Perry's tribe has survived its crisis with Lucas's help, but Bella's troubles are only just beginning. Her territory has been absorbing more and more beastkin, recently swelling to a population of thirty thousand.
In the Land of Chaos, many beastkin usually live in hiding. Now, hearing that Bella's territory welcomes them, they are flocking to her in waves.
Tramp, tramp, tramp...
Ayesha walked through the settlement, her Overlord Spear resting on her shoulder. Her purple eyes moved blankly over the crowds of beastkin sitting idly on the ground. They were motionless, some lying flat on the dirt, simply waiting for the hour when the daily ration of wheat porridge would be distributed.
"There's still a while before food. Might as well sleep a bit longer."
"This place is amazing. You get fed even if you don't work."
"Indeed. We owe it all to Lady Bella's mercy. We must be grateful."
"..."
"Father, I'm hungry. When can we have the porridge?"
"Wait a little longer. It's almost time for the distribution."
"Honestly, they only give a tiny bit each time. It's not enough. They said they'd take us in, but are they just letting us starve here?"
"Exactly. I came here with high expectations, and there isn't even a place to sleep."
Listening to the complaints and the idle chatter, Ayesha gritted her teeth. She marched toward the castle, having been back for a while. From her initial excitement to her current fury, she was angry at these beastkin—her Big Sister had kindly taken them in, yet they were speaking such ungrateful words.
Comparing this to Sedona City, the gap was staggering. Influenced by Lucas's pragmatic philosophy, she knew the current state of the territory was unsustainable.
"Lady Ayesha, you've returned," The guards at the castle gate greeted her respectfully.
"Is Big Sister back?" Ayesha asked sternly. She knew Bella had gone out to inspect the territory today.
"She is," The guard replied honestly.
Ayesha strode toward the council hall. Before she even entered, she heard the sound of a heated argument.
"My Lady, there are too many beastkin! If we don't find a solution, the wheat we purchased from Sedona City won't last much longer!" Nancy shouted. She was practically losing her hair over the stress of managing the population, the grain shortages, and the frequent riots.
"I'm thinking! Stop rushing me!" Bella cried out in frustration. Her usual calm demeanor had vanished, replaced by a headache as she rubbed her temples.
"My Lady, I suggest we drive them out. Keeping too many idle beastkin will only drag down the development of the territory," Nancy said seriously.
"No! I won't allow it!" Obi shouted. "They are all beastkin, our kind! How can we just cast them out?"
"Sir Obi, do you have a way to conjure up massive amounts of wheat?" Nancy glared at him. "At this rate, even you will go hungry."
"I... I'll go raid for it," Obi stammered, his confidence wavering.
"Raid? Raid who? Are you planning to rob Lord Lucas's cargo again? Have you no shame?" Nancy sneered. Obi fell silent, lowering his head as he remembered the embarrassment of his previous encounter with Lucas.
Ayesha stepped into the room, and the tense atmosphere eased slightly.
"Alright, you two may leave," Bella said with a forced smile, her dark brown pupils settling on Ayesha. She didn't want Ayesha to be burdened by these worries.
"Wait, don't go yet," Ayesha spoke up, sitting down beside Bella.
"Is there something you need them to do?" Bella asked curiously. She felt a deep sense of debt toward Ayesha. Based on Nancy and Obi's descriptions of Sedona City's prosperity, Ayesha could have been living in luxury there. Instead, she was back here suffering, barely getting enough to eat.
"Yes," Ayesha nodded firmly, her expression turning as stern as when she was arresting criminals in Sedona City. "Big Sister, why haven't you disciplined the people outside?"
"I..." Bella faltered. "What can I do? The numbers are just too high."
"Miss Ayesha, the main issue is that we lack the manpower and the food," Nancy explained, trying to cover for Bella.
"Lack manpower? There are thousands outside waiting for a free meal!" Ayesha looked at Bella. "Do you plan to support them for free forever?"
"But if we drive them out, Lady Bella's reputation will be ruined. No one will ever trust her word again," Obi added.
"But all I hear outside is complaining! They complain they aren't full, lying on the ground waiting to be hand-fed!" Ayesha's voice grew louder.
"How... how is that possible?" Bella's eyes widened in disbelief. "They are complaining about me?"
"Yes." Ayesha nodded. She recalled a piece of wisdom from her Master. "Don't just give blindly. It makes people feel entitled. In the end, when you can't give anymore, they won't be grateful—they will hate you."
Bella stood there with her mouth open. She turned to Nancy and Obi, and seeing their lowered heads, she knew Ayesha was telling the truth.
"Big Sister, didn't the Master say he wants to buy saltpeter? Force those people to go mine for it in exchange for wheat. That way, the territory will have an income," Ayesha suggested.
The topic of mining saltpeter had been brought up when they first arrived, but Bella had rejected it. She believed beastkin shouldn't be subjected to hard labor in mines; she wanted them to farm wheat and be self-sufficient. However, without management experience, her plans were nothing but empty words.
"Can he really buy the ore? That area is very easy to mine," Bella said, considering the idea seriously for the first time.
"If the Master said he can, then he can," Ayesha replied without hesitation.
"You..." Bella looked at Ayesha helplessly. The girl who used to idolize her was gone; she was now a complete fangirl of someone else.
Bella's gaze sharpened, her cold authority returning. She commanded Obi and Nancy, "Gather those who are eating for free and drive them to the mines. They will receive wheat based on how much ore they produce."
"Yes, My Lady!" Obi responded.
"And if they refuse to go?" Nancy asked quickly.
"Drive them away. My territory does not house idlers," Bella declared with a wave of her hand, her killing intent surfacing. "And for those who cause trouble... kill them!"
"Understood!" Nancy's face lit up with joy. With that order, she was ready to deal with the troublemakers. Obi sighed internally; knowing Nancy's devious nature, a lot of people were about to have a very bad day.
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