Chess Mage of Faerûn

Chapter 568 The Price of Freedom

It's quite strange that such a shameless person would have such a kind heart.

Omar withdrew his gaze and continued walking, a strange feeling creeping into his heart. Perhaps he should re-evaluate his approach to working under this boss in the future?
The group of people from the high cliffs, the gang sailors, and the freed slaves formed a long line and migrated to the flat area west of the territory.

On the solid, flat ground stands an unfinished ring-shaped wall, which is the fourth Tulou settlement.

Once the action plan was finalized and the power armor was developed, the project commenced immediately.

Although the time was a bit rushed, the experienced Gaoya construction team still managed to build the main structure of the entire Tulou before the date of the surprise attack, leaving a rough shell in front of the new visitors.

Castle? Prison? Colosseum?
In unfamiliar places, guests who know nothing about their surroundings are either numb or bewildered. Only a few try their best to open their eyes wide and stretch their necks like geese to desperately look around.

Lias was one of them.

"Welcome to the High Cliff, or rather, to your new home."

The lord's words echoed across the open field through amplification, but only a handful of people responded. Only a few sailors, such as Callum, who had quickly changed their stance and were eager to consider themselves the lackeys of their new master, clapped their hands.

Zhang Yuan's eyes swept across the crowd, taking in the speculators' eager flattery and the apathy of those being redeemed, as was entirely expected.

"Ladies and gentlemen, there is something I need to make clear to you,"

“You are not just unlucky souls who were resold and ended up in my hands.”

“And I am not a slave owner who paid with a knife to bring you here.”

As soon as a few words were spoken, a subtle commotion, like ripples spreading from raindrops, began to spread through the once-silent crowd.

"Easier said than done..."

The seasoned veteran Callum grumbled inwardly, but outwardly he clapped more enthusiastically than anyone else.

“I am your lord, you are my subjects, everything else is irrelevant, our relationship is that simple.”

Kelham stared wide-eyed at the figure on the high platform ahead, his mouth agape in disbelief.

Rias's raised face trembled, his pupils dilated, and he involuntarily let out a few meaningless groans.

"If you have any questions, now is your chance. Behind me is your future home. You must build and perfect it yourselves."

Master Zhang's words caused another stir. The new citizens, who had not yet recovered from their new status, found it difficult to digest so much new information, and for a moment no one stood up to speak.

Zhang Yuan was very patient. His gaze swept around, hoping that some clever or perhaps clueless person would bravely speak up.

Before long, the clueless little rascal popped up.

"Your Lordship, now that we are your subjects, may we be granted the freedom to return to our homeland?"

A young-looking man with a somewhat haggard face raised his arms and shouted.

"A very reasonable request,"

Mr. Zhang nodded with a smile, then his expression turned serious:
"No!"

"Ah, sir, you..."

"You want freedom, everyone here wants freedom." The mage's cheerful demeanor was swept away by a frosty coldness, and his gaze, like that of a hawk, fixed on the trembling chicks before him.

"But freedom always comes at a price!"

“I am not a slave owner, and there is no place for slavery in High Cliff, but that does not mean that your redemption is so cheap and taken for granted.”

“I am not a paladin, and I expect a reward for my efforts. My guests, what are you prepared to use to pay for this reward? Hmm?”

"Lord, your kindness deserves a reward, but may we redeem ourselves?"

In the silence, Rias mustered his courage and spoke.

"Your only path to freedom is through wages. This is a three-year period. After that, it is up to you whether you stay or leave."

As soon as the monk finished speaking, he teleported away, and the shattered and dissipated spiritual light reflected on the faces of the wandering people, creating a colorful spectacle.

"Do not be afraid, do not despair, the hope of salvation is in your own hands."

After the villainous Master Zhang left, Jade, playing the good cop, stepped forward to clean up his mess.

The female druid, who often mingled with the grassroots and had done a lot of community work, spoke gently yet firmly, which eased the anxiety of the bewildered newcomers.

"The High Cliffs are not Luskan, and what awaits you is not endless, hopeless exploitation and enslavement. His Excellency Chanem grants every subject equal rights."

Jady patiently explained the various preferential policies of the High Cliff Territory to the newcomers in plain language that even illiterate people could understand, while comforting them.

With a combination of gentle words of comfort and empty promises, the group of unfortunate people gradually calmed down and expressed that their emotions had stabilized.

After all, having endured enough hardship and suffering, they had long been stripped of the right to dream and aspire. Not to mention maintaining a decent long gown, their tattered clothes made it difficult to even protect their last shred of dignity.

Where doesn't life go on?

In reality, it was Jadi's promises of a future that were too rosy and her conditions too favorable, which only added to the doubts and anxieties of the unfortunate people.

In the first year of land reclamation, 70% of the harvest was kept by the individual. In the following two years, 60% was handed over and 40% was kept by the individual. The extra 30% compared to the original population was the cost of redeeming oneself.

As for what happens after the three-year period?
Those who voluntarily stay are all citizens of Gaoya and are treated equally.

If these seemingly perfect conditions are merely empty words, then the towering fortress standing before us is so close and tangible.

The prospect of having such a sturdy and reliable place to live, with just a little work to complete, was incredibly tempting for these poor people who were so insecure.

However, not everyone can start a new life at any time. Apart from the majority whose original life has been completely destroyed and who have no more worries or burdens, the survivors are either lured, kidnapped, or trafficked. Despite suffering greatly, they still have concerns for their families and relatives. Even if they are subdued by the power of the authorities, they are still a hidden danger.

Hunting escaped slaves and such—it's not a good thing if word gets out.

After several rounds of pleading and pleas from Rias and the others, the female druid, who inwardly lamented how she had fallen to such a state of aiding and abetting evil, feigned reluctance and hesitated.
"I cannot disobey Your Lordship's rules without authorization. Besides, you have no collateral of sufficient value. Empty oaths are hardly convincing."

Knowing they had nothing of value yet still clinging to their last hope, they remained silent for a moment before continuing their previous act of playing the victim.

Seemingly moved by her plight, Jadi sighed deeply, feeling a pang of pity:
"I can only convey your request to Lord Chanem. May the gods bless you and grant you the grace and mercy of the lord."

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(End of this chapter)