Chapter 191: Precedent and Pathway
Ace plucked several strands of his hair and handed them to Bayen, saying with a solemn expression:
“Emissary Bayen! I entrust a mission to you. Tomorrow, you will use the Lesser Transformation Spell to transform into my likeness and lead the apprentices to the northern mining area to eliminate the Monsters along the road and in the mining area.
You are the most proficient in perception and transformation spells among my apprentices. You also have the valuable experience of leading everyone in the escape from the Northern March. In terms of both ability and experience, you are the one I trust the most.
My assistant, Sharp, will accompany you. You can discuss and decide everything with him.
If you encounter any danger on this trip, prioritize the safety of the apprentices. You must bring them back intact.”
Bayen solemnly accepted Ace’s hair. He did not ask why he had to transform into Ace. If Ace wanted to tell him, he would have; if not, he just needed to execute the mission willingly.
He said solemnly: “Emissary Bayen obeys the will of the Torch-Bearer. I will eliminate the Monsters occupying the route and the mining area while ensuring the safety of the apprentices.”
Ace touched Bayen’s Magic Badge. Accompanied by the pulse of Mana, the entire hexagram pattern on the badge lit up.
“There should be no problem now. I will notify the apprentices to gather here early tomorrow morning.”
The next day, Bayen transformed into Ace and led all the Wizard Apprentices, including “Sharp,” with great fanfare to clear out the Monsters.
Ace, meanwhile, knocked out a barbarian leader, transformed into his likeness, and mingled among them.
“The Wizards have all left. This is our best chance!”
As soon as “Ace” and the others left the settlement, a barbarian leader digging a canal by the river shouted impatiently.
“Keep your voice down. Some of those southerners understand our language. Don’t let them find out.”
Another leader covered the shouting leader’s mouth and whispered.
“Do not rush. We must be patient and wait a day to see.”
A burly, muscular barbarian said steadily. He was the former Grand Leader of the barbarian tribal alliance in the valley.
At night, it was the new moon, and pitch black.
“We should act! Take back everything that belongs to us!” a leader said impatiently.
“Don’t rush. Listen to what the Grand Leader says first.” A white-haired barbarian old man said.
“There is no moon tonight. While they are asleep, we will use blowguns to secretly kill the guards, seize the southerners’ weapons, then set fire to this place, take the grain and livestock, and take the opportunity to escape with some trustworthy people.”
The Grand Leader said to the group with a resolute face.
“Why not take everyone?” a barbarian leader asked in confusion.
“Because there are too many people, and the target is too big. There are nearly a hundred Shamans here! No tribe in the entire Larr Mountains is more powerful than this place!
If they didn’t make us work like slaves every day, we wouldn’t have to flee!
After leaving the valley, we will go north to join the Fire Bull Tribe. The Grand Leader there is my sworn brother. We will borrow a Shaman from him and find a place to rebuild a new tribe!”
The Grand Leader answered in a seductive tone.
The barbarian leaders had had enough of the daily hard labor. They cheered, shouted slogans, and looked forward to a future without hard labor. They split up to find the barbarians they trusted, gathering nearly 300 people.
Ace listened quietly from the side. These barbarians were all former upper-class members of the tribes. They felt deep resentment over losing their authority and status. Waiting until all these people had gathered and tasks were assigned, a smile appeared on Ace’s lips.
The fish are all here. It’s time to pull in the net!
He quietly unfurled the Soul Spell Illusion Barrier. Accompanied by the pulse of Mana, all the barbarians present fell into an illusion.
With the arrival of Leon leading armed Reserve Citizens, the brewing riot vanished into nothingness.
Early the next morning, Leon gathered all the Reserve Citizens and Freemen of the settlement and publicly announced the crimes of these 300 people.
“This shameful, lazy, insidious, and vicious criminal force attempted to subvert the great High Tower Territory and harm innocent people. We cannot let them go!
All Reserve Citizens present will form a Jury Court to judge these sinners!”
Subsequently, under the observation of the Freemen, the Reserve Citizens skillfully formed a Jury Court. Leon conveyed the opinion of the Torch-Bearer, Lifetime Archon of the High Tower Territory, Ace.
“These people are guilty of heinous crimes. According to Lord Torch-Bearer’s suggestion, I propose sentencing them all to become Sin-bearing Slaves without possibility of liberation. They will labor endlessly in ropes and shackles, and simultaneously become experimental materials for the great Wizards!”
The Freemen present were the lower class of the barbarians. They watched with some schadenfreude as their former high-and-mighty leaders were judged.
Some Freemen turned pale when they heard the verdict. Watching these former leaders being shackled, they felt the majesty of the Territory Jury Court. Being a slave was certainly miserable, and being experimental material sounded even worse.
This was Ace’s purpose in allowing the rebellion: to draw out latent instability, use severe punishment to deter the barbarian Freemen, and create a judicial precedent where those who commit serious crimes become slaves and serve as a source of experimental materials for the territory’s Wizards in the future.
Wizard experiments necessitated human subjects. If not handled well in the territory, it could lead to serious ethical issues and unrest.
Ace believed the best and most reasonable source was enemies and serious criminals. This group happened to fit both categories, providing a rare demonstration opportunity.
As for the territory’s laws, a unique legal system had not yet formed. They temporarily used the customary and statutory laws of Medimus City-State. More suitable laws would be promulgated once the territory’s construction was basically complete.
At this stage, the population was small, and a complex legal system was unnecessary. Simple ordinances combined with the management of the Public Security Department were sufficient.
Ace did not intend to promulgate any advanced laws. Everything would develop according to the current situation, drafted by his talented subordinates based on actual conditions, and he would just review and confirm them.
The only problem now was the lack of talent and the small population from civilized nations. Perhaps the plan to raid the Ace Estate could be put on the agenda. He also wanted to bring his parents over so the family could live together.
After judging the rebels, Leon announced to everyone according to Ace’s wishes. His voice was not loud, but under the effect of Ace’s Amplification Spell, everyone present heard it clearly.
“According to the will of His Excellency the Lifetime Archon of the High Tower Territory, all Freemen who change to a Common Language name, wear civilized clothing, pass the Common Language speaking exam, pass the Work Point assessment within three years, and have no criminal record can become Reserve Citizens and are eligible to apply for public office in the Administration Office.
All Reserve Citizens who pass the Common Language writing exam, have no criminal record, and pass the Work Point assessment within five years can become Formal Citizens.
And Formal Citizens will be eligible to use five years of accumulated Work Points to exchange for the stepping stone to the path of Wizardry: a one-time Lesser Permanent Mental Blessing. As long as they achieve Mental Overdrive under the blessing, Lord Torch-Bearer will grant them a Grimoire, forge a covenant with them, and guide them onto the path of Magic!”
The crowd was silent for a moment, then began to whisper and discuss.
As humans, they all yearned for higher status, more wealth, and greater power. Now the pathway had opened before them. Any Freeman or Reserve Citizen with a bit of ambition was invigorated.
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