Chapter 56
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Translator: Prime Works
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: The Devil's Contract (1)
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“Then let’s go collect the construction fees.”
“Pardon?”
Haviel looked at Lloyd with a puzzled expression.
Construction fees.
Collecting them.
It was such a random statement.
Completely out of left field.
“What do you mean by that?”
He couldn’t quite wrap his head around it.
Yet the young master he served, Lloyd, just smirked.
“You don’t know what construction fees are?”
“Of course I do.”
Construction fees were the money spent on the project.
Materials, equipment, labor costs, facility management, and everything else.
All expenses incurred during the construction process.
That’s why Haviel found it strange.
“Where do you plan to collect them from?”
He even tried to guess.
Where could they possibly collect construction fees from?
But nothing came to mind.
This aqueduct project hadn’t been commissioned by anyone.
It was to overcome the crisis of the polluted river threatening the territory.
To secure a stable supply of clean water going forward.
It was a voluntary undertaking.
Like replacing a grimy old window frame with a new one.
Or patching up a leaky roof.
Just a necessary project for the territory.
In other words, there was no one to extract(?) the fees from in the first place.
A slight furrow formed between Haviel’s brows.
“Are you perhaps planning to demand the construction fees from Viscount Rionero Racona under the pretext of compensation?”
“Nope.”
He’d pointed out the most plausible guess he could think of.
But Lloyd just curled up one corner of his mouth.
He even spouted something even more incomprehensible.
“Compensation? What nonsense. You think I’d settle for pocket change like that?”
“……Pardon?”
“There’s something far more substantial than compensation waiting. Just follow me quietly. Hey, you there?”
Lloyd, who had been smirking, called out to Sir Bayern, who was tidying up the site.
“You called for me, Lord Lloyd?”
“Yeah. Got some tasks for you.”
“Command me as you will.”
“Alright, let’s see. First off, I’m heading out somewhere with Sir Asrahan. So you take charge of wrapping up the site here. Double-check the personnel and tools. Clean up the food waste properly. If you leave it messy, wild animals from the mountains will come sniffing around the intake point.”
“Understood. Then you won’t be attending the completion ceremony, Lord Lloyd?”
“What kind of nonsense is that? You think I’d miss the local celebration?”
“Then?”
“I’ll be back after handling some quick business. Tell the baron that. You already know where I’m headed.”
“Understood.”
“Oh, and one more thing.”
“Yes.”
“Tell them not to pop the champagne without me.”
“I’ll make sure of it. Go without worry.”
Sir Bayern snapped a salute.
Lloyd turned his gaze this way as he received the salute.
“Alright, let’s go.”
“…….”
Haviel followed behind Lloyd for now.
Even as they descended the mountain together, the furrow between his brows didn’t fade.
‘What exactly is he planning?’
The direction Lloyd was heading.
It definitely wasn’t toward the territory.
‘It’s the road leading to Viscount Rionero Racona’s domain.’
It was a path he vaguely remembered from a few visits in the past.
That only deepened Haviel’s doubts and worries.
“Lord Lloyd.”
He spoke up as he trailed behind.
Lloyd didn’t stop walking, of course.
He kept leading the way down the mountain path and replied.
“Yeah, I’m listening.”
“Are you really heading to the viscount’s domain like this?”
“Yeah.”
“You don’t mean to meet Viscount Rionero Racona, do you?”
“Yeah.”
“And what do you plan to do if you meet him?”
“What, you worried I’ll kick up a fuss there?”
“…….”
Truth be told, that was his biggest concern.
Haviel gathered his thoughts for a moment before speaking.
“To be honest, Lord Lloyd, I understand how you feel.”
“Oh? What’s this, you understanding me for once? Good start. Keep going.”
“Yes. It’s clear that Viscount Rionero Racona is at fault for dumping that toxic polluted wastewater into the river. The subsequent threats against our liege were petty and cowardly acts. It’s also a fact that our territory had to expend unplanned funds and manpower on this aqueduct project because of it. But—”
Haviel continued.
“Sometimes, we must accept the compensation for such damages and let it go. That’s what I believe.”
“Hmm, so you’re saying I should be a paragon of patience?”
“No. I’m saying to judge it coldly and realistically.”
“Coldly? Realistically?”
“Yes.”
Strength entered Haviel’s voice.
He stared at Lloyd’s back as he walked ahead and said.
“You could go to the viscount’s domain and meet him like this. You could question him about his petty actions last time. But what benefit would you gain from it?”
“…….”
“Pointing out and rebuking someone’s wrongs? If you calculate it coolly, it’s a worthless endeavor that only vents your anger. It would only spark unnecessary conflict.”
“Yeah, now that you mention it, that makes sense.”
“So, will you reconsider?”
“Nope.”
Lloyd walked ahead.
Haviel could see his shoulders shake slightly.
Probably a brief chuckle.
Sure enough, Lloyd’s responding voice carried a smirking bitterness.
“Hey, Haviel Asrahan. Do I look like the type to push something with no gain?”
“Pardon?”
“Do I strike you as that kind of person?”
“May I speak frankly?”
“Yeah.”
“The Lord Lloyd I’ve seen is petty, holds grudges, and can’t tolerate even the slightest loss—like a total cheapskate.”
“Wow.”
“That’s why I think this kind of petty revenge doesn’t suit you, Lord Lloyd. Please act like your usual self.”
“Ha. So you think what I’m doing is just petty revenge?”
“Then what is it?”
“Just watch.”
“…….”
Haviel shut his mouth.
He’d given earnest advice in an attempt to persuade him.
But Lloyd wasn’t having it.
Pushing further would be overstepping.
‘In the end, he’s letting emotions get the better of him this time—throwing an egg at a rock.’
The viscount’s domain they’d arrive at like this.
Even if they met the viscount, what could they accomplish?
No matter how skillfully he dissected the viscount’s faults point by point, what good would it do?
Compensation or construction fees.
The viscount wouldn’t pay a single coin.
He had no reason, justification, or need to.
With that thought, the silver-haired knight silently followed Lloyd’s back.
Three or four hours passed like that.
They descended the mountain in silence.
They arrived at the viscount’s domain.
Savory smells wafted from various spots in the village.
The aroma of food being prepared for dinner.
Inhaling those scents, they passed through two villages.
Finally, they reached the viscount’s mansion.
“Halt.”
“State your identity and name, visitors.”
Two gatekeeper soldiers blocked their path.
But Haviel didn’t get a chance to step forward.
Lloyd spoke first.
“I am Lloyd Frontera, rightful heir to the neighboring Frontera Barony. Tell Viscount Rionero Racona I’ve come to see him.”
“Is this a formal audience request?”
“Indeed.”
The soldiers’ demeanor softened at Lloyd’s confident tone and bearing.
One stayed to guard the gate while the other went inside to relay the message.
A brief wait followed.
During that time, Haviel thought.
‘It’ll probably be denied.’
A formal audience request.
It was unreasonable.
Far too abrupt.
‘Normally, when visiting a noble house, you send word ahead, state your business, and only proceed to an audience after arrangements are made.’
Showing up unannounced like this was rare.
It went against noble etiquette.
So if they were refused?
No complaints to make.
No, being refused was the natural outcome……
“The viscount says to come in.”
“…….”
What?
Haviel’s eyebrow twitched.
‘Why didn’t he refuse?’
It wasn’t a bad turn for them.
But he couldn’t understand it.
Granting an unscheduled audience.
It defied common sense.
Yet that’s exactly what was happening.
And the one who came to greet them appeared to be the viscount’s chief administrator.
‘Why? How?’
As they entered the viscount’s mansion with Lloyd.
Even as they walked the mansion’s corridors under guidance.
Countless question marks floated in the silver-haired knight’s mind.
But the incomprehensible situations kept unfolding.
“The eldest son of the Frontera family, Lloyd Frontera, has arrived.”
“Send him in.”
At the end of a corridor.
The administrator announced them before the audience chamber door.
And the voice responding from within belonged to the viscount.
‘…….’
Haviel’s eyebrow twitched again.
The viscount was already waiting in the audience chamber.
Another situation that made no sense.
‘We’re uninvited guests who showed up without warning.’
Not only had he accepted them, but he’d come to the chamber first to wait.
Sure enough, beyond the opening door, in the audience chamber, the viscount sat stroking his goatee.
But there was something off about the viscount’s expression and demeanor as he looked at them.
“Fuu. It’s been a while, you two.”
“Greetings.”
“Come, have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
The viscount glared at them—at Lloyd specifically—like he wanted to kill him.
He resembled a venomous serpent brimming with malice.
Yet, oddly, he was suppressing that venom.
Lloyd, on the other hand?
“We’re grateful for such a warm welcome. We hardly know how to thank you.”
……He was utterly composed.
Exuding leisure and brimming with confidence.
Haviel felt even more confused.
‘What in the world is going on here?’
The situation was painting a picture far removed from his expectations.
Lloyd and Viscount Rionero Racona.
Their attitudes proved it.
‘Lloyd should be the one furious, with the viscount acting all smug.’
That would be the natural order.
Common sense dictated it.
Lloyd had come to hold the viscount accountable for past deeds.
The viscount mocking him would be par for the course.
Yet their attitudes were reversed.
Lloyd seemed inexplicably assured.
The viscount was the one trembling with rage.
It was truly, genuinely bizarre.
‘What’s going on here?’
There was definitely something.
Something he didn’t know.
With that thought, Haviel’s gaze sharpened.
He tried to infer the hidden interests behind this situation.
Meanwhile, the bizarre audience between Lloyd and the viscount continued.
“By the way, Viscount Rionero Racona?”
“What?”
“Any troubles lately?”
“None like that.”
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“Don’t you ever wake up with a ringing in your head, or feel dizzy like you’re seasick?”
“Not at all. My health is perfectly fine.”
“Hmm. What I just asked about—those are symptoms of severe mental stress.”
“What would I have to worry about?”
“Really? Truly?”
“Why keep harping on something so obvious?”
“Is it wrong to ask?”
“…….”
The viscount glared at Lloyd.
Lloyd shrugged.
“I know everything. Time to be honest.”
“Honest about what?”
“You’re desperate right now too, aren’t you?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Ha ha. You’re frantic to solve a problem, but you can’t pinpoint the cause no matter what. You suspect someone, yet you’re dying to confirm it. That’s why you’re meeting me like this, right?”
“What are you…….”
“You want confirmation through me, don’t you?”
“…….”
The viscount fell silent.
Lloyd’s lip curled up.
“That’s how worries are. You can’t easily tell others, but bottling it up drives you mad. Right?”
“I have no such…….”
“Hey now. Drop the dogshit pride.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“What I’m about to tell you—you know it better than anyone.”
“…….”
“You’ll feel your heart sinking as I go on. All those nagging suspicions you’ve been agonizing over will click into place. You’ll confirm I’m the culprit behind the mess tormenting you. Isn’t that right?”
“…….”
“Still not gonna say it?”
“…….”
“Just admit it and give up. Think about it—effort can betray you, but surrender never will.”
“What kind of sophistry is…….”
“Even now, prioritizing pride? That won’t solve anything. We need to negotiate in times like this. That’s why I’m here—to ease your worries. Consider it. Where else will you find such a kind neighbor?”
“I would never stoop to your level…….”
“Your dye workshop’s been struggling lately, hasn’t it?”
Finally, the casual question dropped.
Lloyd smiled slyly as he said it.
In that instant, Haviel saw it clearly.
The viscount’s face flushed red.
His goatee quivered.
Bloodshot veins filled the eyes glaring at Lloyd.
After a long moment, grinding his teeth and growling, he shot back.
“So it was you after all?”