At first, he thought he might not feel any differently because he was used to staying alone and his loved ones would be with him. But he also realized that most of his loved ones, especially Natalie who was naturally outgoing, wouldn't feel the same after some time if they did not have anyone else to interact with.
But as he visualized the desolate city with only them living in it for a few moments more, he began feeling an unease—he wasn't liking this image.
The place he lived shouldn't look like this. It should have people who would worship him and—
Suddenly, his eyes widened when he realized what he was thinking.
'What the fuck was that?' He thought to himself, his brows furrowed. Right then, the scene of Samson kneeling in front of him flashed in his mind and recalled how he had felt strangely euphoric at that moment.
'Don't tell me... But I haven't read that many kingdom-building types of novels to want to be a ruler. Then, why—' Suddenly, his thoughts came to a screeching halt and a name rang in his mind—The King's Eye.
Here, what was important wasn't the magic artifact, but the name itself.
Then, adding with the fact that he had felt his blood heat up when Samson kneeled in front of him and his emerging desire to rule... he came to a conclusion.
'The Williams family was a royal family...'
Though he felt it was true, he looked at Robert, who was looking wholly unconcerned about what decision he would make, as if... he already knew what it was going to be.
'Damn. It's really true, huh?' He thought, feeling surreal. Before today, he hadn't even imagined that he belonged to some powerful ancient family, let alone one that used to be a Royal one.
However... Now he had more questions related to his family, but clearly, the old man wasn't going to answer him.
Still, he asked, "My Williams family, it was a Royal Family?"
Hearing this, Robert's lips curled up into a mocking but infuriating sneer and he opened his mouth, but in the end, he clenched his jaws and kept quiet.
'Now, what was that?' Max thought, confused.
Right then, a system screen popped up before him. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖
[Ding! The first quest has been generated!]
[Quest: Take control of the Red City!]
[Time Limit: 5 Days]
[Rewards: One Magic Item repair opportunity, Harem Section Evolution, One Medium-Grade Purification Formation, King's Mark (Ability)]
[Punishment Upon Failure: There will not be any more quests.]
[Would you like to accept the quest?]
[(Yes)/(No)]
[Note: No penalty will be levied upon decline.]
As he read the first ever system quest, Max became stunned not only because it wanted him to control the whole city, becoming its ruler, but also because of the generous rewards.
With the magic item repair opportunity, he could fix the King's Eye, and the evolution of the Harem Section would naturally be a good thing.
Then, there was the Medium-Grade Purification Formation which would resolve his dilemma of using up all his Harem Points in buying the Anti-Radiation Potions if he decided to agree to his grandfather's suggestion.
Lastly, there was the ability, King's Mark, which he believed was going to be very useful to him since the other rewards were.
Almost immediately, he wanted to accept the quest because in his heart of hearts, he had already decided to save the mansion's people and become their ruler after finding out about his family heritage.
However...
Then he read the punishment upon failure and he hesitated.
Seeing how the first quest was giving so many generous rewards, the future quests wouldn't pale in comparison. So, if he accepted it and failed, he would suffer a huge loss. On the other hand, if he declined it, except the quest's potential rewards, there wouldn't be any other loss.
He hesitated only for a brief moment before mentally accepting the quest.
[You have accepted the quest! Good Luck!]
"Alright. I'll save them." Max told the old man.
Robert calmly nodded and said, "Good. Now you won't have to worry about them not listening to you."
...
Within a few seconds after Robert finished speaking, the auditorium was filled with horrified and panicked cries. Everyone was losing their minds.
When those goons had declared that they would destroy the mansion, while scared for their lives, they hadn't panicked so much because the Governor's office hadn't said that they were incapable of resisting them. So, they held some hope.
However, the imminent radiation wasn't something the Governor's Mansion could deal with.
"It would have been better if those people had killed us. At least we wouldn't have to die a horrible death the radiation will give us."
Someone muttered, the spark in their eyes dimming.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
It was that at this point, feeling it was enough, Robert knocked on the table a few times and announced in a louder voice,
"I know the situation seems hopeless, however, fortunately for you all, my grandson, Maxwell Williams, who is going to take over my position as the Governor and become our ruler, has a method to help us combat the radiation."
Initially, no one heard him because they were too busy panicking, but as he continued speaking, they calmed down just in time to hear that Max could help them. Of course, there were some who were paying him attention because they had noticed the old Governor didn't look too worried and heard each word he said.
Then be it the former or the latter group, both became ecstatic and someone cried out, "I-Is that true, Governor?"
Robert swept his gaze across everyone and seeing their eyes were focused on him, he calmly nodded. "Yes, it's true. I guarantee it. So, you don't have to worry about dying from the radiation. However..."
His expression became stern as he said, "Remember, he will only save those who obey him completely and faithfully. He won't waste his time and risk his life to help the ungrateful."
Saying this, he paused for a few moments before continuing, "I, of course, know you are all good and intelligent people. So, you will be sincere. I have given him my word about it. So, if any of you have any objection to him becoming our ruler or feel that you might not be able to obey him, you are free to leave the mansion and live your life on your terms."
Everyone exchanged uneasy glances between each other. They knew if they agreed, their freedom would be forfeit effective immediately. Even the animals didn't like being restricted, let alone humans.
However...
What choice did they have?
Leave the safety of the mansion?
Wasn't even worse than committing suicide?
Here, while they weren't eating and drinking like before and there was fear of running out of resources, they ate and drank daily.
Outside... they would either starve to death or would have to scavenge the food and water which they were afraid that most of it was either already consumed or had gone bad. Moreover, there was a risk of someone killing them at every moment.
Finally, someone shouted out, "I accept sir Maxwell as my ruler and swear to be loyal to him."
'Hm?' Max looked over upon finding the voice familiar and saw it was Vivian who had shouted which put a small smile on his face.
Vivian saw him looking at him and inadvertently blushed, but realizing she was sitting with her husband and children, she quickly regained her composure and put on a poker face.
Max was about to shift his gaze away from her when he noticed a man sitting beside her and raised his brows because this man was none other than Officer Henry.
'He is her husband?' He thought and then his lips curved upwards slightly into a faint grin.
...
"I also accept."
"I accept as well."
"Me too."
With Vivian taking the lead, one after another, everyone voiced out their agreement.
Within the crowd, Nurse Kim Eun-Ji, sitting with an older lady, nervously clutched the hem of her shirt and also voiced her agreement.
She knew now, if Max really wanted her, she would have no choice to obey him.
'This is bad.' Though she thought this, her face was blushing red and she was biting her lower lip. Anyone could tell she was feeling excited.
Her mother noticed her reaction, and thinking she was feeling uncomfortable having her freedom taken away like most people here, she smiled and comfortingly patted her thigh, "It's alright, Eun-Ji. Remember, not all leaders are bad. Maybe under his rule, not only will we survive the radiation and other dangers, our life might even get better."
"I hope so, Mom." Eun-Ji muttered.
...
In the front row, the three brothers exchanged puzzled and somewhat aggrieved glances.
While Mark and Evans just sighed, Peter couldn't help but say, "Just what is father thinking? Why did he suddenly make him our ruler?"
Evans gave his brother a cold look, "Peter, though I understand it's not really a pleasant feeling, but mind your words. Not only is little Max our nephew, our family, he is also the most suitable person to lead everyone even if he can't save everyone from radiation like father claimed just solely based on his strength."
"I know that. I was just... I shouldn't have said that." Peter shook his head and apologized.
...
Soon, everyone had voiced their agreement.
Robert looked at Max and asked, "Are you satisfied?"
"Mm." Max lightly inclined his head, feeling that same strangely euphoric sensation wash over him.
But it didn't last long because he could see that a majority of them had only accepted him because they had no other choice and he was offering them a ray of hope.
'Just wait. Soon, you will worship me sincerely.' He muttered in his heart, clenching his fist. This time, this thought was his own, not affected by his excited bloodline.
Even though most of it was because his bloodline craved the submission and worship of others, he really enjoyed the feeling of being the one in control of not only his, but others' lives too.
At this moment, if Max opened his status screen, he would see a new section, [Bloodline], appearing and disappearing. Finally, a few seconds later, it... disappeared.
...
"Do you want to address them?" Robert asked.
Max nodded, slowly stood up and swept his gaze across everyone with his hands behind his back, spine straight and chest forward.
"I know most of you are skeptical of me right now. I also know that trying to make you believe me with words alone won't be possible, and I don't want to do that either. So, just wait for a few days and you will find out whether I'm worth trusting and following." He said, his deep voice reverberating in the auditorium.
"Just remember one thing..." After a pause and without any change in his expression, he added, "I won't tolerate any form of betrayal."
As heavy silence befell the auditorium, Max walked down the podium and headed out.
"You are dismissed now. Go home and rest." Robert said before he also walked down, but before following Max, he looked at Mark and said, "Bring everyone to my room for a family meeting."
"Yes, Father." Mark nodded.
...
A short while later, Mark, Peter and Evans were sitting in Robert's room with their respective families—wives and kids.
Robert and Max were sitting in front of them.
"Alright, everyone. Introduce yourselves so little Max knows who you are." Robert said with a smile.
Everyone nodded and Mark, being the eldest, took the lead.
"I suppose I don't need to introduce myself, but I'll do it anyway." Mark chuckled, "I'm your eldest uncle, Mark." He said before gesturing toward the woman beside him, "This beautiful lady here is my wife, Penelope."
Max looked at her and greeted her with a smile, "Hello, Aunt Penelope."
Penelope gave him a gentle smile in return, "Hello, Max. It's nice to meet you after such a long time."
"I feel the same." Max nodded.
Mark then continued and introduced his son, Sunny, who nodded at him, and his daughter, who looked the same age as Sophie.
"She is Pennel, my daughter. You might not remember her, but you two used to play together when you were young."
"Hello, Pennel." Max gave her a smile which Pennel returned with one of her own and nodded, "Hello, Max. Let's get along with each other."
"Sure." Max nodded while stopping himself from checking her out.
After Mark, Peter introduced his wife, Hannah, and two sons, Riley and Ross and daughter, Roselie.
Then, Evans introduced his wife, Samantha, and two sons, Aaron and Alex.
Once they were done with the introductions...
"The reason I called you all here is to inform you that... I had lied to you earlier." Robert said while looking at Mark and others.
"What do you mean, Father?" Evans, the naturally suspicious and most cautious out of all three brothers, asked, suddenly feeling uneasy.
Robert sighed lightly and told them. "While you all have Foster ancestors' bloodline, it has thinned out too much. Though you will be able to awaken, you'll need a few days to acclimate to the Mana. However, the radiation will kill you before then."
Immediately, everyone's expression fell, but then they looked at Max. If he really had the method to save them from the radiation, they had nothing to worry about.
Robert also glanced at Max.
Max had asked him to gather everyone here, but hadn't told him the reason, so he was curious.
Max glanced at them and after a moment, he said, "I indeed have a method to keep the radiation from harming you."
Immediately, everyone relaxed. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂
Max continued, "However, while it won't be too difficult to keep those of you who have Foster Family's bloodline safe..."
Saying this, Max looked at Penelope, Hannah and Samantha, whose expressions hardened and heart thudded with unease.