Nobles had never shrunk from killing. To them, swords and blades might not be the best tools, but they were certainly very useful ones. If a problem could be solved by killing, then killing was naturally an excellent choice.
Thus, without a single objection, they swiftly passed the resolution to "crack down severely on the movement among commoners in the territory to adopt surnames."
Once this matter had been decided, more than one great noble wore a relieved expression.
"There's another matter I'm somewhat worried about," Marquis Yuke said again. "After this policy is introduced, will those adventurers who want to settle down choose the Merchant Faction's lands first? After all, as far as they are concerned, the two requirements—settling down and possessing a trade—are certainly fulfilled. In other words, as long as they choose to settle in the north, they will definitely be able to obtain a surname."
"Then they might as well go to the Northwest Republic," said an earl.
"The Northwest Republic is tightly governed, and many people simply can't adapt to it." Marquis Yuke smiled disdainfully. "Among settled adventurers, many earned their money through shady businesses. Such people cannot adapt to the Northwest Republic's environment. Can a black crow force itself to masquerade as a white dove? It can't be done."
That analogy made quite a few people laugh.
"But as far as we are concerned, crow or dove, it makes no difference. As long as they can strengthen our power, their origins do not matter. I imagine the Merchant Faction thinks the same way." Marquis Yuke said. "And therein lies the problem. Since they can settle either with us or with the Merchant Faction, then naturally, settling in Merchant Faction territory and founding a family would be the more gratifying choice."
The great nobles all