Ranking System

I turned my attention to the third captive and noticed the evident unease in his demeanor. It was unclear whether he was genuinely devoid of any useful information or simply traumatized by the gruesome scene before him.

"Do I need to prompt you for an answer?" I asked, fixing my gaze on him expectantly.

"No, it's just the nerves. I'm Mordred, a merchant dealing in various items, from weapons to protective artifacts," he hastily explained.

"Tell me, how many artifacts do you possess?" I inquired, seeking more information about his resources.

"This is what I possess, and there are more items like this scattered throughout the nation," the merchant explained, somewhat flustered as he fumbled to retrieve his storage device. He dropped it momentarily and then hastily handed it over to me.

"Apologies!" he added, clearly worried about my reaction.

I maintained my composure and proceeded to inspect what he had. To my surprise, he had a collection of hundreds of artifacts on hand, and I couldn't help but be impressed by their quality.

"Starting today, you will serve under me. I've marked you with my magic, and tampering with that mark will trigger a self-destruct mechanism. In essence, you are now my slave, which means you get to keep living," I declared, branding Mordred as a slave, a revelation that left everyone astonished, particularly Risha.

She remained unbranded and alive, a clear indication that she was being treated differently. However, it was apparent that her life wouldn't be peaceful, for better or worse, given the circumstances.

"Next," I said, turning my attention to the fourth person, who sat down with a visible glare directed at me. I allowed the open display of hatred to slide, considering that this individual might prove useful. However, their willingness to display it indicated that they weren't fearful of punishment.

"Shermel Edwick. The son of the lord," he introduced himself.

My eyes widened upon hearing his name. "You were the son of the lord? That diminutive man who resembles a dwarf, did your mother engage in infidelity to conceive you?" I inquired, my surprise evident.

Shermel's face flushed with anger and embarrassment as I made my remark. Watching him seethe with frustration, I couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"It's quite unfortunate that your father met such a lackluster end. His demise was so unremarkable that I've even forgotten the details of it," I remarked casually. The lord's death had been just another in a long list of casualties, and with the number of people I'd eliminated, I doubted I'd even remember him a few months from now.

I taunted Shermel even more because it was just too easy. It's a shame that he didn't have the guts to stand up and try to stop me from insulting his father even more than necessary.

"I might not need you, but today's your lucky day. Go on, leave. Try to get back at me, as if you have much else going for you." Instead of ending him, I let him walk away.

Releasing Shermel might come back to bite me. But maybe a little danger will keep me more motivated. After I gave him his freedom, he departed without a second glance. Now, only two remain after Shermel's departure.

"I suppose it's my turn. I'm Richard Nelwin. A respected blacksmith with a notable reputation. For centuries, my family has crafted countless masterpieces."

Richard came off as a bit flashy for a blacksmith, but if his claims were accurate, his worth was indisputable.

"If you can demonstrate that you're as skilled a blacksmith as you say, I'll support you. Whether it's resources, wealth, or companionship you seek, prove your worth, and I'll ensure you have them, no questions asked."

"Of course, your majesty!" Richard suddenly bowed and addressed me as "your majesty." It felt odd, but I can't say I disliked the sensation.

Everyone was taken aback by Richard's penchant for flattery. You'd expect someone who boasts of being a master blacksmith to carry himself with more dignity.

Among the five, Richard seemed to have struck the best bargain. Hence, his reaction was the most exuberant.

"I'll grant you a few days to get ready. If I were in your shoes, I'd utilize every resource at my disposal. The more you astonish me, the more you'll benefit." I advised him before turning to the last individual.

"I'll give my utmost effort in the days to come," he replied confidently.

"I'm Jolene. My family consists of artists who've achieved a moderate level of success." Being modest in such circumstances seemed misplaced. She ought to be showcasing her talents and worth rather than downplaying them, especially when I was gauging their value.

"I see..." On Earth, art often gains value when its creator passes away. Additionally, scarcity adds to its worth.

As I looked at Jolene, I found myself pondering her fate. My knowledge of art is limited, so evaluating her work might not yield any meaningful insight.

"Very well, you're free to go. Just regard this abduction as a mere incident." Releasing her shouldn't pose any risk to me unless there's someone on her side capable of challenging my power. Given the scale of this place, I deemed that likelihood to be nearly nonexistent.

Moreover, if her art holds the value I'm inclined to believe, it might serve as a magnet, drawing in artists from diverse territories.

There was a palpable sense of astonishment in the room as I simply let her go. With matters settled for the six of them, they'd likely return to their usual routines.

Except for Richard. His evaluation loomed in the near future. But before getting to that, I had the pressing task of addressing the residual forces in the city of Gontz.

The troops are expected within the next hour or two, barring any unforeseen issues. Today promises to be eventful. Once I vanquish all opposition, this small nation will be completely under my command, and my goal will become much closer than before.