After gaining valuable insights, Cedric and Torric rode back to the village. There, Selara, Rhydan, and Syleric had learned that to create a faction, one must first form a group of five members or more and vote for a leader. The next step was to gain control over a settlement and secure the votes of the settlement's most respected members, only then a faction will be created and the group leader will be recognised as the ruler of the faction. Cedric also explained the gate and sanctuary rules to them.
After further discussion of the rules, they created their group, and without question, everyone voted for Cedric. It was time to establish their faction, but first, they needed to win over the village's respected individuals, which posed a problem since they had no leverage over them. It was unreasonable to expect those people to vote Cedric as their leader.
Syleric advised using force to pressure the villagers into submission, the easiest path, in his view. Rhydan argued firmly that such an act was out of the question, calling it deplorable.
Cedric was conflicted, but he eventually took Rhydan's side. His reasoning was that their roots must be established through mutual respect, not violence, because whatever they built would need a solid foundation strong enough to bear the weight of the structure to come.
Syleric and Cedric went outside to get some fresh air and discuss the matter further. Just then, they saw banners popping up in the sky all around them. Cedric called out for Torric and Rhydan, stressed but composed, he ordered them to scout the surrounding factions and get information on them.
With a sharp, urgent tone, Syleric said, "Cedric! We must hurry, or we'll fall behind. Our lives are on the line here! If we don't build our kingdom soon, we'll all die!"
Cedric, now conflicted and stressed, proposed that they wait a little longer.
When they returned to the village, Selara was practicing with her bow. Cedric's eyes suddenly lit up. With a hopeful tone, he said, "Selara, your archery skills haven't dulled, they're still brilliant! You must ride to the forest and catch the biggest game."
Selara was confused by Cedric's sudden enthusiasm but agreed, since he was Cedric after all. Cedric then convinced another villager, a hunter, to accompany her. He made a bet with the man: if Selara caught the bigger game, the hunter would follow Cedric; if she lost, Cedric would give him his horse. The villager proudly accepted, reassuring himself that it was just a girl, and his pride did the rest.
Cedric noticed that the elders had a drinking problem, while the youths were passionate about wrestling. Another idea struck him. Being a heavy drinker himself, and standing six feet tall with an athletic build, Cedric challenged both groups at once. He bet his armor and weapons that he could outdrink the elders and then, drunk, win a wrestling match against the strongest youth.
The villagers laughed at his boldness but decided to entertain themselves with his wager.
One cup after another, Cedric kept drinking. His vision blurred, and his head grew light, but he pressed on until every elder had given up, some passed out, others vomited. He had won the first round. But victory in the next, the wrestling match, seemed out of reach for him, or at least that's what everyone thought.
As Cedric entered the ring, wobbling unsteadily, his opponent laughed. They embraced briefly before the match began. The opponent felt Cedric's shaky footing and grew confident he could bring him down swiftly, but as he moved in, Cedric managed to position his feet just right and barely kept his balance. Then, using all his remaining strength, Cedric slipped his foot between the man's stance and twisted, throwing him to the ground. The man's overconfidence and lack of attention had cost him dearly.
Cedric was the only man left standing in the ring. The onlookers stared in awe. Still swaying, he raised his hand and mumbled, "I… am Cedric Alvyren – a gr-eat warrior." Syleric sighed in embarrassment, placing a hand over his forehead in disbelief. But the villagers were impressed and began cheering, "Cedric Alvyren!"
Moments later, Selara returned with her game, the largest anyone had seen in weeks. The villagers looked at her skeptically, but the hunter shouted, "She caught that!" Then he turned to Cedric and said, "You've won the bet, Cedric. I'm yours to command. My name is Fenric."
Cedric swayed, vomited onto the ground, and pointed at Selara. "That's my woman, Selara!" he slurred. She looked away, blushing in embarrassment as cheers erupted again, this time for both of them.
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Soon, Torric and Rhydan arrived, shocked by the chaotic scene. They questioned Syleric, who, clearly frustrated, explained what had happened. Torric chuckled. "That's my Commander," he said proudly. Rhydan sighed and muttered, "Well, at least he's managed to win the hearts of the villagers."
When Cedric finally woke up from his blackout, Rhydan explained that other people from the old world had used force to subdue the villagers, effectively enslaving them. One of them, Alviz, a general known for his cruelty, had seized over twenty villages in the east and was building his capital. He had rallied about two hundred soldiers from the old world and was now likely a powerhouse in the region.
To the east, Torric reported that Brenik, a famous merchant from the old world, had struck deals with several others from both worlds. He had secured one of the largest villages in the area and was introducing sophisticated trading systems to expand it further.
Cedric knew he had to make his move soon or risk falling behind, which, in this deadly competition for power, meant certain death. They discussed ways to win over the villagers, and with Cedric's growing popularity, a democratic approach seemed more plausible. He decided on the simplest yet most effective plan for the situation.
Cedric arranged a meeting with all the influential members of the village. His proposal began, "As you may be aware, there are rumors of growing threats in the surrounding regions."
One of the elders, skeptical, asked, "By people like you?"
Cedric replied calmly, "Yes, by people like me. But you must decide the fate of your own village. If they conquer this place, you will be enslaved. I swear upon my honor that I will defend this land with my life if you elect me as your leader. I know this may sound absurd, but consider this, only people like me know how to deal with my kin. Furthermore, by God's mercy, you've lived in peace until now, your numbers keep growing and a time will come when this will no longer be sustainable. But that will not happen under my watch."