The Greatest Architect

56. Demon’s Contract (1)

“Then let’s start collecting the construction fees. ”

“Yes?”

Xaviel looks at Lloyd curiously.

Construction costs.

A collection.

It was a fat horse.

It was also a nonsense.

“What do you mean? ”

I didn’t understand it well.

But the young master he serves, Lloyd, laughs in disgust.

“Don’t you know the cost of construction? ”

“Of course I know. ”

Construction costs are money used for construction.

Materials, equipment, labor costs, and other facility management.

Any expense incurred during the course of construction.

So Xaviel thought it was strange.

“Where do you collect it? ”

I made some assumptions.

Where do they collect the construction fees?

But nothing came to mind.

This water supply construction was not commissioned by anyone.

To overcome the crisis of the contaminated rivers on land.

To keep the water stable and clear.

It was a voluntary construction.

It’s like turning an old, dirty window sill into a new one.

Or like repairing a broken roof.

It was just a construction done because of the needs of the territory.

That is, deduct the cost of the construction (?) was nowhere to be found.

Xaviel has a slight wrinkle in his forehead.

“Are you trying to get a construction fee from Rakona Birch in the name of a reward? ”

“Huh? No. ”

At the very least, I asked him what his guess was.

However, this young master rolls up one side of his mouth.

I even said something that didn’t make any sense.

“A bounty, my ass. Why don’t you put that on your mouth? ”

“…… Yes? ”

“Something much thicker than the bounty. Hey, you there? ”

Luyd smiles and calls Lord Bavaria to clean up the scene.

“You called, Lloyd. ”

“Yes, I did. I’m trying to get him to do stuff. ”

“Tell me what you want. ”

“Okay, let’s see. I’m going somewhere with Lord Asran. So, sir, I want you to finish up the field here. Check the personnel and tools thoroughly. Take care of the food waste. If you leave it messy, you’ll end up stranding a beast in the mess hall. ”

“Very well. So Lloyd won’t be attending the Completion Commemoration?” ”

“What a pity. It’s no use falling for a local party. ”

“Then?”

“I’m just going to take care of business. Tell him that. I told you where I was going. ”

“I understand.”

“And by the way, ”

“Yes.”

“Tell her not to pop the champagne without me first. ”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Have a safe trip. ”

Execute.

Lord Bavaria has set an example.

With that example, Lloyd turned his gaze this way.

“Come on, let’s go. ”

“ ……. ”

Xaviel followed Lloyd.

Even as they come down the mountain together, his glabellar lines don’t go away.

‘What the hell are you doing? ’

Where Lloyd’s headed now.

Definitely not the way down to the territory.

‘It’s the road to Lacona. ’

I had been there a few times before.

That’s why Xaviel had to feel more questions and concerns.

“Lloyd. ”

I followed behind and opened the door.

Of course, Lloyd didn’t stop.

I continued to lead the way down the mountain.

“Yeah, I’m listening. ”

“Are you sure this is how you want to proceed? ”

“Huh.”

“Are you going to see Birch Lacona? ”

“Huh.”

“What were you planning to do when you met him? ”

“Why? You think I’m gonna go in there and make a scene? ”

“ ……. ”

Actually, that’s what worries me most.

Xaviel straightens up his thoughts for a moment and says:

“To be honest, I can understand Lloyd’s feelings. ”

“Oh. Why do they understand me? Good start. Keep talking. ”

“Yes, it is clear that Lacona’s fault for discharging toxic wastewater contaminated by river water. The subsequent threat to the state troops was a very tiresome, cowardly act. It was clear that our territory had to consume unscheduled funds and manpower to build water supply. But I do.”

Xaviel continues.

“Sometimes I feel satisfied and tolerated to make up for such damage. ”

“Hmm, are you telling me to be patient? ”

“No, judge them calmly and realistically. ”

“Cold” reality? ”

“Yes.”

Xaviel’s voice echoes with strength.

He said, still looking at Lloyd’s back, walking ahead.

“At this point, you can go to Birkhoff and meet Birkhoff Lacona. You can tell him what happened last time. But there’s really no benefit to doing that. ”

“ ……. ”

“Pointing out their faults. It’s worthless, if you calculate it a little bit coldly, with nothing but emotional relief. Rather, it will only create more unnecessary conflicts. ”

“Yeah, I hear that. ”

“So, are you willing to change your mind? ”

“No.”

Lloyd walking ahead.

I can see his shoulders slightly trembling.

Maybe he just laughed a little.

As expected, Lloyd’s voice was accompanied by a bitter smile.

“Hey, Xaviel Asrahan. Do you see me as a man who would do me no favors? ”

“Yes?”

“Do I look like that? ”

“Can I be honest? ”

“Huh.”

“Lloyd, who I’ve seen, is a filthy, backward, unacceptable zombie. ”

“Wow.”

“That’s why I don’t think this kind of behavior is appropriate for Lloyd. Please behave normally. ”

“Phew. You think all I’m trying to do is suck? ”

“Then?”

“Shut up and watch. ”

“ ……. ”

Xaviel shuts up.

I tried hard to persuade him.

But Lloyd didn’t accept that.

I thought it was crossing the line to go further here.

‘After all, this time, you hit the rock with an egg, swept by emotion. ’

The order will be found at this rate.

Even if I met him, I wanted to know what I could do.

I thought what good would it do to pick up his faults so skillfully?

Whether it’s compensation or construction.

I won’t give you a penny.

He has no reason, no reason, no need, no reason at all.

The Silver Hair Knight thought so and followed Lloyd silently.

That was three or four hours ago.

You descend the mountain in silence.

We’ve arrived at the order.

Smells nasty all over town.

It was the smell of preparing food for dinner.

I passed through two villages, smelling the smell of such savory food.

I was finally able to get to my own mansion.

“Stop.”

“The visitor must identify himself and his name. ”

Two guards guarding the gates of the mansion block the front.

But Xaviel never had a chance to step up and talk.

That’s why Lloyd took the first step.

“Lloyd Frontera is the official heir to the neighbouring baron of Frontera. Tell him I’m here to see Birkhoff. ”

“Are you asking for an official interview? ”

“Yes.”

The soldier’s attitude has deteriorated with Lloyd’s reasonable tone and attitude.

One guard at the gate and the other walks into the mansion to spread the word.

It followed a brief wait.

Meanwhile, Xaviel thinks:

‘Probably not. ’

Apply for an interview.

It was too much.

It was too muffled.

‘Usually, when visiting the noble family, we must contact them in advance and clarify the matter, so that we can meet only after we have finished coordinating the matter. ’

I rarely come here unannounced.

This is against noble etiquette.

So even if they say no?

I have nothing to say.

No, it’s natural to be rejected….

“Sir wants you to come in. ”

“ ……. ”

What is it?

Xaviel twists and moves one eyebrow.

Why didn’t you say no? ’

It wasn’t bad for this side.

I just couldn’t understand it.

I can’t believe you let me have an unplanned interview.

It doesn’t make any sense.

But that was happening.

The person who even came out here was seen as the executive officer of the decree.

Why? ’

As you enter your own mansion with Lloyd.

All the way down the hallway with directions.

In the head of the Silver Hair Knight, only a number of question marks came to mind.

However, the situation that was not understood by him continued to unfold.

“Lloyd Frontera, the eldest son of the Frontera family, has arrived. ”

“Come in. ”

End of any corridor.

The clerk announced at the door of the conference room.

But the voice of the answer coming back from the inside was his own.

‘ ……. ’

Xaviel’s eyebrows twitch again.

I can’t believe there’s a bird in the conference room waiting.

This was also because it made no sense.

‘We are unannounced visitors. ’

Not only did he accept it, but he came out to the conference room first and waited for it.

Inside the open door, in the viewing room, the bird sat on the chair, touching the polite goatee.

But there was something else about the look or attitude of the bird looking this way.

“Phew. It’s been a long time, you guys. ”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Come and sit down. ”

“Thank you.”

The snitch is aiming this way, like killing Lloyd, to be exact.

It was like a poisonous serpent.

But for some reason, I was trying hard to understand the poison.

Whereas Lloyd?

“I cannot thank you enough for welcoming us like this. ”

…… very confident.

Seems relaxed and full of confidence.

That’s why Xaviel had to feel more confused.

‘What the hell is going on here? ’

Something was very different from what I expected.

Lloyd and Lacona.

That was their attitude.

‘I’m sure Lloyd is angry, and Lacona should behave casually. ’

That was natural.

It was common sense.

Lloyd’s here to pick up where he left off.

It’s normal for Lacona to laugh at Lloyd like that.

Why were the two people’s attitudes upside down?

Somehow, Lloyd was so taken care of.

Rather, Bird of Lakona’s attitude was puffy.

Really, really, it was weird.

‘What, this situation. ’

There must be something.

There’s something you don’t know.

Xaviel’s gaze grows sharper.

I tried to guess the stakes behind the scenario.

In the meantime, there has been a strange encounter between Lloyd and Birkhoff Lakona.

“By the way, Birkhoff Lakona? ”

“Something.”

“Have you had any hard times lately? ”

“No, nothing like that. ”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“Wouldn’t you wake up in the morning feeling a little groggy or dizzy? ”

“Not at all. Nothing’s wrong with my health. ”

“Hmm. What I just asked you is a symptom of severe mental stress. ”

“What could I possibly have to worry about? ”

“Really? Seriously? ”

“Why do you insist on asking the obvious? ”

“Can’t I ask? ”

“ ……. ”

The bird stares at Lloyd.

Lloyd shrugs.

“I know all about it. Be honest.”

“Honestly. What do you mean? ”

“You’re desperate, aren’t you? ”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. ”

“Haha. Desperately desperate, and I want to solve the problem, but I don’t know what caused it, and some people are suspicious. So this is how you’ve been meeting me today? ”

“What am I……. ”

“You wanted to see it through me, didn’t you? ”

“ ……. ”

The bird shuts up.

Lloyd’s mouth dries up.

“That’s what worries me. I can’t talk to anyone easily, and I’m so frustrated that I can’t even hold my breath. Right?”

“I am not at all……. ”

“Huh. Put your fucking ego down. ”

“What are you trying to say? ”

“From now on, you know better than I do. ”

“ ……. ”

“You’ll keep your heart pounding watching me do this. I think the doubts that I’ve been thinking about while moaning fit together. He also confirmed that I was right about the disaster that caused him so much pain. Isn’t that right?”

“ ……. ”

“Why don’t you tell me? ”

“ ……. ”

“Please accept and give up. Think about it. Effort can betray you, but never give up. ”

“What kind of excretion……. ”

“You’ve come all this way to keep your pride first. That doesn’t solve the problem. We have to negotiate, in this case. That’s why I’m here, right? to ease your troubles. Think about it. Don’t you know any of these friendly neighbors? ”

“I will never be like you……. ”

“Your dye workshop, you’ve been having a hard time lately? ”

I finally asked you a simple question.

Lloyd grins as he pulls it out.

At that moment, Xaviel could see clearly.

The bird’s face flares.

Goatee trembles.

Blood feet stand on Lloyd’s eyes.

For a long time, I grumbled, gnashing my teeth.

“As expected, was it you? ”