Building a World Class Empire in another World
Chapter 70: Growing Population, part 1

Chapter 70: Growing Population, part 1

Aric looked at Ariel with a soft gaze. He stretched his hand out and placed it on her face. She leaned into it without much thought.

"I don’t know how it works with dark elves and the whole chaos thing, but as far as I know, you are Ariel, the beautiful elf I met in this same forest, that shared a meal with me and taught me a lot about this world.

I would have been in the dark without you. I might have struggled a whole lot if it wasn’t for you, so I’m grateful to you.

We might not have known each other for months or years, but you are the dearest person to me here. I don’t care what your birth says. To me, you are still Ariel, and that chaos, it’s also part of you.

I accept all of you, and I’ll help you to control that side of you as well. It doesn’t matter how long—it, we have the time for it," he said, still looking into her eyes.

Ariel stared back at him. Her head moved in slowly, and their lips touched for a brief second before she pulled away.

"Thank you, Aric," she said and got to her feet, then walked out.

Aric could tell that the dark clouds were still looming over her, but he was certain she would get over it.

He got up as well and walked to the door. When he opened it, he saw over two hundred goblins lined up on their knees in chains, along with some humans, Andrew, and the Baron, also in chains.

"I know I planned for this, but seeing it now is a much bigger issue," Aric said.

"Master," Ron called out and approached Aric. "We removed the crystal from all of them. The crystals have been stored, and we have secured all the goblins.

While you were inside, Rinka and Gonna explained to them some of the issue at hand and everything that had happened. They all agreed to be calm and cooperative, but we wanted to make sure that you were here first before any further actions were taken," Ron explained.

"Thank you, Ron. I really appreciate your effort," Aric said and then pointed at the baron. "Take those two inside the house through the back and lay them down. I’ll attend to them later."

Ron nodded and immediately rushed to do that.

Aric turned his attention to the goblins that were staring at him. Their lower halves were covered in mud from the moat, and their hands as well, because many of them had struggled.

"Hello," he started speaking to them. "Before I go on to talk, I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Aric Terra. I am a half-elf, a hybrid. I am the master of this place you all tried to attack." He added the last part to ensure that he guilt-tripped them.

"I understand that it is not your fault and that you have all been controlled since the time you were born. No one should have to live that life. I wouldn’t want that. No one would.

Living like a puppet, your every move controlled daily without reward. I believe in the fact that the worker is deserving of his wages, but from what I have heard, you do your job in the cave just to stay alive.

I really have no point here. All I just want to say is look around. Look at the goblins around you, and then look at yourself. There is a clear and distinct difference between them and you.

The fact is, they are happy, they are well-dressed and clean, and they are rewarded for the actions and jobs they carry out. Now, I’m not trying to sway you with sweet words. What I’m saying is— isn’t it time you found something better with your life?

Right now, you are free from the control of your former master. Your minds are clear, and you can make whatever decision you want.

If you decide to leave, I will not hold it against you. You can go. The choice belongs to you now," Aric said.

Though what he said was a lie to an extent, he couldn’t allow someone that had seen the inside of his camp to go so easily.

"But if you decide to stay with me, you get more than just rewards—a true name and the opportunity to evolve more and more. So, what is it going to be?" he ended with a question.

The goblins looked at him for a while, as if contemplating what he said. Then, one got up to ask, "Do we really get true names?"

"Yes, you do, as long as you work hard. Ron, Lucas, Gunam, or even any among my goblins can recommend you for a true name.

But that depends on if you work hard and also show eagerness to learn new things," Aric explained.

"Work hard? What sort of work is it?" another goblin asked.

"Look around. Do you see all that’s going on? We are trying to build something great here, and I want you all to be a part of it.

And if you do well enough, you might one day get a house built for you alone. That’s something to look forward to, isn’t it?" Aric asked.

"What if our master comes back to attack again?" another goblin asked.

"Then we will be ready, all of us, together. You will also be trained and ready. We will fight against him, and we will win.

I also have a lot of beef with your leader, and I’ll not rest until we have taken him down. He is a threat to all of us here," Aric said.

"Do you really believe you can defeat him?" another goblin asked, the uncertainty in his eyes very clear.

"I don’t know. But I’d rather give it my best, and whatever comes after— well, it is what it is," Aric said.

He turned and walked toward the house, but then paused and looked back.

"Make your decisions soon," he said and walked in.