Emancipating the Serfs

Several kilometers from the Boulder Tribe stood a small goblin tribe. The Goblin Warrior stationed at the wooden gate gazed into the distance, waiting for his chief to return.

Suddenly, movement came from afar. Thinking their chief had returned, the two Goblin Warriors hurried forward to greet him.

"Pfft—"

Orlando killed the Goblin Warriors that rushed out during his ride without slowing in the slightest, continuing onward atop his Red Phosphorus Horse.

The Armed Serfs behind him trampled over the Goblin Warriors' corpses and advanced toward the goblin tribe.

Soon afterward, the tribe of over a hundred goblins was razed to the ground, flames raging through the surrounding thatched huts.

"My lord, there are no survivors," a serf stepped forward to report.

"Did you check thoroughly?" Orlando asked the serf, his youthful face stern.

"Absolutely. Even the younglings were killed."

"Clean up the battlefield and gather all supplies. We'll return to the Boulder Tribe overnight."

"Yes, my lord."

Mounted on his horse, Orlando watched the busy serfs around him and began weighing the gains and losses of this operation.

When they had attacked the first goblin tribe more than three hours ago, he had observed from behind the three knights, learning their methods of battle.

This time, however, he had led fifty serfs into battle on his own. Taking advantage of a nighttime raid, he had charged into the enemy tribe with lightning speed before they could react.

He knew that the three knights had willingly guarded the perimeter to prevent any accidents, allowing him to independently lead troops against this small tribe only because he was a Guardian Knight.

Without his lord's protection, he would have been nothing more than an ordinary slave, utterly unworthy of the respect of those lofty knights.

One day, through my own efforts, I'll make my lord proud of me.

Orlando clenched his fists, silently making his decision.

The next morning, Velin woke in the cave. Seeing the sunlight streaming in, he realized it was already getting late.

Outside the cave, fourteen knights sat on the ground. They all knew their lord's habits, so rather than disturb his sleep, they quietly discussed the previous night's battle outside.

After getting dressed and leaving the cave, Velin immediately saw Orlando chatting cheerfully with several knights. A gratified smile appeared on his face.

"Good morning, my lord."

Upon seeing Velin, everyone rose and bowed.

"Sit down, all of you. It's rare to have such fine weather today."

Velin gestured for everyone to sit, then sat down himself with a smile. "It seems your operations yesterday went smoothly. That puts my mind at ease."

Seeing this, Belder took out a sheet covered in names and handed it to him. "My lord, this records the number of goblins killed by the serfs. Seventy-nine have met the requirements to become Freemen. Twenty-five killed more than three goblins, and one killed eight—the highest number among all the serfs."

"Oh? Bring him here for me to see."

A knight stood up and turned to bring over that serf.

"How were the serf casualties?" Velin asked Belder, placing the yellowed sheet on his knee.

Belder immediately replied, "My lord, seven died in battle, and eleven were injured."

"Not bad. Better than expected. They're only serfs, after all. Even with over a month of training, we couldn't expect too much from them," Velin said after hearing the report, giving an objective assessment.

At that moment, the knight who had left returned outside the cave with a young serf.

"My lord, this is the serf who killed eight Goblin Warriors." The knight reported with cupped hands, then sat down.

"What is your name?" Velin looked the serf over. He had thick golden hair, dark skin, and ordinary features, though among serfs who labored year-round, he could be considered quite handsome.

"Master, this lowly slave is named Kyle."

The serf knelt on the ground and replied to Velin in a trembling voice.

"Kyle, as the warrior who killed the most enemies among the serfs, I'm giving you two choices." Velin raised two fingers and smiled at him.

"Please, Master... explain."

"First, I'll have someone teach you a Knight Awakening Method. If you awaken Battle Qi within half a month, I'll accept you as a Knight Squire."

"Second, in accordance with my previous promise, I'll pardon you from your status as a serf and reward you with five Silver Coins, plus another three Silver Coins as encouragement."

After hearing this, Kyle prostrated himself on the ground, a conflicted expression appearing on his face.

The knights around him all looked at the serf with interest, wanting to know which choice he would make.

Sitting to one side, Orlando watched Kyle and seemed to see his former self. If not for his lord, who knew where he might be now, living a life worse than a beast's.

"M-Master, I... I choose the f-first one."

"A wise choice." Velin pointed at Kyle, then turned to Orlando. "I'll leave him to you."

"Yes, my lord."

Orlando stood and accepted the task. Though he was somewhat puzzled as to why his lord had chosen him rather than the experienced knights around them, since it was a task entrusted to him by his lord, he had to accept it without condition.

"Alright, gather the remaining serfs."

Velin stood, brushed the dust from his backside, and gave the others his orders.

A short while later, all one hundred and seventy-three serfs had gathered.

Before their formation, a wooden chest was opened, the Silver Coins inside gleaming and drawing the eyes of every serf present.

"I promised you that anyone who brought back the heads of three goblins would be pardoned from serfdom. Beyond that, every additional goblin killed earns one Silver Coin. Today is the day I fulfill that promise."

"In this battle, seventy-nine people will be pardoned. They are fortunate, but they are also brave."

Next, Velin took out the list and announced the names aloud. Every serf whose name was called wept bitterly, fell to their knees, and thanked their master for his pardon.

"Among them, twenty-four will receive Silver Coin rewards."

The serfs present watched their companions step forward one after another to receive Silver Coins from their master, their eyes filled with envy.

"The battles ahead will continue. Whether you can escape your status as serfs depends entirely on yourselves."

After the pardon ceremony ended, Velin gave the remaining serfs a brief speech to stir their spirits.

Belder then took over command and dispersed the serfs to search the surrounding area for signs of a Salt Mine. He also promised that whoever discovered a Salt Mine would be credited with the head of one Goblin Warrior.

The words greatly stirred the serfs' enthusiasm. They eagerly followed their captains to search the area around the Boulder Tribe.

Elsewhere, Velin took out a map and began considering where, within these hundred-odd square kilometers, he should build his village and establish his first Territory.