Damian walked slowly down the long corridor, his mind racing as he contemplated his next steps. Though it had only been two days since he awakened in this new world, a sense of urgency pushed him to act quickly.
The noble world in this novel was ruthless, and without power, the Ormond family would not survive for long. As someone who now controlled his own fate, he had to start preparing his first move—seizing power from within.
Upon arriving at his study, he looked around. Thick books lined the shelves, most of them dusty and rarely touched by Damian before. However, in this world, knowledge was one of the most valuable weapons.
"Joseph really didn't utilize his potential," Damian muttered as he opened one of the books containing information about politics and military strategy.
Joseph Ormond had previously been known as a minor character in the novel, lacking grand ambitions, merely going with the flow and accepting his family's declining fate. However, with his newly sharpened mind, Damian understood that there was nothing more foolish than letting oneself be carried away by the current without attempting to control it.
He sat in a chair near the window, carefully opening the book and absorbing information about the political order in this kingdom. The more he read, the clearer the power map formed in his mind.
The great noble families, who had always regarded the Ormond family as nothing more than pawns to be ignored, were real opponents.
"I need alliances. But I also need a secret weapon," he whispered as he continued to flip through the pages.
Just then, the study door creaked open slowly. A middle-aged man with silver hair entered with calm steps. His eyes were sharp, and his face showed that he was more experienced than most in this house.
"Young Master Joseph," the man greeted respectfully, "Is there something you wish to command?"
Damian stared at the man, recognizing him as Arthur, the head servant of the Ormond family who had served for many years.
In the novel, Arthur was merely a loyal supporting character, not very prominent, but Damian knew that Arthur held more than met the eye. This man had the potential to be a valuable ally.
"I want to talk, Arthur. Please, have a seat."
Arthur was slightly surprised by the invitation. As a servant, it was rare for him to be asked to sit by a family member, but he complied and sat in the chair indicated by Damian.
"What would you like to discuss, Young Master Joseph?" he asked in a formal tone.
Damian smiled faintly, showing a slight change from his former personality.
"Arthur, I want to know about our family's current situation. More than what is usually said."
Arthur looked at Damian, seeming hesitant for a moment before finally responding. "Our family... is not in good condition, Young Master Joseph. Our influence is declining among the other nobles. Lord Cederic is trying to maintain good relations, but that's not enough to sustain the family's position."
Damian nodded, hearing what he had suspected.
"And are there any potential major threats we might face in the near future?"
Arthur looked sharply at Damian, as if considering how much he should reveal.
"There are rumors, my Lord. Some of the great families see us as a burden, and there's a possibility they might try to take our territory through negotiations or... other means."
Damian's mind raced as he devised a plan. This was worse than he had imagined, but also a golden opportunity to test his ability to navigate this treacherous game. He needed to move quickly before the threat became real.
"Arthur, I will need your help more than ever," Damian said seriously.
"I want you to assist me in gaining access to further information. Find out who might be targeting us, and also who could be potential allies."
Arthur looked at him more deeply, realizing that something was different about this young master. The old Joseph Ormond wouldn't have thought this far.
"Of course, Young Master Joseph. I will do as you command."
Damian nodded, satisfied. "Good. And one more thing, do not let anyone know about this conversation. For now, let everyone think that I am still the same young man, a young man who does nothing!"
Arthur smiled faintly. "You have truly changed, Young Master Joseph. This is a change that... is intriguing."
Damian looked at the man with a sharp gaze.
"Only those who can change will survive, Arthur. The world will not change; only we can change."
Arthur stood and gave a brief salute before leaving the room, allowing Damian to dive back into his thoughts. His first steps had already begun, and now he just needed to wait for information from Arthur to solidify his position. But he knew this was just the beginning of the long game he would face.
Outside the window, dark clouds began to hang in the sky, as if signaling an impending storm. But for Damian, that storm was an opportunity. With unwavering determination, he stepped out of the room and headed to the quiet backyard.
Damian took a deep breath and looked up at the increasingly cloudy sky. In his previous life, he was just a reader who could only watch his character's fate unfold. But now, he was the player. A player ready to use any means necessary to win this game.
"Alright," Damian murmured, gazing into the distance.
With calm yet determined strides, Damian began walking toward the family stables. He needed some fresh air, and perhaps riding for a while could help clear his mind. But with every step he took, one thought echoed in his head.
"How can I reach the pinnacle of power in this world?"