Chapter 162. Predestined Catastrophe (2)
Namaran’s Wall.
The most impressive episode in the middle of the novel Iron Blooded Knight. Was it the story of Xaviel’s first clash with the warlock forces that finally revealed their identities?
Lloyd recalled the memory of the time he read it.
‘The warlocks tried to sacrifice all the citizens of the city. By enclosing the city walls with a mighty magic barrier.’
It was a magical barrier that no one could break through.
It was the same no matter how hard Xaviel tried.
Maybe it was because of the trials and crises.
The reason why ‘Blasting’, a technique that represents the Iron Blooded Knight, was born in front of the Namaran barrier.
‘I collided the mana circle for the first time. While using mana too much to break through the barrier. I happened to instinctively learn how to release the power of that collision.’
That’s how Xaviel’s signature skill, blasting, was born.
I mixed an aura with blasting.
The barriers of Namaran, which were so strong, were finally broken.
Xaviel entered the castle and the Knights of Namaran who followed him.
Did the fierce battle continue for two days?
In the end, Xaviel was able to defeat the warlock and rescue the citizens of Namaran.
but only one person.
Count Namaran’s only daughter could not be saved.
It was because she sacrificed herself to stop the warlock who was desperately trying to summon the knight of hell at the last moment.
Thanks to this, the summoning of Hell Knight, a knight of hell that overwhelms even the sword master, was cancelled.
It was the moment when Xaviel’s victory was confirmed.
‘I wonder if there was that woman’s sacrifice behind that glory.’
Lloyd, who escaped from his thoughts, raised his head.
I saw a woman standing in front of me.
He smiles in this direction and tilts his head.
“I think you just muttered my name. Could it be that I heard it wrong?”
Silurian Namaran.
I’ve felt it before, but when I actually meet the person I saw in the illustration in the novel, it feels really strange.
It was like that when I first met Xaviel, and it is like that now.
Moreover, it is even more so now when we know that the person will face a tragic end.
But now is not the time to get caught up in that feeling.
Lloyd quickly put an end to the lightheartedness that was creeping up on him.
He flashed a bright smile for hospitality.
“Ah, such an example from the first meeting. This is Lloyd Frontera. Also, welcome to the Countess of Prontera.”
“Just in case, you’re Prince Frontera, whom I’ve only heard about through rumors.”
“yes. I am the maniac of that rumor.”
“You have a lot of humility. Besides, you already know my name, right?”
“Ah, that’s because I saw the family crest engraved on the carriage.”
“You have a sharp eye.”
“I’m also getting full from the compliments.”
Lloyd shrugged.
‘Come to think of it, I’m a bit worried.’
He looked at the woman in front of him and thought.
I suddenly became curious.
In the novel, the Namaran barrier crisis.
Could that catastrophic event happen here too?
‘Namaran isn’t the eastern province, but it’s not very far either.’
To be precise, it was a city located in the mountainous region between the East and the South.
But what if something happens there?
The influence will come right here in the Prontera estate.
‘I’ll have to check it out.’
In fact, there is a good chance that the same incident in the original novel will not happen.
Because the situation is very different from the novel.
First of all, he didn’t die.
Xaviel’s activities changed.
King Alicia did not lose an arm.
The timing and outcome of the monster domino phenomenon also changed.
Cremo Port has become prosperous again as the stumbling block of Giga Titan has disappeared, and the Frontera estate, which remained only in the countryside in the original work, is growing into a central city for reconstruction by accepting a large number of refugees.
As such, many changes have already taken place in this world.
Maybe Namaran will be similar.
The tragic situation like in the novel may not happen.
Lloyd asked with such a small wish.
“By the way, isn’t there any Mr. Cannavaro who is famous in Namaran?”
“yes?”
The young lady of Nama, whose eyes widen slightly.
He said to her in a calm manner.
“I heard that a wealthy man named Cannavaro is doing a very good job in Namaran. Because he is someone I personally respect.”
In fact, that Cannavaro is a black magician.
He is the main culprit that caused the situation in Namaran.
However, at this time, he must be disguised as an ordinary wealthy person.
‘Then, in an instant, you build a reputation. how? By accepting a fairly large number of refugees and taking care of them at their own expense.’
Alicia blackened in the novel.
The southern provinces who tried to rebel against such a king.
A large-scale and brutal suppression of the rebellion was carried out.
In the process, a huge number of refugees occurred.
Some refugees also flowed into Namaran.
Cannavaro took care of them.
Are you overflowing with self-pity?
Of course not.
‘It was mentioned in the novel that it was used for black magic experiments.’
But now?
Things have changed.
Neither Alicia blackened nor rebellion in the South.
‘That’s why Cannavaro probably didn’t have the guts to accept refugees.’
Then his reputation would not have risen yet.
In other words, the lady Namaran now asks, ‘Mr. Cannavaro? Who is that?’ That answer would be a sure thing that Namaran would be safe for the time being.
Because the black magician hadn’t started experimenting with Yumin.
‘Then I won’t have to worry too much about that neighborhood for the time being. So go ahead and tell Cannavaro that he’s an idiot! hurry!’
Inwardly, I prayed earnestly.
At that time, the young lady named Nama smiled broadly.
“Are you talking about Mr. Cannavaro? That’s amazing. I guess his fame has already spread here?”
“yes?”
“You are such a wonderful person. To care so much for those who have nowhere to go. Even if you have a lot of property, it would be difficult for an ordinary person to put it into practice.”
“For those who have lost their way…?”
“It’s because of an unfortunate thing that happened here in the eastern provinces. Prince Prontera probably knows too, right? About the monster domino crisis.”
“ah.”
“yes that’s right. Because of that disaster, some refugees even flowed into our Namaran. There were about four hundred people. At first, my father, Count Namaran, tried to take care of them. But at that time, Mr. Cannavaro willingly stepped forward.”
“You mean to take care of the refugees?”
“yes. You are a wonderful person. Of course, it cannot be compared to the good deeds of Count Frontera, who is in charge of tens of thousands of refugees here.”
“Haha, that’s an overstatement.”
…There was an uproar.
Lloyd swallowed dryly.
‘More than 400 people.’
There were more than 100 candidates for the experiment than in the original work.
In other words, it is said that the situation will be more serious than the original novel.
‘If I do this, I’ll leave.’
I felt a sharp feeling.
♣
“Whoa. This is true.”
Back in the bedroom, Lloyd leaned back on the sofa.
The sofa, which suddenly rocked, made a sound like a sigh.
Lloyd felt the same way.
‘I succeeded in rejecting the marriage proposal, but I’m not happy at all.’
It reminded me of the lady named Nama, whom I had just spoken to.
It was right after I read the situation of Namaran and Cannavaro.
He said he opened his mouth quickly.
I have no intention of marrying into your family.
Thank you for coming from afar and please be at ease.
said so unilaterally.
It was because he had been waiting in front of the mansion to do that in the first place.
The Namaran situation would be serious, but the situation in which this side had to marry forcibly would be no less catastrophic than that.
Fortunately, Lady Namaran’s reaction was cool.
After all, he himself was pushed from his family.
Rather, thank you for revealing your thoughts in advance.
It seems that the pressure is gone.
Did you smile brightly and innocently?
“….”
So it was even more embarrassing.
He was the one who laughed in front of me a while ago.
That he might soon be caught up in an unfortunate situation and die.
‘Should I give you a hint in advance?’
I suddenly had such a thought.
But when I thought about it a little more, that wasn’t too much.
Now is the time when Cannavaro’s reputation is in full swing.
But who would believe him if he accused him of being an evil warlock?
Rather, it seemed like it would be good to be treated as a return.
Besides, there was no clear evidence to accuse him of his nefarious plans.
This is because there has never been an accurate description or explanation of how the black magician created the Namaran barrier.
‘Shouldn’t I just care.’
lay down on the sofa
I stared blankly at the ceiling.
To be honest, I didn’t care.
But it can’t be.
The Namaran Wall Incident.
If you leave it unattended, a huge spark will come all the way here.
‘Hell Knight.’
Hell Knight.
It was the existence that the black magician Cannavaro was trying to summon through a huge ceremony to sacrifice the lives of all citizens.
But what if you can’t prevent it?
So, unlike in the novel, what if Hell Knight is summoned?
Perhaps a different level of hell from monster dominoes will unfold.
‘Because I said Hell Knights are beings that can overwhelm even Sword Masters.’
It has never appeared directly in the novel Iron-Blooded Knight.
However, in the latter half of the novel, Xaviel did a monologue like this.
Even he, who has risen to the level of a grand master, cannot be assured of victory if he competes against a hell knight without a shrewd mind.
‘In other words, a Hell Knight would be on the same level as a normal Grand Master.’
The current Xaviello doesn’t even have a chin.
Even ten people would not be able to win.
That’s because the power of a grand master is absolute.
‘If such a guy is being summoned, we must stop it unconditionally.’
Not only Namaran, but the entire kingdom may fall.
In the meantime, it would be impossible to hope that only this Frontera territory will be safe.
‘shit. Then what should I do? Should I send only Xaviel to Namaran? no. But what if the novel and the content are different? it’s already changed Because of such a change, it may not be able to prevent it.’
If possible, you should go to Namaran yourself.
This allows you to actively respond to changing circumstances.
So you have to make an excuse to go there.
‘Shall I just say I want to go play? but that’s kinda weird Um, should I ask the young lady, Nama, to fake marriage for just three months? No, it would be perfect to get slapped on the cheek.’
In fact, the Prontera estate was also busy.
Apartment complex and grand sewer construction.
It is the board that finishes it.
But I couldn’t come up with a good excuse to put those things aside and say I’m going to Namaran.
But that was then.
smart.
“Mister Lloyd, are you in?”
knock sound. Then someone asked a question.
It was the voice of the mansion administrator.
Lloyd greeted the magistrate while lying on the couch.
“What’s going on here?”
“Ah, I came to report what you ordered a few days ago.”
“report? Oh, no way, the payroll statement for the workers of the apartment and the sewer?”
Lloyd got up.
When I thought about it, I remembered that I had been told to do such a thing.
“Have you finished making the statement yet?”
“yes. The work record sheet was so meticulous that it was not difficult to calculate. here.”
Contrary to the words that it was not difficult, the eyes of the administrator were occupied by dark circles.
Feeling a little sad, I accepted the bill of lading.
He confirmed the total amount of the settlement.
“…It’s not as fun as you think.”
As soon as I saw it, my appetite turned bitter.
The amount to be paid to the workers was considerably higher than expected.
‘but. It’s such a big project and it took a very long time.’
In particular, the construction of apartments has been ongoing since last year.
How is the sewage system there?
It was a construction in which a large-scale manpower was put in, including the Corps of Engineers, the White Lancers, and the existing residents of the territory and refugee workers.
Since then, the cost of labor has been exorbitant.
‘If I had to pay it all at once, my back would be staggering.’
In fact, the financial situation of the territory was not good enough.
Subsidies from the royal family on a regular basis.
Water tax from the Viscounty of Lacona.
It was barely enough to cover the cost of materials for various construction projects, as it was able to survive with just that.
It was then.
The magistrate’s cautious voice was heard.
“Hey, Master Lloyd? Wouldn’t it be better to distribute the money to the workers instead of all at once?”
“hmm?”
“Because taking on a large amount of expenses all at once would put a strain on Yeongji’s housekeeping. So, if you ask for the understanding of the workers and pay the amount in parts until the first half of next year….”
“no.”
It’s nonsense.
Lloyd immediately shook his head.
“That is different from the promise. Because there was no such thing in the labor contract in the first place.”
“but….”
“stop. until there. The contract is meant to be kept.”
A contract is literally a promise.
But what if you don’t keep it?
You lose a lot of trust.
From now on, no one will believe in themselves and readily roll up their sleeves.
‘I’m fed up with the delay in paying arrears of wages that I experienced in Korea.’
You don’t get paid that day.
Received after being delayed for a long time.
It was something I often experienced in Korea.
How much did you curse yourself inwardly every time that happened?
However, I didn’t want to do such crap just because I came now and changed my position.
“Anyway, money matters.”
After sending the administrator out, I sighed again.
Even so, I was worried about the Namaran situation.
Now it has been added to the worry about the funding problem.
‘I need a new funding line.’
Of course, it’s not that money is still scarce.
If you tighten the belt, it’s enough to fill the entire territory in your mouth.
But I didn’t want to stay in this situation all the time.
‘It’s not good for the future either. Isn’t it good for everyone to have at least one pension insurance to live comfortably?’
multi-line.
The more money the better.
It is also the same now.
Although subsidies come from the royal family.
There is a water tax extracted from the Viscounty of Lacona.
There was no guarantee that it would last forever.
There could be a change in the royal family.
Because the Viscounty of Lacona could be ruined one day.
But what if the funding line suddenly cut off overnight?
This side, too, will suffer severely and die of starvation.
‘That’s not allowed.’
Lloyd shook his head.
For a richer and more beautiful life.
Even if it’s to keep the promise with the workers right now.
It seemed necessary to secure additional rounds of money and sources of funding.
‘The question is what method to use. It’s not like digging the ground to make money. I’m still worried about Namaran’s situation. Haha, I just wish there was a way to make money while preventing Namaran from happening. It would be better if I had the guts to win at least one project in Namaran…what?’
Lloyd jumped up without realizing it.
A realization that came suddenly after grumbling.
A very obvious and simple answer.
“wait for a sec. Isn’t it just a matter of giving an excuse to win a really big project?”
That’s it.
Earn money for construction in Namaran.
Stay there while construction progresses and prevent the planned catastrophe.
This is really good sister and brother-in-law.
Just like fried dumplings at a Chinese restaurant.
Wouldn’t it be like taking both benefits at 1+1?
‘Then, what kind of project should I win in Namaran?’
Lloyd groped his memory.
I reviewed the contents of the article in the novel Iron Blood as much as possible.
Then, little by little, it dawned on me.
Namaran.
A magical barrier erected there.
Xaviel struggled to break it.
But Xaviel had a hard time because the city was on top of a cliff towering like a pyramid.
Because the slope is too steep.
Because the cliff slope is well crumbled.
Did you have to fight with much more pain than on the plains?
‘That’s it.’
A well-crumbled cliff slope.
city on top of it.
If so, what was the lord of that place worried about?
As I thought about it, the answer came gradually.
‘I found it.’
Suddenly he was leaving the bedroom.
Passing through the hallways and stairs, crossing the main room on the first floor, he knocked on the door of Lady Namaran’s dorm to the annex where guests were staying.
“What’s Prince Frontera’s business?”
Young Ae’s escort driver opened the door.
Lloyd immediately put one foot through the crack in the door.
Like a local religious woman who came to preach good words. Or, like the salesperson of the year who sprinkles rice cakes with rice cakes to introduce such amazing things to customers like you at such a good price.
With saliva on your lips.
Towards the young lady over the knight’s shoulder.
And to save everyone from a predestined catastrophe and to earn a lot of money.
He spoke smartly and quickly.
“It’s not like I say this every day. It’s not something you say to anyone indiscriminately. The ground on which a crumbling cliff sits is actually nothing. Have you ever heard of a slope stabilization method that rebuilds a collapsing city and makes the uncollapsed city stronger?”
