The evening sky was a serene palette of soft orange and pink hues, the setting sun casting long shadows across the bustling town.
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the newly planted trees lining the cobbled streets, and the air carried the faint aroma of blooming flowers from the nearby gardens. Stars began to peek out from the clear expanse above, promising a tranquil night.
As I approached my house, the warm glow of lanterns spilling out of the windows greeted me. Lucia stood by the doorway, her figure illuminated by the soft light, her usual composure tinged with a hint of concern.
"What happened?" I asked as I stepped closer.
"My lord," she began, "Barns came asking for 5,000 gold coins."
"I told him to," I replied casually.
"Yes, and he mentioned that. The funds are already spent. I need additional gold to upgrade the walls and hire more soldiers as well," she said with a measured tone.
I nodded thoughtfully. "How long until the merchants arrive?"
"Two days," she replied crisply.
"Hmm. Don't worry about the funds. I'll have everything prepared tomorrow. Just make sure the drafts are ready."
"Yes, Master," she said, her voice steady as ever.
As I turned to go inside, I muttered, "Good girl."
"Did you say something?" she asked innocently, her head tilted slightly.
"Nothing, nothing. Good night, Lucia," I said quickly, retreating before my embarrassment showed.
---
Gold: 0 units
Mana Cores: 36,945 units
The next morning, I stared at the numbers in the system. This experience is extremely soothing, waking up to your wealth increasing daily, who doesn't want that?
As I tap the sell button on mana cores, selling mana cores back to the system felt like a robbery. They bought them at 8 gold per unit—non-negotiable. Still, I had no choice. I sold 945 cores, bringing my balance to:
Gold: 7,560 units
Mana Cores: 36,000 units
Dressed for the day, I grabbed my wooden sword and headed straight to where Lucia was working. As expected, she was already immersed in her tasks, her quill scratching against the parchment with practiced precision.
"Good morning, dear," I teased, placing the pouch of gold coins on her desk.
She glanced up, momentarily surprised. "My lord?"
"Here's 7,560 gold coins. Use it for the walls, soldiers, or whatever else you need," I said. "Regarding the deal tomorrow, let the trader know they'll be handling close to 100,000 mana cores in total."
Lucia's eyes widened. "Are you certain, my lord? Mana cores are incredibly rare. Even seeing 10,000 of them in one place is unheard of."
"Just do it," I said with a shrug. "I have my ways. And remember, don't bring me any of the profits—spend everything on the town's development. Make it a city we can all be proud of. I'm trusting you."
"Yes, Master," she said with a slight bow, her expression resolute.
As I left, I chuckled inwardly. While my words sounded noble, the truth was simpler: I have no idea how to handle this, so you deal with it.
Still, I patted myself on the back for not saying it out loud.
---
At the training grounds, the soldiers were already deep into their routines. I arrived later than usual, having lingered a bit too long chatting with Lucia. Picking up my wooden sword, I joined the drills, determined to push my body to its limits once again.
---
Virelithan River
The envoy's camp lay beside the sprawling Virelithan River, its waters glistening under the moonlight. This river, the lifeblood of the kingdom, served as both a natural barrier and a critical resource.
The envoy paced furiously near the campfire, his face twisted in anger. "That fool Ace," he growled. "I'll bring the entire kingdom's army and crush his pathetic little playground!"
His guards exchanged weary glances but remained silent. They had endured days of his incessant complaints, his threats of vengeance becoming little more than background noise.
As they sat by the fire, a convoy of caravans approached the riverbank. The lead merchant waved politely, his demeanor calm despite the armed soldiers.
"Where are you headed?" one of the soldiers asked.
"To Silver Town," the merchant replied.
"Silver Town?" another guard echoed, confused.
"Yes," the merchant said, gesturing toward the caravans behind him. "It's a new settlement on the border of Aetheria and Virelith Kingdom. We're headed there to get a chance to trade mana cores. They've promised to trade 10,000 units this week alone."
The soldiers stiffened. One of them turned to his comrades. "Isn't that the same town we just left?"
The envoy, overhearing the conversation, froze mid-rant. "What did you say?" he demanded, storming over.
The merchant, unfazed, repeated himself. "Silver Town. They have an extraordinary stockpile of mana cores. It's a rare opportunity for trade, so we're eager to secure a deal."
The envoy's face darkened. "That bastard… just wait," he muttered under his breath.
The merchant, sensing the tension, bowed politely and continued across the river, his caravan rumbling softly into the night.
The guards watched him go, their thoughts swirling. Silver Town wasn't just surviving—it was thriving. And the envoy's threats seemed more hollow with each passing day.
---
Back in Silver Town, I finished my morning training, my muscles aching but my resolve stronger than ever. As the town prepared for the arrival of the merchants, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.
The cool water of the river flowing through our town was soothing, its gentle currents lulling me into a peaceful daze as I leaned back, letting my mind drift. The sun shimmered on the surface, and for a moment, everything felt perfect.
Then, the system's cold, mechanical voice shattered the tranquility.
System Warning:
"Your loan has exceeded 200,000 gold coins (208,500 gold coins). If you don't pay back within a week, the loan interest will double."
"A week?" I muttered, sitting upright. "You don't have to scare me like that, stupid robot… or whatever you are."
The warning lingered in my mind, ruining any chance of relaxation. No matter how much I tried to let the moment pass, the thought of the looming debt nagged at me.
With a resigned sigh, I decided there was no use staying here. Dressing up quickly, I trudged back toward home, my thoughts clouded by calculations and plans to tackle this sudden problem. So much for a peaceful evening by the river.