In the castle office, Maximus was processing documents regarding his territory.
He noticed that the food in the reserve granary, which was used to plug the food shortage, was quickly running out and would only last a few days.
"Call Doran," Maximus waved for the guard at the door to summon his chief minister.
After a while, a somewhat fat old man came in.
"What do you need, Count Maximus?" Doran bowed slightly, without much respect.
After all, Maximus had only succeeded for a few days, the mess it left was not easy to fix.
"I'm here to talk to you about the food shortage," Maximus said, not minding his tone.
"Oh?" Doran looked at Maximus in puzzlement.
"You should know that the food in the granary is running out," Maximus started.
Doran just nodded and continued listening.
"So, have you thought of a solution?"
"Or at least inquired about buying food from another city to continue the supply?" Maximus said, squinting his eyes.
"I have already inquired about it. These merchants were greedy, knowing that our city is in shortage of food, they hiked the food prices."
"Even if we use our city's treasury, it can only last for a month or two, not enough for the day of harvest," Doran articulately explained.
Still not knowing that Maximus cut off 5,000 gold coins in the city's treasury.
"Is that so?" Maximus got into thinking.
"What if we had enough supply for a month without relying on these merchants?"
"Will the price of food return to normal?" Maximus asked.
"Yes, without the urgent need for food, we can sit and negotiate calmly with these greedy merchants."
"But how do we do that? The supply in the granary can only last for a few days," Doran looked at Maximus in puzzlement.
"You should know about the underground granary in the castle," Maximus said after thinking.
"Yes, it's the emergency food for the lord."
"Could it be that the young count wants to use it for an emergency?" Doran asked.
"Yes, it should be enough to last for a month," Maximus nodded.
"Are you sure, my lord?" Doran changed his tone.
"I think it's only enough for the lord's family to consume," Doran looked puzzled.
"Of course not, it should be enough for the city to last a month," Maximus assured.
Of course, it's not enough, but Maximus can use this as an excuse to buy food from the system without arousing suspicion.
After all, the only ones who can access the food there are his father or the servants storing the food.
Now that the city is in chaos, who still had the time to mind these things?
...
In the hidden underground granary in the castle:
Maximus led Doran to see the food supplies.
"Wait here!" Maximus said as he went inside first.
"Yes," Doran nodded.
Inside was a huge storage space with only a few supplies, consisting of a small number of gold coins and emergency provisions.
This was to be used as a last resort in case something happened in the castle.
Maximus took out the gold coins sitting in the corner and converted them to gold points.
[+1221 Gold Points]
This emergency fund should be enough for the whole city to consume sparingly for at least three months.
He quickly bought the food needed for at least a month and also weapons for the guards to use to quell the chaos in the city.
After all, even though the food was sufficient, the chaos might not quell without using force.
"Come in," Maximus said after arranging the items inside.
"This..." Doran was dumbfounded as he looked at the items inside.
This made him put away his contempt for the young count, as with this, surely the city could be rejuvenated and possibly surpass its previous state.
Previously he thought Maximus was incompetent and that sooner or later Shadowcrest family will go extinct.
But looking at it now, this young count had the demeanor of his father.
As if everything is not a problem as long as he is there.
"I'm sure you know what to do," Maximus said.
"I know, my lord," Doran said and bowed respectfully.
...
After completing his work, Maximus headed to the mall to browse through the categories of Meditation Methods.
[Arcane Attunement(Tier 0): A technique that focuses on harnessing magical energy and using it to strengthen one's mental abilities. Chapter 1 Price 60
[Dreamweaving(Tier 0): Involves using lucid dreaming and visualization to access the subconscious mind and promote personal growth. Chapter 1 Price 50]
[Elemental Embodiment(Tier 0): A method that involves connecting with the elements of nature to cultivate inner harmony and balance. Chapter 1 Price 30]
[Mindfire Meditation(Tier 0): A technique that focuses on harnessing the power of one's inner fire to cultivate mental focus and clarity. Chapter 1 Price 20]
[Shadow Self-Integration(Tier 0): Involves exploring and integrating one's shadow self to achieve greater self-awareness and emotional balance. Chapter 1 Price 30]
[Divine Consciousness(Tier 0): A method that involves transforming your consciousness to gain insight and wisdom of a god. Chapter 1 Price 100]
[Dragon's Breath(Tier 0): A technique that involves harnessing the power of the mythical dragon to cultivate strength and resilience. Chapter 1 Price 90]
[Thunderous Transcendence(Tier 0): Focuses on harnessing the power of thunder to cultivate mental focus and clarity. Chapter 1 Price 70]
After researching various meditation techniques, he choose Divine Consciousness, which was not only one of the most expensive but also highly attuned in this world.
...
More than a week passed of Maximus dealing with the city's issues.
As Maximus strolled through the city, he remembered the criteria of the system for choosing a partner.
The System is quite demanding requiring a fit value of more than 90 points to activate the function of the system
The system he possessed could scan people and show their status, but so far, he hasn't found anyone with a fit value of at least 90.
If he could only settle for less, he could become the father and the husband of the world. by then he would be god the next day
Searching the city while walking the people greeted him as he greeted them back.
After a week the food shortage was quickly plugged with money which quickly solve the problem.
Regarding security, the situation is still being resolved, but there has been a slight improvement.
After hours of strolling, he returned to the castle feeling dejected.
The highest fit value he had found was only 83, and what he needed is at least a 90.
As he returned Maximus found his butler Gerald in his study, tending the castle.
"Good Day, Young Master"
"Hmm, How is the castle is everything alright?"
"It's fine young master, everything is in place."
"That good, once you're done call Doran here"
"Right away Young Master"
...
After got to study, Doran quickly came in.
"I've seen the Count!" Doran had become more respectful when he saw Maximus.
"At ease, I called you here, to conduct a survey in the City and select the most beautiful women in Moonshadow City"
Finding a Wife by himself is inefficient.
So he thought of using his right and power to do things quickly.
"This-"
Doran lips twitch, just when Maximus' image in his mind was getting bigger...
Sigh, The young count is indeed young, full of vigor and wonderful ideas.
"Right Away Count"
"Do you have any requirements"
"No, just ensure that they are unmarried"
He still didn't the criteria of the system for fit value.
He only knows that the more beautiful it is the higher the fit value.
As for saying that he needed unmarried, who knows when Doran includes those who were married.
After all, they're quite a few nobles with such a hobby.
"Oh, Also send invitation to surrounding nobles, see if they had a beautiful daughter to marry"
After he can't hang with his own territory.
Maybe there is no one who will pass the system fit requirement, so he can try his luck with the nobles.
"As you ordered."
...
A week passed, and a list of candidates was presented on his desk.
After looking through the list, he selected several women who passed his preliminary selection based on his preferences.
"Go call the people on the list," Maximus said to Gerald, who had just handed him the list.
"Right away, young master," Gerald bowed.
...
In the afternoon, in the castle throne chamber;
"Come in," Maximus said to the first candidate outside the door.
A woman walked in, trying to appear seductive.
"I'm Becky, my lord," she bowed, showing a glimpse of her cleavage.
Maximus already crossed out her name just by looking at her, even though she met his beauty preference.
Her behavior was discouraging, but he still scanned her with the system.
Who knew if the system had a weird taste?
[Becky: Fit - 80]
As expected, the system's "Fit" criteria were still reliable.
"Hmm... you should go," Maximus said without interviewing her further.
After all, he had already crossed her out, and the system also gave her a low fit value.
"But... I-" Becky didn't know what she did wrong; she was evicted just a few seconds after entering.
"Don't worry; you can still get the gold coin promised for your time," Maximus said coldly.
"Great!" Becky didn't dwell further and quickly exited.
Becky had come here without much hope, so she was not too disappointed.
...
After interviewing several more candidates, he quickly grew disappointed.
Although each had merits, with a few even passing his taste, they still didn't meet the system's criteria.
After a while, another one came in.
"I'm Hazel, my lord," Hazel said as she bowed.
"Oh?" Maximus couldn't help but nod at her beauty.
She passed his criteria, but he didn't know if his system would agree.
[Hazel: Fit 91]
"Great," Maximus murmured in excitement.
"What do you do, Hazel?" Maximus asked with interest.
"My family is a group of farmers in a village not far away from the city," Hazel said slowly, not really thinking that she could catch a noble's attention.
Hazel had only come here for the promised money, as even though there was relief food, her family didn't know when the food shortage would last.
"I heard that you like teaching kids in the village?" Maximus asked as he looked at her profile in the paper.
"Yes, my lord, except for food, this little girl is very fond of children," Hazel said with a shine in her eyes.
"Interesting," Maximus smiled.
"Why don't we make one for you to teach?" Maximus suggested.
"This... My lord, I-" Hazel didn't know what to say for a while, as Maximus was moving too fast for her to react.
"Regardless, didn't you come here for this?" Maximus said with a smile.
He didn't want to drag this out, as feelings could be cultivated with time.
"I-I..." Hazel was speechless.
"Come, Gerald, bring Miss Hazel the dowry," Maximus waved for Gerald, who was standing beside him.
"Right away, my lord," Gerald said.
"I'll come to your village in a few days," Maximus winked at the dumbfounded Hazel.
"This way, miss," Gerald said as he led the way.