Chapter 63: Unchained
The conflict between the Northern Sect and the Yamhad Clan was known to everyone in the vicinity of the southern part of the Roselle Kingdom.
A conflict that started from the rivalry of two friends who founded the Soragon Bazaar but soon turned into full-blown hatred.
The Northern Sect, whose base was in Soragon Bazaar, always wanted to completely take over the place.
But the Yamhad Clan didn’t want such a thing to happen because the bazaar was a really big source of their income.
’Now that the Yamhad Clan has been completely annihilated... there is nothing stopping them.’
In a conflict between two top predators, once one of them died, the other predator did everything in its power to erase or absorb the deceased predator’s lineage.
That was what the Northern Sect was doing right now.
They were either forcing the members of the Yamhad Clan and their supporters to submit to them or die for their loyalty.
Though it is human nature to survive, and that was what the remaining members of the Yamhad Clan loyalist were doing.
They were all flocking toward the man who had taken in their ’Accursed Princess.’
’The only question remains... am I strong enough to take them in right now?’
Edgar was a man of immense secrets that could cost him his life if known to too many people.
His kindness could very well cost him his life right now.
While debating, Edgar kept creating more of the newly designed houses.
Even when he heard the cries of those outside, he remained focused on his task.
Only after completing fifteen new houses did Edgar stop building more.
At this point, there was only an hour left before the Eternal Night descended.
And Edgar could feel the desperation and fear of those outside the Fortress as they cried for help.
Taking in a deep breath, Edgar walked toward the staircase leading to the patrol path.
Both Andrew and Oswald quickly followed right behind him.
Once Edgar reached the top, the cries from the people below immediately stopped.
They all looked at him with hope.
’...Around eighty of them.’
It was much less than Edgar had anticipated.
’Well, it is human nature to survive...’
Most of those who had once been loyal to the Yamhad Clan had most likely switched sides by now.
Edgar found a few familiar faces within the crowd standing below.
Lady Hera’s personal maid, Reeba, Michi, Banjo, and even the owner of the Smithing House, Sir Steven.
"If you want to stay inside my Fortress, then you shall follow the rules I make."
Edgar’s voice rang clearly throughout the area.
No one dared interrupt him.
Every pair of eyes remained fixed on the young Builder standing atop the Fortress Wall.
"Rule one! If you sleep under my roof, you contribute to this Fortress."
His calm voice carried undeniable authority.
"If you think you are above manual labor... you may leave now."
No one said a word and only eagerly waited for more.
"My second rule. No causing trouble. If you have a problem, you bring it to me or Old Man Oswald."
He let the silence settle for a while before adding,
"If I discover anyone disturbing the peace... you will be expelled."
His gaze slowly swept across the crowd.
"I won’t give a second warning."
Many people instinctively lowered their heads.
The surviving members of the Yamhad Clan had expected far harsher conditions.
Compared to slavery under the Northern Sect, these rules sounded merciful.
Edgar spoke once more.
"My third rule! The affairs inside this Fortress stay inside this Fortress. If anyone leaks information about this place..."
His voice turned noticeably colder.
"I will personally execute them."
The atmosphere instantly became heavy, but no one doubted he meant every word.
The cruelty he had shown to the Northern Sect member was already known to them.
After a long silence, Sir Steven stepped forward first.
The broad-shouldered blacksmith knelt on one knee.
"I, Steven, swear to obey the rules of this Fortress."
One by one, the others followed.
"I swear."
"I swear."
"We swear."
Soon, nearly eighty people had lowered their heads.
Edgar looked at everyone’s faces as he tried to remember as many of them as possible.
He didn’t want any infiltration later on by those who wanted to harm him.
"Andrew."
"Yes, Young Master!"
"Open the gate."
"Yes!!"
The young boy quickly moved toward the lever at the lower part of the Fortress Wall.
Rumble...
The massive stone slab slowly slid aside.
The refugees hurried inside, but none of them dared make unnecessary noise.
Their gazes quickly fell upon all the things that had been built inside the Fortress.
Edgar wasn’t in the mood to guide every one of them, so he simply asked Oswald and Andrew to do it.
While he walked to the side, Lady Hera’s personal maid, Reeba, rushed toward him.
"H-how is she?" she asked in a broken voice. "Is she alright!? H-have you talked with her?"
"She is fine for now," Edgar replied reassuringly. "Can you tell me how things are in Soragon Bazaar?"
"...It’s mayhem."
Reeba’s voice trembled.
"The Northern Sect has taken control of almost everything."
She lowered her head before continuing.
"They sealed the main gates the same morning the Yamhad Clan fell. Anyone known to have ties with the Yamhad Clan was arrested on the spot or killed."
A tear trickled down her cheek, which she quickly wiped away.
"Things are really bad," she whispered. "Nothing that once belonged to the Yamhad Clan was spared, not even those who worked for them."
The Northern Sect would never willingly kill blacksmiths, builders, alchemists, or merchants unless they resisted.
"They’re forcing everyone to swear loyalty?" Edgar asked.
"Yes."
Edgar leaned back against the Fortress Wall before asking in a quiet voice,
"What are they saying about Hera?"
Reeba’s expression stiffened.
"...They’re telling everyone she invited disaster upon the Yamhad Clan. They’ve blamed the entire Nightmare Tide on her."
’So they’re controlling the narrative...’
It was a smart move.
If the people believed Hera had brought destruction upon her own clan, very few would risk protecting her.
She would become a symbol of misfortune rather than resistance.
And if, in the future, she tried to regain her position, even her own people would stand against her.
Edgar rubbed his temples and looked toward his house.
Suddenly, Lady Viera rushed out, searching for someone.
When her eyes fell on him, she yelled,
"She is awake!?"