CHAPTER 27: FUTURE’S PLANS

Gara’s heart pounded hard. He had no way out, either finish this absurd challenge or be stuck in this time loop.

In front of him, a barrage of nagging and exclamation marks consistently flashed on the green translucent panel. He had no time to entertain this enraged goddess.

Followed by the white squirrel’s gaze, he stood and strode down the mountain. With every step he took, his brain rummaged through ideas, trying to find the best solution.

Not long after, his bamboo house with its herb garden came into sight.

In this village, people typically didn’t build thick, sturdy brick walls as fences; only makeshift wooden boards, about adult thigh height, mainly to prevent wild chickens or pigs from destroying the herb plants.

Before, he had closed the gate with a wooden board. "Ack!" Not seeing the low wooden board, which was usually only closed at night, he tripped over it and almost fell.

|Be careful! There is a baby in your belly!|

This usually rigid system panel felt utterly unfamiliar. He waved his hands, trying to clear the sight before him. But only an exclamation mark remained, showing its displeasure.

He let out a long sigh, then headed home.

Now that he couldn’t leave this world, the only way was to live the best life possible. But how?

He had to make plans and set priorities.

First, of course, find painkillers or better anesthesia.

When he’d eaten the toxic plants earlier, his tongue had gone numb. If he could extract the numbing substance, he’d be one step closer.

After all, he still had nine months.

Second, making money. Many children meant many expenses. He couldn’t solely rely on his mother’s herb field. At the very least, he would grow his own herbs and occasionally take Liner missions.

Along with that, he would look for business opportunities. He believed that, in any world, one way to earn a lot of money was to venture into business.

Third, ensuring his safety from the druids. The last thing he wanted was to start everything from the very beginning.

His Unlimited Water Talent was a gift from Goddess Freya as the first pregnant blessing. It meant he’d have to relive that night with Langga. No way!

Perhaps he could make some kind of scent-masking potion or pill from the herbs. In the fantasy novels he read, herbs had many uses.

With that, he could go to the academy in the capital city. Meeting many people would bring opportunity and money, of course.

Opening the door, his gaze landed on the yellowish paper on the wooden table. He grabbed the paper, used his water to make it pulp, then threw it over the fence.

|EAT NOW!!!

|

He had almost forgotten the existence of this Freya. "Fine! Stop nagging like an old woman!"

|I’m not an old woman!!!|

"You are, indeed. Just look at your temper." He was in the mood to tease it now as he entered the kitchen to look for food. He did feel hungry.

...

Inside one of the offices on the second floor of Falopo Town Mayor’s Office, a silver-haired, handsome man with a cold demeanor stared lazily at the beautiful young woman in front of him.

She held a ring with a purple crystal atop it, smiling sweetly at the man. "Professor Alterian, Lady Syeila wishes to speak with you."

She extended the ring. Their hands brushed slightly, causing the girl’s cheeks to blush pink. Langga, however, seemed annoyed at both the girl and the ring. "What do you want, Mom?"

The voice came from the crystal, "Where is your crystal ring? If not for kind and beautiful Lady Amel, the daughter of Raksa County’s Count, Mom wouldn’t have been able to reach you."

The young woman’s smile widened further, her gaze fixed on the man with longing. But he blatantly ignored her.

"I’m on holiday. I don’t need a crystal ring. They won’t leave me alone if they can contact me."

"At least tell your mom where you’re heading!"

"Mom already knows, right? You even arranged for this woman to welcome me, didn’t you?"

"Don’t talk like that about Lady Amel. She’s your fiancée. You two can return to the capital and hold the engagement ceremony as soon as possible."

Langga clicked his tongue. Since when did he have a fiancée? His mother was becoming more unreasonable by the day.

"Mom is serious right now! If you don’t come, you’ll see the consequences!"

He heaved a breath, then, before he could hear his mother’s voice again, he touched the crystal slightly, and the voice vanished.

His sight shifted to the woman, then he tossed the ring to her. She caught it strenuously and sent him an disapproving look.

"What? You don’t like my attitude?" He offered a smile that wasn’t a smile, making the young woman shiver involuntarily. She clutched the ring tightly, steadying her trembling body.

"The aphrodisiac—that was your doing, right?"

"No! It wasn’t me! I don’t know anything!" She started sweating nervously, strands of her brunette hair sticking to her forehead, her lips pale.

A smirk formed on his face. He rose from his seat, walking slowly. The girl coincidentally stepped back.

"Don’t you know the reason I, the youngest professor in Gyakarta Academy, haven’t married yet?"

The young woman shook her head, panicking.

"Poor thing! Why would I need someone from a county to be my bride if I have many options in the capital?" There was a hint of pity, but it was dominated by cynicism in his eyes.

Again, the young woman could only shake her head.

"Turns out, you’re just a clueless bunny." He continued walking forward, trapping the brunette-haired woman between himself and the door.

His striking handsome face didn’t charm her. It only heightened her fright.

"The Altas Duchy is managed solely by my mother, Lady Syeila, not because her husband died. But because my father cannot be seen in public. Do you know why?" He didn’t wait for another head shake. "Because he is from the devil race."

Amel shook her head quickly, unwilling to believe him.

...