Chapter 59. Devil’s Contract (4)
‘Maybe you come to me at just the right timing. It’s really pretty, I’m going to die.’
Lloyd’s smile brightened.
Sir Cournot burst into the audience room just in time.
Lord Cournot stopped the Viscount from signing the contract.
Thanks to Lord Cournot’s actions, Lloyd was able to recall a fact he had forgotten.
‘Before, that guy was kind of annoying too.’
Was it from the first time we met?
When the construction of the Marez reclaimed land was in full swing.
It reminded me of how I had behaved rudely by bringing the viscount.
What was it like after that?
It was he who conveyed the viscount’s threat to the baron with the toxic wastewater as the pretext.
He showed a reckless attitude that could not be seen as dealing with the lord of a neighboring territory.
And Lloyd didn’t forget any of that.
I always kept it in my heart.
‘of course. Why forget the grudge?’
Grace is only moderately thick.
Don’t leave out a speck of grudge and take care of wild scabs.
That was Lloyd’s life motto.
But just like this, Lord Cournot, who was annoying to his eyes, came to visit him on his own. It even gave me an opportunity to meticulously reflect on the past feelings that were unpleasant to me.
There was no reason not to welcome it.
“Howdy.”
He smiled warmly at Sir Cournot.
waved his hand
“What is this? Did you come here to be a witness to the contract?”
“No way.”
Sir Cournot replied bitterly.
His gaze towards Lloyd became stern.
“I heard everyone outside the door. Lloyd Frontera, how you scorned my lord.”
“You overheard?”
“I heard you.”
“That means you overheard it.”
“….”
“Anyway, what I did when I came here is that I disrespected your lord? Do you really think so?”
“Of course.”
A rough wrinkle formed on the bridge of Lord Cournot’s nose.
“You threatened my lord by taking hostage the Lakonata cloth, which is the biggest source of income and a valuable specialty of our territory. To satisfy your own desires, you pushed an unfair contract. If this is not contempt, what is it?”
“If it’s not contempt, should I call it intimidation? Like what you guys did last time?”
Lloyd’s gaze slipped to the viscount.
The viscount flinched.
A sneer bloomed on Lloyd’s lips.
“Was this contempt? I didn’t know I was just copying what you guys did to my baron last time. Wasn’t it supposed to be like this?”
“What….”
“You guys also acted this way to the baron, holding hostage the river, the biggest lifeline and valuable source of drinking water for our estate. He told me to give half of the Marez reclaimed land. That is the content of the negotiations.”
“….”
“I was very impressed. Hey, that’s how negotiations work! This is the wisdom of living! That’s right, a warm and affectionate transaction between neighbors is like this, as expected! I mean.”
“….”
“So I’m doing the same.”
“….”
“why? then no?”
Lloyd tilted his head.
Lord Cournot, who had been speechless the entire time, gnashed his teeth.
‘What are you saying….’
Are you drinking like that without any blockage?
It was Sir Cournot who was naturally in need of an answer.
Of course he knew the truth.
What the viscount did to the barony was clearly a threat. There was definitely an overkill.
‘But the viscount is my lord. He is the one to whom I have sworn allegiance for the rest of my life. Therefore, I do not judge the Viscount’s moral right or wrong. I just become a faithful sword and assist my lord!’
It was the same even now.
Lloyd Frontera.
That guy was threatening the Viscount right now.
He was forcing one-sided damage to his master.
In the process, it didn’t matter at all to him that this side threatened the Baron.
benefits and rights enjoyed by the lord.
That alone was his justice.
‘So we have to stop it. That unfair contract must be stopped.’
It was Lord Cournot, who overheard the whole conversation from outside the door of the audience room.
What trick did Lloyd play with the Viscount?
At the end, what kind of cunning contract was put in.
Even how vicious those water bills are.
Everyone could hear and understand.
and saved
‘I have to stop that unconditionally.’
That contract was a sharp, gigantic straw that the Baron of Frontera would stick into the Viscounty.
It was even a straw that could hardly be removed once inserted.
In other words, the Viscountate will be economically subordinate to the Barondom in the future.
A large portion of the profits earned from Lakonata, a specialty product, will continue to be taken away.
‘Besides, that’s not the end.’
Water from the tap water supplied by the Baronies.
Without it, you will not be able to produce Lakonata.
In other words, it meant that even if there was a unilateral increase in the water tax in the baronial territory, he would have to follow the decision without even resisting.
In other words, Lakonata, a local specialty, becomes a hostage.
So it was.
The moment I realized that the viscount was signing, I sprinted through the door of the reception room.
Even if you are reprimanded by your lord later.
Or even if you get a more severe punishment.
It was because of the idea that the signature should be blocked even if it was too much.
So, at this moment, Lord Cournot fell even deeper into agony.
‘I can’t possibly beat that guy with words.’
In the first place, he was not an eloquent who was good at fighting words.
It was just a simple no-nonsense.
But I wanted to win this debate.
I wanted to get Lloyd Frontera to step down anyway.
Thinking that was the only way for his master, he devised a way to confront Lloyd.
And suddenly I remembered.
‘In a way that suits me.’
he was innocent
He fought with sword rather than horse.
It was a fact that did not change even at this moment.
“Lloyd Frontera.”
Sir Cournot raised his head.
Lloyd looked straight at him.
“I, Lugno Courno, son of Bago Courno, formally challenge Lloyd Frontera, heir of the Frontera family, to a duel.”
said it proudly.
At that moment, the waiting room fell silent.
The viscount was also anxious about how to stop his article.
As for Xaviel, who was watching the situation by Lloyd’s side.
Lloyd, who was standing opposite Sir Cournot, too.
Everyone kept their mouths shut.
The viscount looked astonished.
Xaviel gave an interesting look.
Lloyd slightly furrowed one eyebrow.
Everyone turned to look at Lord Cournot.
‘done.’
Lord Cournot smiled faintly.
application for a duel.
This was the most powerful card he could use now that he came up with.
It was also the most reliable card.
‘of course. Because he’s a noble.’
You won’t be able to refuse a duel.
Sir Cournot was convinced.
Avoiding a duel on foot.
It was one of the greatest insults to an aristocratic man.
It was a shameful act to let everyone know that he was a coward and a coward.
Lord Cournot thought Lloyd would be the same.
‘Because I have face as an aristocrat. I will accept I will inevitably accept it. Besides, according to rumors, you defeated Sir Neumann in a duel the other day, right?’
Suddenly, the rumor came to mind.
How surprised I was at the news at first.
‘Even though his level was lower than mine, Sir Neumann was a formidable man. Having defeated him, he must be full of confidence. Then there will be no possibility of rejecting this duel request.’
No, even if you don’t have one, you will accept it.
Instead, he would appoint that silver-haired young knight standing next to him as his proxy.
Lord Cournot expected so.
and planned
If he wins this duel, he will demand that the wicked Lloyd’s offer of contract be nullified.
‘So hurry up and challenge me to a duel….”
“Yes. no.”
Lloyd’s answer echoed refreshingly.
He tapped Lord Cournot’s cochlea.
Thanks to this, Sir Cournot made a stupid sound without even realizing it.
“uh?”
“Did you not hear? I hate it.”
“what….”
Sir Cournot’s eyes widened.
Lloyd sneered at such a lord.
“Let me ask you one thing. Why should I accept your challenge to a duel?”
“Of course….”
“Is this the way to protect the honor of a nobleman? Aren’t you stupid?”
“….”
“Why am I fighting a duel in this situation?”
“Ha, but if you don’t accept the duel, you….”
“You will be treated as a coward because you are a coward? yea, I got it. I’m a coward and I’m going to be a coward.”
“what?”
“Did you not hear? They say cowards are cowards.”
“….”
“Oh, you are scared. Why is this town like this? I tried to make a mutually constructive contract, but I see you kicking in the door and trying to stab me.”
“Whoa, look! Lloyd Frontera!”
“Yes why?”
“Accept the duel right now!”
“You don’t like it?”
“but!”
“But what?”
“….”
“You want to fight me like that? Why are you clinging to me like that? Do you have an obsession?”
“Yeah, of course….”
“Let’s not live relying on others like that, huh? Buddha also said Let only yourself be the lamp. So, do it yourself.”
“I never said anything like that….”
“Listen and live. This is why you should study when you are young. Don’t you know the saying that the knowledge and common sense acquired from the books you read in your adolescence last a lifetime?”
“….”
“Anyway, I only know how to wield a knife, but I don’t know anything. Tsk.”
“Here I….”
“So, can you turn it off now? I’m just letting you know because I still can’t figure it out, but I’m talking business with the owner right now. But now your owner is in trouble because of you. why? If we can’t finalize the contract like this, the proud Lakonata Dye Studio will have to be closed for the rest of our lives.”
“….”
“So the more you stretch out like this, the more unhappy your master becomes. I don’t know if you know it, but a gentleman named Bobby McFerrin did it. It’s called don’t worry be happy. Do you know what that means?”
“I don’t know….”
“It means that you are unhappy because of money worries.”
“….”
“The more you are like this now, the more your master becomes like that? Still can’t understand the situation?”
Lord Cournot’s words were completely shut.
Lloyd’s sneer deepened.
After overpowering Lord Cournot, he looked back at the viscount.
He tilted his head to one side and asked.
“You must have felt some hope or something from the actions of the Viscount’s subordinates just now, right?”
“….”
“Anyway, if I knew how to accept a duel, I would like to tell you to abandon that hope. The earlier you give up useless hope, the better it is for your mental health. Then, shall we finish talking about the business we were sharing?”
sat down
Reached out.
Knock knock.
I tapped the contract on the table with my index finger.
The spot he tapped on.
There was the last signature line.
It was the spot where the Viscount stopped signing because of Lord Cournot’s intrusion.
“Sleep.”
It’s like forcing you to sign a victory treaty.
Lloyd smiled softly.
The Viscount picked up the pen with a sad expression.
The tip of his pen trembled as he pointed to the signature line.
Maybe that was it.
Lord Cournot, who had suddenly been treated like air, decided to cross the line.
The fact that he decided to take a bigger irrational number to prevent the master’s signature.
‘dare!’
A person who scorns his master.
I will never completely let go.
‘Even if my position is lost!’
Hard!
grinded teeth
I glared at Lloyd.
Bocchan who was rumored to be an idiot in the next estate.
The one who now sits defenselessly with his back turned to force an unfair contract with his lord.
‘Now!’
That guy won’t be able to cope.
Lord Cournot’s gaze showed ferocity.
Bang!
His right hand moved.
He grabbed the handle of the longsword he was wearing at his waist.
In an instant, he subtly lowered his body.
The center of gravity has sunk down.
At the same time, I twisted my back.
abs and lateral external obliques.
up to the chest and shoulders and forearms.
Every muscle in my upper body momentarily twisted to the right.
Naturally, the longsword was pulled out from the scabbard hanging from the left waist.
Sureureung!
It wasn’t just a sword that could be pulled out with arm strength.
It was a sword that was drawn with the entire upper body based on the solid lower body.
It boasted tremendous speed like a beam of light.
Shuak!
The moment the longsword was about to be pulled out, it was already extended.
The blade of the sword flashed in an eerie line.
The end of that flash was directed at Lloyd’s back.
‘Just enough to not die!’
Berry.
Not enough to open my eyes for a few days.
For a few months, so that I could be bedridden comfortably.
I will cause bloodshed to drag out time.
Even so, I will definitely block that signature.
With that determination, Lord Cournot’s sword cut through the air more brutally than ever before.
And finally, right before slashing Lloyd’s back.
The blade of his sword was cut in two.
Squeak! Ping! Percussion!
“…!”
Sir Cournot opened his eyes.
momentary gap.
He couldn’t even respond properly.
Suddenly, a gale-like sword flashed from the side.
The blade of his sword was cut at once.
The severed blade rotated and flew.
passed his ball.
It hit the wall behind my back.
At the same time, the sound of swords being sharpened was heard.
It came with a cold word of warning.
“Next will be the neck.”
clap.
Xaviel calmly holds his sword as if he had never done that.
Only then did Lord Cournot barely realize what had happened.
His own sword that was cut at once.
Wounds on cheeks.
A piece of sword stuck in the wall.
Lord Cournot was seized by a visceral chill.
His pants were wet.
