Obtaining obedience and trust couldn't be actualized merely by giving benefits. It has to be balanced, creating a perfect dynamic of rewards and punishment.
Look at the village head; clearly, he had some intentions when Kel gave him a substantial amount of money, but after Fredrinn showed his might, not even a bit of treacherous thought was left in his mind.
Other than generosity, a Lord must be capable of striking fear into the hearts of their subjects! They have to be capable of showing who's in control!
When a lowly person gives benefits, it's called flattery. But when a mighty person does the same thing, it's called generosity. The former would receive everyone's favor, while the latter would be admired and complimented by everyone.
It took a while to implement the policies his main territory abided to be applied into this village. Before leaving, Ryly had written every policy and basic rule that would be shared by every village under Fredrinn's jurisdiction on the papers that they brought.
The village head's distraught eyes were replaced by awe and amazement, and his unwillingness disappeared. He realized just how much of a blessing it was to be taken in by his Lord.
"So Sir Kel's words are true. The Lord truly wanted to benefit his people..."
He may not know the comprehensive benefits of a few policies written on this paper, but it doesn't take a genius to know that some of them would definitely benefit his village.
"Supposedly, Lord Fredrinn also gave exotic meat often to his people, genuinely trying to improvise the diet of his people to maintain their health and strength. For your people, it may take a while to gain this benefit. However, after Lord Fredrinn finished his conquest, he will definitely find a way to spread this to benefit all people!"
The objective of this venture was to conquer as many villages as possible to integrate the Western Forest under his banner, so Fredrinn could only assure them by sharing the policies.
Only when everything was stabilized could he give out the benefits he promised.
Under the excited gazes of the villagers, Fredrinn and his men once again began to set out. Behind him, excited murmurs could be heard.
"My Lord could conquer people's hearts by his words alone. As expected of our Lord!"
"I thought we would have to fight with all our might to subdue others. It seems like I misunderstood my Lord's words previously. He truly wished for us to return in victory!"
"I feel like those messengers of the kings. Just by delivering words, I could strike fear and awe in the people!"
Fredrinn did not refute any of their words. Conquering people through battle and bloodshed is too tiring, and the benefits would diminish. Compared to others, his main objective was not the glory and the wealth, but the men!
If he forced them to fight to death, wouldn't the men die?
With strong men under his banner, he would be able to gain substantial strength. The admiration and wealth are just bonuses.
He, Fredrinn, wants all the men!
Fredrinn inwardly twitched. That's quite an ambiguous statement, but it remains true. Fortunately, he's already married to two beautiful wives, so he wouldn't be suspicious.
The Greenwood Forest had 14 villages and 78 tribes on its territory, and the Western Forest alone had over 6 villages and 26 tribes, according to the report from Lutto a while ago.
Fredrinn had conquered 6 villages and 14 tribes previously, and he planned to re-establish his rule in these places.
A few days have passed, and the campaign has been quite smooth. It's indeed easier to bind people through interests! After he made a systematical and structured plan, he could entrust a few trustees to bring all the benefits he promised to these villages to their turfs.
As for the hurdles that stood in their way, such as wild beasts or even dark creatures, they were easily crushed, albeit the latter was Fredrinn, who was responsible.
Speaking of which, dark creatures are natural disasters that came into existence due to the negative influence of the world.
Unfortunately, a 'mere villager' like Fredrinn couldn't access concise and detailed information, and he could only use the general idea as his understanding.
These creatures are the main hurdles that prevent people from venturing out on their own, as they were distinctively more powerful than wild beasts, with their special characteristics. Some pathways have been cleared out of these ferocious creatures within their vicinities through the help of the officials, but unofficial paths usually end up encountering them.
They were very rare, to the point where his village never encountered these ferocious beasts. Meeting them was purely luck, or misfortune, depending on the situation.
Fortunately, Fredrinn's strength rendered these creatures into dregs. They remained insignificant in his venture.
As of now, they were resting in a vast meadow. This time, Fredrinn and Kel shortly concluded the result of their expedition.
Fredrinn bit off the juicy meat from a wild beast's leg as he interjected, "Kel, I wish for your opinion. Do you think my men should help the development of these villages?"
He brought his men not to intimidate, but to temper their battle instinct and their perspective, along with their trust and their will. His men must have high aspirations so they would not sink in the face of a higher existence; they must be motivated instead!
"It should be doable, my Lord. It was also a good way to train them into capable men. A good soldier is a soldier who can handle any situation in their way!"
Fredrinn and Kel were leisurely conversing with each other when a heart-palpitating bellow was heard from afar. They, along with their men, became alert.
At a distance, behemoths were threading the meadow, treating even five meters of distance as nothing more than a step. These giants seem to be controlled, as a few silhouettes could be seen standing on their backs.
Fredrinn's men trembled as they widened their eyes in fear. Only Kel remained calm as his aged eyes turned sharp.
"It's the Yrett Tribe!"
Fredrinn narrowed his eyes.
In the Greenwood Forest, most tribes are considered as primitives. However, there are some tribes that even the Mystyr Kingdom couldn't stop even if they wanted to. Such cases were rare, but they exist!
The Yrett Tribe, who remained conservative in their interactions with their surrounding, was one of them. They are hailed from the mysterious Yrel Race, a humanoid race with the distinctive trait of a pupil on their forehead.
They are natural tamers, capable of communicating with the children of Mother Nature, including wild beasts and even dark creatures! They are very similar to the elves, but they don't have the elf's blessed appearance, pointy ears, or belief in trees.
Fortunately, they are relatively peaceful, so unless provoked, they rarely hurt others.
However, the menacing bellow clearly hinted at a significant matter; even the simple-minded Ter could see that. It doesn't seem to be peaceful!
"My Lord, it seems like we could only confront them. Running away would only intensify their suspicion, which could possibly ignite their impulse to attack."
Within the vast meadow, even a tiny dot from afar was conspicuous, not to mention the crowd his men formed.
Fredrinn agreed with Kel's suggestion. Besides, he didn't believe the Yrett Tribe was capable of resisting against his unbearable fists!
Soon, the group formed a disciplined formation, with Fredrinn leading the march. They waited as the behemoths stomped their massive, pillar-like legs to the meadow's grass, leaving behind massive footsteps.
"Hello, fellow friends. We are from the Yrett Tribe. We meant no harm."
The leader of the group, a tall man with a muscular figure and a white pupil on his forehead, greeted them with a calm look on his face. His tone seems to be in contrast with his words. It was filled with utter indifference.
"We received your greetings. We came from the Village of Peace. May I ask, what's the purpose of this intimidating display?"
Fredrinn did not beat around the bush. Although the leader of the group said they meant no harm, his tone sounded like he was talking to someone insignificant.
He could understand, as these behemoths were truly horrifying when they were seen up close. They are like tortoises, but their speed is fast, and their appearance is menacing. Their eyes are red, and their appearance is shrouded in black.
Besides, a person cannot be judged by a single statement. Fredrinn chose to have some faith. Even multiple attempts were needed to receive a more accurate result in the genetic heredity of two different gamet.
It's better to make friends than enemies, right? He, Fredrinn, is not unreasonable!
The leader didn't answer immediately. He narrowed his eyes at the little humans before him, feeling somewhat disgruntled.
His race may be peaceful, but its hierarchy was still clear. The strong is naturally respected, like how it should be, so meeting such an arrogant weakling was very irritating.
Of course, Fredrinn's tone lacked any clear meaning, but for the leader, who viewed him as a little weak human, it was very preposterous and disrespectful!
His gesture could be deciphered not just by his people, Fredrinn and Kel also noticed the change in his eyes. The feeling of being looked down upon was too clear.
Unlike the human race, whose mind is complex and intricate, the Yrels are somewhat simple-minded. It was intensified even further when this particular tribe refused to interact with the outside world, which unconsciously narrowed their sights and train of thought.
They clearly never understood the saying of playing the pig to eat the tiger.
"If you wish to be answered, bring your king to speak. You do not deserve my undivided attention."
Placed high above his men, they sat leisurely on the back of the behemoths, not treating them with even the slightest bit of respect at all.
While his men were fuming, Fredrinn was somewhat speechless.
This is simply an act of seducing death in this treacherous, unforgivable, cold world. Fredrinn wasn't even mad. No, he couldn't be mad.
He felt pity for these people.
Just how could they conclude that he was someone weak when they literally had no proof of such a claim? Fredrinn could not make anything out of this incredulous behavior.
"Do you know who is my Lord?"
"Does it matter? Am I supposed to know?"
Kel was stumped. He tried to give the little bit of sympathy he had left for those who wished to go against his unreasonable Lord, who, for some reason, could conceal his merciless strength.
Oh well...
It seems like his Lord must show these people just how unforgiving and cold this world truly is...
"A pity."
Kel watched as his Lord clenched his fists and delivered a small blow. This so-called 'small' was proportionate with his Lord's strength as a standard, not by normal means.
Truly, a pity.
Kel turned his back as the behemoths went flying. He sighed like a melancholic old man who watched as history repeated itself.