Way of Overlord
Chapter 247: Looking At Each Other

Chapter 247: Looking At Each Other

And that is not the only measure that Aeryon had did to change this world.

He abolish some draconian measures like boiling people alive as a method pf punishment. Aeryon is quite aware that many chiefs still retain this punishment.

Even in Khagai tribe and even in Duhai tribe, this punishment is very well alive.

There is some other punishment that would make people puke in disgust and fear when they hear it.

Aeryon knows he could only do this simple step. Fear and benevolence should be used sparingly.

A fearful soldier could do many things. But there is a limit to fear just like there is limits to benevolence.

Too much fear and you would raise a bunch of rabbits. Too much benevolence and you raise a lazy soldier.

Reward and punishment must be clear. Benefits and loss must be calculated.

Aeryon is not stupid enough to change the whole punishment.

He would make changes. But these changes should be gradual and effective. A fast reform sometime crashes before it could even take off.

And that is what Aeryon is worried about

Reforming thing should not be easy. But a reform is necessary. So, a gradual rollout of these reform should be implemented instead of fast-moving reform that would destabilize his entire rule

Did he want to impose a democracy-based rule? Just because he came from such a society, doesn’t mean that he is stupid enough to implement it in the Steppe. And implement it in his tribe

This is not progress. This is basically suicide

In his time, this would be almost impossible without a strong central authority.

Why? Because in a nation where votes the only thing that matters, ruler only cares about appeasing their voter base to maintain power.

Hence, sometimes, the needs of the people of prioritized. But sometimes, the needs and desire of people is not exactly vital or useful to the nation itself

It is like a child wanting candy, wanting toys, and screaming and crying when they didn’t get it.

And then there is the career politicians. Politicians that knows only to retain power would satisfy their voters. And long-term planning for the state and the nation does not matter. Because what matters is the next election

Reforming certain system of the government would take years. It is not something that bear results in a year. Sometimes, only decades after the reform is introduced that the reform shows its usefulness.

But which politician would roll out such plans? Democracies is a rotating chair between rich people and career politician.

The powerful would always hold power and in a world where the power of the common people is diminished and no longer be able to rebel without arms and weapons, the elite would become more elites

Yes, there are some countries that allow arms. Most notably in James mind is United States.

But even if the militiamen of America rebels, can they defeat the army?

They could not. They use small guns.

The army uses large guns. Artilleries, railguns, jets, laser weapons . An artificial freedom.

They could choose countless flavours of ice cream, but only two pollical parties that is always bound by interest that they could choose when they have to make a choice of people that would rule them

Manufactured rage from both sides, creating more tribalism and divided the nation.

And for a nation being divided is fatal.

But for rulers their citizens dividing themselves, each one pointing at each other calling each other incorrigible and someone they would not associate with is something delightful to these rulers.

The more they are divided, the stronger the grip of these rulers on them.

My side, your side.

In the end, divided, the only side that wins, is the side of the ruler, of the powerful, of the one that controls them

And those who listen to the voice of the people, is not always the good ruler of a nation. Pandering and appeasing, the interest of the nation could be sold as long as the next election could be won

And those who do not listen at all to the voice of the people, is not a good ruler at all.

Balancing the two, between the needs of the people and the needs of the state is paramount. But Aeryon could do it.,

He could do a reform because his voice is the only voice and his order are the only order. There is no election, there is no voter base he should please.

Instead, it is these people that should please him.

With that kind of power, it is very easy to get caught up in it and become corrupt.

But he also knows that the people is the foundation.

Yes, he could do reform.

But he must not reform too fast and touches the interest of too many people at too swift of a timeline, else he would be overthrown by the people.

Aeryon fortunately is not those licentious and greedy rulers. Ambitions that he have prevented him from going down the road of a corrupt ruler.

But...even though he had adjusted himself to many of the culture norms of this time, it is really hard for him to consummate a weeding with someone that looks like a child.

Just thinking about it makes him uncomfortable all over.

So, he decide to wait at least until she reaches a more appropriate age

Hence, the five-year period. But he could not really tell her that is the real reason.

Because she then would tell him, that everyone is doing it like this.

And he also knows that because of this request, Ayera would face pressure from the Elders of his tribe and the Elders of her tribe.

If she did not get pregnant, then people would point fingers at her calling her barren among other things.

He knows he is being quite unfair but he really could not stomach such an act. So, he needs to find a different reason to convince her.

A reason that she could accept.

"The tribe is still-" but then he held his tongue back.

He was about to say that the tribe is not yet stable.

So, he could not let her bear a child but then he held himself back because he knows that while this reason would fly in the modern world, but not for his situation in this era.

He is a ruler.

But he has no heir.

Instead, if he has an heir right now, his position would become even more stable. So, he held himself back. Just at the right moment.

And his head spins again.

Trying to find a reason

"I’m sorry" he thought to himself as he is about to say his reason

He then look at Ayera face in the darkness. Even though he could not see clearly, he could still see her face a bit.

He sighed and said

"I do not want my children to become a political tool. Not for you and your father" When Aeryon said this, his voice is cold and his eyes has this glint of fierceness in him

Ayera look at Aeryon and for a moment she was stunned.

She met many men.

Some coveted her because of her beauty.

Some of them coveted her because of her position.

Some coveted her because of her title. But Aeryon is unlike those other men.

He doesn’t seem to be that interested in her. And as for wealth or title, the Brolgadhr tribe has more than even her tribe.

This alliance is needed more for their tribe instead of Aeryon tribe

If there is a reason that Aeryon needed Ayera tribe it would be because Ayera tribe could hold back the East and the north.

Or at least be a stumbling block for other tribes on the other side of Brolgadhr border. It also deters some other tribe for making a play in the area that Aeryon governed. She never doubted form the beginning that this is a political marriage.

And everything about it is political.

She never thought that Aeryon would care if the children she bore would be used as a political tool.

And so, for a moment, she gets tongue tied.

Not knowing what to say.

For a moment, they are looking at each other.

And Ayera truly look.

Truly look at this man that is his husband. And only now, he sees that Aeryon is someone who fist her aesthetic.

He does not look manly like Belarion or the warriors that Ayera admires, but he looks more like smooth looking faces of those Yan and Roma nobles.

It is a bit mixed, having that Roma features and the Urkic people in the far west. Not all people of Marynku has that feature.

And this feature is hard to see. You could only notice it if you look at him closely. Hidden beneath the features of a Marynku.

But in the tribe who would take the time to look at his face that much. Who would dare look that long and look at it so carefully?

He did not possess bulging muscles or having an imposing appearance.

Ayera like manly man.

And Aeryon sometimes look like a weak man. But it is this seemingly weak man that possess great power. Hiding beneath this humble appearance, is a monstrous like power.

No one would believe it until they experience it for themselves Ayera had experienced it, so she knows it is true.

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