[Name: Marcus Sirdi.]
[Age: 24.]
[Level: 2 (Mage), (Sage).]
[Race: Human.]
[Mana: 3000.]
[Titles: Lord With A Will (Lv2)]
[Pathfinder: Will 50/30. Strength 75/100. Dexterity 85/120.]
[Achievement Points: 8153]
[Arcane Knowledge Learned (Lv2). Advanced Technological Knowledge Learned (Lv2). Body Modification Knowledge Locked. Futuristic technological Knowledge Locked.]
[Redo: 3.]
[Days Left: 13 months (384 days)]
…
Marcus sighed and looked out his office windows.
The sun was bright and hot, making the working conditions uncomfortable for those who had something to do.
And yet, it served to illuminate their happy smiles.
The bustling estate didn't have a moment of silence through the day, only falling asleep with its occupants when the night came.
This joy was contrary to what Marcus was feeling at the moment.
The more laughter he heard from them, the more he felt like the weight of responsibility on his shoulders had gotten heavier.
Over the week, Marcus had made some significant adjustments to his plans, both those he had already begun implementing and those still in development.
After Bradley left for a different city to purchase food and medicine, Marcus's first task was to work on the Loom machinery.
He had upgraded it from the version he purchased from the system, to a better and more efficient one. All by himself.
His upgrade made the device easier and faster to use, yielding more output.
Marcus provided the kitchen with recipes for dishes that could be made en masse, easily. Compared to what they previously had on their menu.
He also managed to increase the number of tailors under his employment.
Just as he had provided free clothing before, he had to do the same for those he had rescued from the jaws of the Faceless Order.
After that, he met with the stonemasons, and they decided on how to provide temporary accommodations for over 12,000 people.
Marcus left them with more architectural blueprints that he had purchased from the system. He also met with the blacksmiths and gave them blueprints of machinery that would aid in construction.
After Bradley returned with enough food to last them till next year's winter, alongside a hundred healers.
Marcus sent Asipen on another business trip, this time, with even more Marc Steel than the first expedition, to sell.
Even though he had received a hefty loan from Veronica, Marcus still wanted some money lying around for emergencies.
All of this should have made him feel good, or at least pleased to some extent, but it didn't.
Out of everything he did, the only thing that brought a semblance of joy was when his Dexterity and Strength stats increased. Even the achievement points he got didn't excite him this time.
While working on improving the Loom machinery, he realized that his strength increased as his dexterity climbed.
Not only that, with his dexterity came control, which in turn helped to push his Will stats a bit.
The closer Marcus was to achieving balance in his stats, the closer he would be to opening the next Heart Pulse.
Though he was still a bit far from balance, it filled him with resolve.
However, his heart was still distraught at the moment.
Marcus's eyes traveled back to the paper that was on his table.
Message from Joshua.
He shook his head again and said, "This doesn't make sense."
"Could it be that Eddy isn't a spy? None of these locations has any significance in regard to what's happening. There should be no Devilish Intents coming from those areas."
He read the content again.
…
August 9th.
'I followed the student Eddy to a bridge, where he met with the same suspicious individual as before, under the bridge.
This time, they seem to have been arguing, before an item was given to Eddy.
Milord, this student's actions have been consistent over the past week. Fight the Faceless Order, seek this unknown individual, collect an item for him, then prepare to face the cult Order again.
Should I try tailing the unknown individual for once?'
…
There were quite a few small bridges in Agards, and as much as Marcus could recall, none of them carried any significance in his previous life.
And this suspicious, unknown person…
Eddy is suspicious, however, apart from the tavern, he hasn't met anyone in places that gave off Devilish Intents. Does he know that someone is on to him and he's putting up an act?
As for the battles that others had with the Faceless Order, Marcus had abstained from joining them.
Having heard what Cassir had to say about the Faceless Order, Marcus chose to step back and observe.
The man had left him a riddle that seemed obvious, and at the same time, an enigma.
Perhaps it's time to confront Eddy.
He suddenly picked up his pen and began writing.
"Follow the unknown person next time. Capture him silently if you can. I will convene a meeting point later on. Bring this person there when the time comes."
Folding the paper, Marcus called for the knight outside his door to deliver the message to Joshua.
"If he's following a schedule, then after today's raid on the Faceless Order, he should search for that unknown person," Marcus said. "Then there are a few hours left before we move out."
Leaning back on his chair, he took a while to calm his heart and relax his mind a bit.
I can't head out carelessly like before, or else, I might encounter another power being like Cassir…
"Tier One, huh?"
This standard of power, ever since hearing it, Marcus had pondered over it several times.
There was no information about this in his Edge of Death system yet, after all, he had only become a level two not long ago.
Nonetheless, he wondered what sort of realm it was.
After opening his Heart Pulse, Marcus had thought he had become powerful, with few who could match him.
But meeting Cassir made him realize his arrogance…
If it wasn't for Father.
He used his fingers to squeeze his eyes gently, "I can't believe you're still taking care of me even after your death, father."
Marcus chuckled. "How strong were you to have traumatized a madman that he became too scared to harm me directly… and most importantly, how did you die?"
That last question in particular, had been recurring in his mind over the week.
After a while, Marcus's stomach rumbled, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"I guess I should have a bite before we set out tonight… Hmm, I wonder if that stalker will tag along today too." He muttered as he left his office.