After I died, my personal maid rebelled.

"Nature and magic cannot be deconstructed using the same theory. Nature is a fixed existence, such as sunlight in the sky, air currents and wind and rain. They are constantly generating energy, but have nothing to do with magic."

In a small tavern on the street, Jacob, half-drunk, leaned back in his chair and continued explaining to the crowd surrounding him: "Plants absorb the energy of sunlight to grow, and herbivores obtain energy from plants, including many creatures like us humans that grow by eating plants or meat."

"The way of nature is everywhere. For example, the Duke's swordsmanship, with wind blades following him, is extremely sharp, but it cannot be called magic. At most, it can be considered an understanding of the mysteries of nature."

Everyone listened with great interest. Jacob let out a burp and pointed to the giant python skeleton in the square not far away.

"Have you ever wondered how much food such a huge creature needs to eat every day?"

From white-haired old men to bewildered children, everyone shook their heads. Yes, such a large creature couldn't survive even eating grass; grass doesn't just grow out of nowhere.

"Look, we can't understand it using the rules of nature. Why? Because the Mountain and River Python is a magical creature."

"Magic is something that is difficult for ordinary people to understand. Apart from a few talented magicians, most of us are natural beings throughout our lives."

"The same goes for the undead. How can the dead continue to move in nature? Only magic can create such strange creatures."

"The demon race grew and prospered through magicians, but we humans have done the opposite, drawing power from nature to fight against the demons. And most importantly, magic requires talent, while the way of nature can be passed down through generations..."

At this point, Jacob suddenly caught a glimpse of a pale blue figure out of the corner of his eye. He was so startled that he sat up abruptly and hurriedly pushed through the crowd to chase after it.

"Wait, sir, don't go, please continue."

People felt it was a pity that Harbin hadn't seen any cultured people for a long time; they wished they could at least let them learn more.

But Jacob had no time to think about any of that. If he missed this opportunity again, he didn't know when he would have to wait.

"Young Miss, Young Miss!"

Luna, who was carrying a basket of snacks and preparing to go home, turned around in confusion and saw Jacob running towards her with snot and tears streaming down his face.

Oh, I remember now, I think I forgot about him...

"Oh, sir. I've been so busy lately that I've neglected you." Luna felt guilty and quickly hid the snack basket behind her back. Counting the time, she realized that Jacob had been stuck in Ice City for more than a week.

"It's alright, it's alright." Jacob wiped his eyes with his sleeve. It was such a relief that he finally ran into the young lady again.

"Ahem, ahem, I think it's time to introduce you to my brother." Luna believed she had a good eye; Jacob was a talented man, and she was sure her brother would like him.

"No problem, no problem." Jacob quickly tidied himself up. "Is there anything I need to prepare?"

"No need, just follow me inside."

Jacob was overjoyed. He had to admit that his luck had finally turned around. Following behind Miss Luna, he only needed to use his face to get past the layers of guards in the Duke's mansion. He didn't even need to prepare money to bribe the servants before he could directly meet the Duke.

Luna: Actually... anyone from the Northern Territory can come in as long as they announce their arrival.

The guards respectfully opened the gate, and the two of them walked one after the other through the wide courtyard, directly encountering Elena, who was carrying a file bag as she came out.

"Lady Elene."

Luna waved and ran forward, saying to her with a boastful air, "This is a great talent I brought from the capital. He's very capable. Should I give him to you or to my brother?"

Elena glanced casually at Jacob, and she knew exactly what Luna was thinking.

"Take this to your brother. If he is truly talented, I will reward him."

Jacob was speechless. It sounded like human trafficking, but this maid's status seemed to be quite unusual.

With that thought in mind, Jacob still bowed respectfully as Eleanor passed by.

This drew Elena's first serious look; she stopped and seemed quite interested in his actions.

"Are you from the Southern Territory, sir?"

Jacob was taken aback for a moment, then replied calmly, "Yes."

Elena nodded, said nothing more, and continued walking forward, as if it had just been a casual question.

Upon entering the ancient Duke's mansion, Jacob's first impression of the interior was its cleanliness. Not only was it spotless, but there was also no dust in the air, and no luxury items were displayed around it, making it look very tidy.

Following them up to the second floor, Luna arrived at the Duke's office. She asked Jacob to wait a moment and went into the room first.

Not long after, Luna's clear voice came from inside, "Come in."

After checking his appearance again, Jacob calmed himself down and walked in with neither arrogance nor servility, kneeling on one knee.

"Jacob pays his respects to His Grace the Duke."

"Sir, please get up."

The Duke's voice was deep. In Jacob's mind, Oswald should be a burly man as rugged as a bear. He never expected that the first thing he would see upon getting up was Zhang Fengshen's handsome face.

But his tyrannical temperament was undeniable; compared to Frank, Oswald was more like a monarch as imposing as a mountain.

Oswald took out a handkerchief and wiped Luna's mouth as she sat on a small stool eating snacks, while casually asking a question.

"What brings you to my northern territory, sir?"

Jacob smiled calmly, raised his head, and said, "I've come for high office and generous pay, but also for the sake of the world!"

"The world is no smaller than this."

"That depends on how vast the world is in the Duke's heart."

Upon hearing this, Oswald finally began to take the young man seriously. He had seen many abstract male characters, but one with such ambition was truly rare.

He turned his head, a hint of approval in his eyes, and tentatively asked, "High-ranking positions and generous salaries are not easy to obtain."

"What if I could relieve the Duke's worries?" Jacob was afraid of not having a platform to showcase his talents, and Oswald's words showed no prejudice against his identity, which made him even more eager.

I've definitely come to the right place and met the right people.

"What worries do I have?"

Jacob placed one hand on his chest, brimming with confidence, and said, "I've recently heard that many nobles have surrendered their territories, but the nobles in the east have remained silent. I am willing to go on this journey for Your Excellency, and I will certainly return with the land deeds within a month!"

"If I fail, I am willing to atone with my death!"

"What courage!" Oswald patted Luna's head. In his previous life, he had never heard of Jacob and thought he was just a poor scholar. He never expected Luna to give him such a big surprise.

What do you need for this trip?

"Only fifty knights are needed to accompany him."

His demands made Oswald look at him with even greater respect; it was clear that he was handing over the power of life and death to the other party, showing that he was extremely confident.

In just a few words, the two men seemed to understand each other perfectly, and there was no need for them to say anything more.

Oswald picked up his pen and wrote the transfer order with a flourish. "Very well, since you were invited by Luna, I will assign you fifty personal guards. When you return successfully, you will be rewarded with high rank and generous salary."

"Duke Xie!"

Jacob's eyes trembled. He hurriedly stepped forward to accept the transfer order, bowed solemnly, and left the room.

Luna, who was munching on a snack, was stunned. Wait a minute, I've only eaten three cookies, and you've already finalized such an important matter?

She pinched her cheek to make sure she wasn't dreaming, then quickly swallowed the cookie and said to Oswald in a coquettish tone, "Brother, you don't really need to trust me so much. I don't really know this person very well..."

"When he was in the royal city, he even impersonated a famous scholar, and was beaten out of it by the people from the World Tree Academy."

Luna had a vague feeling of being roasted over a fire. Jacob, you better be really capable. If you make me lose face, I will personally be your executioner!

Oswald chuckled as he pinched Luna's puffed-up cheeks.

"Ha, if he were truly a renowned scholar, I wouldn't trust him at all. But this man comes from humble beginnings, yet he remains calm and composed in front of me, daring to make bold pronouncements. Based on that confidence alone, I believe he can definitely deliver."

"Just wait and see, Luna, this person is sure to soar to great heights in the future."

As night approached, it was time for treatment and physical examinations again.

Jenny is very distressed lately. She has consulted countless books but cannot find the reason for the Duke's declining physical function. What's more troublesome is that her Holy Healing Magic seems to have been neutralized and has no effect.

It is said that after eliminating all wrong answers, the least likely one will be the truth.

In the dimly lit room, looking at Oswald sitting or lying on the bed lost in thought, Jenny hesitated for a long time before asking in a low voice.

"Your Grace, what exactly did you do during the process of defeating the Undying Serpent?"

Before she could finish speaking, a sharp gaze pierced her like a sword; it was Elena, who was sitting at her desk organizing documents.

None of the three people in the room spoke immediately. After a long while, Jenny finally spoke with difficulty, "My lord, there is... there is immortality magic at work within your body..."

"I know, please keep it a secret for me?" Oswald's voice was soft, and his calm expression undoubtedly told the two that he already knew the outcome.

Yes, how could the secret of immortality magic within him possibly be hidden from Jenny, who has been healing him all along? She is the most outstanding nun, possessing extremely strong affinity with goddess magic.

The only thing that can render the goddess's healing magic ineffective is forbidden immortality magic.

"Don't worry, we're not going to become undead yet. It'll be fine in a while." Oswald reassured Elene with his eyes, indicating that she could trust him.

Elena nodded almost imperceptibly, lowered her eyes, and seemed lost in thought.

Jenny was quite surprised by this situation; it was the first time she had ever encountered a soul completely unaffected by the magic of immortality.

"Indeed, in theory, immortality magic should directly affect the soul level, thereby causing the body to become distorted, but you seem to be perfectly normal except for the weakened functions."

Oswald chuckled. "What a joke. My soul is deeply bound to the system. If it could be affected by magic, then the system wouldn't be such an inconvenient thing."

[That's right, even a goddess couldn't affect the host's soul, according to this system.]

"Since there is a chance to salvage the situation, Your Grace should explain the reasons clearly." As soon as Janet finished speaking, Eileen immediately reminded Oswald with a warning look.

Left with no other option, Oswald had to confess.

"The giant python had an energy core that I couldn't cut with my sword, so I had no choice but to... swallow it whole."

As for whether it was swallowed from the abdomen or the mouth, Oswald didn't want to explain too much, otherwise he would really be regarded as a monster.

However, Oswald speculated that swallowing the crystal normally would not sever the connection between the magic crystal and the giant python; only the Gluttony skill could devour the magic crystal on a causal level.

Upon hearing this, Elena fell silent, as did Jenny. Most of the time, the truth is often so unsettling that one is left speechless.