Chapter 311: Linked Praise Effects (1)
“Actually, I can stop time!”
It was during a cozy family dinner.
Lloyd’s bold declaration lit up the dinner table.
He did not beat around the bush.
He thought to himself, “What’s there to lose in life?”
In such situations, it seemed better to just shamelessly reveal everything.
Since the count and countess trusted him deeply, he felt it would be easier to just be upfront.
That was the thought behind Lloyd’s declaration.
However, Lloyd overlooked one thing.
The count and countess’s trust in him.
It was far deeper, greater, more solid, and expansive than he had anticipated.
“My dear.”
“Hmm?”
Immediately after Lloyd’s declaration.
The count and countess exchanged quick glances.
“It seems our child has been suffering a lot lately.”
“Hmm, do you see it that way too?”
“Yes. He must be under a lot of pressure to say such things.”
“It seems so. Ah, everyone has high expectations. He doesn’t want to disappoint anyone, so he feels he must show something. That’s probably why he’s acting this way.”
“That’s right. How difficult it must have been for him alone.”
“It hurts my heart. We must have been too neglectful towards our child.”
“Right. It’s heartbreaking to always see him trying to bear everything alone.”
“If only we could give him some strength.”
“Now more than ever, we should be his strength.”
“Let’s then soothe him for now.”
“Yes, let’s do that.”
The couple was united as one.
In the glances they exchanged, there seemed to be telepathic levels of understanding.
And the couple silently united their hearts.
They set a single operation goal.
To comfort their son gently.
The count was the first to open this tender assault.
“Hmm, I see. That’s quite remarkable.”
“…Do you believe me just like that?”
“I believe you. When have you ever made up stories?”
“True. I have been like that.”
“Right. How diligent you are in everything. Feeling as if time stops isn’t something you can experience just any time.”
“…What?”
“In fact, I too occasionally feel as if time has stopped. Mostly when I’m helping your mother with the garden.”
“The garden?”
“Yes, the garden. When I’m squatting in the blazing sun, touching the soil, sweat dripping down my forehead, flowers blooming beautifully, and my stomach growling. Then I think, ‘Ah, must be lunchtime now.’”
“Ah, that’s…”
“But when I finally get up and look at the sky, I realize lunch is still far away. At those times, it feels like time doesn’t just pass—it stops.”
“…”
“Why does gardening feel like that? I’m really curious about that. Sometimes I think…”
“My dear.”
“…”
The countess spoke softly.
At that moment, the count clammed up.
Had he just realized his blunder?
The countess’s smile grew more meaningful.
“Oh my. You said you were happy helping with the soil, but gardening must be quite tough for you.”
“…”
“What to do. I guess I’ll have to do it alone tomorrow.”
“Oh, no, my dear, that’s not what I meant…”
“How can I force you if you find it so tedious and difficult?”
“I’m happy! I truly am!”
“Really?”
“…Ahem.”
“If it was so hard, you should have said something.”
“No, it’s not that hard… um, sometimes I think maybe riding a horse and getting some fresh air might be nice…”
“Then how about we skip the gardening tomorrow and you go horseback riding?”
“Alone?”
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you, dear!”
“You’re welcome.”
The count was moved, and the countess smiled contentedly.
Lloyd, watching the loving couple, let out a deep sigh.
“Well, it’s great that you’re strengthening your marital bond, but the stopping time I mentioned…”
“It’s okay. Your mother knows.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t try too hard. Sometimes it’s okay to go slowly. Or even fail. That’s alright. We love you, our son, no matter what.”
“…”
“It’s okay if you can’t do grand things like stopping time or changing the world. You’re still our son. So, son?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.”
“Ah, but that’s not what I…”
“Shush. It’s alright.”
“Your father also told me. You’ve been working alone to prevent the misfortunes the Dragon King warned us about? Keeping it all to yourself, bearing it all alone, how hard it must have been, how lonely.”
“…”
“It’s still like that now. Building dams, constructing amazing buildings called jewels… It must be tough, and it will probably get tougher. That’s why I’m saying this. Don’t try to bear it all alone. When it gets too hard, open up to your mother and father. Can you do that?”
“…Uh, um, yes.”
“That’s good, my son. Now, let’s eat. Your mother’s nagging went on too long, didn’t it? The food must have cooled down.”
The countess and the count smiled warmly.
And so, Lloyd felt he could not casually argue or explain himself.
The atmosphere just wasn’t right.
They were trying to comfort him.
Worried that he might be struggling.
Afraid that he might feel burdened.
So carefully, with consideration, they were trying to soothe his heart with their smiles.
Thus, Lloyd felt aggrieved.
‘Please believe me. I really can stop time.’
How could he make them understand?
Lloyd awkwardly smiled and bit into his salad.
But the next day,
a curious atmosphere began to swirl around the Frontera domain.
Specifically, an intriguing rumor circulated among the villagers.
“Brother, did you know? Young master Lloyd can apparently stop time.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Just what I said. I heard it from my wife.”
“From your sister-in-law?”
“Yes.”
“Has your sister-in-law been having a tough time recently?”
“Oh no, she heard it from someone else.”
“From where?”
“From the maids at the lord’s mansion.”
“What did the maids say?”
“They said that during dinner, young master Lloyd told the lord that he could stop time.”
“Really? No way!”
Under the shade of a tree, the woodcutter brothers chatted.
Meanwhile, in the grass, a shepherd boy spoke to a huntress girl.
“Hey, did you hear?”
“Know what?”
“Young master Lloyd can stop time.”
“What? Are you eating something weird?”
“No, it’s true.”
“I heard it from my sister.”
“Emily’s sister?”
“Yeah.”
“What did she say?”
“Ah jeez. You don’t believe me but you believe my sister?”
“Of course. Why would I believe a shepherd boy over Emily’s sister?”
“…”
“Besides, if Emily’s sister said it, it must be true. Anyway, what did she say?”
“Young master Lloyd confessed to the lord during dinner that he can stop time.”
“So what did the lord do?”
“He just laughed and comforted the young master. So, the young master seemed quite wronged.”
“He felt wronged?”
“Yeah.”
“Then… it must be true?”
“Right? You think so too, don’t you? It’s not nonsense that young master Lloyd can stop time.”
“Of course. It’s young master Lloyd, after all.”
“Yeah, I think so too.”
The shepherd boy nodded.
At the same time, in the domain’s tavern, the tavern owner was raising his voice.
“Oh come on, you really think young master Lloyd can’t do that?”
“Hey, listen, tavern owner. That’s not what I meant…”
“What do you mean it’s not what you meant! You’re doubting the young master who helped you get land from Mareze and escape tenant farming? Didn’t your son even go to study in Cremo because of him? And now you doubt young master Lloyd’s abilities?”
“Oh, tavern owner, don’t get so worked up…”
“How can I not be worked up? Our young master Lloyd is being doubted!”
“No, I believe him too!”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I believe him.”
“Then have a drink.”
“…”
“Actually, I owe a lot to young master Lloyd. You know that, right? He built that heated room in our tavern yard.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“My mother, you know. She lived comfortably because of that room until she passed. Every time I think about that favor, my heart fills with emotion. That’s why I’m like this. If anyone doubts or slanders our young master, you know?”
“Of course, I know. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Anyway! A person like our young master ought to be able to stop time! That’s just who he should be! I’ve always known that young master Lloyd was meant for great things!”
“But tavern owner, didn’t you used to complain every day about the young master causing trouble in the tavern?”
“Ah, that was then!”
…That was the general sentiment.
Thus, through the lips of the maids attending the count and countess’s dinner, a rumor spread throughout the domain.
Lloyd could apparently stop time.
Everyone readily believed it.
This was the opposite of what Lloyd had feared.
Lloyd could clearly feel this unexpected atmosphere.
Through a message that appeared right before his eyes.
Ding dong!
“Huh?”
Lloyd was lying in bed, unable to sleep, tossing and turning.
Suddenly, an unexpected message popped up.
The content was utterly surprising.
[Frontera domain residents are spreading rumors about you.]
[The residents of the Frontera domain sincerely believe your claim that you can stop time and are filled with anticipation.]
[While some pragmatic residents call it an unrealistic rumor, their opinions are completely ignored by the overwhelming majority.]
[The numerous accolades and praises you’ve accumulated in your domain have fostered this atmosphere.]
[Praise <Executor of One Hundred Tasks> is now effective.]
[Praise <Builder of the Fallen Domain> is now effective.]
[Praise <Savior of the Bells> is now effective.]
[Praise <Eldest Son of Frontera> is now effective.]
[Praise <Guide of the Weary> is now effective.]
[Praise <Red Tissue or Blue Tissue?> is now effective.]
[The above six praises collectively trigger a linked effect.]
[The residents’ feelings towards you have moved beyond <Fondness and Trust> to <Affection and Adoration>.]
[From now on, the residents of the Frontera domain will sincerely believe and follow whatever you do.]
‘What is this?’
Lloyd shook his head unconsciously.
With disbelief, he scrutinized the message.
Soon, he realized.
‘Jackpot.’
The residents believed in him.
Not just belief, but a blind faith at the level of adoration.
They didn’t find his ability to freeze time strange at all.
‘I didn’t even expect this.’
He had worried whether stopping time would seem odd.
Would it be seen as going against the laws of nature?
Would it be misunderstood as sorcery or black magic?
Might he lose the trust of his subjects?
Or be viewed with suspicion?
He had worried and fretted.
That’s why he had first informed the count and countess.
By using the authority of the lord, he hoped to announce his ability to freeze time to the residents, possibly reducing any confusion or misunderstanding that might arise from this phenomenon.
‘But all that was just needless worry. Freezing time, I can use it right away without any issues.’
The trust of his residents was beyond his imagination.
Thinking about this, the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but rise.
The hard work he had put in at the domain wasn’t in vain after all.
It was fulfilling.
Feeling elated, he tossed and turned even more before finally falling asleep at dawn.
He got up early in the morning.
And waited.
After eating breakfast.
Once he had digested a bit.
The sun had risen to just the right height.
Only then did Lloyd step out of the mansion.
He stood firmly in the front yard.
‘The timing is just right. Freezing time literally stops time outside this area. The position of the sun won’t change. So, between 9 and 10 a.m., this time is most suitable.’
If he used the time freeze at night, it would be problematic.
Night would continue indefinitely.
And if he froze time at noon?
The blazing sun would just keep pouring down.
That would make construction work unbearable.
Thus, Lloyd chose a morning time when there was just enough sunlight but not too hot.
Standing firmly in the mansion’s front yard.
He activated the time freeze option panel.
Ding dong.
[Mana Heart Skill Exclusive Option ⑤: Time Freeze – Unleash the power of the Winter Heart embedded in Mana Heart to freeze the flow of time in the world.]
[RP Required for Skill Use: 3,000]
[Current RP Held: 11,755]
[Skill Option ⑤: Do you wish to use Time Freeze?]
[YES / NO]
‘Of course, yes.’
Lloyd boldly selected ‘YES’.
Now was the time to start the construction of the dam and the Jewel of Truth complex during the frozen time.
♣
Meanwhile, at the same moment.
In the celestial realm, detached from the flow of time on earth.
In the office of the Archangel, 1st Class Seraph Gabriel, overseeing celestial affairs.
A stack of urgent reports had been placed on Gabriel’s desk.
The cover of the report read:
[Report on Illegal Construction in the Mortal Realm: The Jewel of Truth, Aotearoa]