HPDBC Chapter 59: The Law
Chapter 59: The Law
The problem was, that person only lashed out at the good-natured officers who took it all without complaint. Whenever a genuinely corrupt officer glared at them and growled, they fell silent.
And in Justin's experience, that was how most people behaved.
"These people have suffered at the hands of pioneers. So now, when the oppressive pioneers are gone, and kinder ones have taken over? At first, they'll be happy. But it won't last. The memories of being oppressed by pioneers will resurface."
"But they've experienced firsthand how powerful pioneers are," Nathan argued.
"What's important isn't power—it's personality. It's the expectation of whether or not someone will kill them. If they become convinced we won't kill them, someone will eventually speak out, even if they know they might get hit for it."
From their perspective, it would be their way of finally speaking out against the oppressive pioneers. But to the pioneer being targeted, it would feel like they were being cursed at for no reason.
Would a pioneer who was suddenly insulted and treated like a villain just let it slide?
"Maybe the first time, they'll brush it off. But the civilians will keep pushing boundaries—figuring out how much disrespect they can get away with, how much they can demand, how much they can complain. To them, it's just testing limits, but they don't realize that their actions get on people's nerves."
If they kept pushing, eventually, a pioneer would snap. The result would be a bloodbath, like what happened during the last leader's election.
"Sure, they'd be obedient to us afterward. But what good would that do? It'd be after a massacre. Do you want to regret not making an example of a few of them at the start, after dozens have already died?" Justin asked.
"Do you really think it could come to that...?" Nathan seemed uneasy.
"I'd handle it that way," Derek spoke up, crossing his arms.
Nathan looked at Derek, startled by his bluntness.
Derek continued, unfazed. "I've got the power, and there are no laws. Why shouldn't I do it? If a civilian acts like a jerk to me, I'll smash their skull in—whether they're a father, a beloved child, whatever. If they cross me, they die."
"...!"
Nathan lowered his head, seemingly understanding something from Derek's words. Rachel sighed, nodding in agreement but clearly troubled by the situation.
"But we can't keep things like this forever. If people think there's no hope at all, some of them will definitely resort to suicide, and that'll just worsen the atmosphere," Rachel said.
"I know. That's why we need to establish the hierarchy quickly. If we do it now, there won't be much resistance," Justin responded.
Right now, pioneers had the power to act worse than any noble. If they established the hierarchy and introduced duties, limitations, and laws, not only would there be no resistance—they might even be welcomed.
"...?"
The civilians blinked, lifting their heads. It was as if they were asking if they had heard correctly.
"First, killing a civilian without cause will be treated as treason against the Lord. First, any extortion will be punished by a fine of three times the amount taken, payable to the Lord. First, any surplus earnings after taxes will be considered personal property."
"...!"
Hope began to appear in the eyes of the people who had been in despair. They focused intently on Justin's words, wondering if they had heard right.
These were all laws protecting the rights of civilians. The civilians, who had been convinced they'd live like slaves, now shed tears of hope.
"...Lastly, the Lord stands above the law, and the law can be changed at any time according to the Lord's will. That's all!"
Justin folded the paper and looked around at the civilians. There was a silence so deep you could hear a pin drop. Then someone mumbled.
"L-Long live the Lord."
It was a weak mumble, but it seemed to wake everyone up, and they began to shout.
"Long live the Lord! Long live the Lord!"
"Long live the Lord! Long live the Lord!"
Cheers of "long live" poured out from all around. Justin knew why—they wanted to make a good impression since he stood above the law and could change it at will. Even so, the cheers felt quite satisfying.
"Well then, that's the foundation laid."
No longer a society ruled by brute force but a structured hierarchical state—Justin had just taken the first step.
A noble upper class had been established, and titles like "Lord" and "Sir" had been introduced. Commoners were now required to bow when they encountered nobles. Though infrastructure was still lacking, that could gradually be built with tax revenue.
The pioneers might be unhappy with paying taxes, but could they really leave the territory and part ways with him after becoming nobles?
After experiencing the privilege of ruling as the "upper class" in a stable society rather than one governed by violence and chaos?
With a faint smile, Justin looked in the direction of the neighboring territory where he used to stay.