Chapter 308: Changing the Construction Site (3)
“Good. I like it. Let’s make the contract.”
Crack!
The mermaid queen extended her hand. Lloyd grasped it, feeling the overwhelming strength of her forearm muscles. Although it felt like his hand was being pleasantly crushed, he could still smile broadly.
“Phew, done. The contract is successful.”
A sense of relief washed over him. The joy of a successful contract filled his heart. It wasn’t without reason.
“It was quite a close call.”
Lloyd had brought a proposal that the mermaid queen could hardly refuse. Nevertheless, there was no guarantee this contract would succeed due to everyone’s inherent greed.
“The mermaid queen might have been tempted to keep the Sacred Jewel all to herself. It’s possible; one can never be too sure.”
Greed is just like that. Even if it was he who unearthed the Jewel. Even if it was due to his efforts that the Jewel was brought to light. And thus, they unexpectedly got to use the Jewel.
“At that point, one might feel the urge to keep it all to oneself. Once having it, enjoying it—why not just monopolize it?”
If the mermaid queen had been consumed by such greed, no matter how favorable the conditions he offered, she might not have accepted the contract. Fortunately, a favorable outcome had emerged.
“It’s good that the mermaid queen is magnanimous.”
She turned out to be much more broad-minded than he had anticipated. She seemed to have coldly assessed the bigger picture of the contract conditions he proposed. It was the ideal outcome he had hoped for.
“This is what makes it worthwhile to work with integrity.”
Truth be told, he too had felt tempted. Of course, he had felt greed. He could have just built the Sacred Jewel in the Frontera domain without informing the mermaid kingdom. Could have proceeded with the construction whether the kingdom protested or not. Would that not have been simpler? The temptation was real, truly a sweet one.
“It wouldn’t have been hard to do. After all, I could just have Hamang fetch the first core material, Tauranga, that I left in the mermaid kingdom.”
The mermaid kingdom still didn’t know about the relationship between Hamang and him. So, even if Hamang was to secretly plunder Tauranga?
The kingdom wouldn’t know it was him who secured it.
“Moreover, covertly building the Sacred Jewel in the Frontera domain wouldn’t have been a problem either. They’re merfolk; it wouldn’t be easy for them to come up to land. And even on land, how would they know about a Jewel being built in the Frontera domain in the eastern inland?”
If he had just decided to act on his burgeoning greed and be honest with it, he could have proceeded with the construction without their knowledge. However, he chose not to. The reason was simple: it felt like a low move.
“It would be no different from corporations in South Korea who exploit subcontractors to fatten their own profits.”
Acting on an agreement to build the Sacred Jewel in the mermaid kingdom, only to secretly build it in the Frontera domain, and construction companies promising more work if a contractor does a good job but then switching to a cheaper contractor for the next project to cut costs—it all felt too similar.
In the end, it seemed like the same kind of trickery.
Even though he often ran his mouth and pulled countless fast ones, he didn’t want to live by exploiting and then discarding those who helped him like old rags.
It seemed to be a line of conscience he needed to maintain.
“Thank you for recognizing my sincerity.”
Lloyd felt grateful to the mermaid queen. He wasn’t without remorse, though. After all, the Hellgate had opened because of him. It wasn’t intentional.
At the time, it was a necessary act to escape the lava giant. Though he was keeping the fact hidden because he didn’t want to get killed for it.
“I’m sorry. I’ll definitely take responsibility and close the Hellgate.”
Perhaps once the Sacred Jewel was operational?
He might figure out a way to persuade the King of Hell to close the Hellgate.
Lloyd proceeded with this expectation, now that he had the mermaid queen’s agreement and a contract.
“It’s time to move without delay. Thank you. I will build the Sacred Jewel diligently, considering the cooperation you have provided.”
He quickly greeted the queen and then descended into the depths with Javier.
They arrived at the initial site where the Sacred Jewel was to be constructed and collected the core material, Tauranga, which had been thrown there. They also picked up a statue that had been installed there during the initial excavation with the help of the merfolk.
Many merfolk flexed their muscles as they transported Tauranga and the statue to land. After ensuring the merfolk had returned to the sea, Lloyd called for Hamang. He mounted the giant creature’s back, loading it with all the core materials they had found.
With everything securely aboard, they flew towards the Frontera domain in the southeast.
“The ride quality is like a full-size sedan, and the seating like a large aircraft.”
Hamang’s large body was perfect for long-distance high-altitude flights, making the journey incredibly stable. Half a day later, they arrived at the Frontera domain.
“It’s a Bone Dragon!”
The cry echoed through Mare’s Plains, shouted by a farmer.
Ignoring the shout, they circled the domain once and then landed in front of the Frontera mansion, situated atop a gentle hill.
Boom!
The mansion front was already in an uproar. The sudden appearance of a Bone Dragon, especially landing in front of the lord’s mansion, was enough to cause a stir. But this commotion was not of fear and chaos. On the contrary.
“It’s a Bone Dragon! It’s a Bone Dragon!”
“It’s really Lord Lloyd with a Bone Dragon!”
“Long live Lord Lloyd!”
“Long live His Majesty the King!”
The first to react were the domain’s guards who cheered. The residents, who had gathered quickly as Hamang circled the domain, joined in the cheers. Although Hamang kicked up a massive dust cloud upon landing and demonstrated an incredible presence due to its sheer size, almost no residents were frightened by the Bone Dragon.
Lloyd realized then.
“News from the capital must have reached here first.”
He recalled the events when he had stopped by the capital to fetch Tauranga. There, he had revitalized the king’s spirits.
He had arranged a feast and officially debuted (?) Hamang.
It was publicized that the king had tamed the Bone Dragon.
Thanks to that, he became a royal confidant and was legally allowed to command Hamang.
“All that news has been relayed here. But, how exactly do these domain residents manage? Even if they were forewarned about Hamang’s size, wouldn’t human nature typically lead to some intimidation?”
Such thoughts naturally occurred to him. However, the people of this domain were not at all intimidated, likely because they were accustomed to large creatures.
“Ppodong, Bangul, and with Hamang growing up to tens of meters, not to mention Bibeng reaching about a hundred meters. They’ve probably seen too many large creatures regularly.”
That might explain their comfort with such a size.
A bitter smile escaped him. This smile deepened as he dismounted from Hamang.
“How did you, a mere human, manage to command a Bone Dragon?”
Faster than anyone else.
Different from the others.
Solitas, the young Red Dragon, was the first to greet him, frantically rushing over and demanding with fiery eyes even before formal greetings could be exchanged.
Lloyd simply grinned.
“Well, it happened somehow. Shall we say I rescued the owner of this skeleton’s soul from hell? Anyway, have you managed to escape being a noob?”
“Of course. I am a great dragon. There’s nothing impossible for me.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Absolutely. I’ve completely graduated from wood carving and am now carving gravel.”
“Oh.”
“After gravel, I plan to move on to metals, animal bones, horns, and then to gems.”
“Oh, wow.”
“After that, I’ll finally be able to stack up gems to find a mate.”
“Oh, wow, that’s impressive.”
“Isn’t it?”
“Yes. Until then, keep burning up the sewage sludge, okay?”
“…”
“And being a member of a great race, um, haven’t you felt something strange recently?”
“Strange how?”
“Like, feeling the presence of an incredibly grand being nearby, that sort of thing.”
“Not really.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Of course. There’s no way a being nobler and greater than I could be felt in a lowly human domain like this.”
“Oh, yes. Well, that must be the case.”
Lloyd again wore a bitter smile.
He had asked just in case.
Wondering if this young dragon had sensed the presence of Dragon King Berkis.
But it seems a newbie is still a newbie.
Solitas could not press further. In fact, he was held back by the domain’s guards.
“Hey! How dare you! A mere blacksmith’s apprentice approaching Lord Lloyd so easily!”
The stern voice of the senior knight and chief engineer, Sir Bayern, flew through the air.
At his reprimand, Solitas flinched. Anger flashed across the young dragon’s face, but it was fleeting. Recalling the contract contents, he quickly composed himself and returned to his simple blacksmith apprentice demeanor.
As Solitas withdrew, Sir Bayern approached and bowed solemnly and respectfully.
“It’s been a while, Lord Lloyd.”
“Yes, it’s been a while, Sir Bayern. No issues in the meantime?”
“None at all. The waterworks, apartments, and various facilities you entrusted to us have been maintained without major issues.”
“That’s good to hear. Thanks for your hard work.”
Lloyd passed by Sir Bayern. The guards, the engineers, the osteo-engineers, and the residents of the domain crowded around. They showered him with welcoming, admiring, and envious looks.
A strange feeling enveloped him.
“When I first came here, I only received scorn and disdain.”
The day he had entered Lloyd Frontera’s body vividly returned to his memory. Back then, everyone’s attitude towards him was only cold.
So chilly and frosty.
Although they treated him with respect due to his status, their expressions and eyes were filled with contempt.
Some residents even panicked and hurriedly turned away at the mere sight of him.
“But now it’s different.”
The looks of contempt had turned into gazes of respect.
Expressions of disgust had become smiles of welcome and admiration.
The count and countess running from the flower garden were no exception.
“Lloyd!”
“Is everything alright?”
They embraced him warmly as soon as they arrived, breathless from the run. Their hands were still covered with soil from the garden.
He was grateful.
Overwhelmed and thankful.
For considering him as a son.
For always welcoming him warmly.
For showing concern and worry first and foremost.
It made him even more grateful.
“Let’s see. Are you alright? Huh?”
The countess’s hands reached for his cheeks, seemingly oblivious to the towering Bone Dragon behind him.
In her eyes, her son seemed to be the only presence, even if the world was filled with giant, intimidating entities.
Perhaps that’s what a mother is.
Her worried eyes seemed to inspect his face.
“I heard about it. How cold was it? Huh? Why did you do something so dangerous?”
“Ah, haha. Did the news of that cold outbreak reach here too?”
“Of course. Your father and I were so worried.”
“Um, sorry.”
“Sorry? Are you alright? Didn’t you get hurt?”
“Uh, that was quite a while ago. I’m fine now.”
“What about any aftereffects? Have you seen a doctor?”
“Ah, yes. They said I was fine.”
“What about the trial? Wasn’t it scary?”
“Hahaha…”
“Why would you do something like that?”
“Well, it just happened…”
Lloyd could only laugh awkwardly.
Perhaps that’s just how it is.
No matter how great his feats or if he arrives riding a formidable Bone Dragon.
In the presence of a mother, he seems always to remain an eternal child.
And unwittingly, he felt a tickle at the bridge of his nose.
“Mom.”
He suddenly thought of his mother in Korea.
If she were alive and saw him now, she’d likely have the same worried look as the countess.
Maybe that’s why.
Lloyd took the countess’s hands in his.
With teary eyes, he looked back at the count.
The count patted his shoulder with a look of profound emotion.
“Well done, son.”
“Yes.”
He felt a surge of emotion.
Secretly, he vowed.
He wanted to protect them.
He wanted to be with them forever.
Thus, he must continue to live earnestly.
With that promise in his heart, he swallowed his tears and smiled brightly.
And finally, he spoke the words he had always wanted to say if he ever had a family.
“I’m home.”