The Countess Lives Twice in the Apocalypse-Chapter 66: Sixty-five
The sun is high up in the sky, despite its warmth glaring on the people below, there is a biting chill in the air, and the leaves on the trees are beginning to turn yellow and brown.
The people in the town are wearing extra layers of clothing to ward off the cold, and their breaths come out in white puffs in the air.
The month of June is almost over, but the atmosphere is almost as one of those during cold season, the people in the street are walking around to finish any remaining tasks.
Jannah is thankful for Viola’s handiwork. The coat she’s wearing provides her enough warmth to keep the cold out, and she’s glad that she brought her people some coats before they departed from the capital.
However, she watched the adults and children going about their business, their clothes worn and mended, the fabric threadbare and faded
They’re wearing things made of thick woolen or cotton tunics or shirts, woolen or leather breeches, and sturdy boots or shoes while also wearing a woolen or fur cloak or jacket for extra heat.
The children, on the other hand, have similar clothing, but with simpler and smaller versions of the adults’ clothes with caps and beanies made of wool to keep their heads warm.
Simple yet practical.
She looked down at her own lavish outfit, the rich fabric and intricate embroidery that marked her as a member of the aristocracy.
She looked up again, watching everyone around her with furrowed eyebrows, then, all of a sudden, she began to feel a pang of guilt and a sense of uneasiness settled itself on her chest.
She knew that her lifestyle was one of privilege and luxury while the people she was watching had to struggle just to get by.
Her heart felt heavy which made her turn away, trying to push the thoughts from her mind.
She met Jeriel, Duke Eulicies, Kirie, Marco, and Dante half way through the first house she’s going to inspect.
"You good?" Jeriel was the first to speak, meeting her big sister half way and grabbed her hand, already sensing that something’s bothering her.
Slight. Jannah responded through the link, briefly and discreetly glancing at the people behind Jeriel.
What’s wrong? Jeriel’s eyebrows furrowed, her lips twitching downwards ever so slightly.
I’ll tell you later. We need to proceed with the inspection for now. Jannah squeezed Jeriel’s hand, not letting her go and dragged her towards the first house.
Jannh, now all business, approached the small house with her retinue of three knights and two servants in tow.
The house was dilapidated and in desperate need of repair, its exterior seemingly in the verge of crumbling with the wooden slats that made up its walls are almost rotting and decaying.
The Countess’s expression was serious, her bloody red eyes neutral and calculating as she looked over the small property.
She began to circle the house, her hand on her chin with her other hand still holding Jeriel’s hand, inspecting the house critically.
Duke Eulicies, Dante, Marco, and Kirie simply watched the older Rafelon drag the younger Rafelon around the house, not making any sign of letting go of Jeriel’s hand.
Before they know it, Jannah had dragged Jeriel inside the house and they silently followed.
They continued to watch her do her inspection of the house, moving from room to room with quick and light footsteps, looking for any signs of safety hazards or health issues, inspecting the plumbing, cracks, crevices, and fire hazards.
She also checked the condition of the furniture and appliances inside the home, noting any damage or missing pieces.
With each room, she made sure to say what was needed to be repaired or replaced— with Kirie jotting it down in the piece of paper in her hand— her mind already formulating a plan.
Despite the condition of the house, Jannah remained unbothered, her expression is void of shock or disgust.
The Countess and her people immediately moved on to another house, continuing her inspection with the same attention to detail.
The interior of the houses were in similarly previous hoises with peeling wallpaper and crumbling plaster. The walls were riddled with cracks and crevices, the floorboards creaked underfoot.
The furniture that remained was old and somehow battered with some having broken legs and torn upholstery.
Each house they inspected was in need of repair to some extent.
Kirie’s notes grew thicker with each inspection as she documented the specific areas of repair that were needed. It came to the point that Marco and Duke Eulicies had to start writing down what the Countess was saying as well.
As Jannah and her people moved their merry way through the small town, conducting thorough inspections on each home they visited, the people who lived in the houses had mixed reactions to her presence.
Some were grateful and excited for the attention as well as the potential for improvements to their homes, they couldn’t help, but feel uneasy as the Countess scrutinized every nook and cranny, pointing out all the repairs that needs to be done.
While some felt uncomfortable and ashamed because honorable noblewoman such as her are scrutinizing their living spaces.
Even though they knew that the inspections were necessary, for the greater good, they couldn’t help, but still feel a sense of dread as Jannah mercilessly voice out her opinions.
Despite the words she were saying her people to jot down on their papers, the adults living in those houses frowned to themselves, gripping the hems of their coats.
It was an uncomfortable reminder of their own vulnerability and the powerlessness they experience in the face of their circumstances.
Compared to the houses, the stores, in the other hand, were in fair condition. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
Sure, there were some noticeable issues that needed to be addressed, but it’s not really that bad.
The walls has minor signs of wear and tear, and the floors slightly uneven in some places, rhe windows were not as clean as they should be, and the merchandise on display was a bit dusty in some areas.
The lights inside the stores were dim in some spots, the shelving system could use some updating. However, overall, the stores were still in passable condition and did not require major repairs.
The stores will be used for storages. Jannah decided, her decision final and won’t be swayed to change by others.
With the stores and houses done with inspection, Jannah moved to the school.
To their surprise, the school was in relatively good condition— yes, there were some minor maintenance issues, but it’s still in better condition compared to the other structures.
The exterior of the school was tidy and well-kept with a few broken windows and crumbling mortar in the brickwork.
The courtyard was a bit overgrown, the playground equipment was rusty and in need of repair, the fences are falling and barely standing up.
Inside the school, the floors were scuffed and the walls were in need of fresh coats of paint. However, the classrooms were generally clean and the facilities were in working order.
By the time Jannah and her people went out of the school, the sun already setting.
The sky was a blend of rich blues, purples and oranges, the final rays of sunlight painted the windows of the stores and houses a warm, golden hue.
The air was still as the last remaining beams of sunlight flickered weakly off the window panes.
The world seemed to hold its breath as night slowly began to settle in, the once familiar sights now appearing mysterious and unfamiliar in the dim light that lingered for a moment before the night fully claimed the town.
[Ding!]
[Ding!]
As Jannah dragged Jeriel back to the mansion, the notification from the system caught her attention.
[The mission (Inspection of the territory) is complete!]
[The side mission (Inspection of houses) is complete!]
Reading the system’s texts, Jannah couldn’t help, but feel relieved.
That means she will receive rewards.
[Ding!]
[Ding!]
[Reward for the mission (Inspection of territory) sent to Player Jannah’s mail box!]
[Reward for the side mission (Inspection of houses) sent to Player Jannah’s mail box!]
With her free hand, Jannah pressed the side of her head and swiftly received the rewards for completing the missions, making Duke Eulicies, Kirie, and Jeriel glanced at her from their peripheral vision.
The two were confused, but Jeriel raised an eyebrow at that.
How many missions done? The youngest Rafelon asked through their link, squeezing Jannah’s hand.
[You have received new skills! Check your skill window to see the skills and try them out!]
Two, and I’m about to check what I got because it seems like I received another skill from the system. Jannah responded, her voice dripping with excitement.
Alright. Jeriel giggled to the link, a smile creeping into her lips upon seeing the happy glint in her sister’s eyes.
[Skills:
Active skills:
Command (+)
Concealment (+)
Elemental Wall (+)
Rebellion (+)
Salvation (+)
Cure Rain (+)
Punisher (+)
Petrify (+)
Starlight (+)
Mind’s Eye (+)
Passive Skills:
Life Wall (+)
Regeneration (+)
Retaliate (+)
Devotion (+)
Endure (+)
Devil’s Gaze (+)
Party skills:
Body Shield (+)
Ruler’s Will (+)
Ruler’s Prayer (+)
Guiding Tendril (+)
Full Banquet (+) ]
Holy shit. Jannah stared at the skill window with wide eyes, looking through the new skills she got that she didn’t see the last time she checked it.
Was the skill that awesome? Jeriel shot her a glance, guiding the awestruck Jannah towards the mansion, making sure the others wouldn’t be suspicious of them.
Awesome? It’s amazing! I have a new category of skills which is under—
Jannah got cut off, the system notification echoing in the back of her mind as the text before her eyes changed.
[Inventory feature unlocked.]
