Chapter Twenty-Three: What Do Their Lives or Deaths Have to Do with Me?

The Disaster of the Green Goblins—a calamity born from the excessive breeding and collective assaults of green goblins upon towns and villages. Such disasters are typically instigated by a Green Goblin King, capable of commanding its kin. In some ways, it resembles a locust plague, though its actual threat is less severe; generally, it can be contained effectively. Locusts, after all, fly and cannot be stopped, while green goblins can be. Human armies are typically able to halt the advance of green goblins.

The severity of a Green Goblin Disaster depends largely on the intelligence of its king. Most Green Goblin Kings simply gather their horde, attacking all living creatures nearby and breeding endlessly. This is easily resolved—kill the king, and the disaster ends.

Yet, should the king possess greater intelligence, matters become more complicated. Such a king will first hide, breeding slowly before launching its attack. The assault is not mindless, but purposeful and strategic, making shrewd use of its limitless reproductive power.

For example, it might dispatch small groups to slip past enemy lines, hiding in the forests to breed quietly, then, once their numbers swell, they would attack everything around them.

History records the most cunning Green Goblin King, whose tactics forced all races to live behind towering walls. In the end, it was said that only divine intervention brought an end to its reign.

Presently, the Green Goblin King in the Death Marshes is evidently of the less intelligent sort, causing trouble without having bred many followers.

Qin Le gazed at Count Dana, tapping his forefinger upon the table. “Count Dana, the Green Goblin Disaster has yet to threaten Olina’s lands. We have no obligation to aid you. You should turn to the Royal Knights; this is their duty.”

The outbreak suited the interests of Xuanlu; perhaps it was inhumane, but it brought Xuanlu a wealth of labor, and resolving it would mean no more refugees streaming in.

Seeing that Qin Le had not outright refused, Count Dana’s heart eased. He continued humbly, “The deployment of the Royal Knights involves all sorts of entanglements—provisions, conscription of militia, and so forth—it all takes time. Thus, at present, the Royal Knights are unable to intervene.”

Olina, beside him, frowned in confusion. “How can that be? I recall that the Royal Knights rarely conscript militia, and provisions are provided by local lords. Under normal circumstances, the Knights would resolve such matters within three days.”

The legion of extraordinary knights, mounted on special warhorses, could travel hundreds of kilometers daily. Militia could never keep pace, and supply lines were barely needed.

Emeya, resting her right hand against her chin and toying with a borrowed red-gold coin, laughed softly. “Looks like the Count hasn’t fared well—he’s been targeted.”

Emeya’s remark dispelled the confusion from Olina’s face. Though not a legitimate princess, her six years in the palace had taught her plenty about the intrigue of power.

Thinking it over, Count Dana’s current knight force did seem to overstep its bounds.

Count Dana ignored the elf’s sarcasm. He bowed deeply to Qin Le. “Please, sir, save the tens of thousands who reside in Dana’s lands!”

His wife and children also bowed their heads.

Thump, thump, thump...

The sound of fingers tapping the table echoed through the room, everyone holding their breath.

The sound ceased. Qin Le spoke with indifference, “What does their fate matter to me? Count Dana, if you wish for my assistance, offer something tangible.”

Emeya and Olina exchanged surprised glances. They had not expected such words from someone who had taken in so many refugees.

Count Dana drew a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and declared, “I am willing to accept any condition within my power.”

“Very well. Then sign this treaty.” Qin Le produced a document, already prepared, and placed it upon the table.

Count Dana stepped forward, slowly picking up the white paper, steeling himself for the pain to come.

After all, things could hardly get worse; at worst, he would relinquish his lordship and flee with his family.

His eyes scanned the neat lines of text.

[Comprehensive Land and Labor Development Agreement]

Count Dana’s party pledges: Within permitted boundaries, to jointly develop Dana’s land and conscript labor alongside Xuanlu.

Xuanlu pledges: To never infringe upon Count Dana’s lawful rights, and to pay an annual contract fee of ten kilograms of red gold. Land rental is calculated separately. For each adult laborer, one copper coin every ten days.

Further details below...

Ten minutes later, after painstakingly reading through the curious contract, Count Dana’s eyes grew moist as he raised his head, full of gratitude toward Qin Le.

He stepped back and bowed deeply once more, his voice choked. “Thank you for your mercy.”

Were it not for Qin Le’s black hair, Count Dana might have suspected he was a secret son.

A few minutes later, Count Dana signed the contract, took the duplicate, and departed with his family.

“Another step of the plan complete,” Qin Le rose from his chair and stretched.

He noticed the princess beside him regarding him with a puzzled gaze. “What is it? Is there something on my face?”

Olina shook her head. “I’m just surprised you said such things. ‘Their fate means nothing to me’—that was surely to frighten Count Dana, wasn’t it?”

Qin Le was such a good person; how could he say that? He had taken in refugees without restriction, given them food and warmth—a feat even the gods could not achieve.

Qin Le shook his head as well. “No, I meant it. If Count Dana hadn’t signed, I would have watched the green goblins march right here.”

Olina’s mouth fell open, unable to comprehend such an answer. “But...”

“What’s wrong? Disappointed? But that is me—I am not the person you imagine, but a thorough villain. Many have died because of me, directly and indirectly, many of them innocent—men, women, old, young. I have even killed former comrades, some who once saved my life, and I ended them without hesitation.”

Qin Le smiled, patting Olina’s head, then strode toward the door.

He had other matters to attend to: dispatching units to receive refugees, alerting neighboring powers to Xuanlu’s presence, and letting them witness a grand display of fireworks.

The vast iron mines of the Dawn Kingdom, the copper mines of the Kexian Kingdom, and the combustible black waters of the Death Marshes—Xuanlu needed them all.

Launching a war to seize these places was impractical, the cost of control too high. The fastest, most effective method was trade. To ensure others traded sincerely, one must first show their strength.

“Olina, it is not I who gives these people everything, but the Republic. The Republic cares for them; I care only for its interests.”

Having said this, Qin Le closed the door.

Now only Olina and Emeya remained.

Emeya pocketed the red-gold coin, offering comfort. “He really dares say it, Olina, don’t mind him. He’s just being contrary. What country truly cares for its common folk, let alone those of another? Take Olina’s lands—if not for you, do you think I’d care for those ignorant masses?”

...

On the journey back to Dana City, Count Dana held a sheet of paper as white as snow, reading it again and again.

Unlike his own stunned expression, his family was delighted by its contents.

“Those black-haired people are fools, offering such a high price to employ commoners, and even paying them! How foolish,” Engel smiled, already envisioning vast wealth flooding into Dana City.

A copper coin every ten days might not seem much, but with tens of thousands of common folk, even half employed would yield nearly a hundred thousand coins every ten days! In past years, all the grain collected would only bring a few million coins annually!

He had expected pain, yet the other party was offering money!

“So much! Do they really have that much?” Martha exclaimed.

“More than just wealth—they’re downright silly.”

Count Dana watched his family’s smiles coldly. He too wondered if these superior humans simply had too much money to spend, using this contract to flaunt their wealth.

Otherwise, he could not fathom the purpose of the contract. Was it really just for land and labor? What use was that? It might not even cover the contract’s wages!

Perhaps it was merely the high humans displaying their riches.

...

In the days that followed, aided by Count Dana, more and more displaced commoners streamed into Olina’s lands.

Those who were strangers yesterday became familiar faces tomorrow. The population visibly swelled, and the territory expanded madly under the lead of steel beasts.

Everyone arriving donned a fine blue uniform, some even receiving a yellow cap. They ate foods they had never dared to dream of—white as snow, calming to the soul.

Meanwhile, the number of black-haired people grew, and various steel monsters stood parked in the castle grounds.

In the end, enormous steel monsters rolled out, black-haired humans at the helm, appearing throughout Dana’s lands, leading the refugees—wild and aimless as beasts—toward a place where they could eat their fill.

Such commotion drew the attention of the surrounding regions and the entire kingdom.

A rumor began to circulate among the kingdom’s elite: In the eastern lands near the Death Marshes, in Dana’s territory, a group of black-haired humans riding steel monsters had appeared.