Chapter 372: The Fruits of Training (2)
Kiiiiing-!
The two mana circles spun.
Their echoes of birth amplified the mana.
The amplified mana surged through her body.
In that moment, Queen Alicia opened her eyes.
“……!”
She felt it vividly throughout her entire body.
The blocked mana pathways were cleared.
The interrupted routes were reconnected and restored.
The freed mana surged forth without hesitation.
Flowing past her shoulder, towards her forearm, through her palm, reaching her fingers, and finally returning to her heart, to the mana heart, back to the mana circle.
Kiiiiiii-!
Regeneration and rotation.
Rotation and amplification.
Amplification and outflow.
Between breaths.
A new realm battering her entire body.
It was an unprecedented triumph and exhilaration since she became a Swordmaster.
‘What is this…’
Queen Alicia observed her inner self in astonishment.
Everything was changing.
All the mana pathways in her body were being completely restructured.
The old, winding, and complicated paths were merging and integrating.
They extended larger and more straightforwardly, connecting every harmony of her body.
‘This is the Asrahan Technique.’
Feeling it directly with her body made it all the more marvelous.
It was indeed the technique that nurtured Grandmasters and Swordmasters.
This awe and admiration stirred her ambition within.
‘If an army were trained in this technique…’
Not only could they surpass the powerful state, but they could also dominate the entire continent under one banner.
Her banner.
Just thinking about it was thrilling.
But she soon shook her head inwardly.
‘No.’
The thought of such a foolish ambition quickly struck her.
For two reasons.
One was the trust and faith she had built with Lloyd Frontera.
‘He went to all this trouble just to heal me. If I spread this technique to others, mocking his efforts…’
She would lose something greater.
She would never regain Lloyd and Javier’s trust and loyalty.
The second reason?
‘It won’t benefit me in the long run.’
If she spread the Asrahan Technique widely?
During the initial monopoly period, the Magentano royal family’s power and influence would soar.
But how long would that last?
‘Within a few years, it would leak to other countries. Then, everyone who wields a sword across the continent would use the Asrahan Technique.’
The relative advantage of possessing the technique would disappear.
So it would be better not to tell anyone.
To keep this precious technique to herself, appreciating Lloyd and Javier’s kindness.
“……Hoo.”
Having calculated all this, Queen Alicia exhaled a deep, calm breath.
With each breath, the old energy within her body flowed out.
The mana stored in the mana heart and amplified in the circles became pure.
The constant tingling in her left arm quickly vanished.
‘It’s healed.’
She clenched and unclenched her fist.
Confident in her complete recovery, she raised her head.
She looked silently at Lloyd, sitting across from her.
He was still continuing the rapid charging.
Kwaaaaaa-!
A massive amount of mana was being absorbed by Lloyd in real-time.
The sand on the training ground dried up further.
Leaves carried by the wind were caught and turned to dust.
But now, Queen Alicia felt no discomfort.
Despite being within the range of the rapid charging.
Not a single bit of her mana was being taken.
‘By not resisting the absorption… yes, by neutralizing it like this.’
With a slight turn of her circle, she grasped the trick.
It was enjoyable.
She was grateful.
Looking at Lloyd again, a smile naturally formed.
Meanwhile, Lloyd’s rapid charging was coming to an end.
Ding-dong.
[Asrahan Technique Skill Option ⑤: Rapid Charging has ended.]
Kiiiiii……!
The fierce mana absorption ceased.
The rampaging mana circle calmed down.
Lloyd slowly opened his eyes.
His gaze searched the air.
Where his eyes landed, a new message appeared.
[With your dedication and effort over two months, you have cured Queen Alicia’s incurable disease.]
[Queen Alicia’s left arm was destined to be lost due to the great flow of causality. But with your appropriate response, noble effort, and dedicated service, you have restored the mana circulation in her left arm.]
[As a result, Queen Alicia Termina Magentano is deeply moved and has bestowed upon you her unique praise.]
[A new praise for you has been generated.]
‘Oh?’
Lloyd didn’t expect to receive praise.
His eyes quickly moved.
—
[A new praise, <Savior of Magentano>, has been generated.]
[Savior of Magentano]
[Praise Rank: Personal Praise]
You have always been like this.
Only seeking me when there was a need.
I thought yesterday and today would be the same.
But this time, I was wrong.
You stayed by my side day and night.
Without ever crossing the line.
You led me to salvation through your dedication and effort.
You are a cunning and hateful Frontera.
You are so frustratingly insidious.
What should I do?
For this grace of yours.
For this heart of yours.
How should I repay you?
[Praise Effect: You have gained Queen Alicia Termina Magentano’s unwavering trust and faith. Now, Queen Alicia will unconditionally support your opinions and regard anyone who opposes or harms you as an enemy, regardless of their status or existence.]
[Praise Territory: Wherever Alicia Termina Magentano is present]
[Praise Duration: For the lifetime of Alicia Termina Magentano]
—
‘…Wow.’
Unconsciously, Lloyd blinked repeatedly.
He re-read the message several times.
He quickly realized two things.
‘First, Queen Alicia’s left arm is healed. The Asrahan Technique is successfully installed.’
The message made it clear.
Queen Alicia’s incurable disease was cured.
The second realization was…
“Why are you standing there so blankly?”
“……”
“Are you alright?”
“Your Majesty.”
Lloyd quickly took a step back.
He bowed respectfully and spoke formally.
“I sincerely congratulate you on mastering the Asrahan Technique and healing your left arm.”
“Congratulate me? You almost killed me.”
“……”
“Just kidding. I don’t deserve congratulations. Rather, I should thank you.”
“I am honored by your grace.”
“Really?”
“……”
“That phrase of ‘grace’ should be retired by now. When you can’t think of anything else to say, you resort to it. Now that I’ve scolded you for it, you must be planning to say ‘I apologize, Your Majesty’.”
“……”
“Isn’t that right?”
“Uh, well, that is…”
Lloyd awkwardly laughed.
The reason was simple.
‘Huh. Why does her gaze seem so sweet now?’
Queen Alicia’s eyes felt different than before.
Previously, her gaze had been one of calmness and charisma.
Now, it was filled with boundless trust and friendliness.
‘The effect of this new praise is no joke.’
The new praise said he would gain the queen’s unwavering trust and faith.
It promised absolute support and favor.
The content of the praise seemed to be true.
‘It’s a bit overwhelming, but it can’t be bad for me.’
Lloyd shrugged inwardly.
After thinking it over, having such trust from the queen wouldn’t be a disadvantage.
‘Actually, it’s a huge benefit. The ruler of the leading powerful state on the continent now gives me unconditional support. If I point someone out and say, “They bullied me!”, she’d immediately unleash a hellstorm on them.’
The benefits weren’t limited to that.
‘I can ask for more money too.’
That was actually the most important part.
Unconditional trust and support were great, but what mattered most was someone who filled his pockets.
‘With enough money, everyone is a friend. So, sister, I look forward to your continued support.’
Lloyd organized his thoughts and bowed deeply.
Showing his respect, he spoke.
“Your kind words make me feel incredibly humble, Your Majesty. To be honest, I merely set the stage, and it was Your Majesty who utilized it brilliantly and achieved this success.”
“Hmm, so you want to credit me with this achievement?”
“I am merely Your Majesty’s loyal servant. All my achievements have always originated from you.”
“Hmm, you are good with words.”
“That too is thanks to Your Majesty.”
“Do you get excited to speak when you see me?”
“Oh, no, that’s not…”
“Then?”
“My heart feels excited.”
“Hah.”
Queen Alicia let out a hollow laugh.
Meanwhile, Lloyd continued to think.
‘Phew. Anyway, it’s settled. The queen’s left arm is healed. So…’
When will the next version of the restoration phenomenon begin?
What will trigger the start of the next version?
He didn’t know yet.
But he knew how to find out.
‘I should check the ending spoilers tonight. That should do it. Or use the Gem of Truth when I return to Frontera territory.’
Both were good methods.
The important point was that he would have to block the trigger events of the restoration phenomenon several times in the future.
‘How many times can I do this?’
Would he find a way to solve it permanently?
As Lloyd pondered and steeled himself, a white flag fluttered in a corner of the training ground.
‘Huh?’
Lloyd remembered the significance of the flag.
Having frequented the palace and this training ground with the queen, he knew what it meant.
‘That’s the flag signaling urgent news.’
When the queen was training and no one could approach her, they used the flag to signal urgent news from afar.
“What’s the matter?”
The queen seemed to have noticed the flag as well.
She gestured towards it.
A guard ran over.
“Your Majesty, a messenger from Namaran has brought urgent news.”
“Urgent news?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Where is the messenger?”
“Awaiting you in the audience chamber.”
“I see. No, on second thought, the office would be better than the audience chamber, which has many eyes and ears. Bring the messenger to the office.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The guard retreated.
The queen’s gaze returned to Lloyd.
“Lloyd Frontera.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Her eyes, now devoid of the previous warmth, were serious.
“Will you accompany me?”
“To be granted the honor of accompanying you is a great privilege, Your Majesty.”
It was perfect timing.
A messenger from Namaran.
‘So something must have happened in Namaran. That’s why they brought urgent news. What could it be?’
What event could it be?
Why now, of all times?
It seemed like a new trial or mission was being handed to him.
‘Namaran was the site of a major event in the original “Iron-Blooded Knight”.’
He recalled the original Namaran Wall incident.
The entire city was engulfed in a magical barrier created by dark wizards.
It was barely resolved by Javier.
But it also involved the death of Namaran’s young lady.
‘But I prevented that. I saved the lady and the city and stabilized the area with barrier-free construction. So the dark wizards should have been eradicated. The queen personally eliminated the remnants.’
Yet, he still felt uneasy.
Something was coming.
Something was about to happen.
‘If the restoration phenomenon is progressing, it will likely affect Namaran, where a significant event took place in the original story.’
Namaran was a potential trigger point for the restoration phenomenon.
‘Stay alert. Gather as many clues as possible from the messenger’s news.’
As he followed the queen to her office, Lloyd steeled himself.
They arrived at the office.
The messenger from Namaran was waiting.
He bowed to the queen and handed her a scroll containing the urgent news.
“Hmm.”
The queen’s eyes sparkled strangely as she read the scroll.
What could be written in there?
What content made the queen tilt her head and look at him after reading it?
“Lloyd Frontera.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“It seems you need to go to Namaran immediately.”
“Pardon?”
The queen handed him the scroll.
He took it.
He unrolled it.
The content came into view…
‘What the hell.’
Gritting his teeth, Lloyd couldn’t help but clench his jaw.
