LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 6: Chapter 5: First Objective
Chapter 5: First Objective
The sun hovered just above the horizon, casting a golden glow over the capital as Jason stood at the edge of the royal gardens. The soft rustling of leaves and the faint hum of cicadas filled the morning air, but his mind was far from the peaceful ambiance. The system's objective—*Recover and gather information about the state of the empire*—had hung over him like a silent challenge.
This morning, he intended to complete it. If his recovery was considered adequate, it was time to act.
He had spent the past days quietly observing, piecing together fragments of information from Mira, court documents, and the memories offered by the system. Yet, the puzzle was incomplete. There were questions that demanded answers, and Jason knew exactly where to start: the royal archives.
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Jason's steps echoed softly in the dimly lit corridors as Mira led him through a side passage that connected the palace to the vast library. The royal archives were a sprawling labyrinth of ancient tomes, scrolls, and ledgers, meticulously maintained by a small army of scholars. The scent of parchment and ink filled the air as Jason entered the main hall, its towering shelves stretching toward the domed ceiling.
The head archivist, an elderly man with sharp eyes and a stooped posture, approached with a deep bow. "Your Highness, it is an honor. How may we assist you today?"
Jason gave him a polite nod. "I require records on the empire's recent affairs—provincial reports, military activities, trade, and taxation. Anything that paints a clear picture of the state of the realm."
The archivist hesitated for a moment, clearly taken aback by the request. "Of course, Your Highness. Though… such a comprehensive review will take time."
Jason's gaze hardened slightly. "Time is something we don't have in abundance. Please prioritize it."
The man bowed again, signaling his assistants to begin retrieving documents. Jason settled at a large wooden table, Mira standing quietly by his side as the first stack of records was brought before him.
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Hours passed as Jason pored over the documents. The patterns and disparities in the reports were both fascinating and alarming. Provincial governors in the outer regions were withholding taxes, citing "unrest" or "natural disasters." Military requisition logs indicated supply shortages, though the treasury's records showed adequate funding had been allocated. Trade routes were disrupted by banditry, with some suggesting collusion between the bandits and local officials.
It was a picture of an empire teetering on the brink of disarray, held together only by the central authority of the capital—and even that seemed precarious.
Jason leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. The scale of the problems was overwhelming. In his modern life, he had seen the effects of systemic corruption and political dysfunction, but here it was magnified, amplified by the stakes of survival in a feudal world.
"Your Highness," Mira said softly, breaking his thoughts. "You've been at this for hours. Perhaps you should rest."
Jason shook his head. "Rest won't solve anything. The more I uncover, the clearer the problems become—but solutions are harder to grasp."
He glanced back at the system interface in his mind, which had remained silent throughout his investigation. Perhaps this was the challenge: to find his own answers, rather than relying on it as a crutch.
"Summon a scribe," Jason said suddenly. "I want to record my findings."
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The scribe arrived swiftly, and Jason began dictating a report. He categorized the issues into three main areas: governance, military, and commerce. For each, he outlined the key problems and their likely causes, along with potential strategies for addressing them. As he spoke, he noticed how the act of articulating his thoughts brought clarity.
- **Governance:** Strengthen accountability among provincial governors. Assign royal inspectors to audit tax collection and investigate claims of unrest.
- **Military:** Verify supply chains and root out corruption in the requisition process. Conduct surprise inspections at border forts to ensure readiness.
- **Commerce:** Secure key trade routes by deploying armed escorts. Encourage local merchants to report instances of banditry, with rewards for actionable intelligence.
The scribe worked diligently, his quill scratching against the parchment. By the time Jason finished, the document was a comprehensive summary of the empire's current state—a roadmap for action, if the will to execute it existed.
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Later that evening, Jason stood on the balcony of his chambers, the report in hand. The capital was alive with activity below, lanterns glowing like stars in the streets. He had accomplished what he set out to do: gathering the information needed to understand the empire's precarious position. Yet, the completion of this objective was bittersweet.
The problems were clear, but the solutions required more than words. They required influence, alliances, and the ability to outmaneuver both internal and external threats. The system's chime resonated in his mind, signaling his progress.
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**[Objective Complete: Recover and gather information about the state of the empire.]**
**[Reward: Unlocking "Basic Magic Affinity." Skill available for training.]**
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Jason blinked as a warm sensation coursed through him, followed by a subtle shift in his awareness. The locked skill in his status panel was now active, and with it came an intuitive understanding of basic magical principles. It was as if a door had opened in his mind, revealing a path he hadn't known existed.
He raised his hand experimentally, focusing on the energy that now seemed to hum beneath his skin. A faint orb of light flickered into existence above his palm, its glow illuminating the night. It was small, almost insignificant, but it was proof of progress—proof that he was growing stronger.
Jason clenched his fist, extinguishing the light. The completion of this first objective was only the beginning. The real challenge lay ahead, in the implementation of his plans and the inevitable resistance he would face. But for the first time since his arrival in this world, he felt a flicker of confidence.
This was his second chance, and he would use it to shape the empire's future. Step by step, he would forge a path forward—one that led not only to survival but to greatness.
"One step down," he said quietly, gazing into the distance. "Many more to go."