System vs Rebirth

Chapter 151 Life Lesson

”The first person is a merchant, the second person is the commoner, the third person is too good to be true.” Noel answered.

Count Ardagan pointed at himself. ”Iʼm the third person… Or you can say trying to live that way.”N0v3lTr0ve served as the original host for this chapterʼs release on N0v3l-B1n.

”Huh?” Noel narrowed his eyes.

”The third person is our ideal because he helps people with his kindness, not for what they can get!” Count Ardagan raised the forefinger, symbolizing the first person. ”Letʼs talk about the first person first.

”If you meet someone like this, how are you going to approach them?”

Noel answered without hesitation, ”Since theyʼre going to suck me dry, then I donʼt mind fighting them as well.”

”Thatʼs right. When you meet normal merchants, theyʼll try to set up the contract with a win-lose situation. They want to win as much as possible even if they have to destroy your life in the process. Even the nobles are like this. Thatʼs why even though theyʼre good, they wonʼt be liked.” He then raised his middle finger, symbolizing the second person. ”Then how about the second person?”

Noel had to contemplate this time before answering, ”I can understand them since they have to live as well. They can be friends, but wonʼt be more than that.”

”Thatʼs right. In fact most people in the world falls into this category. They help because you have helped them or vice versa. Last but not least, how do you approach the third person?”

”Theyʼre good person and I personally like them the most. But if theyʼre too gullible, theyʼll be taken advantage of. Though, I do admit that theyʼre someone that I can trust.”

Count Ardagan smiled in agreement. ”This type of people will give without asking for rewards. It looks like this guy is too kind and too good to be true, but thatʼs not the case. You can train yourself to be someone like this.”

”Why should I? My wallet will be completely empty if I live like this.”

”That depends on you.” Count Ardagan shook his head. ”When I rule people, I will extend my help when they need it without asking the commoners to give me anything. Helping people doesnʼt mean that you have to guarantee their lives or solve all their problems. They have to keep struggling like farming and such to sustain their lives so that they wonʼt become lazy.

”But you still extend your help without asking anything. Just help them and solve a bit of their problems. Normally, you think that Iʼm the second person, but no! If I help them, I think like this, ʼMy money will disappear, but so what?ʼ

”It was true that it wasnʼt profitable, but I have said that most people are the second type, right? Theyʼll try to think about helping me in the future. You donʼt have to expect anything from them even when making a big decision. If they donʼt give you anything back, then you donʼt have a problem since you donʼt have any expectation. But if they help you back, then you gladly accept them.

”So, every time you help people, I want you to think like this. Just genuinely help them and donʼt expect them to give you anything back. You help them because you want to. Even if they betray you in the future, you just have to deal with it. Donʼt think too much.”

Noel lowered his head as if he understood what his father was saying. He muttered, ”So, thatʼs why Fatherʼs influence is great. You gain peopleʼs support easily and many people want to follow you even if they have to sacrifice their lives. Without you expecting anything from them, you have changed their lives. And theyʼre the one wanting to repay you.

”And there are two more catches about this type of person. First, you will be the one with many connections that you donʼt expect. With that wide connection, expanding business to scrap the loss you suffer when helping them is possible. When people go to you, youʼll be a person who can say, ʼDonʼt worry. I got your back. Iʼll tell this guy about it.ʼ

”Yes. Youʼll be the person with the most connection. And the second advantage is that you have peopleʼs support. They can become soldiers when needed since theyʼre ready to sacrifice their lives for you. And when you truly need help, you can simply ask them.”

Count Ardagan nodded in agreement. ”Thatʼs right. But you must remember, you have to help people without expecting anything back. Thatʼs the hardest part you have to control.”

”I can understand. It seems that Father wants me to live this way for the Ardagan Household.”

”Thatʼs right, but youʼre missing something. You donʼt have to use money to help them, so your coffer wonʼt be that empty.”

”Another form of help?” Noel widened his eyes.

”And that is…” Count Ardagan made a playful smile as if teasing Noel with the suspense and he ultimately said, ”Iʼll reveal it next week.”

Noelʼs eyebrows twitched. ”Father!”

”Iʼve told you that Iʼll be teaching one thing every week. Iʼve made the rules, so I wonʼt change it even if you beg me. This is what is called integrity.”

”This is not fair. After you raise that suspense…” Noel clicked his tongue and still said out of spite. ”Still, you just broke what you promised. You taught me about integrity, so it meant two things every week.”

”Huh? You little…” Count Ardagan chuckled and patted Noelʼs head.

…

This memory was one of the drive forces why Noel helped people. In the fort, he helped the kids first with the fruits he gained from other peopleʼs gratitude. In the first village he visited, he helped those ladies with his speech. In the third village, he helped them by destroying the dam. Only in this city that he opened his personal coffer, the Honor Points, to help people.

That was why the mission itself was perfect for him since he could simply expect something from Ardagan, not from the people. Though, it might look like he barely became the third type.

He smiled playfully, teasing Anna. ”There is a reason.”

Annaʼs eyes brightened as she listened to Noel attentively, only to be disappointed because Noel added, ”But I donʼt want to tell you.”

”…” Annaʼs eyebrows twitched as she had the urge to move her fist. ʼI want to punch him.ʼ