Building A Human Empire By Creating A Clan [EN]: Chapter 9

As the gate vanished, the landscape of the Great Plains stretched before me.

It was as if the magnificent and imposing spectacle from moments ago had been nothing more than a vivid dream.

I sighed deeply, taking in the simple, rural scenery.

‘Not easy,’ I thought.

I raised my right hand and rubbed my head.

Thanks to the Iron Man’s effect [likely referring to a skill or ability that reduces mental strain], I felt no immediate tension, but still, the situation had been incredibly precarious.

I had been walking a tightrope with my life on the line, and the mental fatigue was considerable, knowing I could have died at any moment.

“You’ve worked hard,” Calliope said, approaching and draping a coat over my shoulders.

I noticed a hint of regret in her eyes.

As my subordinate, she was connected to my thoughts, allowing me to vaguely sense her feelings. She was likely blaming herself for not being able to assist me more effectively.

I chuckled and thumped my armor with my fist.

“What goes up must come down. If you didn’t like today, just make tomorrow better.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“Hmm.”

I turned my gaze to the man standing behind Calliope.

It was Griff, the subordinate I had summoned at the conference, much to the attendees’ surprise.

“You’ve worked hard too.”

“Not at all,” Griff replied, placing his right hand on his chest with an exaggerated gesture. He squinted slightly and bowed shallowly.

“Isn’t it a child’s duty to serve their creator and father?”

His words were formal, but his tone was playful, lacking the seriousness he had displayed at the Assembly.

That must have been an act, and this was his true self.

I smiled and patted Griff’s shoulder.

【Lv. 59】

Looking at his level, he was nearly three times stronger than Anton, who had died by Raeragon’s gesture. However, compared to the attendees of the Assembly, he was still among the weakest.

Summoning Griff when I was under pressure from the Assembly had been a gamble.

If I hadn’t created a situation where they would misjudge my intentions, I would have been exposed. It was a high-risk move, but the potential reward made it worthwhile.

‘The only territory I obtained in Seodret is this, Ollimus,’ I mused.

Considering that Ollimus consisted of fewer than twenty households, calling myself a village chief rather than a lord wouldn’t be far from the truth.

‘But now I’ve obtained dozens of times more territory from the Assembly, so I’m at least qualified to be called a lord in terms of area.’

I turned around and looked at Kistler.

The village chief of Ollimus had remained with a few others after I left, waiting for my return.

“Edar-nim…” he said, his voice filled with emotion.

As the sun set, silence hung heavy over the frontier village.

Most of the pioneers had abandoned their homes and fled.

They must have been convinced that I wouldn’t return, believing that only hunters would come back. With the Elf gone, many must have fled to save themselves.

“It’s understandable given the state of this world, but it’s still disheartening.”

“I… I’m sorry,” Kistler stammered.

“Why is it your fault? It’s the fault of those who had the duty to protect you but were weak.”

A lord is like a king in their territory, but they also have a duty to protect their people.

However, in this world, human lords are often the only ones who don’t understand this duty.

It was reasonable for them to flee while the newly appointed lord became bait. The fact that a dozen or so people remained and waited was surprising.

“Kistler.”

“Yes, Edar-nim.”

“Do you know where other frontier villages are around here?”

“I do. Since it’s a frontier, we often interact with each other…”

“Good.”

I instructed Calliope to relay my words to Kistler.

“When the sun rises tomorrow, ride a horse and tell all the frontier villages within this territory: I, Edar, am now your master.”

“Yes?”

“Non-human races have acknowledged that this land is mine. There will be no more human hunting in my land. You will no longer have to fear hunting, be unable to raise livestock, hide your grains, or sacrifice your families.”