Death flag

It has been 2 days, and a day before my father depart for the imperial capital. I was already tasked to govern the land while being observed by both the Lowe head and my father.

The pressure felt by me was overwhelming. The fact that they're expecting from me makes me anxious, making me feel as though I would betray their expectation.

This kind of emotion dwells not in Heiades's body, but Mich's. It is a toxic trait of his that he always thought of removing, yet unable to do so and forever carried the burden.

In the office of the head, I am currently checking the state of the territory. Right at my side is my supposed aide which is Olivia.

Told by her father, she was assigned to become my assistant. Not only because of her talent in math despite of young age, but also to lessen the gap of our distance and further develop our relationship.

"That's amazing, Lord Heiades."

Suddenly, a praise came from her mouth. I turn my head to her direction and saw a stunned face.

I look at the documents she currently looking, and there I found that I have consciously solved the problem something that even she find hard.

"The Kroala Mountain is a place currently dense in mana. It has been like that since centuries ago according to the Alea's Book. For you to invest in it while lowering the tax, it seems you're thinking quite far ahead of time."

"I needed the mana crystals. I have read that a place where mana is dense have high potentials of forming solid materials such as beast, wild plants, and even mana crystals. Those types of treasures are required to be extracted and be used to fulfill its purpose."

Olivia, left agape, soon widen her eyes as she witness a new idea that came from her mind.

I can sense the thoughts that's running in her mind. But since I was too busy mesmerizing myself to this burden that fall upon me, I left her to her own accords.

The content of the documents mostly involve the current situation of the territory. The wildbeast attacks, the high demand of furs, fabric, and of course, raw minerals.

Sadly, those demands are also needed by other rival factions. Thus, monopolizing it requires a great level of power. Trying to join the fight will even put the Duke's fragile power in danger as well.

My only option is to acquire myself a good intel from the southeastern neighbor of the empire. The Fryque Kingdom consist of diverse intelligent species.

According to the game, they are somewhat in a strained relationship with the empire, and any time now will a war break out.

The empire had a hard time consuming the country due to its logistic provided by the neighboring country and also its raw material. Being able to sustain itself despite the overwhelming power of the empire, their legitimacy rose in the process of a losing war.

That is also the reason why the empire became the target of sanctions.

Avoiding such event, it will be a win-win situation for me, who currently borders the country. And possibly, it could rose the duke, my father's political power inside the empire.

When I checked the time after completing a batch of paperwork, I see that's it has been an entire half a day since I sat in this office.

Currently, time ticks at 3:10 pm. I started at 9 since I am planning to finish it earlier, unfortunately, it's just too many.

Still, time is by my side. I still have plenty of time to prepare. I also felt at ease since the heroine is just right by my side.

"Have you gone tired? I prepared snacks, why don't you rest for a moment?"

Soon, a bunch of servants came after knocking, bringing a number of silvery cart that has food above it. There, I see sweets and coffee, I can also see tea.

Olivia thank the servants as they assemble the dining table, before long, they all left after finishing their work.

"You've done a great job."

A simple praise, I gave Olivia one since she deserve it. When I look at her face, I don't see much reaction.

It's quite disappointing... And also somewhat embarrassing.

"Join me."

I told her, but to no accord, she shook her head.

I am confuse. I know for sure that she likes sweet, especially one made by the noble's servant. To decline such offer is something unlike of her.

Still feeling a bit unease, I took a number of biscuits, poured myself a coffee to a cup, and gave it a little sugar.

It looks tasty.

But it smell weird.

And suddenly, the chirping of the birds, the cold breeze produced from the outside, the curtains that move aggressively due to the winds.

It all stopped.

As if time itself freeze.

[Warning:

Death Flag spotted, you have two moves to avoid dying.]

In front of me, a message appear.

It nearly made me jump to death.

It has a blue color in it, it is also holographic since I can see through it. However, the content is what boggles me.

"Death Flag?"

And I also have two moves to avoid it?

What does that mean?

I am utterly confused, surprised. What is happening?

Is this an Easter egg?

I tried to make a move, my hand slip through the utensils, grabbed a fork and raise it to the air.

[One move left.]

My heart.

It's racing, beating fast.

But why?

I look above me, I can see Olivia, staring at me with a blank space.

She's not moving.

But those eyes, they're staring not to me. Specifically, to my mouth.

Thinking through my situation, I remove the unnecessary thoughts and the hand and fork I have raised to the air, made its way to my side. I threw it to the window, shattering the glasses of the closed side of it.

Then, the time return to its normal state.

Olivia, surprised by my sudden action, approach me and gave me a worried look.

"W-what seems to be the problem, Lord Heiades?! What happened!"

I can only look at her eyes, suspicious of its intention.

"This food is poison, it seems I have let my guard down."

I stood calmly, fix my suit, and slowly left office leaving the lady in her lonesome.