The Greatest Estate Developer - Chapter 395: The Hell Conquest (2)

“Are you all ready to hunt the Hell King?”

Lloyd’s question echoed in everyone’s ears.

Those standing before him raised their heads.

They looked at Lloyd, thinking the same thing.

‘Is there anyone else in the world like him?’

The fallen angel Raphael subconsciously swallowed dryly.

Lloyd Frontera.

Just a mere human.

He thought about the feats Lloyd had accomplished today.

‘Who in the world could fight against the hellish legions this effectively? No, has anyone ever done such a thing?’

There wasn’t.

No one had.

Not in the human world, and not even across the heavens.

‘Until now, our heavenly realm has clashed with Hell… apart from minor skirmishes, there have been five major confrontations. Each time, battles of unimaginable ferocity took place.’

They were massive and evenly matched wars.

Back-and-forth battles that never ended easily.

The aftermath of these battles would often reach the surface.

‘Every time, there were mass extinction events on Earth. The impact of the battles would disrupt the ecosystem. But Lloyd Frontera…’

He fought cleanly, without causing such fallout.

A drawn-out war?

A back-and-forth battle?

Without even going through any such process, he overwhelmed the hellish legions.

‘This is a victory even our heavenly realm has never achieved.’

And a mere human had done it.

That was surprising and astonishing.

The same thought crossed the mind of Sir Geo-Rexius, the Hell Knight, who stood beside the fallen angel.

‘Switching employers was the best decision I made!’

Sir Geo-Rexius clenched his fist secretly.

He had been worried a lot before this battle.

Though he had renounced his loyalty.

The Hell King was still his former lord.

Facing such an entity was burdensome.

He also feared what might happen if Lloyd lost.

But when the battle started?

Lloyd was driving the hellish legions with a strategy that seemed almost divine.

Thanks to that, Sir Geo-Rexius’s affection for his new workplace(?) surged.

The rest of the group also had their own feelings.

‘Gweeek! We hit the jackpot today! Fighting properly makes my muscles bulge, gweeek!’

The orc Arosh was so excited about the big fight that his pig-like nose was twitching.

On the other hand, the elf Muira made a resolution.

‘There isn’t a single plant here. It’s literally Hell. After this battle, I should plant a lot of seeds.’

To do that, they needed to conquer this place.

Today’s operation had to succeed.

She made a firm determination.

Meanwhile, Lloyd shouted.

“Alright, let’s go! Everyone, board!”

Yongyong crouched down.

Everyone climbed onto Yongyong’s skull.

Bibeong clung to Yongyong.

With powerful wing beats, they pushed off the ground.

Boom—!

An explosive ascent and acceleration.

“That way!”

Lloyd pointed in the direction Sir Geo-Rexius had indicated.

Following his lead, Yongyong crossed the skies of Hell.

A pungent headwind blew fiercely against them like a tidal wave.

Lloyd calculated the time in his mind.

‘We should reach the Hell King’s location in about 10 minutes. Whew. We can’t be too late.’

By now, the Hell King.

He should have almost fully settled into the lich’s body.

He should be ready to awaken as an avatar.

‘So just a little faster. If we arrive before he opens his eyes, things will be much easier.’

If that really happened.

It might be the best outcome they could hope for today.

‘It’d be like hitting the lottery 10 times in a row, automatically.’

No, maybe it would be an even greater achievement.

While he was pondering this.

Suddenly, he felt a sharp gaze from the side.

“…Why are you looking at me like that again?”

“Because I have doubts.”

Javier, with his silver hair flowing, shot his characteristic cold gaze at him.

“Can we really defeat the Hell King with the forces we have here?”

“Are you worried?”

“Yes.”

Javier nodded firmly.

“No matter how much he’s just an avatar, he is still the Hell King. Without a special strategy, this battle could be reckless.”

“Well, yeah, that’s true.”

“….”

“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m wondering if you have another strange plan up your sleeve.”

“Hey. What do you mean by a strange plan?”

“Haven’t you always been like that? And you were today, too.”

A subtle smile appeared on Javier’s lips.

“But I do like that the battleground is here. If we had fought at the estate, there would have been significant collateral damage.”

“Exactly. Besides, the fact that we’re fighting here itself is probably pissing off the Hell King quite a bit.”

“Indeed. He went to great lengths to manifest as an avatar to descend to the surface.”

“But we showed up before he could even get to the surface?”

“…Pfft.”

Javier couldn’t hold back his laughter.

A satisfied smile appeared on Lloyd’s lips as well.

“So, just like always, trust me. I’ve got a plan.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course. And one more thing. Don’t push yourself too hard.”

“I think today we might need to push ourselves.”

“No. If you push yourself, we’ll fail.”

“Why?”

“You’ll understand later.”

“…Don’t tell me.”

“What now?”

“You’ve already seen the outcome of today’s battle, haven’t you? Using the Truth Jewel.”

“More or less.”

“Then we’re going to win, right?”

“…”

He turned to look at Javier.

He still had that icy gaze.

What kind of answer should he give to that gaze?

If he gave a too-honest answer, today’s plan might fall apart.

Javier would oppose it with everything he had.

So…

“Yeah. We’ll win.”

A half-truth, half-lie.

Finally, a look of relief appeared in Javier’s eyes.

Yes.

That would do.

You’re satisfied now.

That’s enough.

Today, we’re going to win, no matter what.

“Anyway, get ready. We’re almost there.”

He suppressed the urge to let his emotions out.

Now wasn’t the time to be sentimental.

The real challenge was just beginning.

It was time to cross the final hurdle.

“And from now on, listen carefully and do exactly as I say. Got it? Here’s what we’re going to do…”

Firming up his resolve.

As he laid out the plan to Javier.

Lloyd focused on a specific point on the distant horizon.

♣

– They’ve arrived.

Ssssss…

This was the edge of Hell.

The place where the Hell Train’s terminus had been constructed long ago.

The location where countless souls entered the Gate of Reincarnation.

That’s why, even while manifesting into a new body as an avatar.

To prevent Hell’s operations from being disrupted.

He had to stay here continuously in recent times.

At the center of the spacious terminus platform, the Hell King opened his eyes.

No, he had his eyes closed, but he saw everything.

In fact, he had been awake as an avatar for quite some time.

But he hadn’t moved.

He stayed here, calmly seated.

Observing everything that had happened today.

He enjoyed it.

It thrilled him.

He was utterly satisfied.

Because he had confirmed so vividly that his judgment wasn’t wrong.

– Indeed. My eyes weren’t wrong. Lloyd Frontera. No, Kim Suho. You truly are the greatest talent I’ve seen in Hell. Isn’t that right?

Thud—!

A heavy question resonated from deep within the Hell King’s being.

As soon as the question ended.

Bibeong landed at the edge of the platform.

Yongyong followed suit and landed next to him.

The Hell King’s lips curved into a more delighted smile.

– Welcome, Kim Suho.

“Save the welcome. And for the love of humanity, don’t smile like that. It’s not even your real face, and seeing a lich smile like that makes this look like some kind of horror show.”

Lloyd descended from Yongyong’s skull.

He greeted the Hell King with sharp sarcasm.

But the Hell King only smiled more broadly with his lich’s dried-up face.

– Yes, yes. That’s the spirit. That’s the attitude I want to crush and put underfoot.

“……”

– You’re resisting to the very end. It seems you won’t concede until I take action myself. But as long as I’m in my true form, I can’t intervene directly due to the rules. So, I prepared this form for you. How do you like it?

Roarrr!

Slowly, the Hell King spread his arms.

With that single movement, overwhelming malevolence spread in all directions.

The limitless, violent mana inherent to a lich.

Alongside the transcendent authority of the Hell King.

The force imbued with all that power.

Barely a fraction of it became tangible.

And just from that alone, the surrounding air changed.

The normally hot and stifling wind of Hell instantly turned cold.

Everyone shivered involuntarily.

Queen Alicia furrowed her nose and raised her fighting spirit in response.

The fallen angel Raphael tensed even more, igniting his flame halo.

Sir Geo-Rexius, the Hell Knight, shivered through his shoulder blades.

The orc Arosh exhaled more heavily.

The elf Muira instinctively drew her bowstring.

And Lloyd let out an exclamation.

“Wow. The air conditioning is incredible.”

– ……

“Could you do that again? This is surprisingly refreshing. Even the volcanic ash and fine dust seem to have been blown far away.”

– ……

“Or not, if you don’t want to.”

– …Ahem, Kim Suho.

“Yeah, what?”

– It’s not too late.

“For what?”

– Kneel before me, even now. Beg me. Ask me to take you in. To grant you the powers of Hell. It’s not a difficult thing to do.

“That sounds hard, actually.”

– No, if you change your mind, it’s simple. Just do that, just ask, and you’ll gain power no one has ever wielded, something no one has ever enjoyed. For eternity.

“You mean securing a position in Hell?”

– Exactly. You would become the second in command of Hell, with unlimited authority, just below me. What do you think? Isn’t it a meaningful ambition for a man?

“Meaningful. I get what you mean.”

– Ha. So you finally understand my intention?

“Yes.”

Lloyd nodded.

Then, tilting his head slightly, he looked directly at the Hell King.

“This is basically unpaid labor, isn’t it?”

– …What?

“Do you have honey in Hell?”

– Honey?

“Yes, honey. Sweet, delicious honey that tastes even sweeter when mixed with water. Do you have it?”

– We don’t… have it.

“That’s the problem.”

Lloyd’s face was full of regret.

“Come on, think about it. There’s no honey. There’s nothing fun to do. And it’s not like the environment is comfortable, right? There are constant volcanic eruptions, lava flows, the average temperature is unbearable, and there’s volcanic ash everywhere. You wouldn’t want to live here without a mask.”

– ……

“And yet, you say you can wield a power no one else has? Let’s be honest. Isn’t this a joke? Isn’t this a scam?”

Lloyd’s voice grew louder, filled with a gradient of anger.

Like someone who had picked up a buy-one-get-one-free deal at a store, only to realize it was more expensive than buying two items separately.

Pointing out the reality that the grand offer was just a sham.

He argued with a slightly flushed face.

“Seriously, this is absurd. Look here. If you want to recruit people and make them work, shouldn’t you at least provide a decent working environment? And you’re asking them to work here? There are no amenities, the infrastructure is a joke, there are no schools. Even after a million years, the land value here wouldn’t rise a single penny. What’s so great about wielding authority and power in a place like this? Huh?”

– But Kim Suho.

“I’ve heard enough. You’re offering nothing of substance. It’s just a façade with fancy words. And for that, you expect me to work endlessly, for eternity? Did you think I was so naive and easy to fool? Or are you really just that pathetic? Huh?”

– Kim Suho!

“Yes.”

– Think again. Don’t view this proposal with the narrow eyes of a human.

“Why?”

– The moment you accept this offer, your name will be inscribed in the sacred texts of all humanity as a mythical figure.

“So what?”

– Isn’t that a great honor?

“Honor, my ass. In a place without honey.”

– ……

“Disappointed with my answer? Then how about this? Since I guess you’ve somewhat prepared for this, let’s just check. Can I see the employment contract?”

– Employment… what?

“Figured.”

A smirk appeared on Lloyd’s lips.

“You didn’t prepare anything, did you?”

– Do we really need such a contract between us?

“Of course, we do.”

– But I am the Hell King. The ruler of endless purgatory and the overseer of death and reincarnation. Yet you think a mere piece of paper is necessary to bind you under me?

“…Ha.”

The Hell King asked seriously.

Lloyd snorted.

Conversely, his gaze grew colder.

The tone of his voice became even more cynical.

“See? I knew it. When asked for an employment contract, you turn serious. Typical of exploitative employers.”

– What?

“Think about it. Hell King, ruler of purgatory, whatever. Does that guarantee your credibility? When you work people to the bone, all sorts of strange things happen. How are you planning to handle things without a single prepared contract? Huh?”

– Hell is…

“I’ve heard enough about Hell. It’s always the same with bosses who don’t use contracts. They say things like, ‘Do we really need such a thing between us? Don’t let these things hurt our relationship. It’s better this way, isn’t it? I think of you as family, but if you insist, it’s disappointing,’ and so on. ‘Like family,’ huh? What a joke.”

– ……

“And when they say that, they skip the contract, and then what happens? They don’t even pay minimum wage. They make you do all sorts of tough jobs without any allowance. They don’t even give you days off. If they actually manage proper work hours, that’s already lucky. And when you question it, you know what they say? Bosses like you always say the same thing. ‘Didn’t you gain experience? Didn’t you learn the value of dedication to work? That’s a lifelong asset, much more valuable than any daily wage or hourly pay. You should be thankful.’ Isn’t that just absolute nonsense?”

– What are you talking about…

“Am I wrong? What you proudly mentioned earlier about the greatest throne in Hell, enjoying authority, having your name inscribed in the sacred texts—how are those any different from that bullshit? Think about it. What do I actually get? It’s nothing. And meanwhile, you’re the one living the sweet life, lazing around while making me struggle for minimum wage. When I’m scraping by, barely making ends meet, while you’re driving luxury cars by yourself. What’s the difference between you and those unscrupulous bosses?”

– Kim Suho.

“Don’t call me that. It’s irritating. Especially when you don’t even have honey.”

– Kim Suho!

The Hell King shouted.

Genuinely enraged.

Which is why the Hell King didn’t notice.

As Lloyd spat out his sharp words like a knife.

Drawing all his attention.

Behind him, the real blade aimed at him was being drawn.

Shing—!

– …!

The Hell King was just about to rise when Grandmaster Javier, with all his might, struck a slash that pierced the Hell King’s chest.