Dark Warlock in the Apocalypse

It wasn't about wanting to use slaves, but rather seeking a legal way to punish their enemies. In a hierarchical system, there was no recourse for the lower ranks to challenge injustice from above.

To think that even across dimensions, Earth's grudges would continue.

'They deserve it, but they're certainly getting their karma,' thought Justin as he stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Emily, who had just finished her report, looked at him and asked, "What should we do?"

Justin, pondering briefly, looked at her. "Before we get into that, what do you think about this issue as our diplomat?"

"Me?" she replied, a bit startled.

"Yeah. I'd like to hear your opinion."

This was Justin's subtle way of telling her to show her abilities in the role she'd been assigned. Emily's expression twitched slightly, as if she was suppressing a smile at the opportunity to prove herself. Taking a deep breath, she calmed her expression and spoke in a composed tone.

"Honestly, it doesn't matter which side we choose regarding their demands."

"It doesn't matter?" Justin raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. As you're aware, the area outside the safe zone is full of monsters. While it's not always swarming with them, encountering them isn't unusual."

It was true. If the number of monsters was overwhelming, those people wouldn't have made it this far in the first place. But that didn't mean the area was safe.

"They were lucky not to encounter monsters on their way here. But there's no guarantee they'll be safe on the way back," Emily continued.

"So, they don't really have much of a choice even if we reject them?"

"That's how I see it. There's a possibility they might return empty-handed, but before reaching another territory, they'll likely run into trouble... ahem," she coughed, deliberately leaving her sentence unfinished.

Even without hearing the rest, Justin understood. There was a good chance they'd face a disaster by encountering monsters before they could join another territory. And if their numbers were reduced by casualties, they wouldn't be much help to any other lord even if they did make it.

It was a brutally pragmatic statement, devoid of compassion, yet it was also perfectly realistic.

"So, you're saying I can handle this however I want, as they don't really have the option to refuse," Justin remarked.

"I believe so. They have no veto in this matter," Emily replied calmly.

Justin smiled slightly, rubbing his chin. She was right. Those people didn't have any real choices. Even if they refused his demands and were told to leave, they'd probably end up begging to stay. Some might even defy their stubborn leaders and stay behind, preferring safety over blind loyalty.

"But that doesn't mean I can just do whatever I want. If they grow resentful later and cause problems, I'll be the one dealing with the mess," Justin said.

"That's…" Emily hesitated.

"I'm not blaming you. Your answer was good. I just need to think things through before making a decision," Justin reassured her.

Emily, who had looked a little flustered, sighed in relief at his words.

Justin turned his gaze to the empty space in front of him, tapping the armrest of his chair lightly as he thought.

As Emily had said, their demands weren't the real issue. What mattered was whether they recognized Justin's overwhelming superiority.

'It's said that what matters for a ruler is not whether they have real power, but whether others believe in that power,' Justin mused.

The pioneers in this world were clearly powerful, yet they had to prove their strength to the common people through violence. The people had ignored the pioneers' strength until they were humiliated and beaten down, only to kneel in submission afterward.

When there's a disconnect in perception, proving one's authority often requires bloodshed, and it's a process that exhausts both the enforcers and the ones resisting.

'I'd rather not go through all that again,' Justin thought.

Back when he had first settled in this world and lived in the village, he had to personally step up and deal with these matters. But that was no longer the case. Now, there were more than enough people who could prove his authority on his behalf.

"The immigrants are still waiting in front of the castle gate, right?" Justin asked.

"Yes," Emily confirmed.

"Then let them in. Give them any house and let them stay the night. Tell them I'm too busy today to deal with their request, but we'll talk tomorrow."

"...!" Emily's eyes lit up as she instantly understood Justin's intentions.

"Understood. Shall I exclude the pioneers' exclusive residences near the castle but allow them to see those areas?"

"That's exactly it," Justin replied, smiling at her perceptiveness.

She's more useful than I thought, Justin reflected, a satisfied smile forming on his lips.

Rumble.

"The gates are opening!"

As the massive castle gates swung open, both groups of immigrants lifted their heads in anticipation. The moment Emily stepped out, the leaders of both groups hurriedly rushed forward and shouted.

"What's going on? Did you accept our demands?"

"The gates are open, so you're letting us in, right?"

"No."

Despite the urgency in their voices, Emily's response was as cold as ice. One of the leaders, Elliot, flinched at her tone. Was it because they had asked to be treated like nobles?

"D-did the lord reject our offer?" he stammered.

"No," Emily replied curtly.

"Then... what is it?" Elliot asked, trying to contain his frustration.

Emily, wearing a subtle smirk, gave him the answer.

"The lord is too busy to deal with your matters today. He'll have time tomorrow. In the meantime, he's offering you a place to stay the night."

"We can stay in the city for the night?"

"Yes. Do you have a problem with that?"

"No... but…"

Despite his words, Elliot couldn't shake off a feeling of suspicion. Why would they be let into the city without their demands being accepted? Was there something else at play here?

His mind raced with paranoia. Perhaps spending one night in the city meant they would be forcibly bound to its rules, unable to refuse commands.

Emily, reading the suspicion on his face, sneered.

"You seem to be mistaken. We have no need to deceive you. If we wanted, we could simply drag you in by force."

"...."

Elliot's face twisted with discomfort at Emily's blunt tone. He stared at her, but she merely shrugged, as if to say, "What are you going to do about it?"

"If you don't want to come in, you can sleep outside. Or you can go back to where you came from. Do whatever you want," she added indifferently.

"...We'll come in," came a voice from the side.

Elliot's eyes flared as he turned to see Maxwell, the leader of the other group, who had arrived slightly later. Ignoring Elliot's glare, Maxwell spoke with a serious expression.

"But I just want to confirm one thing. Will the lord truly be available tomorrow? We're not going to be made to wait for several days, are we?"

"Don't worry. You'll definitely meet him tomorrow," Emily assured.

"Then that's fine," Maxwell replied.

Emily then turned her gaze back to Elliot. "And what about you?"

Grinding his teeth in frustration, Elliot finally nodded heavily. "We'll also take shelter for the night."

"Good. Then follow me."

With a loud rumble, the castle gates, which had only been open wide enough for a single person to pass through, swung open fully. The immigrants hesitated for a moment but then cautiously stepped inside.

As they entered, their eyes widened in amazement at the sight before them.

"My god…"

"This is incredible!"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The buildings inside the castle walls were reminiscent of an ancient era, completely different from Earth's skyscrapers. Though they shared a similar silhouette, the architectural details were entirely different, and even the most modest homes were far more extravagant than anything back on Earth.

"Thank goodness. I thought we'd be stuck living in some rundown shack," someone murmured.

Hearing this, Elliot recalled the words of a leader he had previously met. That leader had said that everyone in the safe zone lived in dilapidated houses and that complaints were common.

"It's the same for everyone. You start in one of those rundown homes, and as the territory develops, either the lord renovates everything, or individuals upgrade their homes with their own money," the leader had said.

But now, looking around, that didn't seem to be the case.

'Was that guy lying?' Elliot wondered, but he hadn't seemed like the type to deceive. His thoughts spiraled into confusion as he followed behind Emily, who suddenly came to a stop.

"Alright, choose any house among these to stay in for the night," she said.

Startled, Elliot and the other immigrants looked around. This wasn't a deserted part of the city; there were plenty of residents bustling about.

"Who are those people?" one of the immigrants whispered.

"They're immigrants from Earth," another answered.

"Ah, those slaves?"

"No, the ones who are working right now. These are the new arrivals."

"Where did they come from? Near our homes?"

"I hope we can hear some news about Earth."

Overwhelmed by the curious gazes directed at them from all directions, the immigrants felt uneasy. It dawned on them that they were now standing in the middle of a residential area filled with regular citizens.

Emily approached the dazed immigrants and repeated, "Go ahead, choose a house to stay in for the night."

"Here? But aren't there already people living in these houses?" one of them asked.

"That's only in this area. If you go a bit further, you'll find plenty of empty houses," Emily said, pointing to a section just a few dozen steps away. Despite being so close, that part of the city was eerily quiet with no sign of inhabitants.

Maxwell hesitated before cautiously speaking up, "It feels a bit uncomfortable living so close to others. Could we be assigned somewhere a little further away?"

"Further away? What are you planning to do out of our sight?" Emily asked sharply.

"N-no, we're not planning anything!"

"If you're not doing anything, why do you want to live so far apart? Is there something you're hiding that you can't show others?" she continued, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"That's not what I meant…!"

As Maxwell scrambled to explain, Emily cut him off with a scoff. "Listen, I think you're misunderstanding something. You're not guests here. You came to become part of our territory, didn't you? Then you'd better learn to live together."

"But our group… we've been through so much on Earth…" Maxwell began.

"That's exactly why we're doing this, to break up that group of yours. The lord despises internal factions or secret groups within his territory," Emily stated coldly.

"...!"