CHAPTER 37: NORMALITY

"How is the situation?"

Rose asked, sitting on a stone. Currently, there were only two of them, and they were near a village full of people, going about their daily work.

"I have searched everywhere in this area—no signs of monsters and spirits."

Tyler shook his head and replied.

He sat next to her and continued.

"It’s weird. Those monsters aren’t attacking. The spirits haven’t appeared as if this were an outbreak."

Rose narrowed her eyes and said.

"Normally, expansion is only for spirits. Monsters often stay within the Eternal Forest."

"So, every outbreak is just a large feast for monsters and spirits. This seems quite similar."

Tyler nodded his head and said.

"It has been two days since our last battle with monsters and spirits. For two days, I have traveled eight thousand miles, visited over thirty-five villages."

"All of them are safe. So, I am confused now. Was it just a normal Outbreak?"

Rose stood up and said.

"Sir, if that’s the case, we have no reason to stay here. Let’s return to the previous village. Six villages were attacked."

"Out of six, we managed to save four, but one of them only has over a thousand people."

"Others have around three thousand. But even so, this number will create a huge burden on our economy."

Hearing that, Tyler sighed.

"I know. But that’s the best way I can think of. Unless I am willing to go around forcefully pulling these villages under my rule."

Rose paused for a moment and asked.

"Sir, why not?"

Tyler stared blankly at her and asked.

"What are you talking about, Rose? Do you think I’m some kind of tyrant?"

Rose took a deep breath and said.

"Sir, even if you become a tyrant, you are not the kind of person to cause misery and pain. So, why resist becoming a tyrant?"

"You are already a Fourth Rank hunter. We also have a Sixth Rank hunter back home."

"We have also captured a lot of Natural Fruit. If we give it to our city’s loyal people, we can slowly create an army of hunters."

"What do the lives of these people matter to us, Sir? Why are you trying so hard to save them?"

At this moment, a cruel look appeared on Rose’s face as she said.

"Sir, you saved our lives. We can be human and tools for you. As long as you give someone an idea, they can awaken the ability to control others."

"With such ability, why worry about conquering these villages? Just control them, and start making the border walls."

"Within a few years, people will start to realize the importance of the Eternal Forest, and we will start taxing them."

"By then, we will have more than just a few dozen hunters. Sir, as long as you can give them a good life, they will not resent you."

At this moment, she gritted her teeth and continued.

"People of our city are more than willing to be your slaves if you just nod your head. You do not need to be so meticulous to control these villages."

"Just give them some monster meat, and they will crawl in front of you like dogs."

While she was speaking, Tyler didn’t stop her.

His heart was truly shaken, but this wasn’t the first time Rose had said something like this.

It’s just that this was truly the first time she said such a harsh thing.

He knew this world had accepted the concept of tranny, slaves, and dictatorship.

In this world, those with power and wealth could do anything. In fact, the most important thing was still power.

The wealth of those nobles came from their ancestors, who were hunters.

But humans were often cowardly than brave. So, the children of these hunters didn’t become hunters.

They did awaken powers, but they chose to use the wealth left behind by their ancestors to control society and gain more wealth.

That’s why every single economic decision was favored towards nobles, and when the poor couldn’t pay, they started living under the rule of these people.

Everything Rose said was pretty normal for this world. Due to his status and their mindset, those people did consider themselves his slaves.

He had tried to change their mind, and it had affected quite a lot. But even so, the mindset like that wasn’t easy to erase.

Especially when it was used for their benefit.

In Rose’s mind, her Lord was giving those villagers the opportunity for a safer and better life.

So, they should repay his kindness by being his slaves. No matter what he orders, they must do it.

She didn’t even want to share a single Natural Fruit with these other villagers. They should be preserved for their own.

Even if their Lord didn’t want to take it, it should be used by their loyal army.

That’s the mentality she had. Since those citizens of Shadow Totem Country were his slaves (in her mind), they were the most loyal to him.

Tyler understood her.

He truly did. After coming to this world, he got quite a cultural shock.

Things that had stopped in his time were just normal in this world. If someone tried to badmouth him, they would suggest beheading that person.

If his eyes fell on a beautiful woman even for a slight moment, it didn’t matter if she was someone’s wife or daughter; they would offer her to him.

When he built them homes, the next day, they wouldn’t even let him walk.

If they weren’t so subservient towards him, they would forcefully put him on someone’s back and let him ride them.

That was the moment Tyler understood the nature of this world.

So, when Rose said all that, he didn’t get angry at her.

As his loyal subordinate, it was her duty to think for him.

Her idea was simple. Instead of thinking of protecting them, why not try to control them directly?

But he still didn’t understand one thing.

Why did Rose get so opinionated all of a sudden? She followed his orders without any questions.

But now she suddenly said this, which made him think.

"Rose, what is bothering you?"

Tyler looked at her eyes and asked.

Rose didn’t panic. She didn’t care how her lord would punish her. She even hoped that her Lord would punish her.

She had many mistakes, but he would casually wave his hand and forgive her mistakes.

It was one thing when she was the one making these mistakes.

Her temper truly flared when those villagers started doing this.

Her Lord was the most noble being in the world. In her eyes, they should crawl in front of him.

Even when talking to him, they shouldn’t raise their heads.

Obviously, Tyler’s method had worked slightly. Otherwise, her thoughts have gone even more insane.

And, it worked because she didn’t do anything during that time. She just let them talk.

But the more they talked, the more she realized how those villagers were trying to take advantage of his kindness.

Her temper peaked when the last village told them they wouldn’t join under him since they escaped the country, just to avoid taxes.

This was the reality of this world.

She believed every person her Lord saved should behave like his slaves.

On the other hand, those who weren’t loyal to him believe he was trying to make them his slaves.

Rose gritted her teeth and said.

"Sir, that previous village doesn’t deserve your kindness. We should’ve just let those monsters destroy them."

"Anyway, thousands of people leave the country every year. Those villages will get re-established pretty quickly."

When Tyler heard this, he calmly said.

"Rose, are you angry that they didn’t agree to be my subordinates?"

"Of course, I am. I don’t mind you being a good person, sir. It was your kind nature that made our lives better."

"But these people do not appreciate your kindness. Sir, just let me go this time. I promise I will break them until they agree to work under you."

"With your ideas and development plans, they will come to understand your kindness."

Hearing this, Tyler stood up and walked in front of her.

Rose’s expression was blank. She was a Second Hunter. She knew her Lord wouldn’t casually throw her out.

At most, he would punish her, and that’s exactly what she wanted. If he could punish her, why couldn’t he punish those people?

But Tyler did something unexpected. He hugged her tightly and said.

"I’m sorry, Rose. I’m sorry that I am forcing you to change. But believe me, Rose, human life is very precious."

When Rose heard that, she retorted.

"It’s relative, Sir. My Life is more important than those people. But your life is more important than mine."

"And sir, please, don’t apologize to me."

At this moment, Rose tightly hugged him and spoke.

"Sir, I know you are a good person, but this is not how you should live your life."

"I know you hate slavery, and so do I. But you shouldn’t negotiate with them. They don’t deserve your kindness, Sir."

"They only deserve your rule."