Magic, steel, heavy industry

Chapter 23 Hanging

Seeing that the people's emotions had been completely ignited, Vilan raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.

Everyone looked up, their eyes filled with hatred and anger.

Whether they were serfs or free citizens, they all felt the same way at this moment: whoever prevented them from having enough to eat was an unforgivable criminal.

"Fellow citizens, in the name of the Lord of Anvil, I sentence Wirtz and this despicable bandit to death by hanging."

Vilan pronounced the death sentence without hesitation, and everyone cheered instantly.

"Long live the Lord!"

"Hang these robbers!"

"Return the mines to the Anvil Territory!"

Upon hearing the word "hanging," Wirtz's vision went black, and he fainted from fright.

The bound bandit overseer opened his mouth wide, as if he wanted to say something, but the next second, Carreras kicked him, knocking out all his teeth.

The execution began quickly. The gallows were set up in the square, and Carreras personally hung Wirtz and the robber on the ropes.

With Vilan's command, the gallows fell. Many people closed their eyes in fear, but many more felt a sense of relief.

During the five years that Wirtz served as mayor, he made things difficult for everyone by collecting taxes, and even drove many serfs to their deaths.

Now, as they watched him being hanged, most of the serfs cheered loudly.

Of course, Viran's reputation also reached its peak amidst the cheers.

A few minutes later, the execution was over. Vilan stood on the high platform, looking at the two swaying corpses, his heart pounding faster than usual.

Although he was prepared, this was the first time he had ever seen a dead person up close, and he had personally ordered the hanging. How could he not be nervous?

However, he quickly calmed himself down with deep breaths, and then looked at the group of shivering miners.

"Now it's your turn."

The miners immediately tensed up, unsure of what fate awaited them.

Vilan did not make things difficult for them; they were just a group of pitiful refugees, and there would be no benefit in hanging them.

On the contrary, these refugees are all excellent miners. If they are properly trained, they will become valuable citizens of the Anvil Territory in the future.

No one knows how much Viran craves population right now. If it weren't for financial constraints, he would have already taken action against the group of refugees entrenched in the north.

Why are perfectly healthy people becoming refugees? If they're going to be refugees, they should be good residents of Anvil Territory!

He shouted, "I know you were all forced into this, and I don't blame you subjectively, but objectively you have damaged the interests of the Anvil Territory. Therefore, I am now announcing your punishment."

"You will be incorporated into the mine renovation team and continue working in the mine. I will provide you with enough food and necessities, but there will be no salary."

"Your transformation won't be complete until six months from now. Those who perform exceptionally well during this period will become citizens of the Anvil Territory after the transformation ends. Those who continue to work in the mine after six months will receive a monthly salary, just like ordinary miners. Do you understand?"

When Vilan finished speaking, almost everyone gaped open.

The lord didn't hang these refugees; instead, he gave them food and wages!

Did I hear that right?!

The twenty-odd miners knelt down in excitement, their faces beaming with relief at surviving the ordeal. However, they didn't quite understand what Vilan meant by "reform," nor did they expect any wages. All they knew was that they had survived.

Of course, some astute citizens also discerned other meanings in Viran's words.

Immediately, someone shouted, "Lord Vilan! Are you planning to recruit miners?!"

Everyone immediately realized what was happening and looked at Vilan expectantly.

Vilan smiled and nodded. "Of course, the mine belongs to Anvil Territory, so there's no reason to let it fall into disrepair. Starting tomorrow, I will begin the recruitment plan, and everyone can apply. I also promise that all ordinary miners will receive two meals a day to ensure you are well-fed."

"Long live Lord Vilan!"

Cheers erupted again, this time exceptionally loud, especially among the serfs whose families were already struggling to make ends meet; they were the most excited.

Seeing the lively atmosphere, Vilan also breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, things went smoothly. The mines reopened, the people were no longer at a standstill, and his series of plans finally got off to a good start.

"So, the next step is to address the funding issue."

……

Inside the castle's dungeon.

Vilan followed Carreras down the path. The oil lamp illuminated the damp passage, and an indescribable stench assaulted his senses.

The dungeon was small, only big enough to hold a maximum of two people. Because it hadn't been opened in a long time, the damp cold inside forced Vilan to put on another coat.

"Lord Vilan, I do not recommend that you interrogate this man yourself; he is very cunning," Karelas said softly.

Vilan smiled and shook his head. "It's alright. With you here, I believe he won't have a chance to hurt me."

Upon hearing this, Carreras, who was already standing very straight, straightened up even more.

"It's my duty, sir. But I don't understand why you specifically kept this vicious fellow alive?"

"He's not necessarily vicious. At least, according to those miners, he didn't seem that bad."

Vilan responded nonchalantly, while recalling the information he had asked not long ago.

Before the public trial, Vilan had met with the guards, and the young miner who identified the robbers even had a conversation with Vilan.

Vilan heard some interesting news from the miner.

For example, a certain bandit leader was actually quite good to them.

At the dungeon entrance, Carreras held up an oil lamp, and through the rusty iron bars, Vilan saw the melancholy man with long hair.

"Are you the steel cable?"

Inside the dungeon, the steel cable, with its hands bound and feet shackled, turned its head and calmly sized up Vilan.

"Looks like I'm lucky; a big shot has come to see me," Steel Cable said with a self-deprecating laugh.

Vilan was also sizing him up. The man had a handsome face, and although his eyes were melancholy, he was strong and didn't feel cold at all, even in the damp dungeon.

"A master who can hold his own against Carreras," Vilan reminded himself.

After a moment, he got straight to the point, "I am Vilan Northstone, Baron, Lord of Anvil, a member of the Stone House. Let's talk."

"Sorry, this place isn't big enough to fit so many people in."

"You seem to be in good spirits, and you're even interested in joking with me."

"Of course, it seems the lord has no intention of killing me, I'm very happy."

"Smart man, your bandit accomplice has been hanged by me, along with Wirtz. As for whether you will be hanged, that's up to your own choice."

"..."