Chapter 142: Unexpected Linkage Effects (1)

“Bibeong!”

The morning arrived in Frontera county. At Bibeong’s wild and ferocious roar, which came from the eastern mountain range, people, livestock, birds, skylarks, frogs, and bees woke up from sleep. Lloyd was one of those that was awakened.

What the heck is this?

Lloyd pressed and rubbed his eyes once. It was a sweet, nice sleep, and he had slept with his shoes on in terrible fatigue.

Is it because I slept like a log? I’m seeing things.

Lloyd frowned, still groggy from sleepiness. He then started to read the messages he thought were a delusion.

[The residents and refugees in the fiefdom are voluntarily rolling up their sleeves to help you out.]

“…”

Lloyd didn’t believe a single thing mentioned in the message. To him, there was no such thing as true volunteer work. And what was more, the majority of the fiefdom’s people were offering their help, not just one or two. And so, Lloyd couldn’t believe what he just read.

Who would work for free? People work when there is free stuff like a box of tissue rolls, coupon book, or otherwise, a wage.

Humans were motivated by rewards. No one would work without it. No good deed was done without payment. Nothing in the world came for free. Every favor came with strings attached. That was what Lloyd believed in, which he naturally came to develop from the harsh and hectic life he had lived in South Korea. And that was equally the reason why he neither gave anything for free nor tried to acquire something without payment. The same applied right now.

Roll up their sleeves? Like, I’d believe it.

All he did was simply plaster several official documents across Count Frontera. It promised appropriate monetary rewards for those who applied for the construction of the sewers. Although he announced the hiring notices, Lloyd didn’t have high hopes for it.

The reward wasn’t great.

And besides, it was spring, which was a busy season for farmers. Who would come to work for menial pay?

At most, I’d say a hundred. Still, even that’s a generous estimation.

So, the rest were planned to be hired in Cremo. Lloyd shook his head as he confirmed the plan, driving away the dogged sleepiness that continued to harass him. But later, he noticed additional notifications below the messages that he couldn’t believe were real.

[Your accomplishments and the compliments you received until now have compounded to bring about a linkage effect.]

“…”

What?

Lloyd’s eyes started to move slowly. He selected a message, and it dropped open below for more detail.

Ding Dong.

[Long time ago, you punished the traitor of the fiefdom and created order. The people of Frontera county still remember the amazement and astonishment they felt toward you on that day.]

[The title “Exemplifying Punisher” draws basic trust in you from existing residents.]

[You have spearheaded the reconstruction of the crumbling fiefdom. Moreover, you took on a crucial role in clearing the family debt with your marvelous tenacity and planning. The residents of Frontera county are living witnesses of your endeavor and devotion.]

[Titles “Builder of the Dead Estates” and “The Eldest Son of Frontera” are greatly affecting people’s consciousness. No one in the fiefdom cast doubt on your construction plan.]

[You generously helped the refugees even when you did not have many resources. Tens of thousands of refugees deeply remember your grace and help.]

[Title “The Leader of the Weary” is drawing steadfast trust from the refugees toward you.]

[You have risked yourself and protected the people in the fiefdom by being their shield and fighting head-on despite the catastrophe ahead of you. Such feat numbers more than once. You charged underground to save the people during the wild ant invasion. You threw yourself into the dark magician’s dungeon to save the imprisoned soldiers. You volunteered as a bait to draw hundreds and thousands of locusts. The people in the fiefdom clearly remember your valor and sacrifice.]

[The title “Bell Saver” is spreading throughout the refugee camps through the mouths of the residents. The refugees, who already consider you their lifesaver, are overwhelmed with adoration by the marvelous tale.]

[A special effect has been created following the linkage effects.]

[All the people in the fiefdom and refugees came to revere you as one.]

[For a certain period, everyone in Frontera county will absolutely trust and support your plans and decisions.]

[Everyone, including the refugees, has resolved to volunteer for you without pay.]

[Compliment Linkage Effect Subject: Everyone in Frontera county.]

[Compliment Linkage Effect Period: Three Years.]

“Wow…”

Lloyd wondered if it was real. He gulped and read the message once again. Surely, what he was reading was true, so this was very real.

“My goodness.”

In fact, the great string of explanations that came afterward actually made it harder for him to believe they were real. He rose from his bed in a daze. Thinking that taking some fresh morning air would calm his excited heart, Lloyd drew the curtain and opened the bedroom window. But he froze in place once again.

“Waaaah!!!”

Clamoring cheers and roars blared as soon as he opened the window. Before Lloyd could take in a fresh morning breath, loud cheers harshly pierced his ears. A crowd was already bustling outside. Beyond the courtyard and outside the main gate and at the manor entrance, there were at least a thousand people gathered despite it being early morning. They cheered and called for Lloyd, who appeared through the window.

Huh? Hold on a second.

Lloyd was flustered for a second. Reality hit him a second later.

It’s really true. That message just now was really true.

Lloyd got a grasp of the situation as he strove to regain composure. This was what seemed to have happened. His accomplishments and titles had accumulated together to bring about a compounded effect. As such, he became the most popular celebrity in the fiefdom, which enabled innumerable people to come to the manor this morning to participate in the sewer construction.

Woah.

Lloyd wondered if he was going to be treated like a king at this rate. Then, he would have to say goodbye to living a relaxing life. Reluctant to the idea, Lloyd decided to act wisely. He then arranged his clothes and hair and went out of the bedroom. There, he bumped into the count and countess, who were both red.

“Did you see what’s going on outside the window? The crowd’s been causing a ruckus since earlier. They are volunteering and asking for work, and they say they will work without any payment. I never expected a few official documents to bring about such a reaction…”

“Well,” said Loyd, “you are a skilled writer, my lord. People must have been touched by your words.”

“I-Is that so?” asked the count.

“Yes, probably.”

Lloyd grinned and continued speaking to Count Frontera, who appeared uplifted by the sudden praise for his talent in writing.

“This is great news. We won’t have to trouble ourselves by hiring people from Cremo anymore. I am thinking of going in front of them now. May I?” said Lloyd.

“Go ahead. These people are here to work for you anyway.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

The count tapped Lloyd’s shoulder. Lloyd smiled at him, left the manor, and stood in front of the legion of residents and refugees gathered at the manor. Lloyd skipped the cheesy speech. Instead, he simply put up a table, which was for signing contracts.

“Okay. Line up, people! Line up!”

Lloyd needed to make hay when the sun shone. There was a time for everything, and just like how the large mast had to be spread against the smooth wind, and the laundry had to be left hanging under the bright sun, he thought the same should be done for the work contracts. He wanted to have people sit at the contract table when they were in their most zealous state and ready to work. Like right now. Lloyd stared across from the table and spoke in a thick-skinned manner.

“Okay, write your name and address. Then, your age, sex, height, and weight,” demanded Lloyd”

“Eh? My age? And why my sex and height-”

“Because every person has a different amount of strength and stamina. And getting rest and recovering differs according to age as well. Tell me, do you want me to put you to any work without considering those factors? Is that it?”

“Of course, it’s not that, but…”

“Right? Just imagine me pushing you to work when you’re dead tired, threatening to cut your wage, or giving you some menial task when it’s a rest day. That sounds horrible, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, yes…”

“So you will receive a daily wage. Nothing is free.”

“Excuse me?”

“Didn’t you hear me? You will be paid for your work.”

“But Master Lloyd, we don’t need any compensation-”

“Tsk,” said Lloyd, “I’m just doing it because I don’t want to be at the center of the gossip in the future. So, just take what you receive.”

“Oh, yes. I see.”

“Yes, good. The work schedule will be released once the construction begins, so focus on your harvest meanwhile, okay? How’s the Maritz land doing so far? And how are you?” Lloyd barraged him with questions.

“H-how did you know I live there?” said the man, a bit stupefied at Lloyd’s remark.

“Why wouldn’t I? You signed a contract with me.”

“Yes… I did.”

“And your kids?” asked Lloyd. “You told me you plan on sending your kids to Cremo for studies when you have saved up enough money.”

“How did you remember-”

“Do you wish for me to forget it?”

“Not at all,” said the man as he waved his hands. “Not at all. It’s just that I’m amazed how you remember me when I’m nothing…”

“Well, it’s nothing to be surprised about. Anyway, take care and go now. Make sure you get ready for the harvest and to read the official work schedule when it’s out.”

“Yes. Thank you, Master Lloyd.”

“Okay. Next.”

Just like that, conversations continued to take place. The applicants filled out the contract with Lloyd, who asked them to register their sex, age, height, and other things about them. Lloyd predicted a host of more applicants would sign up, many more than what he needed for the job. So, he decided to rotate them by shifts depending on their physical characteristics.

Rotating shifts. Yes. I mean, otherwise, who would work on farms and raise cows?

Even though the construction was a pressing matter, the harvest was equally significant. As such, Lloyd planned to operate in shifts to make sure that they won’t get affected by farming.

And a daily wage. I have to give it to them at all costs.

Lloyd vowed to pay them daily wages. He didn’t want to hire them for free even though they were volunteers. It wasn’t because he had plenty of money left or suddenly possessed a philanthropic spirit. It was for his own sake and future.

Because hiring them for free will certainly lead to a scandal in the future.

Right now, people trusted and worked for him, but there was no guarantee that it would be so for eternity. Their cheer today could turn into criticism next.

I must reward them appropriately, so they’ll have this mindset that I pay my workers. That’s going to relieve them.

Once that mindset settled among the people, it would be easier for Lloyd to hire them in the future, and they would be more available at the most necessary times. In short, trust would be built. And just like that, Lloyd spent the whole day signing contracts with thousands of applicants. He was smiling throughout the time, and it went the same for the applicants. Happy grins. It was a heartwarming spectacle. But there was one who thought otherwise. Javier.

Whew. Truly, people don’t know Master Lloyd’s true self.

Javier was in charge of delivering the contract papers beside Lloyd. He sighed intermittently as he did, confused by how innocent these people could be. He couldn’t wrap his head around what on earth it was about Master Lloyd that made them go berserk over him. Although he kept close to Lloyd’s side, it was beyond Javier.

You get to know him, and you’ll realize that he’s a cunning and sly person.

Javier wanted to shout aloud that Lloyd was a con man. Everybody run! But of course, Javier, being an objective and cool-hearted man, succeeded in controlling his emotions and groaning inwardly. The contract signing ended in success, but Lloyd didn’t stop there. He had more stuff to deal with.

Just one? No. I got piles and piles of work as high as a mountain.

Once the contract signing was finished, Lloyd spread his arms and stretched his fatigued body. Sure, the labor shortage was solved, but that didn’t mean everything was A-OK.

The labor’s been taken care of. Now, for the supplies.

Construction required more than people. Structures required supplies and creating grand sewers necessitated large stones.

“So, let’s get dinner,” said Lloyd.

“Excuse me?”

Javier titled his head as he was organizing the contract papers.

“I thought you wanted to have dinner. Where are you going?”

Javier asked because Lloyd was doing the opposite. The latter had gotten ready to go outside.

“Follow me, and you’ll find out,” Lloyd grinned as he shrugged on a coat.

“…”

Javier wondered what scheme his young master was resorting to this time. Plus, dinner wasn’t happening until a few hours later. The knight left the manor, growing curious. He hopped on a horse and ran parallel to Lloyd. The sun was fading now, and Lloyd’s horse darted to the south.

Is he going to the Lacona viscounty?

Javier wondered if Lloyd’s plan involved getting dinner at the Lacona manor. But he soon realized that his young master wished to squeeze more than just a simple meal.

Master Lloyd would be more than capable of that.

Once you became an enemy of Master Lloyd, that remained unchanged for eternity. Lloyd would never stop pestering and harassing you until you are in your grave. That was the kind of person Lloyd was. Javier soon realized that he was right as the horses entered the Lacona territory. They ran past some villages and fields to arrive at the luxurious manor, which was owned by Viscount Lacona. But Javier noticed a small ruckus in the front yard.

A fight?

Two men were fist-fighting. Judging from the clothes, they appeared to be the servants working in the manor. But the problem was that one young man, who was decked out in fashionable clothes, was watching the fight seemingly in amusement.

“Jab properly, you bastards! Come on! The loser will sleep in the storage, okay?! And obviously won’t get dinner. Got that?” yelled the young man.

A sizable physique. Sly eyes. Javier soon realized who it was.

It’s the son of Viscount Lacona. Was it Diego?

Javier had last heard that he went to the royal academy just like Master Julian. He wondered when the latter came back when…

“Hey.”

Lloyd strode across toward Diego’s back. He placed his arm on Diego’s shoulder, who was much preoccupied with the fight.

“Eh? Who are you?”

Diego wheeled around in surprise and locked his gaze with Lloyd. At that moment, Lloyd beamed, and his eyes held a grin so evil that even the devil would’ve shaken its head at Lloyd’s depravity.

“Who else? It’s me. I’m asking this because I have some business here. What is your old man up to right now?”

But instead of giving an answer, Diego, the son of Viscount Lacona, hiccuped.