System vs Rebirth

Chapter 1361: Speculation

Noel thought for a moment before saying, "You may return for now. If there's anything else, report it to me. I will check where these demons are coming from."

"Yes, sir."

Noel turned to this mayor. "Zack, was it?"

"A-Ah? Yes!" Zack didn't expect Noel to know him. Even if Layla didn't tell him about his name, Noel could see his information with both the Appraisal Medal and Affection Medal.

Name: Zack

Affection: Loyal (87/100)

Description: Idolize you and revere your ideal. He makes your goal his dream and your figure his inspiration.

…

[Name: Zack]

[Age: 44]

[Gender: Male]

[Talent: A]

He had never thought there was someone like this among the people who were tasked as the person in charge of his city. However, because the city wasn't fully built yet, he had yet to receive an official position.

Still, Noel liked how he handled things, so he asked a question to test him one more time. "Why did you bring the people inside the mansion?"

Zack hurriedly answered, "I have received the information from the knights that the demons are approaching. Thanks to that knight, I'm able to make a decision to gather the people here. The building can be destroyed, but as long as the people are alive, we can still rebuild it."

"But that also burdens the economy of the Ardagan family." Noel's expression turned colder, pressing him as though he had made a wrong decision.

"I don't believe so." Zack shook his head. "From what I see, what the Ardagan family doesn't lack is money. If I let these people die for no reason, replenishing the people as the workforce will be hard. Hence, I believe that the people are worth more than any other things for the Ardagan family.

"Of course, it doesn't mean the people's lives are not important in the future. By the time the wall is completed, this question is no longer irrelevant after all."

"So, you made that decision?"

"Yes. However, it's also thanks to Captain Mike, who informed me about the demons and handled the evacuation."

Noel paused for a moment, looking at the people's names until he found this person. "Are you the captain?"

"Yes, sir."

"Tell me everything that happened earlier."

Captain Mike paused for a moment before recounting the whole story. One of the guards who was patrolling the edge of the city found it and immediately informed him about it, which resulted in that chain of events.

After hearing all their answers, Noel chose to give them a reward. They didn't take others' achievements, which was a good thing.

Hence, Noel said, "Soldier Rendy. I will give you a choice. As a reward for your effort to notify your superior regarding the incoming demons, I will let you choose. You can receive special training in Golden Dawn City in order to become an elite knight or choose to be rewarded by money."

The soldier looked shocked. Even though he was slightly older, he was still 24 years old. So, he still had the chance to become an elite knight and got more money in the process.

The soldier hurriedly lowered his head. "I will do my best to not disappoint you, my lord."

Noel nodded. "Captain Mike. I will give you a choice as well. You may receive a commendation and monetary reward, or will you choose to become a rune knight?"

"!!!" The captain became even more shocked. Rune knight, it was a level beyond an elite knight. Every knight dreamed of becoming a rune knight. The moment they had their body embedded with runes, their status became unimaginable. Even in this city, there was no one who had become a rune knight. "I will not disappoint you, my lord. I will become a rune knight that the Ardagan family can be proud of."

Noel nodded, satisfied. "Last but not least, Official Zack. I hereby appoint you as the mayor of Quancal. Do your best."

"Ah!" Zack gasped. He had never heard of anyone becoming a mayor before the city was fully built. And this was a special appointment directly by the marquis. It was a reward of the highest honor.

There was also a chance that if he did well, he might actually become a noble. After all, Noel could still appoint one earl, three counts, and seven barons with the special rights given to a marquis like him.

"Yes, sir. I will do my best!"

"Good. The rest of the soldiers have worked hard as well. You will receive your monetary compensation once this is all over. For now, continue with your work. I will leave to investigate the demon's movement."

After that declaration, they lowered their heads, accepting Noel's order.

Now that the reward had been handed down, Noel could finally focus on the demons.

He thought, 'Still, the fact that the demons are moving unnaturally… who would cause them? The royal family? The Supreme Devil Organization?

'No. It doesn't matter who they are. I need to know their intention. What is their goal? Are they aiming to destroy my territory? Are they trying to slow me down? Or maybe they're trying to kill someone?

'Now that I think about it, Incetta was supposed to be taking down the demons. Are they going to kill her? No. If they wanted to kill her, they would let her take care of those demons and ambush them after that.

'In that case, is there someone else?' Noel suddenly furrowed his eyebrows as Layla entered his vision. 'Don't tell me… Layla? It would be troublesome if Layla died in my territory. Or are they trying to kill Layla when I was distracted by these demons? The people in that village?

'My father created a charity organization to make himself bait so that the people would come to kill him…'

Noel's expression turned dark. "Saintess, Incetta. We will be going right away."

"My lord?" Incetta was baffled.

"Why?" Layla looked confused.

However, Noel didn't care about their reaction. He grabbed them and flew into the sky, heading back to the village.