CHAPTER 29: ELEMENTS OF COUP

Soon after the panel appeared, the room suddenly filled with similar blue screens—more than Aric had ever seen before. They materialized all around him, flooding his vision in a glaring blue.

"What is... this?" Aric muttered, pushing his chair back and turning slightly to see the other screens behind him.

Each one displayed different information. Without thinking, he turned to the nearest to read:

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Masir Genult \ Human

{Current value: 7}

– Financial advisor to the Lord of Heidz

Accessibility: Medium

Influence: – (You do not have any influence on this)

Expand/?

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"Who the hell is that?" Aric frowned and moved on to another.

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The Stretch of Miredis \ Place

{Current value: 86}

– A long stretch of land between Byzeth and the northern river, the only trade path connecting it to other kingdoms.

Accessibility: Medium

Influence: –

Expand/?

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Aric’s eyes darted from panel to panel, scanning each one in turn. Slowly, realization dawned—he was looking at the entirety of the Byzeth Kingdom laid bare before him. Routes, places, people... everything with even the slightest influence on the kingdom appeared here.

The panels revealed their nature, their value to his conquest, their accessibility, and his current influence over them, with an option to expand further.

"Guide..." Aric finally called. Though he had an idea of what he was seeing, he needed her explanation.

She materialized beside him with a flutter of wings. Without waiting for a prompt, she began to explain, as though she had anticipated his question.

"The conquest feature is integrated into the system to aid the user in acquiring suzerainty over a state or governed entity. You will be given details on all aspects of the state’s authority, as well as how your actions affect it and strengthen your own. Quests and other system aids will further assist you in toppling the state and assuming leadership."

Her words confirmed what Aric had already suspected. He leaned back in his chair, gazing at the glowing screens. The guide had told him most of the system’s functions remained unexplored, yet each new feature revealed itself as staggeringly useful.

[You have received a sub-quest.]

[S-Quest: Taking the Stretch]

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Increase influence in the Stretch of Miredis to 40%.

– The Stretch of Miredis is the main trade route used by the kingdom and the only passage for commerce with the Northrend Empire. Increasing influence will allow for an inflow of vital information and grant you the ability to make key decisions regarding Byzeth’s most critical staple: trade.

Reward: Party feature upgrade.

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Aric had already devised his own approach to overthrow Byzeth. For a moment, he worried the system’s quest might clash with his plans—but it didn’t. This one aligned neatly with his strategy, and he already knew how to achieve it.

He rose from the chair, the wood creaking beneath him. With a wave of his hand, the blue screens winked out of existence. Taking a deep breath—then another—he left the study.

As he walked the halls of the house, a heavy nostalgia pressed down on him, conjuring memories of a calamity yet to come. Every corner echoed with the laughter of the squad he had once led.

Their slaughter lingered vividly in his mind... especially the old man’s.

Aric shook his head, though the gesture did little to dispel the haunting memories. He climbed the stairs and walked another hallway. The house, while smaller than his estate manor, was still sizable.

At last, he reached a door. Gripping the handle, he pushed it open.

The wooden door swung wide, revealing Serina in the middle of slipping into a nightdress. Her chest was bare, her hands raised in a futile attempt at modesty.

"My apologies. I should have knocked—my mind was elsewhere," Aric said calmly. His voice betrayed neither embarrassment nor awkwardness.

"It’s fine. I told you to come around this time," Serina replied evenly, seemingly just as unbothered. She dropped one hand, pulling the fabric over her body as she slid her arms through the straps. Once clothed, she gestured. "Please, come in."

Aric stepped inside, the familiar scent of the home—now mingled with Serina’s presence—washing over him.

Her damp hair revealed she had just bathed. He watched as she swept her hair up and tied them in a messy knot with a deft flick of her wrist.

"You may sit on the bed, your highness," Serina said, gesturing to the queen-size bed at the room’s center.

"Oh... what are you planning, Miss Marceli?" Aric teased as he sat on the edge of the bed.

"Your highness has jokes, I see," Serina smiled faintly, climbing onto the bed and positioning herself behind him.

"I can be funny from time to time." Aric clicked his teeth as she raised her hand over the back of his neck, a green glow radiating from her palm.

"How long will this take before I’m completely healed?" he asked.

"I’m not certain. The process is slow. This illness resembles a highly resilient virus. Honestly, it’s a miracle you’ve survived this long. I can gather and eliminate it, but only in small amounts. Still... I’m close to advancing to the next circle. Once I do, the process will be a hundred times faster."

Aric sighed. He longed for immediate recovery, but the mere chance of healing was already more than he had hoped for.

"Thank you," he whispered.

Serina smiled softly at his words, though he didn’t see it.

"You said the old man was your friend, but he didn’t seem to recognize you," she said, shifting the conversation.

"I guess he forgot."

"We’re lucky he’s a kind old man and let us stay," she remarked.

"Not at all," Aric chuckled. "He’s a murderous, lying, cunning old bastard whose entire life is treason to the kingdom and empire. But that’s exactly why he’s important to us."