The Poor Town Called Riverwood
Morning sunlight slowly crept through the wooden window.
Gerald Kaz opened his eyes.
For a moment, he almost thought everything yesterday had been a dream.
The strange memories.
The new world.
The floating blue screen.
But the moment he focused his thoughts—
The screen appeared again.
[Lord Management System]
Host: Gerald Kaz
Territory: Riverwood Town
Population: 1,248
Gold: 92
Food Supply: 3 Months
Military: 42 Soldiers
Economy: Poor
Security Level: Dangerous
"…So it wasn't a dream."
Gerald rubbed his forehead.
He had read plenty of novels in his previous life. Reincarnation stories, game systems, fantasy worlds.
But he never imagined becoming the main character himself.
Still…
If this world truly worked like a strategy game, then things might actually be manageable.
Suddenly—
Knock. Knock.
"Young master, are you awake?"
A gentle female voice came from the door.
"Come in."
The door slowly opened.
A young girl stepped inside, carrying a tray of breakfast.
She looked around Gerald's age, maybe a year older. Her long brown hair was tied neatly behind her head, and she wore the simple uniform of a servant.
"Good morning, Young Master Gerald," she said politely.
Gerald searched through the new memories in his mind.
"…Lena?"
The girl smiled softly.
"Yes, young master."
Right.
Lena.
His childhood attendant. A girl who had served the Kaz family since they were children.
Gerald glanced at the tray.
Bread.
Soup.
And a small piece of dried meat.
Simple.
Too simple for a noble household.
Gerald sighed internally.
So the territory really is poor…
Lena placed the tray on the table.
"Young master, Lord Raymond is waiting for you in the main hall. He said it's important."
"My father?"
"Yes."
Gerald stood up and stretched slightly.
"Alright. I'll go."
As he walked toward the door, the system suddenly appeared again.
[New Quest Triggered]
Inspect Your Territory
Objective:
Visit Riverwood Town and evaluate the situation.
Reward:
+50 Gold
+Basic Building Knowledge
Gerald's eyes lit up slightly.
"Perfect timing."
Lena tilted her head.
"Young master?"
"Nothing," Gerald said calmly. "Let's go see my father."
The main hall of the Kaz residence was… modest.
Very modest.
Wooden pillars supported the ceiling, and the furniture looked old but well-maintained.
At the head of the table sat a middle-aged man with short dark hair and tired eyes.
Lord Raymond Kaz.
Gerald's father.
When Raymond saw Gerald enter, he gave a small smile.
"Gerald, you're finally here."
Gerald bowed slightly.
"Good morning, Father."
Raymond nodded.
"Sit down."
Gerald obeyed.
For a moment, Raymond simply stared at the map on the table.
Then he sighed.
"Gerald… I won't hide the truth from you anymore."
Gerald raised an eyebrow.
"Our territory," Raymond continued, tapping the map, "is in trouble."
The map showed a small region surrounded by forest.
Riverwood Town.
A frontier territory.
Dangerous lands.
Few resources.
Raymond continued.
"The harvest this year was poor. Bandits have been attacking merchants, and monsters have been seen closer to the town."
He paused.
"And our army…"
Raymond shook his head.
"We only have forty-two soldiers."
Gerald already knew that from the system screen.
Still, hearing it directly made the situation clearer.
Raymond leaned back in his chair.
"I'm not sure how long we can keep this territory safe."
Gerald remained silent.
Inside his mind, the system quietly updated.
[Territory Threat Analysis]
Nearby Monster Activity: Increasing
Bandit Presence: Moderate
Military Strength: Very Low
Gerald looked at the map carefully.
Then he asked calmly,
"Father… how much farmland do we have?"
Raymond blinked in surprise.
"…Farmland?"
"Yes."
Raymond pointed at the map.
"Only this area near the river. The soil is decent, but we lack workers and tools."
Gerald nodded slowly.
The system suddenly flashed again.
[Suggestion]
Primary Development Path:
1. Expand Farming
2. Increase Food Production
3. Stabilize Population
4. Strengthen Military
Gerald smiled faintly.
Exactly what he was thinking.
He looked back at his father.
"Father."
Raymond raised his head.
"Yes?"
Gerald spoke calmly.
"May I walk around the town today?"
Raymond frowned slightly.
"The town?"
"Yes. I want to see everything myself."
For a moment, Raymond hesitated.
Then he nodded.
"…Alright. But take guards with you."
Gerald stood up.
"Thank you."
As he walked toward the door, his mind was already calculating.
Food production.
Population.
Military power.
Economy.
Just like managing a kingdom in a strategy game.
But this time—
The people were real.
The world was real.
Gerald stopped at the doorway and looked toward the distant town outside the castle walls.
Small houses.
Narrow streets.
A poor but hardworking population.
He smiled slightly.
"Riverwood Town…"
The system appeared once more.
[Beginner Quest Active]
Improve Riverwood Town
Progress: 0%
Gerald's eyes sharpened.
"Don't worry."
He whispered quietly.
"I'll turn this place…"
"…into the foundation of a great kingdom."
And with that, the young lord stepped out to see his territory for the first time.
The future of Riverwood had just begun.