Explaining that he was fine to Fawn took quite a bit longer than he had expected. The poor girl had apparently guarded his door every night.
Alfie could feel her respect and devotion almost oozing out. The scene of him going through his heavenly tribulation must have left a big impact.
Seeing the settlement leader being so cozy with the supposed new person, it didn't take long for the guard to realize his true identity.
Alfie gave only an approving nod before he asked Fawn to come inside the manor to discuss the things he had missed.
The first thing he asked about was about the general well-being of the settlement. In that aspect, she assured him that everything was being handled.
While his extended disappearance had indeed left a shallow impression on his new subjects, the stories that the old subjects told of him kept them in line.
Currently, about ⅓ of the population serves as guards, not only having to deal with possible internal conflicts but also threats from the outside.
The monsters are only one star, so as long as they outnumber them 1 to 2 it's not too much of a hassle for the still green guards. In fact, it gives them good training for the many things to expect.
The guard that Alfie had met with was in fact the head of the guards and was also in charge of training the new recruits.
Having tested his character for himself Alfie approved of the decision.
Considering the rapid advancement of the settlement it was as he had expected. A traveling merchant who was in the area had come into town, attracted by his heavenly tribulation.
They bought materials in bulk, which alleviated a lot of trouble. As for how they had paid, it was simple.
Usually, anything valuable is kept in a person's spacial treasure. It's built with precaution to only open when in contact with the owner's spiritual signature.
So unless someone can rip space apart without destroying all the contents inside it's basically impenetrable.
Summoning tickets are quite valuable, and in most cases stored in such pockets. However, as luck would have it Alfie was planning on summoning more subjects when he had his tribulation.
So instead of placing it in his spacial pocket, he put it in a normal pocket. With the jacket's protection, it managed to survive the wreckage.
Speaking of which he couldn't imagine the sight of him being a charred piece of meat during the tribulation while his jacket was in pristine condition.
Alfie let out a self-deprecating laugh at his own expense.
After following through with all the other relevant things related to the settlement, he needed information on the situation with the other lord.
If there really was another Lord so close to his own settlement, he had to know if they were a friend or foe.
"I've heard of no such reports, my lord," Fawn said with a confused look.
'Rina, did Ivory keep the knowledge a secret from Fawn?' Alfie thought.
[Nope. Where are you getting his other lord thing from?] Rina asked.
'But, you were the one that told me???' Alfie said, baffled.
[You might need to get your head checked, old man. Cause I said nada.] Rina denied.
In a situation where someone's memory was questioned, most would have no way of validating their claim.
Memories are fickle things that can be altered with the utterance of a single word. Even in a world filled with mystical powers, there stand others that can confuse the mind.
As it stood though Alfie could confirm his own claim by calling upon a higher plane of reality.
Looking through his own soul, it became crystal clear that he wasn't going crazy. Rina had indeed told him about the existence of another lord.
Going further to ensure there weren't any discrepancies he stumbled upon a scene that sent chills down his spine.
***
"Reports show that the scouts have been getting closer, my lord," Fawn stressed.
"Do we know the combat capabilities of the other side?" Alfie asked.
"From our reports, they have a much smaller military and population. We outnumber them almost 10 to 1 but for some reason, they still continue to infringe on our territory." Fawn detailed.
"What about their territory? How far away are they from us?" He asked.
"About 50 miles northeast from us."
"That's plenty of space for the time being. What's with this guy's problem?" Alfie frowned.
"Ivory's been dealing with the scouts right?" Alfie asked.
"He has sir. For the past week since he found them."
[Alfie! Alfie! You won't believe it. The guys actually managed to infiltrate into their territory.] Rina shouted.
"It seems like he'll be able to handle the situation on his own," Aflie claimed to Fawn's confusion.
***
Horace lamented at the fact he had already returned a total of 3 times. Despite his overpowered talent, he couldn't help but get stuck in between warmongering geniuses.
In his first life where his talent remained hidden, it was especially hard for him.
Being the first Lord in history to not unlock a talent made him a laughingstock among his peers. It led him to be tormented, ridiculed and even beaten to the point where he couldn't stand.
His first return had been bewildering, he had originally thought he had been sent to the afterlife but the familiar sight of his gateway revoked such thoughts.
That's when his talent revealed itself to him. Rewind ??? Stars.
He was given a second chance at life, but more importantly, a chance to take revenge on those who had wronged him.
That life was short, however, when on the third week his settlement was invaded by a neighboring lord.
His second return ended much faster, due to him ending up in the middle of a desert and finding no water source.
The third return ended with him getting raided once again, except this time he got gang-banged by two people that time.
To be quite honest he was in shock that despite his new talent, he was actually doing worse than his first life.
Recently the scouts that he had been sending out were disappearing without a trace, and each time he sent new ones they too would end up missing.
He had a nagging feeling that this fourth return would end up in a similar fate.
He hoped that his fifth would be the one that gave him enough stability to grow.
***
'Rina, can you tell me where Ivory's at?" Alfie asked.
[Yeah, what's up you gonna ask him about that other lord?] Rina asked.
'Something like that. I've got something to take care of.' Alfie confirmed.
[I'm telling you, man, I didn't tell you about any other lord.] Rina sighed.
'No, I know. I just need to check something out.' Alfie sighed.
He needed to confirm it for himself. If there really was a regressor as his next-door neighbor.