“Landon? Little Landon, can you hear me?”

A frantic voice echoed through his mind as consciousness slowly returned. Confused, Chu Yi stirred, the fog in his head thick and disorienting.

“Whose voice is that? Didn’t I die…?”

Before he could make sense of the situation, a sudden stab of pain tore through his skull.

“Ahhh!”

The scream escaped him involuntarily. Clutching his head, Chu Yi forced his eyes open — only to be met with the sight of two figures.

The first was a woman who, despite her exhausted expression and worn clothes, radiated an elegance that no hardship could dull. Her soft brown hair framed a face that still carried the remnants of beauty fit for a queen — or a goddess fallen from grace. Life had clearly not been kind to her, and yet, she bore it all with quiet strength.

Beside her was a young girl who could only be described as stunning. If she existed back on Earth, people would have called her the kind of beauty that toppled empires. Long black hair, striking green eyes — she couldn’t have been more than fifteen, but her presence was arresting.

Both of them were in tears, frantically shaking him back to life.

“Aren’t I supposed to be recovering? Could you not shake me so much? I might actually die for real this time...” he thought bitterly.

Under normal circumstances, Chu Yi wouldn’t have minded their concern — but right now, his body felt like it was made of glass. Every movement hurt.

“I’m fine… Mom… Lucy… Don’t cry. I’m feeling better already,” he muttered weakly.

The older woman threw her arms around him. “You’re all I have, Landon. If anything had happened to you... I don’t know what I’d do.”

Lucy wiped her eyes. “Brother Landon, please never scare me like that again. You’ve been asleep for two whole days... I thought we lost you.”

A grumble from his stomach interrupted the reunion.

“Grhhhhh…”

His mother quickly leaned out the window of the carriage. “Driver, please stop for a moment!”

“Let me fix you something to eat, sweetheart,” she said, already climbing out.

“I’ll help Aunty so you can eat faster!” Lucy added cheerfully. “You just stay here and rest.”

“Alright,” Landon nodded.

As they left, he leaned back, trying to process everything that had just happened.

Back on Earth, he had been Chu Yi — a 26-year-old mechanical engineer with a bright future. He’d recently gotten a major promotion and was riding high... until a car crash snatched it all away.

“Unbelievable… Right after I got that fat raise, too.”

Now, somehow, he had awakened in the body of Landon Barn — a 15-year-old prince, but not just any prince. He was the illegitimate child of King Barn of Arcadina, born from a scandal the royal family would rather forget.

His mother, Kim Obley, had been a maid in the palace when the king — drunk after celebrating the birth of another son — forced himself on her. When the pregnancy became known, the king silenced the scandal by dismissing her from service and hiding her in a back corner of the castle. His wives, predictably, made her life a living hell.

And as for the king himself? He never acknowledged Landon. Every glance was one of contempt, as though Kim had tricked him — as though she were the disgrace.

Lucy had her own tragic tale. The daughter of Baron Gustav, she had been cast out after her mother’s death, left to scavenge on the streets. Kim, with a heart too big for her own good, took the girl in as a personal maid for Landon when Lucy was just ten. She had been family ever since.

Among the king’s six children, Landon was the last — and least — in everyone's eyes. There was Eli, the proud and cold first prince; Jennette, the polished and cunning first princess; Connor, silent and deadly; Cary, elegant but cruel; James, Landon’s arrogant older half-brother… And then there was Landon: the forgotten one, the servant in royal clothing.

It wasn’t much of a life. But things had taken a sharp turn.

One month ago, on his 15th birthday, the king gave Landon his ‘reward’: the city of Baymard. It sounded like a grand gift — until you looked closer. Baymard was a wasteland, ravaged by hunger and brutal winters. Though once the third largest city in the empire, it had long since become a place people fled from, not toward.

Worse still, the king had formally declared that Baymard would no longer fall under imperial jurisdiction. If war ever came to its borders — or starvation, or disease — no help would arrive. This wasn’t a reward. It was exile, plain and simple.

“Cunning old man... this is how he washes his hands of me.”

Chu Yi — no, Landon now — exhaled slowly. “It doesn’t matter. I have knowledge. I have skills. I can build something here.”

Then, as he was about to rise, something strange happened.

“Host detected…”

“System initializing…”

“20%... 35%... 71%... 100% complete.”

A digital voice rang in his mind.

Landon froze. “No way… Those system novels were real?”

A flat, mechanical voice echoed in Landon’s mind, devoid of emotion.

“Ding! Would you like to bind with the System?”

Without hesitation, Landon responded, “Bind.”

“Ding! Technological System successfully linked. Host must strive to introduce advanced knowledge and innovation into this world.”

He sat motionless, processing the words. Though his expression remained calm, excitement stirred within him.

“System, why me? Why did you pick me?”

“When the host lived on Earth, he possessed an IQ of 260. At the time of death, you were the most intelligent deceased candidate. Binding with someone of high intellect increases system compatibility. The system requires a minimum IQ of 250 for activation.”

Landon blinked. “So I was the smartest dead person available?”

“Affirmative. While individuals with higher IQs still exist on Earth, they are currently alive. The host’s unexpected demise presented the system with a viable candidate.”

Landon nearly choked. “Unexpected? Fortunate death? For who — you or me?!” Still, he let the sarcasm fade. There was no point dwelling on the past. He was here now, and the system was real.

“How do I use you?” he asked, regaining focus.

“Tasks will be assigned based on your territory’s condition. Completing them will grant rewards. If raw materials are lacking, the system can provide essentials. You may also purchase basic tools and equipment to support development.”

“Purchase with what, exactly?”

“The system recognizes three primary currencies:

Experience Points (EXP): Earned by applying knowledge to improve your domain.

Technology Points (TECH): Gained by implementing or building advanced tech.

Bonus Points (BONUS): Awarded when the host solves complex issues or innovates using personal intellect.

Levels are infinite. Progression increases in difficulty with each tier.”

Suddenly, a holographic screen appeared before him, listing his stats:

Host: Landon Barn

Age: 15

Status: Exiled Prince of Arcadina | New Lord of Baymard

Level: Novice

Condition: Physically weak (Diagnosis: Poisoned by Nolat Wisp). Extended exposure to wind could prove fatal.

Landon squinted at the final line and sighed. “Poisoned? Seriously? I thought I was just weak from the ride…”

“Was it Father? Or maybe one of my ‘adoring’ siblings? I’m already banished — they couldn’t just leave me alone? Tch… whoever did this, just wait till I catch you.”

As his thoughts simmered, a shimmering gift box appeared on the interface.

System Starter Pack: Introduction to Agricultural Fundamentals. (Land must be stabilized before advancing to complex technologies.)

Bonus: Complete detoxification and enhanced physical strength beyond average human capabilities.

Landon selected the package. Instantly, a torrent of agricultural knowledge surged through his mind, and a warm current coursed through his veins. As the energy spread, he noticed the transformation — his once pale, sickly skin regained color, and his limbs no longer felt like they would snap under a breeze.

He glanced at the Mission Panel, where two tasks awaited him. He opened the first.

Main Quest: Is Your Land Truly Barren?

Apply newly acquired agricultural knowledge to resolve the local food crisis.

Strengthen the population — a foundation is needed to support future technological advancements.

Subtask:

Use the system to survey and designate land for strategic purposes.

Reward:

Knowledge of gunpowder and cannon-making

100 Development Points

Deadline: None

“Makes sense. Without food, nothing else matters,” he thought.

He tapped the second mission.

Mission: Achieve Level One

Requirements:

2,000 Experience Points

10,000 Technology Points

Reward: Unlock Level Two

Deadline: None

Landon shrugged. “This one will take a while. But I’d be working toward it anyway.”

Curious, he asked, “System, tell me about the world I’m in.”

“The planet is called Hertfilia, made up of nine continents. The host currently resides on the continent of Pyno, which holds five empires: Arcadina, Carona, Deiferus, Terique, and Yodan.

Your assigned territory, Baymard, is one of the major cities in Arcadina.”

“Status of Baymard?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.

“Baymard spans 6,000 square kilometers. Current population: 1,582.

Standard minor cities in Arcadina have populations of 10,000 or more. Baymard falls well below this.

Food scarcity is a major issue. Most residents rely on minimal fish harvests, which are insufficient.

Winters are harsh, resulting in numerous deaths each year.”

Landon nodded grimly. At least he knew where things stood. Baymard wasn’t just failing — it was dying. But now he had the knowledge, tools, and a system. The rest was up to him.

He scanned the inside of the carriage. Everything screamed poverty — worn seats, a rickety frame. “My father didn’t even bother sending us off in dignity. Couldn’t spare a few coins for a proper carriage? Truly stingy to the end.”

Before he could stew further, the door creaked open and Lucy stepped in. Her eyes widened when she saw him. She blinked several times, clearly startled by the change in his appearance.

“Brother Landon… you look like yourself again!” she beamed.

He smiled. “Yeah. I feel much better.”

“Would you prefer to eat inside, or join us outside?”

“I’ll eat outside.”

And with that, Landon stepped down from the carriage — the beginning of his journey to reshape Baymard, and the world.

Landon observed the scene before him, where ten groups of people, each with at least thirty individuals, sat in a circle around large piles of food. As he walked by, the groups all lowered to one knee, their faces respectful and reverent.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

Landon waved a hand with a smile, urging them to rise. “Please, there’s no need for such formalities. Just sit, and enjoy your meal.”

A collective sigh of relief filled the air as they complied, settling back down. Landon continued to follow Lucy, shaking his head in mild amusement. He was still adjusting to the way people treated him, especially in this new life.

Soon, he spotted his mother sitting nearby. She stood up immediately when she saw him, her eyes scanning him with a kind of thorough concern, moving him from left to right and back again. Without warning, she pulled him into a warm hug, her hands brushing his forehead and then his temples, as if checking for any signs of lingering fever.

At the same time, Lucy, her younger sister, took his wrist and gently held it, as though trying to sense his heartbeat. She turned his head from side to side, her brow furrowing in concentration.

Landon, internally exasperated, couldn’t help but think, I’m a king, for heaven’s sake! How much more of this babying can I take? What will my knights think when they see me like this? Are they seriously shaking me like I’m some fragile doll?

“Little Landon, are you feeling any better? You look much better now, but when we reach Baymard, we’ll get a physician to check you over,” his mother said, her voice filled with concern. “Here, eat more food.”

Landon’s eyes widened as his mother brought forth a plate — no, a mountain of food. His plate was larger than any he had ever seen in his life, and he couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed. How am I supposed to eat all of this? Is she trying to suffocate me with food?

Before he could protest, Lucy chimed in, “Here, Brother Landon, take some of my food too.” She added more onto his already piled-high plate.

Landon sighed inwardly as he glanced at his mother, who was still adding more and more food to his plate. Is she trying to feed an army?

Finally, she held the spoon up to his mouth, as if he were a child. He stared at it, and his face flushed with embarrassment. Is this really happening?

Seeing him hesitate, his mother thought the food must still be too hot. She blew gently on the spoon, her lips making an exaggerated “Whuuuhh, Whuuuhh” sound as she cooled the food. “Here, little Landon, it’s cool now. Hurry, eat up.”

Landon was speechless. He glanced at the men in his group, noticing their attempts to stifle laughter. One of them, with his eyes flickering between red and a violent shade of suppressed mirth, tried to hold it in, but it was clear they were all struggling to keep their composure.

Is this what it feels like to have a mother? he thought, his heart unexpectedly softening. It feels… nice. I’ve never experienced this before.

In his past life, he had been an orphan, unloved and alone. But now, though his father was a distant and cruel figure, his mother was an angel. She cared for him, nurtured him. And Lucy, his sister, was always there by his side — kind, loyal, and strong. It made Landon feel an unfamiliar warmth in his chest.

He took a deep breath and resolved to enjoy this moment. Fine, I’ll let them feed me now. But this is the last time!

Looking at the massive plate of food, Landon thought, Three grown men could eat what’s on this plate, and there would still be leftovers. Is this some kind of joke?

But when he looked into Lucy’s and his mother’s hopeful faces, he sighed and finally relented. Alright, alright. I’ll eat. But I swear, this is the last time...

As he began to eat, he thought about the life he had left behind. When he and his mother had left the capital, they’d been given only three hundred and thirty knights for protection. That number seemed paltry compared to the armies his brothers had at their command. Most Barons and Dukes had thousands of knights — far more than what he had.

In fact, his brothers, when they turned fifteen, were given prosperous cities to govern, each with no less than ten thousand knights under their command. Even his sisters, though they didn’t have cities to rule, had been granted more knights than him — a full three thousand each.

The knights who followed Landon were considered the empire’s rejects — the ones with the lowest prospects, those deemed untalented or troublesome. Despite their reputations, these knights were good people, with hearts full of loyalty, but they’d been unfairly treated by the empire.

Among them, there were five standouts. Lucius, the former Knight Commander, had been one of the empire’s highest-ranking officers before he chose to leave it all behind and follow Landon. His decision had raised eyebrows, but Landon knew better than anyone why Lucius had chosen him. He had raised Landon like a father since his childhood. Lucius’s feelings for his mother were also evident, though his mother, oblivious, hadn’t picked up on his affections.

Maybe I should play matchmaker, Landon thought idly, looking at Lucius with a thoughtful expression. Mom deserves happiness too.

Then his eyes turned to Lucius’s loyal disciples: Josh, Mark, and Gary, each of them now holding the rank of Knight Captain. They were steadfast, hardworking, and had supported Lucius — and by extension, Landon — through thick and thin. They were more like brothers than subordinates.

Finally, Landon’s gaze settled on his personal knight and bodyguard, Trey Parsy. Trey was fiercely loyal, almost obsessively so. At only nineteen, Trey was already a Knight Lieutenant, one of the most trusted members of Landon’s small force. He was always by Landon’s side, cracking jokes and ensuring his safety.

In the empire, knights were ranked based on their achievements, with ranks ranging from Squire to Page, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Commander, Master Commander, and finally Provist, the highest honor.

As the group finished their meal, they resumed their journey toward their new home — Baymard.

Landon had much to think about. His new life as the ruler of Baymard had just begun, and he was determined to make it a prosperous one.