"I am succeeding as Chieftain, Brother."
Pesus withdrew the sword he had plunged into Ehans. Blood dripped heavily onto the ground.
I watched the scene with keen interest. Pessus Notley a character from the original story. Though Ehans's younger brother, their relationship had never been close.
"W-what is this?! Why are you doing this now, in this situation?!"
"I've only lived for a hundred years. Not even half my lifespan. Please understand, Brother. Even if it means becoming a human slave, I want to live."
"Become a slave! Do you even grasp the meaning of that?!"
"I do. The first lesson we learn as children is the history of the Dwarves. Once, we were slaves to humans."
"You're choosing slavery even though you know what it means!"
"Still, it's better than death. Death ends everything, brother. We Dwarves live far longer than humans. In time, an opportunity to break free will come. The Dwarves have a history of slavery, but it's only a part of our history."
"Madman! A honorable Dwarf fights to the end! The Frost Hammer Clan will never live as slaves!"
Ehans raised the Frost Hammer, the blue hammer that symbolized the Frost Hammer Clan, and prepared to swing it.
Pesus moved faster, slashing his sword and severing Ehans' arm. The hammer-wielding arm fell to the ground with a thud.
"Aaaargh! You bastard! Pesus!"
Ehans collapsed to the floor. The sword wound alone would have been fatal, but now his arm had been severed as well. His continued survival was likely due to the legendary resilience of the Dwarves.
"Brother, rest now. You will die as a Dwarf, not a slave. Isn't this the fate you always desired?"
Pesus discarded his sword and picked up the Frost Hammer from the floor. He flung aside Ehans' severed arm, which still clutched the hammer's haft, and gripped the handle firmly.
"Pesus! If you think killing me will make the tribe accept you as Chieftain, you're sorely mistaken! Put down the Frost Hammer! You're unworthy!"
"If not me, who else would wield the Frost Hammer? Whether the tribesmen acknowledge me or not is irrelevant. What matters is my Master's will."
I was impressed. Pesus was already calling me "Master." His change in attitude was remarkably swift.
I knew from the original story that he was a vile character, but I hadn't expected him to stoop this low.
"Advisor! Advisor Maleph!"
Ehans called out to the Dwarf mage, Maleph, who had been silently observing the situation from the sidelines.
"Yes, Lord Ehans."
"What are you waiting for?! Help me now! Use your magic to kill my deranged brother, Pesus!"
"That would be difficult, Lord Ehans. Chief Pesus would likely swing the Frost Hammer at me before I could cast a spell."
"Chief Pesus?! Are you out of your mind, Advisor?!" Ehans exclaimed in shock, clearly unable to comprehend Maleph's betrayal.
"Chief Pesus speaks the truth," Maleph countered. "What good will resistance do here but lead us to our deaths? Death leaves nothing behind. It's better to become Noe and live, waiting for an opportunity. We can't hide in this so-called paradise forever."
"Maleph! Your words contradict what you said earlier!"
"Adapting to changing circumstances is a fundamental virtue for an advisor."
"You... you traitors! I won't stand for this... ugh!"
Ehans, his face crimson with rage, roared before collapsing to the floor with a short gasp. His stillness suggested he was dead.
Pesus regarded Maleph with a wary gaze.
"Advisor, will you follow me?"
"Chief Pesus, your choice is wise. I acknowledge you as the rightful heir to the Frost Hammer."
"As expected. You are a man of sound judgment, Advisor."
"Providing sound counsel is my duty."
I swallowed a bitter laugh.
Sound counsel? Or just skillful flattery?
Regardless, the situation was favorable to me, so I decided to remain silent and observe.
Five minutes have already passed. I can no longer control the golem.
I wasn't worried. The battle had already ended in our victory.
Even without the golem, fewer than fifty Dwarves remained capable of fighting. With Yuria and me working together, defeating them would be child's play.
Clutching the Frost Hammer tightly, Pesus stepped forward and addressed the Dwarves.
"Listen! I have become the rightful Chieftain of the Frost Hammer Clan! All tribesmen, drop your weapons and kneel! We will survive, even as slaves!"
As expected, his words sparked immediate resistance.
"Don't make me laugh, you vile kinslayer! Who would ever acknowledge a man who murdered his own brother?!"
"Pesus! We witnessed your atrocities! You are unworthy!"
"We would rather die than live as slaves!"
Not everyone rebelled; only about twenty Dwarves. These dissenters roared their defiance and leveled their swords at Pesus, not me.
They seemed to find Pesus, who had killed their chieftain, even more unforgivable than me, who sought to enslave them.
"Hmph. Do you think we don't know you covet the Frost Hammer! I am the rightful leader of the Frost Hammer Clan! Advisor Maleph! Unleash your magic! These fools are traitors who care nothing for our clan's future!"
"You speak true, new Master of the Frost Hammer! Fireball!"
Maleph's fireball struck one of his own kind, engulfing the Dwarf in flames.
"Aaaaaaaagh!"
The Dwarf screamed in agony, staggered, and collapsed to the ground.
I could see the Dwarves preparing for battle.
Damn. This isn't going well.
My goal was to enslave them. Just moments ago, I had intended to kill some to maintain order, but now that Pesus, an exceptional manager, had emerged, I wanted to keep as many Dwarves alive as possible.
"Stop! You are my precious assets! I won't tolerate you dying in reckless fighting!"
"Don't be ridiculous, human! Who said we'd become your slaves?!"
The Dwarves rebelled.
Crackling.
The lightning gathered in my palm writhed menacingly.
"You're already finished. You've been decided as my slaves. Just accept your fate quietly. Yuria, knock out any who resist."
"Yes, Master."
The Dwarves charged.
I unleashed a bolt of lightning, discharging it into the crowd. Electrocuted, the Dwarves collapsed limply to the ground.
***
At the center of the Frost Hammer Clan's village square, I sat on the grand, ornate chair prepared by Pesus and Maleph, looking down at the kneeling Dwarves before me.
There were 88 of them the entire surviving population of the Frost Hammer Clan, now my slaves.
More than half glared at me with defiant eyes.
The most rebellious among them had their arms bound with iron chains, forged in a mere thirty minutes a testament to the Dwarves' reputation as master craftsmen. Though hastily made, the chains felt surprisingly sturdy to the touch.
What's amusing is that their hatred for Pesus far outweighs their hatred for me.
They seemed more enraged by Pesus's betrayal killing their Chieftain and seizing his position than by my enslavement of them.
This is fortunate for me. The deeper the animosity between Pesus and Maleph, the easier they are to control.
Pesus and Maleph had chosen me over their own tribesmen, likely believing I offered a better chance of success.
Their judgment proved correct. I intend to have them rule the Frost Hammer Clan.
"Pessus Notley, Chieftain of the Frost Hammer Clan and your Master's loyal slave, greets you, Master. This dagger is the finest blade in the village. I offer it to you."
Pesus bowed respectfully and presented the dagger. When I nodded, Yuria, standing beside me, took the dagger and handed it to me.
"This... hmm. Impressive. What's its name?"
"Eradicator. It was forged twenty years ago by the previous chieftain, Ehans."
I held the dagger and looked around. The blade was so sharp it felt like it could cut through the air, and the hilt and guard were studded with jewels, making it look incredibly ornate almost like a decorative piece.
What was unusual was the blade's length. It was quite long for a dagger, but still too short to be considered a short sword.
Daggers don't really appeal to me.
I was currently using a dagger, but the Blazing Lotus Flying Dagger felt much more natural in my hand. Soon, I'd grow big enough to wield it properly.
"Yuria, you take it."
"...May I really use such a magnificent blade?"
A dagger crafted by Dwarves, and one considered a masterpiece at that.
Given the Dwarves' meticulous standards for craftsmanship, their recognition of this dagger as a masterpiece meant its value must be astronomical.
"It's fine. You'll probably use the dagger more than I ever would."
I cleanly relinquished the dagger. After all, I knew I'd hardly ever use it even if I kept it.
"I'll use it well, Master. Thank you."
I nodded in response to her bow and rose from my seat.
"Pesus, since you've presented me with such an exceptional item, it's only proper that I bestow something upon you in return."
I deliberately spoke loudly, making sure to emphasize my generosity. This was the time to make a show of it.
See? Even Pesus looks pleased.
The important thing wasn't what I gave him, but the fact that I was bestowing something upon him at all. When you think about it, it also meant I was treating Pesus differently from the other Dwarves.
"Ooh...! What an honor, Master!"
I retrieved an item from my inventory.
It was a whip.
"That is..."
Pesus's face froze. He clearly hadn't expected it to be a whip.
"I'll show you the power of this whip."
I swung the whip at Pesus, striking his right shoulder with pinpoint accuracy.
Crack!
"Aaaah!"
Pesus screamed in agony, rolling on the floor.
"Stop exaggerating and get up, Pesus. Are you trying to disappoint me?"
"N-no, Master!"
Pesus scrambled to his feet, his eyes trembling with fear as he stared at me.
I raised my index finger and pointed to his right shoulder.
"Look at your shoulder."
"...Impossible! There's no wound!"
"This is the Whip of Pain. Those struck by it suffer no injury, only agony."
I spoke solemnly.
"The Whip of Pain. I obtained it from a random draw some time ago. Priced at 15 points, it's relatively inexpensive for its effects."
"Ooh... a truly remarkable artifact!"
"Pesus, you must have already discerned why I'm entrusting this Whip of Pain to you."
"I believe I understand. Master intends for me to oversee the Frost Hammer Tribe."
"Correct."
This was the man who had killed his own brother to survive, confirming his ambition for power by becoming chieftain. Manipulating Pesus would be no difficult task.
If he craves power, I'll grant him power even if it's merely the title of King of Slaves.
Power is power. Pesus won't betray me unless he craves even greater authority.
"You are the Chieftain of the Frost Hammer Clan and the overseer of slaves. And Maleph, you will assist Pesus."
"This Maleph will serve Chief Pesus to the best of my ability."
"Neither of you are slaves. Never forget that."
Pesus and Maleph are the types who would rather be the head of a snake than the tail of a dragon.
Of course, I have no intention of trusting these two completely.
I'll need to take one of the slaves and plant a spy among them.
Pesus and Maleph bowed deeply before me.
"Thank you, Master! We will never disappoint you."
"We will give our utmost!"
Afterward, I forced the Tenfold Poison upon the Dwarves.
I wasn't about to naively believe their oaths of loyalty sworn before me. What I trusted was the Tenfold Poison Yuria had created, not their empty promises.
"Take this. It's the Tenfold Poison. If you don't consume the antidote within eleven days, you'll die."
"...You didn't have to resort to such poison..."
"Don't want to take it?"
At my sharp retort, Pesus and Maleph quickly shook their heads. They knew what would happen if they refused.
"...We'll take it."
I personally watched as all eighty-eight Dwarves consumed the poison without exception.
Now, these wretches would have no choice but to obey my commands, if only to survive.
"I will now issue your first command."