[Status Window]
Name: Lugh of Eshu (Possessed)
Age: 19
Soul Order: Dim Soul
Main Talents: Plunder (Growth); Soul Placation (Unique); Grim Reaper's Favor (?); Remember (Rare); [Sealed]; False Dragon's Physique (Growth); Weapon Mastery (Growth); Eye That Witnesses Heaven and Hell (?)
Plundered Talents 2/3: Emergency Self-Healing; Sprint
Mana Level: 1 (0.05%)
*
Talent: [Plunder]
Description: ["What can be bestowed, can be plundered. What can be plundered, can be bestowed." – Lost Scripture of '???']
Unique Effect: [Upon meeting certain conditions, you can either permanently steal or temporarily copy a target's talent.]
Current Growth Level: 2 (Unique)
Growth Effect, Level 2: Talent Mirroring (Passive)
Description: [Ten percent (10%) resistance against [offensive talents] of the same category as the ones you have plundered.]
Talent Uniqueness: [In exchange for having zero (0) mana cost, plundering conditions will be correspondingly difficult.]
*
Talent: [Plunder]
Growth Stages Level:
Level 0: Raw Talent
Initial Effect: Temporary Plundering
Level 1: Rare-tier
Growth Effect: Permanent Plundering
Level 2: Unique-tier
Growth Effect: Talent Mirroring
Level 3: Epic-tier
Growth Effect: [Sealed]
Level 4: Heroic-tier [Sealed]
Growth Effect: [Sealed]
…
[There's a possibility of Talent Evolution.]
*
It was the first time I browsed to see the 'thorough' information about the pre-transmigration [talent] Lugh possessed—Plunder.
Every other talent I gained, especially the ones labeled [Growth] had descriptive musings that I could not bother to read them all simultaneously.
Was it being neglectful? Or maybe I already memorized what they were, and what they were meant to be used for in the future.
'But these growth stages… If Lugh had not been off-screened in the original story, he would have had tremendous potential. Though thanks to the transmigrator's privileges, it leveled up by one, unlocking the Talent Mirroring.'
Similar [talents] were not rare in this world, and the effect of [Talent Mirroring] meant that… if I happen to possess a plundered talent as the same one used to attack me, in any circumstance, then the power of the attack I would receive would be lessened by 10%.
In other words, it's a damage reduction from the same skill.
If I had [Magic Missile] plundered, and was then hit by an enemy's [Magic Missile], then it would hurt less.
Not that I would let myself get hit.
Knock, knock.
As I leaned against the wall with my back, while I sat on my bed, I heard several knocks, prompting me to immediately dismiss what I was currently doing.
"Young Master, it's time."
The new head maid's voice, the one I officially appointed last night throughout the sudden meeting, echoed.
"Yes. I'll be there."
It was now time to properly face the lingering remnants of Eshu County.
*
The morning sun illuminated the territory as if it joined the new beginning filled with faltering rays of light.
In my hands, I scanned the document regarding the current state of the territory, a consensus done quickly to assess the populace's manpower. It was absolutely ruined, to say the least.
[General Population]
Civilians – 1,004 bodies (including men, women, elderly, and children)
Army – 50 bodies
Administrative – 10 bodies
Total Population: 1,064 bodies
'Damn it. It's on the brink of annihilation.' I cursed in my mind, seeing the grave state of the territory.
Based on Kaya's words last night, as we discussed things here and there, the general population of the territory during its peaceful era was around 20,000. Considering that number, around 95% was lost—either dead or captured or enslaved.
Moreover, even with the 20,000 population, many lands of Eshu County remained unoccupied, even if most of them were barren, monster-infested, and forested areas.
Yet with the population culled to these numbers, those lands would remain neglected,
'For the time being, that is.' I mumbled inwardly.
*
"Is he… the new lord?"
"But he's so young, though?"
"The Eshu Family's already fallen, right? Are they still considered nobles? And he's the one known as the good-for-nothing son, right?"
"Who the hell cares about that at this point?! Fallen or not, we'd be dead if not for his generosity yesterday!"
"Right… That's right…"
I heard the murmurs of the people, all in filthy and tattered clothes, as I stood on the balcony of the mansion, seeing hundreds of tents and a thousand lives waiting for my voice.
Standing beside me was my sister, Kaya of Eshu; the old butler, Wilfred of Fergus; and beside my sister, was the new head maid, the one who lashed out at me last night, azure-eyed Beatrice.
"I wonder what the new lord's going to say?"
"Even if it's empty words, at least we've been given bread and water…"
"…"
The murmurs continued… until I raised my hand, instinctively silencing them.
My gaze panoramically observed these people, who were looking at me as though I was an angel sent from above before I opened my mouth to speak of the early morning speech motivation,
"We are fucked."
"…?!"
*
"What…?"
"Did I hear him right?"
"You fools! Look at us, isn't that the truth? Don't be surprised!"
The way they were addressed was unusual.
But I could not care less.
"Yes. You heard me. We are fucked."
"…"
"I would not be able to save everybody…" I said with a serious expression.
"T-then why are we even here?"
"Isn't this a waste of time?"
"Damn it. I should have known than to have a glimmer of hope…"
Even the morale of the fifty soldiers momentarily faltered at my words. But I continued.
"It's the truth… Do you know why?"
Even if I spoke some demoralizing words, they could not take a step to leave.
Was it because they already lost hope?
Or was there something they wanted to change… or hear until the end before letting go of everything?
"Because I am only one man!" I suddenly shouted firmly.
"You are numbered a thousand, what can I, a man on my own, do?! Tell me!"
Hearing those words, the crowd fell into silence.
It was so quiet that I heard my sister gulp in tension.
I didn't know what kind of expression or thoughts she was having, but I believed my words would also reach her.
"I need your cooperation... That's the only way we can fix what's broken…"
As I conveyed what was in my heart and mind, the 'system' promptly asked,
[Ding!]
[Would you like to activate the Talent, Soul Placation (Unique)?]
Knowing its effect, I quietly shook my head.
'No… I need to get their hearts naturally. Without this bullshit talent only meant for the future's sake.'
"What do you say!?"
Amidst the murmuring crowd, I screamed at the top of my lungs.
"Should we stay in this pathetic state until death comes for our unfulfilled lives?! Even the neighboring territories abandoned us! Our enemies even neglected us! What worth do we even have at this point…?"
It's easy to lose sight of one's worth… if one looks for it from others.
"Wh-what can we do…"
It's a breath of initiative.
A reluctant voice among the masses cut through the silence.
"Right… H-how can we help…?"
It was a chain reaction of the little flame that would soon burn an entire mountain.
With such a question resonating, I smiled and gazed at my younger sister, who handed me another piece of document, something that was procured from the late Patriarch's personal study.
"We will now begin with health maintenance!"