"You're here. Have a seat, you don't want the food to get cold."
"Yeah."
Lloyd sat on the chair and dragged his seat towards the table, on which a meal more humble than usual welcomed him. The countess herself prepared the meal for the first time in a while, as all maidservants evacuated the estate. Lloyd's parents smiled all the way as their son glanced back at them slightly uncomfortably. He appreciated them, but certainly thought he did not deserve to be on the receiving end of such care and affection; Lloyd felt the need to change the subject.]
"What about Her Majesty?"
"Her Majesty will have a meal separately."
"Separately?"
"She showed us kindness by allowing the three of us to spend some time together, since this is the last dinner before a grand battle."
"Oh..."
Lloyd realized it was indeed his last supper before the epic fight, as Count Frontera added.
"She also said she did not want to see her trusted vassal and his family suffer from digestion problems. That's why I wanted to ask if Her Majesty has... well... a peculiar habit during meals?"
"Not at all."
"Really?"
"Her mealtime etiquette is as elegant and excellent as you could expect. Her manner of speech may appear tenacious at times, but it's actually fitting considering her authority. She actually listens to her vassals and tries to understand how they feel."
"I see. So Her Majesty was being genuinely kind."
"Most likely. Her Majesty is like that."
"What do you mean?"
"She appears tough on the surface, but is actually very sweet."
"I see. That's what I find even stranger."
"Huh?" Lloyd responded confusedly as the count continued.
"According to others that have had an audience with Her Majesty or spent time by her side, the queen is fair and just, yet ruthless and cold. That's what I heard from many different people."
"Uh, well..."
"I take it that you got to see the side that others weren't able to?"
"I suppose so...?"
Lloyd was flustered by the unanticipated flow of the conversation. Even the looks his parents gave him throughout made him feel uncomfortable.
"The time you spent by her side must have been very meaningful."
"Uh, well, I guess..."
"We heard about it, too."
"Heard?"
"That you spent two months with Her Majesty alone--
"Thank you for the meal!"
Lloyd quickly started eating from the fear that he'd have digestive problems anyway even without the presence of the queen. But the smile on his parents' faces did not depart.
"It's really okay. We are ready to accept anything."
"...Huh?"
"Although it's far from the ordinary relationship we were expecting you to be in, sometimes things like this happen."
"...What?"
"I suppose you wouldn't be a victim of domestic abuse, since you're a swordmaster yourself, right?" Lloyd realized things weren't really going well for him. He genuinely regretted having decided to spend two months with the queen, despite having stopped an unfortunate tragedy that was predestined to follow, by curing her arm. Lloyd thought he had overcome an obstacle, but it appeared he had run into another.
Ugh, I hate this kind of misunderstanding.
Lloyd did not comprehend why people would resort to making such assumptions based on only a few hints they saw. For him, it was just two months together with the queen to cure her illness. It was overwhelming. It was uncomfortable. He had to change the subject immediately to get out of the tight spot.
"But aren't you... afraid...?"
"Afraid? Of what?" The count replied.
"Tonight."
The smile on the count's face slightly subsided as Lloyd continued.
"I was actually surprised not to see you among the citizens evacuating the estate. This place might be razed to ashes by the sunrise tomorrow morning. It will be dangerous."
That was Lloyd's honest thought. In fact, he had been astonished to see them outside of the teleportation seal, letting out chuckles before returning to the mansion as though their presences were required here.
"It isn't too late now. I can reach out to the dragon if you want to flee to his lair."
"Hmm."
"The citizens over there would love you two to be there with them since they need a leader to rely on in a crisis like this."
Lloyd shared his thoughts with the count, who responded by lifting his head slowly.
"I beg to differ, Lloyd."
"Huh?"
"Think about it. What title do I hold in this estate?"
"You're the lord of--"
"Right. I am the lord of this estate."
"But..."
"I understand how you feel, and that's enough for us. As the lord of this estate and holder of the authority to govern this land as per Her Majesty's command, I am bound by oath to protect the citizens and their homes. I cannot evacuate the property just because everyone is doing the same in the face of a disaster," said the count, in a more serious voice than ever. "Especially in the absence of the citizens. Somebody must be here to keep their homes safe so they have a place to return after the battle. That is my duty and responsibility as a nobleman and the lord of the estate, even if it is inefficient."
"But father--"
"I know what you're trying to say, Lloyd. To tell you the truth, your mother and I are scared too. But we still decided to remain and fulfill our duties despite all that. I hope you can respect that."
"...Yeah."
Lloyd had no choice but to agree this time after seeing the resolute stance his parents displayed, even though he still had thousands of counterarguments to make. Lloyd could only make them promise him one thing.
"Just make sure to lock up the master bedroom tightly tonight."
"I was hoping to partake in the battle."
"No."
"But I had my sword and armor polished for this occasion."
"No."
"You're being adamant."
"Because I have to be," Lloyd insisted.
He had to be. Mayhem was going to break out in a few hours of time, and losing his parents was the last thing he wanted. Perhaps that was why he got a sudden impulse to reveal everything.
Is this the right time to tell them?
The real Lloyd Frontera, who had been an absolute failure of a man, was no more. He wondered if this would be the last chance to share what fate their real son went through, and what caused all of this to happen.
It probably is.
The hell's gate was about to open. According to the answer by the Jewel of Truth before, what he had to do was clear.
I should.
He had made this promise with Lloyd. He had strengthened his resolve plenty of times. He had to break the news even if it would cause them to grieve and despise him. It was now or never.
"Actually, there's something I need to tell you."
Lloyd took a deep breath. His heart pounded extremely fast and his hands trembled like a leaf.
"I am..."
But before he could finish, Count Frontera interrupted him.
"Hold on, Lloyd."
Hub?"
"I think I know what you're trying to say, but can it wait until the battle is over?"
"Huh?!"
"It's just a bit... awkward to hear it from your own lips. Your mother and I know better than anyone else just
how much you love and care for us. I just feel like it's a red flag suggesting a tragic ending if you tell us that now. So... please say it after we both survive tonight."
"Well, uh, I..."
"Please, Lloyd. I'm asking you a favor."
“...”
Lloyd became speechless at the benevolent glance by the count and the countess. He simply nodded because he was in no circumstance to bring it up now.
"I understand."
"Thank you."
The two smiled in relief. Lloyd wondered if that was how they were giving their son an excuse to hold off on carrying out an uncomfortable duty and focus on the imminent battle instead.
"...Okay. Just make sure you stay safe."
After the meal was over, he stepped out of the mansion and embraced the red sky in the dusk of an early summer. He walked and tried to shake off the lingering fear and other complex emotions until someone interrupted him.
"I'm not sure what to make of the secret that you actually enjoyed causing strife between two parties behind the scenes at Summoner's Rift."
A familiar voice graced Lloyd's ears before a certain someone joined him on the stroll so naturally and nonchalantly, like a veteran driver changing lanes without breaking a sweat. Lloyd took a glance and noticed Javier walking side by side with him, shrugging his shoulders.
"I'm still confused by the secret that was revealed when you used the Jewel of Truth a moment ago."
"There's nothing else to it."
"I'm not confused by the fact that you enjoyed causing strife between people. I get that."
"Then?"
"What is this Summoner's Valley?"
"A living hell, in which people cry out for help, bash on trolls, and swear at each other's mothers."
"...And you've been to a place like that discreetly?"
"Yeah."
It was true. In fact, Suho used to skip classes and go to the internet cafe to visit this place without telling his parents. Nothing he said in that statement was false.
"But aren't you afraid?" Lloyd asked, changing the subject.
"Afraid of what?"
"You know. Of later."
"The hell's army?"
Yeah, replied Lloyd with a nod. "Because I actually am scared."
"So am I."
"I knew it."
"Yeah."
"That's the only reason I'm saying this," said Lloyd. It was a strange day as the estate developer felt the need to share things he wouldn't have under normal circumstances. Perhaps it was because of what he had seen through the Jewel of Truth. "Thank you for everything you've done."
But today was the only day he had a chance to, and the only day in which people wouldn't give him dirty looks for it.
"I couldn't have gotten this far or accomplished anything without you. Even though you were sometimes... I mean always grumbling and complaining, I never disliked that side of you once."
Javier silently listened as Lloyd continued.
"I appreciate it. I'm asking for your help yet again tonight, but just make sure you don't stretch yourself and get hurt."
That was Lloyd's honest thought. He hadn't had a chance to share this with Javier, and felt like he would never have an opportunity after the battle. Lloyd took time to share his true feelings with the grandmaster that stood by his side since he first came to this world because he was going to regret it if he didn't. But the reply was absolutely unexpected.
"Hmm. I heard people do things that are out of character when death is imminent."
“...”
"This must be a terrible sign to see the touchy side of you that you wouldn't otherwise show."
“...Dude."
"I'm listening."
"Can't you feel my honest intentions?"
"No."
“...”
"But I felt something else," added Javier with a smirk on his face.
"What."
"Vigilance within me, warning me against an unpleasant surprise."
"What?"
"I think my experience is telling me to beware of the intent to exploit me with sugar-coated words again."
"What am I, a scumbag boss?"
“...”
"Please don't tell me you really thought I was."
"Something like that."
“...”
"I have something to say, too, Master Lloyd."
"What."
"I wanted to express my gratitude, too."
"I won't fall for it."
"That's just how I feel."
"I'm not buying it."
"I don't think Frontera Estate and the citizens here would be as prosperous and well off without you. I truly appreciate everything you've done, and admire you for not boasting about your accomplishments once."
"Stop messing with me."
"So I made the decision to serve you more faithfully as a knight in your service, if we get to see the sun tomorrow morning."
"Stop. You don't have to raise a red flag on a day like this."
"What do you mean by red flag?"
"You wouldn't get it. Ugh, do I have to perform a ritual to get rid of the evil spirit now?"
“...”
"Let's head back. It's time."
"As you wish."
Time to reminisce about the past was over, and Lloyd took Javier and headed back to the estate. It really was time.
They're supposed to invade at midnight.
The hell's gate was about to open, and hundreds of hell's knights followed by thousands of demons, not to mention the king of hell, were going to flood in. Physical preparations had been made, and they needed to be mentally ready.
♣
A few hours passed, and the sky was no longer red. Darkness hovered over the estate as the constellation of the prisoner lit the night sky. The defenders of the estate silently waited for midnight in their positions assigned by Lloyd. Some were hiding behind the shrubs, and some stood on the roof of the apartment complex, all awaiting the moment nervously. The tension and feelings of insecurity before the battle were apparent, but no one panicked because they had made thorough preparations according to the plan by Lloyd Frontera, who was known for his meticulousness. There was not a shred of doubt in their heads that the battle would go as expected as proven time and again.
The full moon lit up the night sky, and there was a sudden change in the atmosphere.
Bzzzzzzzt. Red flashes of lightning fell from the night sky, making thunderous roars and ominous flapping noises. The moon turned red, and the hell's gate opened.
Bzzt! The nefarious ring spewed out the intense heat from hell about 300 feet above the ground, shortly before creatures that were even more forbidding showed themselves in the midst of darkness, glaring through their glowing eyes. The first unit of hell's knights was here.
Clink! Clink! The plate armors clashed, as the hell's knights rode the hell's steeds and began breathing the air in the human realm. They all harbored the ill will to bring chaos and despair to this place as they jumped down from the gate and jumped down to the ground one by one. Each member of the Frontera Alliance saw the frightening sight and clenched his or her fist in confidence.
It worked!
The first hell's knight dove straight into the pool of holy water instead of the ground as it had expected. The holy water pool party, which no hell's knight even imagined in its wildest dreams had only just begun.
Splash!
