Become their wicked yet gentle lord.

In the villagers' eyes, this kid knows so much! He doesn't seem like an uneducated orphan at all! Where did he get all that amazing knowledge and skills from!

The devil must have taught him this! Making medicine from wild herbs! He's practically a sorcerer! He doesn't go to church to pray for healing, but relies on herbs and nutrients! Goddess above! How wicked this is!

They didn't know that everyone in Liuxia's hometown had a talent for farming and infrastructure construction, and that Liuxia had even bought a copy of "Wildlife Survival: Herb Identification" published by the Imperial Military Academy, a book with eighteen different techniques.

The average level of education in Linhu Town, which is equivalent to prenatal education, makes it impossible for them to understand why they would exchange a bright silver coin for a tattered book that is about to fall apart.

The average level of education in Linhu Town, which is equivalent to prenatal education, makes it impossible for them to understand why they would exchange a bright silver coin for a tattered book that is about to fall apart.

Ryuka has many more old books like these, such as "Chronicles of the Continent," "Law and Etiquette," and "Adventurer's Guide." Ryuka will collect any book with words on it.

That's right, go collect them. There are no schools or bookstores in Linhu Town; only occasionally will a passing bard carry one or two books.

The most important of these was undoubtedly "Teaching the Common Language," Ryusha's first book. It was through this book that Ryusha taught herself the 23-letter alphabet of the common language used in mainland China. Fortunately, it was a phonetic script, and given her native language environment and Chinese education, Ryusha found it easy to master.

Therefore, Liuxia became the fifth major intellectual in Linhu Town, in addition to the mayor, forestry official, tax official, and priest.

A top student indeed! You could do it too! Like I said, even a cannibalistic feudal society can be a good training ground!

Although Kania also gave him some books, they were either pretentious collections of literary poems or cheesy romance novels, which didn't interest Ryusha. He opened the book "Law and Etiquette" and began to take notes while looking at it.

The granting and transfer of territories in the Ottus Empire were generally based on military merit and hereditary succession for nobles, and were often accompanied by changes in territory.

Noble titles are generally tied to land. For example, an earldom consists of three viscountdoms. In addition to the core land reserved for the earl, the other two viscounts have to pay a portion of the taxes to the vassal earl.

If all three viscountries belong to one earl, and the earl has three sons, he can choose to pass all the titles to one son, or pass the earlry title to his eldest son only, while the other two sons who received viscountries will receive the title of viscount.

Of course, there are also nobles who have titles but no land. These people are either of noble lineage or high-ranking officials who hold titles in name only. But in any case, an earl without land is not necessarily as powerful as a viscount with land.

As for grand dukes and princes, their territories are basically duchies under the empire.

Land is the core capital of nobles and royalty, and it is rarely transferred privately. In principle, imperial law does not allow it, although there are exceptions.

Linhu Town is a small place; even if it were to be granted a title, it would only be a match for a baron or a knight of war merit, but there hasn't been any war in the empire recently...

“Excluding military achievements on the battlefield, there is also the requirement of ‘making significant contributions to the empire’.”

While pondering who the upcoming noble would be and what power he would possess, Ryuka also considered how he could become a lord.

He did not want war, but he desperately craved land and status, especially the people under his control. He would be satisfied even with half the size of Linhu Town, so as to advance the [Proof of Lordship] to the next level.

Barons are usually just ordinary magicians or formal knights, neither of whom are associated with 'significant contributions'.

Liu Xia had a hunch that the investiture of the small territory of Linhu Town during peacetime might have deeper reasons.

Chapter 6 The Girl After Dusk is in Danger

After putting down his book and eating some food, Ryuka went to visit Atina's father, Maya.

Liu Xia's house was built on the territory of the empire. He only rented the right to use that small piece of land for ten years. Most of the villagers in Linhu Town were like this. When the term was up, they had to pay rent, otherwise they would become vagrants and would not even be able to get a household registration.

But Maya was different. His land was earned through military merit. Although he didn't even have a knighthood title, the permanent ownership was hereditary and could be traded. If Linhu Town became a noble territory, his tax obligations would change from the Empire to the noble lords, and the tax rate would usually increase because the nobles also had to pay taxes to the Emperor, and they wouldn't want to earn less...

Several tenants were working on Old Mya's land, while he himself sat outside in the sun, his broken leg fitted with a wooden prosthetic leg. Though not yet fifty, he looked as old as sixty.

Ryuka respected this man very much. In the beginning, when he couldn't afford to eat and was about to starve, Old Mya would give him a bowl of rice, even though he himself wasn't very wealthy. This was also why Ryuka took such good care of Atina.

The small plot of land and the meager rent were barely enough for the old widower to raise Atina.

Atina hasn't returned yet; she's probably still at the market with her friends. Ryuka briefly mentioned the impending arrival of the nobles and her own concerns, without mentioning that the source of the information was Kania.

"I'm old, and all I've ever earned in my life is this little bit of land. I don't want to leave."

Old Maya puffed on his pipe, his weathered wrinkles surrounding his graying eyebrows.

"But I really want Atina to go to the military academy. She's physically very good, even better than her two older brothers. She might be a good candidate for practicing martial arts. My only concern is her academic studies. But Ryusha, my good lad, I heard you've helped her a lot."

"But she's very stubborn and refuses to leave this old man behind. However, if things really take a turn for the worse, I won't let her be willful anymore. The Imperial Military Academy is where so many commoners have turned their lives around."

If you become a student at the Imperial Military Academy, even if it's not the main campus in the capital but a branch campus in various cities, you are automatically considered a reserve member of the Imperial military. You are not someone anyone can move around at will, not even a high-ranking noble.

This is the foundation of the Ottus Empire. The young officers, knights, mages, and magical engineers who emerged from it are the cornerstone of Ottus's more than three hundred years of dominance over the central continent.

Many noble children are sent there before they are ten years old, where they begin receiving military-style training from the affiliated primary school, and the tuition is very high. However, commoners can enter without tuition by passing an examination, at the cost of serving in the imperial army for several years after graduation.

This is also a place that Ryuka really wants to go. It would be even better if she could go with Atina, but if Atina really doesn't want to go, Ryuka will have to go alone.

The key lies in how the upcoming lord will treat Linhu Town.

As noon approached, Ryusha went home first. Atina needed to cook for her father after returning home, so there was no need for him to wait there.

Ryuka was also cooking, and lunch would be more lavish because Atina would be eating lunch at her house. This was Ryuka's deliberate choice; she insisted that she only had the energy to teach around lunchtime, just so Atina would stay home and eat more.

Because of this thrifty girl, even if there was surplus food at home, she would never eat more than necessary.

If she doesn't eat her fill and grow up healthy, how can Liuxia get [Superior Points] from her? Hmph!

Vegetables and chicken are stir-fried in an iron wok, the animal fat evenly transferring heat and aroma, and then precious spices are sprinkled on top. Although it is another world, spices are still as precious as gold!

However, Liuxia couldn't get used to eating without seasonings. He spent his money on books or spices. As long as conditions allowed, Liuxia valued the quality of life.

I wonder if learning magical technology would allow me to create air conditioners and game consoles. Ice magic could replace air conditioners, but game consoles... I wonder if magical technology and illusion magic could create something similar!

A simple cold dish and a pot of plain rice porridge—even the town mayor couldn't bear to eat plain porridge every day. Liu Xia always heard about the power of magicians and martial arts, how even dragons had to yield to humans, but the productivity of this world still meant that most people couldn't get enough to eat.

Isn't that strange?

Not long after, there was a knock on the courtyard door, and Atina walked in carrying a small bag of coins.

“Brother Liuxia, here are five silver coins and thirty-six copper coins.”

The coins bearing the image of the sacred tree of the Ottoman royal family aren't particularly high in copper or silver content. The exchange rate is ten to one, and one copper coin can buy enough coarse grains for an adult for a day, but... whether they taste good or not is another matter...

Three wild boars, minus the small portion given to the children, yielded eight silver and six copper coins—not a high, not a low price. In a big city, three wild boar hides would cost more than that. But this was a small town, where prices were cheap, and some small vendors couldn't even scrape together a few silver coins, instead using a pile of copper coins instead.

Three wild boars, minus the small portion given to the children, yielded eight silver and six copper coins—not a high, not a low price. In a big city, three wild boar hides would cost more than that. But this was a small town, where prices were cheap, and some small vendors couldn't even scrape together a few silver coins, instead using a pile of copper coins instead.

"Did you cook dinner for Uncle Maya? I've cooked too. Shall we eat first or read first?"

Atina's expression was not rich; she tried hard not to look at the delicious food on the table and shook her head as she spoke.

"I've already eaten, Brother Liuxia, you can eat. Teach me after you're done."

Deceiving.

The young girl was reluctant to use oil when cooking, and she counted the grains of brown rice before putting them into the pot. Besides, the dietary level of the poor in the Middle Ages was as appalling as their cultural level. If they could keep people from dying from their food, they were considered a master chef.

“You know, Atina, I’m not good at talking.” Ryuka set out plates and cutlery for Atina.

"I just want you to eat something good, and it would be best if you could bring some back for Uncle Maya. That would make me happy. I'm not bragging about my cooking skills, but I know that if you used the same ingredients, you could definitely make it better than me."

Atina remained silent and sat down to eat lunch. This kind of conversation happened every few days. She would silently accept Ryusha's kindness, but after a few days, she would feel embarrassed and decline.

This cycle repeated itself, and she learned more and more words, became better at math, and a certain idea in her heart became more and more profound...

Even through the thick paper windows, the sunlight was still bright. Atina sat at her desk, continuing to study the Common Language, while Ryusha sat beside her, reciting the stories from the children's textbook word by word.

The girl's pale golden hair seemed almost translucent in the sunlight. Atina's voice was as gentle as a breeze caressing flowers; her tone and expression rarely wavered. (The last two lines appear to be random characters and are left untranslated.)

Time flows by gently like this.

That's all for today. Is there anything else you don't understand?

Atina shook her head. Actually, she really wanted to say what she didn't understand. Fortunately, she could stay a little longer. The fading sunlight outside the window made her feel reluctant to leave, but her father was still waiting for her at home.

"Goodbye, Brother Liuxia."

Atina bid farewell very politely, coming and going quietly, never glancing to the side the whole way.

"It's her, the daughter of the cripple Maya, who's very close to Ryusha."

"She's really beautiful. That little beast Liuxia has probably already had his way with her. If we use her to threaten him, he'll definitely give in."

In the shadows of the street, Mayor Niebuhr grinned lewdly and, with one of his most loyal henchmen, quietly followed them.

Ahead lay a rugged country road, densely shaded by trees. At dusk, with no one around, nothing could possibly happen...

The two of them pressed their feet, closing the distance between them...

Gone! Niebuhr was stunned. Just around the corner, the girl's figure disappeared under the shade of the trees, and there was no one in sight on the long, straight road ahead.

Chapter 7: What Happens Under the Cover of Night—Does It Remain Unknown?

"Mayor! He's over there!"

Jike, the lackey, pointed to a girl picking up branches in the woods by the roadside, seemingly gathering some firewood along the way.

"You scared me to death! I thought we'd been found out, you little bitch. You asked for this."

Niebuhr licked his lips. A few years ago, this girl was unremarkable and plain, but now she looked like a mountain fairy, especially with her light golden hair.

The prostitutes in the city are nothing compared to this; they charge five silver coins each time! Looking at Atina in the woods, Niebuhr felt for the first time how wonderful it was to be the mayor of Linhu Town!

The girl seemed unaware of the evil gaze, gathering branches as her skirt disappeared into the dense forest.

"It's better to move in a bit further in. No one will notice if you shout loudly now, hehehe."

The two exchanged a smile, both feeling a rush of blood to their heads, and hurriedly followed...

Fallen leaves, melting snow, mud... they drifted further and further away from the path, and the last ray of sunlight disappeared under the cover of the branches.

"Damn it! Where did that little bitch go?!"

Niebuhr took out a match and lit it, dispelling the darkness in the woods, but not the chill in the air. He looked around, trying to find that pale gold in the darkness.

Damn little girl! In a moment, I'm going to leave the deepest mark on your smooth skin! Let that soft voice convey the painful pleasure of being conquered!

He felt a painful hardness below, a burning sensation in his lungs that felt like it was about to burst out, and he wanted to tear something apart to vent his frustration, like the tattered dress on that girl's body.

Old and patched, it would tear with the slightest force, revealing the youthful and alluring body beneath.

"Zek! Have you seen her?"

Damn it! Where did they go?! Niebuhr gritted his teeth, turned around, and growled.

In the dim light of the remaining match, Niebuhr could only see Jik leaning against a tree, head bowed, his body trembling slightly. (The last two lines appear to be unrelated and possibly machine-generated text.)

"It's already cold? How are we going to take off our clothes and have some fun later? Here, have a drink to warm up."

Niebuhr chuckled lewdly, pulled out a small bottle of liquor, and moved closer to Zeke.

Damn it! The match went out! Niebuhr struck another one, and the new match shone several times brighter than the first.

In that instant, he saw the large patches of crimson on Zeke's filthy clothes, and as his body convulsed, gushing blood continued to spray onto them.

A curved twig pierced his withered neck, protruding from below his Adam's apple and into his mouth, its sharp end embedded in his upper teeth. Zeke's mouth remained open, unable to utter a sound, only gurgling blood bubbles escaped.

"Help..." A chill ran down Niebuhr's spine, followed by a sweet, metallic taste in his mouth.

The pain in his neck came late, and Niebuhr struggled to lower his eyes to the pale gold he had been longing for, right below him.

The petite girl was expressionless, her body in the most standard military fighting stance. Her left hand gripped the branch that was stuck in Niebuhr's throat, and her right hand pushed against the base of the branch. With her amazing explosive power and skill, the girl made the branch pierce the throat of an adult who was two heads taller than her like a military dagger.

Niebuhr's enormous body convulsed and struggled on the ground, blood splattering on Atina, but she paid no attention, just as she had done that morning when dissecting the wild boar.

She walked straight away, picked up a package under the tree, carefully patted off the stains, and held it in her arms like a precious treasure.

Those were the notebooks and homework that Ryuka gave her.

Nights come early this season; by six o'clock, it's pitch black. Liu Xia, using lamp oil that poor families can't afford, writes and eats her cold dinner at her desk.

This is a teaching material for Atina. In case she has to separate from her, Ryuka wants to at least prepare a set of supplementary books for Atina so that she can study her middle school courses on her own.

This is a huge undertaking, requiring at least a year's worth of lessons. Considering that Atina's literacy is not yet complete, Ryuka will also use drawings to represent the sounds. The math lessons will also be changed to explain common events in daily life.

The perpetually expressionless and frail girl made Ryuka uneasy. She was polite and filial, but her quiet personality kept her at a distance from others, which inevitably made Ryuka want to take care of her more.

Even without the reward of points for those in higher positions.

The knocking sounded, growing louder until it reached the ears of Ryuka, who was completely focused on the door.

"I forgot about Kania." Ryuka stopped writing and smiled bitterly.

When the gate was opened, Kania was wrapped in a coat, shivering, and constantly on guard, wondering if she would be discovered.

"You...you...are you trying to freeze me to death? Let me in!"

She bent over, her face level with Liu Xia's, and she looked beautiful even when she was angry and aggrieved.

It seems they came as instructed, leaving the room empty, but...

"Let me check it out," Liu Xia said slowly with an interested smile.

"Are you crazy! Here?"

Kania's eyes widened, her long eyelashes trembling. Although it was night, she couldn't guarantee no one would pass by. But the boy smiled knowingly and remained silent, showing no intention of letting her go.