We got out of the mine with my guards. I was just about to keep walking when something came to mind.
Should I really just leave this place like this? I didn't even take the heavy iron door. What if someone else finds out about the things we got from the throne room?
No, I shouldn't leave it like that.
I turned back with a smile and started talking. "Boys, wait. I have an amazing job for you before we leave."
Everyone's smiles vanished instantly.
"My lord, can't we just go?" Casin asked.
"Shut up and listen to me." This Casin talks back in every situation.
"I don't want this place to be empty. Just find some goblins and put them in there. I'm sure those rats can multiply in no time."
They looked at each other.
"Is just a small group fine, my lord?"
"Yeah, that's fine. Go. I'll be waiting with Tonsen nearby."
After half an hour, four of them came back with seven half-dead goblins.
"Sigh… Just put them in the cave and make sure they're not dead."
We began our journey after that. While we were walking, one of the guards started talking.
"My lord, why did we even come here? Did you know there was a treasure?"
"Nope. Just for training. But while we were out, I wanted to check the mine too. This one seems small, so maybe it's not the right one. Or maybe this is the new mine and there's an older one too."
"What do you all think?"
"My lord, you are so smart."
"I think so too."
"You lot—at least try to give a useful opinion. No, I hope too much. It's enough if you just give any opinion, useful or not."
They nodded awkwardly, a bit embarrassed.
For the next two days, I talked. They listened and said yes to whatever I said.
"We're finally here. You lot go to your houses and take it easy for a while."
"And don't tell anyone about what we found in that mine."
"Yes, my lord," they said seriously.
"Tonsen, come meet with me tomorrow afternoon." I need to make you my right-hand man, you bold fool.
At that moment, I saw some guards approaching us.
The town looked better. Walls, towers, and roads were all half-finished. Once complete, it'll look even better. But population's still a problem.
"My lord, welcome back. Allow me to escort you," the guards said after saluting.
"Yeah, lead the way."
We started moving. I saw fields stretching toward the open plains, people going in and out of the village, working.
They looked happier than before.
Before I knew it, we arrived at my manor. The moment I stepped in—
"My lord, you're finally back!" Allia rushed in front of me and knelt.
"I can't do this anymore. All this work is exhausting."
"Okay, get up. At least your sisters didn't destroy the town. That's good enough."
"It's already late, so let's leave the work for tomorrow."
I pulled her up and began walking toward my room. "I'm too tired for anything. Just prepare a report for me to read in the morning."
I entered my room, changed clothes, and fell asleep the second my head hit the pillow.
The Next Morning
I woke up and looked around blankly for a moment.
"Fuck, I've been really tired lately. I might be getting lazy."
"My lord, may I come in?" a maid's voice came from outside the door.
"Yes, come in." After the morning routine, I went to the audience room.
"All right, Allia, you can begin the report."
Fishing Village of Orin – Yesterday, Right Before Dawn
"Lord Orec, do you have any other orders?"
"No, there's nothing. You may take your leave."
Tch, what orders? You humans should all be dead. Well, it won't be long before you are anyway.
I walked out of Orec's house and headed toward a hut just outside the village.
I checked the surroundings and went in.
"Sorin, you're finally here."
"Yeah, I'm here," I nodded.
"Is everyone ready?"
"Yep, no problem. Tonight, we'll attack and kill that bastard."
"Yeah, after that we can take control of the militia he recruited and protect ourselves from the other humans."
All five of them started talking and giving their opinions.
"Are you all sure? I heard they're not even human. Orec doesn't look weak either."
I slammed my fist against the wall. "What do you know? Humans are the enemy. We should kill them."
He looked intimidated.
"If you don't want to, go back now. It'll be too late later."
He looked conflicted for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, I'm in too."
We waited until nightfall and snuck toward Orec's house.
Orec's POV
These people aren't very friendly. Lord Evander should be back soon—I can get his opinion too.
Let's get to bed. It's already late.
I was getting ready to sleep when I heard a sound from outside. Someone was opening the lock.
"What's going on?" I grabbed my sword and shield and jumped out the window.
"What the fuck was that?" one of them said, surprised.
Six of them. They looked like villagers. Sigh, I panicked for nothing.
After seeing who they were, I relaxed and began to attack.
They only had knives. This probably won't even be a challenge.
"You fucking human, I'll kill you!" Sorin, the helper I hired, attacked me.
"Why are you even doing this? I'm not even human!"
I sidestepped the knife and slit his throat in one motion.
"You weak bunch won't learn unless I beat you. I should've been tougher from the beginning."
I defended with my shield and rushed forward.
The villagers, shocked by Sorin's death, didn't even have a moment to breathe before I beheaded four of them and bashed the last one in the chest with my shield.
He was blown away and fainted on the spot.
"I should send a message to the Lord and make an example out of them too."
Let's tie this guy up and get some sleep. I can handle the rest in the morning.
I can't send a letter at night anyway. Nights have become too dangerous these days.