When Inan stepped into the council chamber and saw that the group of slave traders had lost their usual laziness, a flicker of appreciation crossed his eyes.
Seeing the arrival of this murderous demon, everyone stood at attention, greeting Inan’s arrival with respectful gazes…
This man had countered more than ten surrounding nobles with the strength of a single Viscount, even washing several territories in blood. Now, his prestige had spread throughout the North! Even some of the Empire’s Earls had unsightly and wary expressions whenever his name was mentioned.
They were afraid…
For now, as long as the Empire showed no intention of dealing with Inan, he was the most terrifying existence in the North besides Marquis Will!
The Empire’s north was vast, containing many provinces, but the Northern Territories consisted of more than ten lands that had not been consolidated into a single province for administration. This place was rife with riots and near-constant warfare. The Empire had abandoned governing this land, using it as a buffer zone for wars between the Ysor Empire and other races or nations…
Fortunately, the great Ysor royal family had dispatched the ancestors of the Will family to guard the northern nobles for generations, preventing things from getting too out of hand. However, with the change in the Will family’s allegiance, that ridiculous agreement had become a thing of the past!
By Marquis Will’s generation, in order to become a Marquis, he had become a vassal to Grand Duke Frostwolf. The royal family could lose their say here at any moment! There was a joke throughout the Empire: the North didn’t belong to the Empire; the North was the Empire’s cannon fodder!
Therefore, the entire Empire maintained an ambiguous attitude toward Inan’s cruel atrocities! Otherwise, a mere Viscount would never dare to ravage the surrounding territories so ruthlessly; Inan was well aware of this.
Feeling the undisguised awe from everyone, Inan waved his hand, gesturing for them to sit.
“I’ve called you all here today because I intend to disband your slave-hunting teams. As for the exclusive slave-hunting rights auctioned to you previously, I will compensate you with a portion of gold coins based on the remaining days so that you won’t suffer a loss.” After sitting down, Inan announced a piece of news that shocked everyone.
‘He wants to disband our slave-hunting teams with a single sentence? He’s cutting off everyone’s livelihood!?’
The slave traders’ eyes widened, but no one dared to speak. These merchants, who valued money as much as their own lives, never imagined a day would come when someone would cut off their income and they would be forced to remain silent…
They could only look at Inan expectantly, waiting for what came next. Karl had told them that Inan would change their fates!
Seeing the resentment in the slave traders’ eyes—a look they were forcing themselves to suppress—Inan revealed a faint smile. He picked up a dagger and leisurely began to trim his nails.
“Starting today, I am establishing a Slave Hunting Department. Once you join, I will enact a territorial constitution to recognize your status! At the same time, I will provide you with superior equipment!”
The slave traders were stunned. This meant they were about to enter the official administration!
These merchants had amassed considerable wealth in this highly profitable industry. Aside from their lowly work capturing slaves, they also spent money to actively participate in various social activities and charitable projects. All of this was done to package themselves better, hoping to one day squeeze into the eyes of the nobles and become their lackeys, just like Karl!
As long as they entered Inan’s Slave Hunting Department, no one would dare call them slave traffickers anymore… Instead, they would be… Ministers of the Slave Hunting Department working hard to build the territory?
Regardless, this was the moment they achieved a transformation in status!
“What you need to do is go out and capture those lowly alien creatures for me. I don’t care if they are beauties, warriors, able-bodied laborers, or black slaves; if they have value, you must capture them all for me!”
“At the same time, I can give you a sum of money as an investment. Have your lackeys establish taverns named… Slave Taverns?”
“These Slave Taverns can sell slaves and also serve guests who wish to drink and make merry!”
Inan continued speaking unhurriedly, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. “In six months, I want these taverns spread across the entire North. Tell the slaves working in these taverns that if they provide us with a piece of valuable information, their debt will be wiped clean! If they want to leave, we’ll give them money. If they want to stay, we’ll grant them the status of free citizens!”
Inan’s words hit the slave traders’ hearts like a heavy hammer, making them both excited and nervous.
“Lord, rest assured, we will do our absolute best!” A burly merchant with a face full of scars was the first to speak. A greedy light flickered in his eyes, as if he could already see his future wealth and status.
The others followed suit. They all pulled out their chairs and knelt before Inan, who sat at the head of the table, offering their loyalty…
Inan nodded with satisfaction and continued, “Each of you will be responsible for capturing the races you specialized in previously. This time, don’t just capture alien beauties; bring me their warriors as well to be tamed. If you encounter resistance, simply kill them. I want those with value; those who are useless can stay dead for all I care.”
His tone was flat, yet it carried a chilling coldness.
“Additionally, your subordinates must undergo military training starting today. I know they are all lower-class people like mercenaries who are used to being disorganized and difficult to discipline, but I believe you can handle them…”
“As for the matter of equipment, you can just find Karl. Discuss the operation of the taverns among yourselves. In short, calculate the total amount of money needed and give it to me!”
Inan left the remaining matters to Karl and departed. He believed these merchants, who lived on the edge of a blade, would figure out what to do next on their own.
His goal was merely to cultivate these slave-hunting teams into his own armed force, laying out a plan across the North to begin opposing Will!
—
Afterward, he headed to the Goldrich Territory and entered Nancy’s study…
Nancy was the same as usual, wearing a sexy purple silk nightgown in the middle of the night, sitting with her legs crossed and drinking wine…
Beside her sat a blonde, short-haired beauty. Her pale blue eyes were dotted with starlight; anyone from the Imperial Capital would know she possessed royal blood! However, her outfit as an assassin was truly incongruous with her status…
Inan stepped into the study. The room was filled with a faint aroma of wine and a suggestive atmosphere. Seeing that Nancy showed no signs of fatigue after the battle with the Wrathful Witch, Inan felt a bit puzzled…
In Inan’s eyes, the Wrathful Witch, Tiffany, was definitely stronger than Nancy, the Generous Saint! Because Tiffany was truly powerful; her ‘reasons’ were even bigger than Nancy’s. It was simply very good!
Of course, now was not the time to think about such messy things…
“Viscount Inan, you certainly stole the spotlight this time.” Nancy swirled her red wine, looking at Inan with a faint, indiscernible smile.
Inan did not stand on ceremony and slowly sat down on another sofa. “It was nothing much. It was also for the Empire, just to help Countess Nancy stabilize the North…”
While speaking, Inan poured himself a glass of wine and took a small sip, trying to find a moment of relaxation in the mellow liquid.
“Stabilize the North?” Nancy chuckled, her voice carrying a hint of playfulness. “Your methods are quite aggressive. You washed several territories in blood, and now your fame has spread throughout the North. Those who don’t know better would think you intend to become the King of the North.”
Inan remained calm and set down his wine glass unhurriedly. “Heavy penalties should be used in chaotic times. It was necessary to use some methods, but isn’t the result good now? And we achieved our goal, didn’t we?”
Nancy nodded slightly, a complex look flashing in her eyes. “You were too impulsive this time. Your feat even reached the ears of Her Majesty Theresa and the newly appointed Prime Minister.”
“Our new Prime Minister’s political ambition is to control the internal fighting among the nobility.” Nancy paused. “She is very likely preparing to use you as an example to establish her authority…”
When Inan heard Nancy’s words, he knew the woman was talking nonsense!
‘A Prime Minister using a lowly Viscount like me to establish authority!? Isn’t she afraid of becoming a laughingstock?’