System vs Rebirth

Three days later.

Elaine had finally gone back to meet Noel, presenting her complete work. Her face looked exhausted, but there was still a smile of confidence on her face. It seemed that she was proud of her work this time.

Noel took a moment to read it. As expected, all the details were extraordinary. She had written everything, from the concepts to the detailed steps for implementing them.

Still, Noel noticed that the result was actually different from what he expected. For someone who managed to reform her territory in her previous life, he thought she would write something more realistic.

However, everything she put in this paper was actually filled with ideal conditions. Then again, she didn't have any experience governing the city. That must be the reason for her result.

Noel nodded his head, signaling to Rose that they would proceed according to the plan.

Rose then took out the contract. "This will be the contract for this piece. The Ardagan family will buy this work for a total of 45,000 gold coins, which is divided into 30,000 gold coins to pay off the debts and 15,000 gold coins for winter's relief for the Lesen family.

"In exchange, the Ardagan family has the full right to implement everything written. However, the Ardagan family will recognize the full right to the name of the author."

"Eh?" Elaine widened her eyes in surprise. "Recognizing my name…"

Elaine had presented this to Noel so that she could gain all that money to help her family. She expected that Noel would get full rights. It wouldn't be weird if Noel used it to popularize himself.

However, Noel didn't do such a thing. Instead, he published this work under her name. In other words, her name would spread even further.

If the people were thankful, they wouldn't just thank the Lord but also her, who had come up with such a brilliant idea. And if this system became big, it wouldn't be weird for her name to be etched in the annals of history.

Who wouldn't want their name to be remembered by future generations?

45,000 gold coins was big, but it was far from enough to immortalize the name of a person.

"Are you sure about this?" Elaine asked with a stunned expression.

"It's written in the contract. The Ardagan family will act as a buyer as well as an investor in this project. However, the published work will remain in your name, Evalaine Lesen." Noel nodded.

"But… with this, my name…" Elaine stopped abruptly. In the short term, public opinion about her would improve tremendously. In the long term, she would be remembered by people even one thousand years from now.

"As I told you earlier, I will reward the people who work hard and punish them severely if they mess up. Besides, with your concept, it's only appropriate to publish it under your name, right? Knowing their Lord doesn't take their subject's hard work will boost people's confidence to do their best." Noel smiled.

"But…" Elaine looked down, her body was shaking in excitement.

"The contract is here. Hurry up and sign it." Rose handed over the contract, planning to guide her to the table to sign it.

However, Elaine simply fell to the floor and signed it on the floor as if she couldn't bother with the few seconds it took for them to reach the table.

At first glance, the clauses were simple and generous. It was also filled with sincerity. Hence, Elaine immediately signed it.

Still, it seemed that she was mistaken about the marquis.

While looking at the contract, she couldn't help but think, 'He governs this territory fairly, he secures his find with his brilliant idea, and he has the strength to protect his people. As a Lord, he might be comparable to the Noble Sage Wilheim, Grand Noble Ishtar, and all those great governors and ministers of the past.

'No, he might be able to surpass them. With such a quality, there's no way one can resist the temptation of working for him. However, his reputation isn't too good… probably because of the royal family's influence.

'Once you know him, you will realize how oustanding he is. To think that my Lesen family would attack him… Maybe if we have never had any conflicts, can I actually work for him?

'No, wait. Can I do it now? But after everything I've done to this land, do I deserve to be recognized as a good person? I still need to pay for my family's debt. That's right. I need to work to pay the family debt. This discussion can be held for another time after the debt has been settled.

"I've signed it, my—Marquis!" She enthusiastically stood up, but almost called him 'my lord.' She handed the paper back to Rose.

Noel nodded. Even though he didn't smile, he was pleased inwardly. After all, he could see her affection directly.

[Name: Evalaine Lesen.]

[Affection: Admiration (85/100)]

[Description: Someone who is loyal and willing to contribute for your sake.]

With such a high value of affection, it could be said that he had successfully recruited Elaine.

Noel nodded. "Nevertheless, the concept itself is quite idealistic. While it's true that pursuing the ideal is good, you still need to view it realistically. What can be implemented? What is the optimal cost? How can we increase the efficiency of such a concept? There are still a lot of things you need to work on."

"Ah." Elaine nodded furiously. She poured everything from her heart, so she didn't consider other things. "I understood. I'll definitely work hard."

"For now, give her an additional 500 gold coins." Noel glanced at Rose.

"Eh?" Elaine looked shocked, while Rose was confused.

"Use that money to rent a house or buy you some nice clothes. I can't really allow you to continue working on that condition, lest people think I don't take care of a person who contributes greatly." Noel shrugged.

Rose nodded in understanding. Noel was talking about the fact that Elaine's clothes were actually worse than those of a commoner here. In addition, she was still sleeping in the dorm with more than a hundred people.

In addition, Elaine could choose to use that money to repay the person who greatly impacted her life.

"T-Thank you very much!" Elaine bowed to him.

Noel waved his hand. "If you don't have any more questions, you're dismissed."

"Yes." Elaine nodded as Rose guided him to the door.

This might be the first time she truly smiled from the bottom of her heart.

'I originally expected the worst, but why does it feel like a blessing? If I serve such a Lord… I might be able to write down everything that I have thought about and even implement it.'

Elaine pumped her fists, feeling even more fired up.

Anna once told him that Elaine was a good noble who brought reformation and was loved by her people.

However, there was no way that Anna and Noel could expect that recruiting her would alter the course of history.

In the future, there would be a name that could rival the great sage, grand noble, or all the famous ministers that had etched their names in history as one of the best philosophers in history.

And that name was Evalaine Lesen.