Chapter 45: Let Go and Take Action

Lilia’s voice rang clear and melodic as she recounted every detail of what had transpired. Victor fell into deep contemplation.

Victor welcomed all free folk who sought refuge at his camp, and so, the leaders of these free folk had each placed their own spies within his camp, believing themselves well acquainted with its inner workings. They failed to realize, however, that Victor understood their own backgrounds even better.

The Hill Camp had now gathered over a hundred free folk, and Victor carefully recorded all he learned from their accounts. At present, Victor’s domain hosted eleven free folk camps: two large camps, three medium-sized camps with over a hundred people, and six smaller camps each with fewer than a hundred, totaling over a thousand souls.

Victor possessed knowledge of the names, characters, close associates, and spheres of activity of each camp leader. Collating and updating this information over time, he discovered that, aside from Bayer of Lake Village, all other free folk leaders were domineering and ruthless. They assembled strong followers, oppressed the weak, and employed brutal methods to suppress any who dared defy them—until everyone grew accustomed to their rule.

Now, these leaders had become the greatest obstacle to Victor’s recruitment of the free folk.

Victor had assumed that, upon hearing they could gain the status of a subject simply by joining the Hill Camp, the free folk would flock to him. Reality proved otherwise. At first, a few trickled in, but not many. Investigation revealed they had sneaked over while out foraging, fearful that their leaders would prevent them from leaving.

This realization impressed upon Victor the rebelliousness and ambition of the free folk leaders. To intimidate them, he once sent his guards to parade the ogre’s severed head throughout the domain.

Indeed, this shook the leaders greatly. They no longer dared to openly oppose Victor’s policies, and the number of free folk joining his camp steadily increased.

But intimidation alone was insufficient. Over time, the leaders grew more familiar with their lord’s situation, and now strictly prevented their followers from escaping their control. To stop their people joining the Hill Camp, they imposed severe restrictions and punished escapees with extreme bloodshed.

The most obvious change was that fewer and fewer free folk joined Victor’s camp. Those who managed to do so often arrived battered and terrified, clearly pursued and brutalized. In the past two days, not a single new arrival had been seen.

By questioning recent arrivals, Victor learned the minds of these free folk leaders: unwilling to surrender their power and position, they knew Victor had no knights under his command, and that the fearsome ogre had been slain by a York family knight, who would soon depart. They intended to wait for the York knight to leave before negotiating with Victor, hoping to safeguard their current status.

Victor was vexed. He desperately needed the free folk to reinforce his camp and mask the presence of the alchemical humans.

For days, he searched for a solution, never expecting the free folk leaders would dare shoot dead a would-be recruit in front of his own subjects.

This enraged Victor deeply. If they could kill a hopeful free folk so brazenly, would they not, in time, turn their violence upon his own subjects?

Anger gave way to a sense of helplessness and defeat. Victor began to doubt whether his gentle methods were mistaken. After all, this was no longer the familiar Earth, nor the orderly royal capital of Gambis.

“Lilia, what do you make of this?” Victor now sought the opinion of the young mercenary.

“My lord, I believe they need to be taught a lesson,” Lilia said softly.

“Be more specific.”

“My lord, the reason these free folk leaders dare act as they do is because they think we’re not strong enough, so…”

Lilia stole a glance at Victor’s expression, saw his encouraging gaze, and steeled herself to continue: “So, we must give them a lesson in blood. Let them know who truly rules this land!”

“We need to kill a few disobedient ones. If that’s not enough to intimidate them, then keep killing until all who refuse to obey are gone!”

This answer was expected by Victor, but hearing such cold, matter-of-fact words from a beautiful young girl unsettled him.

“My lord… did I say something wrong? That’s how we’ve always dealt with them…” Seeing Victor’s solemn expression, Lilia asked timidly.

Lilia was fond of Victor from the very beginning—what girl wouldn’t be attracted to a handsome, elegant young baron? Yet, it was a secret admiration only.

Lilia was well aware of her status: a mercenary, a free folk girl—how could the lord possibly notice her? It was destined to be a dream.

Yet, the dream was becoming reality. Ever since Victor began teaching her how to manage the camp’s affairs, everyone assumed she would become the lord’s lawful companion. This brought Lilia both joy and anxiety. She strove to learn, to excel in every task, unwilling to disappoint Victor, though he had never made his intentions clear.

Lately, Victor had started instructing her in noble etiquette. Lilia studied diligently, working to adopt the speech and outlook of the nobility. She wished to change herself, to become worthy of standing by his side.

But Victor’s grave expression frightened her. She was sure she had said something wrong, failed to behave as a noble’s close maid, and remained the coarse mercenary girl she’d always been. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Victor, seeing her aggrieved look, was both amused and moved. He spoke gently: “Lilia, you didn’t say anything wrong. I wanted your honest opinion. But…”

Victor paused, then asked, “Lilia, have you ever killed anyone?”

His gentle tone eased her nerves, and she answered truthfully after a moment’s thought: “Yes. When I was twelve.”

“Have you ever considered that those you killed were flesh and blood, that they felt pain and fear, and that their loved ones grieved for them? Did you think of these things?”

Victor was slightly agitated. He had ended the lives of several werewolves with his own hands, but they were man-eating beasts—at least that’s how he saw them. Now, he faced a decision that frightened even himself. It was not something to take lightly.

“I didn’t think much about it. I grew up in the mercenary band. My parents died when I was very young. Besides Brother Nelson, I once had a sister and a brother—they died too, killed by the free folk. One day, when the band was out on a mission, a group of free folk attacked our base. Those left behind were the old, weak, women, and children. We lost many, but managed to drive them off. That day, I shot two free folk myself, and lost my brother and sister. Afterwards, the band wiped out the attackers. In truth, those free folk were just trying to survive, like us, but thought we were weak and attacked.”

Her calm account struck Victor profoundly. He finally felt, firsthand, that this was not a peaceful world, but one governed by the law of the Black Forest, where civilization existed only between nobles.

“You’re right. We must give them a lesson in blood,” Victor said hoarsely after a moment’s silence.

“My lord, am I too coarse?” Lilia didn’t concern herself with Victor’s decision, but hung her head and asked anxiously.

“No. In fact, I like your true self. But in future, when you help me manage this land, you’ll have to deal with other nobles, so…”

“Really?!” Lilia cried out in delight, not waiting for Victor to finish.

Her heart soared—this was the first time Victor had given her a clear answer. Happiness enveloped her, leaving her dizzy. Noble restraint was forgotten.

“What’s wrong? Are you unwilling to be my close maid?” Victor teased her.

Lilia shook her head quickly, then realized it was wrong, so she nodded, then panicked, finally exclaiming, “I am willing! I truly am!” Her face flushed as soon as the words left her lips.

Victor laughed heartily at her adorable confusion, his gloom dispelled.

“All right, go fetch your brother. I need his agreement, and I have tasks for him,” Victor said softly.

“Hmph! He wouldn’t dare disagree!” Lilia pouted, her lips rosy and proud.

Nelson and Lilia were siblings, but sixteen years apart; Nelson cared for her like both brother and father, doting on her.

“Oh, my lord, one more thing—I must tell you about the newcomer, Reynold. I find him suspicious. We should investigate him secretly.” Lilia, instead of leaving, spoke earnestly.

“Oh? What have you noticed?” Victor felt a jolt but maintained a calm facade.

“Reynold is incredibly strong. Aside from my brother, no one in camp could match him. With such strength, he ought to be a free folk leader—so why join us alone? And he pretends to be a fool. I find him very suspicious.”

Victor sighed inwardly. This was why he forbade the Battle Bear members from meddling in free folk affairs—they were far more vigilant than ordinary subjects.

“One Reynold is nothing. Once the domain grows, even stronger knights will join us. Lilia, remember—your status is different now. As a leader, we must welcome powerful people.”

“But…”

“I’ll instruct Morin to watch Reynold. If he truly wishes to serve, I won’t care about his past. Lilia, we especially need capable people now. Understand that. Now, fetch Nelson.” Victor cut her off, reaching out to gently stroke her smooth cheek.

Sure enough, Lilia blushed, nodded, and left without further hesitation, softly murmuring assent. Victor’s intimate gesture left her flustered.

Soon, Nelson stood before Victor. Though he tried to restrain himself, his face could not hide his joy.

On one hand, Victor was finally confirming Lilia’s status—something Nelson had long hoped for. On the other, Victor was at last prepared to act against the free folk, a move Nelson had long awaited.

“Nelson, I am fond of Lilia, and wish to make her my close maid. Now, I need your opinion,” Victor smiled, though he felt some guilt and unease. After all, he was about to take another man’s sister as his concubine.

Nelson scratched his head, intending to say something polite, but instead answered simply and decisively: “I agree.”

Victor nodded, stood, and addressed Nelson solemnly: “I promise you—I will treat Lilia well, cherish her, protect her, and strive to make her happy. You may rest assured.”

Victor’s earnestness moved Nelson deeply. He bowed low and said, “Thank you, my lord!”

“All right, it’s settled. Now, let’s discuss the free folk problem.”

Victor motioned for Nelson to sit and asked, “If we take no action against the free folk, what do you foresee?”

“My lord, the best outcome is the status quo, as we have now. The worst is that they unite and attack us!”

Nelson continued gravely, “But we cannot accept either. This land must have only one voice—yours, my lord! It’s not about making them understand, but ensuring it is so!”

Victor understood. These leaders were like hyenas—opportunists who would tear you apart if they sensed weakness. They must be eliminated or driven out, just as a tiger would never let hyenas roam its territory.

“Do you have a plan?” Victor asked softly, finally resigned to this path.

“My lord, I plan to wipe out the three medium-sized free folk camps first. Let everyone know that, even without knights, we are not to be challenged!” Nelson replied calmly.

Nelson had long prepared for this. The two large camps were still beyond their reach, and attacking the small camps would not intimidate all. Thus, the three medium camps were his targets.

“What will happen afterward?” Victor asked. He had no doubt Nelson could take the camps—he knew Nelson’s strength rivaled most knights.

“Afterward, some leaders will leave with their followers. Some will seek shelter in Lake Village. Some will be killed by their own people, who will then bring their heads to us,” Nelson said with disdain. He knew these people too well.

Victor nodded. This was acceptable. The eastern camp was secretly run by the Chebman family, who actually controlled that land. For now, acceptance was the only option. Lake Village, with its numbers and strength, rivaled the Hill Camp. A direct assault would be too costly. Besides, Lake Village was now nominally Victor’s subjects, and began to pay tribute regularly. So long as they paid, their strength would wane while Victor’s would grow. Moreover, Victor had already laid plans to destabilize them from within.

Victor took out a parchment and began writing with a quill, then stamped it heavily with his lord’s seal. He handed it to Nelson.

It was an official order to suppress bandits, declaring that a group of outlaws was entrenched in his domain, and he was now commanding the captain of his guards to exterminate them.

This document was crucial for Nelson—it meant his actions were authorized by Victor, and all consequences would be borne by Victor himself.

Ordinary lords would never sign such a document lightly; if the Radiant Church investigated, it could spell trouble. Thus, lords often hired mercenary bands to deal with unruly free folk—a little trick in the struggle between nobles and church.

“I won’t let you down!” Nelson took the document silently, his voice cold and tinged with blood.

“Nelson!” As Nelson turned to leave, Victor called out.

Nelson waited for his lord’s command. Victor spoke quietly.

“Do whatever it takes.”

Nelson looked deeply at Victor, then left, radiating murderous intent.

Originally, Victor had wanted Nelson to spare the oppressed, but this would be a fight to the death—who could distinguish friend from foe, who could guarantee safety? It was best for amateurs not to interfere with professionals.

Heaven helps those who help themselves. If you have numbed yourself and abandoned the struggle against fate, then accept the destruction that follows.