Chapter 801 (1/2)

Chapter 801: Endless City

Translator: TransN Editor: TransN

“Is this… really OK?” Through the commanding post’s window, Echo saw those Sand Nation civilians being whipped and tumbling on the ground. She could not help but feel sorry for them.

“They never knew what discipline was. They lived by the rule that ‘the Weak are Prey to the Strong’. If we’re to put these people into use sooner, other than sending them to war, this is the only way.” Iron Axe replied in respect. “You hadn’t been in the Southernmost Region for long and during that period, the chief was very concerned about you, so you might not be familiar with the small clans’ natures. Such a kind of discipline isn’t severe. One can even say it’s necessary, otherwise they would consider Osha a clan with no authority, weak and easy to bully.”

At this, he showed a rare hint of hesitation. “I think the reason that you’re not used to it is probably that… His Majesty is sometimes too benevolent.”

“Completely agreed.” Andrea, resting her upper body on the window sill, shrugged. “There is a saying among the nobles ‘carrots combined with sticks make the best way of ruling the subjects’. The bigger the carrots are, the more benevolent the Lord will be.”

“What are carrots?” Hummingbird asked in curiosity.

“They’re kind of food, similar to His Majesty’s corn, a sort of specialty of the Kingdom of Dawn,” Andrea explained. “But no matter how big the carrots are, they should always be much smaller than the sticks, which indicates that punishment should be more severe than awards so that the subjects would appreciate the favor. A Lord such as Roland would be considered a black sheep in the City of Glow.”

“Rare as it is, truthfully, I agree with you,” Ashes said while pouting.

“His Majesty is especially eloquent?” With her chin resting on her hands, Hummingbird thought for a while and said, “The words he taught Thuram to speak sound very reasonable… The collective power is definitely stronger than an individual’s power.”

“But Thuram merely repeated what Roland told him to say.” Iron Axe shook his head, smiling. “Without seeing Neverwinter personally, one can never imagine what an inconceivable new order His Majesty has established. I believe that one day in the future, Graycastle will become another Neverwinter, but that day is definitely not today… To make them remember the rules in the Soutern Territory, whips are more powerful than words.”

Echo slightly sighed without saying a word.

“Commander-in-chief.” A soldier suddenly walked into the commanding post and said, “There is a riot breaking out in the Fallingstone Clan and the Spring Clan. Some people are confronting the Defending Army.”

“For boarding the ship?” Iron Axe asked solemnly.

“Yes. Those who were squeezed into the water called for their families. They asked for the same amount of food and reward. They argued that it’s not that they didn’t want to go to the Blackwater Valley, but that the Osha had turned them down.”

“Alright. Who is guarding the camp?”

“The Second Battalion of Flintlock.”

“Call up two squads and those young Osha lads who wanted to join the First Army. Tell them to gather at the riot spot. I’ll be there right away.”

“Yes, Sir!”

Seeing that Iron Axe was about to leave, Echo could not help but call him and said, “Please don’t be too harsh on them.”

Iron Axe stood in the doorway quietly for a moment, bowed to her and then said, “I understand, Miss Silvermoon. I’ll do it in moderation.”

After Iron Axe left, Echo returned to the desk, feeling melancholy. The process of the Sand Nation’s relocation at the north did not go as smoothly as she expected. Although they could lead a well-off life as long as they follow His Majesty’s instructions, some people still took the message that Roland asked her to deliver as a lie. Even those who had gained a piece of fertile land did not completely trust her nor His Majesty.

Now she was sort of missing her life in Neverwinter.

Compared with leading the strongest clan, she preferred the time when she stood on the top of the castle, overlooked the mountains and the city, and sung the songs composed by His Majesty. When the melody that she had never heard of sounded, she could feel genuine freedom and happiness.