Fwoosh! Whoosh! Yong Yong's massive wings flapped in the air, causing a gust of wind to sweep across the Pantara Range. Lloyd, whose hair flowed against the wind, raised his head.
"The weather is fantastic," expressed Lloyd.
Lloyd didn't remember the last time he felt the warmth of the sunlight. It felt like the cells on his face, neck, and the rest of his exposed skin were dancing in joy.
Has it been about eleven months?
There had been one problem during the last eleven months of Time Freeze skill. It was that the Pantara Range nearly blocked the entire sun.
"We haven't been able to do anything close to bathing in the sun except for the time we constructed the railway going downward, right?"
"That is right." Javier's slight smile showed that he was also enjoying the sun. "But even then, there had to be clouds in the southern sky that we did not get to enjoy the sun very well. Someone stopped time in an untimely manner, Young Master."
"Hmm, so are you saying this is my fault? That everyone became as pale as a ghost due to the lack of sunlight?"
"What a perfect summary of my words. I am glad my point was clear, Young Master."
"You have not been willing to lose a single fight with me these days," pointed Lloyd.
"That is not true."
"What is then?"
"There was never a time I lost."
“...”
"By the way, Master Lloyd," said Javier, changing the subject.
"Yeah."
"Are you sure riding on top of Sir Yong Yong is a good idea?" Javier's small smile vanished, replaced by a worried expression. "The Benetto Kingdom will be frightened by Sir Yong Yong's sudden appearance."
"They probably will be, right?"
"Yes, they will."
"So, your concern is that... riding Yong Yong into their territory without any prior consultation or announcement could spark international conflict, right?"
"This time again, your summary is spot on." Javier looked at Lloyd, puzzled as to why Lloyd chose this mode of transportation despite knowing so well.
Lloyd brushed his hair back and chuckled. "Well, there are lots of reasons, but if I have to pick one... Because we can."
"What do you mean, Master Lloyd?"
"They simply lack the capabilities to hurt us in the first place, and they will not be ready for Yong Yong either."
"But-"
"I understand what you mean," Lloyd said, cutting him off. "It may not be right diplomatically. It could also invite protest from the Benetto Kingdom and neighboring countries, and it could even be a rash act that builds tension and hostility against our kingdom if I act poorly."
"Does that mean you will act decently?"
"Duh," said Lloyd, shrugging his shoulders and gazing at the Benetto Kingdom's capital, which was a tiny dot. "I thought of making a modest and prudent visit to that place. Just the two of us without Yong Yong. But I decided I didn't want to."
"Why, Young Master?"
"I could not be bothered. And it was a hassle." Lloyd grinned. "Just imagine what would happen if we went without Yong Yong. They will do a thorough check of our status and complain that we did not notify them in advance. And demand an explanation as to why we demolished the peaks and the meaning behind it and if it was an intention of invasion and whether the queen sent us here... Total hassle."
"But-"
"Sure, that's the protocol, but I can't be bothered, and it is a waste of time. I mean, we have got a good method that would eliminate all of those tedious processes," Lloyd said as he patted Yong Yong.
"To summarize, Young Master, you opted for this drastic method to skip every unnecessary and tedious process and save time," Javier said with a sneer as if he couldn't believe Lloyd.
"Yeah."
"But, Master Lloyd, this could harm the Magentano House and the queen-"
"Nah. It's all right. That king's going be happier once we're done."
"Young Master?"
"All thanks to Yong Yong."
"I do not get what you mean..."
"Well, watch if you're curious. We're here. Gear up." Lloyd smiled like a sneaky kid.
Now the once-tiny dot that was the capital of the Benetto Kingdom had expanded into the size of a shield, and Javier could hear with his grandmaster senses what was happening down there.
"I-It's the Bone Dragon!"
"Invasion!"
"Mother!"
"Come over here! Now! Hide!"
Javier heard people screaming hysterically in different parts of the capital. Some were pointing up at the sky, while others were screaming at the top of their lungs to warn of the approaching danger. Women were running to hide, babies were crying in their mothers' arms, guards were moving around, their armor clacking, bells were announcing the approaching danger, and objects were thumping and thudding as they fell to the ground.
As Javier felt himself transform into a villain, a sting of remorse coursed through him. He then glanced over at Lloyd, who appeared perfectly fine.
"Hmm, just perfect. Since the people escaped on their own already, it's easier for us to land."
Javier couldn't believe it. Lloyd is enjoying the fact that the plaza is now empty!
Dammit, Javier thought as he tightened his fist, wishing he could hit that chestnut-shaped back of the head just once. Meanwhile, Yong Yong attempted to make a soft landing on the ground.
Booom!
Even though he landed as softly as possible, Yong Yong still produced blood-curdling noise and vibration, and five rows of flowers were flattened under its feet.
Lloyd, on the other hand, did not care in the slightest about the management's blood, sweat, and tears. He instead ran his eyes over the length of the plaza from Yong Yong's head before loading his mana into his voice. "Lloyd Frontera, the eldest son of the Frontera County, has arrived at the invitation of the House of Benetto and wishes to be granted the audience with King Benettogna."
The mana allowed his voice to travel far and wide, and it pierced into the ears of the crowd. Everyone cocked their heads.
What? He has been invited by the imperial family?
He and the Bone Dragon?
Um... Did that really happen?
I have not heard about this...
The news surprised the trembling young man, peeking lady, and shivering old man, as well as the rushing crossbow archers.
Hahaha. Look at their faces.
Lloyd grinned. What he had just said was a ruse. A blatant lie. The House of Benetto had never sent him an invitation for any kind of meet-up, but Lloyd did not hesitate to lie to their faces. Why? Simple.
This would make things easier later on.
Lloyd was certain that the king and his house would be thrilled by the end of the conversation and would eagerly volunteer to operate the range railway as a partner. He looked around the plaza.
"I tell you once again. I am here at the invitation of your rightful king. But the absence of preparation to welcome the guest prompts me to wonder if I got the date wrong. If anyone is willing, please kindly relay the message about my arrival to the king."
Lloyd's voice dripped with shamelessness as if he were spitting nothing but facts, and his demeanor was polite as well as shameless. Its effect was felt immediately.
"S-Stop!" yelled a capital defense officer leading the troops to the plaza, and 200 soldiers came to a halt, as did 180 crossbow archers, 300 spear soldiers, and the lancers who were harnessing their horses, who all received the halt order from their commanders as one thought dominated their minds.
If what that man said is true... Then it's not an invasion!
That man Lloyd Frontera on the Bone Dragon said loud and clear that he was here invited to speak with the king and that someone should notify the king of his arrival, so there was only one conclusion based on the given information.
We don't have to fight against the Bone Dragon!
Everyone smiled in relief. Their bodies suddenly relaxed. To be honest, they were genuinely terrified. The chances of taking down the Bone Dragon seemed extremely low despite their strong military presence. The same thing went among the officers, who valued their lives regardless of patriotism. Everyone was glad to know that the visitor was not an invader but a guest without any intention to fight. From then on...
"You! Over there!"
Each officer summoned the fastest soldier in his unit and issued the most urgent and desperate order of their lives: "Get to the palace right now and report what you have heard. Now!"
"Y-Yes!"
Soldiers rushed to the palace and shared the message with King Benettogna.
"What did you say? I invited him?"
"That is what he is claiming, Your Majesty."
King Benettogna became confused and shut his mouth. He thought the Bone Dragon was here to burn everything down.
What is he thinking? Why is he saying that I have invited him?
He knew he had not invited that man from the Magentano Kingdom nor promised any talks, and he did not forget that the Bone Dragon had provoked his kingdom a few days ago by smashing two peaks of the Pantara Range.
Grit! King Benettona clenched his teeth, but instead of expressing his rage, he smiled naturally and said, "Ahaha. I never expected him to accept it this way."
"Sire? Do you mean that the man and the Bone Dragon have been invited here to talk with you?"
"Indeed," replied King Benettogna to the supreme commander, who looked baffled. "I considered how damaging it would be for us if we had a confrontation with the Magentano forces. Even if we win, the damage will be devastating."
"You are certainly right, Your Majesty. Does that mean that you sent a letter without my knowledge to the House of Magentano to avoid a clash and any damage to our relationship?"
"I did truly. I am sorry for doing so behind your back, but I did not have another choice. In politics, there are times when it is even necessary to fool your allies."
"I am simply overwhelmed by your wisdom, Your Majesty."
"Haha. I am glad you see it that way."
The king congratulated himself on his natural acting, which won over the supreme commander. The fact that he won over the commander was very important.
I must dance to Lloyd Frontera's tune and play along despite his ridiculous lie. That is how I can avoid an immediate clash.
With the Bone Dragon having just arrived in the capital, he was aware that they might not face a good outcome if they chose to reject conversation and engage in confrontation.
"Well then, let us move now. Let us hear what response the man has brought from the Magentano Kingdom," the king said as he rose, flashing the most relaxed smile he could muster. It was time to sound out Lloyd Frontera and find out why the latter barged in here with the Bone Dragon.
I wonder what trickery he is up to now. Unaware that this would be a day remembered throughout history in the future, King Benettogna, who was half-worried and terrified, resolvedly made his way to the plaza.
