The Greatest Estate Developer - Chapter 380: How to Defy Fate (2)
“Easy, really.”
It truly was easy.
Looking at it, the method wasn’t all that hard to come up with.
Thinking this, Lloyd gave a sly smile.
Javier and Sir Geo-Rexius stared at him.
Raising an eyebrow, he asked, “What? Why do you both look at me like that?”
“I’m curious and worried about what crazy thing you’re planning this time,” Javier replied promptly.
The silver-haired knight continued, “But right now, even if it’s crazy, we need a good plan. We never thought the dark mage we dealt with would become such a headache.”
“Right? Who knew that bastard would end up backing the Hell King?”
“So, what’s this easy method?”
“There is one. Once we handle things here and return to the estate, you’ll see. So, Georexi… I mean, Lexi?”
– “Yes, my lord.”
The Hell Knight responded to the call.
Lloyd asked him, “First, let’s get rid of that barrier. I’ve been holding it off with the Asrahan technique, but it’s making me queasy. So, can you dispel it?”
– “Of course, my lord.”
“Then do it.”
– “I obey.”
At Sir Geo-Rexius’s nod…
Whoosh?
Like the flame of a gas burner running out of butane, or the screen of a phone dimming as its battery dies, the magical barrier surrounding the city disappeared in an instant.
It was a simple process.
No grand incantations.
No evil rituals.
No elaborate gestures.
Lloyd tilted his head to one side.
“Hey?”
– “Yes, my lord.”
“Why was it so easy?”
– “It’s inherently a simple process.”
“Really?”
– “Yes. It’s more about canceling the activation rather than removing the barrier.”
“Then why didn’t you do it sooner?”
– “Because you didn’t instruct me to…”
“Seriously?”
– “I swear it’s the truth, my lord.”
“Is it really not because you found it convenient to leave it up?”
– …
“Wow, starting with a lie on your first day at work?”
– “It’s not a lie!”
“Really?”
– “Yes, my lord.”
“Then, can you raise the barrier again if you want?”
– “That requires meticulous preparation every time.”
“Good to know.”
Shrugging, Lloyd gestured to Javier and Sir Geo-Rexius.
“Let’s go, we have work to do.”
He led them out of the assembly hall.
They left the city, heading to the temporary camp below the cliff.
Despite the late hour, the camp was bustling.
Citizens of all statuses and wealth.
Everyone had come out of their tents, talking excitedly.
It made sense.
‘A magical barrier had risen around Namaran and then disappeared just now.’
It must have been a spectacular sight.
At once frightening and awe-inspiring.
Lloyd walked past the murmuring and whispering citizens.
Fortunately, with all three of them wearing hoods, no one paid them any attention.
They entered the temporary tent of the Count of Namaran.
“You’re safe.”
The Count of Namaran stood up immediately upon seeing them.
But seeing the hooded Hell Knight, she froze.
Lloyd quickly reassured her with a wry smile.
“It’s alright. Our Hell Knight doesn’t bite… I mean, he’s safe.”
“Safe?”
“Yes. He just signed an employment contract with me and agreed to work under me.”
“…”
“You don’t need to look at him like that. Anyway, the problem is solved. You saw the barrier appear and disappear, right?”
“Yes, I saw. Are you both unharmed?”
“Yes. Thanks to your concern.”
Lloyd smiled brightly.
And said, “The barrier issue is resolved. It won’t happen again. You can safely send the citizens back home. And also, I need to head back to the Frontera estate immediately.”
“To the Frontera estate? Now?”
“Yes. It’s hard to explain, but…”
Lloyd chuckled wryly.
The Count of Namaran seemed to understand, asking, “If you’re in such a hurry to leave without repairing the damaged slope structures, something urgent must have come up there, right?”
“Yes, something big seems to be happening soon. So I promise you this.”
“A promise?”
“Once I’m done with business at the estate, I’ll come back and finish the repair work.”
“For free?”
“Of course not.”
“Thought so.”
“As expected, that’s how the world works.”
Lloyd added a few more reassurances.
He apologized for leaving so abruptly.
But thankfully, the remaining retaining walls and anchors were still holding up.
Unless there was a significant shock to the slope, no further collapse should occur.
They could live safely for now.
He promised to return before any new collapse occurred.
After reassuring the Count, Lloyd left the camp.
They mounted Yongyong, who was waiting nearby.
Upon seeing the Hell Knight, Yongyong wiggled excitedly.
Like a big puppy meeting a familiar friend, he wagged his tail energetically.
“What’s up with him?”
Lloyd asked, unable to hold back his curiosity.
Sir Geo-Rexius shrugged.
– “He’s very happy to see me.”
“You? Why? Did you know each other before?”
– “No, my lord.”
“Then?”
– “Um… He’s happy he won’t be the youngest in the labor corps anymore…”
“Ah.”
So, Sir Lexi has suddenly become the new recruit.
The youngest Hell Knight in the labor corps.
Lloyd chuckled, trying to suppress a laugh, and climbed onto Yongyong’s head.
Javier, who had also taken his place, asked, “Lord Lloyd, I’m curious and concerned about something.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“The culprit behind the barrier incident. Are we not going after them?”
“Oh, that?”
Lloyd’s lips curled into a smile.
Javier’s concern was understandable.
“No need to catch anyone. There was no culprit.”
“What?”
“There was no culprit.”
“Then… who infused the retaining stakes with magic?”
“The Fate Restoration Phenomenon.”
“…”
Javier fell silent.
Lloyd glanced back at him.
“The scattered magic was gathered by the Fate Restoration Phenomenon. Where? Near the place where I excavated the Noctanium gem during the first barrier incident.”
“You mean, the magic gathered near the retaining stakes close to where the gem was buried?”
“Yes, exactly.”
Lloyd nodded.
It was a near-perfect summary.
Information he had confirmed through the ending spoiler where he was killed by the Hell Knight.
“So there’s no need for the magic to gather again. No more barriers will appear. This guy is still alive.”
Lloyd pointed at Sir Geo-Rexius with a nod.
The Hell Knight nodded.
– “Indeed. The barrier was meant to awaken and summon me. Now that it has served its purpose, it won’t appear again.”
“You heard him?”
Echoing Sir Geo-Rexius’s words, Lloyd shrugged.
Javier slowly nodded.
“True. That makes sense.”
“Yes, it does.”
That’s exactly it.
That’s how the Fate Restoration Phenomenon works.
Events that should happen in the original but were canceled by Lloyd.
They get recreated in a similar form here.
But now?
The Hell Knight wasn’t dead.
Whether he became Lloyd’s subordinate or not, he was alive.
That was the most important part, Lloyd thought.
‘Of course. The barrier in Namaran was meant to awaken and summon Sir Geo-Rexius. But now? The summoned Hell Knight isn’t dead. The barrier has completed its role.’
As long as Geo-Rexius remained active?
At least for now, no new barriers would form.
This meant Namaran would be safer.
‘That’s why I didn’t kill him.’
Keeping him alive and working for Lloyd.
That was the ultimate goal of solving this incident.
‘Anyway, phew. Goal achieved.’
Lloyd let out a deep breath.
Could he keep doing this in the future?
He felt fear and uncertainty.
But also a sense of possibility.
“So, let’s head to the estate!”
Boom-!
With a mighty leap, Yongyong soared into the sky.
They departed from Namaran.
Flying through the night.
Soon, the dawn of a new day broke in the eastern sky.
Cutting through the morning mist in the mountains, they returned to the estate.
Lloyd headed straight to the mansion upon arrival.
But the first person he sought wasn’t the Count and Countess of Frontera.
“Um, Dragon King? Are you here?”
Knock, knock?
He timidly knocked on the guest room door.
Perking his ears, he listened intently for any movement inside.
But there was no sound or response.
‘Of course. He’s asleep.’
No sound of breathing.
Even with the hearing of a Sword Master, there was nothing.
‘Indeed, Dragon King Verkis. The ultimate sleeper I know.’
How deeply must he be sleeping to make not a single sound?
Perhaps he had reached an enlightenment level of sleep mastery.
Thinking this, Lloyd gently turned the doorknob.
Fortunately, it wasn’t locked.
‘Good.’
He would quietly enter.
Wake Dragon King Verkis with utmost politeness.
Without provoking his temper.
Enticing him with an appealing proposal.
Get that heavy sleeper to join as an ally.
‘With him, the Hell Army invasion? Easily handled. No matter how strong they are, they’d be nothing to Dragon King Verkis.’
With the Dragon King.
With his overwhelming power.
He could perhaps even face the Hell King.
Lloyd believed this. He was confident. He was hopeful. He sincerely wished, peeking into the guest room.
And he was shocked.
‘What?’
He wasn’t there.
There was no sign of Dragon King Verkis in the guest room.
‘What’s this? Did he use magic?’
Maybe he had used invisibility magic to ensure a perfect sleep.
Thinking this, Lloyd quickly activated the Asrahan technique.
He rotated all three circles.
He scrutinized the mana flow around him.
But he felt nothing.
‘Gone.’
Not a trace of Verkis’s breath or mana.
He was thoroughly surprised.
This was unexpected.
‘Dragon King Verkis is such a sleeper he wouldn’t leave his bed. But he left? How does this make sense?’
Unless there was a strong motive.
Such an occurrence was unthinkable.
But evidence proved it real.
A small note left on the bedside table.
“…”
Lloyd picked it up.
The note was too simple to be called brief.
[ㄱ. ㅊ ㅈ.]
“…”
At first, he thought it was a code.
But upon closer inspection, it wasn’t.
‘Wait… Gone? Dead if found? So, this means… I’m gone. Find me and you’re dead? Is that it?’
It seemed to be the message.
Judging by the few letters used out of laziness.
‘Definitely from Dragon King Verkis. He’s leaving. And if found and bothered, he’ll kill.’
A chuckle escaped him.
It was a setback.
‘Tsk. With his help, this disaster would be easily managed.’
But that seemed unlikely now.
His understanding of Dragon King Verkis’s personality confirmed it.
‘He’s fundamentally self-centered. A mood swinger and henpecked husband. He only listens to his wife. He’s extremely selfish and impulsive. But to leave a note like this?’
It signaled a strong intent.
Ignoring it and finding him would mean?
‘I’d die. Seriously.’
No Dragon King membership.
Just one swift end.
He’d get himself killed by the Dragon King before facing the Hell King.
With that calculated, Lloyd chuckled wryly.
‘… Phew. No support from the Dragon King, then.’
The strongest card.
Gone.
His mouth tasted bitter.
But Lloyd wouldn’t give up.
“Lord Lloyd, what’s the plan now?”
“Hmm, I guess we go with Plan B.”
“Plan B…?”
“Yeah.”
Lloyd nodded.
Seeing Javier frowning at him, he asked nonchalantly.
“Have you ever showered with 2 billion liters of holy water?”
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