"What on earth happened? Has Lord Ges lost his mind... This is his domain after all."

Adela sneered and said coldly.

"But now his subjects are disobedient. Isn't it only rightful to teach them a lesson with sticks?"

Hephael swallowed his saliva.

"...What about us? What should we do..."

If he were asked to recruit conscripts from the fields, he wouldn't bat an eye and would certainly sort out those lazy good-for-nothings. But if he were asked to turn his guns on his neighbors, or drive them out of town, he just couldn't bring himself to do it, as they were his kinfolk after all.

Adela remained impassive and spoke softly.

"Do nothing."

Hephael widened his eyes at him, holding his breath, and glanced at the increasingly close army, eventually releasing his trembling fist.

What came wasn't demons, nor mountain bandits, but the local lord. There was no need to ring the bell.

And in fact, that was the right choice.

If they didn't choose to turn a blind eye, someone would make them keep both eyes closed.

Meanwhile, the tenant farmers in the town finally noticed the uniform sound of footsteps.

They gathered at the edge of the fields, their eyes filled with indescribable fear and anger.

Baron Ges sat on his horse, looking imposingly at the tenant farmers dressed in rough burlap, disdain burning with anger in his eyes.

"Ignorant lazybones." He urged the reins in his hand, the horse's hooves stepping forward, his belly bouncing with the movement, and continued to shout in a loud drake voice, "I gave you ample time to move off my land, even gave you things on the land as compensation, and what did you do? Dismantle my fences? Attack my sheep? Poison my grass? Tsk tsk, is this how you repay my kindness?"

The crowd remained silent, just staring at him with wide eyes, their pupils filled with anger, cringe, as well as shame and fear. Some even lowered their heads, staring at their toes, wanting to burrow into the ground to escape their current fate.

Smelling the stink of the soil, Ges frowned, his eyes growing more contemptuous and disdainful.

His wife always thought he wasn't brave enough, not like a real noble, so he would prove it.

He holds honor.

"Do you know what the neighboring village did? The baron there is a tough character; he used his magic wand to set a fire, burning down every house he saw. He told me that land scorched by flames becomes more fertile, with lusher grass growing."

The crowd looked at him in terror, even those who had their heads down raised them in panic.

Seeing them finally showing the expression they should have, Baron Ges's lips curled up in a satisfied smile.

Fighting the Demon King Army alone was too difficult for him, but dealing with these folks was still very easy.

He lifted his chin and said in a more exalted voice.

"Of course, I am merciful, and I certainly won't use the magic wand to set your houses on fire... though I have the right and ability to do so."

He paused, and then his tone suddenly changed, a wicked smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"But instead, I have prepared another gift for you."

As he finished speaking, he clapped his hands.

A magician wearing a robe stepped out from the mercenary squad, removing the hood from his head.

He was a half-elf, with a handsome face, a high nose, and a head of light golden hair.

Not just that.

He also possessed the natural affinity granted by his half-elf lineage, and the natural magic he learned later on.

"...Seeds slumbering in the earth, heed my command, partake of the fertile soil, transform this place into an endless grassland."

He chanted a spell, the magic wand embedded with a peacock stone slightly raised in his hand, as he untied the bag hanging at his waist.

A breeze blew, scattering countless tiny seeds in the fields, which germinated instantly, transforming into wild grasses, vines, and brambles, spreading out rapidly!

"No!!!"

John, carrying a hoe, let out a cry of despair, rushing forward to try and stop them, but was easily pinned to the ground by the soldiers.

Meanwhile, the surrounding farmers watched in horror as the vines rapidly tore apart the land they had lived on for generations, the nutrients in the soil quickly drained by the rampant weeds.

Within a few breaths, the lush grass had covered the entire field, devouring all the yet-to-develop wheat seedlings!

A drop of sweat trickled down the half-elf's forehead, and he gently wiped it with his sleeve before looking triumphantly in Baron Ges's direction.

The latter nodded with a smile, lightly applauding.

"Not bad."

Though natural magic isn't quite fit for farming, as the crops only grow in size without bearing fruit, it's perfect for creating a grassland!

This was an idea he stumbled upon; other nobles might have heavy-handed tactics, but they were far less clever and flexible than him.

Of course, as his fame spread, other nobles would surely imitate soon.

Just like when he wore white silk to a banquet as a trendsetter.

Looking at John, who was pinned to the ground, Jimmy approached tremblingly, despairingly gazing at Lord Ges.

"...This land is our lifeline, without it... where can we go?"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.