Zing!
The flow of mana circulated through the two-way circle and expanded its output, letting out a fierce rattling noise. Queen Magentano opened her eyes at the feeling of the mana flood pounding her body.
She could feel that the clotted mana flow had reopened. It had been reconstructed and reconnected. Mana traveled throughout the body without restraint, passing through the shoulders, palms, and fingers, before returning to the heart, forming a circle.
Zing!
It continued to rotate and regenerate. It spun, expanded, and overflowed. It was literally pounding the queen's body in between her breaths. It was a whole new degree of prowess that she embraced for the first time since she became a swordmaster.
What the...
Queen Magentano was flabbergasted by what was transpiring within her. Everything about her mana flow was changing; the complex, maze-like old routes were being combined and fused to form wider and simpler pathways to connect vital parts of the body.
So this is what the Asrahan Core Technique does.
It was even more astounding to feel it firsthand. She was in awe of the core technique that had produced a grandmaster and a swordmaster. It stirred up ambition within her heart.
If I could raise an army of knights capable of using this technique...
Queen Magentano was positive that her kingdom wouldn't only become the most dominant domain in the entire continent, but conquer the lands and put her banners throughout the world. While it was a fascinating idea, she quickly refuted it and shook her head.
No.
The queen convinced herself that it was a stupid dream, for two reasons. First was the trust she had shared thus far with Lloyd Frontera.
This man went through all this trouble just to cure my paralysis. I can't take advantage of this act of good faith by sharing this technique with others.
She knew she was going to lose more: Lloyd and Javier's loyalty.
Secondly, it won't be beneficial in the long run.
Should she pass down the teachings of the Asrahan Core Technique to knights and soldiers under her command, there was not a shred of a doubt that the Magentano Dynasty would be so dominant in the years to come. However, it wasn't going to last long.
The secrets of this technique will be leaked to other kingdoms, and every individual who could wield a sword would emulate this technique across the entire continent sooner or later.
The relative advantage of having this technique would fade. It was best not to share this with anyone else. It was better to appreciate Lloyd and Javier's trust to pass down this technique to her and embrace it by herself.
"...Phew."
Queen Magentano let out a deep breath after coming to the conclusion. Each time she did, waste energy from her old flow was excreted, purifying the mana flowing through the circle in the process. The paralysis on her left arm, which had caused so much discomfort, quickly faded away.
It's fully healed.
The queen clenched and released her left fist multiple times and lifted her head to glance at Lloyd with confidence. The man was continuing to perform the quick charge.
Whoosh!
She saw an immense amount of mana being absorbed by Lloyd. The sand on the training ground was drying up and leaves flying by crumbled into dust. Yet, Queen Magentano wasn't in any agony despite being physically within the range of quick charge. She wasn't losing mana at all.
So this is what happens if I embrace mana leaving my body, instead of resisting it.
The queen grasped the concept of the circle. She stared at Lloyd again and put a smile on her face, enjoying and appreciating all he was doing for her until the quick charge finally ended.
Ding.
[Asrahan Core Technique Option 5: Quick Charge duration has expired.]
Zing...
The fierce session of mana absorption came to an end, and the mana circle wasn't going wild anymore. Lloyd slowly opened his eyes and looked into the space, searching for the new pop-up message.
[You have fully cured the terminal illness of Queen Magentano through selfless care and efforts over two months.]
[Queen Magentano's left arm was destined to disappear for good due to the predestined flow of fate governed by cause and effect. However, you successfully reinstated mana to her left arm through adequate response, marvelous endeavor, and selfless service.]
[Queen Alicia Termina Magentano was deeply moved by your heroics and began praising you in her own way.]
[You have unlocked a new title.]
Huh?
Having failed to anticipate this, Lloyd quickly rolled his eyes.
[New title <Savior of Magentano> has been unlocked.]
[Savior of Magentano]
[Title Level: Personal Praise]
[You have always looked for me only when you were in need, and I thought it was going to be the same this time around. However, I am overjoyed to admit that I was wrong. You stayed by my side day and night never crossed the line, and provided selfless services, finally delivering me. You cheap, annoying, and absurd Frontera boy continue to be in my thoughts for some reason. I know not what I am supposed to do about your acts of good faith. Your kind heart. I know not how I can repay you.]
[Compliment Effect: As the lifesaver of Queen Magentano, you have her absolute trust. Your opinion and advice will be fully backed and supported by the queen without condition, and those that antagonize you or attempt to harm you will be declared enemies of the kingdom regardless of status and identity.]
[Title Region: Wherever Alicia Termina Magentano is]
[Active Period of Title: As long as Queen Magentano is alive]
...Holy.
Lloyd inadvertently blinked his eyes multiple times to check the message. Two things were clear.
Her left arm was completely cured. She successfully learned the Asrahan Core Technique.
It was as the message stated; the queen's terminal illness had been cured. There also was another thing Lloyd instinctively realized.
"Why are you staring into blank space like that?"
“...”
"Are you alright?"
"Your Majesty."
Lloyd quickly took a step back and spoke in a courtly manner.
"Allow me to congratulate you on successful mastery of the Asrahan Core Technique and your left arm's full recovery."
"Congratulate? I almost died because of you."
“...”
"I jest. I do not deserve to be congratulated. Rather, I feel indebted to you."
"Your grace knows no bounds."
"Really?"
“...”
"I know the exact line you say every time you have nothing else to say. It's about time you stop using the same line, but I suppose you're going to ask for forgiveness following my response anyway."
“...”
"Am I wrong?"
"Uhm, well..."
Lloyd put an awkward smile on his face instead, for an obvious reason.
Whoa. Why is she looking at me so gracefully like that?
The look Queen Magentano gave Lloyd was sweeter than before. It used to be that of composure and charisma, but now it was full of trust and friendliness, like pizza full of cheese.
The new compliment effect is... absolutely amazing.
Winning endless trust and faith from the queen, as well as absolute support and grace, could already be felt with the gaze.
I don't know if I feel comfortable about it, but I suppose it doesn't hurt.
Lloyd concluded that it wouldn't hurt to have this kind of support from the queen and shrugged his shoulders.
What am I thinking? It's an absolute win. The ruler of the kingdom that is on its way to dominance across the continent backing me up like that? I can pick out a certain individual as an enemy, and she would send her most trusted knights to apprehend that person immediately.
That wasn't going to be the only benefit.
I can even ask for more financial support.
This was what Lloyd was truly after. He didn't care much about absolute faith or sending knights to help him out. In fact, the best benefactor was someone who could financially support him all the way.
Anyone who has more money and could spare some for me is my king and queen. I love you, my queen.
Lloyd organized his thoughts quickly and bowed respectfully, showing the top of his head in the process.
"I don't know what to say about your unending grace as a humble servant. But to tell you the truth, I only made proper preparations and laid the foundation. It is you, Your Majesty, that took advantage of this opportunity and successfully mastered it."
"Hmm. So you even mean to make it my achievement."
"I am nothing but a faithful subject, so whatever I accomplish is your accomplishment, Your Majesty."
"Ha. You've always been good with your lips."
"All thanks to you, Your Majesty."
"Do you honey your tongue up before you're granted an audience with me, each time?"
"Huh? N-no, Your Majesty."
"Then?"
"I naturally feel compelled to speak in this manner each time I am granted an audience with you, Your Majesty."
"Ha."
Queen Magentano inadvertently chuckled, while Lloyd continued to think.
Whew. It worked out in the end. Her left arm was cured. And now...
Lloyd wondered when the enforced fate phenomenon was going to take place again, and which event was going to trigger it. While he still had no idea, there was a way to find out.
Should I look at the ending spoiler later in the evening? Or I can go back to the Frontera estate and use the Jewel of Truth.
Both were decent methods. What was important for Lloyd at the moment was to prevent the incidents that could trigger the restoration of that tragic destiny each time in the future.
I wonder just how many times I could manage to do this.
Lloyd had to find a more comprehensive way to solve this problem once and for all in the meantime. He strengthened his resolve by continuing to remind him of what he knew until he saw a white banner flying in one corner of the training arena.
Huh?
Lloyd was reminded of that particular banner. He had traveled to and from the royal palace, and into the training arena multiple times to know the significance of it.
Wait. That's the banner to notify an emergency.
The white banner was supposed to be raised when the queen was training rigorously and thus difficult to approach. It was to alert the queen that there was an urgent message to be brought to her attention. "What is it?"
The queen had seen the banner as well and waved. A royal guard rushed to her presence immediately.
"Your Majesty. I bring an urgent message by the courier from Namaran."
"Urgent message?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Where is this courier?"
"He is waiting for the audience with you in the audience chamber, Your Majesty."
"I see. Hmm. Actually, I think it'd be better to hear this urgent news in my study instead of the audience chamber, which is usually full of eyes and ears. Bring the courier into my study."
"As you command, Your Majesty."
After the royal guard was dismissed, the queen looked at Lloyd again.
"Lloyd Frontera."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Her eyes were devoid of mischief suddenly, as she made a proposition.
"Will you come with me?"
"It is a great honor to be given a chance to accompany you, Your Majesty."
Lloyd thought this was actually not a bad idea to see the courier from Namaran bringing urgent news, out of all places.
Something must have happened in Namaran for the courier to have brought an urgent message. What could it be?
Lloyd wondered what could have transpired, and why it had to be now. The timing felt suspicious, as though someone was handing over another problem to solve after another. It was like the next duty to take care of shortly after the previous one, and a new case after closing one.
A huge event took place in Namaran in the original novel, the Knight of Blood and Iron, too.
He recalled Namaran's Wall in the original story. The entire city of Namaran was surrounded by a magical barrier by the dark mages, until Javier managed, albeit barely, to take care of this. The royal lady of Namaran had perished during this incident.
But I prevented it. I saved the lady and constructed four-way protective structures for the city. All dark mages should have been eliminated back then because the queen personally led the knights to do so.
But something felt amiss for some reason as if something unanticipated was about to happen.
Should the enforced fate phenomenon kick off, something would surely happen in Namaran since it was the scene of a terrible event in the original story.
In other words, there was a high chance that Namaran could be the place to trigger the tragic restoration of destiny.
I must be on my guard. I'd better get as much information from the courier as possible.
Lloyd strengthened his resolve constantly as he walked beside the queen into her study. The courier from Namaran who had been waiting quickly paid respect to the queen and handed over the scroll containing the urgent message.
"Hmm."
Lloyd noticed that Queen Magentano's eyes sparkled as she read the scroll, and wondered what message was written there. She tilted her head in an unsure manner and glanced at Lloyd, making his curiosity even greater. "Lloyd Frontera."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"It looks like your presence is required in Namaran, immediately."
"Huh?"
The queen gave the scroll to Lloyd, who took it and read it right away. The content was rather disturbing.
Are you freaking kidding me?!
Lloyd gritted his teeth inadvertently.
