CH 1

It’s not cloudy today.

The gentle breeze, wrapped in warm sunshine, blows in from the open windows of the castle, dispelling the damp feeling of living by the sea.

Xia Zuoyi sneezed a little.

He withdrew his gaze from the group of seabirds flying by the window, and looked at the housekeeper Johnson, who was two meters away from him.

The old housekeeper was in a mess, his hair was scattered on his forehead, his clothes were wrinkled, his hands were tied back, and he knelt on the hard stone floor.

—He was found guilty of stealing the owner’s property.

He was crying bitterly and telling Xia Zuoyi about his former master and servant relationship, trying to impress the young master who had inherited the Earl’s title at the age of only six, hoping that the other would forgive him for the sake of the late old Earl.

“God of Creation, I sincerely confess my sins…”

The old Johnson, who had exhausted all his acting skills, raised his hand when he saw the little master who hadn’t spoken for a long time, and his expression was happy, thinking that things would finally turn around.

Xia Zuoyi’s voice was slightly milky but indisputable, “Needless to say, after all, today next year will be your death anniversary, I don’t want to hear dead people’s nonsense.” 

After speaking, he raised his hand slightly.

The knight standing quietly on the side understood and came forward, dragging the unbelievable and pale old Johnson away.

After the maid also left, only Xia Zuoyi remained in the room.

He uncontrollably sneezed twice.

The cold caused by falling into the sea hasn’t been completely cured, causing slight headaches and nasal congestion.

Xia Zuoyi stretched out two slightly chubby hands, pulled the blanket, wrapped himself in the shape of a Russian doll before comfortably nesting in the large chair and closing his eyes.

“System.”

【Buddha System 098 is at your service.】 

The stickman with the number 098 above his head jumped out.

Xia Zuoyi, “Did the plot deviate?” 

The stickman pulled a battery icon, which is blank after the battery is exhausted, and it says that the plot deviated by 0%.

Xia Zoe sighed.

He went into a novel.

A romantic Mary Sue novel with the background of western medieval fantasy.

He is certainly not the Mary Sue heroine, but a cannon fodder with a total of ten chapters.

Within ten chapters, appearances, brain damage, death, finally was convicted of sodomy, and tragically ended his life by hanging.

Fulfill the role of vicious tool man and plot bulldozer1 with due diligence.

And the old housekeeper Johnson is a cunning villain who set up obstacles on his path as a bulldozer—bewitching, deceiving, and seizing power, just to usurp the throne.

Unfortunately, the Earl’s title is inherited by blood.

After learning the plot, Xia Zuoyi’s first solution was the old Johnson who had stolen the castle’s property.

However, the result is in sight, and the plot does not deviate in the slightest.

According to the system explanation—everything in the novel is an established fate.

For example, the heroine and the hero must be together.

For example, Xia Zuoyi’s inevitable death.

…

Even if Xia Zuoyi stayed away from the heroine and escaped being hanged, he would later on be burned, drowned, or fatally smashed due to various accidents…

Unless, change the fate of the world.

It’s obvious that the early completion of old Johnson’s scene does not affect the fate of the world, not at all stingy.

System 098,【The novel is centered around the heroine.】

【In other words, the world line outside the heroine is missing and incomplete.】

【For example, the book only mentions the Eastern Continent once, two sentences, without too much description. The host is located on the Western Continent, so it is impossible to find the Eastern Continent in any case.】

【When the heroine dies, the world will collapse.】

Xia Zuoyi is not afraid of death, but doesn’t want to die because of the brain damage of irrelevant people.

“What should I do?”

【This world is a fictional ancient western medieval setting, but with fantasy and unrealistic elements added. 】

System 098 gave an example,【In reality, in the Middle Ages, there were many religions, such as Christianity and Catholicism but in this world, there was only Creator God, the God who created all things in the world.】

【The God of Creation loves the sacred flower Belanka, and it is said that people who are favored by the gods can make the white sacred flower bloom bright red.】

…

Some of them are different from the real Western Middle Ages, but they also highly coincide.

System 098,【This world is undoubtedly backward and ignorant like in the Middle Ages.】

【In reality, after the Middle Ages, there will still be world processes. In the final analysis, it is the promotion of development. Please clarify the essence of development.】

Xia Zuoyi, “…Do you take part-time job exams for politics?” 

The stickman knocked on the blackboard, 【It is the emergence of new things and the extinction of old things.】

【098 intimately produce strategies for the host not to die, to seek development: all-round capital construction.】

【Referred to as infrastructure.】

【It can not only avoid the inevitable outcome, but also mend the world line and change the fate of world collapse.】

098’s intimate strategy is indeed the best way that Xia Zuoyi can think of.

【Does the host accept: Yes. No.】

“Yes.” 

As soon as the voice fell, there was a sudden change in his vision.

A three-dimensional map of the Western Continent slowly rises on the system interface.

There are seas, mountains, and water… There are also two empires, all small countries, cities…

【Light up the host’s existing territory: Wissas (countryside)】

With the sound of System 098, a gray small remote city near the sea in the Kingdom of Gadaat instantly fades away and becomes a clear color.

The area and population of the territory are marked on the top.

System 098,【From now on, Wissas will be the starting point of the host’s all-round infrastructure, and the gray part is the area that the host will strive hard for in the future.】

【Come on, host, 098 is optimistic about you.】

“……”

The Kingdom of Gadaat, a small country occupying a small territory on the map of the Western Continent.

Wissas, a small and poor territory on the remote seashore of the Kingdom of Gadaat, oh no, country.

He will strive for in the future… is the entire Western Continent?

Xia Zuoyi felt his brain hurt, “You really think highly of me.”

He noticed that at the top right of the system interface, there was a battery icon representing the plot deviation, followed by a white building icon, which said reputation value: 0.

“What is this?”

【In view of the host’s lack of knowledge reserve, 098 specially opens the all-around library for you. The host can exchange reputation value for the qualification of reading related books.】

【Note: Reputation value can only be obtained in the host’s territory.】

What is prestige?

—It’s a reputation that people look up to.

That is to say, it depends on the recognition of the people living in the Territory of Wissas to their Lord.

Xia Zuoyi Desinia’s mother died in childbirth when she gave birth to him. His father, Matt Desinia, indulged in alchemy, abandoned the administrative management of Wissas, and greatly increased the taxes in the territory…

The remote coastal “countryside” have naturally become even poorer.

Matt Desinia’s reputation can be imagined.

The whole Desinia family is not very good in the hearts of the commoners of Wissas.

After the accidental death of Matt Desinia, the Desinia family was inherited by Xia Zuoyi Desinia.

A six-year-old young Earl who can’t make a difference, in the eyes of the commoners of Wissas, couldn’t improve their lives.

—There is a long way to go.

Being able to exchange prestige points for related knowledge is good news for Xia Zuoyi.

The heroine lives in the Saint Airo Empire, one of the two empires, and often had conflicts and wars with Anas Empire.

As for the Gadaat Kingdom, it is backward, impoverished, and inconspicuous, waiting to be conquered by the male lead.

Before the plot development, there is plenty of time for Xia Zuoyi to prepare a foothold in the capital.

It’s a tough start.

Although he has the status of nobility and the title of Earl, there are also differences between Earls. It all depends on the location and scope of the territory.

Wissas, ranked last.

Xia Zoe took a deep breath, “No wonder it’s cannon fodder.”

System 098,【Host, what else can I do for you?】

“None for the time being.”

After Xia Zuoyi finished speaking, the stickman pulled out a package from the frame of the system interface and carried it behind him.

【In this case, 098 will travel, start offline auto reply mode, if the host has any problem, you can send universe email to 098 universe mailbox.】

Xia Zuoyi was slightly sluggish, “You? Go traveling?”

【Yes, the universe is so big, 098 wants to see it. 】

【Please rest assured that the return channel is fast and safe, 098 will bring gifts to the host when it comes back.】

Xia Zoe didn’t quite understand the system.

“Aren’t you staying to monitor the progress of the plot?”

【Please recite the full name of 098.】

“…Buddha System 098?”

【Please be aware that 098 is the 98th in the Buddhism Series. It is necessary to implement the idea of Buddhism for the task of the host. To be a Buddhist system, one should have no desire, peaceful, no supervision, and all depend on the self-consciousness of the host.】

“…What other series?”

【Sand sculpture series, local tyrant series, secondary two series, krypton gold series…】

Xia Zuoyi, “Sounds like you’re more normal.”

【Thanks for complimenting 098, host.】 

The conversation ended and 098 left.

At the top left of the system interface, there is a stickman’s avatar, just click if you want to send an email.

Xia Zuoyi opened his eyes, it’s still sunny outside the window.

He lifted the tightly wrapped blanket and stood up on the back of his chair. The height of the chair was enough to allow him to look out the window at the magnificent Cogit Sea.

Xia Zoe muttered to himself, “Marine economy…”

The most valuable and useful thing in the poor Wissas Territory is probably the right to use the waters of the Cogit Sea.

In the novel, the Cogit Sea, the most expansive ocean in the Western Continent, connects two inland rivers. The Volley River flows through the Anas Empire, and the Abutin River flows through the Saint Airo Empire.

And the farthest end of the Cogit Sea is the Eastern Continent.

Xia Zuoyi’s chubby fingers crossed the back of the chair, thinking silently.

At this moment, the system made a beep.

There’s mail delivered.

Xia Zuoyi wondered, it didn’t take long?

He poked open the shaking head of the stickman.

The email popped out—【Dear host, I forgot to give you the book wearing welfare. I have chosen the welfare of infrastructure strategy as there is a natural asphalt mine on the Pal Mountain adjacent to Wissas. Attached is a map showing the detailed location.】

And then there’s a JPG image at the back.

Xia Zuoyi was startled, “Natural asphalt mine.”

He knows that this is a widely used waterproof and anti-corrosion material in civil engineering.

It has to be said that the welfare provided by the system is very practical.

The only question is how he can bring Pal Mountain into the territory of Wissas and become his own private property.

Gazing at the gray Pal Mountain in the map, Xia Zuoyi is lost in thought.

For the time being, let’s put the problem of Pal Mountain on the shelf.

Xia Zuoyi called the young maid Kelly and asked, “Where’s the man who rescued me from the sea?”

Kelly looked a little nervous, and her sweaty hand scratched her skirt, “My Lord, he’s in prison.”

Xia Zuoyi frowned slightly, making Kelly more nervous.

After the old housekeeper Johnson was dealt with vigorously, she could not help but realize that the little Earl in front of her was different from the old Earl who was extremely addicted to alchemy and ignored the government affairs of the castle… 

She’s a little worried about the innocent Udit Jensen2.

Xia Zuoyi Desinia was swept away by the waves because of his playfulness and the old Johnson was careless and negligent.

At that time, there were a lot of male servants, but the only one who didn’t hesitate to save him was Udit Jensen.

After being rescued, Xia Zuoyi Desinia had a high fever.

In an era when illness can kill people, Udit Jensen was convicted.

The charge is that he did not rescue the little Earl earlier, causing the little Earl to become unconscious with a high fever.

It sounds ridiculous, but such charges are completely feasible throughout the Western Continent.

Aristocratic privilege is above all else.

The lives of civilians and slaves are as low as dust.

Udit Jensen won’t be convicted.

However, if Xia Zuoyi Desinia dies, the old housekeeper Johnson will be the first to bear the brunt. In order to shirk responsibility and escape punishment, he naturally wants to find someone to carry the pot.

High rank “officials” were killing people.

Udit Jensen has no way to resist.

Xia Zuoyi had no idea he was in prison, “Bring him here.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

Udit Jensen was quickly escorted into the room and knelt on the cold floor.

Life in prison for two days was probably a bit difficult.

His face was pale, his lips were dry, and there was a little scum on his chin, but his hair was neatly combed behind his head. Although his clothes were slightly dirty, there were few wrinkles, and they just stuck to his body because of dampness.

He took care of himself well, and his spirit was not tortured by unreasonable charges, his expression was plain, without the slightest fear or anxiety.

Xia Zuoyi retracted his gaze, and his decision to let him go after giving some rewards changed.

“Name.” 

The tender voice sounded.

Udit Jensen raised his eyes, which has been looking down since he entered.

He saw the little Early sitting in the middle of the wide chair, his feet not reaching the floor, his round cheeks could not see the redness caused by high fever, showing a healthy color.

“Udit Jensen, my Lord.”

“Want to get rid of the charges?” Xia Zoe said, “I can give you a chance.”

Of course, Udit Jensen thought, “My Lord, please make it clear.”

“Serve by my side. If I am satisfied, you will naturally be innocent.”

“…Yes, sir.” 

This request is a bit strange and puzzling for Udit Jensen.

Because it’s so easy.

After all, serving the Earl is his duty and responsibility.

The former second-class manservant was not qualified to serve the Earl directly. His main work was to clean the castle and cultivate the fields.

Work is the most tiring, with the least food.

In addition to closely following the Earl, he had to meticulously work hard, his treatment was much better than before…

Especially after the great disaster, the little Earl became clever and calm, and there was no deliberately difficult behavior.

After gradually adapting, Udit Jensen became more comfortable with his new duties.

For Xia Zuoyi, he tested his ideas.

—Udit Jensen is indeed a man of careful thought and serious work.

He will observe Xia Zuoyi’s habits before getting up early and before going to bed, and after silently jotting it down, he will arrange everything properly and reasonably.

He will pay attention to what Xia Zuoyi has to do every day, know and familiarize himself with it in advance, so as to ensure that he can answer immediately when asked.

Udit gets along well with the servants in the castle, and is impeccable in terms of manners, bearing, etiquette, etc.

What’s more, he didn’t hesitate to save others. He was still calm after he was put into prison, paid attention to his manners and didn’t let himself show his embarrassment. This is the main reason why Xia Zuoyi decided to change his mind.

During the period, Udit gave him a surprise.

“You can read?”

Xia Zuoyi was a little surprised because Udit quickly sorted out all the books he accidentally dropped.

“Yes, my Lord, my great-great-grandfather was awarded the Baron title.” Udit replied.

On the Western Continent, titles are all hereditary, and only the last Baron can be awarded by merit.

In addition, civilians have no chance of promotion.

It’s hard to be able to read, and it’s even harder to be baronized.

If you get it and then lose it, you must experience great changes.

Now Udit Jensen has no relatives and only friends. Xia Zuoyi has no intention of poking his wounds. No wonder he is not like an ordinary manservant, and some etiquette is very good.

The investigation is over.

Xia Zuoyi said directly, “Are you willing to be Desinia’s butler?”

Udit’s pupils contracted.

He didn’t expect and didn’t prepare to hear this sentence. From the second-class manservant to the housekeeper, the span was a little big, and he could not help standing in the same place for a moment.

But he reacted quickly and bowed his head, “I am willing, my Lord.” 

The sun shone from the window to every corner of the house, bright and warm, even the fine dust floating in the air was clearly visible.

Xia Zuoyi sat on a chair, as if he was enveloped in golden light. He stretched out his hand, “From today on, you will be loyal to me.”

Udit knelt down on one knee, put his little white, short and fat hand on his forehead, and said softly and devoutly, “I will always be loyal to you.”

The author has something to say:

Xia Zuoyi: I am a man who wants to conquer the Western Continent. The whole Western Continent will be my territory.

Translator’s Notes:

1.推土机 – okay, idk what’s the English equivalent of that one, maybe something how to advance the plot? And the tool man is, I guess, another word for cannon fodder?

2. It can also be translated into Johnson but to avoid confusion, I decided to leave it as that.