"I promise to do a construction that will ensure the Magentano family's hegemony over the kingdom for the next thousand years."
"Hmm?"
Wham! Their wooden sword and shovel resumed their violent clash, creating shockwaves and a ringing noise all around them. Beads of sweat scattered across the air at the same time. In the midst of the storm, Queen Magentano raised her brow and locked her gaze on Lloyd, who had his weapon raised against her own. "Did you just promise me that this deal will have an incredible benefit for the imperial family?" she inquired. "Yes, I did, Your Majesty."
"You mean one that would be tantamount to the loss of the Tears of Summer," she added as an afterthought.
"Without a doubt," promised Lloyd. His voice dripped with confidence.
"But how strange."
"Pardon me?" Lloyd cocked his head to the side.
Queen Alicia's lips curled into a hostile smirk. "A deal that will guarantee the Magentano family 1,000 years of hegemony over the kingdom? It never occurred to me until today that you were so well-versed in bluffing."
"Oh!" gasped Lloyd, "This is not a bluff-"
Slash! Just then, the movement of her sword suddenly became fiercer. Her attacks had come down at him in a series of short and rapid strikes before. But now, her blows had more force behind them as if they were trying to pierce through him. Lloyd, who was about to clear her doubt, failed to adapt to this change.
"Argh!"
Thwack! Her weighty blow was like a giant's ax bent to sever its foe. Lloyd managed to raise his shovel just in time before being struck. However, even then, the world around him went black as though he had passed out. Lloyd's stomach turned at the same time, unsurprisingly.
Argh! Ack!
He felt like his stomach had been struck with a hammer at least one hundred times. His knees buckled halfway, and his back curled awkwardly into a bow. Unfortunately, he was not given the opportunity to rest and regain his balance.
"Your head will get struck by my sword if you continue spacing out," warned Queen Magentano.
Fwoosh! Lloyd instantly noticed the second attack coming to get him.
It's too late for me to block her sword!
Upon this realization, Lloyd flung himself forward into the ground and did a somersault, dodging her second attack by a hair's breadth.
Boom!
Before he could finish his somersault, Lloyd heard a menacing cry as the queen's sword hit the ground and created a hole. He broke out in a cold sweat and abruptly added, "I am not bluffing, Your Majesty."
Queen Magentano, however, continued attacking. She swung her sword from the ground. Swooosh!
Lloyd realized in horror that her attacks would at least shatter all the ribs on his left side if he was hit. "All I would need to do is pave a trade route in the Pantara Range, Your Majesty!" he yelled, trying to move out of her attack range.
"What?" Her wooden sword came to a halt an inch before it struck Lloyd's left ribs. She tilted her head. "What nonsense are you babbling?"
"Your Majesty," said Lloyd calmly. "It is not nonsense or a bluff. I am being completely serious right now."
"You are?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Really?" asked Queen Magentano again.
"I am," Lloyd spoke without any hint of uncertainty in his voice.
"Then, let us continue this bloody fight." Queen Magentano chuckled, stealing a quick glance beyond the training hall. Her intention was crystal clear. The guards could potentially hear their conversation from where they were just beyond the walls. And so, they needed to continue clashing their weapons together to create noise.
Lloyd gave a weak smile of understanding. "W-words fall short of my gratitude toward you, Your Majesty..." He wondered if he'd be able to come out of their conversation unscathed. Nonetheless, he gripped his shovel tightly and got into action. He did not wait for her this time. He went after her first.
I'll be cornered if I let her attack first!
The queen was stronger than him, and Lloyd knew that for certain. That didn't change even when he used the Asrahan Core Technique against her. As such, he needed to keep attacking if he wanted to have some room to breathe in the fight like now. Lloyd clumsily swung his shovel in the air while occasionally attempting a sharp jab toward his opponent.
"Hmm?" Amusement appeared in the queen's eyes. She effortlessly parried his jabs with her sword.
Clang! Clash! Clang! Clang! Clanggg!
Lloyd spoke first amid the racket. "First and foremost, Your Majesty, I have one thing to ask you. Are you aware of the length or area of the Pantara Range located southwest of our continent?"
"How dare you?" retorted Queen Magentano sharply. "Are you testing me?"
"Please forgive me, but yes..." replied Lloyd weakly.
"It runs about 430 miles long, and its highest point is Mountain Pantara, which has a height of 18,700 feet. The mountain stretches from the southeast to the northwest, slightly leaning in that direction. Is my answer good enough for you?"
"Excellent, Your Majesty," commented Lloyd humbly. "But there's one specific point you left out."
"Oh, you mean the peculiar terrain of the mountain."
"That is right, Your Majesty."
"Must I mention every little detail like that?" huffed Queen Magentano.
Lloyd ventured. "It should certainly be in your knowledge."
Feeling challenged, Queen Magentano added. "Compared to its towering height and length, the mountain range is extremely narrow. A mere few miles wide, it resembles a giant partition. The great height and narrow width of the range make it the steepest one in the world."
"Excellent, Your Majesty," commented Lloyd. "And so, the Pantara Range is also called the "The Knife Placed by God."
Lloyd smiled brightly even as he continued throwing jabs with his shovel toward the queen, who blocked all of his attacks. All the points they discussed were accurate. The Pantara Range was the harshest and most accursed mountain range on the continent of Lorasia. Its peak was at 18,700 feet above sea level and averaged approximately 13,700 feet in overall height. Despite its towering height, the range was only a few miles wide, making it dangerously steep and dotted with menacing cliffs. It looked like there were knives or potato chips placed upright across the entire land.
Otherwise, a folding screen would work perfectly too.
Of course, the mountain range didn't naturally come to have this kind of terrain. It was said to be fairly ordinary before Dragon Kaisertus destroyed the land into its current form when he was wreaking havoc on the world one thousand or so years ago.
That's what the novel said. And the dragon got destroyed by Dragon King Verkis later on.
Lloyd organized his thoughts with the origin of the mountain range. "The peculiar terrain and dangerous slope of the Pantara Range have become an obstacle for the southwestern region in terms of trade," Lloyd said, reflecting on his grand vision. "Isn't it, Your Majesty?"
"Indeed." She nodded, for it was true. "Only a handful of hunters, adventurers, and seasoned merchants are able to cross the harsh mountain range at the risk of losing their lives."
"You are correct. The only people capable of crossing the range are locals familiar with the land and season adventurers. This makes it impossible for large shipments to pass through."
"Yet, you plan to pave a trade route here?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. There will be incredible benefits that follow if I succeed," Lloyd tactfully changed his tone of voice while noisily exchanging blows with the queen. All the while, he never stopped speaking as he controlled his breath. "Please think it over, Your Majesty. Currently, it's impossible to do trade beyond the southwest because of the Pantara Range."
"Right," she affirmed. "The only existing trade routes are the southeast and northwest roads that go around the range."
"That is right. Those roads needlessly go on for hundreds of miles and only arrive at the southwest after passing through two kingdoms, resulting in exorbitant costs from customs duties and distribution fees."
"Are you suggesting that your plan will solve all these problems?" asked Queen Magentano, interested. "Certainly, Your Majesty," said Lloyd.
Paving a direct path would eliminate the need for a nearly 600-mile journey around the range. It went without saying that the road, around 62 miles long, would save time and provide incredible benefits.
The new trade route would have similar economic benefits resulting from the construction of the Suez Canal or Panama Canal.
Lloyd's thoughts turned to similar examples of the situation on Earth. The Suez Canal allowed ships to travel directly between Europe and Asia without having to circumnavigate Africa's Cape of Good Hope, reducing the travel by thousands of miles. The Panama Canal on the American continent accomplished the same thing. The canal made it possible to travel directly from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. There were countless economic benefits that came from these achievements. And this would likely be the same here too.
The southwestern kingdoms will be able to trade directly with us, creating an explosion in the distribution of various resources such as agricultural and processed goods. It would start the golden era of the commerce industry. The imperial family will also earn a profit from customs duties since they'll be the ones managing the trade route.
The trade route was also advantageous from a military standpoint. It meant the queen could order a military procession into the southwest whenever she wanted at any time in the year.
The House of Magentano is already steadily establishing itself as a hegemon. They would reach new heights by opening this trade route. It's a comparable accomplishment to taking down five bases in Mooncraft right after the game starts, killing three barons in a row in the Summoner's Cliff, or having a newborn baby with an IQ of 200 who sleeps for eight hours straight without getting sick or crying. How cool is that?
The mere thought alone was dazzling. As such, this new trade route would promise a thousand years of hegemony over the kingdom to the House of Magentano, depending on how it was managed and used.
She won't be able to turn my offer down. Not a chance.
Lloyd was certain that this would be the case. This was a beneficial deal for the queen, even if it came at the expense of the Tears of Summer.
The divine item is being wasted inside the walls of the storage. But the trade route will be useful for hundreds of years once it is opened.
That was what Lloyd calculated. This was the most important part of his grand plan and what he spent the most time thinking over.
She should voice out her concern right about now.
Lloyd studied the queen's face while frantically moving his shovel to avoid being struck by her wooden sword. And Lloyd was correct. She gave him a frown.
"Lloyd Frontera, my loyal subject, your suggestion and offer are truly alluring. However, there are two things that I am concerned about."
"What are... Argh! What are they?"
Boom! Clang! Clang!
Their weapons emitted shock waves and fiery sparks as they clashed against each other.
"First," she said in between the clanging noise. "The House of Peers will be divided over the matter because of the prophecy your angel announced today. Are you aware of this?"
"Certainly, Your Majesty," said Lloyd.
"Really?"
"Yes," Lloyd said with a nod. "It was the first time an angel ever came down to the kingdom and gave a prophecy. The House of Peers will be divided into supporting and opposing factions for the prophecy."
"That surely will be the case," replied Queen Magentano wistfully.
"Yes, Your Majesty. The supporters of the prophecy will claim that I must be given the Tears of Summer and accuse the opponents of committing blasphemy."
"You are right," she agreed. "And the opposing faction will argue that bestowing the divine item to a mere servant of the imperial family like me is excessive, even with the divine prophecy. They will also accuse the supporters of the prophecy as traitors."
"I expect them to. Is that not why you are worried about me?"
"Did you... already realize this?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Lloyd, of course, had the realization early on. "You will be placed in a difficult position because of the divided opinions of the officials with reasonable arguments on both sides. This will make it more difficult for you to choose one side."
"That will likely be the case. Yet, you are offering to take the burden of choice over this matter off my shoulders."
"Yes, Your Majesty." It would be correct to guess that Lloyd made the offer to make the following request to the queen. "Then, please give me a test."
"A test?"
"Yes, I would like for you to entrust me with the road construction in the Pantara Range and make a decision depending on my success."
"You mean the decision about whether to give you the Tears of Summer?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," affirmed Lloyd in a softer voice. "Through this method, the supporters and opponents of the prophecy will accept whatever you say, as you will solely base your decision on the success of my construction."
"And thus, it will lessen the political burden placed on me?"
"I am filled with gratitude that you understand me so well, Your Majesty."
"Ha." Queen Magentano chuckled. It was a clever strategy the longer she thought over his suggestion. At the same time, it demonstrated how much effort Lloyd put into devising such a scheme. "Are you saying if you succeed, the opposing faction will accept giving away one of the divine items of the imperial family as a new trade route would be just as valuable? But even if you fail, the supporters of the prophecy would accept my decision since it demonstrates that you are unworthy of receiving a divine item."
"Precisely, Your Majesty," answered Lloyd as he clanged away the wooden sword wielded at him and thrust his weapon at her.
She will take up the offer. This is a complete win for her.
She had nothing to lose here. If Lloyd successfully completed the construction, she would obtain a golden goose for the small price of giving up the Tears of Summer. If he failed, she would not gain a new trade route but would not lose the Tears of Summer either. In both cases, there would be no loss on her side, and Lloyd displayed a transparent attitude toward the queen to further this point.
That is why I naturally revealed to her that I obtained the Heart of Winter rather than say I lost it. I figured she'd sensed that part already with her quick wit and expertise in political strategy. I decided that concealing the truth from her and making an excuse would make her lose trust in me.
That was why he openly told her about absorbing the Heart of Winter. That his life was at risk due to the side effects of having the divine item inside him.
The result of our conversation wasn't too bad.
And she naturally accepted his subtle confession, which confirmed that it was already on her mind that he had taken the Heart of Winter.
So, she will understand my intentions by now.
Lloyd was confident. But his intention must have been too plain.
Queen Magentano smirked meaningfully. "Ha. How insolent."
Thwaaack!
Right after she blocked Lloyd's shovel jab, she extended her hand and grabbed Lloyd's neck.
Thump!
She tightened her clench and strangled him. She put on a deathly smirk. "Are you trying to tempt me with an offer that I would lose nothing from?"
Lloyd coughed harshly. "Did you notice?"
"Of course." Her ghastly smirk turned wry. "But I understand enough that your offer is appealing regardless. Now, I will voice my second concern."
"Please do so, Your Majesty," Lloyd muttered.
"I will. You must have pegged me and the imperial family a fool. However, the House of Magentano has already made multiple attempts in the past to construct a trade route in the Pantara Range."
"I am well aware of that," panted Lloyd.
"You are?" She raised her brow.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Then, you should be aware that every single one of the attempts failed."
"Of course, Your Majesty," said Lloyd.
"So, how can you be so confident that your attempt will end in a success?"
"I see a way to succeed, Your Majesty."
"A way?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Speak." Her eyes flashed icily. It seemed to test Lloyd's veracity.
Lloyd, on the other hand, was unfazed. "Yes, Your Majesty. I will successfully carry out the construction through..." Lloyd out a breath as if he had anticipated her reaction and question. His response was confident and unreserved like a seasoned teacher providing the solution to a question on the SAT. "Building a narrow- gauge railroad with loops and switchbacks."
