"Master! I have a crucial task for you!"
Arthur swiftly grasped the significance of Arthasia's words, though he couldn't help but feel a tinge of confusion.
"Main tasks?" He directed his gaze towards Arthasia, who furrowed her brow while closing her eyes.
"Yes! You can access your tasks in the data section!" Arthasia's eyes opened, and she nodded enthusiastically at Arthur.
Without any hesitation, Arthur exclaimed, "Apprasial!"
Instantly, a luminous glow manifested before his eyes, revealing a detailed statistical analysis of himself.
[Statistic Data]
[Name: Arthur Asvold]
[Title: The Only Son of Duke Asvold's Mansion, Heir, Temporary Ruler of the Southern Region, Owner of Astonishing Talent (Formerly)]
[Special Title: The Sole Possessor of a Space Core, the Unique Bearer of Two Cores]
[Age: 15 years old]
[Awakened Core: Fire (Outer)/Space (Hidden)]
[Level: Elemental One Circle (Fire)/Elemental One Circle (Space)]
[Hobbies: Reading, Practicing, Playing Chess, ...]
[Mastered Elemental Arts: Fire Ball (Fire Elemental Art: One Star), Warp Space (Space Elemental Art: One Star)]
[Ambition: Return to his world, become the strongest, change destiny, rule the Balka Empire,...]
[Talent: Exceptionally Strong (Special Core Holder)]
[Main Task: Please Refer Here...]
Arthur's curiosity piqued as he noticed a new column below.
With a touch of intrigue, he gently interacted with his data, causing his statistical information to transform into a radiant white light.
Soon, something new materialized before him.
[Task]
[Main Task:]
[1. Aid Anna in mastering the new trading method and ensure the smooth execution of your plan.]
[Mission Level: Silver (Moderately Difficult)]
[Reward: Unknown (Completion guarantees a significant reward!)]
[2. Subdue the three influential Luvic nobles and prevent their support for David's future rebellion!
[Mission Level: Gold (Very Difficult)]
[Reward: Unknown (Completion guarantees a significant reward!)]
[3. (Locked)]
[4. (...)]
Arthur carefully scanned the main tasks and observed the subtle appearance of two main tasks.
"Oh! So this is the task system?" Arthur nodded in acknowledgment as he read the two tasks, instantly comprehending their essence.
His attention shifted back to the first task, and he pondered, "Assisting Anna in mastering a new trading method?"
Arthur lightly stroked his chin, leaning back against the chair as he contemplated.
While the task itself seemed simple for him, the challenge lay in facilitating its implementation for Anna.
Realistically, if Arthur were to implement his plan before the outbreak of war, it would likely face staunch resistance from the established merchants.
His strategy involved establishing a centralized business entity that would grant him control over the inflow and outflow of all goods.
Admittedly, this approach could be perceived as harsh, yet Arthur deemed it necessary to exercise authority over the pricing of available commodities.
As Arthur mentioned earlier, the absence of price control allows merchants to exploit the situation by charging exorbitant prices.
Unfortunately, the consumers, despite facing hardships, are compelled to purchase the goods.
This predicament arises due to the collaborative efforts of merchants, who form a close-knit community, thereby exacerbating the issue.
The Weis family, being a merchant family themselves, did not intervene to prohibit such practices and instead allowed them to persist.
They perceived it as a customary expectation for merchants to reap substantial profits, viewing the situation as a normal occurrence within the trade industry.
Arthur yearned to dismantle these existing sectors and establish a dominant merchant power center under his own control, with Anna serving as its representative.
The outcomes he would achieve would undoubtedly provide substantial assistance in driving economic progress in the south and revitalizing the region's economy during the impending war-induced downturn.
While he couldn't prevent the inevitable war, Arthur recognized the importance of taking proactive measures in preparation for it!
Arthur snapped out of his contemplation and fixated his gaze on the second task.
"Damn, this is an incredibly arduous task!" The corner of his mouth twitched, displaying a hint of exasperation as he assessed the magnitude of the challenge.
Undoubtedly, the second task posed a formidable test, one that would push him to his limits.
The prospect of thwarting the involvement of the three influential Luvic families in David's rebellion seemed insurmountable.
Adding to the challenge, these three Luvic nobles held unwavering loyalty towards the head of the Asvold mansion, Duke Asvold.
As a mere heir, if Arthur were to approach the leaders of these Luvic families and persuade them not to support David's revolt against the Balka Empire, there was a high probability that they would dismiss him as a fool or even consider him a traitor.
Ultimately, the Duke's mansion wielded the greatest power and influence in the South.
"Very well, even without the system tasks, I must ensure the successful execution of these two plans to solidify the foundation I have established." Arthur nonchalantly shrugged.
He perceived the system's tasks as a mere coincidence, aligning with his intended course of action.
"Wait! coincidence?"
Soon Arthur regarded Arthasia with a skeptical gaze, contemplating whether the alignment of the system's tasks with his own plans was a mere coincidence.
Arthasia, catching his suspicious gaze, responded by tilting her head with a lighthearted and innocent expression, adding a touch of amusement to the situation.
"Why, master? Is the task proving to be challenging?" Arthasia's innocent voice carried a tinge of guilt-inducing effect, causing Arthur to feel a pang of remorse.
"Cough! No, it's alright. I just didn't anticipate that the task would align so closely with my own intentions."
Arthur cleared his throat and attempted to downplay his surprise, pretending that the task alignment was merely coincidental.
In response, Arthasia nodded understandingly.
"Indeed, the main tasks that appear are always intricately linked to your own desires, master!"
She continued, "I possess no control over the tasks and can only channel those that you trigger."
Arthur's head instinctively nodded in agreement as he absorbed Arthasia's explanation.
Deciding not to delve deeper into the matter, he shifted his focus to a different question.
"Alright, then, why are the other main tasks locked?" Arthur directed his gaze towards the third and fourth task panels, which displayed the word "locked," seeking an explanation.
In response, Arthasia gracefully flew over to Arthur's head and settled gently on his hair.
"That's because you haven't triggered them yet, Master!" Arthasia clarified.
She added, "The tasks should be fully accessible once you activate them, as they require a specific trigger to appear."
Arthur folded his arms across his chest, acknowledging his understanding.
"Alright, I get it now. Thank you, Arthasia."
Arthasia nodded with enthusiasm.
"Of course, master!"
As the conversation between the two continued, the voice of a middle-aged woman could be heard from outside Arthur's room.
"Young Master Arthur, I apologize for the interruption!"
Arthur promptly ceased his conversation with Arthasia and responded, "Please come in!"
Following his invitation, an elderly maid entered the room, bowing her head respectfully.
"I apologize for my intrusion, Your Highness," she uttered with humility.
Arthur waved his hand dismissively.
"No need to worry about it."
Cutting to the chase, he inquired, "What is it that you need?"
Upon hearing this, the maid respectfully conveyed her purpose: "Your Highness, Master Lucas sent me to inquire if you have the time to join him in the parlor tonight."
"Master Lucas regrets his inability to personally extend the invitation, as he is currently engrossed in resolving a significant issue."
The middle-aged maid spoke with utmost care and precision.
Arthur, understanding the situation, responded with a gentle smile, "Please inform him that I am available."
The maid lowered her head and affirmed, "Very well, I will convey your message. My apologies for the interruption, Your Highness."
Arthur nodded in understanding, and the middle-aged maid swiftly exited the room.
Meanwhile, on the bank of a river
Breathing a sigh, the young girl observed her surroundings.
The serene river, reflecting the golden hues of the setting sun, provided her with a momentary escape from her troubled thoughts.
"Hmm, why does Mom seem so angry today?" She wondered aloud, her voice filled with a mix of confusion and concern.
As she skimmed a stone across the water's surface, her childish pout revealed a hint of frustration.
"Did I unknowingly do something terribly wrong to upset her?" she mused, questioning her own actions and searching for a possible cause behind her mother's unusual anger.
Squatting down by the riverbank, she cast her gaze upon the rippling water, its reflection dancing upon her beautiful face.
Tracing patterns in the water with her index finger, she murmured softly, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness, "Why don't I have a father like the other children in the village?"
A sense of bitterness welled up within her as she continued, "It pains me to see them growing up with fathers who love and care for them."
Her lips formed a tight line as she pondered her own experience of living without a father, a void that had left a lasting impact on her.
"Oh, Father, when will you return?" She whispered, her voice carrying a longing that echoed through the air.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she continued, her voice filled with sorrow: "Do you know how much I yearn to see you, to be embraced by you?"
Her head remained bowed, conveying her deep sorrow.
As if emerging from the depths of her thoughts, she was startled by the sudden appearance of a mysterious figure, casting a shadowy silhouette that caught her gaze and sent a shiver of surprise down her spine.
"Kyaaa!" Startled, she quickly stepped back in fear, her eyes fixated on the shadowy figure.
To her astonishment, it turned out to be a human body floating in the river!
Shocked and trembling, she pointed in disbelief, her voice barely a whisper.
"This...this?!"
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