CHAPTER 12: 50X REWARD SYSTEM

Aegon stared at his reflection in the mirror and wondered if he had been this cute in his previous life too. As far as he could remember, he had been pretty skinny, with little mass on his flesh.

But this time, it was different.

In the mirror, he could see a small, chubby baby who looked a little older than a one-year-old child. His golden, orb-like eyes stared back at him with curiosity, and his deep black hair was styled back, making him look handsome. They hadn’t been cut aside from once, so they framed his cute yet handsome face quite well.

Xiu had made him wear a suit of black and white for his first birthday, and he had to admit, it really suited him. He was very happy with his appearance in this life.

’Hehe, I’m sure I’ll charm many ladies in the future. This face is just too good,’ Aegon thought with a toothy grin spreading across his face.

As someone who had read all genres, he had devoured tons of romance novels. It wouldn’t be a lie to say he had always wished for a wholesome romance in his life too, but it had been impossible in his previous life.

Now, it was different.

’One more goal for this life. Find a loving and caring wife who will travel around the world with me,’ Aegon thought before turning toward the hologram flashing in the corner of his eyes.

Seeing the text he had already read ten times by now, his smile grew wider. It truly was a happy birthday for him.

[Ding! One Year Completion of Installation! Host can sign in twice today!]

[Ding! One Year Completion of Installation! 10x Rewards evolved to 50x Rewards for one day!]

[Ding! Do you want to Sign-in?]

This was the reason he was so happy. He hadn’t expected to receive such a wonderful gift on his birthday.

’Two Sign-ins and both at 50x! Hehe, this will be a great harvest!’ Aegon thought with a wide smile. ’Judging from how excited Xiu was, I’m sure she invited many powerful people or at least some influential ones. The best place to sign in today can’t be anywhere other than the banquet.’

He was sure he would receive something good today, and there was also the possibility that he might get similar bonuses on his future birthdays.

Once, Aegon hadn’t even remembered his birthday, but now he was already looking forward to his future birthdays.

’If only I knew what counts as rewards, I could have used this opportunity even better. But nothing I’ve tried until now worked.’

Just then, the room’s door burst open and a beautiful young woman clad in a charcoal black dress stormed inside. Her outfit and makeup made her look like an elegant woman of noble class, yet her behavior was the complete opposite.

Xiu pushed aside the black strands of her hair and picked up Aegon after looking at him up and down, "Are you planning to charm all the ladies of the banquet today?"

Aegon was speechless, as he had just been thinking something similar.

"My baby will surely do that," she kissed his cheeks and said warmly. "Once again, Happy Birthday, Little Sun."

"Thank you, Aunt Xiu," Aegon said with a cheeky smile.

"Somehow, that sounds very strange coming from you," Xiu muttered before throwing the matter to the back of her mind. "Are you ready to meet the people of this Kingdom?"

Aegon bobbed his head up and down in excitement. Of course, most of his excitement was because of the rewards. He didn’t really like crowds much, but he would endure it.

"By the way, I can walk on my own," Aegon protested as Xiu carried him toward the banquet hall, even though he knew it would be pointless.

"Nope!" was her one-word reply.

He sighed and focused ahead on the two tall wooden doors. Two butlers were standing on either side, and upon seeing them, they slid the doors open and bowed respectfully.

Bright lights blinded Aegon for a moment before his eyes adjusted, and he found himself in a huge hall.

Unlike what he had expected, the hall wasn’t suffocating with a crowd, but it was filled just enough to make it lively.

The entire place was decorated with silken drapes of red and gold hanging from the ceiling, catching the soft glow of hundreds of lanterns that lit the room with a warm hue.

Polished marble floors reflected the light, and the faint shimmer of crystal chandeliers overhead made the hall almost dreamlike.

Long tables lined the sides of the room, stacked with plates of roasted meats, steaming bread, exotic fruits, and sweet pastries. The fragrance of wine and incense blended together, giving the air a heavy yet pleasant richness.

The nobles and officials were dressed in their finest silks and velvets, jewels glittering on their fingers and necks as they clustered in small groups.

Conversations flowed like gentle streams, laughter rising here and there, though more than a few gazes drifted toward the entrance with curiosity and expectation.

It wasn’t stiff and cold like some of the banquets Aegon had read about in books. No, this was joyful. Children ran freely, chasing each other and batting at the colorful balloons Xiu had thought it funny to paste along the walls.

Their laughter cut through the formality, making the place feel less like a political gathering and more like a true celebration.

Xiu had truly made sure this would be a fun and memorable birthday for him.

’Damn! They all look like important people. This is good, very good. I’ll get good rewards.’

Aegon was full of smiles as he took in the sight.

But their arrival instantly shifted the flow of the hall. The lively chatter slowly faded, replaced by silence as heads turned, and dozens of pairs of eyes landed on Xiu and more importantly...on Aegon.

The nobles didn’t speak right away, but their gazes said enough. Some were surprised, some were curious, some were calculating, and a few looked downright envious.

Unfazed by any of it, Xiu walked forward confidently, her heels tapping against the marble as if declaring she owned the hall. Well, she did.

She went directly toward the main seat of honor where Arnold was waiting for them.

The man seemed to have grown visibly older after his wife’s death, but for today, he seemed like his former self again. Still, those who were familiar with him could easily see the changes in him.

If once he had been the cold, ruthless commander of armies who killed and butchered enemies without mercy, now he was just a loving and caring old man of the neighborhood. The ferociousness in his eyes had been replaced by love and adoration for his grandson.

But no one mistook that for weakness. These were people who had witnessed his prime, so they knew exactly the lengths he could go for his family.

They knew him more as the White Death than Arnold Augustus.