"In this era, if all the heirs die, sons-in-law have inheritance rights too. Of course, that only applies to the direct line. Those collateral relatives who are descended from who knows how many generations ago can get lost..."
"Once every man in the Davis Family is dead, Sylvie will be a rare prize."
"Besides, those ignorant commoners always believe that a noble lord ought to rule them. They feel a strange sympathy for the descendants of fallen nobles, which is another reason I have to marry her: to nip any instability in the bud!"
Aaron Sothoth thought to himself, his expression calm.
"Making this move also means I've completely given up competing for the inheritance. That should greatly reduce the trouble caused by standing out too much in this war... if Colin is smart enough."
To be honest, he had very little interest in a mere patch of land.
Now that the supernatural was within reach, whoever wanted the inheritance could have it.
"Mortal men all yearn for longevity, but can never attain it. That is why they seek substitutes: bloodline longevity through having children, or spiritual longevity through writing books and making a name for themselves in posterity. Yet all of it is an illusion!"
"Now... true transcendence is right before my eyes. What meaning do all those other things have to me?"
Aaron's gaze was resolute.
Watching all this, Theodore couldn't help sighing inwardly.
In his dream.
Aaron recalled the various videos and visual materials he had seen in his previous life, picking out those he could put to use, then repeatedly committing them to memory.
In the dream world, it was as if he had a controllable case of hyperthymesia. His memory was like a library.
Now, he was pulling out the contents that interested him, memorizing them again, and bringing them back to reality!
Although he didn't have the ability of Extraordinary Memory in the real world, an ordinary person's faculties were enough to recall things he had studied repeatedly in his dreams.
Using this method, he could reproduce some of the technology from his previous life.
He woke up, picked up a brand-new notebook beside him, and began writing.
This time, he wasn't using Chinese, but Green Forest Language.
After all, none of this was a secret, and he might even have craftsmen study it. Making things too complicated would only give himself trouble.
"Organic fertilizer, cement, primitive steelmaking, steam engine designs... once my own land is granted, I can get all these projects underway..."
"Actually, I probably won't need much. Organic fertilizer alone should be enough to make the land yield a bountiful harvest. The pitiful state of farming technology here is nothing to write home about..."
Organic fertilizer was very simple. It was indeed a treasure for transmigrators seeking to increase crop yields, and the ingredients were easy to obtain: fresh cow dung, soybean meal, and calcium sulfate.
A knight's estate was entirely his private property. Whatever industry he established there, he wouldn't have to worry about Theodore simply taking it away.
Even if he rebelled, Theodore would have to defeat his private soldiers before he could put him on trial.
And as long as he didn't rebel and fulfilled his duties as a vassal, there was nothing his liege lord could do to him...
After putting away his notes, Aaron rang the bell on the table.
A maid immediately came in to tidy his desk and pick out clothes for him to wear outside.
"Tia, this is for you."
Aaron slipped a gold coin into Tia's clothes. Seeing the shy expression on the young maid's face, he suddenly said, "After Colin's wedding, I'll probably be going to Blackstone Manor to take up my fief. Think about what you want to do beforehand, then let me know."
Tia's expression changed at once.
The castle maids had grown accustomed to the comfortable life there, and most of them were unwilling to return to the farms and endure hardship.
They had few options. Becoming the lord's mistress was probably the best one.
In this era, not even the most fanciful daydreaming maid imagined she could become the lady of the castle.
Otherwise, a maid might be assigned to one of the stewards or their sons.
Of course, a maid with a special skill could stay on at the castle as a cook, a housemaid, or a governess to a noblewoman.
The worst outcome was being cast out of the castle in old age, marrying a farmer, and spending the rest of her life in hardship.
Looking at the maid biting her lip, Aaron continued without changing expression, "Whether you want to keep following me, have your eye on a steward or his son, or want a sum of money... you can tell me. You don't have to answer right away. You have a few days to think it over."
He had to admit that he didn't feel much for the maid. This was as much as he could do.
Once he was dressed, Aaron left his room and headed into the garden.
Suddenly, he twitched his nose, catching the faint aroma of roasted meat.
"Ginny, is that you?"
Aaron changed direction and went around a corner, where he spotted little Goldie secretly roasting venison.
A grill and wire rack had been set up on the white marble, alongside various bowls and plates of seasonings, including precious spices and black pepper.
A deer leg hung off to one side. Ginny's maid was using a dagger to cut off small pieces of venison and place them on the grill. Another plate was piled high with cooked meat, and little Ginny was eating with grease all over her mouth.
At the sound of someone approaching, the little girl had looked alarmed. She only relaxed when she saw Aaron. "Brother Aaron..."
Ever since he had shown her this way of eating, especially how to mix the dipping sauce, Ginny had seemed to love it.
"If you want me to keep quiet, you'll have to share."
Aaron laughed and sat down, casually pulling out a dagger to cut into the deer leg.
The sliced venison sizzled on the grill. He sprinkled on a little seasoning now and then, and once it was done, it was delicious enough to linger on the palate.
Aaron ate with gusto, competing with Ginny to devour the roasted meat as quickly as they could.
When they had finished, the maids packed up the grill. Ginny held a cup of deer milk and suddenly said, "Mother hasn't been very happy these past few days... and neither has Sean."
Aaron said nothing.
The castle was preparing for a grand wedding. It was no wonder Lady Sonia wasn't happy.
Ginny lowered her head and spoke in a tiny voice. "They mentioned you, too..."
Aaron was at a loss for words, but he had brought this on himself and had expected them to blame him.
After all, Lady Sonia and Sean might still be riding high for now, but once Theodore passed away and Colin took over, their fates might turn out even worse than Aaron's had been before!
Aaron already had his own fief, granted for his military service and impossible to take away. But as for Sean... without any credible achievements, even Theodore would have a hard time granting him a fief.
His only way out might be to become a wandering knight when he grew up.
Before you continue