The Greatest Estate Developer - Chapter 60: The Demon’s Contract (5)

The viscount completed his signature.

The signing was swift.

He wielded the pen in a single fluid motion, as if there was no need for a second thought.

From the viscount’s perspective, it was understandable.

His last shred of hope had been crushed.

“Was it Sir Courno? The way he acted in the audience chamber, making a scene without the viscount stopping him, spoke volumes. It was painfully obvious.”

On their way back from the viscount’s territory to the barony, Lloyd spoke from the back of the saddle.

Javier, seated in front, nodded.

“That’s how it appeared to me as well.”

Indeed, it was.

Sir Courno had barged into the audience chamber.

There hadn’t been time to stop his entrance.

But after that, the viscount could have intervened.

He could have reprimanded Sir Courno, either by scolding him harshly or rebuking him quietly, to rein in his senior knight.

But the viscount didn’t do that.

“Probably because he hoped his knight would stir up some kind of variable. That was likely his last hope. And you cut that off.”

“As expected, that’s how it was.”

“Yeah. So, how does it feel to earn yourself a new title?”

“A new title?”

“The Maker of Pants-Wetters.”

“……”

“Am I wrong? You swung your sword with a flourish, sliced Sir Courno’s sword in half, and then—oops!—he wet his pants with a scream, didn’t he?”

“……”

“Well, thanks to that little dark history, Sir Courno probably won’t be able to show his face for a while. He’ll be kicking his blanket every night in shame. If it were me, I’d be packing my bags tonight to move to another estate. No, I’d cross over to another continent where no one could recognize me. Either way, nice work. That was impressive.”

“I simply stopped a cowardly act meant to exploit others.”

“Of course! Truly, the Maker of Pants-Wetters.”

“……”

“What? Don’t you like it?”

“I don’t feel the need to answer.”

“So I’ll take that as you secretly liking it, huh?”

“Absolutely not.”

Smack, smack!

Javier yanked the reins sharply.

A mischievous grin spread across Lloyd’s lips.

“Anyway, thanks to that, your swordsmanship is going to spread far and wide.”

It was true.

Javier had severed Sir Courno’s sword.

To cut a sword with another sword wasn’t an easy feat.

In fact, even if you placed a sword on an anvil and deliberately struck it with force, it might still not break.

And who was Sir Courno?

He was the senior knight of the viscount’s estate.

His swordsmanship was reputed to be quite decent.

“They say Sir Courno’s level was close to a mid-level Sword Expert. What do you think? You clashed swords with him yourself.”

“He was even better than the rumors suggested. It was undoubtedly the sword of someone who had reached mid-level Sword Expert.”

“And you sliced through that sword, didn’t you?”

“Seems so.”

“Yeah. Thanks to you, rumors are bound to spread all over the viscount’s estate and the nearby regions.”

“What sort of rumors?”

“Probably something like this: ‘Javier Asrahan, the youngest knight of Frontera Barony in the eastern outskirts, defeated a mid-level Sword Expert from a neighboring estate with a single strike.’”

“They’ll probably throw in the title ‘high-level Sword Expert’ as well.”

“Exactly.”

That was likely.

To cut through the sword of an opponent knight required at least one full level of superiority in skill.

In other words, Frontera Barony would soon be known as an estate with a high-level Sword Expert knight.

“That’ll bring both advantages and disadvantages.”

“Advantages and disadvantages?”

“For starters, fewer people will look down on our estate. It’ll be seen as possessing a deadly, formidable weapon.”

“And the disadvantages?”

“You.”

“…Pardon?”

“You’re going to be targeted.”

“Targeted? By whom?”

“Who else? The many lords, merchants, and others nearby.”

“You mean they’ll try to recruit me?”

“Obviously.”

Lloyd nodded.

“Think about it. A high-level Sword Expert. And that’s not all—this one is just barely twenty years old. If you were a prominent lord or merchant, what would you think upon hearing that?”

“…I’d want him as my trusted subordinate.”

“Exactly.”

“Yes.”

“Right. They’ll try to recruit you. They’ll even throw money into raising you. Why? Because you’re just twenty. With about ten years of devoted investment, they could have a Sword Master in their thirties.”

A Sword Master at thirty.

That was extraordinary.

Especially considering that most Sword Masters were over forty.

‘It’s like having a twenty-year-old Guan Yu or Zhao Yun, or maybe a Michael Jordan, Ronaldo, or Messi by your side.’

If they could acquire him?

They’d not only dominate their time but likely ensure success for the next two generations of their lineage.

Lords.

Prominent merchants.

Even the king of this nation.

None of them would ignore such an enticing opportunity.

“You might have to endure quite a bit of turmoil.”

Lloyd glanced at Javier sitting ahead of him.

Only his back was visible.

Thus, his expression couldn’t be read.

But Lloyd could sense what kind of face Javier was making.

“Turmoil. It doesn’t matter. I have no intention of serving any other lord.”

Yes, that was Javier.

The same unwavering knight from the original Iron-Blooded Knight story.

No temptation could sway him.

Not even when Frontera Barony fell to ruin in the novel.

He could have easily left the collapsing estate behind.

He could have chosen to serve a more powerful, promising lord and taken an easier path.

But Javier didn’t.

Not until the baron passed away.

No, even after his death.

He never served another lord.

Even after reaching the level of a Sword Master, he rejected the offers of powerful dukes, kings, and emperors.

With those awe-inspiring words: “My lifelong lord is none other than the Baron of Frontera.”

‘What an incredible guy.’

Honestly, living like that isn’t easy.

No, in reality, it’s just impossible.

And yet, the person sitting right in front of him, Javier, had stubbornly adhered to that path his entire life.

‘So I don’t have to worry about him leaving to serve another master.’

Instead, Lloyd had to prepare for the recruitment battles that would inevitably revolve around Javier. The intensity of those struggles could potentially bring harm to the barony.

As Lloyd mapped out plans for the future, a faint smile crossed his lips.

He was reminded of another knight who had remained loyal to the baron of Frontera in the novel ‘Iron-Blooded Knight’.

“By the way, has Sir Bayern said anything to you?”

“What do you mean?”

“About all that blasting you’ve been doing during construction.”

“Ah.”

Javier nodded as if he understood.

“Well, Sir Bayern did say something after seeing my blasting techniques.”

“What did he say?”

“He said it was impressive.”

“That’s it?”

“Yes.”

“He didn’t want to learn from you or challenge your swordsmanship?”

“Oh, he did mention he was envious. That’s all.”

“Classic Sir Bayern.”

It was exactly as described in the novel.

Lloyd recalled the few times Sir Bayern had been mentioned in ‘Iron-Blooded Knight’.

The descriptions had been clear:

‘He may lack talent, but he’s straightforward, fair, and free of greed—a simple and honest character.’

True to his nature, he showed no jealousy despite Javier’s young talent surpassing his own. If anything, he welcomed it.

‘He probably thinks that the stronger Javier becomes, the more it benefits the estate.’

Sir Bayern prioritized the estate’s development and welfare over his personal competitive drive.

‘It was definitely the right decision to put him in charge of the engineering corps.’

At the same time, Lloyd made a mental note: he needed to gradually hone Sir Bayern’s skills as well.

“But there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask.”

“Hmm?”

“Why did you act like that earlier?”

Javier’s sharp question cut through Lloyd’s thoughts.

Lloyd tilted his head in confusion.

“Earlier? About what?”

“About Sir Courno’s challenge to a duel.”

Javier’s voice had turned slightly curt, as if pointing out a mistake.

“That was a bit reckless.”

“Reckless because I refused the challenge?”

“You should have refused it with a clear justification.”

Javier elaborated.

“If you decline a duel without providing a valid reason, it invites gossip. Of course, I know you’re not one to care about such talk. But you’re not just an individual. You’re a member of the Frontera family, and thus—”

“—carelessly refusing a duel would tarnish the estate and the baron’s reputation?”

“…Yes.”

Javier, seated in front, nodded.

He continued.

“If it had been Lord Julian, he would have handled it more gracefully.”

“Julian?”

“Yes.”

“Why bring him up now?”

Lloyd chuckled faintly.

It was because the mention of Julian reminded him of another character from ‘Iron-Blooded Knight’.

‘Julian. My younger brother.’

Julian Frontera.

Lloyd’s brother, five years his junior and the second son of the Frontera family.

Unlike the drunken Lloyd, Julian was diligent and kindhearted.

It was as if he had inherited the best qualities of both the baron and the baroness.

‘That’s why the baron had high hopes for him and sent him to study abroad at the capital’s academy.’

And in ‘Iron-Blooded Knight’, Julian met a tragic end.

Unable to pay his tuition, he was expelled from the academy.

That same evening, he was unlucky enough to encounter robbers in a back alley of the capital.

He refused to hand over a keepsake—a worn pendant given to him by the baroness, their mother.

He was stabbed while trying to protect it.

In a dim alleyway with no passersby, Julian died an absurd and meaningless death.

That was Julian Frontera’s fate in the original story.

‘But things are different now.’

With the Frontera family avoiding ruin, Julian wouldn’t be expelled from the academy.

Nor would he roam the back alleys of the capital and encounter robbers as in the novel.

Still, Lloyd’s thoughts didn’t stop Javier’s relentless scolding, which bombarded him with a cascade of facts.

“…So, Lord Lloyd, you should strive to be more self-aware, like your younger brother Julian. Every action and word you take is not just yours alone. They bear the weight of the Frontera family’s honor and reputation.”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Of course, your recent accomplishments are undeniable and praiseworthy. But I believe that if you displayed more noble conduct, it would only enhance your standing.”

“So next time, refuse a duel with a bit more finesse?”

“Yes.”

“And avoid recklessly provoking opponents and turning your back on them?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I have you, don’t I?”

“…Pardon?”

Javier froze for a moment at Lloyd’s casual remark.

Lloyd smiled faintly.

“You were there with me. No matter what situation I face, I trust you’ll have my back. Because you’re that capable and reliable.”

“…”

For some reason, Javier didn’t respond.

Lloyd tilted his head.

“Huh? Why aren’t you reacting? Was what I said so touching that it gave you chills?”

“…”

“Hey?”

“…”

“Don’t tell me you fainted?”

“I didn’t faint. It’s just—”

“Just what?”

“It’s making my stomach turn, and I’m barely holding it in.”

“What? You almost puked?”

“Yes.”

“Was my sincerity really that disgusting?”

“Yes.”

From the front seat, Javier’s head nodded firmly, as if that was only natural.

But at that moment, a notification popped up in front of Lloyd.

Ding-dong.

[Javier Asrahan is moved by your sincere words.]
[The lingering doubts Javier Asrahan held against you are dissipating.]
[The many acts of goodwill and care you’ve shown Javier Asrahan are finally being recognized without misunderstanding.]

‘Huh?’

Messages scrolled across the backdrop of Javier’s silver-haired head.
Lloyd’s eyes widened as he read them.

[Javier Asrahan’s favorability toward you has increased by +14.]
[Current relationship with Javier Asrahan: +5]
[You have gained 252 RP for significantly improving your relationship with a key figure.]
[Current RP: 1607]
[Your intimacy level with Javier Asrahan has risen from <Awkwardness> to <General Acquaintance>, and now to <Mild Interest>, improving by two stages.]
[You have received a bonus of 50 RP for a two-stage intimacy increase.]
[Current RP: 1657]

‘Whoa.’

He had just raked in over 300 RP at once.

‘This is on par with achieving a major social milestone.’

Indeed, Javier was worth every bit of the 18 RP base value.

Lloyd looked warmly at the back of Javier’s head as if it were a precious gold nugget.
Honestly, if it were socially acceptable, he would have patted that head, as round as a chestnut.

At the same time, realization struck him.

‘There was a reason why his favorability only inched up at a snail’s pace before now.’

He had done quite a bit for Javier.

He had resolved Javier’s chronic insomnia.
He had helped him overcome the bottleneck in perfecting the Asrahan Heart Technique.
In the ant cave, he had risked his life to carry Javier out.
He had even taught him advanced applications of the technique, such as blasting.

Javier had plenty of reasons to be grateful. His favorability should have skyrocketed long ago.

‘But reality was different.’

It really had been different.

For some inexplicable reason, his favorability with Javier barely budged. Even when it did increase, it was by an imperceptible amount, akin to the blink of an ant’s eye.

At first, he found it puzzling.
Later, he just accepted it as it was.

‘I thought it was just because of his naturally cold personality.’

But now, Lloyd realized that wasn’t the case.

‘He didn’t trust my sincerity.’

Javier had built a wall around his heart.
No matter how much goodwill Lloyd showed, it had been filtered through that wall.

‘What a tightly wound little bastard!’

That thought crossed his mind briefly.

But on the other hand?

It was understandable when he considered things from Javier’s perspective.

‘He was rescued and raised by the Baron. He grew up watching me act like a complete disaster.’

From kindergarten age to adulthood—
Javier had witnessed Lloyd’s chaos unfold over more than a decade.

For Javier, the absurdity and tantrums of Lloyd Frontera weren’t just bad habits. They were practically an institution.

And now, just because Lloyd had gotten his act together for a few months?
Because he had started treating Javier well?

‘Javier isn’t the type to easily let his guard down.’

That was Javier’s personality.

At his core, he was cautious and wary of others’ goodwill.
Once he opened his heart, he was sincere, but opening it was no simple feat.

And now, finally, that door to his heart had cracked open just the tiniest bit.

Lloyd smiled at the back of Javier’s head.

“Hey.”

“Yes.”

“You really didn’t like me that much, huh?”

“Do you want an honest answer?”

“Yeah.”

“I still don’t like you.”

“What the hell.”

“Do you remember the first day I held a wooden sword at the age of six?”

“Uh, not at all.”

“You broke the wooden sword the Baron gave me right in front of my eyes.”

“…Oh.”

“I still haven’t thrown it away.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve kept it in your quarters?”

“Yes.”

“Why? To remind yourself of your gratitude to the Baron?”

“No, to never forget your atrocity.”

“…Oof.”

Lloyd Frontera.
How big of a scumbag were you, really?

He was at a loss for words.

By now, he fully understood why Javier had treated him so coldly for so long.

Javier continued speaking from the front seat.

“So yes, I still find you revolting. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t act overly friendly with me.”

“Oh, really.”

“Yes.”

Ding-dong.

[Javier Asrahan is venting his frustrations.]
[Javier Asrahan is letting go of a long-held resentment.]
[Despite his cold demeanor, Javier Asrahan feels a bit of goodwill toward you for genuinely listening to him.]
[Javier Asrahan’s favorability toward you has increased by +1.]
[Current relationship with Javier Asrahan: +6]
[You have gained 18 RP for a minor improvement in your relationship with a key figure.]
[Current RP: 1675]

‘…This guy just can’t be honest.’

Lloyd couldn’t help but smile wryly.

Javier’s complaints and prickly remarks continued but somehow, they didn’t sound as icy as they used to.

Prickly, but not cold.

Lloyd gladly accepted Javier’s grumbling.

The two of them sat together on the horseback, moving forward.

Neither could see the other’s expression.

But their smiles were remarkably similar.

As the evening glow passed, they safely returned to the barony.

There, a modest celebration was underway to commemorate the completion of the water supply system.

And awaiting Lloyd was a new and welcome piece of news.

“Well-timed as always. How did things go with the Viscount?”

“Everything went well.”

The Baron was the first to greet him.

“Well done. Truly, well done.”

“Thank you.”

“Great. We’ll discuss the details later. But for now, take a look at this.”

The Baron pulled something from his coat.

A rolled-up parchment.

“This arrived earlier this afternoon. Do you remember the request you made to me?”

“The request I made?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, are you referring to when I asked you to find a buyer to dispose of the treasure we obtained from the orc tribe?”

“Exactly. And it just so happens that the response came around noon today.”

The Baron smiled broadly.

“Count Cremo of the trade city, Cremo, has expressed interest in purchasing the treasure in one go. He’s requested that we bring the treasure to him.”

With a smile, the Baron unfolded the parchment letter.

Lloyd’s lips curled into the same smile as he read it.

Finally, an opportunity had come to turn the massive treasure they’d been sitting on into actual money.