The Greatest Estate Developer - Chapter 9: Physical Overhaul (3)

Sir Neumann.

The senior knight of the Frontera County.

At the level of a lower-tier Sword Expert, he was considered competent, at least in a backwater territory like this. However, Neumann cared far more about personal advancement than mastering his swordsmanship.

Loyalty to his lord? That was secondary to the pursuit of wealth.

The honor of being a knight? It paled in comparison to climbing the social ladder.

He was the kind of person who would do anything to achieve his goals.

‘Or rather, he already did. By selling out the Frontera County’s secrets to con men.’

Lloyd recalled the early chapters of *Knight of Blood & Iron.*

The first trial faced by the protagonist, Javier, was the fall of the Frontera County.

And behind that downfall was none other than Sir Neumann.

Neumann had sold the County’s information to con men. The scammers used that information to approach the baron with sweet words, persuading him to invest a large sum. Eventually, they ran off with the money, leaving the County drowning in debt.

In other words, Sir Neumann’s betrayal had been the trigger for the County’s collapse.

‘So of course, you’re next on the chopping block.’

Lloyd bit his lip.

The reason he couldn’t enjoy a leisurely life as the eldest son of a rural noble, and instead had to run around trying to resolve the County’s massive debt, all stemmed from this man’s actions.

However, Lloyd didn’t let his emotions show.

By the time he turned to face Sir Neumann, his expression had returned to its usual, calm demeanor.

“Sir Neumann? What exactly did you mean just now?”

“Exactly as I said,” Neumann replied, twitching the corner of his mouth.

“I’ve come to discuss the unjust violence you inflicted upon Sir Ulrich this morning.”

“Unjust violence? Discuss it?”

“Indeed.”

“Then go ahead.”

‘Feel free to say whatever you want.’ Lloyd smiled casually.

Neumann’s face stiffened.

“As you’re well aware, Sir Ulrich is a knight sworn to his lord. He has taken an oath, and by that oath, he has the right to have his honor and privileges respected. He’s not someone you can mistreat out of personal spite.”

“Uh-huh. Right.”

“Yet, this morning, you showed no regard for Sir Ulrich’s honor or his rights.”

“Uh-huh. I did.”

“Thus, as the first knight of this estate, I am here to officially demand an explanation. Do you feel nothing regarding your actions today?”

“Uh-huh. Probably not.”

“…”

Neumann’s face flushed with anger, his neck turning red all the way to his collar.

Meanwhile, Lloyd’s expression remained annoyingly calm.

“Do you think I’m joking, Lord Lloyd?”

“No, I think what you’re saying is perfectly accurate—a good punchline.”

“…”

Neumann’s eyelid twitched, his patience fraying.

Lloyd’s grin only grew wider.

‘Is this guy seriously getting worked up over this?’

It was almost laughable.

By Lloyd’s standards, this was low-level provocation.

Yet Neumann was already so worked up, his face was turning red.

‘If this guy were to play online games in Korea, he’d die from stress on the spot.’

He wasn’t even exaggerating.

In Korea, Lloyd had grown up in the wild world of online gaming.

That was a battlefield where a single mistake in a match could earn you a barrage of insults from your teammates.

The insults and trolling weren’t just casual—they cut deep, aimed at family members and everything else under the sun.

But if you let it get to you?

‘The one who gets mad loses. Rage only makes them target you more.’

If you didn’t learn to laugh it off or out-troll them, you wouldn’t survive.

In that savage world, Lloyd had become an elite in handling insults.

Most Korean gamers would probably say the same.

So by comparison, the minor provocation he’d just thrown at Neumann?

It was nothing more than child’s play.

But to Neumann, this was likely one of the greatest insults he’d ever endured in his life.

‘What kind of lunatic is this?’

Neumann was dumbfounded.

He had always known Lloyd was an arrogant, spoiled brat.

But this?

He hadn’t expected the young master to treat even him with such blatant disregard.

“So, you’re saying you mean to insult me as well?”

“Uh-huh. Obviously.”

“And you have no respect for my honor or rights?”

“Uh-huh. Obviously.”

“Aren’t you worried about the consequences?”

“Uh-huh. Obviously.”

It was obvious to Lloyd.

Neumann was just another scumbag who needed to be dealt with.

He was a traitor who had sold the County’s secrets to con men, and now he had the audacity to prattle on about honor and rights.

Lloyd couldn’t help but scoff.

‘He’s just like a con artist’s lackey, trying to stir up the other knights.’

Knights swore their loyalty to the lord, not the lord’s son.

That meant the son of the lord had no right to treat knights however he wished.

Clearly, Neumann was trying to exploit this fact to turn the other knights against Lloyd.

But Lloyd wasn’t worried.

‘They’re all getting kicked out anyway. Except for Javier and Sir Bayern.’

Neumann, the senior knight.

Sir Ulrich and Sir Conte, who followed him.

They were all destined to betray the County and abandon it during its downfall.

Even if they tried to rally support now, it wouldn’t matter.

‘What’s more important is creating a valid excuse to get rid of them.’

Lloyd glanced around the area.

The site had gone eerily quiet.

Was it because there was no one around?

No, quite the opposite.

The craftsmen and soldiers, who had been tidying up the area, were now watching them.

The moment Lloyd made eye contact, they quickly averted their gazes, pretending to work.

But it was clear their ears were still tuned to the conversation.

‘Of course, it’s not every day you get to see the lord’s son argue with the senior knight.’

There was nothing more entertaining than watching a fight.

Lloyd smiled and turned back to Neumann.

“Alright, let me ask you something.”

Neumann raised an eyebrow.

Lloyd continued, “You know I’ve never been trained in swordsmanship, right?”

“I am aware.”

“Then let me ask—can someone who’s beaten to a pulp by someone who’s never trained in swordsmanship still call themselves a knight?”

“Excuse me?”

“Sir Ulrich got absolutely wrecked this morning. Does that mean his knighthood was all just a facade? Was he a swaggering braggart this whole time? Or did he earn his title in some rigged game?”

“…”

“Are you saying knights, who can’t even handle someone like me, deserve to have their honor respected? Get a grip. Maybe start by earning your pay.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what you think I mean. You’re complaining about how unfair it is, right?”

“…”

“If it bothers you so much, then why don’t you fight me? Face me like a man and let’s settle this.”

“Are you suggesting a duel?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“…”

“Are you going to do it or not?”

For the first time, Neumann’s gaze faltered.

All he had wanted was to scold the bratty young master and assert his authority.

He hadn’t expected Lloyd to throw down the gauntlet for a formal duel.

Lloyd smiled widely, sensing Neumann’s hesitation.

The unexpected challenge had clearly thrown him off.

Lloyd decided to help push him over the edge.

“Now even the senior knight is backing down. Are you scared of a duel? Are you really a knight? You’d probably be too afraid to meet the eyes of a local taxi driver, let alone fight him.”

“…”

“If I were you, I’d quit out of shame. You should probably go find yourself a pizza delivery job. It suits you better. Am I wrong?”

“Have you said enough?”

“Nope, not even close.”

“…”

“You’re exactly the kind of guy who’s all bark and no bite. But now you’re too scared to face me, huh? You’re just another ‘almost’ guy—someone who never really makes it.”

“…”

“If you don’t like hearing this, then accept the duel. Or if you’re too scared, quit being a knight. Still can’t make up your mind?”

“…I accept.”

Neumann gritted his teeth as he answered.

Lloyd’s smile widened.

“You’ll duel me?”

“Yes.”

“Good, that’s the spirit. If there’s a conflict, real men settle it with a duel. So, when’s a good time for you?”

“You may choose the date, Lord Lloyd.”

“One month from now. At the mansion’s training grounds. How’s that?”

“That will suffice.”

Neumann nodded grimly.

“And is there anything you would request if you win?”

“Of course.”

Lloyd had already prepared his answer.

“If I win, you’re fired.”

“…Excuse me?”

“I’ll strip you of your rank and kick you out.”

“…”

“Any objections?”

“None, but—”

“But?”

“You must offer something equivalent in return.”

“Alright, I’ll put my position on the line.”

“Your position?”

“My inheritance rights as the eldest son of the County. I’ll forfeit them.”

“Are you serious?”

“Dead serious.”

Lloyd nodded confidently.

“Don’t worry, I’m not lying. The soldiers here can be our witnesses. Just make sure you practice, so you don’t end up like Sir Ulrich.”

“I hope you won’t regret this.”

“Not in the slightest.”

With that, the duel was set.

And Lloyd had no regrets.

To be clear, anyone who didn’t show potential was going to be cut out without mercy.

* * * *

“So, are you confident you can win this duel?”

“Not really.”

“I see.”

Two hours later.

Javier nodded.

Today had been an unusual day for Javier, as he had spent it away from Lloyd’s side.

He hadn’t had a choice.

The baron had called him away with a specific order.

‘He summoned me early this morning, ordering me to stay away from Lloyd for the day.’

Javier hadn’t been told the exact reason, but he had a pretty good guess after hearing what Lloyd had done in his absence.

‘He found some excuse to beat up Sir Ulrich, then provoked Sir Neumann into a duel.’

It seemed likely that Lloyd had arranged for Javier to be away today, knowing this was what he intended to do.

It made Javier curious.

‘Why, though?’

It didn’t make sense to him.

Why pick a fight with perfectly fine knights?

What was the point of beating up Sir Ulrich and dueling Sir Neumann?

‘Is he just going back to his spoiled ways?’

From an outside perspective, that seemed plausible.

Even if Lloyd had been acting differently recently, people’s core nature doesn’t change overnight.

Given that, it could easily be dismissed as another tantrum.

But Javier didn’t think so.

‘It’s far too calculated to just be reckless behavior.’

First, Lloyd had deliberately sent Javier away.

Then, after assaulting Sir Ulrich, he had promptly summoned Sir Bayern to take over the scene.

When Sir Neumann came, furious, Lloyd had skillfully turned the situation into a duel.

Despite everything, Lloyd remained unnervingly calm.

Such behavior was unlikely to come from someone simply acting on impulse.

‘Given the way he’s been acting recently, there must be some kind of plan…’

But Javier’s thoughts were interrupted by Lloyd’s voice.

“Hey. That’s it? That’s your reaction?”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

“What do you mean? You asked me if I was confident in winning the duel, and I said no. And your response was just, ‘I see’? Really?”

“…”

“Where’s the part where you start worrying about me? Or at least nagging me about why I’m doing all this?”

“Why would I need to react in that way?”

“Because I’m your charge, aren’t I?”

“Yes, that’s true.”

“So?”

“However, I understand that you are the one who proposed the duel.”

“Hmm, so what you’re saying is that protecting me doesn’t include covering me in a duel?”

“Of course.”

Naturally.

A duel was…

“A method of resolving conflicts between parties on equal footing, stripped of titles and ranks, under the most direct and fair conditions. Therefore, I have neither the right nor the duty to interfere in your duel with Sir Neumann.”

“Hmm, I see.”

“Yes.”

“Then let me ask you this—would you be willing to teach me swordsmanship for the next month?”

“Teach you, Lord Lloyd?”

“Yup.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“Because I simply don’t want to.”

It was an honest answer.

After all, he was just a bodyguard.

There was no obligation to teach swordsmanship to an arrogant young lord.

‘If I teach him how to fight, he might just use it to cause more trouble.’

In fact, the more Javier thought about it, the more he was certain that he shouldn’t teach Lloyd anything.

But then why… why was Lloyd smiling so slyly after being rejected?

“Is that so?”

“…”

Javier felt a twinge of unease.

Something about the way Lloyd was looking at him—like he knew something.

That look in Lloyd’s eyes, as if he were holding a secret…

Javier’s bad feeling only grew stronger as Lloyd leaned in and said,

“If you teach me swordsmanship—”

Lloyd’s eyes gleamed.

“I’ll cure your insomnia.”

A grin spread across Lloyd’s face.

“What do you say?”

“…”

Javier swallowed dryly, caught off guard.

His chronic insomnia, a deep-rooted, persistent affliction.

It had been tormenting him for years, a personal secret and a vulnerability no one else knew about.