Chapter 156: Social Control and Justice
Kellar walked along the settlement’s main avenue, evaluating the village’s growth with a critical eye. The snow was beginning to yield to mud, but the flow of people in the streets was steady. Upon reaching the security force headquarters, Mentz awaited him with a leather scroll where he maintained a detailed log of urban incidents.
"Great Shaman," Mentz greeted, offering a brief bow before unrolling the report. "I have categorized this week’s offenses by severity, just as you ordered."
Kellar leaned against the central table and crossed his arms.
"I’m listening," said Kellar.
"In the minor category, we have simple thefts and petty stealing in the grain warehouses," Mentz began, pointing to the first lines. "Most have been resolved with forced labor in timber clearing. Next are tavern brawls and disputes over space in the new shelters, which have been quelled with lashings and stricter patrols."
Mentz paused at length, lowering his voice as he reached the final section of the log.
"I saved the most severe matter for last, Great Shaman," said Mentz in a concerned tone. "We have a growing social issue stemming from the imbalance between the female population and the men remaining in the city. Traditionally, the scarcity of males led women to pay with goods or favors for sex and companionship, but the situation has become distorted."
Kellar narrowed his eyes, gesturing for him to continue.
"The vast majority of young men, hunters, and the most capable warriors are deployed on the Mountain Fortress and Red Forest fronts," Mentz explained. "The few men left in the village are the weakest, elders, or artisans. The women are taking advantage of their numerical and physical upper hand in the streets; they are pressuring, beating, and even abusing them without paying anything at all for their services."
Kellar listened in silence, keeping his eyes fixed on the village map spread out on the table. His expression turned cold and calculated as he processed the information.
"The tribe’s order cannot falter due to a lack of discipline in the streets," said Kellar, tapping the wood softly with his knuckles. "If the men producing in the workshops or tending the reserves suffer abuse, the entire logistics of the Overlord Tribe falls apart."
Mentz nodded quickly, waiting for the leader’s directives.
"We will establish three strict laws starting today," Kellar declared in a firm, unyielding tone. "First, any act of violence or physical coercion against the village men is forbidden. Any woman who beats or forces a male to provide services against his will will be sent for three weeks to hard logging labor in the Red Forest."
Mentz began writing down every word immediately on his leather tablet.
"Second," Kellar continued, raising two fingers. "The compensation system will be regulated. Any service or companionship agreement between women and men must be respected under a fair payment contract in grain, pelts, or resin. If a woman refuses to pay what was agreed, the security force will confiscate double the value of her personal goods to compensate the victim."
"And the third rule, Great Shaman?" asked Mentz, looking up.
"Third," Kellar concluded with a dark smile. "We will organize weekly rest rotations for the soldiers and hunters deployed on the fronts. Bringing back groups of young, insatiable warriors will not only keep troop morale high, but will also immediately balance the pressure in the streets. Make sure to proclaim these rules in the square before nightfall."
"Understood, Great Shaman," said Mentz, bowing with deep respect. "The laws will be enforced right away.".
Kellar raised a hand to stop Mentz just before he could step out of the security headquarters.
"Send an unofficial message," said Kellar with a cold smile. "Tell them that if they are so desperate for a dick every night, we will send a caravan to the Red Forest. My armies need to vent their fury, and they need someone to tame them. If I keep seeing them abuse the weak, don’t blame me for turning them into regiment whores."
Mentz nodded quickly, jotting down the implicit order.
"Understood, Great Shaman, I will prepare the first shipment," replied Mentz. "I have no doubt there will be plenty of interest in going today. Should we offer it for free, or make them pay?"
Kellar let out a short, sarcastic laugh.
"Going like sluts and still paying?" said Kellar. "Well, it makes sense. Send the messages. Furthermore, I need you to start recruiting watchmen. This part is crucial: the police are the ones who are armed and must undergo strict screening. Only the first twenty you recommended bypassed this rule out of necessity, but in the future, no one enters without extreme care. I want you to recruit watchmen or keepers; the main difference is they won’t carry guns—they will only carry blunt weapons and train in hand-to-hand combat. Send this message to all the men in the settlement: if they want to stop being pussies that everyone can abuse, tell them to enlist and stop whining."
"It will be carried out exactly as you order, Great Shaman!" Mentz exclaimed with a firm gesture. "That will motivate more than a few to stand up for themselves."
Kellar crossed the threshold of the security building and stepped into the main street, adjusting his cloak over his shoulders with a subtle smirk.
"Let’s see just how terrifying these women really are," said Kellar to himself.
Stopping in the middle of the main square, Kellar closed his eyes for a second and invoked [Eyes of the Tribe Lord]. Instantly, his consciousness soared above the cabins and smoking chimneys, expanding his perception like a bird gliding high in the sky.
From the panoramic view of the settlement, his divine gaze swept downward over the streets, corrals, and residential sectors. It traversed the wooden rooftops, the alleys between granaries, and the farthest corners, scanning every inch for any sign of disorder or disturbance.
His vision locked onto a back alley near the warehouses: a young man was sprinting in sheer terror, clutching what appeared to be a stolen sack against his chest, while a group of several furious women chased closely behind him.