I woke up with aching muscles and covered in sweat.

Although I still only wake up after a nightmare, much like before, they have become much less punishing.

I wake up without remembering what they were about and I rarely scream in my sleep anymore.

However, this may also simply be because I have a normal mortal body and Soul right now, one capable of getting tired (as long as I don’t specifically clear my fatigue), ageing and even dying if I suffer a direct and lethal wound.

If I suffered nightmares like I did in the previous world, I might just destroyed this body in my sleep, which I doubt my body’s will to survive will allow.

But even then, when I’m ruling over my realm in my God-like state, I only once got a horrible and upsetting nightmare.

Then again, I’ve only ‘slept’ twice in my ethereal form ever since I created this world, since you don’t get fatigued and only need to sleep if you feel depressed or emotionally tired.

So things might not have changed as much as I think they have, but sleeping feels better than before.

I stood up from my bed and discovered I was still in the leather armour I normally only wear when out on ‘missions’ to clear bandits, or rather when I was away to see if my work from the past billion years was almost complete.

I removed the armour, threw it somewhere in the corner and changed into a simple white shirt, brown vest and simple brown pants.

I conjured up a mirror and looked at my face.

Staring back at me was a mercenary-type man covered in little cuts and scars with scruffy beard and short brown hair

The hair on my beard as well as my head were slowly becoming more and more grey.

The bodies age was nearing its thirty-eighth year.

In looks at least, since I created a twenty-six years old body about a year or two before joining the city.

I’ve been in this body for almost twelve years and watched it age, yet it was still a strange sight.

After all, I’ve always had about a twenty-year-old body ever since the dawn of time.

To see it change after a mere twelve years, although normal for mortals, feels really strange.

But, ageing is part of mortal life, which I can now fully experience since my work is done.

After turning in this last assignment, I’m planning to end the deal with the mayor and start a new life.

I’ve already made many, many plans, a few even including being born like a normal person would.

But first things first.

With a wave of my hand, the sweat and aches instantly disappeared – although I still clearly looked very tired – and left the room.

Going down the stairs I was immediately greeted by Ralf's wife and co-owner, Ingrid, a stout and homely woman.

“Sir Marcus, rough night I see.”

She grabbed a mug from underneath the counter and filled it with beer from the keg.

She always gave me one whenever it was clear I had a bad sleep.

Which means almost always.

A took the beer and drank some.

“Thanks, and did call me ‘sir’. I’m not a knight or the guard-captain, just a mercenary.”

“Pah! You deserve to be called sir more than any of them!”

Even though she complained a little, she didn’t push it.

After taking another sip, I asked something else.

“Did I scream this night?”

Every morning I asked this, just to make sure I didn’t.

I carefully keep tabs on these sort of things.

She seemed to have expected the question.

“Nope, still haven’t screamed in three years. You want something to eat?”

Before I could even respond, she left the counter for a moment and opened the door and went into the kitchen.

She yelled some orders to whoever was currently in the kitchen – most likely one of the six daughters or four sons-in-law – and was immediately back with a plate richly filled with bread, cheese and ham.

She always tends to spoil me just like her husband always tries to give me free drinks.

I opened my mouth to protest, but was once again cut off before I could even start.

“Just accept it, you already paid for it with yesterday’s silver.”

For the past decade it has been the same routine.

At first I tried to resist it, but she was much more stubborn than Ralf and me so she always had her way.

Eventually, I just gave up.

While eating breakfast and drinking at the bar, she started attending to the other guests who were slowly trickling in from upstairs, some of which even wished me a good morning, although most just simple gave a respectful nod.

It felt good to be part of a community for the first time in my life, although it’s just temporary.

When I finished and stood up to leave, already turned around and headed towards the door, Ingrid suddenly seemed to remember something.

“Marcus, wait!”

I turned around and looked at her questioningly.

“You off to see the mayor?”

She asked.

I shrugged in response.

I was actually planning to see the city for the last time before going and ending my contract, but it seemed something’s up.

“Two days ago, the lord came in here and wanted to see you. I said you weren’t around and he grumbled a little, after which I said he should be thankful you even do this job and he said-”

“Ingrid.”

I said, noticing she was planning rattle on for a while.

“Anyway, he said to come see him as soon as possible. Seemed rather urgent.”

I sighed.

Hopefully it won’t interfere with my plans.

Although this city was never bad to me and I wasn’t necessarily in a hurry to leave, seeing as I have infinite time to do what I want, I quickly wanted to see more of the world, experience more things than staying in this city has to offer.

But, it seems it might take a little longer before I can do so.

“Alright, thanks.”

I said, turning  around and leaving the inn.

I made my way through the busy city streets, remembering how quiet and dirty they used to be, said hello to a couple of people and made my way towards the mayor’s home: a comparatively large, parliament-like building right in front of the town’s square.

It didn’t take long for me to get there seeing as the inn I stayed at was located in the higher middle-class district, close to the market and the town square.

As soon as I arrived near the front door, a couple of guards already came to guide me.

“Sir Marcus, we-”

“I’m not your captain.”

I’m rather adamant about this.

I don’t want to cause unnecessary misunderstandings in the hierarchy among the city’s guards and the citizens.

Although I know the captain is a good man, if he ever gets replaced with a more proud person and people still call me sir, things might get annoying.

Then again, I’m not planning to stay for that long in this place, but I’d rather avoid trouble than tempt it.

There was a moment of silence before the guard continued.

“Marcus, the lord-mayor has been expecting you in his office. Please, follow me.”

Splitting off from the three others standing near the door, we made our way through the building, going upstairs, taking a turn here and there until finally arriving in front of his office.

The guard opened the door for me while respectfully staying outside.

The room was filled with the higher strata of the city.

Rich merchants, near-nobles and lowly knights busily chatting with each other and the mayor, who was sitting at his desk.

As soon as they heard me enter, their heads immediately turned to me.

None of the faces contained any dissatisfaction with me.

I’m intelligent, capable and loyal while officially an outsider to the city.

It was clear I was not hungry for power, yet I still helped the city to become great, from which they all profited.

No-one should have a reason to hate me and as far as I could see, no-one did.

The mayor stood up from his seat and walked towards me, hand stretched out in greeting.

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“Welcome back Marcus. I trust your task has been completed?”

I took it and he shook it vigorously.

“Of course, lord-mayor Oliver.”

He turned towards the other guests.

“You see? I told you all he would take care of all of them single-handedly!”

He praised and laughed, the others clapping in response.

It wasn’t as if I hated them.

None of these men were particularly bad.

It’s just that, whenever they are praising me and congratulating me, it seemed more like they were patting themselves on their back instead.

I don’t care that much since it hardly costs me any effort and gives me a good alibi to leave every once in a while, but still…

I bowed towards the group and turned my attention towards the mayor.

“My lord, if I may be so rude, what was the urgent matter you require assistance with?”

Although it felt slightly unpleasant, I have to adhere to the proper etiquette.

The mayor has a certain pride and if he isn’t spoken to respectfully, he becomes mad as hell, once even almost having a man executed if not for his friends stopping him.

“Ah, yes! You see, the explosive rise the cities wealth as well as population has caught the future king’s attention and has decided to, upon ascension, award me with nobility and even the title Duke of Kasten!”

The circle of friends again clapped in response, clearly imagining their rise in power after Oliver becomes duke.

Kasten was the name of the city as well as the surrounding region.

The mayor isn’t officially a noblemen, since he’s traditionally elected amongst the rich merchant’s caste in the city.

But with this, he becomes a noble, and a Duke at that, the highest title under king.

“Congratulations, my lord.”

I said.

Although he sounded rather arrogant about it, I do believe he deserves the title.

Even though I did the work of clearing out the cities irredeemable thugs and criminals, while straightening the redeemable ones, he was the one that made the city as wealthy as it is today.

After the roads became safe, he attracted traders and migrants to come here, without which the city would have been clean of thugs, sure, but never as rich and powerful as it is now.

And he never once fell to the temptation of corruption, which was admirable to say the least.

“Thank you, Marcus. But now I’ve something to ask of you. The coronation is in three days and I plan to stay in the capital for a week at least, two at most. Of course, I cannot let this city be without proper ruler, so I have to ask you. You do not have any plans, right? Can you rule Kasten in my absence?”

Although I did want to leave the city as soon as possible, I was in no particular rush.

I merely wanted to begin exploring the world as soon as possible.

The only reason I even was in this current body was to get used to bodily needs and ageing.

Ageing I had never experienced and from almost the beginning of my existence, my previous body never needed anything to keep it going.

But staying ruling for a week or two in this city might not be that bad an idea.

After all, at a certain point I want to experience ruling over people who obey me not out of fear or a misplaced idolisation, like the Sloth used to do, but because I was a respectable ruler.

“My lord, although I did prepare to leave this city after completing my given task, I am willing to accept this task if you insist, as long as I may leave after your return.”

As I said that, mixed emotions began appearing on the soon-to-be-Duke’s face.

Losing a very capable man, but in return gaining security that I will not take over Kasten in his absence, which I’m obviously capable of seeing my popularity with the citizens and my skills.

Even though most people knew I was a bit of a drunk, there was no doubt a lot  of them, especially the lower-class and middle-class citizens, would support me if I so much as asked, let alone if I offer ‘rewards’ for joining me.

After a second or two, a smile appeared on the mayor’s lips and a hand clasped my shoulders.

“Although it saddens me to lose such a respectable man and good friend, I thank you for accepting this burden. Now, we were planning to leave as soon as my replacement was fixed, so we will see each other again in a week or so. Although I doubt you need any help, you know which people to turn to if needed. Make yourself comfortable in my office and I’ll see you again as a Duke.”

The mayor and his entourage were beginning to leave the office.

I already knew which people to go to.

There was the captain of the guard, the council of judges and the various guild-leaders available to help.

“Safe travels, my Duke.”

They left the office, the mayor no doubt grinning at my words.

As soon as they left, I sat myself down in the office chair and took over the rule of the city.

The next week and a half were very easy.

The people already knew their mayor was leaving and once they heard it was me taking over as regent, they knew that as long as they didn’t cause trouble, I wouldn’t try to interfere in their business.

For ten days I sat in the office or walked around the city, settling minor disputes between traders and signing documents while constantly having something to drink in my hand or on my desk.

It wasn’t particularly exciting, but there was a certain feeling of happiness doing this kind of work.

The feeling that the citizens respected me, trusted  me to uphold the peace.

It gave me a sense that I was doing something good, something I had rarely, if ever, felt before.

It was a far cry from the idolizing and fearful Sloths, accepting my rule over them while never even speaking a word to their supposed king.

This felt much more real than back then.

But, on the eleventh day, trouble arrived.

While talking with a couple of guild leaders, judges and the captain, merely talking about the day-to-day business of the city, the door to the office was suddenly thrown open.

Three severely wounded man carried and escorted by nine city guards.

Commander Maxwell was the first to respond.

“What is the meaning of this?!”

He said in his characteristically stern voice with a hint of outrage at the sudden intrusion.

“Sir Commander, Lord Marcus, something horrible happened!”

One of the guards shouted.

Since the guards only wore mail and no helmets, their incredibly pale faces were visible for all to see.

I saw hints of fear visible on the Commander’s face as well as all the other present.

I, however, remained calm.

“Calm yourself, soldier. What is so urgent?”

“You better hear this for yourself, lord!”

He said, breathing heavily, indicating his rush towards here.

Two of the other guards carried over one of the severely wounded man, the guild leaders and judges clearing a path towards my desk.

The man, although with horrible burns and gashes on his face, was someone I recognized.

It was the guard that, on my first day here, guided me towards this office, although he should have left with the mayor.

I already had a feeling of what transpired.

“Lord Marcus… hah… capital... monsters… heroes… revolution…hah…”

The man said, gasping for breath while often twitching in pain.

The faces of all those present paled visibly, clearly fearing the worst  but the following words shocked everyone even more.

“The blood… the confusion…everyone is…”

The guard’s face twisted in horror and anguish as he said the last words, clearly traumatized as he  remembered everything that happened.

“They’re all dead!”

The guard collapsed from exhaustion.