Building A Human Empire By Creating A Clan [EN]: Chapter 36

‘So, it has come to this.’

I looked down from the ridge.

Tens of thousands of corpses were scattered below.

Familiars wandered among them, collecting the spoils of war.

The task was so immense, it seemed it would take them all night to finish.

I sat down on a stone, the setting sun at my back, and pondered.

‘It would have been better if Ugdashi had stepped down willingly.’

When I seized the territory of the Great Plains from the Council, and installed Count Dorin as a puppet ruler,

My goal was to solidify our internal affairs and prevent external invasion.

‘If he had yielded to the Council’s wishes, I would have halted our expansion at Dorin County and focused on internal stability.’

If Ugdashi had stepped aside, Pinto would have been powerless. And without Pinto’s interference, the northern lords would have remained uninvolved.

Why did I orchestrate Count Dorin’s death and frame the elves? No matter how lucrative the Lagoa gold mine was, no human lord would risk the suspicion of elven backing.

This was a tactic I often employed in my previous life, and it consistently proved effective.

‘But Ugdashi refused to step down.’

Ugdashi’s resistance thwarted my plans to gather Familiars and fully develop the gold mine, forcing me to divert resources from the Great Plains.

‘That initial plan was the most efficient.’

Because Ugdashi intervened, I couldn’t afford to leave him alive. As long as he lived, he would remain a threat.

Similarly, Pinto couldn’t be spared. He would inevitably follow Ugdashi’s lead and target me.

Therefore, eliminating them both became necessary.

‘The problem is that simply killing them isn’t the end of it.’

Even with Ugdashi gone, the Steel Mist Tribe remained – a tribe that had learned to trade with humans thanks to Pinto.

Having tasted human slaves, would they simply stand by?

‘More likely, they’ll run even wilder without Ugdashi’s control.’

That posed a greater threat, as I lacked the resources to oversee the entire Great Plains.

The number of Familiars was limited, making comprehensive territorial defense impossible. Dealing with enemies in large groups was far more challenging than handling scattered threats.

‘So, I had to annihilate Ugdashi and his entire tribe.’

That’s why I killed Ugdashi and subjugated his tribe.

The Familiars couldn’t exterminate them on their own. At the time, the Steel Mist Tribe numbered in the thousands, and not all of them had gathered yet. A few dozen Familiars couldn’t possibly hunt them down individually.

If they scattered, there would be no way to contain them. No matter how strong Calliope was, she was still just one person.

‘Annihilating them along with the northern lords gathered by Pinto was a drastic but certain solution.’

Now, the Steel Mist Tribe is gone. The northern Wallachian nobles are all dead, too.

Those who survived and fled are powerless and will fear me, believing I’m in league with orcs.

Someone might reveal the truth, as Pinto did, but I’ll have subjugated the north by then, rendering it irrelevant.

‘The workload is only increasing.’

Despite the territory expanding several times over, I felt no joy. What good is barren land?

I barely have enough manpower to develop the Great Plains as it is.

‘It hasn’t even been half a year since I took office in Ollimores.’

There was simply too much to do.

Cultivating fields, providing farming tools, building roads and walls, constructing residences, developing mines, distributing crops, raising livestock, improving systems, delegating tasks…

The list was endless, and none of it could be postponed.

‘Even the Council is interfering.’

I anticipated this when crossing the Gray Mountains, but their response came swiftly after the battle.

Their vigilance is remarkably high.

Depending on how things unfold, I might have to relinquish the north.

“Will you give it up?”

“No.”

That’s just what I’m saying to myself. I intend to hold onto what I’ve gained.

It might be too much to handle, but should I simply give it back? If I let it go, who knows when I’ll have another chance to reclaim it, and it will be more difficult then than it is now.

“Gehard.”

“Yes.”

Gehard knelt.

“Return to Turan and seize control of the soldiers Count Dorin had gathered.”

“What will you do with the Count?”

“What reason did he have to gather soldiers without authorization? He was playing both sides between Pinto and me. Deal with the Count and take direct control of Turan.”

“Understood.”

“Then, use the soldiers of Turan to occupy northern Wallachia.”

“Will I govern there as well?”

I nodded.

“There will be no more puppet rulers.”

Having eliminated Ugdashi and the northern nobles by using the Steel Mist Tribe, there’s no need to repeat the previous strategy.

“Northern Wallachia will be unified with Turan as its capital. You will be its governor.”

Direct rule would be ideal, but I can’t afford to be away from the Great Plains for long.

‘Without my direct oversight, accidents, coincidences, misunderstandings, and all sorts of nonsense will inevitably arise.’

They’ve already issued a summons for violating the agreement. Their intervention will only intensify.

The Great Plains serve as a crucial gateway between different races and humans. My presence there acts as a necessary check.

Therefore, I can’t abandon the Great Plains for an extended period.

“The governor’s authority encompasses everything necessary for governance.”

“Does that mean…?”

“If you deem it necessary, you can act without reporting to me.”

Making and enforcing laws,

Levying and collecting taxes,

Gathering and deploying troops,

Negotiating with foreign powers or other lords,

“Furthermore, I will instruct all Familiars assigned to the area to prioritize your orders. Select aides from among them to form the governor’s office and work in consultation.”

In essence, all authority – military, administrative, and judicial – is concentrated in your hands.

This isn’t solely because I can’t personally oversee northern Wallachia, but also because the north differs significantly from the frontier.

The frontier had a sparse population and lacked established history or traditions. Consequently, implementing laws as I saw fit met with little resistance.

Conversely, the north boasts a history and traditions spanning centuries. For instance, the Wolf Church, though resented in the frontier, plays a vital role in rural communities, managing property and maintaining harmonious relationships.

What would happen if I banned the Wolf Church as I did in the frontier?

‘Even with the right path in sight, blindly forcing it will only create chaos. True governance lies in pursuing change within stability.’

That’s why I’m concentrating authority.

“Don’t simply imitate my actions. It’s your responsibility to adapt to the specific circumstances.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“You must normalize the north, but never forget to encourage migration to the Great Plains. Even though the north is currently larger than Ollimores, our foundation remains in the Great Plains.”

Finally, I raised Gehard up and gripped his shoulder.

“Our rule now extends beyond Ollimores and its surroundings. Therefore, it’s no longer appropriate to call me the lord of Ollimores. I intend to create a new name.”

“A name?”

“I will abandon my surname, Seodret. Instead, I will adopt the name Lundringen and be known as Edar Lundringen.”

“Perhaps… does that name hold a special meaning?”

Of course, it holds a profound meaning.

As I whispered the meaning, the Familiars smiled.

“From now on, when you act as governor, use my surname.”

“Are you granting us a surname?”

“If you desire it.”

“Oh, oh…!”

Thoughts surged – not just Gehard’s, but everyone present.

The Familiars who heard my words reacted with palpable excitement.

It was merely the granting of a surname, yet their response was dramatic.

“As those who bear His Majesty’s surname, we will dedicate ourselves to achievements worthy of it.”

“We will dedicate our achievements.”

They bowed their heads slightly, but I sensed a firm resolve in their thoughts.

[Cooldown has been reset.]

[Time remaining until next use: None.]

[Familiar Creation skill is available.]

[Would you like to use it?]

The alarm flashed before my eyes.

As I activated the skill,

Ping—

Light erupted, brighter than when creating Gehard, on par with Calliope’s initial creation.

Purple light burst outwards, then shifted to gold.

The spreading golden light coalesced into a round circle, narrow on the sides and elongated vertically.

From within, a woman emerged.

“Did you summon me?”

A petite figure with long, braided purple hair cascading down her back.

Wearing a wide-brimmed pointed hat, she stood calmly before me.

“I am Pasimea. Who are you?”

Dark teal eyes stared at me haughtily.

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Golden Creator

Pasimea

Lv. 90

Grade: S

Traits: [Familiar], [Alchemy]

[Alchemy]

This character can turn stone into gold.

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“Edar.”

At my response, Pasimea placed a hand on her hip and narrowed her eyes.

“Just a name?”

“Surname is Lundringen. You’re welcome to use it, Pasimea.”

Pasimea smiled faintly.

“Pasimea Lundringen… It’s a bit masculine, but I like it.”

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[Acquired proficiency by using the Familiar Creation skill.]

[The grade of the Familiar Creation skill increases.]

[Grade: 2 stars -> 3 stars]

[Skill cooldown reduced to 12 hours.]

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