Ch. 36 Scarcity

Since the beginning of history, the various races of the world almost never got along. Not only did they look different, but they held different values, different cultures, and served different Gods.

Time and time again, they waged countless wars against each other for just as many reasons. Some races rose to the top while others perished.

1000 years ago, humans almost went extinct as well. Their last great empire fell under the attack of a joint alliance between the Elves and the Demons.

After their forces were thoroughly crushed and the Emperor himself was ripped limb from limb, the Demons began an extermination campaign to wipe out what remained of humanity. Fortunately, the Elves stepped in and decided to spare the humans left within their territory.

They opted for slavery instead of genocide, and even spared a small patch of land where some could live freely. They gave the area around that patch to the beast people as payment for the resources borrowed from them during the war. Fortunately for the humans, both races agreed to let them be as long as they remained within their tiny territory.

There, some 500 peasants, merchants, and craftsmen tried to rebuild their lives. They used the mountain's resources to create a settlement, and while they worked towards a common goal, they became as close as family. However, by the time Last Heaven numbered 10.000 citizens, things started to change.

The few low ranking mages that settled there in the beginning developed into families of cultivators which were now fighting for power. Since the population kept growing and there weren't enough resources to go around anymore, fights inevitably broke out. Like gangs filled with thugs, the mages split the city between themselves, including the people which lived in it.

These new nobles imposed taxes on those weaker than them in exchange for their 'protection.' They took over agriculture, trade, and tool making by force, either by subduing people into becoming servants or by confiscating their goods.

Anyone who opposed them was killed without a second thought. After all, overpopulation was becoming a problem.

Weaker mage families were either assimilated by larger ones or exterminated altogether. The nobles waged war against each other for hundreds of years creating one massacre after another.

Eventually, only 10 great families remained. From then on, there was peace once more, not because they stopped being bastards, but to avoid losing even more resources through mindless bloodshed. Since peace was more profitable, it became the norm.

"Of course, to this day, we remain a bunch of thugs fighting over scraps. If any of us could take out the others, we would do it in a heartbeat." Arthur showed an uncharacteristically cold smile which surprised even Ethan.

Basically, the nobles viewed everybody outside of their families as either enemies or tools. Commoners were passed around like cattle, and in their lords' eyes, they held similar status.

"Even the King himself is nothing more than a stronger bully. As soon as that peak level 4 bastard kicks the bucket, we'll probably revert back to a 'democratic' council."

After hearing all of this, Ethan's jaw was wide open. The nobles from his past life at least tried to maintain a good image towards the public. Otherwise, people could migrate elsewhere and they'd lose power. Rebellions could get them killed, and the King could take away their status.

However, these assholes couldn't care less about any of that. The mages in Last Heaven overpowered the masses so much that they could go on a commoner killing spree and the only real consequence would be less people to plow their fields.

"This city is a sham…" concluded Ethan.

"Pretty much." said Arthur. "Instead of thinking about it as a civilized settlement, it's much more helpful to see it as one large turf split between gangs. And… To destroy a gang, you need to?"

"Take out its members." said Ethan matter of factly.

"Each noble family has a level 4 mage ruling over it or several peak level 3s. Otherwise, they'd be reduced to commoners in a fortnight."

"Even yours? I thought you guys were alchemists / merchants." asked Ethan out of curiosity.

"Nobody can sell anything in this city without some serious backing or protection. In our generation, that would be me."

"What about the older generations?"

"Let's just say that when mom and grandfather return from their seclusion, you might want to greet them with more than just a wave. If you don't want to lose an arm that is."

Ethan's weakness was becoming more and more troublesome. At his current level, he could at most defeat a level 2 mage. However, even if he killed a hundred rank 2 minions, it would make little dent in the Wilsons' overall power. To a level 4 existence, numbers were irrelevant.

'I need a better plan…' "Arthur, you seem quite well versed in these matters." said Ethan after thinking things over. "What do you suggest I do?"

Arthur gave an innocent shrug before he leaned in and whispered.

"Do what the nobles do: When you can't cut down your enemies, you steal their livelihoods… their resources instead. If you can't steal them, then destroy them.

They will squirm and try to get more, but there is no more. No one will give them an inch."

"And they'll go down just like that?" asked Ethan while snapping his fingers.

"Certainly… if you can pull it off."