Report Update.

"The number of incidents with the human population is drastically decreasing with each passing day, Supreme Commander. With your policies, many are finding that they are living better than they were when they were in the Empire. Our scouting parties have heard people talking about before and after occupation. It is becoming increasingly more obvious that they are having better under Martial law of the Beast-kin nation than normal times under the nobility." A soldier reported. I pursed my lips as I looked at Commander Cody and grinned.

"At least one thing is going to plan," I replied, and Commander Cody smiled.

"Yes, that plan is still working," Commander Cody Said, scratching in black fur ear and smiling, "I am still in awe that the plan is working. I thought that we were going to have a major pain keeping the population suppressed while we were in the Empire."

"People just want better lives," I said, looking down at my paperwork. You give them a path to a better life than they had, and they are going to take it. They will be wary of us for a long time, though, and think we will be the same as the nobles that stomped on them before."

"We are getting messages as a major village outside town is pushing back a little harder than normal." Commander Cody, "It seems that the clean-up in the back lines is being pushed back. It was a major Village that the border soldiers used to frequent under the control of a Baroness who disappeared a couple of months before the invasion."

"Why are they pushing back so hard?" I asked.

"They are not making any gold, it seems," Cody replied. Without the border soldiers frequenting their village, the local blacksmith, doctors, inns, brothels, and restaurants have had all their revenue dry up and are pissed."

"Is there a way to bring our Logistics personnel through there?" I asked. " Can we make it a major trade route?"

"No, it is a bit too out of the way and would add at least a day or two to the movement of our supplies."

"Are there warehouses?"

"There is nothing suitable for the Logistics personnel to go out of their way for." Cody said, his voice grim, and I sighed.

This was going to be an issue.

"Can we move them?" I asked. "Can we Move them to a place along the road and promise to build them new houses or provide the materials for them to make new homes and businesses?"

"Um," Commander Cody shrugged, "No one asked if they are willing to move to a new place where they can make gold off our people."

"Then ask. There will be those who will push back, but there will be those who move for us. If they want to stay," I shrugged, they follow opportunity. We can always burn the village around their ears after moving a majority of them."

Cody nodded seriously. I held up a hand, and he paused, looking to be taking a note. "I was joking with that last comment," I said to the Wolf-kin, and he looked at me surprised. 

"Why can't we?" Cody asked.

"Because it would destroy the good will of the human population we have taken hold of for now," I replied, and he frowned. Trust me, for now, we cannot, but we can just let them starve till they realize they need to make coin in order to eat. Then we can give them the basics and give them a job," I told him, and he nodded.

"Yes, Supreme Commander," Cody said and started to take notes.

"How is the front?" I asked.

"There are no signs of the humans at this time other than small skirmishes as they gather information on our new border. Nothing more than probes," he said, paused, and looked uncomfortable.

"What is it?" I asked.

"There is a growing discontent about sitting at the new border among the main army after we destroyed the Empire's army."

That report made me wince, and I sighed, "What does Isabelle think about this?" I asked.

"She has not notified anyone of her intentions at this point. She is working with the logistics personnel to set up the border as you wish at this time, Supreme Commander."

"Hmmm, it seems I need to have a chat with War Chief Isabelle then," I commented. "Is there anything else that you would like to report?"

"Yes, Surpreme Commander. Many of the Elite Soldiers are wondering if we are going to be taken off babysitting duties. When we joined the Elite army, I and many others thought we were going to be fighting humans, not safeguarding them," Commander Cody said, and I could see him flinch as I watched him.

I could tell he did not want to be the one to report this, but I could not be happier. They were questioning my orders—not disobeying them, questioning them. I did not need blind soldiers who did whatever I wanted. I wanted soldiers who thought for themselves and eventually took over this duty for me, making my position redundant.

"Is this a general sentiment or yours, Commander Cody?" 

The question hung in the air, and the silence was pregnant with tension as he tensed up and held my gaze. The Wolf-kin was a B-ranker, but he knew I was considered superior to him even though I was not sure who would win in a fight. He never questioned why I was in this position, though. He respected me, and I could see that, and he looked me in the eyes with a steady gaze.

"It is not only me who are wondering this."

"Good," I replied, and he was surprised.

"What?"

"Commander Cody, What do you think will happen if we leave the city right now?" I asked.

"Chaos," Cody replied, and I smiled.

"So, they need protection, right?" I asked.

"Yeah, the mysterious Undead problem is still very serious. Without us, this place will become a hellscape."

"Now, what happens if we swap out with the main army?"

"The Main army has less discipline, so I guess they would fight with the population." 

I grinned, "Correct, the reason we are here in Border City is very simple," I spread my arms and sighed before shrugging, "We are more disciplined. We can bring the best face of the beast-kin nation and hold this place while keeping the humans working. That simple Cody," I said, and I pointed at him, "And at the end of the day, the Elite Army works for the Supreme Commander, and it is what I ordered. I have reasons for wanting these people to be peaceful, both in the short term and long term. Let me say this, and you can say it to the entire army and anyone who asks." I paused, and I could see that Cody was ready for a big revelation, "What we are at war right now is for more than just telling the Empire to fuck off and stop enslaving our people. I can't say more than that," I said, and I leaned back, "Satisfied?" I asked.

"Ma'am!" Cody saluted, and I smiled. "I will notify anyone and everyone who wishes to know. I am sorry for calling your Orders into question."

"Stop," I said, holding up my hand, and Cody looked at me surprised. "You all are in the Elite army because you are tough, smart, powerful, and have a fucking mind," I told him, "You are allowed to think and wonder why I ordered what I ordered. You can ask for clarification, and only when I tell you to follow orders and shut up are you supposed to unthinkingly follow them. I need people who think and understand the intent behind the orders sent to them. So, continue to think and continue to work for the Beast-kin Nation. Understood?"

"Yes, Supreme Commander!"

"Excellent. Is there anything else to report while I have been away for the last couple of days?"

"Ma'am, those are all the major issues. The Logistics Commander would like a meeting to discuss procurement and budgets."

That made me sigh, "Thanks," I said after a moment, "Dismissed."

I watched as the Wolf-kin walked out, and I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. At first, the Elite Army was not supposed to be glorified guards to the Humans, but the main army was just too undisciplined. They hated with passion, and even though there were those in the Elite army who were the same, they would not disobey orders, and all of that was needed for my ambitions.

I stood, and I opened a rift exiting to the roof and opened another, disappearing and heading toward the Logistics base. Time to catch up on all my work after being with Mira for a couple of days.

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