Beneath the Red Dragon

The village leader Faen’s expression changed, the words spoken by the woman who called herself Alina resembled the stories preached by the Church, only Alina was using them in reference to the Giant Dragon. This woman, or rather this dragon, was well-versed in the knowledge of humans.

The voice of Bronze Dragon Alina was carried by the gentle breeze to everyone’s ears, ”Under the witness of the Master of the Dragon Clans and the will of the Dragon Group, I, Alina, hereby make a covenant and promise with you all at this time and place. You, as serfs, will work for the Dragon Group for three years and then will be able to regain the status of Free People. This is also the promise of the Dragon Group!”

”And at that time, you will be eligible to buy back the land you cultivate with your own hands or can choose to cultivate new land, becoming self-sustaining farmers owning your own land,”

”Or you may join the Pioneer Corps through your outstanding performance, becoming corps members serving the Dragon Group, receiving unique status and treatment.”

”But no matter what, once you regain your freedom, you will automatically become the first generation of free citizens in the city you build with your own hands!”

The crowd was restless; though some words were hard to understand, the refugees and slaves understood that as long as they worked for the territory for three years, they would gain freedom. Their fears and worries diminished, beginning to anticipate the future after three years.

Only Nora displayed a worried expression on her small face, looking at her elderly grandmother. Her grandmother had told her that as long as she lived well, there would always be a way out.

The young Nora was not afraid of the impending serf life; she only feared her elderly grandmother might not endure it.

”Now, bow to the flag of the Giant Dragon, recite your names, in the name of the Giant Dragon! Swear allegiance!” said Bronze Dragon Alina, then planted the flag into the soil before her.

Although Bronze Dragon Alina felt that having each person come forward to swear individually would add more ceremony and solemnity, the number of these refugees and slaves was too great; this group consisted of about three thousand people. If each were to swear individually, it might take an entire day.

But time was extremely precious for Bronze Dragon Alina; she could not wait to prove her abilities, achieve accomplishments, impress the Dragon Group, and demonstrate she had not betrayed Karon’s trust.

The village leader Faen immediately took the lead, bowing his head and reciting his name, ”I, Faen, in the name of the Giant Dragon, offer my loyalty, thankful for the generosity of the Master of the Dragon Clans, grateful for the virtues of the Dragon Group!”

Everyone else bowed their heads, learning from Faen, reciting their names, swearing allegiance to the Giant Dragon, and the camp filled with clamor.

”Very well, next are some policies and regulations concerning your future lives, hoping you will pay attention to your futures and not miss this knowledge,”

Bronze Dragon Alina gestured for everyone to stand, then handed a thin booklet to the human scribe beside her, requesting him to read the future policies of the corps.

The human scribe was an elderly mercenary, though not possessing profound knowledge, he recognized most common languages, and having experienced many adventures, he was unfazed by such a large crowd and read fluently.

These slaves and Lumin mostly lacked education, but concerning their future lives, they still listened intently.

Regarding these policies and regulations, the refugees automatically summarized them in ways they could understand.

For instance, after becoming Free People, they could choose to reclaim and develop wasteland, the developed land would belong to them, and for six years, they would not need to pay taxes; if they redeemed the wasteland cultivated during their three years of serfdom, they would need to pay certain taxes.

Moreover, they could apply to the territory for cattle, horses, dragon beasts, and other animals to assist in cultivation, and within ten years, the territory would provide grain seeds for planting.

And the cultivated land was counted in achievements based on area, one hectare would earn them a reward of one poultry like a chicken or duck from the territory, two hectares would earn livestock such as pigs or dogs.

Three hectares would earn rewards of large livestock like cattle or horses, four hectares could apply for dragon beast rewards like Earth Dragons, and over five hectares, they could become Junior Agricultural Officials in the territory, enjoying some tax reduction privileges.

There were also policies rewarding childbirth, every child born to a serf automatically obtained Free People’s status and rights, no longer seen as serfs.

If a girl was born, the reward was two barrels of wine and a pig or dog; for a boy, the reward was two barrels of wine and a cow or sheep; for a third child, the territory would provide a dedicated wet nurse or the use of beast milk to raise the child.

Moreover, just by having a child, they would receive assistance from the territory, not only rewarding two acres of farmland, but also automatically enrolling the child in the Giant Dragon Academy, enjoying future free meals and lodging at the Giant Dragon Basic Academy.

Never underestimate these things; in a life polarized between the nobility and common people, material resources for these commoners were extremely scarce, often a family of three only possessing one thick winter coat.

During winter, whoever went out wore this thick coat, while the others could only huddle indoors for warmth. These rewards from the territory were enough to tempt these refugees and slaves.