[Name: Marcus Sirdi.]
[Age: 24.]
[Level: 1 (Mage)]
[Race: Human.]
[Mana: 331.]
[Titles: Lord With A Will (Lv2)]
[Achievement Points: 1253]
[Arcane Knowledge Learned (Lv1). Advanced Technological Knowledge Learned (Lv2). Body Modification Knowledge Locked. Futuristic technological Knowledge Locked.]
[Redo: 3.]
[Days Left: 6 months (159 days)]
…
This was the first thing that came into view the moment Marcus opened his eyes.
The memories flooded in, not even allowing him the chance to figure out what position he had returned to.
This is the third time I'm dying… he unconsciously shivered.
The sensation of dying couldn't truly be explained. It was too painful, something the living shouldn't experience, and yet, here he was.
At least all of what he had experienced wasn't for nothing.
If anything, he had the locations and knowledge of how and where the battles would take place, and this time, he was going to make it right.
Catch them off guard, even before the traitor would betray them.
Marcus noticed that his mana had increased, and he still didn't feel like his reserves were full.
Did my title upgrade increase my mana reserves?
His focus didn't last much on his mana as he was also relieved to see that his achievement points returned with him.
Perhaps a chance to exploit the reward system… but dying is too much of a cost to pay for exploitation.
His life might be worth it, but not the lives of his followers.
I will not lose any of my men again…
The memory of that creeping darkness, the pressure he felt from those faceless humanoids. All of that coupled with the feeling of guilt enveloped his heart, causing his face to pale.
This had just taken place when he heard Zach call out to him.
"Lord Governor, are you okay?" The young man's face squeezed with concern.
Everyone but Eddy and Veronica looked worried for him. They all saw his complexion change.
Marcus snapped out of his thoughts and slowly began recovering.
"I'm fine, sorry about that. I'm still in my recovery phase." He cleared his throat lightly and smiled. "Please, continue with what you were saying."
This smile of his, unlike the first time he met this young man, was more welcoming. As if he found a friend in him.
Over the months, in the previous life, Zach had fought courageously for Agard. Assisting Marcus vehemently.
But in the end, he too died.
Such a courageous knight, who wouldn't want to befriend him?
The distrust he had for him totally vanished when he watched the young man's body being dismembered by a faceless humanoid.
Looking to the side, Marcus's mood quickly changed.
Eddy Lawfy.
The sight of this coward's arrogant face pissed Marcus off.
Unbeknownst to him, his title had activated with the change in his mood.
The air around Eddy began twisting, as though it was about to go into a spiral to swallow him.
It was so subtle that no one except Eddy could sense this change.
He quickly sat up, almost jumping out of the chair. Thinking that danger was approaching.
Mind you, Marcus's level 2 'lord with a will' title was able to withstand a force that could disable peak Tidal Wave Knights just by descending.
This version of Eddy was less battle-hardened. So he felt the weight of it, mentally.
Moreover, to Marcus, he was a major suspect.
"Milord?" Joshua called out.
Everyone in the room could almost feel the hostility reincarnate in the room.
"I don't recall stepping on your toes before?" Eddy spoke up, nervous under Marcus's gaze.
Everyone had this same question in their heads, when had Eddy offended this young lord?
No, I must not reveal my hostility yet. I need him to act as I predict, so that it will be easier to find evidence of his betrayal.
"Sorry about that," his mood lightened up, easing the tension in the room. "You look like someone I've hated for a long time. I was mistaken, my apologies." Marcus chuckled.
The tension had gone, but now, everything was awkward.
No one knew how to react to this, nonetheless, they tried to put it behind them.
As for Eddy, he remained vigilant. For a normal noble, Marcus made him feel way too threatened for it to be overlooked this easily.
But he didn't utter a word.
The conversation flowed as Marcus recalled it, and soon enough, time froze again.
[Edge Of Death: Threat identified! Agard has been chosen as a breeding ground for summoning beings from another dimension. It consists of a series of complex Laws born from Devilish Formation Arrays, with negative emotions as its fuel, such as anger, hatred, wickedness, hunger, and death. It follows a form to build a connection.
Under these Devilish Formation Arrays, every life afflicted greatly by the suffering would suffice to be sacrificial tokens used to summon several Devilish Mantic Mutants.
The advent of this would mean the destruction of Agard, subsequently, your demise.
Here are your options:
*. Cooperate with Ulha Academy students and work together to eliminate this threat. Recognition and rewards from the Royal Council will be allocated in proportion to contributions.
*. Cooperate with Ulha Academy students, but only with the condition that their families get involved. Bringing forces from the Imperial Army and Duchies. Rewards and recognitions will be allocated in proportion to contributions.
*. Provide minimal assistance while you secretly attempt to resolve this yourself.
*. Refuse their help and ask them not to cause a scene in your territory.
*. Men are dogs, and dogs are keen. Tail the dog while it chases after this scent for its master. The scent is of trouble, but do so at your own risk. For the master and his dogs are hunters.
*. Your will is the will of your subjects. Train them and prepare them ahead of time to fight against the Faceless cult. Those who train under will grow quickly, and even the untalented will taste growth.
*. Pack your things and abandon Agard.
You have 99 seconds to decide.]
…
Marcus wasn't about to waste any time reading through the options because he had already made up his mind on what to choose even before dying.
His previous choice wasn't the problem, the way he handled things was.
Just before he made his pick, his eyes widened as it fell upon the new addition to his options.
This option… It's too vague. Moreover, I already planned to train my men harder. But this information about my will influencing growth, isn't this way too good to be true?
Either way, it wouldn't hurt to try.
This new addition only solidified his previous notion of how his current state affected his choices.
If he were more powerful, perhaps his choices would be wider than this.
No, if he were powerful enough, the Edge of Death wouldn't even appear.
After picking his choice, the conversation ended the same way as the first time.
They would get back to him when they've received a response from their backers.
And just like before Veronica remained behind.
Marcus had almost forgotten about her due to how much thinking he was doing.
"Lord Marcus,"
The moment he heard her call his name, his nerves went off.
He began to recall the last he saw of her before dying.
Long red hair that cascaded to her slim waist.
An otherworldly shine that revealed her true strength.
The memory of her breaking the bones of one of those faceless humanoids filled his mind.
I must have been crazy to speak to this cross-dresser the way I did before. What if I angered her to the point where she couldn't stand me breathing? I can't believe I let her stay in my estate for so long. She's probably hiding a lot of secrets.
"Young master Ron," Marcus began. "Let me just go ahead and apologize about last night. I was in a bad mood and you didn't make it any better. I'm sorry I called you boy-girl. I was also jealous of your looks. You are more of a man than I am."
He went off.
Brown and Joshua were confused, as was Veronica too.
That was the question she was going to ask. Did he know that he was wrong?
I thought they said he was an arrogant prick? Veronica wondered.
She only came here because of the things she read in the report she received after having her people investigate Marcus.
According to the report, his personality was borderline insidious.
It even stated his love for money and many other questionable acts of his.
This didn't interest Veronica much. When she saw the part that contained details of what he had done since he recovered from his sickness.
How he had been trying his best to help the poor masses of Agard, even creating jobs for them.
Handing out free clothing and food despite his empty coffers.
Yes, it was his responsibility, but he didn't have to go about it this way.
Or at least, most nobles wouldn't go about it the way he did.
All of this, including the case of mana swirling around the young lord last night, piqued her interest.
Even more than she realized.
Hugging her hands tighter around her chest, Veronica readjusted her state of mind.
"I suppose having to deal with the problems of your territory would put you in a bad mood." She sympathized.
"More than you think,"
"Sure, apologies accepted." She got up to her feet. "On one condition, let me stay in your estate until the end of this assignment."
Here it comes, Marcus sighed internally. Perhaps I should charge her more.
"Sure, four thousand gold coins." He called out.
"For what?"
"For letting you stay in my estate."
"Who in the hell asks their guests to pay for accommodations?"
"Huh!?" Marcus's mouth hung open.
This was different from what he experienced the first time.
Is it because I apologized?
This made him wary, and even got him thinking.
Veronica began walking towards the door.
Once again, Marcus's eyes unintentionally followed the movement of her waist.
Yes, she walked like a guy, but there was a subtle sway in the way her hips moved.
I wonder what she truly looks like… an ugly wonder or a graceful swan.
"I'll take your silence as yes." She walked out of the room, only to come back a few seconds later.
"By the way, I occasionally blind perverts. Be warned."