Chapter 334. How to Use Revelation (2)
Angels.
Beautiful and sacred souls of the celestial realm.
Known to encourage warmth and goodness in this world, punish evil souls, and save humanity.
But Queen Alicia had never believed in the existence of angels.
Not once in her life.
‘Of course not. Angels? If they existed, why would there be so much misfortune, tragic accidents, sorrowful farewells, and unjust deaths in this world?’
She could believe a hundred times over that Hell existed.
After all, this world was a mess.
Suddenly, she recalled the time before she ascended to the throne.
She came from a distant branch of the royal family.
She was far down the line of succession.
Yet, she overtook her competitors one by one.
She became the final victor.
In the process, she faced all kinds of dirty intrigues and schemes.
Sometimes, she even dirtied her own hands.
Through it all, she naturally thought.
There might be Hell, but there was no Heaven.
Satan might tempt people, but there was no angelic grace.
Thus, in Queen Alicia Termina Magentano’s eyes, the world was filled with insidious plots, schemes, and selfishness.
And it was the same now.
“…….”
An angel suddenly descended.
A brilliant being spreading holy light throughout the Hall of the Ruler.
Queen Alicia’s gaze grew cold as she watched the angel.
The angel folded its wings of light.
It landed on the red carpet.
It cast a composed gaze around.
Finally, it opened its beautiful mouth to speak.
Queen Alicia gripped the hilt of her sword.
She thought.
That’s not an angel.
If it truly was an angel.
It would withstand her sword.
With that thought, as she harbored murderous intent.
The angel turned to look at her.
Their eyes met.
“Human queen. I am neither to be feared nor worshipped, so please lay down your hostility.”
“…….”
“I have come only to deliver the will of the heavens, nothing more.”
“…….”
Queen Alicia released her grip on the sword.
Was it because of the angel’s presence?
No.
‘Could that so-called angel be connected to Lloyd Frontera?’
Suddenly, she was suspicious.
She was in the middle of discussing state affairs with her ministers.
She unexpectedly received news of Lloyd Frontera’s visit.
She heard he had requested an audience.
She agreed readily.
‘Lloyd Frontera is a royal contributor, after all. Besides, the closer I keep him, the more advantageous it is for me.’
Her ministers didn’t know.
Most of the kingdom’s people didn’t know.
But the truth was that Lloyd and the Frontera family’s power had already surpassed the royal family.
Yet, he didn’t aim for the throne.
He didn’t rebel.
He wanted to live leisurely, like a lazy bum.
He sought her cooperation to protect that life.
Lloyd had willingly positioned himself as her political partner.
So, she thought it was good timing.
Since the ministers were gathered.
Accepting Lloyd’s request for an audience would create a favorable impression.
Thus, she accepted his request.
She wanted to further solidify her political symbiosis with Lloyd in front of the ministers.
‘But then, just as the audience began, that being appeared.’
Could it be a coincidence?
She didn’t think so.
‘Lloyd Frontera. What are you up to?’
Her eyes turned to Lloyd.
But Lloyd didn’t look at her.
She could only see his bowed head, showing the back of his head.
It was somehow more irritating.
She wanted to walk over and slap the back of his head.
‘It’s clear. This situation was orchestrated by him. He planned it. Just as he often has. Using his cunning mind. Trying to get something from me again.’
She recalled her experiences with Lloyd.
It was always like this.
Teetering on the edge.
Walking a fine line.
Always executing a perfect tightrope act.
He always got what he wanted from her.
Even recently.
‘The Heart of Winter.’
Originally, it was a sacred relic of the Magentano royal family.
But now it belonged to him.
Although he didn’t take it intentionally.
In the end, it turned out that way.
‘And now, he wants something else from me? The Heart of Winter wasn’t enough?’
Queen Alicia’s gaze at Lloyd sharpened.
A faint sneer formed at her lips.
‘If you underestimate me, I might change my mind about you.’
So, she decided to watch.
This bizarre and dramatic situation.
This perfect setup that seemed orchestrated by Lloyd Frontera.
She wanted to see what trick he would pull next.
With that determination, Queen Alicia’s eyes gleamed.
At that moment.
The descending angel spread its wings of light.
It stepped forward to stand before Lloyd.
It spoke in a holy voice.
“Lloyd Frontera of the mortal realm. Please raise your head.”
“…….”
But Lloyd didn’t raise his head immediately.
No, he couldn’t bring himself to raise his head.
He had to control his expression.
‘Yes! It worked. The plan was successful. So now… I mustn’t smile.’
He bit his lip desperately.
Despite his efforts, his lips kept curling into a smile.
Of course, they did.
He was in the royal palace, in the presence of the queen.
And the plan to summon a celestial angel had succeeded.
‘As expected of the archangel. The leader of the holy workers of the celestial realm who doesn’t lie! I trusted you!’
Just in case.
He worried the archangel might break the promise.
Fortunately, the archangel really sent a regular angel here.
‘Now I need to control my expression. While the queen might already suspect, the other ministers wouldn’t. They mustn’t know my true intentions.’
He steeled himself.
He bit the tip of his tongue hard.
‘…Ouch!’
It hurt enough to bring tears to his eyes.
The smile vanished from his face.
Only then did he slowly raise his head.
His expression grim with the pain from his tongue.
He masked his efforts to hide his pain with tear-filled eyes.
He looked up at the angel.
“S-, speak, I am listening?”
“…….”
“I, I bit my tongue… I mean, I was so surprised that I bit my tongue. I apologize for my rudeness, holy angel.”
“…It’s alright.”
The angel managed a smile.
Lloyd asked innocently.
“But what brings you here, calling my name…?”
“I have come to deliver the will of the heavens to you.”
“…What?”
Lloyd’s eyes widened in feigned shock.
The angel gave a faint bitter smile.
It recalled the administrative order given by the archangel.
That a contract was made with the mortal Lloyd Frontera.
According to the contract, they had to assist Lloyd Frontera.
So, the angel was to descend to Lloyd’s location and announce this.
The angel produced a heavenly scroll from its bosom.
With a flourish, it read the celestial script written on the scroll.
“Lloyd Frontera of the mortal realm. Today, a fateful revelation has been bestowed upon you. You will be granted the ‘Eye of Summer,’ a sacred relic of the Magentano royal family.”
“What?”
“This is an unalterable fate and the will of the heavens. That is all.”
Boom!
As the angel delivered the revelation.
Brilliant light poured from the scroll.
It filled the hall and illuminated Lloyd brightly.
Everyone in the hall stared wide-eyed at the sight.
Some were shocked, staring at Lloyd.
Some covered their mouths with their hands.
Others even forgot to breathe.
The sudden descent of a celestial angel was already astonishing.
But the unexpected revelation it delivered was even more shocking.
They couldn’t help but be stunned.
They couldn’t help but be astonished.
Thus, everyone in the hall, the ministers, the guards, and the palace officials, all fell into a great silence.
In the midst of this silence.
Lloyd’s confused response followed.
“Uh, excuse me? Angel? Wait a moment?”
“Speak, mortal.”
“Yes. This situation… What is it? Why am I receiving a revelation, and why is it about being granted a royal relic…?”
“It is solely the will of the heavens.”
To be precise, it’s the will of the archangel who ordered me.
You, who dared to deceive even Satan.
Thanks to your lie, the archangel is now self-imposed in a confessional for a while.
The angel maintained its elegant demeanor, hiding its true feelings.
Meanwhile, Lloyd deliberately displayed more confusion.
He acted out his confusion convincingly.
And he prayed inwardly.
‘Alright. The revelation is given, so now it’s time to leave, amen! Hallelujah! Namu Amida Butsu!’
Whether it was due to his fervent prayer.
Or perhaps the angel read the atmosphere through Lloyd’s eyes.
The angel looked around the hall with a sacred expression.
It delivered a concluding remark, sealing this shocking situation with a clear tone.
“Additionally, all beings present in this place will be witnesses to today’s revelation. Everything is as the heavens will.”
Whoosh!
As the angel finished its speech.
The most brilliant and sacred light poured out in all directions.
It seared everyone’s retinas like high beams on a dark road.
The sudden brightness.
Everyone squinted their eyes tightly.
And after a moment.
When they began to open their eyes one by one.
The angel’s figure was already gone.
They looked at each other’s faces in disbelief.
Finally, they realized.
“…….”
For the first time in the history of the Magentano royal family.
An angel had descended to the royal palace.
A heavenly revelation had been delivered.
It was an unprecedented event.
♣
“Do you have nothing to say to me?”
“Um, yes.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Honestly?”
“Yes.”
“Is ‘yes’ all you can say?”
“That’s not true.”
“Then why do you keep saying it?”
“Um, well, because… I can’t think of what to say right now… I apologize.”
“Apologize?”
“Yes.”
“…”
“Yes.”
“If you couldn’t answer, at least you wouldn’t be so annoying.”
Queen Alicia sighed deeply.
She stared meaningfully at Lloyd, who was seated across the desk.
“The reason I called you to my office is simple. I have something to ask you.”
“What would you like to ask…?”
“You must have some idea.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then speak up.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. You want to question me about the angel that descended earlier.”
“Precisely.”
A faint smile crossed the Queen’s lips.
Her gaze grew colder.
“Why did that unexpected angel descent happen just as you came to see me?”
“…….”
“Was it really a coincidence?”
“…….”
“Or was it part of your scheme?”
“Your Majesty.”
“Speak.”
“I am wronged.”
“Wronged?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Lloyd adjusted his posture.
And he swiftly sensed the presence around the office.
‘Besides the Queen, there are three others nearby. Two by the door. One beyond the closet.’
They were all guards.
Judging by the breathing patterns, their levels were…
‘All advanced Sword Experts.’
They must be experiencing Sword Master Syndrome.
Their senses, including hearing, would be abnormally heightened.
So, the conversation here?
They would hear it all.
‘That won’t do.’
Lloyd shook his head inwardly.
The big picture he had drawn.
The plan he had executed with the archangel’s help.
It was time to create a crucial piece of the puzzle with the Queen.
‘That’s why secrecy is important. The conversation we’re about to have must be heard by no one. Not even the guards.’
Not just for secrecy.
No one should hear this conversation.
If anyone did, Queen Alicia would reject all his proposals outright.
‘Now I’m going to propose a negotiation. And that negotiation involves the royal relic, the Eye of Summer.’
But if someone heard the contents of the negotiation?
If it got out?
Queen Alicia would face tremendous political backlash.
A king of a nation, secretly negotiating a deal over a royal relic with a mere vassal.
Such a political storm wouldn’t be missed by those looking to exploit it.
‘No one likes facing political backlash. If I were the king, I’d reject the proposal outright without hearing it. It’d be too risky.’
So, to start the negotiation?
He had to remove the possibility of political backlash for the Queen.
For that, no one should hear their conversation.
‘Should I create a separate space?’
With that conclusion.
Lloyd quickly thought.
He used his wit.
He looked at the Queen with a meaningful gaze.
If she were the Alicia Termina Magentano he knew, she would be intrigued by his unexpected proposal.
“Your Majesty. Would you like to have the chance to beat me up and take out your frustrations?”
“…What?”
Queen Alicia’s eyes widened slightly.
Lloyd didn’t miss the small change.
‘As expected. It worked.’
He installed a more meaningful smile at the corner of his lips.
He prepared a proposal she couldn’t refuse.