Chapter 9: Exclusive Capture Rights

When Enan set foot in the Storm Territory, the smell of gunpowder filled the air everywhere…

Many of the commoners in the Storm Territory couldn’t believe it at all—this idiot simp actually brought his army into the Storm Territory!

Even their own lady was killed by him!?

Heavens! Is a simp this terrifying after awakening!?

Enan sat atop his tall warhorse, his expression cold and stern, radiating an aura that brooked no trespass…

The image of the “idiot simp” was long gone!

Many soldiers of the Storm Territory had fallen, and the widows of their families were about to be distributed by Enan to his own soldiers.

Loren, covered in dust, lay on the ground, while Enan looked down at him from horseback.

“Kill him.”

Enan glanced at him once and then moved on.

Loren was shocked.

This bastard didn’t even give him a chance to beg for mercy.

“Wait!”

But Enan had no intention of speaking to him at all.

He didn’t even bother to mock him—defeated have no right to argue with the victors!

At Enan’s command, Luoling didn’t hesitate.

A flash of cold steel from her sword, and Loren’s head rolled instantly.

Everyone was shocked by the transformation of this Fox-kin girl.

She was like a completely different person!

But no one dared to ask…

With Loren’s death, this land became Enan’s property.

When one noble declares war on another, it means they can occupy each other’s territory.

The Storm Territory was different from the Silver Lake Territory—its main specialty was slaves…

Yes, slaves.

Even Luoling had been bought in the Storm Territory.

Near the wilds, various slave-catching teams would go out to capture Beastmen and Snow Tribe as spoils of war.

Though Beastmen and Snow Tribe were also humanoid, their living space was very small…

Because Earl Weir, who guarded the border of the Northern Province, was the boss of this area!

He only cared about foreign invasions, not internal strife…

A mere Baron was just a small fry in his eyes, while Viscounts counted as more formidable lackeys.

If Enan occupied this land but couldn’t offer up as many slaves annually as Loren did, he’d be killed!

The major Slaver Guilds also watched this war unfold.

The struggles between nobles were not something they could interfere with.

But now that a victor had emerged, they waited in the hall for Enan…

Each Lord had different rules and taxes.

They needed to know immediately!

“Thank you for waiting, everyone.”

Enan, covered in blood, strode into the hall.

“From now on, I will announce the rules for slaving in the Storm Territory!”

He flashed a white grin as he took the head seat, as if he hadn’t just come from a battlefield…

This left a deep first impression on everyone present—this man… was not easy to deal with.

But everyone still wanted to hear if this new Lord would change the rules.

“First, all slaves entering the territory must undergo Storm Territory’s Slave Inspection immediately.

If you want good stock, you must sell to me first at the lowest price!”

Enan stated the first rule.

Everyone agreed—after all, Loren had done the same before.

“Second, from now on, all slaves entering the territory are exempt from Slave Entry Tax!”

When Enan announced the second rule, everyone exploded!

No tax!?

Was there such a wonderful thing in this world!?

People whispered to each other, and the hall instantly became as noisy as a marketplace.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch, and everyone wanted to see what tricks the new Lord of the Storm Territory had up his sleeve…

“But…”

When Enan spoke these two words, the hall fell silent.

“Anyone who goes out slaving must have the proper certification—otherwise, it will be considered Illegal Slaving!”

The room was so quiet a pin drop could be heard.

All eyes focused on Enan, full of suspicion and speculation.

A burly, bearded man couldn’t help but speak, a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice:

“Lord, this certification—what exactly does it mean?”

Illegal Slaving!?

Where did this term even come from!?

No one had ever heard of it…

“Simple…”

Enan tapped the table.

“If you don’t have my permission, even if you catch slaves, you can’t enter the gates of the Storm Territory!”

“I objec—”

As the big man raised his hand to protest, he met Enan’s cold gaze.

He opened his mouth, but finally lowered his hand slowly, face full of frustration and helplessness.

Enan swept his gaze over the crowd, slowly rising, both hands pressed on the table.

He spoke each word clearly:

“This is my territory!

If you can’t accept my words—get out!”

Everyone was shaken by Enan’s merciless words, and the atmosphere in the hall grew even more oppressive.

“Next, I will auction the Exclusive Capture Rights for each race’s slaves…”

Enan surveyed the crowd.

“If you don’t have this privilege, you can’t bring slaves of that race into the territory!”

“For example… the Rabbit Tribe.

If you catch a rabbit person in the wild but don’t have the corresponding privilege, I won’t let you enter…

Each race’s privilege exists as a single, unique right!

Once you buy it, no one else can capture that race!”

“Each privilege lasts for one year!”

As the people heard Enan’s words, the once oppressive atmosphere instantly reignited, and the hall erupted in noisy discussion again.

“This… isn’t this just another form of Monopoly?”

A short merchant muttered, frowning.

Enan nodded.

“Correct… I’m granting you the right to Monopoly!”

“Lord, if this is a Monopoly, what benefit does it give us?”

A merchant wearing an exquisite hat asked cautiously, his eyes full of doubt.

“Think about it… with so many slaving teams, don’t conflicts break out in the wild?”

Enan began to speak from a mutual-benefit perspective.

“If you hold the Exclusive Capture Rights for a certain race, everyone else doesn’t have to risk killing each other anymore…”

“Moreover, if others need slaves of a certain race, they’ll have to buy from you…

If you possess the Exclusive Capture Rights, you control the source of that race’s slaves.”

Exclusive Capture Rights…

Another new term.

No one could imagine what was in this Lord’s mind…

But everyone’s heart burned with excitement…

They felt that the new master of this territory had brought something novel…

This would change the entire Northern Province’s slaving industry rules.

Even other Lords near the borders might start to imitate…

Slaving was always a dangerous business.

They already had their own routes developed, and changing to another territory’s route would only cost them more…

Moreover, if someone won the privilege for a certain race, they could even sell their developed routes to other Guilds…

Everyone was rubbing their hands in anticipation, waiting for the auction of the Exclusive Capture Rights!