System vs Rebirth

"The number of casualties during the winter is… 2."

"!!!" Noel raised his eyebrows. "2? Are you serious?"

At first glance, it looked like Noel was dissatisfied with the result. However, the real truth was that Noel was simply shocked.

This result was beyond his imagination.

"Yes. Both of them also have their own illnesses, so the severe cold makes their immune systems finally give up." Rose nodded. "We have more than eight thousand people in our city. Only two have died. While the winter has yet to end, we believe that the number wouldn't reach five."

Noel sucked a cold breath. In the first place, a big city with twenty to thirty thousand people usually loses more than a hundred people. So, it was shocking that Noel only suffered two casualties. While it was true that every death saddened him, it didn't change the fact that he was already successful in managing the winter, especially since his town hadn't been completed yet.

"If we have to compare them with big cities, it's already amazing. Even if we have the same number of people, we should be able to pass the winter with a tenth number of deaths compared to other successful lords."

Noel thought for a moment. "What about the others? Are there sick people?"

"Indeed. However, Khalid has assured us that everyone will be fine except for one person who has a severe illness. Thus, the reason for our confidence in keeping the number low." Rose explained.

"I see." Noel let out a long breath of relief. Even his father couldn't achieve this in the past. "What about our money? Have you spent all of them?"

"Don't worry. While we haven't sold the rune technology yet, we still have about twenty thousand gold coins to spare. We have also negotiated with several lords about the installation of the said technology, especially the water storage. Among what we currently have, the water storage and the container are the most sought after. They're also wondering if you are planning to open the train for business as well."

Noel thought for a moment. "Tell them that the train will be open for business after the main city is open to the public. Before that, I'd like to increase our number to ten thousand first and use the train to enter our city. This way, the train should be advertised to nobles, merchants, and even commoners. Use it as a way to measure the ticket price as well."

"Certainly." Rose nodded.

"As for the installation of the water storage, I will leave it to the Runegard Company. Tristan will be the one to handle it. The ones accompanying him will be… Sandra, Felicia, and Andreas. Tell Roel's children to handle the details."

"Sandra and Felicia aside… Do you think Andreas will help him? I mean, it's good that Tristan can gain some experience by doing this. But I'm afraid that others will try to kidnap him."

"In about six to seven months, I'm planning for a long trip. And due to that trip, I will have to fulfill my promise to him first. This should be enough to make Andreas agree. While he doesn't look like it, Andreas is extremely strong, even among spirit grandmasters. With the help of Felicia, unless a Spirit Transcendence attacks them, they won't be defeated." Noel explained.

"Understood." Rose nodded.

"Regarding the containers, I'm not planning to sell them for the time being. How about renting them? It should be pretty popular among nobles and merchants."

"You're not worried that they won't take it away?" Rose asked. "What if they use it for bad things?"

"That's true. I have been thinking about it, but if I monopolize this technology, those people are going to cry. It's annoying to have them screaming about it, and there's a high chance they will turn to the royal faction. The train is still exclusive to us, but the container truck doesn't need to be."

"I see. You can also test them this way. Anyone who misuses the container truck will be banned. Of course, this can also be a silent threat, telling them that we might sell the trucks completely in the future."

"Yes. And we will register each truck with a special code. This way, we will know who we sell and other things. Prepare for the contract as well." Noel thought for a moment. "Even if they misuse it, we still have the battleship and airship as our trump cards. So it should be fine for now."

"Indeed." Rose nodded. "I'll deal with them according to your instructions. We'll introduce these technologies first before adding other technologies to the catalog."

"There you have it," Noel confirmed.

"Now that the rune technology is done, I think I should give you this." Rose grabbed one of the few papers in her hand and placed it in front of Noel.

"What is this?" Noel frowned, trying to see the title.

"Do you remember the hostage?"

"Elaine?"

"Indeed. She is pretty eager to contribute to us. She hopes that her way of thinking can be accepted and rewarded. The reward is, of course, for her family."

Noel took a look at the paper. "Merit-Based System." The title was exactly the same as what he heard from Anna.

"I have read it as well. To put it simply, the merit-based system allows commoners to rise through the ranks. Right now, for commoners to become respected, they only have two options: working for the lords like maids and butlers or racking up achievements as soldiers.

"But after hearing about your new system and plan to create an academy, she is creating a school system for it.

"First of all, it's hard for commoners to go to school since they have to work or they won't even have food on the table. The adults also think that it's fine since they can live well even though they can't write or read.

"Hence, if we implement this merit-based system, we can make them think that they can achieve more. There will be a lot of people willing to learn how to write and read. Continuing that path, we will have more people who can calculate, and so on.

"This process will be introduced gradually so that they won't be overwhelmed and won't cause a lot of friction. For example, we can force the people to study at school, but they will question our decision since they need to put bread on their table. But by introducing it gradually, they will perceive this as something normal sooner or later. That's why she believes the school needs to be free."

"Free?" Noel frowned. "You should know how much we need to pay for their education alone, right?"

Rose nodded. "That's the catch. She also mentions that free education is only for the basics, like how to read, write, and calculate. Once they're done with this, we will introduce more advanced education. The Lord will subsidize a part of their education, while they can earn some money by themselves to cover the rest."

"So that's how it is. After knowing how to read, write, and calculate, I'm sure it won't be hard for them to get a job. Even merchants would like to hire them." Noel nodded in understanding.

"Yes. We can actually introduce the basic school right now and wait until the city is open for advanced education. This way, more people will become smarter. And with this new merit-based system, they will feel appreciated by the Lord and choose to work for you instead of any other lords."

"We can also allow some nobles to recruit them. Having talented people work for them will definitely ease their jobs. And these nobles will be thankful to us and remain our allies." Noel smirked.

"Indeed. That's just the first concept she comes up with. The second concept is about working hours. According to her, having a rest will allow people to appreciate their lives more. For example, if we allow them to get one day of rest, they will spend it with their family. Seeing their family will make them think about how hard they should work to keep their family happy. With the technology we introduce to improve their convenience, they will feel the effect more."

"Interesting." Noel glanced at the paper. "It seems the details are written here."

"Yes. The last part is about sanitation. Douglas' city design has made the city cleaner, but as expected, we still need to get involved. After seeing how we can throw the snow outside the city, she is thinking about using a similar system to sanitize the city. We also need a new division to clean the city, from sweeping the dust to overseeing every corner."

"Mhmm… Isn't this…" Noel raised his eyebrows. "Is she targeting women?"

"I believe so. Wives or retired men who remain home can earn a bit more by doing such a simple task. That additional income can also allow them to let their children pursue higher education," Rose explained. "Well, this is more like an advanced system that the Demon Banner Army is currently using."

"Indeed." Noel agreed. "Call her to meet me. I'll have an audience with her and listen to what she has to say. I'll decide the reward after that meeting."

"Understood."

Noel never thought that Elaine was exactly as Anna said. The theory itself was full of controversy, and she was at risk of being executed if she suggested it to other nobles. It was the reason why Elaine managed to reform her city once she succeeded her father in her previous life.

There was no lord who wanted to adopt this policy if they were sane enough. It seemed that sparing her life was the correct choice. And he had to think of a way to recruit her and make her loyal, especially after such a conflict between the two families.

Rose wanted to continue, but she soon heard footsteps outside. Sandra's voice then echoed, informing them. "Saintess Layla has arrived."