Chapter 276
“I wish to announce to everyone present here,” began the unyielding sovereign, Queen Alicia Terminus Magentano. Her voice resonated throughout the banquet hall, reaching every corner.
She pointed to one side, and all eyes followed her gesture, landing on Lloyd.
“Today, as has been revealed, the Bone Dragon has become a loyal servant of the Magentano royal family. However, this achievement is not just a testament to my accomplishments or those of the royal family alone. There is a hidden contributor, whose efforts have remained unnoticed by all until now.”
A hidden contributor?
This notion brought furrows to the brows of foreign diplomats, the nobility of Magenta, and other dignitaries, stirring a whirlwind of thoughts and calculations.
The queen continued her proclamation, “This contributor, observed by all, is Lloyd Frontera and his knight, Javier Asrahan. On the day the Bone Dragon caused a disturbance during the completion celebration of the Terminus Grand Garden, these two were the first to bravely confront the threat. They drew their swords and stood by my side.”
To draw one’s sword and stand side by side was to fight alongside the queen herself, a direct confrontation with the Bone Dragon. This revelation filled the attendees with surprise and admiration.
“Especially Lloyd Frontera. He fought valiantly without regard for his own life, striving to protect me and ultimately played a crucial role in subduing the Bone Dragon. Thus, I declare from this platform.”
The audience’s attention oscillated between the queen and Lloyd, ears perked in anticipation.
The queen made her declaration, “I hereby appoint Lloyd Frontera, the eldest son of the Frontera earldom, as a hero of the Magentano royal family. Consequently, Lloyd Frontera shall enjoy the royal privilege of immunity. He shall not be subjected to any dishonorable arrests under any circumstances, and only my solemn judgment can rightfully adjudicate him.”
The room was engulfed in astonishment.
Diplomats and prominent nobles of the kingdom were struck with awe.
The appointment as a royal hero and the granting of royal immunity were both unprecedented declarations.
Such an honor was not bestowed lightly. It was reserved for those who had made monumental contributions: whether by performing acts of great valor, supporting the royal family through crises, saving the kingdom from ruin, or averting national disasters.
Thus, the authority that came with being a royal hero was immense. Merely holding this title granted one privileges and a status on par with the highest nobility.
Among these privileges, perhaps the most significant was the royal immunity. This ensured protection from any disgraceful arrests, even in cases of alleged treason, exempting the hero from the jurisdiction of the noble court.
Therefore, any punitive measures against a royal hero required the direct judgment of the queen herself.
This decision underscored a clear message: above all but directly beneath one.
An officially second-ranked national authority, an untouchable status not seen in the Magentano royal family for nearly 130 years.
“Could this really be happening?”
The minds of foreign diplomats were a whirlwind of thoughts. The appointment of a royal hero was as significant as the Bone Dragon’s submission—a major event that could potentially shift the power dynamics within Magenta’s noble society.
Nobles, too, were caught in a maelstorm of contemplation and concern.
The sudden elevation of Lloyd Frontera, previously just a son from a rural family tucked away in the eastern provinces, to a position of immense honor and power, was unprecedented.
In recent years, Lloyd’s story had taken remarkable turns. From constructing the Lloyd-Havi suspension bridge to thwarting an assassination attempt on the queen. His knight was revealed to be a Swordmaster, and he had played a pivotal role in halting a monstrous invasion, integrating thousands of refugees successfully, which led to his family’s elevation to an earldom. And now, appointed as a royal hero—a status not granted in over 130 years.
The queen, and loyal nobles felt a surge of pride and admiration for Lloyd. Meanwhile, those more interested in power than loyalty viewed him with disdain, unable to accept his meteoric rise.
However, no dissent could be openly expressed, especially after the queen’s subsequent declaration.
“Furthermore, on this significant day, I also declare the Bone Dragon, in its loyalty to the royal family, will be dispatched to serve the Frontera earldom. This arrangement will continue until I decree otherwise, during which time the Bone Dragon will contribute to the reconstruction efforts of the eastern territories.”
Silence enveloped the room as the gravity of the queen’s declarations became apparent. Lloyd’s new status, coupled with the support of the powerful Bone Dragon, was overwhelming and beyond any previous speculation.
Queen Alicia watched the reactions with a faint smile, her gaze landing on Lloyd, reflecting on their recent conversation where he had ingeniously proposed showcasing the Bone Dragon’s loyalty to recover the royal family’s dignity. His strategy had been to demonstrate control over the Bone Dragon, subtly reinforcing his and the royal family’s authority without causing unnecessary controversy.
By announcing the deployment of the Bone Dragon to aid the Frontera earldom, the Queen not only fulfilled Lloyd’s request but also ingeniously wove her own declaration into the narrative. She appointed Lloyd as a royal hero, a move unexpected by him and everyone else present. This act of giving Lloyd an unforeseen gift of such magnitude took everyone by surprise, including Lloyd himself, whose eyes widened in astonishment at the declaration.
Queen Alicia’s faint smile turned into a knowing grin as she looked at Lloyd. “Indeed, Lloyd Frontera. You are as cunning as they come. You got exactly what you asked for.”
That moment brought back the memory of Lloyd’s visit to her office two weeks prior. He had cheekily offered the Bone Dragon to her service, suggesting a public declaration of the Bone Dragon’s allegiance to him in return. This exchange revealed Lloyd’s intention not just to serve the royal family but to cleverly navigate the political landscape, ensuring his and the Bone Dragon’s autonomy while preserving the royal dignity.
“Your suggestion to display the Bone Dragon’s loyalty at the banquet not only solves the immediate issue of the royal family’s tarnished reputation due to the Bone Dragon’s previous rampage but also cleverly positions the creature as under royal command, without directly lying about its allegiance,” Alicia mused.
The Queen recognized Lloyd’s clever manipulation for what it was—a strategic move to elevate his status and secure his independence from royal demands, all the while presenting a façade of loyalty and service. This realization amused her; Lloyd’s actions confirmed his desire not to be bound by royal commands or caught in the web of court politics.
In granting Lloyd the title of a royal hero and declaring the Bone Dragon’s service to the Frontera earldom, Queen Alicia not only acknowledged his significant contributions but also tied him closer to the royal family, making a clear statement about his indispensability as a political ally. This move ensured that any challenges to Lloyd’s authority would now also reflect on the royal family, a clever way to protect him while enhancing the prestige of the monarchy.
Lloyd, for his part, could only offer a bittersweet smile in response. “Well played, Queen Alicia. You’ve managed to turn the tables on me.”
Indeed, the Queen was not one to be easily maneuvered. Her decision to publicly recognize Lloyd’s contributions and to bind him more closely to the royal fate underscored her strategic acumen. In doing so, she not only secured Lloyd’s loyalty but also sent a message to the nobility and foreign diplomats about the strength and unity of the royal family.
As Lloyd processed the Queen’s proclamation, he realized the full extent of what had transpired. Despite the unexpected honor and the potential for increased political entanglements, his core objective remained unchanged. He was determined to navigate these new waters with his sights set on a future of peace and tranquility, away from the political machinations of the court.
With a renewed sense of purpose and a clear understanding of the Queen’s intentions, Lloyd prepared for the challenges ahead, including his quest for “Tauhranga,” the next step in his grand plan. As he did so, he reaffirmed his commitment to his ultimate goal: to live a life of leisure and freedom, unburdened by the expectations and responsibilities that came with his newfound status.
