Wasteland Lord: Starting from Thirty Days to Live

Vittorio tensed for a moment, but quickly regained his composure.

"Really? You must be mistaken. How could I have been bitten?"

Fortunately, Isolde did not pursue the matter.

"I must have misread it. It's good that the adult is alright."

Back in the carriage, Vittorio let out a long sigh of relief.

Fortunately, they weren't exposed.

Although Isolde is his subordinate, infection in this world is no joke, and if discovered, it could lead to a subordinate overthrowing his superior.

In short, he passed... for now.

The procession continued its march.

Vittorio sat in the carriage, examining the "Characters" section on the parchment.

[Gray]'s avatar has disappeared, indicating that the system is updating his death in real time.

The states of others also changed.

Previously, the loyalty of these guards was generally in the early 20s, but after that harsh treatment and empty promises, the situation is now different.

Their loyalty has generally reached the level of those in their early thirties.

Clicking on John's profile picture will reveal this information.

[Desire: John is greatly intrigued by the lord's words and longs for life in the Reach!]

[Fear: John was afraid of the possibility that he would become a fugitive.]

[Loyalty: 31 (Uncertain) (He is observing the situation and is unsettled. Although he desires the lord's promises, it is not enough to overcome his inner confusion.)]

Recent Events:

1. The lord's public execution of the rebellious Grey is awe-inspiring! Loyalty +2

2. The lord promises him the possibility of gaining wealth and power; loyalty +5.

At this moment, a series of prompts appeared on the parchment.

John's loyalty has increased from (Distancing) to (Uncertain). This loyalty increase rewards 5 Lord Points.

[Hans's loyalty...]

This notification appeared six times in a row, indicating that most people's loyalty has increased.

It went from absolute disloyalty to loyalty that isn't absolute!

However, the "lord points" displayed by the system really caught Vittorio's attention.

There are rewards for increasing the loyalty of your subordinates; the reward is these Lord Points.

The series of notifications he received just now earned him a total of 30 Lord Points.

But so far, he hasn't seen any place where he can use lord points.

Vittorio thought to himself, "Perhaps it has something to do with the remaining unlocked modules. No need to worry about it now; we'll find out later."

So, putting aside the matter of the lord's appointment, Vittorio went to check Isolde's portrait again.

As expected, her loyalty also increased, from (31) to (33).

Well, something is better than nothing.

The group had been traveling for half a day when, just as Vittorio was engrossed in studying the system, a sound came from outside.

"Acting Earl, we've arrived at Stonemill Town."

Vittorio put away the parchment and looked out. In the distance, a town came into view.

The group of nine rode at breakneck speed and finally arrived at the next safe point—Shimo Town—before nightfall.

This is a very ordinary small town with a watermill at its entrance.

Vittorio's carriage indicated his noble status, so the mayor immediately came out to greet him after receiving a report from the soldiers at the town gate.

Upon learning that Vittorio was the son of a count, the mayor's attitude immediately became very respectful and cautious.

The mayor said he could provide them with accommodation and invited Vittorio to dinner.

Vittorio was preoccupied with the wound on his arm and had no interest in attending this social dinner.

"Thank you for your kindness, but dinner won't be necessary. May I ask if there's a church in your town?"

"I'd like to visit and offer some prayers; you know, I'm actually a devout believer."

Isolde stared in astonishment at Vittorio's fabricated lies—if never praying before eating could be considered piety.

"A church? Yes, there is."

The mayor nodded hurriedly and pointed Vittorio in the right direction.

Vittorio parked the carriage at his lodgings and was about to walk to the church when he noticed a little tagalong following him.

That's John. The fact that he was the first to pledge allegiance to Vittorio during the day shows that he's quite clever.

But now he's being too clever for his own good.

He kept a close eye on Vittorio at all times, and was ready to protect him and show his loyalty whenever Vittorio left.

Vittorio gave a forced smile, pulled a gold shield from his pocket, and flicked his finger, sending the gold coin flying.

John hurriedly caught the gold coin that flew out.

"I see your loyalty, but why don't you use this gold coin I gave you to have some fun? I need some peace and quiet. Tell the others not to bother me."

"Yes, sir!"

John, clutching the heavy gold in his hand, grinned from ear to ear and turned to leave.

Watching John's retreating figure, I opened the system, and as expected...

[Recent Event: Received gold coins as a reward from the lord, Loyalty +1]

"I like greed that's open and aboveboard."

Vittorio made this assessment before walking toward the church.

Vittorio deliberately asked John to leave not because he liked quiet, but because he really couldn't have anyone following him anymore.

In the inherited memories, being bitten by a monster can lead to infection, and this infection is not incurable.

If it's a superficial wound, like his, there's usually a 30-day recovery period during which various measures can be taken.

Faith in magic is one of them.

Faith magic is a method used by the Holy Light Church, which is spread throughout the continent. If you want to seek the church's help, you should go to the church.

Shimo Town is a small town of moderate size, with a church of moderate size in the center of the town.

The church entrance is marked with a distinctive triangle, which is the emblem of the Holy Glory Church.

When Vittorio went inside, he found that it was not as quiet as a typical church; in fact, it was rather noisy.

He went inside and found a middle-aged woman talking to a young girl.

The girl was dressed in a gray-black robe, the cut of which completely concealed her figure as a teenage girl.

She wore only a simple belt and a wooden rosary with a triangle representing the church, which hung at the end of her neck as an ornament.

She wore a gray-black veil on her head, and apart from the pale and serene face peeking out from the center of the veil, there was nothing else on her body exposed.

Compared to the woman with a sorrowful face, she, with her head bowed, resembled a silent, black fortress.

A nun.

Because there were other people around, Vittorio just watched from a distance and didn't immediately go up to talk to them.

The woman had tears in her eyes as she held a child who looked about five or six years old.

Vittorio pricked up his ears to eavesdrop and could hear some of the conversation.

"Eileen, please save my child! He sneaked out to play last night and somehow got bitten."

"I can't tell anyone. If they find out, they'll definitely take my son away. Please!"

As the woman spoke, she knelt on the ground.

Eileen sighed.

"Okay, come with me."

The two left the church hall and entered a small room from the side.

Vittorio followed silently behind, eavesdropping from the doorway.

"His wound isn't too deep, it can be treated. Just wash it with holy water and then apply medicine. Continue for ten days. Remember to come to me every day for these ten days to change the dressing," said the cold-faced nun, Irene.

"Will my child be better in ten days?" the woman asked hopefully.

However, Eileen's next words were like a bucket of cold water poured over her head.

"You can observe whether you've entered the next stage after ten days. The infection is divided into three stages, each lasting ten days. If you enter the third stage, you need to be prepared."

What preparations should be made is self-evident.

The woman sobbed, but quickly regained her composure.

"Ten days later, how can I determine whether it's time to move on to the next stage?"

Eileen replied emotionlessly, "Persistent low-grade fever, nightmares, and gray lines appearing on the wound."

The woman asked about some precautions, and the child's wound was quickly treated.

Vittorio sat back down before the woman came out, bowing his head as if he were praying.

Fortunately, the woman didn't notice him at all and hurriedly left with her child.

Seeing the woman leave, Vittorio stood up and went into the small side room.

"Sister, I'd like to buy some holy water from you."

Eileen paused for a moment as she was tidying up the medical equipment.

"You were bitten too?"

"No, no, no, you misunderstand. I am just a nobleman passing through here. Because the journey is dangerous, I want to buy some holy water just in case."

Eileen looked at him, but didn't seem to care whether he was lying or not.

"Holy water doesn't need to be bought; there's plenty in the church, and I can give it to you for free."

"That's wonderful! No... I mean, how could I possibly accept this?"

Eileen simply took a few glass flasks from the small cabinet and handed them to Vittorio.

"God's light will shine on everyone who asks Him for help."

Vittorio accepted the holy water with a flattered expression, never expecting to get what he wanted so easily.

However, there are still some things he needs to confirm.

"That child... after the wound was cleaned with holy water, what is the chance that it will heal completely?"

Eileen squinted at him.

"Were you eavesdropping?"

"It wasn't intentional, just curiosity. Don't worry, I'm just a passerby, I would never go looking for trouble and report anyone, after all, they're already pitiful enough, right?"

Only after Vittorio said this did Eileen relax.

"If it's treated with holy water, the odds are probably one to nine."

"Ninety percent cured?" Vittorio was surprised that the church's healing methods were so effective.

However, the next second Eileen cruelly rejected him.

"Nine out of ten are mutations."

Vittorio frowned, continuing to rack his brains to search his memory for anything related to the infection.

"I've heard that church members possess a divine spell that can stop infection. Can't you just cast it?"

"That's the intermediate-level divine spell [Healing Light]. Only senior clergy can cast it. There's only the priesthood in this town, but he's injured, and I'm just a novice nun."

"However, if the priest uses the Healing Light on the child after he recovers, the chances of a cure should increase."

What is the probability?

"Two to eight."

"You don't mean to say that 80% are mutations and 20% are cured, do you?"

The calmness on Eileen's face was almost cruel.

"You've already learned how to answer first."

Vittorio gave a bitter smile; his heart had sunk to the bottom.

Will he be one of the lucky 10% who will escape the fate of mutation?

Vittorio got what he wanted and the news, albeit negatively, but at least it was progress.

With a heavy heart, he prepared to turn and leave when a commotion suddenly broke out in the church hall.

"Is Eileen there?" someone called out to Eileen.

Eileen frowned and walked out.

"Please don't make noise inside the church... Is that you?"

"It's me. I've come to ask you how things are going with your decision?"

Vittorio followed him out.

The newcomer was a rude middle-aged man who stared at Eileen without blinking as soon as he entered, which was extremely impolite.

"Eileen, the priest risked leaving town to apply for your admission to the regional monastery, and that's how he broke his leg. Why don't you seem sad at all?"

Eileen looked up, but her face remained expressionless.

"I'm sorry about this."

"I'm serious, if you can't successfully join the regional convent, you can't become a real nun. Then you're just an unmarried woman."

"It's inappropriate for you to stay in the church in this capacity. If you're truly grateful to the priest for adopting you, you should heed his advice and get married as soon as possible!"

"So my suggestion is for your own good."

Eileen finally showed a slight emotional fluctuation, but it quickly vanished without a trace.

"If you mean marrying your son, my answer is still the same—I refuse."

The middle-aged man's fat face instantly turned red. He muttered something under his breath and rushed forward to grab Eileen's hand.

However, Vittorio, who had been observing for some time, stepped forward and grabbed the middle-aged man's hand.

"Sir, this is a church. What do you want? Should I call the guards over?"

The middle-aged man seemed to suddenly wake up, forcefully pulled his hand back, and walked out rudely, just as he had come in.

Eileen sighed.

"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, and thank you."

"It's nothing, it's what I should do."

After the middle-aged man left, the church returned to its tranquility.

Vittorio was left standing there, pondering the words the two had just exchanged.

An unofficial nun?

Do I have to leave the church?

Vittorio had just been planning to take the holy water and leave, but now he changed his mind; he suddenly had a new idea.

Vittorio turned around.

"So, well, I suddenly have a presumptuous request. Sister Eileen, would you mind joining me on this journey?"

"As you can see, I am a nobleman on my way to my territory."

"If you follow me to my territory, where there is more than one church, I should be able to provide you with a place of seclusion and a proper title of nun."

Eileen remained silent, somewhat hesitant.

"I have never left Shimo Town."

"If you feel uncomfortable with my territory, you can return to Stonemill Town. I will send a knight to escort you. You are free to come and go as you please."

After analyzing the pros and cons, Vittorio then began to appeal to human relationships.

"Actually, I'm not inviting you to go; I'm asking you to go."

Vittorio covered his forehead, looking as if he were reminiscing about the past.

"Actually, I am also an unacknowledged person. I am an illegitimate child. My father was ashamed to mention my identity, so he sent me far away."

"So sometimes I think that staying away from things that hurt you might not be a bad thing. We always have to start over, right?"

Eileen seemed somewhat hesitant.

"I'll consider it."

"You need to think about it quickly, I don't have much time, I'm leaving tomorrow."

Vittorio's words gave Eileen, who was currently in a predicament, a new hope.

However, when Eileen later arrived in the Reach, she learned from others that Vittorio was not a bastard at all.

When she learned that he was the eldest son of the Conalon family, she felt utterly deceived.

She went to confront Vittorio, who simply shrugged indifferently.

"Why would you have come if I hadn't said that?"