《Re: Soldier》Chapter 8: Contract
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A stunned expression appeared on Joras’ face.
Exclamations of indignation rose quickly from all sides but the mayor calmed them with a hand gesture, he quickly regained his composure and did not show the least sign of disturbance anymore.
“Be more precise kid, what are you claiming here ? our goods are meager as you said yourself, do you also covet the people of this village ?”
“I do want this village, but not in the sense that you mean. As you know I have lost most of my memory, I am alone in this unknown place and I just killed a bunch of soldiers from one of the biggest super powers around. I need a place to stay don’t you agree ?”
“If that's all you need we can simply give you one of the houses in the outskirts of town.”
“True, but I also want to protect this village and help it to prosper, so I ask you to entrust me with the complete management of this village.”
The mayor burst out laughing, banging on the table as if he had been told the joke of the century. He smiled and gave up his serious look.
“Tell me young man, let's suppose that what you say is true, even if we let you, this village is already under the control of someone you know?”
“The Marquis of Gliver, yes I know. Era told me about it. You are the serfs of this marquis, he is supposed to protect you and give you land to cultivate. In exchange you pay him a tax every month. However... It seems that he no longer fulfills his obligations as a lord, doesn't he?
Joras remained silent.
Moreover, the tax for the exploitation of the land is fixed by the kingdom and does not vary, whereas the tax for your protection depends entirely on the lord and it is obvious that he abuses it. So I ask you, revoke the serfdom contract here and now.”
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Joras was not smiling anymore and the tension in the air was growing again.
“Kid... If we do that, anyone who knows we're unprotected will come after us like rabid dogs.”
“You are already surrounded by those same beasts, the recent attack should have convinced you of that.”
“You don't understand anything, kid!” His face showed anger and annoyance, but these emotions were obviously not intended for Ran. The other residents present all showed the same face.
“You mean the punishment the Marquis has in store for you if you dare to break the contract, don't you?”
Everyone looked surprised that a foreigner could understand this. Political shenanigans were plentiful in the other world, and there was no shortage of abuse of power either, so Ran had plenty of time to study such matters. He continued
"I can defend you against this kind of thing, don't worry."
"I doubt it! This scum has many mercenaries at his disposal and he would crush us with a snap of his fingers!"
Era, who had kept silent until then, decided to intervene on Ran's behalf
"Joras, you can believe him. Ran is strong, he took out 5 imperial soldiers in the blink of an eye and also brought down an alpha tetra on his way back. And all by himself…”
As if to prove his point, Ran took the monster's skull out of his inventory and laid it on the table. Seeing this the mayor appeared to be deep in thought, at least he was starting to consider the question.
“ You are asking us to put our lives in your hands, I cannot make this decision alone. I will talk to everyone and give you our answer tomorrow. Is that alright with you?”
Ran nodded and Joras concluded the discussion
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“Then we're done here, everyone go home, I'll check on you later, Ran you can sleep in the house next to the well north of the village, let's just say that after the recent events...Its owner won't need it anymore. "
People started to leave but Ran decided to end on a high note and took out 50 units of meat from his inventory which appeared on the table in an impressive pile.
“Take this and distribute it to your people, think of it as a gesture of goodwill on my part.”
He left under the stunned gaze of the villagers.
As he walked away, Era caught up with him. She was smiling and seemed delighted with his final.
"In addition to an adventurer you might have been a negotiator, they were all blown away when you left!”
”I only told the truth, nothing more.”
“By the way…”
Era had stopped, and the smile on her face had given way to a hesitant expression.
“I supported you because I thought you could succeed, but do you really think you can beat him? If we break the contract, he'll kill us all to make sure the other villages don't revolt, this place will become a mass grave and…”
Ran interrupted her by pressing his hands on her shoulders, squeezing gently, he could see the concerns in her eyes. Even He wasn’t certain about what he said, he literally came around days ago and was already playing hero, he may be leading all these people to their death... But he had to be strong, or at least appear to be.
“I swear to you Era, nothing of the sort will happen, I won’t let Gliver nor anyone else attack this place again.”
At his words Era fell tears in her eyes, all those years of servitude, fear and danger as well as the kidnappings had scarred her. She released all these accumulated emotions into Ran's arms, who remained silent.
From the moment he decided to act, there was no coming back.
One thing that no one mentioned until now was that Gliver and his associates would soon notice that the imperial soldiers disappeared. And when that happened...Guess which place would take the blame ?
It was already a do or die situation.
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Hinterland
Simon sincerely believed he was saving Morgan's life when he pushed her off the second-story roof of her family farmhouse. To be fair, his mother was burning it to the ground at the time. But Morgan Mumford, a lonely outcast with a chip on her shoulder and a full skeleton of remarkably unbroken bones, is not particularly convinced of his good intentions. Because the instant he pushed her over Simon also whisked Morgan into the realm of Hinterland: a shadowy world that is a perfect replica of their home town of Coching. But Hinterland is a hungry and dangerous place, where ordinary objects have taken on a life of their own. In Hinterland you might be ambushed by a gang of motorcycles or eaten alive by a duplex. And by god, you run from scissors. Morgan is now trapped in this hostile realm, unable to find a way home. Hunted relentlessly by Aqualung, an evil-minded Buick Skylark with a love for Jethro Tull and hatred for all things on two legs, she is forced to join a ragtag band of fellow castaways to ensure her survival. But the embittered leader of these children has plans of his own, and before long Morgan finds herself swept into his vendetta against Hinterland's imperious ruler: Simon's mother, who commands the living, breathing town to do her bidding and schemes to transform it into something worse than it is now. Something ravenous. It's time for Morgan to decide whether to ditch her new allies and find her own way out of the belly of the beast, or stay and help her fellow outcasts weather the violent feud that brews on the horizon.
8 174Unprecedented: The Life of Enheduanna, the First-Known Writer
The earliest writer known to history by name was a woman. Her name was Enheduanna, and this is her story. Set in Mesopotamia in the 23rd century BCE, Unprecedented is told in Enheduanna’s own voice as she looks back on her life in a private reminiscence to Inanna, her patron goddess. After her father forces the young princess to leave home to be High Priestess in a strange city, she gradually comes to excel in the role, guided by supporters and anchored by faith. Over the next twenty-five years, Enheduanna survives plots, vendettas and rebellions and lives to see her two brothers and nephew become kings. When the stability of her family’s empire is threatened, she develops an ambitious and unique project, using poetry to unite the people of Mesopotamia. But her greatest work is produced in the darkest hour of her life, when an enemy takes away everything she has.
8 62The Fairest (Book #1)
COMPLETED - A prophecy was given to the Realm of Valeera, but only one kingdom took heed to it and set forth a law that would divide the people into two groups. The fair and the strange. One group possessed a promise from the gods while the other is doomed for eternity. Well, that's what the people believed...17-year-old Mageia Unknown is an orphan and the leader of a group of defected youths living on the outskirts of the Kingdom of Ardania. Growing up into a skilled thief and sword fighter, she makes it her duty to take care of her family, no matter the cost. But when an act of heroism goes wrong, she is next for the executioner's sword. 17-year-old Grisonce Arlon is not the most respected prince in the kingdom. But when his obsession with the Fairest Prophecy intervenes with the case of the one called the Purple Thief, he turns into the royal joke. The odds are against him and Mageia with no joy in sight. Their world may be divided by the fairest and the strangest in the realm, but all would soon discover, that Mageia is neither one. She is both. Under New Edits since - 9.1.2020#8 Fantasy - 10.1.2020#1 General Fantasy - 7.26.2020#10 Adventure - 10.7.2020#1 Fairest - 5.27.2020#1 Gemstone - 10.26.2018Book Cover Designed by Me
8 108Endless Expanse Online
Wolfgang "The Wolf" Mariconn finally retired so he can spend time with his family and enjoy his twilight years annoying his kids and spoiling his grandchildren. He had everything planned out until something didn't go as planned. Cancer..and the only way he might save himself is by doing something he promised his kids he would never do again. Now Wolfgang has an offer from the owners of Endless Expanse Online to help him with his health problems if he decided to play the game again. ****I do not own the Pic, I did not create it. All credit of the PIC/Art goes to the original creator****
8 141Lucy and Wendy's pain
When Lisanna came back from the "dead" everyone has been treating Lucy and Wendy like their ghost. But something made them want to quit the guild. What will happen to the angels of Fairy Tail~DISCONTINUED~
8 144Harrisons - The Last Chapter
Charlie gives birth to a beautiful baby girl.Maria is marrying Silas, again.Elizabeth is still trying to move on after the incident this time hand in hand with Leo.Owen is happy to see his children finally finding their happiness but everything can't go smooth for the Harrisons, can it?Charlie and Marcus's relationship stumbles as Elna reaches out to Marcus - asking for help. Charlie's insecurities come upfront.Sean is also back with a determination of winning Maria back. Silas is worried about his family as well as Sean's obsession for Maria grows. Leo visits New York with a friend, Jennifer, for Maria's wedding - Jennifer also turns out to Fred's (Elizabeth's ex and Elizabeth's neighbor when she was working in Chicago) ex-fiancee. Elizabeth feels the forgotten sparks between her and Leo.Catch it all in the finale of the Harrison Series.
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