Free Web NovelChapter 125: Rebuild From Scratch
Kane led the vanguard, riding a broad-shouldered stallion.
Bloodfang mercenaries, Elven scouts, and Greta’s relocated villagers marched right alongside surrendered southern soldiers, creating a line of mismatched armor and rolling wagons.
Citizens lined the cobblestone streets in stunned silence.
Nobody cheered.
Nobody threw stones.
They simply watched as barbarian banners replaced the old royal crests fluttering above the brass gates.
’I figure they expect me to burn their houses. Time to flip the script and show them what leadership looks like.’
[Sovereign Claim: Menual Capital Secured]
[Territory Control: 18%]
[Public Fear: High]
Riding directly into the royal palace courtyard, Kane dismounted.
Pristine statues of past emperors lined the walkways, sneering down at the newcomers.
"Tear those down," Kane ordered, pointing a calloused finger at the statues.
"Break them into paving stones. I want this courtyard cleared by sundown."
Four high-ranking nobles stepped forward from a clustered group of whispering aristocrats.
Wearing bright silk robes and arrogant expressions, they clearly missed the memo about the new management.
"You cannot destroy our heritage, barbarian!" the lead noble shouted, stepping into Kane’s path.
"We demand a council to discuss your terms of occupation! We still control the merchant guilds!"
Kane did not slow his stride.
Reaching over his shoulder, he drew Mjoldr in one unbroken motion.
Crimson steel flashed in the afternoon sun.
Swoosh.
Four heads hit the cobblestones before the first noble’s body even collapsed.
Blood pooled across the white walkways.
’Negotiations always go faster when you skip the opening remarks,’ Kane smirked, flicking the crimson drops from his axe blade.
Turning toward the remaining fifty nobles, Kane rested Mjoldr casually against his shoulder.
"Anyone else want to discuss my heritage?" freёwebnoѵel.com
Aristocrats dropped to their knees in perfect unison, bowing their foreheads against the stone.
[Title Acquired: Butcher of the Old Blood]
[Effect: +25% Intimidation on local nobility]
[New Passive: Iron Rule]
Stepping into the throne room, Kane bypassed the chair entirely.
Instead, he leaned against a long strategy table, gathering his core group around him.
"Listen up," Kane instructed, looking around at the capable women surrounding him.
"We own the walls, but a city runs on logistics, not just intimidation. We are splitting the workload right now."
Thora spun a dagger on the tabletop, grinning sharply.
"Point me at something to break, Chief. I am getting bored."
"You get the army," Kane told her.
"Take our veterans and merge them with the surrendered southern forces. I want those palace guards fighting like Bloodfang berserkers by the end of the month."
"Oh, they will learn to fight, or they will learn to bleed," Thora promised, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"I will run them until they puke, then make them run some more."
Kane turned his attention to the busty redhead standing nearby.
"Greta, you hold the farms. Take full control of agriculture and food distribution. My soldiers cannot march on empty stomachs, and these citizens need to see that we provide."
"Consider the fields managed," Greta smiled warmly, resting her hands on her hips to accentuate her curves.
"My people know how to pull crops from stubborn soil. We will have the storehouses overflowing before winter."
Sira adjusted her bowstring, waiting for her turn.
"Sira, I need eyes everywhere," Kane said.
"Establish an intelligence network across the kingdom. If a noble sneezes in the next town over, I want to know what color his handkerchief is."
"Shadows are my specialty," the scout winked.
"I will have spies in every tavern and brothel by tomorrow morning."
"Firlia, you are reforming the laws and the taxation system," Kane continued.
"Cut the tax rate in half for the commoners. Make up the difference by squeezing the rich. They have been hoarding silver for decades."
"Lyssel," Kane added, nodding to the poised diplomat who had joined their ranks.
"Integrate the surviving noble houses. Find the ones willing to play ball and elevate them. Crush the rest without mercy."
Lyssel bowed gracefully.
"I will separate the useful tools from the dead weight, Lord Kane."
Grieselda and Misha stood near the tall windows.
"You two," Kane gestured toward them.
"Strengthen our magical defenses. I want wards that will make Sylva think twice before knocking on my front door."
"The arrays will be flawless, husband," Misha replied, her golden eyes shining with quiet approval.
"We will weave a net she cannot pierce."
[Warlord’s Assimilation Activated]
[Allied forces train 300% faster]
[Loyal citizens gain minor stat boosts]
Leaving the council behind, Kane walked out into the lower city streets.
He did not bring a royal guard.
Strolling through the market district with just Mjoldr on his back, he drew nervous stares from every corner.
Stopping in front of the towering granaries, Kane found a dozen starving citizens begging the local quartermaster for bread.
"The Emperor’s grain is for the army!" the quartermaster yelled, raising a leather whip to strike a pleading woman.
Kane stepped up, snatching the whip mid-swing.
Tossing the weapon aside, he grabbed the padlock securing the granary doors and crushed it barehanded.
"The Emperor is dead," Kane rumbled, kicking the doors wide open to reveal mountains of stored grain.
"This food belongs to the people. Take what you need to feed your families."
Citizens stared in shock, unsure if it was a cruel trick.
"I said take it!"
Kane yelled, pointing toward the sacks.
A young mother rushed forward, grabbing a loaf of bread with tears streaming down her face.
Soon, a flood of people poured into the granary, cheering the gladiator’s name.
’A starving man fights for bread,’ Kane thought, watching the chaotic joy unfold.
’A fed man fights for the person who gave it to him.’
Jumping onto a nearby wagon, Kane addressed the growing crowd.
"Listen to me!" his voice echoed off the surrounding buildings.
"Starting today, taxes are cut in half for every loyal citizen! But hear this clearly. Any noble or official caught stealing from you will face public execution! I rule with an axe, but I protect my own!"
Cheers erupted, echoing through the merchant district as hope replaced their lingering terror. freewebnovёl.ƈom
[Public Approval: 52%]
[New Quest: Stabilize the Realm]
[Progress: 0/5]
Nighttime fell over the empire, painting the city in shades of silver and indigo.
Kane stood alone on the highest palace balcony, resting his arms against the cool stone railing.
Fires burned cheerfully in the lower districts. Laughter drifted up from the taverns, replacing the tense silence of the morning.
’We planted the first stone,’ Kane reckoned, feeling the cool breeze against his face.
’Now we build the fortress. Let the Elves and the Northern Empress plot all they want. When they finally come for me, they will find an empire ready to bite back.’
Footsteps approached from behind. Misha slipped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his back.
"You want something?"
"I wanted to feel your body."
"You can’t handle it."
"I can’t. Just let me stay like this."
[Kingdom Building Progress: 27%]
[New Title: Lord of the Southern Marches]
