The Greatest Estate Developer - Chapter 387: A Weapon Called Faith (2)

**A blind date.**

A word that strikes a chord in the heart of every single person living on this earth.

For some, it’s a golden opportunity.

For others, it’s a humiliating disgrace.

And for yet another group, it’s a battlefield marked by glorious blessings.

This word, of course, also made the heart of Solitas, the Red Dragon, race.

Even though he didn’t quite understand the exact meaning of the word, just hearing it made his heart beat fast with excitement.

**”They’re introducing me to a potential bride? Is that what a blind date is? So, it’s something like a matchmaking among humans?”**

That seemed to be the case.

Solitas couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious.

“Is that true?”

“Yes. Probably?”

“If someone introduces me to a bride, does that mean I can get married too?”

“Well, that depends on you, Solitas.”

“So, you’re only responsible for the introduction?”

“Yes, exactly.”

“Then who is it?”

“The person you’re being set up with?”

“Yes.”

“That’s still a secret.”

“Why?”

“You haven’t even heard my request yet.”

“…”

Oh, maybe I got too eager.

Solitas, regaining a semblance of composure, took a step back.

“Ahem, ahem! So, what is this request you have for me?”

“It could be a little difficult for you, or perhaps very easy.”

“Don’t tell me you’re asking me to burn more of the excrement of the creatures living here?”

“Of course not. Would I make such a stinky request?”

“……”

You totally would.

That’s what Solitas thought to himself.

Lloyd continued with his usual calm and shameless tone.

“The truth is, in about three months, the Hell Legion will invade. They’ll come here.”

“What?”

“They’ll bring a considerable force, and fighting them off will cause quite a bit of damage.”

“So, you want me to fight alongside you?”

“No.”

“Then?”

“I’m thinking of evacuating the residents of the Frontera territory and Baron Rakona’s domain to your lair for a few days, just around the time of the invasion.”

“…What?”

Solitas frowned deeply.

“Did you just say, to my lair? All those humans?”

“Yes. I believe ten to fifteen days will suffice.”

“I haven’t agreed to this.”

“But I think you will.”

“Why would I do such a thing for mere humans?”

“Not for humans, but for your blind date.”

“But still, allowing them into my lair? Do you think I’m a pushover? Letting those smelly creatures into my sacred place?”

“I’ll have them cleaned thoroughly before they enter.”

“No. Who knows what kind of mess they’ll make while staying there?”

“What more would they do other than eat and sleep?”

“Is my lair an inn to you?”

“But imagine a happy blind date.”

“Are you mocking my lair?”

“But think of a delightful blind date.”

“This proposal is insulting to both my lair and to me.”

“But imagine a thrilling blind date.”

“Are you trying to play games with me?”

“But imagine a tantalizing blind date.”

“You dare…”

“A completely electrifying blind date.”

“…F-Fine.”

Lloyd smirked slyly.

Solitas blushed, feeling a mix of shame and excitement.

This offer was too tempting to refuse in anger.

**’Phew. A blind date. To think that such a fate would come my way in this lifetime. What should I wear that day? Or should I just meet them in my true form? In that case, I should polish my horns and shine my scales. When it comes to shining, waxing and lighting a fire is the best. Finishing off with cold water and a soft towel. Or should I go all out with fire, water, and a glass coating? Yes, that sounds perfect.’**

The date wasn’t even set yet.

He didn’t even know what his blind date would look like.

But Solitas was already soaring through a hundred different scenarios with his mystery match.

He even pondered over what kind of marriage certificate they would use.

He fretted over the style of the wedding rings.

He decided a beach honeymoon would be nice.

And he started formulating a comprehensive family plan from A to Z.

“Does this mean you’ve agreed to my request?”

Rustle!

Lloyd’s voice, gentle yet persuasive, echoed in his ears, accompanied by the rustling of paper.

“…”

Regaining his composure, Solitas realized he was holding a document.

“What is this?”

“A short-term lease agreement.”

“Short-term… lease?”

“Yes. As I mentioned earlier, it’s a contract allowing us to lease your lair for up to fifteen days for our territory’s residents.”

“What kind of nonsense…”

“Blind date.”

“Where do I sign?”

“Here, thank you.”

Finally, Lloyd obtained Solitas’s signature on the contract.

A deeply satisfied smile spread across Lloyd’s face.

**’Alright. This ensures the safety of the territory’s residents.’**

He felt a bit more at ease.

Solitas’s lair was quite far from here.

It had ample space to accommodate all the residents.

And as a dragon’s lair, its defense and other facilities were robust.

With everyone sheltered there, the residents should be safe.

They wouldn’t get caught up in the chaos that would unfold in the territory.

**’Thank goodness.’**

Lloyd sighed in relief.

But there was still one lingering issue.

“So, when will you introduce me to my bride?”

“Once this crisis is over.”

“The invasion by the Hell Legion?”

“Yes.”

“What did you do to get into this kind of mess?”

“Beats me.”

“In any case, if you die, I suppose my blind date goes down the drain too?”

“Probably?”

“Then don’t die.”

“Thank you for the encouragement.”

“But there’s one more thing.”

“Something you’re curious about?”

“Of course. This bride you’re going to introduce me to, can’t you give me a hint about who it is?”

“…Uh, well.”

“Why not?”

“Isn’t it more exciting and thrilling to meet someone without knowing anything about them?”

“Is it?”

“Yes. Of course.”

…In truth, that’s not the case at all.

Usually, you’d give information about the other person before a blind date.

But right now?

That was impossible.

**’Because I haven’t even found a match for him yet!’**

Yes, the whole blind date arrangement was a bluff.

All of it was a complete fabrication.

But there was no other choice.

**’For now, the urgent priority is to stop the Hell Legion’s invasion. I need to save the territory’s people first.’**

The fire on his heels was too hot.

He figured he could deal with the rest later.

**’As for the matchmaking later on? I’ll figure something out. I’ll just have to find some eligible female dragon at that point.’**

It was a rather irresponsible thought, but there was no other way at the moment.

Lloyd hid his true intentions behind a trustworthy smile.

“In any case, the residents will be evacuated in 85 days. We’ll gather them on that day, so please teleport them to your lair, Solitas.”

“All of them? At once?”

“Is that too much to ask?”

“My dragon heart will be utterly drained, leaving me exhausted.”

“Is it impossible?”

“No. I didn’t say it was impossible.”

“Good. Then I’m counting on you.”

“And you, don’t forget. The bride.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

With that, the contract for the evacuation of the residents with Solitas was complete.

Feeling significantly lighter, Lloyd could move on to his next task.

**’The evacuation of the residents is sorted. Now it’s time to prepare to use the holy water.’**

He was planning to use 2 billion liters of holy water made from the Tears of the Fallen Angel.

And he had already figured out how.

He immediately climbed the Eastern Mountains.

He headed to Lake Kapua.

There, Bibeong was basking in the sun on the sandy shore.

“Perfect timing. I needed to talk to you.”

“…Bibeong?”

Half asleep, Bibeong opened one eye, still lying down.

Lloyd explained the situation to the drowsy beaver—about the Hell Legion, the 2 billion liters of holy water, and the drastic measures needed to distribute it.

**”…So, I’m thinking of breaking the dam here. But I figured I needed your permission first.”**

Technically speaking, this lake was created by Bibeong.

Using his beaver-like instincts, Bibeong had built the dam.

And since the dam was of considerable size, it had created a mountain lake comparable to Korea’s Soyang Lake.

So, it could be said that the owner of this dam was none other than Bibeong himself.

“Would you be willing to give me permission?”

Lloyd asked, feeling a bit anxious.

Strictly speaking, Bibeong wasn’t loyal to him.

The dragon had only followed along and participated in various projects out of his interest and affection for Bangul.

So, what would he do if Bibeong refused this request?

Would Lloyd have to invoke Bangul’s name again?

But then, Bibeong’s answer came unexpectedly…

**”Bibeong!”**

“…What? You’re giving me permission?”

**”Bibeong! Bibeong!”**

**”You’re saying it’s only natural to cooperate under these circumstances?”**

**”Bibeong!”**

To Lloyd’s surprise, Bibeong nodded readily.

Then he added:

**”Bibeong! Bibeong? Bibeong, Bibeong. Bibeong!”

**

“…”

This time, it’s not because of Bangul.

He said he trusts in what you’ve done so far.

That’s why he’s going to trust you and follow your lead this time too.

But when it’s all over, let’s rebuild the broken dam together.

Wouldn’t that be the right thing to do?

“…Thank you.”

That was all Lloyd could say.

With Bibeong’s enthusiastic approval, Lloyd was able to survey the lakeside with a much lighter heart.

The dam that held back the lake.

From the bottom of the dam to the territory.

He began scanning and analyzing the entire terrain.

When the dam is broken, and 2 billion liters of holy water are unleashed.

The goal was to minimize the damage to the territory.

**’The flood will be of an unimaginable scale. Ideally, I want it to wipe out the Hell Legion, but I need to minimize the damage to the villages and existing facilities in the territory.’**

There was no way to avoid all damage.

But just because he was targeting the Hell Legion didn’t mean he could let the entire territory be swept away.

**’It could end up like the Vajont Dam disaster in Italy. If that happens, it’s game over.’** [1]

This territory was painstakingly cultivated.

The reclaimed lands and various facilities were all built with sweat and blood.

He didn’t want to lose them so senselessly.

**’To prevent that, I need to clear a path for the 2 billion liters of holy water to flow through when the dam bursts. I need to channel it along a designated route. And I need to do this with the least amount of construction possible, without any waste.’**

It was no easy task.

In fact, it might be the most dangerous and audacious challenge of all the projects he had undertaken so far.

**’But I can do it. I have surveying skills. I have design skills. I can trust the simulation options. I can do this. So let’s not give up. Let’s push forward. Just work harder.’**

Lloyd spent the entire day surveying until the blood vessels in his eyes burst.

Even when exhausted, he didn’t rest and kept moving.

Sometimes he rode Ggoming to cover as wide an area as possible.

He surveyed meticulously, gathering data without missing a single detail.

Using that data, he began to formulate plans and draft the rough outlines of his designs.

**’Think of it as a special type of riverbank construction.’**

Riverbank construction.

He utilized its principles to the fullest.

The main levee and secondary levees that would be constructed along the path the 2 billion liters of holy water would flow.

The cross levees to stabilize the flow direction.

The open levees for full-scale flood control.

And even the overflow levees to prevent flooding beyond the main channel.

He envisioned and combined countless structures.

Meanwhile, he also prepared for the next step—informing the residents of the territory about the Hell Legion’s impending invasion.

**’I can’t keep it a secret forever.’**

There were only about 90 days left until the invasion.

To make the necessary preparations, he needed everyone’s cooperation.

To gain that cooperation, he would have to reveal the truth.

**’Besides, the evacuation plan. They need to be informed in advance. That way, they can mentally prepare.’**

Otherwise?

If they only found out about the invasion when it was imminent?

Everyone would panic.

Even the best-laid plans would go awry if they were executed in a state of panic.

**’It’s better to inform them early. That way, the chaos will be minimized.’**

Of course, there would be unrest.

Some residents might even decide to leave.

Out of fear, they might say they can’t stay.

Because of anxiety, they might refuse to follow.

Some might abandon the territory and flee or leave forever.

But Lloyd felt that was something he had to accept.

**’It’s inevitable. After all, their lives might be at risk. I can’t force them to stay in the territory. I can’t demand they follow my plan. I can’t insist that they evacuate to Solitas’s lair. I can’t do that.’**

So, even if some residents turned their backs.

Even if the number was higher than expected.

He told himself not to be disappointed.

Not to be disheartened.

But then, while he was deep in thought…

Ding!

“What?”

Out of nowhere, an alert rang in his head.

Soon, an unexpected message appeared before his eyes.

**[The residents of Frontera territory are in shock.]**

**[Through the testimony of the Fallen Angel Raphael, who cannot lie, the residents of the territory have learned the truth about the invasion of the Hell Legion.]**

**[However, not a single resident is thinking of leaving the territory.]**

**[Instead, they are all genuinely grateful to you for prioritizing the evacuation plan and are sending you their heartfelt worries and support.]**

**[All the residents, remembering the grace you’ve shown them so far, are resolute that they cannot let you bear all the burdens and hardships alone, and they are united in their determination to help you.]**

**’What is this…?’**

The messages kept coming.

Lloyd’s eyes widened more and more.

And he realized.

An unexpected.

Unanticipated.

Small miracle was happening.

***

Footnotes:
[1] The Vajont Dam disaster refers to a catastrophic event that occurred on October 9, 1963, in Northern Italy. The Vajont Dam, one of the tallest dams in the world at the time, was built in a narrow valley. Due to geological instability, a massive landslide from the surrounding mountainside fell into the reservoir, displacing the water and causing a massive wave to overtop the dam. Although the dam itself remained intact, the resulting flood destroyed several villages downstream, killing around 2,000 people. This disaster is a stark reminder of the potential dangers of large-scale hydraulic projects and the importance of understanding geological conditions