The Chosen of Slaanesh in Infinite Worlds

Link spread his hands and smiled, "I believe everyone must be hungry. I will distribute some food to you. You can eat while we chat." There was a hint of warmth and care in his words, trying to make these slaves feel a little bit of human warmth.

Hearing the word "food", the slaves below seemed to have discovered gold, staring at Link on the stage with wide eyes. Their eyes were full of desire and expectation, as if they had not had a full meal for a long time.

"Cooper, go get them some food according to our barracks' food standards." Link instructed Cooper behind Ingrid. He hoped to give these slaves a decent meal and let them feel the warmth and care of Mislina City.

"Yes, I'll arrange it right away." Cooper said, and hurriedly walked towards the barracks kitchen with a few soldiers. His heart was full of sympathy and pity for these slaves, and he hoped to do something for them.

Link looked around, then jumped off the platform with a light and agile movement. He sat directly on the platform, looking at the slaves at eye level, trying to close the distance between them.

"Okay, I've asked someone to prepare food for you, and it will be delivered soon. Let's chat for a while, okay?" Link said to the slaves with a smile. His smile was warm and sincere, as if it could dispel the haze and coldness in their hearts.

Link found that the one in front of the slaves was a boy of about 15 or 16 years old. He was staring at Link with his big eyes, full of curiosity and doubt. He was thin and frail, as if a gust of wind could blow him down.

"Young man, what's your name? Don't look anywhere else! I'm talking about you!" Link shouted to the young man with a smile. His voice was gentle and kind, trying to make the young man feel a little caring and warm.

The boy looked around in obvious panic, but when he saw Link's kind eyes, he mustered up the courage to say, "Sir, my name is Tietou." His voice was low and shy, as if he didn't dare to speak loudly.

"Iron Head, what a special name. Where are you from? How did you become a slave?" Link asked, trying to understand the boy's past and experiences so as to better help them.

"I'm from Yale City." Tietou touched his messy hair with his hands covered in black mud, and continued, "My family was originally a small trader, but because of poor business, we owed a lot of debts. Later, the creditor arrested my whole family and sold them to slave traders. That's how I became a slave."

At this point, Tietou's eyes flashed with sadness and helplessness. He seemed to have gotten used to the impermanence and cruelty of fate, but deep in his heart he still longed for freedom and dignity.

"When was your last meal? What did you eat?" Link tried to ask some simple and ordinary questions, trying to slowly reduce the boy's nervousness. He hoped that the boy would feel his care and kindness, so that he would open his heart and communicate with him.

Tietou licked his pale, cracked lips and said, "We ate it yesterday at noon. It was a piece of black bread. And that piece of black bread was very small. It was not enough to eat."

As he spoke, Tietou looked at Link with eager eyes and said cautiously: "Lord Link, can we eat now? We don't have to wait until noon? Should it be black bread or something else?" His eyes were full of anticipation and desire, as if he had not had a decent meal for a long time.

Link smiled and said, "You'll know in a moment. I promise you will have a hearty meal today." His smile was warm and firm, as if it could bring a glimmer of hope and comfort to the boy.

Soon, Cooper and several soldiers came over carrying several large barrels. They were panting, but their faces were filled with smiles and satisfaction.

"Lord Link, the food is ready. But there may not be enough bowls, because our bowls are prepared according to the number of people in the barracks." Cooper said apologetically.

Link thought for a moment, then said, "Go borrow some bowls from the citizens outside the barracks. If all else fails, let them take turns eating. We can't let these slaves go hungry."

Cooper responded, and then hurried away with a few soldiers. His heart was full of admiration and gratitude for Link, because Link could always think of things that others could not think of and seek benefits for the slaves.

When Link looked down at the stage again, he realized that the slaves were staring at the vats that were emitting fragrant and hot steam. Their eyes were full of desire and anticipation, as if they had already smelled the aroma of the food.

"The food is ready. Don't move or make any noise. I'll arrange for people to deliver it to you one by one. But there aren't enough bowls. Don't worry about the ones at the back. We'll sort it out as soon as possible." Link shouted and said to the soldiers next to him, "Hurry up and distribute it one by one from the front. We'll deal with it later if there aren't enough bowls."

172.New life

The slaves in front looked at the soldiers distributing food to them, their eyes full of desire and expectation. In this slave land, food was always so scarce for them, and every meal was a luxury.

"It's porridge!" A slave in the front whispered in disbelief. They rarely eat these things, and even if they are lucky enough to have a meal, there will not be much rice in the porridge, and there will even be some weeds mixed in, making it difficult to swallow. But at this moment, the bowl of porridge is like the most precious treasure in the world, making their eyes sparkle.

When the soldier handed him the bowl, he took it with trembling hands, only to find that most of the bowl was filled with rice, with full grains and an alluring aroma. He swallowed in disbelief, and an indescribable excitement surged in his heart. When he thought that was all, the soldier handed him a big white steamed bun. Oh my god, it was a white flour steamed bun! In his past life, this was almost an unattainable luxury.

"Delicious! Really delicious!" The slave took a big bite of the steamed bun. This was the most delicious thing he had eaten since he became a slave! The wheat aroma of the steamed bun spread in his mouth, almost making him cry. He ate it voraciously, as if he was afraid that this wonderful moment would suddenly disappear.

"Hey, there's one more. Take it quickly. I have to give it to the people behind me." The soldier in front urged, with a hint of impatience in his voice, but to the slave's ears, it sounded like the sound of nature.

"Is this mine too?" The slave took another steamed bun in disbelief and held it tightly with both hands, fearing that it would fly away.

"Everyone has a bowl of porridge and two steamed buns. If you don't want them, you don't have to." The soldier said as he distributed food to the people behind him. His movements were swift and powerful, as if he was carrying out a sacred mission.

At this time, Kuber came running over with a few soldiers holding a pile of wooden bowls. He shouted breathlessly: "Sir, I borrowed bowls from the citizens of the city."

Link looked at so many bowls and asked in a low voice: "The citizens came here voluntarily, right? You didn't snatch them away by force, did you?" His eyes revealed a firmness and unquestionable strength.

Cooper put down the basin with wooden bowls in his hand and said with a smile, "We just went out and said that Master Link needed bowls, and each household took out their bowls. Everyone said that it was their honor to do something for Master Link."

Link nodded, expressing his satisfaction with Cooper's ability to do things. He reminded him again, "After you use it, make sure to clean it and return it to the owner. They still have to eat lunch at noon. If there is any damage, you must compensate them according to the price. We can't let others say that we, the people of Mislina, don't know the rules."

Cooper nodded solemnly: "Don't worry, sir, I will take care of it. I will go to help distribute the food now." After that, he turned around and threw himself into the busy work of distributing food.

Link stood on the stage, looking at the slaves below. The people in front had already started to eat. He cleared his throat and said loudly, "Okay, the food has started to be distributed. Now, you guys eat while listening to me."

This time, the slaves in the audience all looked at Link. Even those who were eating slowed down, raised their heads, and listened attentively while chewing their food. Their eyes were full of curiosity and expectation, as if what Link was going to say next would determine their future fate.

Link took a deep breath and began his speech: "I know that you were all slaves before you came here, and I was the one who bought you. Perhaps you are full of doubts and uneasiness in your hearts, but please listen to me."

Perhaps it was because of hearing the word "slave", some of the people below sighed, some clenched their fists unwillingly, and some had become accustomed to it, and their eyes revealed a kind of numbness and helplessness.

Link continued, "But when you came here, I didn't want you to be obedient labor tools. I hope you understand this. I can tell you now that after I finish talking and you finish eating, if you want to leave, I won't stop you."

There was an uproar in the audience, and the slaves could not believe their ears. They even thought that the noble on the stage was crazy. He bought them and now said he could let them go. This was simply unbelievable!

Link seemed to see through their thoughts. He continued, "However, outside this city, you will still bear the identity of slaves and continue to live a life of fleeing and wandering. You never know when you will be caught by those human traffickers again and fall into endless suffering again."

Indeed, these people had no legal status, and most of them even had various slave marks engraved on their bodies. These marks were like branding, deeply engraved on their bodies and hearts, making it impossible for them to escape the identity and fate of slaves.

Link's voice became more firm and powerful: "But, here, I will give you a different life. You will have your own residence. Although it is just a simple wooden house now, I can guarantee that you can have three meals a day and will no longer be insulted or whipped. You will get basic respect and protection."

The slaves in the audience began to stir, with a glimmer of hope in their eyes. They had never thought that they could be treated like this.

Link continued, "Of course, this life is not free. You can choose to work for me. If you are good at farming, there are many unmanned farmlands outside Mislina City that you can farm. If you have other skills, you can also tell us, and we will arrange suitable jobs for you according to your abilities. If you really don't know anything, it doesn't matter. There is a mine in the west of the city, and you can work there. After you start working, you can get a certain salary every month. Although it is only a few dozen copper coins, they belong to you. You can use them to buy what you need and improve your life."

Hearing Link's words, the people below were instantly excited. They stood up and shouted: "Can we eat such food every day?" "I am a carpenter, is my job useful?" "I used to be a farmer, I can farm!"...

Link raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet. He looked at the eager eyes of the audience and felt an inexplicable emotion in his heart. He smiled and said, "Yes, this is all true. Not only that, I am also announcing a more important decision: as long as you work hard in Mislina for two years, I will revoke your slave status. You will become civilians of Mislina and become my citizens. Your descendants will no longer have to bear the identity of slaves. You can start a new life in Mislina."

This news exploded in the crowd like a bombshell. A lord of a territory has the right to free his slaves and recruit them as his own people. However, most people are unwilling to do so because it means losing a free labor force. However, Link chose this unusual path.

If the previous benefits made these people feel that their food and shelter were guaranteed, then Link's statement that they could be freed from slavery would rekindle their hope for life. They seemed to see the dawn of the future, the possibility of themselves and their descendants getting rid of slavery and living a free life.

"Really? As long as we work hard for two years, you will free us from our slavery and let us become your citizens!" Instantly, several people stood up excitedly, their eyes full of excitement and expectation. An old man in his forties tightly grasped the hand of a teenage boy next to him, his cloudy eyes were misty, as if he saw a future full of children and grandchildren, freedom and happiness.

Link nodded firmly. "This is my promise to you. It is also my promise to those who will come later and bear the same slavery as you. I, Link, keep my word and will definitely do what I say."

To prove his determination and sincerity, Link drew the sword from his waist and pointed it at the sky. Suddenly, the power of holy light gathered and formed wings of light behind Link. Indistinctly, one could even see angels flying in the air! This miraculous scene stunned everyone, and they all knelt on the ground and prayed devoutly.

"Oh my God! It's a miracle!" "God is above!" People exclaimed. They had never seen such a magical sight, as if they saw the protection and blessing of God.

Link put away his sword and looked at the pious faces below the stage. An inexplicable sense of responsibility surged in his heart. He knew that he was shouldering not only the mission of a lord, but also the responsibility to change the fate of these people.

He said loudly: "Okay, that's all I have to say. After you finish eating, if you still want to leave Mislina, please go to the gate. You can get some steamed buns as food for your journey. If you decide to stay, please stay here after you finish eating. Someone will come to register your situation, and then we will arrange suitable jobs for you according to your abilities and specialties."

Link paused, then said jokingly: "Afterwards I will let you go to the river outside the city to take a good bath. I don't want you to bring other guests, such as fleas, into your cabin just after you move into it." His words caused laughter from the people in the audience, and the atmosphere became relaxed and pleasant.

After saying these words, Link walked down the stage and said to Ingrid and Cooper beside him: "I will leave everything to you to arrange. Just do as I say. Make sure everyone is properly accommodated and taken care of."

Ingrid asked with some confusion: "Well, Lord Link, what if some of them really want to leave? Should we really let them go?" She couldn't believe Link's decision.

Link smiled and said nonchalantly, "Didn't I just say that? Give them a few steamed buns and let them go. A forced melon is not sweet. If they really want to leave, then let them go. I believe that those who stay are the ones who are truly willing to create a better future with us."

Cooper said with some distress: "But you bought them all with ten gold coins. Wouldn't it be a pity to let them go like this?"

Link shook his head and said, "If I force them to stay, I can only keep them as people, not their hearts. What I want is that they really want to stay here and work hard and fight with us. Only in this way can our city of Mislina become more prosperous and powerful. Okay, I'm leaving now. I'll leave the work to you. If there is anything, please inform me in time."

After saying these words, Link turned around and left without looking back. His figure seemed particularly firm and powerful in the afterglow of the setting sun, as if he was a true leader and hero. The people in the audience were discussing, looking forward to, and looking forward to their new life in the future.

173. Placement

What Link didn't know was that behind him, a group of people were looking at his receding figure with hopeful eyes. The afterglow of the setting sun shone on them, adding a layer of golden light to their expectations. It was this person who brought unprecedented light to their dark lives, allowing them to see the dawn of hope again in this war-torn land.

Ingrid stood aside, watching the slaves on the ground looking at her impatiently after finishing their meal, as if waiting for her next instruction. The slaves' eyes were full of desire for an unknown life and a yearning for freedom. Although Ingrid did not understand her master's behavior - why he was so tolerant of these slaves and even gave them the opportunity to choose freedom, Ingrid still faithfully carried out her task because it was Link's order, and she was extremely loyal to Link.

"You have all finished your meal. I'll ask you one last time. If you want to leave, you can come to the front now to get food for your journey." Ingrid's voice was clear and firm. She hoped that these people would understand that this was their last chance. Once they chose to stay, it would mean that they would accept a new life and a new identity.

However, after a long while, no one came out. They either bowed their heads in thought or looked at each other, but no one was willing to take that step. Ingrid nodded with satisfaction, secretly admiring Link's vision. If they rejected such a superior condition proposed by Lord Link, they would be too ungrateful. These slaves may have been accustomed to a life of bondage, but their eyes revealed a trust in Link and expectations for the future.

Seeing that no one left, Cooper on the side said: "Since you all choose to stay, someone will go down to get your information, and then take you to the river outside the city for a good wash. From now on, you are not just slaves, you have to be more decent." Cooper's voice was gentle and powerful, and his words were full of respect and encouragement for these slaves.

After Cooper finished speaking, Ingrid waved her hand, indicating that Cooper could start the next step: "Cooper, you can handle the rest of the matter. If they do anything ungrateful, just tell me."

"Okay, Master Ingrid, I'll take care of it." Cooper replied respectfully. He looked at those eyes full of hope, and a warm current surged in his heart. He also thought of the people of Mislina City in the past. Didn't they just want to live a better life at that time? Now, these slaves also have the same opportunity, and he hopes they can cherish it.

Cooper sighed and said to the few people who could write beside him: "You can ask one by one now. Lord Link has instructed that all those who have special skills must be noted down and nothing should be missed." These people are the few literate and writable people in Mislina City. They are valued by Link because of this skill and have now become an important part of the reconstruction process of Mislina City.

After receiving Cooper's order, several people took parchment and charcoal pencils and began to record one by one. They asked carefully and took notes seriously, fearing that they would miss any details.

"My name is Taike, I'm 41 years old, and I used to be a farmer. Because I offended the nobles in the territory, I was deprived of my property and exiled as a slave." A haggard middle-aged man spoke first, his voice carrying a hint of bitterness and helplessness.

"What crops are you good at growing?" asked the person in charge of recording.

"I can grow all kinds of vegetables, especially tomatoes and cucumbers, and I grow them very well." Tek said proudly, as if he was back in the farmland he loved.

"Name, age, what did you do before, why did you become a slave, and are you good at anything?" the person recording continued to ask.

"My name is Hunter, I'm 25 years old. I used to be a carpenter, but because I got addicted to gambling, I lost everything." A young man lowered his head, his voice filled with regret and self-blame.

"How long have you been doing carpentry work?"

"My father is a carpenter, and I learned it from childhood. But...but he died of anger because I owed a huge gambling debt." Hunt said, tears welling up in his eyes.

"My name is Hankerson, I'm 22 years old. I'm from another kingdom, and I came here to escape. But because I had no source of income, I was so hungry that I had to steal. In the end, I was caught and became a slave." A thin young man said timidly.

"My name is Baker, and I'm 28 years old. I used to be a soldier of a small lord, but because of the invasion of other countries, we were defeated, and I became a trafficked slave. After several changes of hands, I ended up here." A burly man said in a deep voice, his eyes revealing a kind of tenacity and indomitable spirit.

……

In this way, slaves took turns to come forward and tell about their past and their skills. Some of them were farmers, some were craftsmen, and some were soldiers, but they became slaves for various reasons. Now, they have a chance to start over, and they all hope to seize this opportunity to change their fate.

A group of slaves, led by Kuber, came to the lake east of Mislina to take a bath. Because there were many women among them, Kuber invited a few women to take a bath upstream. The men took a bath downstream under Kuber's supervision. They took off their dirty clothes and jumped into the clear lake water, washing away the dirt and fatigue on their bodies.

"It's been a long time since I had such a comfortable bath. To be honest, my body is quite dirty. Every scoop of mud is covered in mud." A slave said with a smile.

"In the past, we didn't even have enough food to eat, so we didn't have the energy to care about these things. Having a meal of black bread every day and being able to have a good night's rest is better than anything else." Another slave sighed.

"I feel like I'm hungry again. I want to eat that white steamed bun again." A young slave said with a giggle.

"You glutton, you only know how to eat." The slave next to him scolded with a smile.

Maybe it was because they were thinking about the wonderful life that was about to come, but everyone suddenly became more talkative and even laughed a little. They joked and played with each other, as if they had forgotten the suffering and humiliation of the past.

After taking a bath, everyone felt a lot different. They put on clean clothes and combed their hair neatly. With their bright eyes, if it weren't for the obvious slave marks on their bodies, it would be impossible to tell that they were slaves without freedom before.

"Hurry up, those who have finished showering, come and line up to get your clothes." Cooper shouted.

The first man who came over looked at the new linen clothes in his hands and asked in disbelief, "Are these our clothes? Where are our previous clothes?"

Cooper smiled and said, "Do you think you are still slaves? I have thrown away those dirty clothes. These are your new clothes. The weather is not too cold now. An inner lining, a coat and a pair of pants are enough. When the weather gets colder in the future, I will give you thicker clothes."

Everyone put on new clothes, although they all looked the same and were very simple, but they were much better than those dirty and torn clothes they had picked up from somewhere. They touched the new clothes on their bodies and showed satisfied and happy smiles on their faces.

"Okay, everyone get dressed. Now I'll take you to where you'll live. This is assigned to you based on your job, age and other factors. It's a wooden cabin with four people in a room." Cooper said as he led the team in front.

After they met up with the other women who had also finished bathing, they began to return to the city. They walked along the wide road. Although the houses on both sides were still a little shabby, they could already see signs of being gradually repaired. Their hearts were filled with expectations and longings, as if they had already seen their new life in the future.

After entering the city gate, they went directly to the newly built dormitory. This was the name Link gave to these wooden houses, which meant that these slaves would no longer be alone and helpless, but would have a home of their own.

Seeing the identical wooden houses standing in neat rows, the crowd stared in amazement. They had never seen such neat and clean houses, not to mention that this was where they were going to live.

"Is this where we are going to live?" a slave asked in surprise.

"So clean, that's great!" cheered another slave.

"This is much better than the stables we lived in before!" said a young slave with a smile.

Their eyes were full of surprise and satisfaction, as if they couldn't wait to live in these wooden houses.

"Those who have registered their names please go to the designated cabins. The cabins are numbered. Your basic daily necessities are in the rooms, but some of them have not arrived yet. They will be there in the next few days." Cooper said loudly.

Everyone looked at Cooper expectantly. They couldn't wait to go to their new home. As they listened to Cooper read out the names and the corresponding cabin numbers, they were filled with excitement and anticipation.

"Mike, Cary, Leighton, and Taylor, you are assigned to dormitory 001, and you will go to work in the iron mine." Cooper read.

"Visa, Jeffrey, Kro, and Huas, you will be assigned to dormitory 005. You are good at farming, and someone will arrange the land for you." Cooper continued.

"Ina, Carol, Maggie, and Anli, you are assigned to dormitory No. 041 and sent to the kitchen to do cooking, cleaning and other tasks." Cooper read out the last name and the assignment.

Everyone listened carefully and memorized their dormitory numbers and the jobs they were going to do. Although they were a little unfamiliar and worried about their new jobs, they were more looking forward to and longing for the future. They believed that under Link's leadership, they would be able to live a better life.

"Lunch will be delivered to the front of your dormitory. After lunch, someone will take you to your future jobs in the afternoon to familiarize you with them. You will officially start your work tomorrow, but some of you may have special work arrangements." Cooper said finally.

Everyone nodded, indicating that they understood. They were full of expectations and motivation, ready to meet new challenges and opportunities. They believed that as long as they worked hard, they would be able to change their destiny and live a happy and beautiful life.

174. Have some fun (laughs)

The young man named Tietou, whom Link had asked about kindly before, was now following the people who were specially arranged to live with him, walking among the scattered wooden houses. These wooden houses looked particularly warm in the afterglow of the setting sun. Each one looked the same, and for a newcomer, it was like a maze and difficult to distinguish. However, the careful craftsmen nailed a small house number on the door of each wooden house, with numbers clearly written on it, adding a unique mark to these seemingly identical residences.

"Come, this is No. 003. This will be our home from now on." Among the four, the older man with a weathered face squinted his eyes to carefully identify the house number, then pointed to a wooden house in front, with a barely perceptible excitement in his tone.

They walked forward together and gently pushed open the slightly heavy wooden door, and saw four neatly placed plank beds. Soft quilts and sheets had been folded on the beds, and everything seemed so orderly.

"Is this where we will live from now on?" Tietou looked around, his eyes gleaming with disbelief. Although they had been told that they would be living in a brand new wooden house, when they were actually inside, the dreamlike feeling still made them feel an indescribable emotion.

Tietou couldn't help but sit on a bed and lie down directly. He closed his eyes and a happy smile on his face: "So this is what it feels like to sleep in a bed. Oh my God! It's completely different from the haystack we slept on before!"