Chapter 1:The Wonder Construction System

"My lord, you must not continue like this! If you don't eat soon, you'll truly starve!"

"Bah! Look at this mess you've made! What is all this rubbish?"

"My lord, I dare not deceive you. We've already changed three or four chefs in the castle these past few days, and the meals they've prepared don't taste bad at all..."

Beside the long oak table, a young valet was timidly defending himself.

Nearby, Bruno glanced disdainfully at the food laid out on the table, feeling a wave of nausea.

Bruno was a time traveler.

In the increasingly rampant era of time travel in the 21st century, he had followed the trend and joined the ranks of those who had crossed over.

However, unlike others who traveled to ancient China, he had instead transmigrated into the body of a noble in a different world.

The original owner of this body was named Bruno Stuart, a young earl of the Norman Empire, with vast territories along the eastern coast of the continent.

Being a noble in a different world sounded quite appealing, but reality was harsh.

This world was in an era similar to the Western Middle Ages on Earth. Although there were supernatural forces like mages, poverty and backwardness were still the norms of the time.

Even as a noble, Bruno's quality of life was far from luxurious.

In fact, to Bruno, a time traveler, the nobles of this era seemed... rather pitiful.

The food on the oak table was considered a delicacy that only nobles could enjoy in this era, but Bruno still felt a tinge of sadness.

For example, the "black pudding" placed in the center of the table sounded like a delightful dessert, but in reality, it was a lump of black paste, not only unappetizing in appearance but also indescribable in taste.

As a history enthusiast, Bruno knew that this so-called black pudding was actually made by boiling pig's heart, liver, lungs, stomach, and other organs with oats and pig's blood. But looking at that black, gooey mass, Bruno couldn't muster any appetite.

Scanning the food on the table, the white bread was perhaps the only thing Bruno could stomach. Although it was vastly different from the bread of the future, it was enough to fill his stomach.

Picking up a rough piece of white bread, Bruno took a fierce bite, and a sour, astringent taste immediately filled his mouth.

In truth, Bruno's constant nitpicking, regardless of the era's context, was because the original owner of this body was an utterly absurd individual. To avoid arousing suspicion, Bruno had to occasionally give the servants a hard time, following the memories of the original owner.

Seeing his earl finally eating, the young valet standing nearby was overjoyed, feeling a sense of happiness and relief.

The valet quickly ladled a bowl of steaming vegetable soup and, with a warm, almost maternal smile, respectfully handed it to his dear earl.

"My lord, eat slowly, don't choke."

The soup was a bland broth with a few celery leaves floating in it. Although it didn't taste great, it was still better than the thick soup from before.

People in this world, much like those in the Western Middle Ages, had habits opposite to those of the future, with an inexplicable enthusiasm for steaming fruits and eating raw vegetables.

However, since Bruno was the master of the castle, he had reversed this habit during his first meal after crossing over.

"Shabi, that black pudding is yours."

Taking the vegetable soup from the young manservant, Bruno said indifferently.

However, since Bruno was the master of the castle, he had reversed this habit during his first meal after crossing over.

"Shabi, that black pudding is yours."

Taking the vegetable soup from the valet, Bruno said indifferently.

The young valet's name was Shabi, Bruno's very own attendant, bearing a name as elegant and beautiful as that of a Tunisian poet from Earth. (author talking about Aboul-Qacem Echebbi)

"Thank you for your generosity, my lord."

The personal attendant Shabi was ecstatic, his eyes moist with tears of joy. After all, that was a delicious black pudding...

The white bread wasn't tasty, but it was enough to fill his stomach, and since Bruno had no other choice, he wolfed it down.

After hastily stuffing some food into his mouth, Bruno got up and left.

The servants waiting nearby quickly bowed their heads in respect, not raising them until Bruno's figure had completely disappeared from the hall. Only then did Shabi, like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey, stuff the black pudding into his mouth under the envious gazes of the other servants, chewing it carefully.

So delicious...

I wonder why the earl has no interest in such a delicacy.

...

Bruno's room was located on the top floor of the castle, a spacious bedroom where the warm sunlight streaming through the windows dispelled the cold, musty air of the castle.

The large bed was not adorned with luxurious silks, and the floor lacked the softness of velvet carpets. Although the ancient castle appeared majestic and imposing from the outside, living in it was far from comfortable.

Around the bed hung heavy, pale yellow curtains embroidered with asymmetrical and not particularly attractive patterns.

Locking the door, Bruno sprawled out on the large bed in the room and closed his eyes.

Moments later.

A hazy mist appeared in Bruno's vision, and a familiar text materialized before his eyes...

["From the first stirrings of life beneath water to the great beasts of the Stone Age, to man taking his first upright steps, you have come far. Now begins your greatest quest: from the earliest cradle of civilization to the vastness of space..."]

Bruno: "..."

The same old lines...

Gradually, the text faded from his vision, and a status panel quietly appeared on the left side of Bruno's view.

[City of Idar]

Total Soldiers: 314

Reserve Troops: 1205

Gold Surplus: 2520

National Ideas: Unlocked

National Policies: Unlocked

Religion: Church of Light (Religious Unity: 76%)

Development Level: Poor

[The host can receive rewards by constructing wonders. The system will comprehensively evaluate the grandeur of the wonders to determine the reward level.]

...

Ever since arriving in this world two days ago, this panel had appeared in Bruno's vision.

There was nothing to be surprised about. After all, having crossed over to this poor and backward world, Bruno's mindset had already crumbled. If he didn't get a cheat ability, he would beat the author to a pulp.

Huh?

Wait!

Why am I having such strange thoughts?

Dismissing the random thoughts in his mind, Bruno continued to examine his "cheat ability."

The status panel systematically recorded the main aspects of his territory. Although not exhaustive, it at least gave him a general understanding of his domain.

After two days of research, Bruno had basically figured out the nature of this system.

Although it wasn't a high-level artificial intelligence and lacked interactive features, it already laid out his tasks. For example, right now, at the most prominent position at the top of the status panel, there is a line of faint golden text.

[Task 1: Build the Hanging Gardens]