System vs Rebirth

"Saintess Layla has arrived." The door was opened by Sandra before she bowed to Layla, allowing her to come in.

Noel nodded to Rose first, signaling for her to get Elaine here. Rose nodded back and walked away. After that, he stood up while saying, "I apologize for taking so long to meet you."

"It seems that you've gotten stronger again, Marquis." Layla smiled. "It's a blessing to this territory."

"Mhmm…" Noel looked at Layla for a moment before turning to Sandra to leave them alone. It seemed that Layla was planning to talk about something important by the way she spoke.

After Sandra left, Noel extended his hand. "It's my fault for taking so long to meet you. It seems that there is a reason for you staying behind when no one will care if you choose to leave since you've fulfilled the agreement we've made beforehand."

Layla smiled. "As expected of Marquis Ardagan, you certainly understand me."

"You're exaggerating. There is no one here, so you can speak informally."

Layla paused for a moment before calling Noel "Marquis Ardagan," as if showing that this wasn't a matter she could easily talk about.

Noel understood the meaning and turned solemn.

"I've received the divine revelation from the Moon Goddess herself. The chaos is approaching. Humans have to join hands to deal with it, or the demons will raze everything that has been built so far."

Noel frowned. Now that he thought about it, her spirit was also one of the highest rank. He was aware of this due to his ancestors' books as well as the meeting with the Spirit God.

Layla continued, "The Moon Temple won't change its way. We will continue to fight the demons but leave the humans' matters alone."

"I see." Noel closed his eyes. Layla simply said that she would help him fight the demon army and the demon king. However, she wouldn't do anything for the Muivell Kingdom, especially their royal family.

Layla politely bowed to him. "I'll go back this time and persuade all the paladins and elders of my Moon Temple to assist you in the battle against demons. However, even with the help of my Moon Temple, it'll be impossible for us to resist them."

"I know." Noel nodded. "I'm not planning to fight it alone."

"I believe so." Layla smiled. She obviously knew that Noel had been creating an alliance in the northern area. Since the only way for the demons to destroy them was through the north, this alliance would create a wall that repelled those demons.

Of course, Noel didn't intend to fight them alone. The Greenwood Kingdom was most likely to come forward the moment they knew a Demon King had appeared. Once Noel was down, the first thing the demons would hit was them after all. Besides, there was no way his grandfather would just let this happen.

They might choose to help, even if it meant invading the Muivell Kingdom.

He also had some relationships with the Zaecuria Kingdom and the Atracaeca Kingdom, but he didn't know whether they would come or not. Still, the Zaecuria Kingdom would be useful for the sea expedition that the Spirit God had ordered him to do.

Still, having the help of all the paladins, archbishops, and elders from the Moon Temple was huge. They also had numerous resources.

"I'm thankful that you're willing to help us. However, I'd like to remind you of something. I never and won't consider myself a hero. Even if it's for propaganda, I'm unwilling to be recognized as such. I'm merely a single man, struggling to break away from my impending doom," said Noel with a solemn tone.

Layla could feel his seriousness about it, but she simply smiled. She bowed. "I understand that very well, Marquis. In that case, please excuse me. I'll take my leave here. You don't have to see me off."

Noel nodded, seeing Layla turn around and open the door. But before she left, she stopped for a moment and added with a sly smile. "And congratulations to you and the lady… for advancing to the Spirit Transcendence rank."

"!!!" Noel looked surprised, but Layla had already left. Noel scratched the back of his head. Whether it was due to her exceptional senses or the revelation, it seemed that the matter of his advancement had already spread. Then again, he planned to use it to leverage himself in a negotiation. "Fortunately, she isn't a person who would blurt out a secret easily."

It seemed that the conversation with Layla wasn't the only intense conversation he had that day.

Half an hour later, Elaine was already standing in front of him. She looked quite nervous, but Noel could see the expectation reflected in her eyes.

Rose was standing next to him, ready to give him assistance during the meeting. While Noel praised Elaine's work, it didn't change the fact that there were several problems.

While looking at the paper, he said, "I'm impressed that you're able to think of all this."

"T-Thank you." Elaine's heart beat rapidly as it was filled with excitement.

"However, I fear that I must execute you immediately." Noel's expression turned cold, his eyes emitting killing intent.

"Eh?" Elaine shuddered, feeling the killing intent. Her breath became heavy. She had poured her soul into that work, so she didn't understand why Noel wanted to execute her.

Of course, Noel explained the reasons why he said this work was extraordinary but also dangerous.

"First of all, let's talk about the merit-based system. It's indeed a good system, but you seem to have forgotten that your idea is in conflict with the aristocratic system we currently adopt. By allowing the citizens to learn, they will be able to criticize the government and rally the masses. Even worse, they might overthrow the government themselves.

"The proof is in the school system. If all the citizens become well-learned, the gap between the nobles and the commoners will become blurry.

"You should already know about this as someone coming from a noble lineage. People regard you highly because you are a noble. You have learned a lot of things and are able to do something they aren't able to.

"Once that barrier is removed, other than lineage, what's the difference between nobles and commoners? For example, what is currently differentiating a merchant family from a noble family other than their lineage? Some merchants are even living better than nobles. Your idea is simply heresy.

"Moving on to the second concept, I can agree with most of what's written here. Even as a noble or a fighter, you need a rest. However, what I can't agree on is regarding noblesse oblige. The servants might get criticized if they don't work while the Lord they serve is still working. That's why I've been doing things during the day and resting as soon as possible so that it doesn't become a concern.

"However, if I adopt this system, it's going to be impossible to deal with all the matters in the allocated amount of time. To put it simply, I won't have enough time.

"Last but not least is public sanitation. While it can prevent diseases, maintaining such a system will definitely burden the budget."

Noel finished listing the problems and retracted his killing intent.

Elaine's body was shaking. She had a hard time standing since her legs were about to give up. But Noel actually stopped talking instead of executing her right away.

In other words, Noel still gave her the opportunity to answer those problems. That was why she couldn't give up.

"No. Those problems are inconsequential for the Marquis. By implementing the merit-based system, we'll be able to inspire commoners to strive for a better future. However, this is by no means allowing them to become nobles.

"Instead, this system allows us to create a smaller class between nobles and commoners. In this class, you're known as well-educated and can take some actions regarding the social issue.

"While they do have the risk of criticizing the government, I believe that the reward far outweighs the risk. If the government is doing things correctly, there is nothing to criticize. In addition, the things they criticize can be used as suggestions on how we should improve. However, I do understand that the government shouldn't blindly follow what the masses want.

"Instead of blurring the gap between nobles and commoners, this system will allow a good noble to create an even better land.

"In addition, as long as the monarchy is still adopted by the entire kingdom, nobles will always be nobles and commoners will remain commoners.

"Of course, this school will also help you with the second point, which is the working hours. By birthing more well- educated people that can help you with government work, you will be able to complete all your work within the allocated amount of time.

"I also understand that some professions will require them to be on standby all the time. However, this can be solved by utilizing a two-shift system. This is not a new concept.

"But with the addition of those lamps, I believe it's not impossible anymore for the city to operate 24 hours a day. And by making two shifts, it will allow the servants to have more time outside, which has a high chance of leading them to the school.

"If the Marquis has maids and butlers who are intelligent enough to read, write, or even calculate, your burden will be lessened. It can be said that instead of doing everything by yourself, your job is to oversee everything.

"The maids and butlers can even aim to become civil servants. Their children might become even more talented.

"Of course, this system has to be implemented gradually to avoid misconceptions and shocks that might turn into rage.

"Last but not least, by making people more well-educated, the economy of this land will grow drastically to the point where the tax you gain from them will be much more than you spend for the school.

"If you allow me, I can explain the implementation in detail," Elaine explained. She clearly didn't write the whole thing, which ended up leveraging her argument in this conversation.

"So… what do you think, Rose?" Noel glanced at Rose.

"There are still some flaws within the system itself. But it's not like the current system has no flaws either." Rose shook her head helplessly.

"If you have to reward her, what do you think is the appropriate amount?"

*Thump!* When Noel mentioned reward, Elaine's heart skipped a beat. This was the reason why she wrote all those new systems after all.

"If I have to be honest, after considering the impact it will bring, rewarding her with ten thousand gold coins should be appropriate. This system seems incomplete as well. If it's completed, maybe double that amount or even more."

Elaine's expression brightened when she heard the amount. The Lesen family had to pay 400,000 gold coins.

She knew that it was impossible for an individual to cover the entire cost, considering the Lesen family had to rely on tax to pay them off in installments.

Still, receiving ten thousand right away was something she had never anticipated. She could even complete her work to get double that amount.

This was something she should agree to immediately. But Elaine suddenly knelt in front of Noel. She didn't beg for more. Instead, she said, "This lowly person asks the Marquis to send supplies to the Lesen family. The winter is harsh, and the citizens can't endure any longer."

That was right. She could pay the debt, but the problem would be the citizens. If they raised a rebellion, it would be over for the Lesen family. To avoid it, she needed to send supplies to appease their anger, even if it meant begging Noel.

"So you're planning to use all that money to send supplies instead of paying your family's debt?" Noel squinted his eyes.

Elaine's head remained low. "The citizens are the heart of the land. If they flourish, the government will feel it as well."

This was probably the reason why Elaine reformed her territory in her previous life.

He turned to Rose. "That amount is appropriate for what you have read. However, you might change your assessment if you know the true extent of the impact it'll bring. Hence, if she manages to complete the work within three days, subtract 30,000 gold coins from the Lesen Family's debt as well as send 15,000 gold coins worth of food to their territory."

"!!!" Elaine widened her eyes in shock, not expecting the amount. Let alone double, he multiplied that amount by 4.5 times, as if he were able to see through what her work could actually bring.

"Are you sure about this? That amount of gold coins is not small, even for the Ardagan family." Rose frowned.

"I do my best to be fair with reward and punishment. I appreciate all talents, regardless of their background." Noel shrugged.

"Understood." Rose nodded.

"There you have it. You have three days." Noel turned back to Elaine.

"I can do it. No, I will make sure to complete it within three days. Thank you very much, Marquis." Elaine lowered her head to the ground. This was the best reward she could think of; no, it was beyond her expectations.

Noel might truly appreciate the talent. She might be able to erase more debts than she imagined if she worked for Noel. No, if Noel trusted her more, she might even be able to bring back the rune technology. Her family would definitely flourish when that happened. She might turn this misfortune into a blessing.

This was far different than the treatment they received from the royal family.