Chapter Seventy-Seven: Recruiting the Villagers

Jia Zhengjin communicated with Wolf in Mandarin, which the locals of this world could not understand. However, from the fierce look in Wolf’s eyes, the villagers sensed murderous intent and vaguely guessed the nature of their conversation, causing them all to huddle together in trembling fear.

“I want to kill them, but how would I explain it to Tina?” Jia Zhengjin waved his hand. “No, absolutely not!”

“Then why not keep them here?” Wolf suggested. “They could work as miners or lumberjacks, excavate minerals, fell trees, or even cultivate the fields and plant crops.”

“That’s a great idea!” Jia Zhengjin’s eyes lit up. Relying solely on the kobold miners had already sped up resource collection, but it was never enough when put to use. Moreover, after yesterday’s battle, he had discovered the kobold crossbowmen’s vulnerability; though deadly, they were easily wiped out! This sparked a new idea: he would forge a large number of iron armor and weapons, and form a heavily armored kobold force.

Next time, the armored kobolds would lead the charge, with the crossbowmen providing support from the rear. This would better protect his troops and eliminate enemies more efficiently. To achieve this, he needed more iron ore to smelt ingots.

With this in mind, he addressed the militiamen in their own tongue. “I spared you once out of mercy. Yet you attacked me again. For such actions, I ought to kill you.”

Hearing this, the militiamen’s faces turned pale with terror, and they pleaded desperately for their lives.

“But…” Jia Zhengjin looked around and continued, “You are all elders in Tina’s village and have often cared for her family.”

“Yes, Lord Keen, I have always been close with the Borlint family!”

“Lord Keen, I’m Borlint’s good friend, Tina’s uncle!”

“Lord Keen, when my shop opened, I often gave Tina snacks!”

“My daughter is Tina’s best friend!”

“My wife is Landis’s confidant!”

“Lord Keen…”

“Lord Keen…” The militiamen, desperate to survive, loudly proclaimed their connections with Tina’s family, hoping to be spared. Those who had a strained relationship with her family or rarely interacted looked anxious and uneasy.

Jia Zhengjin noticed everything and raised his hand to signal them to stop. The crowd immediately fell silent.

“I know you all acted under Alex’s pressure,” he said. “So I will give you a chance, and will not take your lives.”

“Thank you, Lord Keen!”

“Long live Lord Keen!”

“Thank you, Lord Keen! May the Goddess of Harvest bless you!”

“May the Goddess of Justice bless Lord Keen!”

“May the Fire God Blas protect you!”

“May the Wind God Antrell shield you!”

“May…”

Well, among these four or five hundred militiamen, there were more than a dozen faiths. This world’s gods were truly numerous!

Jia Zhengjin again signaled them to be quiet. “But I cannot let you return, for Alex would surely force you to come back and oppose me. Sending you back would only invite trouble! While you pose no threat to me, if my subordinates were to kill you, it would upset Tina deeply.”

“Lord Keen, then how do you plan to deal with us?” a bold voice asked.

“Neither killing nor releasing you is an option,” Jia Zhengjin said, surveying the crowd. “The only choice is for you to remain and serve me. You will work here—mining, logging, fishing, gathering, planting, breeding livestock. Use your skills to help me build a strong and prosperous city! In return, I’ll ensure your safety and provide you with a better life than you had in the village. As you can see, my base is still empty; it needs more buildings and people!”

The militiamen immediately began discussing among themselves; to them, survival was the best outcome.

“Lord Keen!” one called out after their deliberations. “We are willing to serve under your banner, but our families—parents, wives, children—remain in the village. The families of fallen friends are there too! Alex will surely use them against us. What should we do?”

“Is that a problem?” Jia Zhengjin replied loudly. “Can’t you see how vast this base is? Even if the entire village moved here, it wouldn’t fill the area! I’ll continue to expand deeper into the forest and eventually build a grand city. As long as you stay, Wolf will immediately bring your families and the other villagers here!”

“Lord Keen, do you have ambitions for the Empire of Gale?” a militiaman couldn’t help but ask, prompting those nearby to nudge him into silence.

“Ambitions?” Jia Zhengjin shook his head. “My only ambition is to build a peaceful, prosperous city here and spend my days happily playing games in the forest. Empire of Gale? I have no interest in that! As long as no one bothers me, I’ll stay here quietly for life. But if anyone dares declare war on me, I fear nothing!”

Upon hearing this, Buddy’s eyes flashed. If Lord Keen meant what he said, things were about to get exciting!

The Empire of Gale was united against outsiders. To the king, commoners were mere ants; he killed countless every day! Yet, if an ant was trampled by a foreigner—even accidentally—the king would rage, considering all subjects his private property.

Lord Keen had slain the village chief, so the town guards were dispatched. Now their captain was dead and the town guard destroyed; Alex would certainly seek help from the city guards.

There could be no doubt—the city guards would mobilize!

If they are defeated, the lord’s private guard or even the king’s elite soldiers would march out, determined to eradicate any foreigner, even if it meant going to war with another country!

This was why neighboring nations maintained cordial relations with the Empire of Gale, and outsiders always behaved strictly, never daring to overstep.

If Lord Keen truly intended to establish himself here, he would inevitably be drawn into a war against the kingdom. The question was whether he had the strength to topple the Empire of Gale.

Perhaps he did! Buddy glanced at Wolf. Since Lord Keen had won the allegiance of a werewolf warrior, Wolf was surely not the only one. If he commanded an entire tribe of werewolves, plus those mysterious kobold troops, it might just be possible!