Dark Warlock in the Apocalypse

Chapter 44: The Price of Leadership

"...Slaves?"

The eyes of the people widened in shock.

Slaves?

Everyone seemed uncertain if this was the kind of "slaves" they knew.

Nox, as if to drive the point home, explained again.

"Yes, I mean slaves. Such a highly useful resource, don't you think? You can use them as you wish, give them only enough food to live, and it's entirely up to you how to dispose of them."

"Wait, wait, wait!"

Zachary shouted multiple times, his face flushed.

It looked more like he was trying to calm himself down rather than addressing Nox.

After taking several deep breaths, Zachary finally spoke.

"Slaves? Who are you planning to make into slaves?"

"The enemy's settlers, of course."

"Th-the settlers?"

"Yes. You all know it, don't you? Estates—safe zones—aren't limited to just this place. They're distributed at certain distances from here. Close enough to reach if you set your mind to it."

"Then this war..."

"It's a war between the pioneers of different estates. The slaves are the settlers who live there."

A heavy silence fell.

They all vaguely knew that other estates existed.

But war? Spoils and slaves?

Their expressions grew serious, as if they were envisioning the worst possible scenario.

"As you might expect, this also applies to all of you."

Before anyone could voice objections, Nox smiled and affirmed the worst-case scenario.

"The spoils and slaves always go to the victor. If the pioneers here are defeated by an invasion from another estate, then the people residing in this estate will be taken as slaves."

"No, that's impossible! How can that be allowed?"

Nox dismissed someone's desperate scream with a cold voice.

"Whether it's possible or not is not for you to decide."

"Don't try to inject strange philosophies or morals into this. It's simply become possible. No matter how much you protest, if someone wins a war, they can kill you and take your family as slaves. That's all there is to it."

The settlers despaired at the thought that their rights could now be unilaterally restricted by the leader.

The pioneers felt conflicted, knowing that these powers could either become theirs or belong to someone else.

And that sentiment was the same among Justin's team.

His companions, gathered in his home, all wore serious expressions.

"A leader... Given the nature of World Rebuild, I thought this would happen eventually, but it's too soon."

"The timing isn't the problem—the powers are. They're excessively strong. If you get on the leader's bad side, it's over for you."

"Well, for maintaining order, such power might be necessary. If it were weak, it would just lead to more resistance."

Derek looked at Justin with an incredulous expression.

"Are you not worried, brother?"

"Worried about what?"

"What if some random guy becomes the leader? Wouldn't that put us in a terrible position?"

"Not at all."

Justin snorted at the unnecessary concern.

"Didn't you hear what Nox just said? There could be an invasion from another estate."

"What does an invasion have to do with the leader?"

"If a leader thinks this is their land, they'll fight desperately against any invaders. But would the other pioneers fight properly?"

"Uh..."

Derek's eyes wandered.

He still seemed a little confused, so Justin decided to explain more clearly.

"If the leader treated the other pioneers poorly, would they fight for him if asked to risk their lives? They'd rather surrender to the other estate."

"...!"

"Is that even possible? Without the leader's consent?"

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