Game World

It's perfectly reasonable for a lord like me to snatch candy from children, isn't it?

In the Eagle Count's Ridge, there are a total of eight large towns, several small towns, and Count Xivi's castle is located in the most prosperous town, also known as Winterhold Castle.

Of course, prosperity here is relative. Compared to the cities near the capital, Winterhold City is not even considered an 18th-tier city.

Winterhold City is overall circular, divided into the inner city and outer city.

One-third of the inner city is occupied by Xivi's luxurious Winterhold Castle, while the remaining areas are inhabited by people with a bit of status, who can afford the high rents of the inner city. This includes struggling mages who couldn't make it in the capital, minor nobles without territories, and temporary residents such as wealthy merchants.

The outer city primarily houses slave owners, small traders, mercenaries, and adventurers, with many free citizens as well.

The steward and families of the knights in the castle also live in the outer city. Additionally, the outer city is adorned with various buildings such as taverns, churches, shops, inns, and blacksmiths.

Passing by beautiful angel statues and through the grand arch of the castle, one arrives on the main street of Winterhold City.

Under the noon sun, the streets inside Winterhold City are bustling with people. When the locals see Xivi, escorted by knights, they respectfully make way and offer greetings.

"It's Lord Xivi!"

"Good day, my lord!"

"Wow! There's a tin can monster!"

"Silly child, that's a knight, my dear."

"Lord Xivi looks so handsome, I wish I could spend the spring breeze with him..."

...

The news of the second son of the Golden Lion family becoming the Earl of the Eagle Count's Ridge has quickly spread through the streets and alleys of Winterhold City.

While people don't know exactly what Xivi looks like, they recognize the emblem of the golden lion.

Xivi, with a stern face and expressionless demeanor, rides through the city on his dragon-blooded horse, followed by a determined group of knights.

He would like to greet these enthusiastic citizens, but thinking about what he has to do later, he loses all interest.

To avoid the citizens harboring any pleasant fantasies about him, Xivi has to maintain an arrogant lordly image, ignoring the people around him.

However, his eyes discreetly scan the crowd, searching for potential targets.

Suddenly, Xivi's eyes light up as he spots a chubby kid holding a lollipop.

Three minutes later.

The chubby kid is surrounded by seven or eight knights, all wearing helmets, in a corner. He looks a bit lost, leaning against the wall, on the verge of tears.

"Hehe, little friend, don't be afraid."

Xivi crouches down, meeting the chubby kid's eyes, rubs his face, and puts on a friendly smile, asking:

"Little friend, can you tell me who I am?"

"I-I know, you're Lord Xivi."

The chubby kid looks at Xivi and the knights behind him with fear, stammering in response.

"So, am I the biggest person in Winterhold City?"

"Yes..."

The chubby kid honestly replies.

"Since I'm the biggest, does everyone have to listen to me?"

"Yes..."

With that, Xivi's face lights up with a confident smile.

"So, little friend, can you give me your candy?"

Xivi plays his last card.

"No!"

(o｀e′o)

The chubby kid steps back suddenly, hiding the candy behind him.

The atmosphere becomes somewhat silent.

Xivi's body stiffens, and his smile gradually freezes.

Unable to bear the increasingly oppressive atmosphere, the chubby kid starts crying loudly, shouting:

"Waaah! Lord, with the iron can monster, wants to take my candy... Waaah, Lord bullies children!"

"Huh? Don't cry! I'll give you one candy first, and then two more..."

Before Xivi could finish his sentence, the clear electronic sound of the system resonates in his mind.

[Di! Host, don't treat the system like a fool.]

"..."

"Alright, it seems the strategy of taking and then giving back won't work."

Xivi grits his teeth, looking at the bawling chubby kid. He has a wicked idea.

Since the kid is already crying, and with his loud voice, if it attracts people, it'll be a disaster. Better to finish it quickly.

Xivi decides not to pretend anymore and signals his knights.

However, the knights look at each other, hesitating.

"My lord, this..."

"Just do what you're told, no need for unnecessary talk!"

The knight closest to Xivi has no choice but to snatch the candy from the chubby kid.

Xivi, with the target in hand, immediately mounts his horse and without looking back, signals his knights. In a few breaths, the group disappears from the scene.

"No! My candy! I just bought it!"

In the dim alley, only the chubby kid remains sitting on the ground, crying for his recently snatched candy.

That day became a nightmare for the children of Winterhold City. They had just come out of the candy shop and were quickly kidnapped by a demon and a group of knights from some unknown corner, robbing them of their fresh candies!

Near various candy shops, not only did many alleys gain ten crying children, but a legend of a candy thief spread among the children in Winterhold City.

...

"Di, daily task two has been completed. Would you like to claim the reward now?"

"No."

With the helmet on, Xivi grinds his teeth.

However, after robbing the candies from ten kids, Xivi feels like he has undergone a transformation. It's a kind of liberation and freedom, a feeling of not caring about his own humanity.

Once the bottom line is broken, it's hard to restore.

So, Xivi decides to complete all three tasks, trying his luck to trigger a reward critical hit.

"Young Master Xivi, there's something the old servant would like to ask you, if it's convenient."

This is a well-armored, more refined-looking knight who followed Xivi, riding a horse by his side, taking off his helmet to reveal a weathered, bearded face with a scar running from his right eye to the jaw.

He is Sir Cremon, a senior knight who has been in the Earth Knight stage for many years. If not for age restrictions, he might have been promoted to the Sky Knight. Cremon was originally the captain of Xivi's father Manhattan Golden Lion's knights. Later, after Xivi was enfeoffed as an Earl, he was sent to protect Xivi and also served as the instructor for Winterhold Castle's cavalry.

"Young Master Xivi, the old servant doesn't quite understand why you... well, took away the candies from these children. You see, whatever kind of candy you desire, the castle can provide it for you, and it will be better than what these commoners eat."

Cremon cautiously chooses his words, hesitatingly asking.

This question also troubles other knights.

Xivi wears a bitter smile at the question. Not only Cremon can't understand, but he himself can't either.

Could he say he's being coerced by the system and has to do some despicable things every day?

Without a choice, Xivi can only show a mysterious smile, saying:

"Cremon, it's normal