System Update: You're Screwed

Both held their breaths as the door creaked open. A tall, dignified man stepped into the room, his presence exuding refinement and composure. Dressed in a well-tailored black suit, he looked like a butler straight out of a movie. His posture was immaculate, and every movement was measured. Dark, neatly combed hair framed his sharp facial features, giving him an air of quiet authority.

His gaze met theirs, unreadable yet polite. Seeing Nate and Aria standing there, clearly bewildered, he offered a slight bow before speaking.

"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Schwartzschild. I didn't expect you to be up so early. May I prepare breakfast for you?"

The unexpected formality of his words sent a wave of tension through the room. Aria and Nate exchanged glances, struggling to understand the situation.

Nate cleared his throat, forcing himself to speak. "Sorry… who are you again?"

The man straightened, his expression remaining neutral. "You may call me Louis. Starting today, I will be your servant in this village. I was sent to accompany you on your journey."

The explanation did little to ease the tension tightening around them. Aria's eyes narrowed, suspicion gleaming in her emerald gaze. "By who?" Her voice was cold and sharp, cutting through the man's polished demeanor.

Louis remained unfazed. "By your father, madam. It is a gift from His Majesty in honor of your marriage." His tone was composed as if the statement was the most natural thing in the world. Without waiting for further questions, he stepped past them toward the modest kitchen, already preparing breakfast as if this was nothing out of the ordinary.

Nate and Aria stood frozen, the weight of his words settling in.

Marriage? His Majesty?

Aria's fingers clenched slightly at her sides as she turned toward Nate, her voice dropping into a whisper. "That's strange, Nate. He's way too calm. Doesn't he seem… suspicious?"

Nate didn't need to be told twice. "I do. And we need to be careful." His voice was steady and low, but his mind was already working through the information. "He knows more than we do. We need to get as much information out of him as possible."

Aria gave a slight nod, her expression unreadable, but the tension in her posture told him she was on the same page.

Louis, having set a few plates on the wooden table near the window, turned to them with a gentle smile.

"Please, take a seat. I will answer any questions you have as we enjoy breakfast."

For now, all they could do was play along.

Nate and Aria moved toward the table, steeling themselves for whatever answers awaited them.

***

After Louis finished preparing breakfast, he placed the plates carefully on the table, his movements graceful and deliberate, before gesturing for them to begin.

"Help yourself," the butler said with a polite nod.

Nate examined the food cautiously, scanning for anything out of place, but everything looked normal—fresh bread, eggs, and some kind of cooked meat. The aroma was warm and inviting, and his hunger quickly outweighed his wariness. Aria also seemed to find no immediate issue, so they both started eating, the meal passing in brief silence.

Aria was the first to break it, her voice sharp and commanding as she stared at the butler across from them. "Where are we, Louis?"

Louis calmly set his utensils down and turned his gaze toward the window, his expression unreadable. "We are in your village, Mrs. Schwartzschield, on the Grand Continent of Schachtel."

Nate's fingers tightened slightly around his fork.

Schachtel.

Before he could react, Louis continued, his voice steady and professional. "This village is now under the control of House Schwartzschield. How you choose to rule is entirely in your hands. My duty is to assist you in whatever way necessary."

That was it. The exact wording is used in the opening sequence of From Ashes to Empire.

Nate's mind reeled as the familiarity of the situation slammed into him. He had seen these words before. When he played the game, this was the standard NPC introduction when a player first entered the world. The realization hit like a lightning bolt.

'This is the game.'

His stomach tightened as he went through everything Louis had just said. A village. That meant they had started with one of the worst possible scenarios—a weak, undeveloped land, probably low on resources and manpower. Village starts could be brutal in the game, but there were also significant variations. If they were lucky, they might have landed in one of the larger, more resource-rich villages instead of some backwater with nothing to offer.

Looking up, he met Aria's gaze, and from how her emerald eyes glimmered with realization, he knew she had also put the pieces together.

"Can you show us the village, then?" Nate asked, finishing the last bite of his meal and setting his fork down.

Louis inclined his head slightly. "Gladly, Mr. Schwartzschield."

There were many things Nate wanted to address—most notably the whole 'Family Schwartzschield' situation, meaning he and Aria were married in this world—but for now, getting a grasp on their surroundings was far more critical.

Once breakfast was finished, they gathered themselves, and with Louis leading the way, they stepped outside to finally face the world that awaited them.

As they stepped outside, the harsh reality of their situation hit them like a cold slap to the face.

Instead of a promising settlement, what lay before them was far from what they had hoped for. The so-called "village" was barely even standing—a handful of rickety wooden houses, some leaning precariously as if a strong wind could topple them over at any moment. Dirt roads, uneven and poorly maintained, stretched out in different directions, leading to barren land and thin patches of dry grass.

The air carried the faint stench of damp wood and neglect, and not a single person seemed to be moving about. No signs of bustling life, no marketplace, no sturdy walls or guard posts—just an eerie silence that only amplified the sheer emptiness surrounding them.

A thin stream of smoke rose weakly from what seemed to be a distant forge, but it didn't inspire much confidence if that was their blacksmith. A small well stood at the center of the village, its stones cracked and moss creeping through the gaps, like nature itself trying to reclaim what was left of this settlement.

This wasn't just a bad start—it was a nightmare scenario.

Aria's breath hitched beside him. "Are you kidding me?" she muttered her voice barely above a whisper, a mix of disbelief and frustration laced in every syllable.

Nate clenched his jaw, hands instinctively balling into fists as he surveyed the disaster before them. This wasn't just a lousy village start—this was the worst possible scenario.

Louis, still standing beside them, remained perfectly composed. "Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Schwartzschield, to your domain."

The words almost sounded mocking, though his tone remained as polite as ever.

Before either of them could respond, a sudden chime rang in their ears.

[You have unlocked the village!]

[Territory acquired: Unnamed Village][Starting Conditions: Critical][Population: 6][Resources: Barely Sustainable][Threat Level: High]

Nate's stomach dropped as he read the system notification, his mind racing through the implications.

Critical.Barely sustainable.High threat level.

His hands curled into fists as a single thought burned into his mind.

"We are so screwed."