Tyrant? No, I am the Villain
Chapter 39: Order through fear

Chapter 39: Order through fear

Frejlurd stood close to Estefan, having just heard the command that would define the future of the City Guard.

Although the suggestion was brutal as it was to unleash ruthless crackdowns on businesses refusing to pay taxes and confiscation through violence. It chilled him but he couldn’t deny the logic behind it.

It was cruel, certainly. But had he not already spilled the blood of his own former comrades under the Baron’s orders?

Estefan spoke as if reading his thoughts. "Do not feel bad for them. They betrayed you, me, and this city. They sided with those who would see this land consumed in filth and fire. This is justice. Bloody, yes but justice remains justice, regardless of its form. In the end, it is for the good of the people."

Frejlurd wanted to offer a counterpoint, maybe ask for leniency or suggest alternatives. But the words caught in his throat. Deep down, he knew the Baron wasn’t wrong. Those people are the citizens of this City and then bowed to criminals who yearn to destroy this City for their greed. Frejlurd had watched this city rot, to see such businesses being used to make money for them to empower them to commit more crimes.

He remained silent. "I’ll take that silence as a yes." Estefan said coolly, his gaze shifting back to the window, where the city stretched out like a living corpse waiting to be revived. "Remember this, Frejlurd, the path you now walk will be soaked in blood. There will be atrocities, pain and sacrifice. But it must be done. It’s all for the City."

"For the City." Frejlurd echoed, his voice quiet but resolute.

"Indeed." Estefan replied with approval. "Now then, I want routine night patrols throughout the city. But not a lone man strolling the alleys. I want groups of five to ten at a time from sundown to sunrise. Every night without exception."

Frejlurd straightened his back. "We’ve already begun such patrols, my lord... but only in the areas under our direct control. But may I ask why the need for larger groups?"

Estefan’s response was simple but ominous. "Because I don’t want any City Guards captured, tortured and made into an example. That is what these animals will do."

The word animals struck hard, and Frejlurd paused, trying to grasp the extent of what the Baron foresaw. "You really think they would go that far?" He asked since that would mean directly challenging Estefan and the Angeras family simultaneously.

Estefan nodded. "Naturally. These criminals are experts in cruelty. They won’t just kill a guard. They’ll parade the body, dismember it, burn it alive. All to send a message that siding with me leads to death. Their goal is to break morale, to make the citizens and your own men question their loyalty out of fear."

Frejlurd clenched his jaw. The Baron’s grim foresight wasn’t paranoia but it was strategy. "I understand your reasoning, my lord. But I must remind you... our manpower is lacking. We don’t have enough trained guards to cover such wide areas in large units."

Estefan turned, his voice steady and firm. "Everything worthwhile is difficult. I am not asking for miracles. I’m asking for results. Adapt and expand. Use what resources you have while making it work."

Frejlurd lowered his head. "I will not disappoint you, my lord."

Estefan walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don’t worry about whether people will join the Guard again. Confiscate criminal businesses and the people will see the change. They will believe in you and they will support you."

Frejlurd blinked in surprise. "You think that will be enough?"

Estefan nodded. "The people hate the Guard not because of its name, but because you abandoned them. You turned your backs, ignored their pleas and protected the very monsters who preyed upon them. If you show them you have changed... truly changed then they will support you again."

Frejlurd inhaled sharply, his chest swelling with determination. The words stung, but they were true.

"They want hope." Estefan continued. "That’s all. They want to believe in something or someone. That can be you, if you prove it."

"I understand." Frejlurd said, a newfound confidence in his voice.

"Good, so increase patrols. Let the people feel the Guard’s presence. Make it known that they are not alone anymore." Estefan turned his gaze toward the window again. "And no curfews. Not tonight... Not anymore. Let the people walk freely at night. Let them see the proud march of the City Guard, boots on cobblestone and armor under the moonlight. That will give them comfort instead of fear."

"I will ensure it, my lord." Frejlurd said with renewed purpose.

The Baron stepped closer, his eyes like daggers. "That’s what I want to hear. Now, prepare to begin confiscation... Hasten the process."

Frejlurd straightened. "This will hurt Zorthar more than Lutis. They own the most businesses, often hidden through proxy owners."

"Correct." Estefan confirmed. "And make sure you target the brothels. If you find drugs, shut them down. Kill everyone involved. That should send a strong message to both of them."

Frejlurd hesitated. "Wouldn’t that spark a full-scale war? Both factions may retaliate."

Estefan smirked. "Then let them. They would only be signing their death warrant."

Frejlurd remained quiet. Fear still lingered within him, it was not fear of Estefan, but of the enemies he once served under. He remembered kneeling before Zorthar men, being bribed with cheap change by Lutis smugglers to avoid raids. Back then, the City Guard was little more than chained dogs.

But now, things are changing. Estefan had snapped those chains. The power balance had shifted.

"What if they attack us first?" He asked.

Estefan placed a hand on his shoulder again, this time with a smile that sent chills down his spine. "If they do well, kill them all. Kill their allies. Kill their families. Let the City know that the law is not to be mocked. No more leniency. Death is the only punishment for those who break the law under my rule."

Frejlurd nodded slowly. "So the point is to create fear... not just to punish, but to discourage any crimes at all."

"Exactly." Estefan said. "No petty thefts. No back-alley murders. No extortion. Peace through fear, order through fire."

Frejlurd sighed. "If only people were wise enough to see the value in peace before blood had to be spilled."

Estefan laughed softly, walking past him. "Humans are strange creatures, Commander. We crave violence more than food... yet we preach peace like saints. Hypocrites, all of us."

He paused at the doorway, the shadows of the room stretching behind him like a shroud. "But let them preach. We will act."

[To be Continued]