Chapter 368: How to Redraw the Mana Blueprint (2)
“For the next two months, every day, 24 hours a day, Your Majesty must stay as close to me as possible.”
“…”
Lloyd’s voice poked at Alicia’s ears. His bold suggestion struck like a direct hit. Queen Alicia found herself momentarily speechless and seriously contemplated whether to hit him over the head with an ink bottle or to just rearrange his cheekbones with her bare hands. Yet, she managed to exercise patience. She remembered,
‘He’s always been like this. He doesn’t say crazy things without some thought.’
Lloyd Frontera had a knack for proposing seemingly mad ideas that, in the long run, often turned out to be brilliant.
“Hah, really.”
Reaching that conclusion, she couldn’t help but laugh, picking up the pieces of her lost composure.
“I need to stay with you for two months, every day, 24 hours?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“And you claim this will heal my left arm?”
“It should, Your Majesty.”
“‘Should’? You don’t sound very certain.”
“Because it’s not something I can guarantee, Your Majesty.”
“It sounds like you’re saying it’s just a possibility.”
“But if there’s a possibility, shouldn’t we seize it?”
Lloyd’s voice grew more earnest as he answered the Queen’s question.
A possibility. If one exists, it must be seized, even if it turns out to be an illusion. At least then, they can discern whether it was real or not. Especially when there are no other options available.
‘According to the ending spoiler, it’s clear. She must have tried every method available once she knew her left arm was paralyzed and necrotic. And they all failed.’
That meant the royal methods couldn’t treat her left arm. Therefore, he must be the one to heal it. This might be the only hope and possibility.
‘I must persuade her.’
If he failed to persuade her, the Queen might lose her left arm and fall into despair. Keeping this in mind, Lloyd carefully chose each word that followed.
“Your Majesty may remember when I indiscriminately absorbed your mana.”
“Hm, how could I forget? Such a dreadful experience is rare.”
“…”
“It’s fine. It’s all in the past, and in the end, you saved me. But mentioning it now means your proposal is related to that incident?”
“Indeed, Your Majesty.”
“Do you mean to absorb my mana again?”
“No, it’s the opposite this time, Your Majesty.”
This was why conversations with the Queen were comfortable. Before he could attach any embellishments or lengthy explanations, she grasped his intent immediately.
Lloyd bowed respectfully.
“The mana technique I used back then is called the ‘Asrahan Method.’”
“The Asrahan Method?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. As the name suggests, it was created by Sir Javier Asrahan, and I helped complete it.”
“Hmm, interesting. A technique that produced a Grand Master and a Sword Master.”
Queen Alicia’s eyes gleamed as she looked at him. As expected of a swordswoman to her core, her eyes sparkled at the mention of a new technique.
Suppressing the wry smile tugging at his lips, Lloyd continued.
“Yes, it’s the method that trained both Sir Asrahan and me.”
“What makes it special?”
“It specializes in absorbing, processing, circulating, and releasing mana.”
“Like when you absorbed my mana before?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
She’s hooked. The Queen is completely interested now.
Now it was time to strike the decisive blow, Lloyd sensed.
“Therefore, I thought, what if I taught Your Majesty the Asrahan Method?”
“Teach me that technique?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“And you think it could heal my left arm?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Good. The conversation was flowing smoothly.
Lloyd spurred his tongue to work harder.
“For two months, every day, 24 hours a day, as long as possible, I will stay by Your Majesty’s side. We’ll bind one of my hands to one of yours and circulate my mana into your left arm all day long.”
“And?”
“The paralysis symptoms caused by the disruption in mana circulation will be alleviated.”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“And then?”
“While alleviating the paralysis symptoms, I will also teach Your Majesty the Asrahan Method.”
“I find it difficult to believe I could master it.”
“I understand what you mean. Your Majesty’s mana circulation system must have been completed long ago when you reached the level of a Sword Master. Learning a new foundational technique in such a situation is nearly impossible.”
“How could I learn it then?”
“For two months, through our bound hands, Your Majesty can continually imprint the guided mana paths into your body.”
“In other words, you’ll set up the learning framework, and I’ll need to follow through.”
“I deeply apologize, Your Majesty.”
Lloyd bowed his head deeply.
And he sensed it.
‘It’s working.’
He could feel that the Queen was inclined to accept his proposal. However, he also sensed some hesitation.
As expected, after a brief pause, the Queen spoke with a slightly uneasy expression.
“I understand your proposal. Honestly, it’s very appealing. But there’s a point that bothers me.”
“May I ask if it’s about the reactions of those around us?”
“Indeed.”
A bitter smile spread across the Queen’s face.
“You know well that I am still without a consort. If I spend two months, day and night, with you, my loyal vassal, and public servant, who wouldn’t misunderstand?”
“Your words are entirely correct, Your Majesty.”
Lloyd readily acknowledged the Queen’s concerns. It was something he had anticipated and worried about.
‘Even if a mere noblewoman did such a thing, it would cause a scandal. How much more for the Queen, the ruler of this nation? Getting involved in such a scandal would be unacceptable.’
It wouldn’t be a simple scandal. It would affect the dignity of the royal family and the Queen herself.
Fortunately, Lloyd already had a countermeasure.
“That kind of misunderstanding won’t be a significant problem, Your Majesty.”
“Sounds like you have a plan.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
“Tell me.”
The Queen commanded.
Lloyd spoke without taking a breath.
“I firmly believe in Your Majesty’s immense leadership, charisma, and governance.”
“…”
“Moreover, I have unwavering faith in Your Majesty’s great political prowess, national management skills, and the persuasive power that captivates all.”
“…”
“This is the hope and solution I have in mind, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm.”
Lloyd bowed shamelessly.
Queen Alicia couldn’t help but click her tongue and mutter.
“In summary, you’re saying you’ll leave that problem to me.”
“Your grace is immeasurable—no, I deeply apologize, Your Majesty.”
“Are you truly sorry?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Sigh. I’d like to pierce your tongue with an awl.”
“…What?”
“Nothing, just talking to myself.”
“…”
He heard everything. But Lloyd didn’t argue. He already sensed it.
That the Queen had decided to accept his proposal and would deal with any ensuing gossip.
Indeed, Queen Alicia nodded.
“I understand.”
“So, you mean?”
“I know well how sly, shameless, and wicked you can be.”
“…”
“However, I also recognize that even if there will be rumors around my ears, your proposal isn’t bad. No, it might be the most needed assistance for me at this point.”
“Then?”
“I will accept your proposal.”
“Your grace is immeasurable, Your Majesty.”
It worked.
Relieved, Lloyd bowed deeply.
“In that case, I will prepare to assist Your Majesty with the Asrahan Method…”
“Is special preparation necessary?”
“What?”
Startled, Lloyd looked up. He saw Queen Alicia’s odd smile.
“There’s no need for grand preparations if we start now, is there?”
“Uh, that’s…”
“You yourself said it’s good for me. A method to heal my left arm. So why delay a good thing with procedures and preparations? Isn’t that right?”
“…”
Is it not right?
Lloyd wanted to answer that way, but the words wouldn’t come out.
Queen Alicia tilted her head, smiling.
“Or is there some secret preparation you haven’t disclosed?”
“No, but…”
“But?”
“I need to mentally prepare.”
“…”
“No, I’ll begin immediately.”
“Good.”
Satisfied, her lips smiled.
Seeing this, Lloyd felt sweat trickle down his spine.
The situation had unfolded differently than he anticipated after the Queen accepted his proposal.
‘I thought she’d be very embarrassed, show resistance, and hesitate, so I’d have to persuade her gently into preparing for the retreat.’
But contrary to his expectations, it was the opposite.
She questioned why delay a good thing and urged him to start immediately!
‘10 points for enthusiasm. Wow.’
She must have been very anxious about her left arm. She must have been worried in secret, unable to share it with anyone.
Understanding her active attitude after making the decision, Lloyd spoke.
“I understand, Your Majesty. I will start the retreat immediately.”
“So, how do we begin?”
“First, as I mentioned earlier, we need to bind our hands.”
“My left hand and your right hand?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Lloyd glanced around the office. He saw a leather strap used to bind documents.
“Through the bound hands, I will supply mana to Your Majesty.”
“You mean to circulate mana in my left arm?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. At the same time, I will observe and analyze the mana circulation paths Your Majesty has completed.”
“You’ll identify where to establish the foundation of the Asrahan Method?”
“Precisely, Your Majesty.”
“So it’s like your specialties, surveying, and designing.”
“Indeed, Your Majesty.”
“Understood. Begin immediately.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Then, excuse me.”
Lloyd approached the Queen.
With a somewhat awkward movement, the Queen extended her left hand.
Whether it was due to the paralysis or some internal hesitation, Lloyd wasn’t sure.
But he tried not to mind it.
He reached out with his right hand.
Their fingertips touched.
He paused involuntarily.
He grasped it. It was warmer than he expected.
At that moment,
“What are you hesitating for?”
Her entwining fingers. Holding tight, not letting go.
“Tie it quickly.”
“…Understood, Your Majesty.”
From then on, he lost track of how he tied their hands or how clumsily he fumbled.
He barely remembered that the Queen had to use her other hand to help finish the knot.
“If it’s so difficult to tie, we should rarely untie it.”
“…That seems reasonable.”
When he finally regained his senses, his hand was tightly bound to the Queen’s.
It was tied so tightly it tingled slightly.
“I think it’s cutting off circulation.”
“So, is it uncomfortable?”
“No, it’s just—”
“Just?”
“I’m concerned it might be uncomfortable for Your Majesty.”
“I’m fine. We’ll have to untie it temporarily for washing, using the restroom, or changing clothes.”
“That’s true.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“Um, nothing. I’ll start the mana treatment immediately.”
This was much, much, much more awkward than he thought.
His face felt hot.
Trying to distract himself, he was about to start the mana treatment when,
“Wait.”
The Queen pulled her left hand.
The mana flow intended for her left hand was disrupted.
What now?
He looked up and saw her smiling brightly.
“Before that, I just remembered something important you need to do tonight.”
“Yes?”
“This way.”
She pulled her left arm more.
He followed like a broken puppet.
He was dragged helplessly.
She pressed his shoulder down, seating him in the office chair.
“Your Majesty?”
“Shh.”
She sat in the chair next to him.
She pulled her chair closer, narrowing the distance.
Was she reaching for something on the desk?
She leaned forward, extending her right hand.
Her face approached his.
He felt her breath for a moment.
Should he back away?
He was flustered.
At that moment, something was placed in his left hand.
He looked down to see it was a pen.
“Your Majesty?”
He muttered without realizing.
The Queen stared at him.
“Why? You’ve held a pen before, right?”
“Yes, of course…”
“Then follow my instructions.”
What is she asking him to do?
Why is she smiling so happily?
Why is my heart racing at that smile…
‘Are you crazy? Get a grip, man.’
He desperately held onto his sanity.
He couldn’t fall here.
He couldn’t collapse here.
His dream was to date, marry, and have adorable children with an ordinary woman.
He couldn’t be thinking about picking out a wedding venue, deciding on a honeymoon location, discussing how many children to have, and what style of home education to follow with the Queen.
“Here are the documents that need signing, and here is my signature.”
“…What?”
Her voice snapped him out of his daydream.
He quickly regained his senses.
He looked at her.
She gave him a mischievous glance.
Following her gaze, he saw the desk covered in documents.
She spoke.
“Sign them.”
“What?”
“Sign them.”
“…”
All these documents?
A foreboding feeling crept up on him.
Why are these premonitions always accurate?
Her mischievous smile grew brighter.
“Since we’ll be together day and night for a while, this is quite convenient. Surely you won’t use your left hand as an excuse not to sign, right? My signature is very simple, as you can see.”
“Uh, Your Majesty?”
“So sign them all.”
“All these documents?”
“Of course.”
“…”
“You mustn’t even dream of resting until they’re all signed.”
“…”
Please, have mercy… no, Your Majesty.
He silently prayed and begged.
But it was useless.
The night was long.
There were many documents.
All night, his left hand trembled awkwardly as he moved the pen.
The Queen watched him, smiling contentedly the entire time.
Was she happy to dump her work on him?
Did she enjoy watching him struggle?
Or did she have her own reasons?
It was an excessively long night.
