Free Web NovelChapter 131: Rebel Leader
Walking over, Kane closed the remaining distance until his frame completely shadowed the rebel leader.
Standing right before him, the sun-tanned woman with short brown hair trembled slightly in her boots, yet she refused to step back.
Not once did her chin drop.
’She is terrified, sure, but her spine is holding firm.’
"Name?" Kane barked, his tone leaving zero room for debate.
"That is not imp—"
"I won’t ask twice."
Meeting his gaze directly, green eyes flashed beneath her unruly bangs.
"Nadia."
Studying her features closely, Kane realised Nadia wasn’t some pampered noble daughter playing rebel for fun.
Callouses lined her palms, her tanned skin bore the marks of outdoor labour, and deep lines of exhaustion framed her eyes.
Looking past her shoulder, Kane noticed how every single rebel who had sat beside her moments ago was now scrambling backwards, desperate to put space between themselves and the barbarian.
Nobody else dared to stay close.
Only Nadia remained in his strike zone.
Reaching over his shoulder, Kane unhooked Mjoldr and brought the axe down in a single fluid motion.
The crimson blade stopped mere inches from her collarbone.
Just the air pressure rolling off the weapon made the front rows of the crowd choke, sending beads of sweat pouring down hundreds of foreheads.
Rumours of how this warlord slaughtered a sea beast and shattered imperial fleets by jumping from deck to deck had spread through the capital all week, and nobody wanted to test those stories in person.
"You think I should be afraid of this?" Nadia asked, her voice tight but steady.
"Aren’t you?"
"No," Nadia snapped back, squaring her shoulders against his aura.
"All you are doing is making yourself look pathetic by waving your weapon at a woman in front of a crowd."
"What’s wrong with that?"
"You are just showing off," she accused without flinching.
"Trying to bully us into obedience."
"You wanted to be treated as an equal when you stood up to block my path," Kane replied, nudging the axe blade a fraction closer to her neck.
"So I am treating you like anyone else who challenges my authority."
"You treat weak people beneath you."
"I treat everyone the same."
"Take out your powers then. What are you without the axe?"
"I’ll still be a barbarian who sliced your emperor’s head."
Nadia’s green eyes narrowed.
"Do it then. Strike me down right here, and someone else will stand up to take my place tomorrow."
"What makes you think I wouldn’t just execute every single version of you until the crowd runs out of martyrs?"
"Because your words and your actions fight each other," Nadia argued, leaning slightly toward the blade instead of away from it.
"Yesterday, you broke open the royal granaries to feed starving families, yet today you bring soldiers to force your barbarian laws down our throats. You don’t act like a mindless butcher."
"I do what benefits me," Kane corrected.
"Feeding workers builds a stronger labour force."
"A true ruler finds ways to balance power with respect," Nadia insisted.
"So I’m not a good ruler yet?"
"You are... not a ruler at all yet," Nadia corrected boldly.
"You are just an occupier who took over." freēwēbηovel.c૦m
The pressure changed.
Nadia’s breathing hitched.
But then everything turned normal.
’Killing her proves her point and turns her into a local legend.’
"Go sit down," Kane ordered.
"Huh?"
"Move back to your spot," Kane repeated, stepping around her frozen figure.
"You spoke your peace. Now get out of my way."
Leaving the tanned rebel stunned speechless in the centre of the plaza, Kane climbed up the wooden steps of the town hall stage.
Firlia already stood by the podium, her quill hovering over a stack of parchment as she prepared to record his decrees.
Turning to face the sea of thousands of anxious citizens sitting on the cobblestones, Kane drew in a deep breath.
When he spoke, his voice roared across the square, vibrating off the surrounding marble facades without needing magical amplification.
"LISTEN UP!" Kane bellowed.
"I AM NOT HERE TO CODDLE YOU OR ENTERTAIN YOUR COMPLAINTS! THIS EMPIRE WILL SOON BE AT WAR WITH FACTIONS THAT WANT TO BURN THIS CITY TO ASH! THERE IS ZERO REASON FOR ME TO CATER TO YOUR FEELINGS WHEN NONE OF YOU ARE USEFUL IN A FIGHT YET!"
Shock rippled through the gathering.
Southern politicians usually showered the commoners with flowery promises and fake sympathy during regime changes.
"HOWEVER," Kane continued, pacing the length of the wooden platform while holding their collective gaze, "I AM NOT GOING TO ABANDON YOU TO STARVE EITHER! WE ARE OPENING THE FARMS TODAY! WE ARE RECRUITING AND TRAINING NEW SOLDIERS TO DEFEND THESE WALLS! YOUR PREVIOUS EMPEROR LEFT THIS KINGDOM BROKEN AND BLEEDING, SO I WILL PROVIDE THE TOOLS TO FIX IT!"
Stopping at the edge of the stage, Kane pointed a finger toward the working-class families huddled in the middle rows.
"WOMEN AND CHILDREN WILL RECEIVE BASIC PROVISIONS AND SAFE HOUSING!" Kane announced clearly.
"BUT ABLE-BODIED MEN AND WOMEN WHO WANT EXTRA RATINGS OR SILVER MUST EARN IT! IF YOU WORK THE FIELDS, YOU GET PAID! IF YOU BUILD THE HARBOR DEFENSES, YOU GET FED! DO NOT SIT ON THE COBBLESTONES WAITING FOR A KING TO SOLVE EVERY PROBLEM IN YOUR LIFE!"
Something tangible shifted inside the crowd at those words.
Kane wasn’t demanding blind worship.
He was offering a straightforward transaction based on labour and survival.
"REGISTER YOUR NAMES AND SKILLS WITH MY ELVEN CLERKS BEFORE SUNSET!" Kane commanded, wrapping up his address.
"WHETHER YOU ARE A CARPENTER, A BLACKSMITH, OR A FARMER, BRING YOUR TRADE TO THE TABLE AND REBUILD YOUR LIVES! THIS EMPIRE RUNS UNDER BARBARIAN MANAGEMENT NOW, WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!"
Stepping back from the edge, Kane turned toward Firlia and murmured a few quick instructions regarding the registration booths she needed to set up near the market gates.
Passing through the parting crowd, Kane spotted Nadia still standing near the front row.
Her arms were crossed tightly over her vest, her green eyes tracking his every move with complicated intensity.
Pausing just long enough to meet her gaze one last time, Kane offered a quick, knowing nod.
"You’re brave," Kane remarked quietly as he walked past her.
"Don’t be stupid."
