Chapter 143: Unexpected Linkage Effects (2)
Diego Lacona, the son of Viscount Lacona. This young man once received considerable expectations from people around him. Even though he was no genius, he was clever enough, and thanks to his large build, Diego was strong. Sword fighting was one of his talents, and Sir Curno, the knight of the viscounty, praised him for his skills a few times. Just like this, he grew up surrounded by people who looked forward to his future. When he grew up, he studied in the royal academy, and things were going pretty well for him, that is until he encountered Lloyd Frontera, that fiend.
But… what’s he doing here?
Diego hiccuped, and his neck bobbed. Chills ran down his spine against his will. The moment he laid eyes on that frightening figure, his mood dropped straight to rock bottom. Diego snapped his eyes open.
“Eh?! Eh…”
Diego meant to say something, but his lips didn’t move as he pleased. His esophagus was supposed to push the air to his throat. But he couldn’t utter as though his lips were frozen. In other words, he jumped out of his skin.
“What are you so surprised about?” said Lloyd as he scoffed. He then tensed his arm that rested on Diego’s shoulder, tugging the latter’s head to his side.
“You must be glad to see me, right? That’s why you didn’t hear me properly. I just asked, ‘what does your old geezer do?’”
“It’s… It’s…” muttered Diego.
“Come on. Speak slowly.”
“The thing is…”
“Are you scared of me?”
“…”
Diego clamped his mouth shut. He didn’t want to admit it, but he was scared. Lloyd Frontera. The sight of this bastard should blow my gasket, Diego thought to himself. He was supposed to foam at his mouth in the presence of Lloyd. That was the only acceptable reaction when he recalled how wretchedly Lloyd had trampled him the last time, how he got expelled following Lloyd’s report on the rampant corruption in the academy, and how he was thrown behind bars for three months.
I was angry. So much so that I couldn’t control myself.
Diego grew up in the limelight, and he was praised for being a rightful member of the academy. But not anymore. As though the expulsion from the academy wasn’t bad enough, he was imprisoned under royal order. What this signified was clear: Permanent excommunication from the world of nobles. He would never hold an important position in the royal palace for life. And so, Diego was almost exiled to his hometown, and all his days were gripped with venomous bitterness.
Each time a wave of emotion rushed through him, he drank. And he pestered his servants and maids. Blowing off his steam in such a manner worked and appeased his heart. The same went for today. He had summoned two servants to force them to duel, so he could watch. At first, they hesitated, saying they could not do it and didn’t want to fight. Diego then brought a whip and snarled that he would whip anyone who disobeyed him. Just like that, Diego pushed everyone to a duel. Servants punched and struck each other. Their noses bled, and their eyes went black.
Amused, Diego giggled and egged them on all the more. He threatened that the loser would have to skip dinner. Not enough with that, the loser was supposed to spend the night in the storage. Diego pressed them until one of them was knocked out. But was it because the servants did something wrong? No. They were innocent. And yet, Diego didn’t feel guilty at all.
I’m allowed to do that. They are servants. They are mine. Why can’t I take my anger out on an object I own?
If Diego could blow off steam by taking it out on his servants, that was good enough for him. This was exactly what was happening when Lloyd came here. And right now…
I am not… angry.
It was as though he was splashed with a bucketful of cold water. Diego had been waiting for this moment to come. He vowed to rip Lloyd to pieces if their paths crossed again. But right now, even when his wish was granted and he saw Lloyd standing in front of him, Diego wasn’t angry. Instead, instinctive fear started to smother him.
Bathump! Bathump! His heart pounded so loudly that he could hear it in his ears. The color drained from his face, and his hands turned cold and sweaty. And… he couldn’t meet Lloyd in the eyes.
“Hello? Hey! Mister!” called Lloyd.
“…”
Lloyd’s gaze. His gentle voice. His arm wrapped around Diego’s shoulder. Each of these brought back his memories of the past, particularly the pain of Lloyd’s blows and punches. Pain and fear were etched on Diego’s bones. When his memories and senses returned to that moment, everything turned to fear instantly. And now, his shoulders shrugged and hunched over like a mouse that met its predator.
Tsk. He really is just like his father.
Lloyd scoffed. Like father, like son. The two were living embodiments of the strong against the weak, weak against the strong. Moreover, they both owned a cunning inclination, in which they became groveling in the presence of someone stronger, and vice versa. Lloyd slightly pushed Diego’s back, which stiffened with fear.
“If you can’t speak, then guide me with your body. I’m here because I have business with your father,” stated Lloyd.
“Uh, i-it’s…”
“Come on. Move now.”
“…”
Diego clumsily led the way, entered the manor, and walked along the corridor. But Lloyd didn’t utter a single word throughout the walk. At last, Diego stopped in front of the viscount’s office, and he pointed at the door, his fingers trembling. Then, he quickly turned around to leave.
“Hey.”
At last, Lloyd opened his mouth. Diego, who made to leave the area, flinched his shoulder as though he was struck with an arrow. The corners of Lloyd’s lips curled up.
“Come to think of it, you were harassing your servants, weren’t you?”
“…”
“How does it feel to pick on a weak and defenseless person?”
“…”
“Answer me,” ordered Lloyd.
“It’s… It’s…” muttered Diego.
“Tsk,” said Lloyd, “Forget it. Largely speaking, you do know that the servants of this manor are the people of my county, right?”
“…”
“They may be residents of your viscounty, but at the same time, they are the residents of my county,” reminded Lloyd. “And go larger, and they are the queen’s people. But look at you. I didn’t know until today that you’ve been mistreating the people of the county and of the queen like that. You just live recklessly, don’t you? Hm? You’re completely ignorant and thoughtless, aren’t you?”
“Um, that’s… Well…” Diego found himself muttering.
“Are you trying to teach me how to murmur? I’m not interested. Learn it yourself.”
“…”
“I catch you treating them like that once again, and seriously, you can consider yourself dead,” threatened Lloyd.
“…”
“If you get me, then piss off.”
Lloyd didn’t want to talk diplomatically to this jerk. To Lloyd, Diego was like a beast controlled by his instincts, not by reason. It was as though his whole system was programmed to bite anything weaker than him. That kind of bastard didn’t deserve nice words.
“Tsk.”
Lloyd clucked his tongue as he looked at the back of Diego, who was scampering away. He then turned and happily knocked on the office door.
Knock knock.
“Who is it?”
Lloyd heard the viscount asking from the inside.
“Is dinner ready already?” The voice continued, “I thought I made myself clear that I don’t want to be bothered during my break unless the table is set.”
The viscount’s voice was now sterner. Lloyd, who was still standing outside the door, grinned happily.
“My, I am sorry, my lord. I didn’t know that, and-”
“You didn’t know? You didn’t know, and that’s it? What are you going to do when my sleep has already been disturbed, huh?” snarled Viscount Lacona.
“I swear,” said Lloyd, “I really was unaware. I truly was not aware it would bother you this much.”
“Are you kidding me right now?”
By now, Viscount Lacona’s voice had grown into yelling. But it only deepened Lloyd’s grin.
“My, my lord, please save me. I didn’t know. I truly mean it,” begged Lloyd.
“Ha, how persistent with you and your claim of ignorance! Who are you? You’re surely a servant, and you dare talk back to me? How dare you when you should have already opened the door and bowed your head down?”
“I am sorry. I profusely apologize.”
“My goodness! You are still apologizing?”
“But, my lord, you must understand my predicament. For you see, I have no way of knowing when you take your precious breaks as I do not frequent this manor very often,” explained Lloyd in a submissive voice”
“What? How dare you try to play games with me?”
“Of course not, my lord. What I am saying is true. Actually, I knocked on your door for a crucial matter.”
“A crucial matter?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“What could a servant possibly bring me a matter of significance that would disturb my break?!”
Slam! Clash! Lloyd wondered if the viscount hurled something toward the door. There was a ruckus inside following the viscount’s shout. Then something shattered after hitting the door. This only made Lloyd happier. His grin deepened in amusement.
“I mean it, Viscount Lacona. I swear on it. I came due to a matter of grave importance,” said Lloyd.
“If that is the case, you should open your door, bow, and report to me. Should I open the door for you when you’re nothing but a lowly servant?!”
“Yes. You should open it for me.”
“What is that…?” huffed the viscount.
“No, you will be made to jump to your feet and open the door for me. As the matter is that vital and important.”
“What kind of gibberish and bullcrap are you saying now?” asked Viscount Lacona.
“It’s neither gibberish nor bullcrap, my dear viscount.”
“Ha… Hahaha. Hahaha? How dare you!”
The viscount’s voice was now more violent. Lloyd could easily feel that the viscount’s blood pressure was surging inside. He didn’t need to see it.
“Fine. Fine. I will open the door for you, and listen to what you have to say. But I will punish you heavily if I regard your report as inconsequential.”
“Yes, please do so.”
“You won’t stop will you…!”
“Please open the door, my lord,” urged Lloyd.
“Fine! Tonight, I shall tie, whip, and skin you alive to let the people of this manor know what happens to those who make fun of their lord,” warned Viscount Lacona.
Rustle! Thud! Boink! There was a rustling noise of the clothes. Lloyd then heard the viscount stomping toward the door. The doorknob jerked heavily, and the door finally flew open.
Clack!
Lloyd put on a nonchalant smile on his face.
“It’s nice to meet you, viscount.”
“…”
“Truly, the matter is of grave importance,” said Lloyd, “in accordance with the strict will of Her Majesty for reconstruction, I plan on pushing ahead and constructing a quarry in the southern land of your viscounty.”
Viscount Lacona simply stood looking at Lloyd, dazed and speechless.
“Eh?! Do you not think it is important? You are not going to tie, whip, and skin me alive now, are you?” joked Lloyd.
“…”
“My, it’ll be a big problem if you do that.”
Thump! Viscount Lacona, who seemed to be stunned to see Lloyd, dropped to the floor with foam in his mouth.
The negotiation was easily settled. Viscount Lacona regained consciousness after about ten minutes, and he continuously bowed toward Lloyd as soon as he woke up. He begged, saying that he had been having hearing problems these days and didn’t recognize Lloyd’s voice. A grave mistake has been committed. Please understand with grand generosity. Please don’t tell Count Frontera about it. Viscount Lacona grabbed Lloyd’s both hands with so much earnestness and plea, and so the negotiation was easy.
“Good. I will turn a blind eye to your impertinent behavior and how you verbally abused me. That is, provided that you do what I ask,” said Lloyd.
Lloyd then proceeded to share his demands. From now on, Lloyd would build a quarry in the southern part of Lacona viscounty. Plus, Frontera county would hold the right to construct and manage the quarry and its products.
“Oh,” said Lloyd after a pause, “I’m just saying this, so we’re on the same page. This isn’t robbery, okay? And it’s obviously not extortion. I am sure you are aware of how Her Majesty has designated the Frontera county as the hub of reconstruction in the east, right?”
“Yes…”
“So since you are so refined and reasonable, viscount, I am sure you understand that the reconstruction effort will require a lot of resources,” said Lloyd.
“Yes…”
“Good. That’s the whole point. What you’re doing is providing that resource to us. I mean, the stones that will be quarried.”
Viscount Lacona didn’t speak.
“Just think about it,” explained Lloyd, “The rocks that are quarried from the site will be used in various constructions. They will become the basis of countless structures across the Frontera fiefdom, as well as the pillars and walls and roofs. How nice is that?”
“…”
Nice to you, said Viscount Lacona inwardly as he despaired. But Lloyd didn’t care what the former thought about his plan. So, he simply went on to speak in a joking manner.
“So, this is a great thing for you, actually. The Frontera fiefdom is at the center of reconstructing the region under the orders of Her Majesty, and imagine if you supplied us with your stones, one of the key materials for the project. How glorious would that be?”
“Yes, yes, yes. I am honored…”
“Isn’t it?” smiled Lloyd. “So, if you want to shush me now, please sign here.”
“Ehem…”
At last, Viscount Lacona left a tear-soaked signature on the contract, and once again, the status difference between Viscount Lacona and Lloyd was highlighted. Just like that, Lloyd’s grand picture of the sewer construction started to flesh out.