Seven years had passed since James discovered the existence of his golden finger. The joy he felt at that time was difficult to put into words. If it had been expressed through action, he might have shouted loudly just to show how overwhelming his relief truly was.
The fear that clung to him like germs because of his own weakness had been gnawing at his mind back then. As long as he remained an ordinary human without any power, there was no guarantee of safety for him.
Aside from luck, there was almost nothing that could save him if danger from an entity beyond ordinary humans suddenly appeared.
The memory of the woman who once strangled him still surfaced in his mind from time to time.
That incident left a deep impression.
Since that day, he had always remained cautious and careful, even when simply speaking with the servants or guards within the Dmitry residence.
He was also not foolish enough to approach the knights or act overly friendly toward them.
Who could guarantee that a knight would not suddenly become possessed by a ghost and kill him on the spot? Or lose their sanity without any clear reason?
Things like that could easily happen in this world.
If something happened to him again, his brothers would not escape suspicion.
Someone in his previous life once said, "Nothing in this world truly happens by coincidence. Everything moves through a process from A to B. Just like the number nine. If you want to reach it properly, you must begin from the number one."
"The world works in the same way. Every event cannot simply be called coincidence. There is always a process that happens beforehand."
"Many people call it cause and effect."
James was not foolish enough to believe that what happened nine years ago was merely a coincidence.
However, since there was no evidence linking it to his brothers, he chose not to investigate further at the time.
The situation inside the Dmitry residence had also grown increasingly tense over time.
Even the slightest display of hostility could bring disaster.
James was not foolish enough to investigate his brothers openly just to satisfy his suspicions. If they were truly involved and realized he was investigating them, the consequences would be terrifying.
Without any supporters around him, he preferred to be a quiet mouse hiding in the corner of a room rather than attract the attention of the wild cats roaming the manor.
At present, he lived in a small village that could be considered quite far from the center of influence of the Southern Duke.
Although the village was still administratively under the duke's territory, it possessed nothing special that could attract the attention of nobles.
Even minor nobles rarely had any reason to visit a place like this, let alone someone connected to the residence of a duke.
James understood that very well.
Before deciding to settle here, he had spent a considerable amount of money gathering information about remote areas in the southern region.
He needed a place that was safe and quiet enough to slowly build the strength of his family.
Since his primary goal was to build a family, choosing the right place to live became the highest priority during his investigation.
It would have been foolish to choose a location crowded with people or situated at the center of noble activity.
A village was the most reasonable choice.
Aside from being far from the circle of influence of the local nobility, life in a village also provided a peace of mind that was difficult to find in cities.
Of course, villagers usually had fairly strict social rules regarding relationships between people and religious beliefs.
Even so, compared to life in dense places such as cities, villages still offered far greater mental peace.
Naturally, physical dangers from wild animals still existed.
But the power he obtained seven years ago gave him confidence that he could protect himself.
And more importantly, protect his family.
Green Pine Village.
That was the name of the small settlement where he now lived.
A remote village located quite far even from the center of power of the Baron who officially ruled this territory.
From the information he had gathered before, Baron Glutherz was a loyal follower of Duke Glutstein.
Unfortunately, that was the extent of the information he had managed to obtain.
Digging deeper into the relationship between the duke and the nobles within his domain would only attract unnecessary attention.
That was a risk he had no intention of taking.
Around the village stretched vast forests and mountains that served as the primary source of livelihood for the villagers.
They hunted wild animals, gathered quality timber and firewood, and searched for various herbs to sell.
The endless forests and mountains became the foundation that sustained the village.
At the same time, they also formed a vast cage for the countless creatures living within them.
The dangers hidden inside that damp green wilderness could emerge at any moment.
For the residents of Green Pine Village, such risks had long become a part of everyday life.
But for James, becoming the hero of the village was not his concern right now.
He still needed to grow his own wings.
More importantly, he had to build the foundation of his family.
Not long after arriving in this village, he got married.
Through the combined effort of him and his wife, the small house that once held only two people had now grown into a lively home filled with five family members.
Irene Wieser.
James Wieser's wife had given birth to one daughter and two sons over the past five years.
A clear result of their hard work.
The villagers often praised the couple for how diligently they were building their family.
Some people did show a little envy.
However, it was the kind of envy that carried admiration rather than malicious jealousy toward the Wieser family.
The Wieser family name itself came from James's mother.
Ever since he decided to leave the county territory, he had completely abandoned the family name from his father's side.
Besides, using that name would only attract unnecessary suspicion.
Noble family names were not something common in this world.
Those names were exclusive.
Unlike the family names used by ordinary people, which were far more widespread among the general population.
———
"Father... when will you go hunting again? I want to come along."
"Charlotte, forget it. You will only make things harder for your father."
"Is that true, Mother? Or are you just worried about me being alone with Father?"
Irene's brows immediately knitted together after hearing the open provocation from her daughter. It had been almost a year since that habit first appeared. Her daughter often started small arguments whenever she found the opportunity.
Sometimes Charlotte even deliberately made mischievous gestures that were clearly meant to provoke her mother.
James had to admit one thing.
His daughter had truly inherited Irene's personality.
Not only her tendency to feel jealous, but also her proactive nature when it came to provoking others simply for her own amusement. Especially when the target was her mother.
Charlotte seemed to enjoy watching Irene become irritated.
However, the little girl was also quite clever. She knew exactly where the boundary was. She also understood something very clearly.
Her father almost never scolded her.
Unless she deliberately did something wrong.
Charlotte was now five years old. Two months ago she had just celebrated her fifth birthday.
For James, watching the small quarrels between mother and daughter often became a rather enjoyable form of entertainment.
After all, it was not every day that he could see Irene this annoyed.
In his opinion, Irene also needed to learn how to deal with her own temperament. And as it happened, that very temperament now existed in their daughter.
Deep down, James even supported how Charlotte was becoming increasingly bold in teasing her mother in such an adorable way.
Irene's gaze eventually shifted toward James, who was sitting not far away.
The man's face almost revealed a smile.
But thanks to his past life experience, he managed to restrain it quite well.
"James, this child is becoming more and more like you. Stubborn and unwilling to back down."
Her tone carried clear irritation.
"It annoys me every day."
James remained silent for a moment.
"If you keep spoiling her like this, she will only grow more arrogant and start doing whatever she wants."
"Come on, dear. You are exaggerating."
James shrugged casually.
"She is still a child. Besides, if they truly behave badly, I will be the one to discipline them."
Charlotte immediately smiled with satisfaction after hearing that defense.
Without hesitation, she walked toward her father and climbed onto his lap.
Ever since her two younger brothers had started crawling and walking, she rarely sat on her father's lap anymore. That place was usually taken over by her two younger brothers.
But today, they were taking their afternoon nap.
An opportunity like this could not be wasted.
Especially since their mother was also in the same room.
Charlotte immediately took advantage of the moment.
After sitting comfortably, she turned toward Irene and displayed a mischievous smile.
An obvious provocation.
Irene was naturally not pleased to see that expression. Without saying much, she walked closer.
Her hand rose and gently pinched Charlotte's cheek.
The little girl's fair skin immediately turned red, leaving a temporary mark on her soft cheek.
"Ouch... Mother, that hurts."
Charlotte complained while looking at her mother, who now wore a satisfied smile after pinching her.
A few seconds later, Charlotte looked up at her father.
Her gaze seemed to be asking for help.
But James simply turned his face away as if he had seen nothing.
Seeing that reaction, Charlotte clicked her tongue softly.
Then she muttered in a voice clear enough to make both of her parents immediately stiffen.
"Father is always like that. Afraid of Mother."
She paused for a moment.
"Even though Mother often screams in pain in the master bedroom when she is with Father at night."
Her gaze shifted from her father to her mother.
"If that is the case, why does Father seem afraid of Mother during the day?"
"Ahem..."
"Ahem..."
James and Irene coughed almost at the same time, trying to hide their embarrassment.
Both of them clearly understood what Charlotte meant.
After all, they were the cause of the sounds their daughter had once overheard.
James chose not to respond to the embarrassing remark.
He quickly lifted Charlotte from his lap and stood up from his chair.
Then he turned toward Irene and began speaking.
"I will head to the livestock area. It is time to feed the little animals."
James understood the situation very well. He also knew that his daughter would not stop teasing them if they all remained in the main room of the house.
One of them had to leave so that this embarrassing atmosphere could settle down.
Irene replied without hesitation.
"Alright."
James prepared to step outside the house.
But before he could move far, Charlotte suddenly grabbed his hand.
Her pinkish-red hair stood out quite clearly. The color contrasted sharply with her pitch-black eyes.
That unusual black eye color came from the major genetic changes that had occurred to James after receiving the reward from the system in the past.
The restructuring of his blood and bones down to the DNA level had truly changed his eye color. Eyes that were once sky blue had turned into deep black.
The dark brown hair he inherited from his mother had also changed into jet black, matching his eyes.
Charlotte tugged on her father's hand in a spoiled manner.
Her movement looked natural, not something forced.
"Father, take me with you."
"Alright, dear. But do not ignore Father's words. Stay close to me, or the chickens at the farm might peck you."
Charlotte immediately puffed her cheeks.
"Hmm... Father, you make it sound like I am a naughty child."
James chuckled at her response. He reached out and gently stroked his daughter's hair.
"Is that not the case? Your mother would certainly agree."
"That is correct. My daughter is indeed very naughty."
Irene immediately used the opportunity to tease her daughter, who was now standing beside James with a sulking face.
"Be careful. The chickens there might get angry because you are not respectful toward your father."
Charlotte's pout deepened.
Irene added casually.
"Look at you. Those chickens will probably enjoy pecking you even more if they see a face like that."
"Father! Look at Mother..."
Charlotte immediately complained.
But James certainly could not scold Irene.
If he did, there was a high chance he would not be allowed to sleep with her tonight. Irene was very sensitive whenever her husband chose to defend someone else in front of her.
Even if that person was their own child.
James only gave his daughter a gentle smile before lifting the small girl into his arms.
"Alright. Father will carry you like this. How about it?"
Charlotte's face immediately brightened.
"Hehehe... of course, Father."
The two of them then walked toward the livestock area not far from their home.
Charlotte remained in her father's arms, while James walked with his usual relaxed steps.
Inside the house, Irene still stood alone in the main room.
Her face still carried a trace of irritation.
She looked at the wooden chair where James had been sitting earlier, then let out a quiet sigh while speaking softly to herself.
Even though she often argued with her daughter in small ways, that anger only existed on the surface.
Deep in her heart, Irene clearly understood one thing.
Charlotte resembled her far more than she resembled James.
Especially in attitude and behavior.
She still remembered her own childhood quite clearly.
The time before both of her parents died.
Because of that, she often felt as if she were seeing the reflection of her younger self through her daughter.
She loved Charlotte.
She cared deeply for her.
However, if she were completely honest with herself, that love still could not surpass the feelings she had for her husband.
Irene loved her children.
But in her heart, they would always come second.
She understood that reality very clearly.
And Irene had never once regretted it.