NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: 6
Home sweet home.
A smile tugs at my lips as I watch my home gradually appear on the horizon.
I raise my glass to my lips, savoring the burn of alcohol while my thoughts whirl, racing to decide my next move.
The first step is to secure Skagos, beginning with the intelligence agency.
I haven't forgotten that Illyrio is a staunch supporter of House Targaryen, just like his slippery friend Varys. I'm certain the two snakes are already plotting how best to use me to place the Mad King's deranged son on the Iron Throne.
I wouldn't be surprised if the number of overly curious orphans has tripled since I left Pentos. I must ensure that my domain is purged of traitors and spies—something the intelligence agency will assist with. Moreover, the academy will provide well-fed and educated children, who will be much harder for Varys to manipulate, effectively curbing his influence… at least his, anyway.
Once that's dealt with, the two treacherous vassal houses will be next on my list. I intend to handle them like Tywin Lannister dealt with House Reyne: a complete and utter extermination, down to the last heir.
Insubordination and treachery will not be tolerated if I wish to see House Harlow thrive.
Afterward, stabilizing the reclaimed territories is crucial, followed by amassing enough wealth to involve myself in Westeros' political game. And then, there's Daenerys, her dragons, and the White Walkers to consider.
Sigh
A mountain of chaos lies ahead. I could use a visit to a brothel to unwind. But, one thing at a time, I suppose.
Lost in my thoughts, glass in hand, my gaze drifts into the distance as my mind weaves countless strategies for each potential threat to me, my family, or Skagos.
But these plans vanish instantly as my enhanced sight catches the figures of my sister and brother waiting on the dock. I can see my sister struggling to contain her excitement, while my brother fights to maintain his stoic demeanor, though the relief on his face is unmistakable.
As I finally step off the boat that has just docked, I'm barely given a second before I have to raise my arms to catch the missile hurling at me. My smile deepens as I wrap her in a tight embrace.
"I missed you so much." Her small voice reaches my ears, making my smile grow even wider as I lift her into my arms, walking toward my brother, who stands tall and proud, flanked by four guards.
"Welcome back, brother." I suppress a laugh as he tries to maintain his serious demeanor, though the relief is evident in every fiber of his posture.
"It's good to see you too, little brother. Everything went smoothly while I was away?" His face becomes even more grave as he casts furtive glances around us. Following his gaze, I easily spot five or six street kids, all far too interested in our presence. "I see. Let's return to the castle. We'll talk in my office."
Leaving the unloading to Salazar, I make my way back to the castle with my family, my little sister still in my arms, bombarding me with a barrage of questions about my journey, all while being escorted by my guards.
I give my sister one last kiss before handing her over to a maid, who takes her away, and then I step into my late father's office.
As my eyes scan the room, my body freezes, and my brother halts his steps behind me. "Brother?" Slowly, I move toward the slightly worn, old wooden desk.
"I haven't been in here since Father died." My fingers brush softly against the desk, and the sadness in my voice brings a heavy silence to the room. Before my reincarnation, my life was solitary. It was just my sister and me against the world—and God knows the world seemed bent on crushing me. But I fought, fought so that my sister could have a good life. Thanks to the entity that killed me, I know that life will finally smile on her.
But now, I have a new family. Even though I never knew them, I have all the memories of this body—everything my father taught me, the values he passed down, the songs my mother sang to me when I was afraid of the dark as a child, the joy I felt when I learned I would become a big brother, the grief of losing my mother, then my father, and the resolve to make them proud. But at this moment, none of that matters, because now I face what I've been avoiding ever since I arrived here.
My father is gone.
The man who, in this life, raised me and loved me with all his heart is dead. And now it's up to me to protect my family, just as he and my mother did, and to watch over Skagos, as my father tried to do. "Do you think they can see us, wherever they are? Father and Mother?" A melancholic smile plays on my lips as I look at my brother, who is startled by the sudden question. Despite myself, a small laugh escapes me. "Forget it. I'm rambling. Sit down and tell me what happened while I was gone."
I sink into the chair where my father spent countless years trying to bring prosperity to our lands, though, unfortunately, in vain. I vividly recall the many times despair was etched on his face, a reflection of the poverty and misery that plagued Skagos.
It's quite uncomfortable. I might need to improve it, or perhaps replace it.
"The vassal houses launched several attacks during your absence. We managed to repel them, but they don't seem to get the message." Hmm, it seems I'll have to deal with the vassal houses sooner than expected. "Then there are the guards' reports: they caught several children who were listening a little too closely by the doors. It didn't take long to make them confess that they were spying for someone. Unfortunately, the children don't know who hired them. However, suspicion falls on the two treacherous vassal houses."
"No, it's not them." As I suspected, Varys is already weaving his webs on Skagos. I'll need to burn them quickly before dealing with the traitors. I can't go to war knowing my home is infested with conspirators. I snap out of my thoughts when I notice my brother looking at me, puzzled. "Father told me about a man who uses street children as spies. I believe his name is Varys." Using my dead father as the source of all my knowledge seems like a better idea than saying, 'I know because your whole life is just a show to entertain millions of people.' Yeah, no, I'll just stick with the father's excuse.
And anyway, who would check? Wait, aren't the priests of the Lord of Light capable of bringing people back from the dead? That's a problem for later, I suppose. Let's deal with my current issues first. 'Is that all?'
My brother thinks for a moment before shaking his head. 'Nothing really important, just peasant disputes, but I was able to handle them.' A proud smile forms on my face as I see my little brother acting responsibly. Noticing my smile, a slight blush of embarrassment colors his cheeks, and he quickly stands up. 'Alright, I'll leave you to your duties. I'll be with Clarysse and Laena if you need me.' He nods in my direction before quickly leaving my office, and I chuckle softly at his embarrassment.
I sigh as the door closes behind him. Before I focus on the serious matters awaiting me, it seems the system has something to say.
[You made your first business transaction: 2 gacha pulls]
[Your lands have gained in renown: 2 gacha pulls]
[You earned 1 million gold coins: 2 gacha pulls]
[Status]
[Alexander Harlow
Age: 15
Finances: 1,705,000 gold coins
Territory status: Very fragile stability
Number of vassal houses: 2
Number of inhabitants living on your land: 54,000]
At least there's some progress, meaning my decisions are paying off for now. Good.
Let's take a look at these gacha pulls.
'System, use all the gacha pulls.' My voice holds a hint of excitement as the system interface shows me:
[Pull completed]
[Geralt of Rivia: Allows you to summon the protagonist from The Witcher game series.
Black Noir: Allows you to summon the super-assassin from the TV series The Boys.
Alfred Pennyworth: Allows you to summon Bruce Wayne's famous butler from the DC universe.
Arts Center: Infrastructure where plays and operas can be performed. Place villagers here to train in the art of theater and opera.
Deus Ex Machina x1: Triggers an event that completely alters the world's original storyline, which can be good or bad.
Castle Upgrade: Allows you to upgrade your castle to make it truly worthy of its name.]
Oh.