The Greatest Estate Developer - Chapter 378: The Suffering of the Hell Knight (3)

“Simple. Just sign this contract with me.”

**Swish!**

– … “What?”

Sir Geo-Rexius’s eyes shook.

Where the Hell Knight’s gaze landed.

There was a piece of paper that Lloyd had handed over.

But it didn’t seem to be an ordinary document.

– “A contract? This?”

“Yeah. An employment contract.”

**Swish, swish!**

Lloyd pulled out another employment contract.

He laid them both side by side on the floor between him and the Hell Knight.

“As you can see, the contents are the same. One for you, one for me. It’s to prevent either side from secretly changing the terms or tampering with the contract after it’s signed.”

– “But an employment contract…”

“You don’t know what that is?”

– “No, I do. I understand. If I sign this, I’ll be working for you?”

“Exactly.”

– …

“So, do you dislike it?”

– …

Sir Geo-Rexius remained silent.

Lloyd clicked his tongue in sympathy.

“Tsk, tsk. You want to work with proper treatment, right? You’ve been living without that, and now you feel it’s unfair, don’t you?”

– “That’s correct.”

“Exactly. That’s what I’m helping you with.”

**Tap, tap.**

Lloyd tapped the contract on the floor with his palm.

He looked directly into the Hell Knight’s eyes.

“I won’t say much. No fancy words. Just take a look. Read the contract, and if you like it, sign it.”

– “And if I don’t like it?”

“Then tell me what you don’t like. You haven’t signed it yet, right? We can adjust the terms here and now, so we’re both satisfied.”

– …

Sir Geo-Rexius was silent.

He was surprised inside.

The contract terms could be adjusted?

He could express his opinions if he didn’t like something?

Feeling a strange curiosity, he looked over the contract.

Deciding he might as well read through it.

“Hey. Read it carefully. Don’t just skim it and then sign it saying you read it all. People like that always complain after signing.”

– “Uh… okay, I got it.”

The Hell Knight’s gaze became meticulous as he reviewed the contract.

Thanks to this, he was able to fully understand its contents.

The result was astonishing.

‘What is this? It says I’ll be provided with a personal accommodation? And if I don’t like it, I can request a change?’

Sir Geo-Rexius’s eyes trembled.

In hell, dreaming of having accommodations was a joke.

All they could do was dig a grave in a place where lava didn’t flow.

‘And the salary?’

It was in the currency of the human world.

He couldn’t tell exactly how much it was worth.

But it said it was three times the salary of a regular knight.

There were even special allowances for contributions beneficial to the territory.

Moreover, for participating in construction projects in the territory, there were additional allowances for overtime, night shifts, and bad weather.

‘This is thorough. And… if I get injured during missions, all medical expenses are covered?’

Numerous benefits were guaranteed by the contract.

There were specified working hours.

And he would have free time after work!

It was all astounding.

– “What is this part?”

Sir Geo-Rexius pointed to a part of the contract with his index finger.

– “I don’t understand this. It says the contract can be renewed every five years. What does that mean?”

“Ah, that.”

Lloyd’s lips curved into a smile.

He spoke as if it were obvious.

“It means just that. If you sign today, the contract is valid for five years.”

– “And after five years?”

“We renew the contract.”

– “Why?”

“To adjust the terms.”

– “Will they worsen?”

“That’s up to you. Generally, they’ll get better. If you don’t like them? Don’t sign.”

– “I see.”

“Yeah.”

Lloyd nodded.

So the contract he handed to the Hell Knight wasn’t for a permanent position.

‘Of course not. I’m giving him the contract to win him over and find out the Hell King’s plans without lies. Offering a permanent position outright wouldn’t be right.’

It had to be that way.

He still didn’t know the Hell Knight’s personality.

What problems might arise from his habits.

Whether he would cause trouble in the territory.

Offering a permanent position right away wasn’t an option.

“So the first five years are also a trial period to see if we work well together. It might work out well, or it might not. Understand?”

– “Hmm, that sounds reasonable.”

“Right?”

– “Yes.”

Sir Geo-Rexius nodded.

The term of the contract had initially seemed odd.

But after hearing Lloyd’s explanation, he was convinced.

And inwardly touched.

It was his first time being treated like this.

‘I always thought fighting, killing, and dying on command was the norm.’

He had believed life was like that.

But now it seemed otherwise.

He didn’t have to live that way.

He could be treated according to the effort he put in.

In fact, that was the way it should be.

He realized he had been treated unfairly all this time.

When he thought this far.

– “…Alright.”

Sir Geo-Rexius nodded.

– “I will sign the contract.”

With a reverent gesture, the Hell Knight knelt on one knee.

He was about to offer a traditional pledge.

But his attempt was cut short by Lloyd’s bewildered question.

“What are you doing?”

– “Huh?”

“If you’re going to sign the contract, just sign. Why are you bowing?”

– “Sign?”

“Didn’t I say? You sign the contract.”

Lloyd smiled, handing him a pen.

The Hell Knight stared at it.

Took it.

Held it awkwardly.

– “Where do I sign?”

“At the bottom. See the blank space?”

– “I see it.”

“Sign there.”

– “How?”

“Write your name.”

– “Like this?”

“That’s right. Now do the same on the other copy.”

– “It’s been a long time since I wrote. It’s difficult.”

“It’s fine. You’re doing well. Finished? Now place the contracts side by side. Write your name across both.”

**Swish, swipe!**

With Lloyd’s praise and encouragement, Sir Geo-Rexius finished signing the employment contract.

“Good. Now that you’ve signed, this one’s yours. This one’s mine. By the way… hmm, your name is quite long.”

– “Geo-Rexius. Is it inconvenient?”

“Well, it’d be easier with a shorter name.”

– “I have a nickname. It’s brutal, cold, and destructive. Even the demons of hell tremble and dare not use it lightly.”

“What is it?”

– “Lexi.”

“…”

That nickname probably scared the demons not because of its ferocity, but because they might have cringed so hard they destroyed themselves.

While Lloyd thought this.

Sir Geo-Rexius knelt with a click.

Before Lloyd could say anything, he reached out.

Carefully holding Lloyd’s hand with both of his, he placed it on his helmet.

– “With this contract, from today, you are my lord.”

Lexi said sincerely.

Although the contract would need renewal in five years.

He decided to serve Lloyd as his lord until the contract ended.

Because a contract was another form of an oath of loyalty.

He resolved to serve and dedicate himself with all his might for the next five years.

At that moment.

A new message appeared before Lloyd’s eyes.

**Ding dong!**

[Affection Unlocked]

[Hell Knight Sir Geo-Rexius is moved by your employment contract.]

[Sir Geo-Rexius is genuinely impressed by the rational working environment and fair working conditions, and has resolved to follow you sincerely.]

[Sir Geo-Rexius has become your subordinate.]

[You can now raise your affection with Sir Geo-Rexius and earn RP.]

[50 RP awarded as an affection unlock bonus.]

[Current RP: 7,121]

[Sir Geo-Rexius’s affection for you has increased by +77.]

[Current relationship with Sir Geo-Rexius: +37]

[You earned 847 RP due to a significant relationship improvement.]

[Current RP: 7,968]

‘Whoa.’

Lloyd couldn’t help but chuckle.

Affection unlocked with a Hell Knight?

He could even raise affection and earn RP.

‘Now I’m even forming a friendship with a Hell Knight.’

It was absurd, even to himself.

But he felt good.

Today’s goal.

He was certain it was being achieved.

‘Now that he’s loyal to me, he won’t lie about the Hell King. But first… hmm, let’s clarify our relationship.’

Lloyd looked down at Sir Geo-Rexius.

Sir Geo-Rexius showed a genuinely earnest and loyal demeanor.

If left as it was?

He might even kiss Lloyd’s feet.

‘That’s too much.’

Lloyd brushed off the goosebumps rising on his shoulders.

“Hey? Sir Lexi?”

– “Command me, my lord.”

“Your attitude is a bit overwhelming.”

– “Overwhelming?”

Sir Geo-Rexius looked up at Lloyd, tilting his head and frowning.

Lloyd smirked.

“You’re not at the stage of showing loyalty yet. We’re not there yet. You’re still on a temporary contract.”

– “Huh?”

“Remember. Loyalty is for permanent positions. Got it?”

– “Permanent position…”

“Yes. Work hard for the next five years and aim for a permanent position. Understand?”

– “Understood, my lord.”

Sir Geo-Rexius bowed his head.

He felt like the words about aiming for a permanent position lit up his path like a beacon.

With that unfamiliar yet not unpleasant feeling, the Hell Knight spoke.

– “Then, I have something to report to my lord.”

“Hmm. What is it?”

– “The answer to the question you asked me earlier.”

“Good. As detailed as possible.”

– “Understood.”

Sir Geo-Rexius bowed deeply.

A rewarding smile appeared on Lloyd’s face.

At the same time, he felt a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Due to the worrying thoughts that began to sprout.

‘What is the Hell King planning?’

The Hell King’s actions or plans were particularly unpredictable.

That was troublesome.

He needed to know to counter them.

Perhaps understanding Lloyd’s concerns,

Sir Geo-Rexius spoke carefully.

– “To answer my lord’s question in detail, I must first recall a certain memory of yours. Do you remember a man named Lupellan?”

“Hmm?”

Lloyd hesitated.

Lupellan?

Who was that?

He rummaged through his memory.

After investing a little time, he finally recalled the name buried in the back of his memory.

“Lupellan, the dark mage, wasn’t he? From long ago, dealt with in the Eastern Mountains.”

Lloyd answered, glancing at Javier.

Only then did Javier’s face light up with recognition.

He remembered Lupellan.

Lloyd continued.

“Javier and I dealt with him in the Eastern Mountains. It was when we were building an ice storage for an orc village. Some of our engineers were captured by that dark mage. We raided his lair, rescued our men, and killed him. But why? Is Lupellan related to what’s happening now?”

– “Yes, my lord.”

Sir Geo-Rexius bowed deeper.

His voice grew more cautious.

– “Then, do you also remember a man named Neumann?”

“Of course.”

Lloyd replied immediately.

This time, there was no need to search his memory.

“He was a traitor to our estate. He conspired with an investment scammer to steal our estate’s information. I caught him and punished him.”

Traitor Sir Neumann.

Once, when the Frontera estate was a barony.

He was Javier’s superior and the estate’s head knight.

“He was defeated by me and crushed by Podong. He was exiled as a cripple. Why bring him up now?”

Lloyd frowned.

Something felt off.

Lupellan and Sir Neumann.

Both were buried in old memories.

From shortly after he fell into this world.

When he had just taken over Lloyd Frontera’s body.

They had caused trouble for him in their own ways.

In the end, they were dealt with and pushed to the back of his memory.

‘But why are they being mentioned together now? They weren’t related.’

Something was definitely up.

Lloyd sensed this.

Sir Geo-Rexius opened his mouth.

– “They are…”