Baron Valric's mansion stood proudly atop a small hill, surrounded by gardens that had once been immaculate but were now ravaged by the aftermath of battle. Cero strode through the grand hall filled with luxurious furniture, family portraits, and lavish carpets now stained with dust and blood. The marines accompanying him had ensured the mansion was secure, with its occupants either "cleared" or detained. A cold stillness hung over the place, like a building mourning the loss of its soul.
Cero stopped in front of a large, intricately carved door. "The treasury is inside," reported a marine, pushing the door open for him. With measured steps, Cero entered the room, nearly glowing with wealth.
The chamber was expansive, its walls lined with shelves filled with ornate boxes of jewelry and precious metals. At the center, a towering pile of gold coins, silver ingots, and gemstones sat neatly arranged—a testament to the baron's once-unshakable power. The light from lanterns placed in the corners reflected off the gold, creating a scene of opulence steeped in emptiness.
Cero approached the golden mound, his expression calm despite the fortune before him—enough wealth to sustain a small city for years. Isvel, who had followed him into the room, leaned casually against the doorway, her arms folded.
"Well," Isvel remarked, her crimson, slit-pupil eyes narrowing as she watched Cero pick up a handful of gold coins. "Is this your power? Turning everything you touch into your own?"
Cero didn't respond. His focus was on the system, which immediately detected the treasure around him.
[SYSTEM ACTIVATED. Valuables detected: gold. Would you like to convert?]
'Yes,' Cero thought without hesitation.
The gold coins in his hand vanished instantly, dissolving into light that was absorbed into his body. The process was silent but unmistakable as the pile of gold gradually shrank with every piece Cero touched.
"Fascinating," Isvel mused, stepping closer and tilting her head to get a better view of the phenomenon. "You're like a mage, but your magic is far more… practical. Is this how your world steals without leaving a trace?"
Cero remained silent, addressing the system mentally.
'System, what's my current balance?'
[Calculating… Total assets: 53,700 G (Gold Units). Conversion complete.]
A small smile played on Cero's lips, though his eyes stayed cold. The sum was sufficient to fund several military operations without worrying about additional resources.
"Hey, could you at least acknowledge my presence?" Isvel's voice broke the silence, her irritation evident as she stared at Cero's back, which had yet to turn toward her since entering the treasury.
Cero paused momentarily, not answering immediately. He picked up one final gold coin from the dwindling pile, rolling it between his fingers before converting it into the system. The coin gleamed briefly before disappearing into light.
At last, he turned to face her, exhaling a short sigh. "Hah… Relax, Isvel. Are you trying to pry into my secrets?"
Isvel raised an eyebrow, her arms crossed, a sly smile curling her lips. "Perhaps. You know, speaking a little won't kill you."
Cero walked past her without another glance, heading toward the door. "Silence doesn't mean I'm not listening. I just don't want to waste time on trivial matters. We're done here. Let's head back to the docks to finalize plans for this region's administration."
Isvel rolled her eyes but followed him out. "You're hard to talk to, Cero. But I'm starting to get used to it."
At the docks, Cero boarded one of the flagship warships anchored there. The vessel loomed like a titan, a symbol of modern technological dominance over the feudal world they had just conquered. He headed to the command room—a high-tech space starkly contrasting the medieval setting of the region they now controlled. Blue holographic displays illuminated maps of Dralven and its surrounding areas.
Inside, Ragner and several officers stood around a tactical table projecting a digital map of Dralven. It displayed mining sites, supply routes, and population centers. Isvel followed behind, taking a seat in a corner, her curious gaze flickering between the officers and the holograms, though she stayed silent.
"Director," Ragner greeted, saluting. "Initial reports have been compiled. We're ready to discuss the next steps."
Cero nodded, taking his place at the head of the table. His sharp eyes scanned the map, his finger tapping on the icon marking the region's primary gold mine. "Speak."
Ragner gave a firm report. "The region contains a small gold mine, sufficient to support initial operations. However, the local mining workforce is limited, and their equipment is outdated. To optimize production, we'll need to either import technology from the system or train them to improve efficiency."
Another officer, Lieutenant Carrick, added, "The locals seem confused and frightened, but there's no sign of rebellion. Most of them are simply waiting to see what will happen next."
Cero listened attentively, his expression unreadable. "How long until Delos responds to this?" he asked.
Ragner shook his head. "No major movements yet. However, we can't count on this calm lasting long. Duke Kritus has likely heard about Dralven's fall."
Cero's gaze sharpened, and he summoned the system interface in his mind.
'System, provide data on governance options.'
[Accessing regional governance options… Available:
Military administration. Local governance with supervision. Conversion into a full operational base.]
"Military, local, or operational base," Cero murmured, his finger tapping the table rhythmically. "Each comes with its advantages and risks."
For the first time, Isvel spoke up, breaking her silence. "Military rule might be efficient, but it'll only deepen their fear of you. Push them too hard, and they might turn to Delos as their savior."
Cero glanced at her, inviting her to continue.
"If you allow local governance with oversight, you might gain their favor, but you'd also give them space to conspire against you. These people know Kritus better than they know you. If they fear you but remain loyal to him, it's a ticking time bomb."
Ragner added, "Converting it into a base entirely ignores the locals. That would mean displacing them or leaving them unattended, but it'll draw Kritus's attention faster."
Cero considered the points, his mind weighing the options. Finally, he spoke decisively. "We'll take a hybrid approach. The mines and the town will be converted into operational bases. We'll bring in system technology to enhance mining efficiency, but the locals will remain to maintain stability."
He tapped the mines' icon on the map. "Recruit some of them as miners. Pay them enough to keep them satisfied but monitor them closely. Leave no room for rebellion."
Then, he pointed at the main road connecting Dralven to nearby territories. "Fortify the town and mine perimeters to ensure no forces from Kritus can enter without facing significant resistance. Focus on securing supply routes."
With the meeting concluded, Ragner saluted and left to implement the orders. Isvel remained seated, her gaze fixed on Cero with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.
"You make big decisions so quickly," she said as she stood. "Are you sure the locals will accept this?"
Cero's eyes met hers, cold and unyielding. "They don't have a choice. I offer them a chance to survive. If that's not enough, they will be replaced."
Isvel smirked faintly, saying nothing more. Silently, she followed Cero out of the command room, ready to witness the next chapter in his plans to conquer this world.