Conscience and New Quest

After killing the pro-empire nobles, the cheers of the people went on. They repeated his name. Ernest waved his hand back at them.

"This is not the end everyone, we are the only city in this kingdom that was liberated. We will export this ideology of ours to our neighboring cities to rise up against the Empire and those who serve under them!"

Another wave of cheers roared again.

Ernest stepped down the stage and beckoned Sophia to come.

"Sophia, can you arrange a meeting for me with Lex's family?"

"Lex? You mean the pro-empire noble?"

"Yes, I have something to say to them. Tell them to come to the mansion in two hours."

…

Two hours later, in the drawing-room of Ernest's mansion. Two were seated in front of him. Their hands still shiver from the nightmare they had experienced yesterday when he was interrogating Lex.

It's understandable that they are in that state. Ernest threatened to kill them and rape them if the head of the family won't give him the answer to his question.

He had to resort to that type of option if he wanted to get an immediate answer. But he went too far. This is not who he is, how can he do such a thing?

His conscience is killing him inside, he wanted to punch himself but he controlled it. The only way for this feeling to end, he must apologize to these two in front of him.

Outside of his thoughts, Alexa noticed Ernest staring blankly at the door. He seems as though thinking of something. Was it how to dispose of them?

Thinking that Alexa's body shivered again. She is trying to calm herself but she can't.

Several seconds later, Ernest returned to his senses and looked at Alexa.

"Alexa was it? The reason I called you here is I want to apologize for doing something cruel to you yesterday. I assure you, I won't do such a thing. It's just a psychological tool to get your husband to answer our question…"

Alexa's eyes widened. "So you used me and my daughter?"

"Yes," Ernest said with an apologetic expression. "I know that it traumatized your daughter but I have no choice. Your husband swore fealty to Lord Enrico and he will never break if I don't resort to that option."

After letting it out, Ernest felt his body lightened. He finally said it.

"So, just because you apologize doesn't mean it's fixed. You don't know how hard is it for a mother to see her daughter crying endlessly in the night thinking that she could die at that moment."

"..."

Ernest wasn't able to reply, she was right. It affected her daughter greatly that even at his glance, her eyes would tremble in fear. He couldn't think of another way to solve this.

"What's going to happen to our family? My husband is pro-empire and you didn't kill him. Why?"

A question that he can answer.

"He gave us valuable information that led us to the extermination of the city lord and the pro-empire nobles. Without him, they could've escaped."

"I don't understand. What's going to happen to our family?"

"Well your husband has two choices, join the United National Socialist Party or I hate to say this just right after I apologized...or be killed."

"Huh? I don't get it, you just apologized for threatening us and you want to threaten us again?"

"Stupid right? But the one who is talking in front of you is Ernest Gonzales, not the leader of the United National Socialist Party. So I suggest that you convince your husband to swear allegiance to the party and you get to live your life."

"And what if I fail?" Alexa asked anxiously.

"If you failed to convince him and chose to serve the pro-empire faction then he just decided to kill you. I don't think that will be the case after I saw him weep in front of his daughter."

"I see…" Alexa seems to understand Ernest's point.

"What's the name of your daughter? Was it Angel?"

"Yes sir…"

Ernest rose to his feet and went around the table. As soon as he arrived just in front of Angel who was sitting on Alexa's lap, Ernest kneeled.

He slowly reached for her small delicate hand. But Angel retreated her hand, not wanting to be touched by him. Ernest sighed heavily.

"Angel. You have a wonderful name. I know that I did bad things yesterday and you think of me as a bad guy. I understand so I will not expect an apology from you this instant, but I'll be waiting for that. I don't care how long it will take, a month, a year, or a decade. Okay?"

Angel just fearfully nodded.

"I'm sorry for making you feel that way, I really apologize. Ernest is really stupid right?"

Angel nodded.

"How dare he make you and your mother cry right? Ernest is really a horrible person right?"

Angel nodded.

"Can I borrow your hand, Angel? Just this once. I won't do anything I promise."

Ernest slowly reduced the tension by speaking friendly to her. Ernest extended his hand as Angel reached slowly for it.

The moment she grabbed his left hand, Ernest enveloped it with his right hand. "Angel...I'm sorry for making you feel scared. I'm a terrible person so when you grow up. Don't be like me. Mmkay?"

"Okay…" Angel said weakly.

After hearing that, Ernest stood and faced Alexa. "You may now go, sorry for taking your time. Please just for the sake of your daughter...convince your husband."

"I will...Sir Ernest."

Alexa and Angel left his office. Ernest felt his body lightened after apologizing to them. Then he thought of the future, Ernest knew that he would commit a lot of unpleasant things. If this makes him weak then what about for the worst?

But now the matter with Lex's family is settled he had to focus on reestablishing order in the city. After killing the pro-empire nobles and the city lord, he basically becomes its lord. The news about him conducting a coup will surely reach other cities. He had to make sure this news would not leak.

"Sophia!" Ernest called.

Hearing Ernest calling her, Sophia hurriedly went inside his office room.

"What is it? Ernest?"

"Order the protection squad not to let anyone leave the city of Eighbury."

"Okay, sir is there anything you want for us to do?"

"Yes, I want you to go around the city and assure the people that their life will not be affected by a coup."

"Understood. Anything else?"

"Yes, about the assets of pro-empire nobles and Lord Enrico, I want it seized, it will help me finance reforms in this city."

"Understood."

After taking notes of his orders, Sophia left the office.

…

Three hours have passed, the first order of Ernest has taken effect. People may not be able to get out of the city without his permission. But those who were entering can't get out the moment they stepped inside the city gates.

The city is on lockdown, if this word gets to Duke Elm's territory, it would be bad for Ernest. Even with modern weapons, he has to be careful of the presence of magic. So he has to strengthen his army first before interacting with another city.

During those hours, Ernest moved to his new residence, which is Lord Enrico's mansion. This mansion was so huge that it can even be called an estate. The lord must be filthy rich if he can afford this vast mansion.

They entered the mansion and plundered its assets. Gold coins, jewels, and ornamental objects that have monetary value, all it was seized.

The total amount of gold they have plundered, adding those expensive jewels and ornamental objects, is around 15,000 gold coins. Which is enough to finance the reforms he'll conduct in the city.

….

In the center of the mansion, there were governmental affairs.

With a profound door being opened, Ernest and his secretary appeared. Previously this room was used by Lord Enrico, but now it was used by the United National Socialist Party leader, Ernest.

Inside, they saw bookshelves on either side of the room with books that can possibly contain valuable information. Ernest information about this world is still lacking. He doesn't know who their neighbors are, the city that is an engaging business with this city, or anything in regards to political geography.

He has to learn it, so he rummages through the bookshelves, looking for the book that can give him an answer. Sophia also helped him.

After ten minutes of going through hundreds of books, he finally found it.

A map. That's right, a map.

Ernest spread out the map on the table and scanned it. The city of Eighbury is located southwest of the Kingdom of Crentis, the nearest city is located 300 kilometers north which is the land of Duke Elm. The coastal areas are located just 1 kilometer west of Eighbury. In the east, there is this place called Forest of Death where most monsters are said to be dwelling. And in the south is a mountainous region.

Ernest sat on the seat behind the desk and rolled the map. He looked at Sophia who seemed to be waiting for orders.

But he doesn't have anything to order her. So he just looked around to familiarize himself. After all, this will be his new office.

"Now what should I do?" Ernest muttered under his breath.

[New Mission Unlocked]

The system prompted.

"Ah finally! I thought you forgot about me." Ernest inwardly said.

[Receive your rewards first before opening the quest.]

"Okay."

Ernest tapped the rewards tab.

[Congratulations on completing your special quest: Kill those who oppose you.]

[You received 175,000 tyrant points!]

[User completed seven missions recorded! The system will now evolve.]

[New tab acquired]

[Skill tab]

[Skill tab: In this tab, you can learn a different set of skills to help you become a tyrant and protect yourself. Will cost skill points.]

[Current skill points: 10]

[New Main Quest:]

[Main Quest description: You may think that just because you have used the outrage of the people they'll follow you like a dog. To achieve absolute power, you'll need more than a compelling message. You also have to sell the messenger.

As a tyrant, yours will become the face of your nation, and how you present that face will be all up to you. But at this early stage of your journey, the system offers very specific advice on how to fashion your image. "Show your people that you are one of them.

Mission: Be a man of people!]