The Greatest Estate Developer - Chapter 63: An Impossible Construction and Magical Materials (1)
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- The Greatest Estate Developer
- Chapter 63: An Impossible Construction and Magical Materials (1)
“Lloyd Frontera, eldest son of the Frontera family, has come to propose a new maritime foundation construction method for the ‘statue’ project to drive away the ‘Gigatitan.’”
Lloyd’s voice filled the reception room.
A moment of silence followed.
The butler, who had opened the door, turned pale.
Javier, standing behind Lloyd, twitched his eyebrows slightly.
And the Count of Cremo, observing Lloyd, tilted his head in curiosity.
“What did you just say?”
Good.
He wasn’t angry. Instead, he seemed intrigued.
This was exactly what Lloyd had been aiming for with his bold opening.
Without hesitation, Lloyd quickly added, “I mean exactly what I said. On my way here, I ‘happened’ to hear about Your Lordship’s predicament, and I realized I might have a solution.”
“Go on.”
The Count leaned deeply into his chair, his sharp eyes focused on Lloyd.
‘This feels like presenting a group project to a professor.’
But Lloyd didn’t feel nervous.
He ignored the Count’s rank and power.
Instead, he thought of the Count in a different way.
‘This person is money. A customer who can open their wallet for me.’
How to fully win over this customer.
How to get them to sign the construction contract.
With the resolve of a chef preparing ingredients for a masterpiece dish, Lloyd strengthened his determination.
And he spoke calmly.
“To get straight to the point, the condition Your Lordship set for the construction—‘to build the foundation vertically’—is something that cannot be met with the reclamation methods of other builders.”
“Are you saying it’s impossible for them?”
“Yes.”
“And it’s possible for you?”
“Yes.”
Lloyd nodded firmly.
Confidence was critical in moments like this.
He continued in a voice full of certainty.
“To create the strongest foundation with minimal area in a narrow channel, I propose combining the friction pile method with the box caisson method.”
“Piles? Box caissons?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm, sounds reasonable.”
“Do you know of these methods?”
“Not at all.”
The Count shook his head, then chuckled like a big bear.
“How would I know such things?”
“Then, Your Lordship?”
“Well, no one has stepped forward to take on the project. Meanwhile, that cursed Gigatitan refuses to leave the waters off our coast, and as a result, our harbor’s trade volume continues to decline. Since you’ve shown such confidence, I might as well let you try. If you succeed, all the better. If you fail, I’m no worse off. Of course, you do understand that if the project fails, you’ll be responsible for covering the construction costs, right?”
“Of course.”
On the other hand, if the project succeeded?
Lloyd would rake in massive construction fees.
He could also forge a strong bond with the Count of Cremo, the most powerful figure in the region.
In other words, he’d gain a powerful ally.
‘Perfect.’
Lloyd clenched his fist slightly in triumph.
‘The plan I quickly came up with after hearing about the Count’s predicament from the butler worked like a charm.’
A delayed construction project.
No builders stepping forward.
Lloyd had sniffed out the opportunity for profit as keenly as the aroma of a strong espresso.
In the short walk to the reception room, he had calculated everything.
The project’s feasibility.
The potential gains.
The risks of failure.
Taking all factors into account, he’d reached a swift conclusion—it was worth the gamble.
He had also considered the personality of the Count as depicted in ‘Iron-Blooded Knight.’
‘Bold and magnanimous. He values capable people and doesn’t bother with unnecessary formalities.’
The Count respected talent over status.
This was why he had shown favor to Javier, even though Javier was a fugitive.
Throughout the middle chapters of the novel, the Count remained a reliable and supportive benefactor to Javier.
‘That part of his character hasn’t changed.’
So, Lloyd had chosen to skip roundabout speech.
Instead, he went straight to the point, piquing the Count’s interest while demonstrating his ability to provide a solution.
And his approach had worked beautifully.
“Thank you for trusting me,” Lloyd said.
“Thank me for what? Anyway, I got so caught up in this sudden talk about construction that I didn’t catch it earlier. Who did you say you were again?”
“Oh, I am Lloyd Frontera, eldest son of the Frontera family.”
Lloyd bowed politely.
In that moment, the Count’s previously warm and amiable expression hardened.
Even when Lloyd had brazenly mentioned ‘Gigatitan,’ ‘statue,’ and ‘construction’ earlier, the Count hadn’t reacted this way.
“Well, well. Look at this audacious young man.”
The Count rose from his seat, his face stern.
He strode directly toward them.
Passing Lloyd without a glance, he stopped in front of Javier.
Turning to the silver-haired knight, he delivered a stern rebuke.
“So, that’s why you spoke so confidently about these strange construction methods. It turns out you’re the eldest son of the infamous Frontera family. I’ve heard quite a bit recently about your talent in construction. I even considered sending someone to hire you. But I never imagined you’d be so bold and disrespectful.”
The Count’s voice grew heavy.
“I could overlook your talk of construction since that was the topic at hand, but to stand before me and not deliver your greetings personally? To send someone else in your stead? Hah! I never thought I’d live to experience such rudeness.”
The Count’s gaze bore into Javier with a fiery intensity.
This left Lloyd awkwardly standing behind him, scratching his chin in embarrassment.
“Um, Count?”
“Silence, servant! Do not speak out of turn!”
“…”
“Now, explain yourself, eldest son of the Frontera family. Did you come here today simply to show me this level of disrespect?”
The Count’s piercing gaze remained fixed on Javier’s composed face.
Lloyd gave a bittersweet smile.
“Uh, Count?”
“Didn’t I tell the servant to remain silent?”
“Excuse me, but…”
“If you know it’s disrespectful, then keep your mouth shu—”
“I am Lloyd Frontera.”
“Hm?”
The Count of Cremo froze.
‘Creak.’ His head and gaze slowly turned toward Lloyd.
“You?”
“Yes.”
“You’re the eldest son of the Frontera family?”
“Yes.”
Lloyd could only offer a wry smile.
The Count, looking confused, pointed at Javier.
“Then who is this man?”
“He’s my escort knight.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Truly?”
“Yes, truly.”
“Hm. No matter how I look at it, this man has the face of a noble.”
“…”
“But you’re serious?”
“…”
“Well, in any case, it’s a pleasure to meet the rumored talented builder in person.”
“…The honor is mine.”
They shook hands, and as they took their seats, the Count laughed heartily, his expression now one of intrigue.
“You’re quite a character, aren’t you?”
“Pardon?”
“You’re bold and broad-minded.”
“What do you mean by that?”
Bold? Broad-minded?
Lloyd was genuinely puzzled.
The Count chuckled as he explained.
“It’s because you keep such a polished knight by your side—one who looks more noble than you. Go ask any stranger you meet. I guarantee, all one hundred out of a hundred would think he’s the noble, and you’re the servant.”
“Cough.”
“Why? Does that bother you?”
“N-no, it’s just… you hit the mark so directly.”
“Hahaha! Knowing that and still keeping such a subordinate close—well, you’re more impressive than you seem.”
“…”
Could we get back to discussing the construction project now?
Lloyd sincerely hoped this conversation would steer back to the topic at hand.
Thankfully, the Count’s teasing stopped there.
“Now then, shall we continue our discussion about the construction?”
“Yes, thank you.”
From that point, they delved into the specifics of the maritime foundation project.
Lloyd provided technical explanations while the Count nodded along in understanding.
The Count promised to supply manpower and resources, and Lloyd expressed his gratitude.
Soon after, the construction contract was officially drafted.
Of course, Lloyd’s initial purpose for coming here—the sale of the secondhand treasures—was also handled smoothly.
“Hand the items over to the butler. You’ll receive the payment through him as well.”
“Thank you.”
“No need for thanks. Just make sure the construction goes well. If you succeed, I’ll reward you generously.”
“I will do my best.”
Recalling his motto of treating customers who open their wallets with utmost respect, Lloyd bowed deeply in gratitude.
He thought back to the day he had proposed building an ondol room to the tavern owner in the estate.
The day he had envisioned a grander dream on his first day of possession.
Building harbors, constructing bridges, and undertaking large-scale civil engineering projects.
All to erase the crushing debt on the family name.
That determination was now becoming a reality.
He had finally secured his first major project from a high-ranking noble—a project that marked the start of a lucrative new venture.
♣
The next day dawned.
With the maritime foundation project secured from the Count of Cremo, Lloyd immediately began preparations for the new construction.
The first step was surveying.
‘Splash.’
Standing in a sturdy wooden boat floating on the waves near the harbor, Lloyd leaned over the side.
He took a deep breath, pulled on a mask shaped like a chunky bar of soap, and held his breath. Then, he bent down, plunging his face into the seawater.
‘Sploosh.’
The cold seawater stung his face like needles.
‘Ugh, it feels like my face is being ripped off.’
It was early winter, and the sea was frigid.
Plunging his bare face into the water made him feel as if his skin was being peeled off entirely.
But Lloyd couldn’t pull his head back.
He had to survey the site.
‘Without surveying, no construction can begin. And to activate the surveying skill, I need to ‘see’ the site myself.’
This particular site was the seabed.
That meant he had to personally observe the ocean floor.
‘At least the water’s clear.’
Through the biting cold, Lloyd kept his eyes open underwater.
The waters off the coast of Cremo were remarkably transparent, with little turbidity.
The goggles provided by the Count’s household were also of decent quality, allowing him to see the seabed more than ten meters below.
‘Hmm.’
‘Zzt-zzt-zzt!’
As Lloyd’s surveying skill activated, information about the seabed appeared before him.
‘Thankfully, the seafloor has almost no slope. It’s flat, with a rich sediment layer that’s soft enough. As for the weathered and soft rock layers… hmm, no sign of bedrock.’
Bedrock, the more solid layer deep beneath the surface, wasn’t visible.
To be precise, Lloyd’s surveying skill, which included an underground scanning feature with a five-meter range, detected no bedrock within that depth.
‘It must be deeper. That’s fine, though. At least… ugh, I’ve hit my limit.’
Lloyd grimaced as he continued surveying the seabed.
Was it because he couldn’t hold his breath any longer?
No, it was the icy water.
It felt as if his face was vanishing.
‘Ugh.’
‘Splash!’
Unable to endure it any longer, Lloyd lifted his head out of the water.
“Phew! Hah! Javier, towel!”
As soon as he called out, Javier responded immediately.
“Here it is.”
Javier handed him a dry towel.
Lloyd quickly removed his goggles and wiped the saltwater off his face.
After a while, the sensation slowly returned to his skin.
‘Ugh, I really hate this.’
Holding his breath was manageable.
But the freezing seawater was unbearable.
He began to wonder if his face might end up frostbitten.
Filled with self-pity, Lloyd glanced at Javier.
“Hey.”
“Yes?”
“Can’t you do the surveying instead of me?”
He meant it.
If possible, he’d gladly delegate this task.
“Of course, I’d like to help you with that, but—”
“But what?”
“I won’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m enjoying this.”
“Enjoying? Wait, don’t tell me…”
“Yes. Watching you struggle and work so hard is immensely entertaining.”
“…Hey.”
“I’m joking.”
“Wow, you can actually joke? I didn’t think you had it in you.”
“It’s rare, but I’m in an excellent mood today.”
“Because you get to watch me struggle?”
“Yes.”
“…”
“Once again, I’m joking.”
“…”
This guy… he’s thoroughly enjoying himself.
But Lloyd could sense there was more to Javier’s mood than just amusement.
“Still, do you think this will actually work?”
“What do you mean?”
“The construction.”
Javier spoke with a hint of concern in his voice.
“To be honest, I find it hard to imagine.”
“Imagine what?”
“How it’s even possible. The water here isn’t shallow, so how do you plan to create land without dumping soil and rocks? It’s hard to picture it working.”
“Does it feel impossible to you?”
“Yes. This is nothing like the Marez reclamation project.”
This was Javier’s honest opinion.
The Marez reclamation project—land transformed from a swamp into farmland by draining the water.
But this place was entirely different.
“You’re not planning to make Hamang drink up all the seawater, are you? Even if you did, this seems impossible.”
No matter how much Hamang could drink, there was far more seawater than she could handle.
She could drink and drink, and it would still be endless.
Draining the surrounding water like they did during the Marez project was clearly not an option.
Javier asked earnestly, “Are you planning to use magic for this, Lord Lloyd?”
This time, it felt like magic was the only viable solution.
Friction piles, box caissons—Javier had heard Lloyd briefly explain these methods to the Count, but doubts still lingered.
Understanding his skepticism, Lloyd shrugged.
“Magic, huh? It’s something similar.”
He meant it.
This time, they really were going to use something akin to magic.
Thinking about it, Lloyd replied, “We’re going to use the most magical material on any construction site.”
“Magical material?”
“Have you heard of cement?”
Cement.
Lloyd smiled as he said the word, then thought to himself:
A construction site just isn’t complete without some good old concrete.