"Luca!" Elda exclaimed.
Full of boundless energy, my red-haired little sister leaped out of her chair and hurried over to greet me. Her twin, Jarvis, however, lacked all energy and just nodded toward me from his seat.
Ah, she must have drunk all the sleeping potion on their ride here in this round again.
Elda eagerly took hold of my arm, tugging me toward the small table where I had shared meals and engaging games of chess with our beloved grandmother. However, this round, the twins were not alone at the table.
"My condolences," Duncan offered, his voice filled with genuine sympathy. He wore a sleek black silk face mask, occasionally lowering it to enjoy sips of his tea or savor bites of food.
"Thank you," I said and sat down.
Upon the round table, a delightful spread of dishes awaited, undoubtedly prepared by Arnold Bumblefudge. Knowing what I knew about him, I picked up several items to examine them. Yet, to my disappointment, none of them triggered the familiar blue notification screen.
I guess it only works for items the System deems of interest or significance.
Leona had flown off my head and planted herself on a plate of raw cucumbers and tiny tomatoes, obviously remembering Arnold's terrible cooking as well.
"Are Mother and Micah busy taking care of the estate's affairs?" I asked.
"Yes," Jarvis nodded. "We didn't arrive that long ago, but much requires their attention."
I solemnly nodded.
"Young master Jarvis."
A servant approached and placed a cup of dark, thick liquid before Jarvis, emanating a rich and enticing aroma. The fragrance wafted through the air, carrying notes of delicate florals intertwined with hints of nuts.
"What is that?" Duncan asked the question I asked in the prior round.
"Coffee," I replied.
Jarvis raised an eyebrow at me. "You know what this is? I'm surprised. I had this specially imported."
He picked up his cup and took a sip. However, his expression soured slightly as he tasted the brew.
"Luca, I don't suppose you also know how to brew this?" Jarvis asked, his voice carrying a hint of frustration. He proceeded to add milk and sugar to his cup, attempting to temper the bitterness. "I've tried making it several times, but it always turns out bitter. I must be doing something wrong."
I shook my head.
"Unfortunately, no, I don't," I replied.
"Shame," Jarvis said and turned back to Duncan. "So, as I was saying about the Yellow Fleshroot—" I had apparently walked in on them, engaging in an intense conversation about farmlands, crop yields, irrigation techniques, and the changing seasons.
"Jarvis has found someone to talk their ears off," Elda whispered.
However, Duncan clearly didn't seem to mind. His dukedom was responsible for producing the majority of crops within the Adovorian Kingdom, so it was little surprise how knowledgeable he was.
I frowned.
It made it even more apparent how incompetent his sister was in managing their territory in my first life. Unlike Duncan, she clearly had little knowledge and no interest in managing their territory's well-being.
Once breakfast ended, the twins bounced off in separate directions, leaving Duncan, Leona, and myself at the table.
Duncan looked about us to make sure we were alone. "Luca, from last night, what did Prince Chase mean about you being a Player?" he asked. "He inferred that the wizard that nearly killed me was also a Player."
I sighed.
"I don't know much about that wizard of yours, but being a Player is why I have lived multiple lives. I'm in some sort of strange Game where if I die, the world resets," I explained.
"What sort of Game is that…?" Duncan inquired. His gaze filled with a mix of curiosity and concern. "What is its purpose?"
I took a moment to gather my thoughts, contemplating how to reveal the truth without overwhelming him. "The Game's objective," I began, carefully choosing my words, "is to protect Adovoria against an impending invasion from the Kobar Empire. Apparently, all of the summoned Players gave up, and the System selected me as a Player to save our kingdom."
"Then what about the Game twenty-or-so years ago?" Duncan inquired. "What was the purpose then?"
"I'm afraid I don't know much about it." I shook my head. However, my own curiosity was piqued. "But was there anything else you recall about the wizard? Anything strange he did or said?"
Duncan crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.
"To say that his actions were anything short of extraordinary would be an understatement," he stated. "He would often fix his gaze on some unseen horizon, erupting into laughter or succumbing to fits of anger without apparent cause. However, the aspect that interested me was the nature of his magic. It was remarkably uncommon, as he would wield a simple stick and utter unintelligible words, bringing about magical phenomena."
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I guessed that the gazing out was him interacting with the System.
Another thought crossed my mind, however. "Why was he staying at your estate?" I asked.
"He offered his services as a wizard in return for a place to stay," Duncan replied. "It was too sublime a deal to pass up for my parents, especially given how useful and rare individuals capable of magic are. However, with his outburst, he was obviously relieved of his position."
Duncan sliced his finger across his neck.
"He was killed?" I asked.
"Obviously," Duncan replied. "He attempted to murder the heir of the Genuiver Dukedom. What do you expect?"
"Peep!"
And here I thought those summoned Players were supposed to be more capable than the individuals in our world.
Leona piped in from the table.
<
Not that I could imagine a scenario where I would attempt to kill the young child of my hosts that, in his curiosity, ate a fruit of mine, even if it were a valuable skill-producing artifact.
"Peep!"
Do you think the previous Game didn't have resets like the current one because it had multiple summoned Players?
I nodded.
<>
Before the conversation between Duncan and I could delve deeper, Micah entered the room, wearing somber black attire, unlike his usual white garb.
"Ah, Duncan Genuiver. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, though I regret that the circumstances of our meeting are less than ideal," Micah greeted Duncan with a gracious smile.
Duncan returned the gesture. "Please accept my heartfelt condolences for your loss."
"Thank you," Micah responded with a nod, taking his seat at the table.
A maid appeared, gracefully balancing a tray with a steaming pot of freshly brewed tea and delicate white porcelain cups. She poured the fragrant dark red liquid into the cups, the aroma filling the air and adding a comforting note to the scene.
"Allow me to offer you some freshly brewed tea," the maid said softly.
We each accepted a cup, the warmth seeping through the delicate porcelain and into our hands, offering a momentary respite from the weight of the world.
"I hear you may be potentially Evelyn's future Royal Minister?" Micah resumed the conversation.
I raised a brow. I had intended to bring the matter up with Micah but had yet to have the chance.
"Our grandmother had sent a letter regarding the matter before her passing," Micah explained, a hint of sadness lacing his voice.
"If her royal majesty will have me, I would be happy to serve her as a Royal Minister," Duncan replied.
He momentarily slipped his mask down and took a sip of his tea.
Micah gave a radiant smile. "Wonderful. I spoke with her last night, and Evelyn would be delighted to have you. However, formalities dictate that you submit an application and undergo a rigorous screening process by the royal council to secure the position."
Duncan's eyes flickered with surprise. While his face was partially obscured by the black silk mask again, I could discern the intrigue playing across his features.
"The pace at which events unfold catches me off guard," Duncan confessed, his gaze briefly shifting toward me.
"Of course. What did you expect." I gestured toward the ethereal numbers hovering above my head, visible only to Duncan.
If he approached me hoping for a miracle to save millions of people, I obviously needed to begin producing results.
Duncan's eyes darted momentarily above Micah's head before meeting mine again.
The look in his eyes troubled me.
"Young master Micah, a few more urgent contracts require your review," a servant interrupted, breaking the flow of our conversation.
Micah, ever the picture of grace, placed his teacup delicately upon the table and rose from his seat. "I'm afraid I must take my leave. It has been a pleasure, Duncan."
Duncan echoed the sentiment. "Likewise."
"Luca, I shall see you at the funeral," Micah bid me farewell.
I nodded solemnly. "Until then."
The servant and Micah disappeared, leaving Duncan alone with Leona and me.
"What was his number?" I asked, indicating the years my brother had left.
Duncan shook his head. "I'm afraid I only see years, not days."
I frowned.
"How many years does my brother have left?" I asked.
"Zero," Duncan replied. "I'm sorry to say that he won't live even a year."
Tsk.
On the one hand, it wasn't surprising, given how I had already prevented two attempts on his life and knew of more troubles ahead. Yet, at the same time, I had hoped for a better answer.
***
DONG. DONG. DONG.
Ding. Ding. Ding.
The large main bells rang behind us, and a slew of tiny bells held by well-wishers sounded around us. The procession moved slowly down the hill from the villa, spiraling through the Town of Ascot.
I gazed down at the casket in the open carriage. As in the round prior, my grandmother looked peaceful, surrounded by roses handed over to Elda and Jarvis by the onlookers. We had made it almost all the way down, and she looked practically buried in flowers.
"Peep!"
This time, Leona had decided to join me. She sat atop my right shoulder.
The people of this town really cherished your grandmother.
I nodded.
<
As the procession made its way through the somber streets, the weight of my grandmother's passing hung heavy in the air. I couldn't help but reflect upon the magnitude of her presence in the lives of those around me. The expressions etched upon the faces of the men and women we passed spoke volumes of their genuine sorrow and deep reverence.
They truly treasured her.
Their mourning wasn't merely a facade or a societal obligation—it was a heartfelt tribute to a woman who had left an indelible mark on their lives. I observed their tear-stained cheeks, hushed whispers, and gentle gestures of comfort, and it became increasingly clear that my grandmother had been an extraordinary figure, revered and cherished by many. She wasn't just my loving grandmother.
It was the sort of funeral that even Princess Evelyn did not experience when she died in my first life. Of course, other political issues at the time contributed to that.
A flicker of disappointment arose within me. I realized that despite her being my grandmother, I knew quite little about the woman who had shaped the lives of so many people in such profound ways. What had made her so special? What had garnered her such unwavering loyalty and admiration?
A sense of urgency gripped me, wanting to unravel the enigma that was my grandmother, to uncover the intricacies of her character and the depth of her impact on the lives of those she touched. I yearned to discover the essence of her greatness, to understand what it was that had endeared her to the hearts of an entire town.
My vision blurred. Elda quickly pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to me.
"Thank you," I mumbled.
I had lost my grandmother twice, yet I was mourning her anew for an entirely different reason. She had died again, and I knew nothing about her. It was a tragedy.
I wiped away the wetness on my face and looked up. As the procession moved, individuals would come and offer scrolls to my Mother and Micah.
"Peep!"
What are all those scrolls? And why are they bowing to your mom and brother?
Leona mirrored my thoughts.
<>
It dawned on me that even though I had regressed seven years in time and had the knowledge and experience of living through the future, in reality, I didn't know quite a lot about my own family. I didn't know Micah was in a relationship and engaged to Princess Evelyn, I never knew a dragon lived below my grandmother's villa, and I knew next to nothing of even the history of the Arankagul house, even though it was etched in history books.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself as the weight of my ignorance settled upon me. The sun cast its golden rays upon the white stucco buildings, their brightness hitting my face, forcing me to squint.
If I'm ever going to make any real progress, I will have to change that.
[ Intelligence: +1 ]
[ Intelligence: 68 ]