The Greatest Estate Developer - Chapter 47: How to Create Land (2)

Ding-dong.

[All members of the Frontera Estate are filled with immense admiration and respect for the miraculous feats you have accomplished.]
[A large amount of RP is awarded as a bonus for this significant social achievement.]
[You have gained 450 RP.]
[Current RP balance: 1131.]

“Yes!”

Lloyd clenched his fist in triumph.

The large-scale reclamation project at the Marez Swamp was nearing its final stage. The atmosphere around him had shifted significantly as the project progressed.

He could sense that the way the engineers and estate residents viewed him had changed once again—not just amazement, but genuine admiration.

Their gazes were no longer just favorable but reverent, almost awestruck.

So this type of reward wasn’t entirely unexpected.

“Exactly as I predicted. Perfect.”

He had succeeded in the reclamation project and secured a massive RP bonus. It felt like he had suddenly become wealthy.

“For the first time, I’ve accumulated over a thousand RP.”

The question was how to spend it.

What would be the best investment?

Just imagining the possibilities brought him joy.

But Lloyd didn’t let himself linger in this fantasy. Now was not the time to indulge in momentary satisfaction.

“The finishing touches on such a project are the most critical part.”

Lloyd looked up at the sky.

Summer was slipping away.

Although the blue sky still shone brightly, it seemed a bit higher than before. The blazing sun that had scorched the backs of him and the engineers throughout the project had also mellowed.

Autumn was approaching.

“And the rainy season will come with it.”

In the region where the Frontera Estate was located, heavy rains occurred in late autumn and spring.

Summers and winters, on the other hand, were relatively dry with little rainfall.

This had made the reclamation project considerably easier up until now, thanks to the lack of rain.

“But things will change soon.”

When autumn deepened and winter loomed, heavy rains would arrive.

That meant the dikes and drainage systems he had worked so hard to build would face their ultimate test.

Among those, Lloyd was particularly determined to ensure the drainage facilities were flawless.

“We need to drain water effectively whenever it rains. Otherwise, this reclaimed land we’ve worked so hard to create will flood again.”

“Is it because the ground level has lowered?”

“Exactly. That’s right.”

Lloyd nodded at Javier’s question.

He explained, “This land was made by consolidating the peat layer.”

The once-soft swamp had now become completely firm.

This was due to the removal of the water that had been embedded in the soil layers.

During that process, the soil particles had compacted, making the ground solid but also causing it to sink.

It was inevitable.

“When the water drained, the ground sank by that volume.”

“So when you say it sank, you mean the ground level lowered?”

“Exactly. The lower the ground level, the more easily rainwater will collect, and it’ll also be harder to drain it.”

“That sounds like a serious problem. What if we add more soil to raise the ground level?”

Javier tilted his head.

Lloyd smirked.

“No, that won’t solve the problem. And the reason is the same—it’s because this is a peat layer.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“A peat layer will sink again under the weight of added soil. So no matter how much soil you pile on, it’s useless. It’s like going on endless blind dates and still not finding a girlfriend. It doesn’t work that way.”

“What’s a blind date?”

“Something where, despite your efforts, things don’t go as planned.”

“Like your face, Lloyd?”

“Exactly. Like your insomnia.”

Javier’s sudden, sharp jab caught Lloyd off guard, but he deftly brushed it aside with a laugh.

“Anyway, that’s why we need waterwheels.”

Waterwheels harness hydropower to function like paddlewheels.

The Marez reclamation site was surrounded by tributaries of two rivers.

This meant there was a year-round water source outside the dikes to power the waterwheels.

“Otherwise, why do you think I’ve been digging canals all over the reclaimed land?”

“Was it to gather the water pooling in the reclaimed land into one place?”

“Exactly. The idea is to channel the water into one spot and then pump it out beyond the dikes using screw pumps powered by the tributary’s hydropower.”

Post-reclamation land management.

Lloyd had an excellent model to reference: the Dutch reclamation sites like Kinderdijk.

“Kinderdijk was similar to this place.”

It was a swamp with a peat layer.

Over a long period, dikes were built, and the water was drained.

The land grew firm through consolidation, but the ground level also lowered.

This lower ground level frequently flooded.

To address this, the Dutch built windmills.

Taking full advantage of the warm winters influenced by the Gulf Stream and the strong westerly winds, they harnessed wind power effectively.

“It’s an excellent role model. Perfect for reference. Minus the windmills.”

Here, there was no need to build windmills.

The hydropower from the tributaries would suffice.

Furthermore, as with most estates, the Frontera region had skilled craftsmen who could construct traditional screw pump waterwheels.

“Anyway, we’ll start building the waterwheels soon. I’ve already placed the order.”

It was true.

On the first day of the reclamation project, Lloyd had summoned craftsmen and handed them a hefty advance payment.

“They should be arriving any moment now.”

However, instead of the craftsmen he was expecting, an unwelcome visitor showed up.

“What’s that?”

To the south of the Marez reclamation site, a group of people on horseback was approaching from quite a distance.

There were about twenty of them, all mounted.

“Craftsmen? No, that’s not them.”

They weren’t engineers or laborers.

The man leading the group on a white horse was draped in an ostentatious cape.

At the sight of him, Lloyd suddenly remembered something from the novel *Iron-Blooded Knight*.

“Lacona Viscount?”

To the south of the Frontera Estate was the neighboring Lacona Viscounty.

In *Iron-Blooded Knight,* it was briefly mentioned that the Viscount of Lacona was a man who enjoyed lavish extravagance.

“A cape in this weather? It must be him.”

As Lloyd thought this, the unwelcome guests came closer.

As soon as they arrived, the man on a black horse spoke bluntly.

“Are you the one in charge of this construction site?”

The speaker wore a simple outfit but had a solid build, a sword at his waist, and handled his horse with expertise—clearly a knight.

Javier stepped forward.

“Watch your tone. This is Lloyd Frontera, the eldest son of the Baron of the Frontera Estate. Whom do you serve, and what business do you have here?”

“Lloyd Frontera? Hmm, we seek the lord of this estate. Where is the baron?”

“…”

Javier’s eyebrow twitched.

It was understandable.

Despite being informed that the baron’s son was present, the knight neither showed respect nor dismounted. He simply demanded to meet the baron.

Javier couldn’t criticize the blatant arrogance of their visitors—not because he lacked the will but because he didn’t get the chance.

Just as he was about to deliver a sharp rebuke, Lloyd quickly stepped forward.

“By any chance, are you Viscount Lione Lacona?”

“Indeed, I am. The heir of the Frontera family should—”

“Whoa, whoa. This is a conversation between nobles. Outsiders should step back. So, are you indeed Viscount Lacona?”

Lloyd’s gaze shifted to the man draped in a cloak—the viscount himself.

The knight on the black horse stiffened, and so did the twenty knights following the viscount.

The more their expressions hardened, the more Lloyd’s face stretched into an amused smile.

“Nice to meet you. As my man just introduced, I’m Lloyd Frontera, eldest son of the Frontera family. May I know the purpose of your visit today, Viscount?”

The viscount, instead of responding, stared intently at Lloyd.

Lloyd held his gaze without faltering.

Under the blazing sun of late summer, a subtle tension hung in the air between them.

Eventually, it was the viscount who broke the silence.

“According to the rumors, the eldest son of the Frontera family is both eccentric and reckless.”

“You’ve heard rumors about me?”

“Of course. Meeting you now, it seems the rumors aren’t unfounded.”

“That’s an honor. I must be somewhat impressive, after all.”

“…”

“Now then, would you kindly state the purpose of your visit?”

“I would prefer to discuss this matter directly with your father, the baron.”

“I would prefer to confirm the purpose of your visit first, Viscount.”

“Tch. You don’t yield an inch in conversation, do you?”

“Thank you.”

“I’m here to discuss matters regarding land.”

“Land, you say?”

“I refer to this place—the Marez Swamp.”

The viscount surveyed his surroundings, his goat-like beard twitching with disdain.

“As a vassal of the king, I have a duty to cultivate and protect the lands entrusted to me. Yet I’ve heard troubling news recently regarding the Marez Swamp.”

“Troubling news?”

“That the Frontera family has been developing this swamp without any consultation with me.”

The viscount continued, “You’re aware, aren’t you, that the Marez Swamp spans both the Frontera estate and my own territory?”

“Yes, of course.”

Lloyd nodded. It was true.

The Marez Swamp was situated between the barony and the viscounty. To be precise, the northern half belonged to the Frontera estate, and the southern half to the Lacona Viscounty.

With a stern voice, the viscount declared, “Thus, the southern part of the swamp rightfully belongs to me. Think about it. Land is a sacred domain entrusted to us by the great king himself.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“And who, then, has the duty to manage that land?”

“The lord of the land, of course.”

“Precisely. Now we’re starting to understand each other.”

The viscount’s lips curled upward in satisfaction.

Lloyd, however, could only manage a bitter smile. He couldn’t help but find the whole situation laughable.

*Ha, I see where this is going now.*

The reason the viscount had come was clear.

The southern noble’s intentions were all too transparent.

*It’s simple enough.*

The Marez Swamp had always been seen as worthless land. But upon hearing that a neighboring territory was developing it, the viscount must have been intrigued.

At first, he might have been puzzled, but soon enough, he’d done the math. And instead of interfering earlier, he had waited quietly until the development was nearly complete.

Why? To claim the benefits without lifting a finger. To show up late and assert ownership, saying, “From here to here is my territory.” Like a fly drawn to free leftovers.

Greedy flies always swarmed to where profit could be found.

Lloyd had seen their kind countless times in his previous life in Korea: con artists who ruined his father, voice phishing scammers deceiving people daily, or freeloaders always begging for “just one bite.”

*That’s just how the world works. Conscience? Profit comes first.*

And this place was no different.

He had fully anticipated scavengers like the viscount would come sniffing around.

In fact, the man standing before him was one of the top candidates for such a role.

*Too predictable.*

This scenario was exactly what Lloyd had envisioned when he first planned the Marez Swamp reclamation project.

*So you’ve picked the wrong person to mess with.*

Lloyd smiled faintly as he looked at the viscount.

It was both absurd and infuriating.

He had poured sweat and effort into developing this land, only for someone to attempt to claim it for free.

This time, he decided, he would ensure such notions never entered the viscount’s mind again.

Unaware of Lloyd’s thoughts, the viscount continued speaking animatedly, spittle flying as he talked.

“Thus, it is only proper for the Frontera family to cede the southern half of the Marez Swamp to me. After all, this land is the sacred domain bestowed upon me by His Majesty, and it is my duty to care for it with loyalty. Do you understand?”

“…”

“Now, summon the baron at once. Do not waste any more of my time.”

“…”

“Do you not hear me?”

“I hear you loud and clear. The buzzing of a fly is quite noisy, after all.”

“What?”

The viscount’s face twisted in irritation.

Lloyd casually scratched his ear and looked around.

The area was silent.

Why?

It wasn’t because no one was around.

In fact, the place was crowded.

There were the twenty knights the viscount had brought, the dozens of engineers who had paused their work, and even the waterwheel craftsmen who had arrived late, awkwardly standing by.

In total, more than a hundred people were present, all listening intently.

An audience of bystanders.

*Witnesses are crucial in disputes like this.*

The stage was perfectly set.

Lloyd grinned and looked up at the still-mounted viscount.

“I’ve heard your claims. Very thoroughly, I might add. And it strikes me that you’re remarkably skilled at nonsense. Did you, perhaps, teach yourself etiquette at home?”

“What?”

“Now then, let’s have an enlightening session where I’ll explain, point by point, exactly why your words are as worthless as a dried-out wet wipe.”

With a broad smile, Lloyd began his verbal onslaught—a brutal barrage of cold, hard facts.