Industrial Revolution of the Mage Lords

Chapter 554 Migration Negotiations
The "rootless people" who have always refused to be accepted into the faith system of the Church of Light have not been without precedents of being harmed by their own nobles and those in power in the past. Even dating back to recent decades, His Majesty the King who last sat on the throne of Iron Hill City once lured and recruited a large number of people from the tribe to the holy city of Goris by promising more abundant oases and permanent tax exemptions, in order to build the Holy Tower of Light, a wonder of the world, for the Temple of Grace of His Holiness the Pope.

As for the ending... naturally, nine out of ten people never returned to their hometown, and the promises made by the king were delayed again and again. Finally, with the new king ascending the throne to replace the old king, the old debts were completely gone with the wind.

Among them, several small tribes, which were already struggling to survive, lost a large number of young and middle-aged people and could not escape the tragic fate of being annexed by other tribes.

I'm afraid no one will be willing to step into the same quicksand trap made of lies and promises a second time.

Wayne looked around with a gloomy face and found that the people surrounding the leader all had expressions of suspicion and contempt. He guessed that if it weren't for the acquaintance old Hughes, they would have expelled them on the spot.

The atmosphere gradually became tense. The astrologer suddenly walked forward, leaned over and whispered something in old Hughes' ear.

The old priest nodded repeatedly as he listened, then finally stood up with a beaming expression and spoke aloud, "I met Chief Cho-O over thirty years ago. Haha... back then, we were both teenagers, barely even grown hair. During those days in the oasis, the old chief told us many stories of the betrayals and tragic events that befell our tribe."

Seeing the negotiations had reached a stalemate, my old friend suddenly changed the subject and reminisced about the past. Zhuo Ao's tense expression relaxed slightly, and he sat cross-legged on the fur rug again, speaking softly, "My old friend, since you know all about what we went through back then, you shouldn't have persuaded me to sell off my people's future and freedom to the nobles of the southern border."

Hughes's eyes rolled as he continued, "But back then, Iron Hill City and the Church recruited only strong, healthy young men from the tribes... After all, whether they were building the Holy Tower for the Pope or selling them as slaves, the elderly, the weak, women, and children weren't among their targets, right?"

Zhuo Ao sighed and said slowly, "Indeed, many tribes lost so many warriors that they were completely unable to protect their herds when winter came. Deaths of freezing and starvation were common, and they were ultimately forced to accept the fate of being annexed by other tribes."

Hughes raised his voice, his expression excited. "This is exactly the difference between His Majesty Harvey and the Church! Whether you're famine-stricken refugees fleeing war in your own country, refugees from foreign lands, or even branded slaves, His Majesty treats everyone equally. Even if the Oasis Tribe were destitute of all its young men and warriors, he would still welcome you with open arms. He wouldn't force you to build a magnificent palace for him, nor would he sell you off to others."

In short, the emperor living in the northern border did not need the "rootless people" to work for him at all. It was only out of kindness and compassion that he extended an olive branch to them. He was unwilling to sit idly by and watch these simple border people die in vain under the knives of foreign butchers.

Zhuo Ao was stunned for a moment, looking at his young friend in disbelief, and was speechless for a moment.

The young man who had just spoken out most vehemently against the idea snorted coldly and shouted again, "We don't believe in the Emperor's unwarranted favors and help! Elder Hughes, please stop using the Patriarch's trust to waste the precious friendship between you and us!"

His attitude clearly represented the standpoint of the younger generation in the tribe. Many people spoke up to agree with him, but they were suppressed by Zhuo Ao with a wave of his hand.

The old patriarch, whose hair was as mottled and gray as Hughes', spoke in a hoarse voice, as if he had finally made up his mind. "I also firmly believe that no gift falls from the sky for nothing. Hughes, what price do we need to pay? I beg you to tell me the truth."

The Eye of Illusion exchanged glances with the Astrologer and then interrupted, "Chief Zhuo Ao, His Majesty the Emperor has no requests. The tribes relocating to Saint Valen only need to behave themselves and refrain from provoking conflict with the locals. Pastures for grazing cattle and sheep, and land for growing crops, will be provided. If the tribesmen are willing to work in the city, or respond to the army's call to fight alongside us against foreign enemies, we are naturally very welcome. However, everyone has the right to choose freely and will not be forced in any way!"

Wayne took a deep breath, suppressed his unhappiness, and continued, taking over from the Eye of Illusion. "Yes, if you still have doubts, you could have us evacuate the elderly, the weak, the women, and the children. Once they've truly settled down in Saint Valen and their necessities are guaranteed, we can then make plans for the next step." He paused, then added sarcastically, "Anyway, you plan to leave your warriors behind to fight a futile battle against the tens of thousands of demon lizardmen. We certainly can't stop you from dying. Can you at least make sure your descendants are properly settled first?"

With the crisp sound of blades clashing, the young man beside Zhuo Ao finally lost his patience. He stood up and drew his sword like lightning. With one step, he put the blade to Wayne's neck and said through gritted teeth, "Put away your contempt! People from the Southern Territory!"

Zhuo Ao slammed the ground and shouted, "Ake! Don't be rude to the guests!"

Wayne remained calm, grinning as he put his hands together and grabbed the opponent's long sword. In an instant, the sharp silver-white blade turned red, and the heat wave spread rapidly from the place where his palms touched to the handle of the sword that the young man was holding tightly. Ak felt that what he was holding in his hand was no longer the sword that he never left day and night, but a red-hot iron!
After struggling for less than three breaths, he was forced to drop his weapon and took several steps back, covering his burned hands.

"He... he is... he is God's chosen warrior! He is God's chosen warrior with divine power!"

There were bursts of exclamations from the crowd, and many older tribesmen stood up, looking at Wayne with burning eyes as he held the flaming long sword in his backhand.

"What? Has anyone among the rootless people received the gift of blood? Has they awakened extraordinary abilities?" The Eye of Illusion couldn't help but be a little surprised, tilting its head and asking old Hughes in a low voice.

Without waiting for the old priest to reply, Chief Cho Ao slowly stood up, his eyes red and his voice trembling, "In the past... some noble wizards like Hughes who wandered into the northern deserts once granted us the gift of divine power. Unfortunately, the Church of Light forbids us from possessing and mastering such extraordinary abilities. All warriors who received the bloodline gift...were taken away by the Judgment Army and never returned."

"Damn it, those damn charlatans not only force you to believe in false gods, but even ban and deprive you of the blood gifts given by spellcasters. Don't they know that your survival in the desert is difficult and precarious?" Dave's angry curse burst out, immediately attracting shouts of agreement from many young tribal people.

Hughes, having seen both soft and hard tactics used, felt it was enough and quickly said, "Chief Zhuo Ao, what do you think? Let the elderly, the weak, the women and the children evacuate with us first."

Zhuo Ao nodded and was about to agree when several young tribesmen with unfamiliar faces and blood all over their bodies suddenly squeezed in from the outside of the crowd and threw themselves in front of him in panic.

"Chief Cho'o of the Emerald Oasis! We are warriors of the Silver Moon Tribe..."

"Please lead the warriors of your tribe immediately to the Silver Moon Oasis where our tribe is located to provide reinforcements! We have been attacked by an inhuman alien race. They... they suddenly appeared, slaughtering our tribesmen without any reason and without any resistance!"

"Please honor the Borderland Tribe's pact of mutual assistance and immediately return with us to Silvermoon Oasis to fight the enemy!"

(End of this chapter)