Two days had passed since I arrived in Greire, the capital city of Angria. It was a city that thrived with the presence of nobles and the Royal Family, a place where power and influence intertwined in intricate webs. Although each noble house had its own territory, they were governed by representatives from branch houses, leaving the main families to reside within the safety and luxury of the capital.
My first task upon arriving was to gather information on the ongoing war. The rumors and reports were consistent—tensions between Angria and Buranda had finally erupted into full-scale conflict. The catalyst for this war was the assassination of Angria's crown prince near the borders of Buranda. The king of Angria had swiftly pointed the blame at Buranda, declaring war with a fervor that suggested long-standing animosity between the two nations.
As I delved deeper into the situation, it became clear that this war was not one that would end quickly. The bloodshed would stretch on, with no clear resolution in sight. And while the common soldiers fought and died, the true power brokers—the main players of this deadly game—had yet to make their moves on the battlefield.
My mission was to stop this war before it spiraled further out of control, but to do that, I needed to build connections. The nobility was the key to getting closer to the crown, and through them, I could influence the decisions that mattered. But such connections were not easily made, especially for someone like me, an outsider with no title or land to his name.
Despite the city's bustling energy, the war's toll was evident just beyond the capital's walls. On the outskirts, the poor were suffering, dying from hunger and neglect while the rich continued with their lives as though the war was a distant concern. I couldn't ignore their plight, and it didn't take long before I decided to act.
I gathered food—enough to feed those who needed it most—and made my way to the outskirts of Greire. That's where I met Calista.
The moment I saw her, I knew she was of noble birth. There was a grace to her movements, a certain air of innocence and nobility that set her apart from the others in the alley. Her presence among the poor, helping them in their time of need, was surprising. Most nobles wouldn't dare step foot outside their cushioned lives, let alone mingle with the commoners. She was different.
And that difference made her valuable.
If I wanted to build the connections I needed, Calista could be my way in. Through her, I could gain the favor of her family, perhaps even the ear of the king himself. But I had to tread carefully, balance my intentions with sincerity, or she would see through my façade.
Sitting in a cozy café, I took small sips of hot coffee, enjoying the subtle blend of flavors. The warmth of the drink was comforting, a small luxury in a world that wasn't as medieval as I had first expected after my reincarnation. While the technology here wasn't quite on par with Earth, it wasn't too far behind either. What made it even more intriguing was how everything had a touch of magic, a blend of the old and the new that added a layer of fascination for someone like me. I couldn't help but wonder how these people would react if they saw Earth's technology—things like communication devices that didn't rely on magic. It would be beyond their wildest imaginations.
Across from me sat a young man with a silly smirk plastered on his face, loudly sipping his tea in a way that was obnoxious enough to be heard fifty meters away. The noise grated on my nerves, making me wince internally with each exaggerated slurp.
"Can you tone it down a bit? There are other people here," I said, my voice tinged with visible annoyance. I didn't want to be associated with someone who lacked even an ounce of self-awareness.
"Tone down what, Boss?" he replied, his apparent obliviousness only adding to my irritation.
I sighed, reminding myself that despite his annoying habits, he was useful to me. His name was Kharon, and though I couldn't quite recall his last name, it didn't really matter. He was a means to an end. Interestingly, as I reflected on this, I realized I didn't even know which noble family Calista belonged to.
"I want you to make a list of nobles from each noble family residing in the capital," I instructed, my tone turning more business-like. "Also, add their physical description or a picture if possible."
The first day I arrived in Greire, I crossed paths with Kharon. He had tried to scam me, but after giving him a well-deserved beating, I offered him a job instead—to collect information in exchange for money. He was more than happy to do anything as long as there was a promise of coin involved.
Kharon looked at me with that punchable smirk still on his face. "Are you sure you're not a spy from Buranda?"
I shot him a cold, expressionless stare. "No questions asked as long as I'm paying you. That was the deal. Or should I remind you of that?"
His smirk faltered, and a flicker of fear crossed his eyes. "I remember, Boss," he said quickly. "I remember."
"Also, buy a map of the country and any nearby countries if possible," I added, my tone firm. "And keep an ear out for any rumors that might be circulating."
Kharon nodded, but I could see the hesitation in his eyes. "I can do that, Boss, but I'll need some time and..." He trailed off, his voice tapering as he glanced at me with a mix of nervousness and expectation.
"And what?" I asked, fully aware of what was coming next.
"I'd also need some money, Boss," he admitted, a silly smile stretching across his face as he tried to mask his anxiety.
I reached into my pouch and handed him 10 gold coins, watching as his eyes widened with greed. It was more than what I should be giving him, but that was the point. The large sum would make him think twice before betraying me, knowing that I was the only one willing to pay him this much.
"You have one day," I said, my voice taking on a stern edge.
Kharon straightened up, his nervousness quickly replaced with determination. "Don't worry, Boss," he said, giving me a thumbs up that was meant to be reassuring but came off as slightly overdramatic. "I'll do it in a day, even if my body breaks apart, I'll get it done."
I sighed at his theatrics, but there was a part of me that appreciated his eagerness. For all his faults, Kharon had proven to be resourceful.