Chapter 339: Dominating the Nobles’ Assembly (2)
‘Ah, this is the perfect atmosphere.’
It was Lloyd’s first time inside the main chamber of the Nobles’ Assembly.
Surveying the scene, he couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.
He liked it.
It was unexpectedly boisterous.
High-ranking nobles were openly arguing, their veins popping in their necks.
There was nothing refined or sophisticated about it.
It lacked even the crumbs of elegance found in a bag of chips.
He felt a sense of familiarity.
‘Thank goodness. A high-class, pretentious atmosphere would be suffocating.’
Honestly, it would have been a bit much.
He had never lived a luxurious life.
Not even before his parents fell into debt in Korea.
He wasn’t exactly impoverished, but neither was he affluent.
He lived an average life, the kind you could find anywhere in South Korea.
So, he was far removed from the luxury lifestyle.
He hadn’t even had similar experiences.
The same was true here.
‘I may be a noble’s son in name, but I’ve been through hell.’
First, paying off debts.
Then, dealing with crises in his territory.
And now, trying to resolve the side effects of the Winter Heart and the phenomenon of fate restoration.
He worked tirelessly, day in and day out, with no rest.
“….”
Oh, damn.
Why did tears suddenly come to his eyes?
Lloyd discreetly wiped his eyes with his sleeve.
An unexpected greeting caught his ear just before he was guided to his seat.
“Brother, long time no see.”
“…Huh?”
A youthful voice.
A slightly trembling greeting.
A familiar tone.
He turned towards the voice.
But there was nothing there.
No, there was something just barely visible at the bottom of his sight.
A head of chestnut-like hair and curly orange locks.
“Down here?”
A slightly irritated voice from below.
The tone had become somewhat sharper.
Following the voice, he looked down.
There was a familiar face.
“Julian?”
“Ha. You’re doing that on purpose, right? I know I’m short.”
“….”
“If you keep teasing me, I’ll tell our Minister of the Interior.”
“Minister of the Interior? You mean your wife?”
“Yes.”
“….”
“Anyway, are you alright?”
“Um, probably.”
Lloyd smiled.
It was Julian, looking the same as ever.
Still youthful, bright-eyed, and determined.
‘Though the timid look is almost gone.’
Probably thanks to the influence of the formidable Minister of the Interior, Serazade.
Thinking that, Lloyd asked.
“But what brings you here?”
“What do you think? I’m worried about you. You’ve been summoned to the Nobles’ Assembly. You’ll be harassed by both the supporters and opponents.”
“Did you think I’d be in serious trouble?”
“Well, yeah.”
Julian shrugged his small shoulders.
“You may not know, but the capital has been in an uproar for two days because of the decree you received. I’ve been through hell because of it.”
“People at work kept asking you about it?”
“Asking? That would have been nice.”
Julian gave a bitter smile.
“My direct superior happens to be an opponent of the decree.”
“….”
“Have you heard the news? Your brother received a decree to be given a royal sacred artifact. Isn’t that a conspiracy? How dare a mere vassal covet a royal treasure? What do you think about this? Are you siding with your family against the royal family? Do you know that would make you a traitor? And on and on. I’ve probably been asked those questions about 180 times from morning to evening.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s not your fault. The problem is that I’m your brother.”
“….”
“So, hang in there. Don’t get intimidated. Don’t die.”
“….”
“Good luck.”
“Okay.”
Lloyd chuckled.
Julian’s words might have been harsh, but Lloyd felt his concern.
Julian must have dropped everything to come here as soon as he heard about the assembly.
‘And it’s the middle of the day, so it must be work hours. With his superior being an opponent of the decree, he must have done something to get here.’
Given Julian’s diligent nature, he wouldn’t have left work without permission.
So?
He must have requested early leave, even if it meant making a bad impression.
‘To leave suddenly like that, he would have had to explain honestly.’
Julian would likely be disliked by his superior.
His work might get tougher.
Julian would have known that.
Yet he still came.
Just to see Lloyd’s face for a moment.
To exchange a few words.
Even if just to offer some support.
He must have steeled himself to come here.
“Alright, I’ll go.”
Lloyd patted Julian’s shoulder.
That was enough.
He exchanged glances with Julian and Javier, then followed the guide to his seat.
He sat in the chair prepared in the center of the main chamber.
Lloyd understood the seating arrangement’s significance.
‘Hmm, they’ve placed me in the middle with nobles divided on either side.’
The nobles on the left looked at him with favor.
The ones on the right?
They seemed hostile.
Their expressions and eyes were full of disdain.
‘So, the left are supporters of the decree, and the right are opponents.’
The atmosphere made it clear.
Lloyd grinned as he reviewed his plan.
Then, the head of the Nobles’ Assembly began to speak.
“Attention, please. As everyone can see, Earl Lloyd Frontera has graciously accepted our summons. I, the head of the assembly, would like to express my gratitude for his cooperation.”
It was the bulldog-like, rotund man he had seen before.
He offered Lloyd a formal gesture.
Lloyd returned the gesture politely.
Several routine procedures followed.
They introduced ten nobles representing the supporters and opponents of the decree.
The two factions took their seats, glaring at each other over Lloyd.
However, the representatives didn’t engage in direct arguments.
Instead, the real session began.
A hearing directed at Lloyd.
Or more accurately, a barrage of questions designed to favor their respective sides.
“Greetings. I am the head of the Alcante Marquis family. I extend my gratitude to Earl Lloyd Frontera for attending and will now ask my questions. Earl Lloyd Frontera?”
“Yes.”
“You have been involved in numerous royal affairs and have shown countless acts of dedication to the royal family. Is this correct?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Were there times when you didn’t want to?”
“There were many times I was afraid.”
“Afraid?”
“Yes.”
“Could you elaborate?”
The Marquis of Alcante smiled warmly.
Seeing that smile, Lloyd realized.
‘This marquis is going to ask questions that make me look good.’
He intended to use the responses to support the decree.
Lloyd inwardly shrugged.
‘If that’s the case, I’m all for it.’
He was going to be praised.
Why refuse?
“As a person, there were times I was terrified. When the Queen was poisoned and near death, when facing the monster domino effect in the east, and when battling the Bondragon. I thought it was the end, that I was going to die. I was afraid. But—”
“But?”
Lloyd licked his lips before answering.
“I was more afraid of the royal family’s foundation being shaken than my own demise.”
“Oh.”
The Marquis of Alcante’s exclamation.
He looked like a professor receiving a perfect answer.
Satisfied, he glanced meaningfully at the opposition.
His eyes seemed to say…
Look at this.
He’s an extraordinary loyalist.
And he’s young and promising.
And you don’t want to give him the sacred artifact because of a decree?
Giving it would make him even more loyal and helpful to the royal family.
…That’s what his eyes conveyed.
The Marquis of Alcante’s questions ended.
Next was the representative of the opposition.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I am the head of the Cordoba Marquis family. Earl Lloyd Frontera? Are you ready to answer questions?”
“Yes.”
From the warm bath of supporters to the cold bath of opponents.
Lloyd swallowed a bitter smile and nodded.
Marquis Cordoba’s sharp question came next.
“Earl Lloyd Frontera. You have previously been involved in an incident where the royal sacred artifact, the Winter Heart, was lost. Is that correct?”
“Yes, it is.”
As expected.
They were going to use that incident against him.
Lloyd answered calmly.
Marquis Cordoba continued.
“Do you feel responsible for that incident?”
“Of course.”
Obviously.
He felt the weight of responsibility deeply.
How much the Queen’s anger still lingered because of it.
Plus, he was dealing with the side effects of the Winter Heart.
He was suffering from it.
Lloyd spoke with genuine sorrow.
“Thinking about it now, it’s still heartbreaking. The loss of the Winter Heart and the lives lost in that incident. Although it wasn’t my intention, I was in charge at the scene, and I still carry a great sense of responsibility and sorrow. That’s all.”
With a sincere expression.
In a somber, calm voice.
He addressed Marquis Cordoba.
Was his response unexpected?
“…Ah, ahem! Understood.”
Marquis Cordoba cleared his throat and ended his questions.
Then came the warm bath again.
The supporters’ turn.
“Earl Lloyd Frontera? You may not know, but I use the bridge you built every day when I come to the assembly. The Roy-Havi Suspension Bridge.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Since the bridge was built, my commute has become much easier. I can cross the river without worrying about the bridge collapsing during the spring rains. The same goes for today and probably tomorrow. I would like to thank you on behalf of the people of the capital.”
“Uh, um, yes.”
“So, my question is, did you propose the construction of the Roy-Havi Suspension Bridge to the Queen?”
“Yes, I did.”
“I see. I believe it was a suggestion made out of concern for the citizens who suffered inconvenience and danger from the collapsing bridge over the Majena River. Am I correct?”
“Yes.”
Lloyd nodded shamelessly.
Of course, it wasn’t true.
The proposal was made to make money.
But there was no need to reveal that.
‘He’s praising me. Why refuse?’
He hadn’t asked to be praised.
But it was being offered.
So, he would take it.
With that thought, he could be endlessly shameless.
He silenced his inner conscience by imagining himself punching it into submission and put on a brazen face.
The same applied when facing sharp questions from the opposition.
“Earl Lloyd Frontera. Let me ask you. During the monster domino incident in the east, why didn’t you actively eliminate the monsters invading other territories?”
“Yes, I wanted to eliminate them.”
“You wanted to?”
“I desperately wanted to. But I couldn’t. I know. It was because of my inadequacy. That’s why I’m still tormented. I often toss and turn at night, and sometimes wake up drenched in sweat.”
“I’m not asking about your torment…”
“I know. No matter how much I express my sorrow, it won’t change the fact. I am to blame. Even if it meant breaking my body, I should have gone to save not just my territory but also others. But I couldn’t. I don’t blame anyone else. It’s all my fault for being incapable and useless. That’s why it’s painful and sad. My heart aches. So… no, I won’t make excuses. I’m sorry.”
“I’m not asking for an apology. I just want to review the past…”
The opposition noble was visibly flustered.
‘Why is Lloyd Frontera acting like this?’
They had planned to pressure Lloyd with sharp questions.
To distort facts and provoke emotions.
To get him to react angrily and defend himself.
To draw him into a heated argument.
‘If that happened, anyone would get angry. They would lash out and defend themselves. We wanted to drag him into a debate…’
That was the opposition’s plan.
To provoke Lloyd emotionally.
To make him react and argue.
If he got into a messy argument full of accusations and excuses?
That alone would be a success.
It was natural.
‘In a messy argument, people reveal their true colors. When that happens, their pristine reputation will get tarnished.’
Through a messy argument, they aimed to damage Lloyd Frontera’s reputation.
That was the opposition’s goal.
That would be enough.
A tarnished reputation and fame.
That alone would create public opposition to granting Lloyd the sacred artifact.
But in reality?
‘Why is he acting like this?’
No matter how much pressure and sharp questions they threw at him.
No matter how much they distorted facts to provoke him.
Lloyd never took the bait.
Instead, he agreed with them.
He even showed sincere self-reflection, tearing up.
‘Now I look like the bad guy for questioning him…’
Marquis Cordoba felt a sudden and overwhelming sense of futility.
He had no idea.
The planned sharp questions and distortions had no impact on Lloyd, who was hardened by countless insults and team game trash talk in the IT world of Korea.
Because of this, Lloyd would now shamelessly and cleverly toy with everyone in the main chamber of the Nobles’ Assembly, devouring them whole.