The Reality of Riverwood
The gates of Riverwood Town slowly opened.
Gerald stepped outside the manor with two guards following behind him. Lena walked quietly beside him, holding a small notebook.
The morning air was cool.
For the first time since his reincarnation, Gerald was seeing the town with his own eyes.
And what he saw…
…was worse than he expected.
The streets were narrow and muddy. Some houses looked old and worn down. Wooden stalls lined the market road, but many were empty.
People walked slowly, their clothes simple and patched.
Some villagers noticed Gerald and quickly bowed.
"Good morning, Young Lord."
"Good morning, Young Master Gerald."
Gerald nodded politely to each of them.
"Good morning."
Even at 13, he carried himself like a true noble.
But inside his mind, the System Interface appeared again.
[Territory Scan: Riverwood Town]
Population: 1,248
Average Wealth: Very Low
Food Supply: 3 Months
Citizen Morale: Low
Gerald frowned slightly.
Low morale… that's not good.
A kingdom—or even a town—could not grow if its people had no hope.
They continued walking until they reached the small market area.
Several merchants were arguing loudly.
"You're charging too much!"
"Too much? The roads are full of bandits! I barely made it here alive!"
Gerald stopped.
"Bandits again…"
Lena whispered beside him.
"Yes, young master. Many merchants stopped coming here because of them."
Gerald crossed his arms.
Less merchants meant less trade.
Less trade meant less wealth.
This town was slowly being choked.
Suddenly—
A loud voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Young Master Gerald!"
A tall man in armor approached them.
He looked around thirty years old, with short brown hair and a muscular build. A sword hung at his waist.
The guards immediately saluted him.
"Captain."
Gerald searched through his memories.
Captain Darius.
Commander of Riverwood's soldiers.
Darius knelt respectfully.
"My lord."
Gerald gestured for him to stand.
"At ease, Captain."
Darius stood up.
"I didn't expect to see you in town today."
"I wanted to inspect the territory myself," Gerald replied calmly.
Darius looked slightly surprised.
Most noble children would rather stay inside the manor.
But this 13-year-old lord heir was walking through muddy streets like it was normal.
Gerald looked directly at him.
"Captain, how strong are our soldiers?"
Darius hesitated.
"…Honestly?"
"Yes."
Darius sighed.
"Not very strong."
He continued,
"We have forty-two soldiers. Only about fifteen of them are properly trained."
Gerald wasn't surprised.
But hearing the exact number still made the situation clear.
The System appeared again.
[Riverwood Military]
Total Soldiers: 42
Combat Ready: 15
Equipment Quality: Poor
Training Level: Low
Gerald rubbed his chin.
Even bandits might be stronger than us.
That was dangerous.
Very dangerous.
Suddenly, a loud shout came from the far end of the market.
"Move! Move!"
A young farmer ran toward them, breathing heavily.
"Captain Darius!"
Darius stepped forward.
"What happened?"
The farmer looked terrified.
"M-Monsters!"
Everyone around them froze.
"Monsters came out of the forest this morning," the farmer continued. "They destroyed two wheat fields near the river!"
Darius cursed under his breath.
"Damn it…"
Gerald's eyes sharpened.
The System immediately reacted.
[Emergency Quest Triggered]
Protect Riverwood Agriculture
Objective:
Eliminate monsters attacking farmland.
Reward:
+100 Gold
+Soldier Training Method (Basic)
Gerald smiled slightly.
Perfect timing.
He turned to Captain Darius.
"How many monsters?"
"Probably goblins," the farmer answered. "Maybe five or six."
Darius looked at Gerald seriously.
"My lord, this is dangerous. Please return to the manor while we handle it."
But Gerald shook his head.
"No."
Everyone looked shocked.
"I'm coming too."
Darius immediately objected.
"My lord, that's too risky!"
Gerald looked directly at him.
"Captain."
His voice was calm, but firm.
"If I'm going to rule this land one day…"
"…I need to see its problems with my own eyes."
Darius stared at him silently.
For a moment, the market became quiet.
Then the captain slowly smiled.
"…Understood."
He turned to the nearby soldiers.
"Men!"
Several soldiers ran toward him.
"We move to the river fields immediately!"
"Yes, Captain!"
Gerald began walking with them.
Inside his mind, the System quietly updated again.
[First Combat Event]
Enemies:
Goblin x6
Recommended Strategy:
Use soldiers to surround and eliminate.
Bonus Reward if Gerald participates.
Gerald's lips curved into a small smile.
My first battle in this world…
He looked toward the distant fields where smoke was slowly rising.
"Let's go."
His eyes became cold and focused.
"If monsters think Riverwood is easy prey…"
"…then it's time they learn they're wrong."
The young lord marched forward with the soldiers.
And the first battle of Gerald Kaz had just begun.