Chapter 370: Shared Hardships (2)
“Your Majesty?”
“Speak.”
“Yes, forgive my impertinence, but everyone seems quite shocked.”
“That’s to be expected.”
The Queen had a combative smile on her lips.
Lloyd sighed softly and looked around.
The grand hall of the House of Nobles was quiet.
Silent.
It wasn’t empty, though.
In fact, it was packed, like a classroom filled with students for a popular teacher’s morning class.
All the prominent nobles of the capital were present.
‘Tsk. It feels like every time I come to the grand hall, I always see this sight. Everyone’s in shock, dazed.’
Lloyd had a wry smile.
The nobles, shocked, no, horrified, at the sight of him.
He understood their feelings.
‘It’s understandable. The Queen informed them that she would be attending the session. They must have thought, “Oh, Her Majesty is coming. What’s the occasion?”’
It was just another ordinary day.
The Queen’s announcement of her attendance wasn’t anything special.
Until he showed up, holding, no, tied to the Queen’s hand in the grand hall.
‘Surely, they don’t think I’m a traitor worthy of execution.’
Of course, they wouldn’t.
If anyone had objections, they would be directed at the Queen, not him.
Lloyd thought so, and his assumption was correct.
“Your Majesty? What is the meaning of this…?”
The nobles were in a state of stunned silence.
Finally, the head of the House of Nobles, Duke Toscano, gathered himself enough to speak.
As if waiting for this, the Queen declared,
“I understand that my and Earl Frontera’s appearance this morning is shocking. But do not be alarmed.”
Confidently.
Without hesitation.
“I hereby inform you that for the next two months, Earl Frontera and I will spend the entire day with our hands bound together. This is not a private act between a man and a woman but part of training to pioneer a new level of swordsmanship.”
She declared.
No, she proclaimed.
Then she gave the nobles time to process.
The head of the House and the other nobles looked at each other.
They murmured and whispered among themselves.
“Your Majesty?”
The head of the House, Duke Toscano, wiped sweat from his plump chin with a handkerchief and spoke.
“I apologize for my boldness, but according to royal customs and laws, when an unmarried monarch chooses a consort, there are procedures that must…”
“Duke Toscano, I clearly stated that this is not a private matter between a man and a woman, did I not?”
“Ah…”
“Do you not believe my declaration?”
“That is not the case, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm. Or have I shattered your common sense too much?”
Queen Alicia smiled sweetly.
She understood the nobles’ confusion.
Both she and Lloyd were unmarried.
And she had suddenly announced they would be bound together for two months.
From a conventional perspective, it was natural for them to see this as a scandal.
So she decided to make it clearer.
“I understand your concerns. Even if I declare this as training, and even if it is true, you are worried about how the royal family will be perceived. Is that correct?”
“You are most wise, Your Majesty. That is indeed our concern.”
“You are worried that our royal dignity will be tarnished in the eyes of other countries?”
“Exactly, Your Majesty.”
The head of the House bowed his head, concern evident in his eyes.
The other nobles had similar expressions.
Thanks to this, Queen Alicia chuckled openly.
“Let them see it however they want.”
“…Pardon?”
The head of the House was startled.
The Queen addressed him.
“No matter how other countries view us, I do not care. They are outsiders and cannot interfere with our internal affairs. I believe that pioneering a new level of swordsmanship is more important than the opinions of those without influence over us.”
“But, Your Majesty…”
“Speak, Duke Toscano.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. I fully understand your deep intentions. I have no doubt that as Your Majesty’s level in swordsmanship rises, so too will the strength of the royal family. However, Earl Frontera…”
“What about Earl Frontera?”
The Queen asked.
The head of the House glanced at Lloyd and then back at the Queen.
“He is indeed very talented and capable. This is acknowledged by everyone in the capital and the country. However, he may not have the skills to assist Your Majesty’s training in swordsmanship…”
“Hmm. So, to summarize, you are concerned that Lloyd Frontera’s level in swordsmanship is not sufficient to assist my training. Correct?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The head of the House bowed even deeper.
The other nobles nodded faintly.
They all shared the same thought.
If the Queen said so, it must be true.
If this binding was indeed part of training, then it was genuinely training.
But why was Lloyd Frontera her training partner?
Wasn’t his level a bit lacking?
Everyone had the same question.
So Queen Alicia laughed.
“It seems you have not yet received the news.”
She looked around with a proud smile.
Then she spoke to the assembly with a triumphant smile.
“I hereby inform you that Lloyd Frontera has already reached the level of Sword Master.”
“…”
The Queen’s declaration brought another wave of shock.
Everyone fell silent.
It was a lot to take in.
‘Earl Frontera has become a Sword Master?’
The head of the House looked at Lloyd in shock.
He couldn’t understand.
‘How?’
It defied common sense.
Becoming a Sword Master was not something that happened easily.
In the past, today, and even now.
Many noble families and knightly houses put all their efforts into producing a Sword Master.
But it was extremely rare.
Because it wasn’t a level that could be reached by effort alone.
‘That’s why a family that produces even one Sword Master can accumulate wealth and honor for generations. Because they are that rare and powerful.’
Simply having one could deter wars between countries.
The number of Sword Masters a nation had was a primary measure of its military power.
Such was the existence of a Sword Master.
‘But Earl Frontera has become a Sword Master.’
There were no rumors, not even exaggerated ones, about him having exceptional talent in swordsmanship.
So it was completely unexpected.
Even though it was the Queen’s declaration, it was hard to believe.
But perhaps understanding his feelings,
“Lloyd Frontera.”
The Queen commanded Lloyd.
“Prove it in front of everyone.”
“I obey.”
The Queen handed her sword to Lloyd.
Lloyd awkwardly took it with his left hand.
In that moment,
Shhhhaaahh!
A brilliant aura enveloped the blade.
It flared up like a powerful torch.
The undeniable proof brought silence to the grand hall once again.
Queen Alicia drove the point home with her final words.
“This proves Lloyd Frontera’s level in swordsmanship and the truth of my declaration. Does anyone have any objections?”
“…”
Of course, there were none.
Now that it was clear that Lloyd Frontera was indeed a Sword Master, to question the Queen was to blatantly disrespect her authority, a reckless and foolish act.
All the nobles bowed their heads in silence.
A satisfied smile appeared on Queen Alicia’s lips.
“I am very pleased to receive your acknowledgment. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you all.”
Bang, bang, bang.
The Queen’s words of gratitude resounded in everyone’s ears like a gavel striking.
It was an unwavering declaration that no one could oppose.
Thus, with the formal announcement that the Magentano royal family now had another Sword Master, Queen Alicia and Lloyd’s intense training began.
♣
“Your Majesty, please inhale.”
“Like this? Huuuup.”
“Excellent, Your Majesty.”
Lloyd focused his mind.
Kiiiiing…
A mana circle activated.
It amplified the mana from his mana heart.
He pushed the amplified mana through his right hand.
The mana flowed into the Queen’s left hand.
From that moment,
‘Good. I can see it.’
Through the infused mana, he could see and feel the mana circulation path in her left arm.
‘It’s worse than I thought.’
Lloyd swallowed dryly.
Once he started the proper diagnosis by directly infusing mana, the state of the Queen’s left arm was worse than expected.
‘The mana circulation is almost completely blocked below the shoulder.’
The blood and lymphatic systems were normal.
But most of the mana circulation paths were blocked or severed.
The cause was unknown.
But the result was predictable.
‘Without mana, the tissue loses vitality. Paralysis sets in, and eventually, necrosis occurs. It literally rots.’
It was fortunate that he knew the Asrahan Method.
Thinking this, Lloyd pushed more mana into the Queen’s left arm, carefully restoring the blocked and severed mana paths.
But the process seemed to sting.
“Ow.”
The Queen flinched slightly.
Lloyd’s eyes narrowed.
“You mustn’t move, Your Majesty.”
“Then speaking like this is okay?”
“That’s fine, Your Majesty.”
“Why?”
“As long as you don’t move your left arm, there’s no problem, Your Majesty.”
“Then I suppose it’s fine if I slap your head with my right hand?”
“Ah, that would be a serious problem, Your Majesty.”
“Why? You said it’s okay as long as I don’t move my left arm.”
“Because I’d be upset, Your Majesty.”
“…”
“Hehehe.”
“…”
“…Please have mercy.”
“If you understand your mistake, that’s good. But this, is it supposed to sting this much?”
“Does it hurt a lot, Your Majesty?”
“Hmm, it’s more like a sting. It feels like a red-hot nail being twisted into my bones.”
“…That seems more than just a sting, Your Majesty.”
“My tolerance and strength don’t allow me to make a fuss over this kind of sensation.”
“Hmm. Then, how about this?”
“Aaagh!”
He deliberately infused a bit more mana.
The Queen flinched, letting out an involuntary scream.
She was embarrassed.
Her neck turned red.
Her gaze at Lloyd was filled with.
“So you really want to die, don’t you?”
“…”
It was full of murderous intent.
But he didn’t want to surrender so easily.
This was a rare golden opportunity.
When else would he get the chance to legitimately torment the Queen?
Thinking this, he acted playfully.
Trying to appear genuinely sorry.
As if it had been an accident.
Calmly, brazenly, politely.
“Ugh. I deeply apologize, Your Majesty.”
“…Ouch!”
“This is all part of the treatment, so if Your Majesty could show mercy and understanding, I would be deeply grateful and more devoted to you.”
“…Ouch!”
Smiling brightly, he poured in more mana.
Each time, the Queen’s face twisted painfully.
But while the Asrahan Method’s mana treatment was somewhat enjoyable during the day, it was a different story at night.
If he was the victor during the day, the clear victor at night was the Queen.
“Sign.”
“…”
“Sign it.”
When night fell and everyone slept.
After they briefly untied their hands, washed, and changed into nightclothes.
Then came the endless torment of signing documents.
Once again, his right hand was tied to her left hand.
His left hand trembled awkwardly as he signed document after document.
“But Your Majesty?”
“Hmm, what?”
“Something strange occurred to me.”
“Something strange? What is it?”
“Why does Your Majesty seem so delighted whenever you torment me?”
“Is that strange and curious?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm. That’s a very simple issue.”
“Could you possibly tell me?”
“Nothing difficult. You’re just very annoying.”
“Pardon?”
“Even now, seeing you turn around with those wide eyes is so annoying. I want to slap that almond-like back of your head.”
“…”
“When you flinch and turn away, I feel like asking for a duel.”
“…”
“And now, seeing you pretend to focus on signing to avoid looking at me makes me want to keep you awake until morning.”
“…”
“Is signing boring? I see your hand.”
“…!”
Swish, swish, swish!
Lloyd’s left hand moved at lightning speed.
Thus the night passed, morning came, another day of stinging treatment, and another night of signing documents.
Until finally, two months passed.
And an unexpected result emerged from their intense training.
