The faint morning sunlight filtering through the window cracks awakened Lord Alaric's new body. Or rather, the body now inhabited by my consciousness. The stiffness and aches from last night had subsided slightly, but confusion still enveloped my mind like morning mist in a valley.
After splashing cold water from the jug onto my face, I dared to open the rickety wardrobe. Its contents were meager: a few simple garments of coarse cloth, a worn-looking wool cloak, and a short sword hanging on a wooden peg. There were no luxurious jewels or ostentatious symbols of wealth. This further reinforced the impression that Lord Alaric Edgewood was neither a wealthy nor influential noble.
As I put on the simple clothes, the movements of this body felt increasingly familiar, though there was still a hint of awkwardness. These muscles were accustomed to physical labor, not just sitting behind a desk or typing on a keyboard.
My steps towards the door felt more confident. Outside, I was greeted by the sight of a simple but well-kept backyard. A few chickens pecked at the ground, and a middle-aged woman with a headscarf was watering plants in a small garden.
"Good morning, Lord Alaric," she greeted, bowing slightly with respect.
"Good morning," I replied, trying to imitate the tone Alaric might use. "You're… Elara, aren't you?" The memory of the name surfaced vaguely.
The woman gave a thin smile. "Yes, Lord. Did you sleep well?"
"Reasonably," I replied curtly, not wanting to elaborate on the strangeness I experienced last night. "What do I usually do in the morning?"
Elara seemed a little confused by the question. "Usually, you would inspect the granary and check the condition of the fields, Lord. Or sometimes talk to the workers."
Fields. Granary. Workers. This was the life of a small landowner. Far from the courtly intrigue and glittering magic I imagined from the novel. Yet, this was Alaric's reality, and now, my reality too.
As I walked with her towards the granary, I tried to glean information about Alaric. "How… how are things in our region right now, Elara? Are there any problems we're facing?"
Elara sighed softly. "Actually, Lord… there are a few things to worry about." Her expression turned serious. "The last harvest wasn't very good due to bad weather. Our granary isn't as full as usual. And…" she paused, looking at the ground. "There are rumors of bandits roaming the border forests. Some farmers have reported losing livestock."
Bandits. Economic problems. These were real-world issues, not magical threats from dark creatures. But for a small noble like Alaric, this could be a big problem. Food shortages could trigger discontent among the farmers, and bandit attacks could threaten the security of his territory.
"And… what about my father?" I asked, trying to delve deeper into Alaric's background. The memory of his parents was very hazy.
Elara's expression turned somber. "Your father… Lord Edgar… he passed away three months ago from illness. Lord Alaric is now the head of the family and the ruler of Edgewood."
So, Alaric was not just a minor noble, but also the head of a family who had recently lost his father and inherited responsibility for a troubled territory. This explained why there were no other authority figures in the house. I was the sole leader now.
This information hit me like a blow. I was not only thrown into a foreign world, but also inherited unfamiliar problems and responsibilities. I, who was accustomed to a relatively comfortable modern life, now had to face harvest problems, bandits, and lead a small, threatened territory.
When we arrived at the granary, which looked half-empty, a burly man with a worried face approached me. "Lord Alaric, our grain supplies are dwindling faster than we anticipated. If the next harvest isn't successful, we could face hard times."
This was the harsh reality I had to face. I was no longer a passive observer in this story. I was part of the problem. I was Lord Alaric Edgewood, and I had responsibility for these people.
However, amidst the anxiety and confusion, a spark of an idea emerged in my mind. Knowledge. Knowledge of modern agriculture, of how to deal with pests, of strategies to face security threats. Maybe, just maybe, knowledge from my world could be my valuable asset in this one.
I stared at the empty granary, then turned to look at the worried faces of the workers. I didn't know how to be a medieval noble. But I knew a little about how to solve problems. And maybe, that was enough to start.
"We will find solutions," I said, with a tone I tried to make sound convincing, though deep inside I was still filled with doubt. "We will think of ways to improve the harvest and protect our territory from threats."
They looked at me with hope etched clearly in their eyes. The burden of responsibility felt heavy, but there was also a spark of determination growing. I might just be an extra in this novel, but as Lord Alaric Edgewood, I wouldn't give up without trying. I would use my knowledge, even if it was just a fraction compared to the magic that might exist in this world, to face the problems before me. Because in Oakhaven, knowledge might be my own kind of magic.