Book 11: Chapter 5


    This group of anthropoids was the exact same as humans, except that they resembled beasts more with their furry bodies.


    The children hid behind their mothers. Their mothers quietly tried to calm their children down, covering their mouths so that they wouldnt cry, acting as though I would eat the child who cried the loudest.


    I looked at them. They were a group of innocent citizens. They didnt participate in the war or the previous attack. Perhaps that was Leahs aplishment. She told them not to participate in this war. Morally speaking, I shouldnt harm them.


    I could still remember how my people met their end. I could still remember that stench of blood that clogged the air and those eyes filled with despair focused on me. I could still remember the way they looked at me. I still often saw the scene of them dead in my dreams. It was as though I could see all of their face as I stood in that darkness every night underneath the swaying candle. I could see their faces clearly.


    I took in a deep breath. I couldnt harm the people in front of me at this point in time. If I killed them, the remaining anthropoids wouldnt surrender to me. I couldnt let that happen. We were currently the victor, but if I showed no mercy, theyd fight me to the death. That would just be wasting my soldiers lives and Leahs efforts. I couldnt put the horse before the cart.


    I looked at Ling Yue and said, Ladies and gentlemen.


    Not all anthropoids know the elvennguage. Only the high anthropoids know it, since they interacted with the Queen. The lower anthropoids didnt get the opportunity to interact with her, so I needed Ling Yue to trante for me.


    Ling Yue looked at me and tranted for the people.


    I didnte to kill you or punish you. I know that this war has very little to do with you. Youre not the people who killed our humans. Its just that we belong to different camps. The ones who destroyed our rtionship are the higher tribes, so I wont be rude to you.


    Ling Yue tranted what I said. They seemed to rx a little, but they continued to watch me vigntly, nheless. That was normal, though, since there was a group of people with des behind them. That holds true when you dont trust the peace and friendship they speak of.


    I continued, Of course, that doesnt mean that I wont do anything to you. I am the victor of this war, which means that I have the authority to rule over you. You are now my spoil of war. You will be ruled, so you must obey mymands. I now stipte that everyone is to give me gold in order to be free citizens. Otherwise, I will sell you off as ves.


    Everybody is required to pay a hundred gold coins each or something of equal value. Now then, start. Those who cant give me either of them will be ves, and I will determine what happens to ves. Quartermaster, begin counting.


    I sat down to the side and looked at their exmations of despair.


    Normally, an ordinary citizen couldnt possibly pay a hundred gold coins even if they didnt drink and eat, and just worked in the fields for fifty years. Ling Yue was the one who told me the number. She said that only officials and sessful merchants would have that amount. Consequently, the group was bound to be my ves.


    Only a few went home. The others sat on the ground in despair as they looked at me, hugging their wife and child. They didnt take out any money, as it was impossible.


    After some time, a few bags were ced in front of me. It seemed those few individuals were wealthy merchants or local officials. It appeared the officials were all corrupt. I didnt know where they got the bag of equal in value gold from, but I was quite satisfied.


    I guess that means nobody else can satisfy my demand, then.


    I stood up and threw the bags into the quartermasters box. I went on, So, as we initially said, youre now my ves, which means I can do with you as I please. You wont have anyints, because I gave you a chance, but you didnt pay enough for your freedom. I could reduce the demand, but is your freedom worth that little?


    I couldnt help butugh in my mind, as I thought that their despair was because they considered their freedom to be cheap.


    I cleared my throat, and then said, Now then, here are my arrangements. Yournd, homes and all of your assets belong to me, for you are ves, and thus, dont need those things.


    I looked at their faces of despair. I felt an ecstatic feeling of conquest, but I didnt smile orugh.


    However, I dont need yournd and homes. I cant bring these things with me to war, so you can continue to live in your homes and continue farming. But, the climate in the North will soon change. When it changes, you must nt whatever crops I provide you with. You must punctually pay the taxes I assign, as well. I will not allow you to be behind in payments. Remember, youre now my ves. I gave you your homes out of benevolence, and the fields you are farming on are fields I bestowed you with. If you have any corrupt thoughts orints, I can kill you whenever I want, take your wife and kids, and take back your home andnd, as they are mine to begin with.


    That was my variation of Freyas original method that she employed at Troy City. I thought itd work very well with the group. Id throw them into despair first, taking everything from them, making them think that theyd lost everything. Then Id return their stuff to them as though I was bestowing them with a gift, and have them respectfully and reverently ept said gifts.


    <em>I feel as though Im starting to crave this feeling a little.</em>


    They looked as though they were on the brink of crying. They all looked at me as if they saw God. I snatched their property, but then I returned it all to them.


    If I wanted to rule the North, I had to deal with the people. I couldnt kill them. I could kill the low anthropoids and the people from the four tribes, but I couldnt kill the people who would serve me.


    At least not now.