance.
But the object’s identity was not trivial at all.
Because it was the skull of a dragon.
– Once I finish adapting to this new body… once my spirit settles… then…
Even the Queen who dared to subdue and cut me.
Even the young designer who flattered such a Queen.
– All…
Clatter…
The dragon’s skull clattered intermittently.
Black obsession seeped into the sound.