By the time the King had finished lecturing me on the use of the sheets, Aswelth had returned to the tree house and was currently looking shocked.

“Was that the King, your grace?” Aswelth asked, he seemed shaken for some reason.

“Yes, the King was merely explaining some things to me. Now, what information did you collect?” I asked back.

Aswelth straightened up on the chair and said, “There are several things I noted in the city, your grace. The Clan Head Dorien was, for the most part, truthful to you. But he did not tell you everything. The Town for example is horribly under taxed. Most of the businesses are owned by the Clans and none of them pay any taxes to the city.”

“Then there are the cultivation resources. The clans hold them. All of them. There is a law saying that any cultivation resource discovered within the valley is automatically the property of the Clan overseeing that region.” Aswelth continued

“And do we also fall under the ‘give resources’ category of the law?” I asked

“I suspect so, your grace. I’d hope that these villagers would see sense, but I suspect that the Clan Qunaris will oppose any attempt at resources.” Aswelth answered

“And how likely are they to succeed?” I answered, resisting the urge to twirl non-existent pens with my finger. I was practically a master planner at this point.

“If the matter were put before their Council of Clans? Absolutely. The Clan Qunaris has significant influence over the City Lord’s proxy Merrin, something about an engagement I believe. But if your grace wishes then I can confiscate all of the Clan’s resources for you. None of their measly protections can stop me, or for that matter you.” Aswelth replied.

“Let us wait on stealing the Clans’ resources for now. What about the people? Are they heavily undertaxed also?” I asked

“Quite the opposite, your grace, they are horribly overtaxed. Just by the clans. The city offers little and takes little from them. All of the properties in the city are, by default, owned by the Clans. If any commoner wishes to live in them then they must sign a contract

“Such contracts tend to be exploitative, unreasonable and often even lacking an expiration date. Yet with the farming villages being as overpopulated as they are, the people have no recourse other than taking these contracts and becoming little more than slaves to the clans.”

“Without any magic, even the paltry powers of the so-called Elders is enough to keep them in line. The existence of the mountains with their unnaturally frequent avalanches also serves as a natural cage for the people. Forcing them here.” Aswelth finished what could only be called a rant.

The entire thing had reminded me of something, Aswelth was not a noble, he was a commoner. One, if I remember correctly, was in a contract very similar to the ones these people were made to sign. Was it sympathy I was seeing here?

Now what should I do? Oppose the Clans from the get go? With Aswelth I would be very safe, but it would not be conducive to my growth. I was to rule the valley. Not engage in petty squabbles with clans. But before all that, there was one thing that must be done.

Get Overpowered Main Character on my side. And his love interest too.

“Aswelth, there are two people in the Qunaris clan. Kerril and Viona, tell the Qunaris clan that I am recruiting them as my retainers. That I am in need of a maid and an errand boy and the two of them shall suffice. Do not take no for an answer, the Qunaris clan will be reluctant to part with them.” I commanded.

“And if they ask for compensation, your grace?” Aswelth asked. Right. People were resources to them, they might want something in return. And I didn’t really have things to give them.

“Tell them that I shall discuss it with their Clan Head later, remember it is imperative that the two of them are free of Clan Qunaris’ influence by the end of today.” I answered, I was really getting the hang of commanding people. Perhaps Xianxia Villainess was my secret calling?

“Yes, your grace.” Aswelth moved towards the door but hesitated and said, “Um, your grace, do you, um, wish to recruit them for that purpose”

What purpose was he talking about? What purpose could I have…oh. Oh. That purpose.

“Lord Protector Aswelth. I am ten years old. Please, maintain some decorum.” I stated. Aswelth promptly ran away with his metaphorical tail between his legs. That purpose. Stupid Xianxia people.

Aswelth

Aswelth slowed down as he reached the gates of the Qunaris Clan’s estate. Oh how he hated the Clan and everything it stood for. The Clan was what could be considered normal among the Clans of the Kingdom. It did little to quench his disgust for them.

There were many unpleasant things about the Selrin Duchy. The rulers were unambitious, lazy and unchanging cowards. But they weren’t as exploitive as these Clans. Aswelth might have been a contracted commoner, but he was a paid, unabused contracted commoner.

Make no mistake, he had no freedom, even when dealing with privileged brats. But at least they wouldn’t order him dead for laughs. Besides, things were looking up even on that side, the brat had suddenly transformed into someone somewhat reasonable and the lord had allowed him to regain his freedom.

“Halt commoner! Leave at once! The Qunaris estate is no place for the likes of you!”

Ah, guards. Aswelth sometimes wondered if there was a secret organisation that trained them to be just arrogant enough that you would be happy beating them but not arrogant enough that you would kill them outright.

Sending a pulse of Qi outward, Aswelth pressed the guard on the estate wall.

“Would you perhaps like to repeat your previous sentence? It was very interesting I assure you.” Aswelth said as the guard squirmed helpless against his Qi.

“No, my lord. Please release me! I was merely following orders!” the guard said

“I know”- Aswelth let the guard collapse onto a heap on the ground, “Now go run to your master and tell them that Lord Protector Aswelth is here to recruit a couple of people from your Clan.” the guards eyes widened at the title.

The fool had likely thought that Aswelth was merely one of Elders of the other Clans. Little did he know that he could deal with these so-called ‘Elders’ just as easily as he had dealt with him.

“Yes, my lord, I shall do so at once.'' the guard said as he scurried back in, his partner staring at Aswelth with wide eyes as if seeing a monster.

In only a few minutes one of the Élders’ had emerged to greet Aswelth.

“Lord Aswelth. May I know why you have seen fit to attack one of the estate guards unprovoked?” the Elder said

Aswelth stopped tamping down his presence, letting it out to intimidate the Elder, “Because I wanted to. Now if you would bring Kerril and Viona out I can get on with my day without ruining yours.” he said

The Elders eyes widened slightly on the names, clearly, the brat knew what she was doing when she requested these two. The Elder had gotten fidgety just hearing their names.

“And don’t bother denying their existence. I already know they exist and where they are. This ask is just a courtesy.” Aswelth bluffed.

“I…shall have them come out. But I hope that the Archduchess can offer sufficient compensation?”the Elder said

“Compensation can be discussed among your Clan Head and the Archduchess. I am just here to get an errand boy and a maid” Aswelth said, making their ‘value’ clear. Two geniuses might cost a lot, but errand boys and maids were common gifts.

The Elder gestured to the guards to get the two people in question. The look of reluctance on his face pleased Aswelth to no end. A few more minutes later the guard came out with two people, a boy and a girl.

Aswelth would love to say that he did not know what was special about the two. But it was apparent. For one, the two of them were too…picturesque. The boy was dirty, clearly abused and likely malnourished, he still managed to have a lean pretty boy look that was sure to attract the adoration of many girls once the boy grew up.

The girl on the other hand was a gorgeous Jade Beauty. Far too similar outlooks to the Core Disciples of the Jade Waters sect that ruled over the neighbouring nation. Far too many of the Kingdom’s men had fallen to the wiles of these women and betrayed the Kingdom.

Aswelth did not know how the Archduchess knew of the existence of these two anomalies, but if their talents were even a fraction of their looks, she may become Queen yet.

Name

Altura Selrin

Title

Archduchess (In name) (landed)

Element

Dragon Fire, Snowflake ice

Age

10 years

Seeds

Military (ungerminated), Royalty (Seedling), Energy (ungerminated)

Stats

Strength[The amount of brute force one can use]

9

Endurance[The amount of time one can work continuously]

13

Flexibility[The range of movement of the body]

11

Precision[The accuracy of one’s movements]

13

Perception[The ability to notice nuances and advanced concepts]

9

Intelligence[The ability to comprehend the advanced concepts]

12

Wisdom[The ability to effectively use the concepts]

13

Aura Force[The ability to force your will on your surroundings]

14

Combat[The speed of one’s reactions, ability to process situations and other general combat abilities]

13