Compared to the Twenty Peerage System mentioned by Nikocus (after all, some people had fled to the Main Camp and heard Maximus announce it publicly), the favor of the Danu Goddess granted to the Nix Tribe shocked the Segestica citizens present even more. After all, many have long been puzzled: The Segestica Tribe’s battles had always gone smoothly, yet since the Nix people arrived, the tribe faced repeated defeats against the much weaker Nix, losing everything in just over a year. Why was this? Perhaps what this compatriot who joined the Nix Tribe said was the answer!
Additionally, the statement "The Danu Goddess is fair, and tribe members who contribute more to the tribe should receive more rewards" also caused quite a stir among the Segestica citizens. It was as if a skylight had been opened in their minds, long confined by the centuries-old traditions of the Pannonians, and many fell into deep thought.
Nikocus continued, "You might think that joining the Nix Tribe, where you can receive fifty acres of land, and gain the protection of the Divine, is too good to be true—isn’t that a lie? Of course, it’s not that simple!
You should all be aware that people from other Pannonian tribes wanting to join the Segestica Tribe must live here for many years before they might get land, unless they join Chief Andres’ army, shed blood, achieve Battle Merit, and defeat the Aldeans, then they might get a small piece of the occupied land. The Nix Tribe is not so harsh, but it still requires you, who join the tribe and become Reserve Tribe Members, to, in the first three years...
Some may think that giving sixty percent to the Nix Tribe is too much! But you must understand that you receive forty percent of the income from fifty acres of land each year, which is still more than what you finally harvest from the land you currently own.
Moreover, if you perform well in these three years or gain merit in battle, you might become an Official Tribe Member in less than three years. For example, I spent less than a year and not only became an Official Tribe Member but also got promoted to a Second-class Tribe Member. I believe that you, joining the Nix Tribe and receiving the favor of the Divine, will be as fortunate as I am!"
The previously quiet square was now bustling, with citizens whispering to each other, starting to discuss.
Starks felt this was a good sign and was preparing to quietly praise Nikocus, "Well done!"
Suddenly, someone loudly asked, "If we are willing to join the Nix, but there are no men in our family, will you still allocate land to us?"
Starks looked closely and saw that the speaker was a middle-aged woman, with three children standing beside her, two boys and a girl.
Stags was surprised; he did not expect that the first question posed by the tribe members would relate to a decree amended urgently by the Political Affairs Hall before they departed.
Under the previous Nix Decree, single women or women with children but without husbands who joined the tribe would not receive land separately. This was to encourage them to marry and have children quickly. However, yesterday, when the Third Legion’s soldiers went to the villages around the Main Camp to liberate the Skodisqi slaves and collect food supplies, they discovered some problems. Eorokus summarized these issues and reported to Maximus last night.
Originally, Maximus and the chiefs of each department had already finished the Political Affairs Hall meeting at the dining table and had to hold another emergency discussion.
Among those issues, two main ones conflicted with Nix’s decrees.
One was that Cabdes, to prepare enough military grain for attacking the Nix Tribe, required each tribe to turn over more grain. This grain collection burden was mostly shifted to the ordinary tribe members, so the food remaining in the homes of the Segestica tribes was not much. If it were a forty-sixty split, they couldn’t sustain themselves until next autumn. Therefore, Maximus and the chiefs ultimately canceled the decision to distribute grain to Segestica citizens.
The other main problem was that, over the past two years, the Segestica people had suffered repeated defeats in battles against the Nix, resulting in many warriors either dying in battle or being captured, leading to a severe lack of able-bodied men in each tribe. Many homes had only women and children left. They were more easily persuaded to join the Nix Tribe, but if they were not given land and were forced to hurry into marriage, it would undoubtedly cause dissatisfaction among the Segestica people, making them doubt the sincerity of the Nix Tribe.
After discussion, Maximus and the others drafted a temporary decree specifically addressing the unique situation of the Segestica Tribe.
"According to the new decree issued by Nix, as long as there is a boy over six years old in the family, even without a man at home, you can receive fifty acres of land," Nikocus responded earnestly. "However, it will be exhausting for women to farm the land and raise children alone. Therefore, I advise you to marry an Official Tribe Member of the Nix Tribe,
This way, you will not only immediately gain the status of an Official Tribe Member of Nix, but your children will as well. They will immediately enjoy some benefits provided by the Nix Tribe, such as being able to attend the tribe’s school, or paying less when seeing a doctor at the hospital...
I’ll let you in on a secret: there are many single tribe members in the Nix Tribe right now. If you marry a tribe member who is not a Pannonian, you will also receive a reward from the tribe... All in all, think it over."
The woman was lost in thought,
Another woman loudly asked, "I have a husband, but he was drafted by the leader to fight against you. I don’t know if he was captured by you or if he’s already... dead? If he’s still alive, if I and my children join your Nix Tribe, can you release my husband and let him... come home?"
The woman looked at Nikocus, both nervous and full of expectation. Some other women, though silent, also focused their gaze on him, their faces showing similar expressions.
Nikocus did not immediately answer but was lost in thought for a moment before speaking with a complicated expression, "Your question reminds me of when I was captured last year. Because I refused to join the Nix Tribe, I was sent, along with other companions, to the Aldeans as a slave. The Aldeans, of course, hated us; not only did they make us do hard labor, but they also constantly beat us...
Fortunately, not long after, my wife found me with our children and persuaded me to join the Nix. To avoid further suffering and to prevent my wife and children from suffering, I eventually took my wife’s advice and became a Reserve Tribe Member of Nix. Looking back now, thanks to my wife, I didn’t miss the great opportunity to join the Nix Tribe, which provided a better life than in Segestica!
What I want to tell you is—it’s impossible to join the Nix Tribe and expect your husband to be released unless you persuade your husband to join Nix, just like my wife, then you can reunite your family, understand?!"
"But how do I know if my husband is still alive?! If he is alive, how can I meet him?" the woman asked anxiously again.
"Yes! Yes! Only when I see my husband in person can I persuade him to join Nix!" Some women followed suit, clamoring.
"Don’t worry." Nikocus loudly reassured them, "First, you have to join the Nix Tribe, and then when you register and become Reserve Tribe Members with our officials, make your request, tell them your husband’s name. The tribe will search for your husbands among the prisoners, and once found, you’ll be arranged to meet them. Then it’s up to you to persuade them, and I certainly hope your family can have a better life within the Nix Tribe!"
"Great!!" A group of women in the square cheered because they saw hope.
Seeing this scene, Stags felt excitement surge; he felt that he had taken a big step forward in completing his assigned tasks within this tribe.
"Excuse me, excuse me!" Another woman urgently shouted, "My husband went to war with Andres to the Kupa River last year, and he was captured by you! He hasn’t returned since then. At first, I thought he was dead... Later I asked the fellow tribesmen who were released by you, only to learn he is still alive but became an Aldean slave, helping them mine iron ore. I heard he... he is living a miserable life!
I am willing to join your Nix if you bring my husband back from the Aldeans. I am willing to persuade him to also join Nix! Really! I can swear to the Holy Stone—no, I can swear to the Holy Forest—no, I swear to the Danu Goddess!..."
The woman was tongue-tied by the end, with tears welling up in her eyes.
Nikocus looked at Stags with difficulty.
Stags, of course, knew why he hadn’t responded yet. This was due to the decree issued by Quintus, Chief of Staff, when he arrived at the First Legion this morning, which only covered the Segestica prisoners from this war, without mentioning those from last year.
After a brief thought, Stags spoke loudly, "The orders given to us by the tribe did not mention anything about last year’s Segestica prisoners, possibly because they no longer fall under our tribe’s jurisdiction. However, I will quickly convey your request to the leader, and he should discuss your request with the chiefs—namely, the elders. Once there is a result, I will inform you."
"Thank you! Thank you so much! Please, do let me know as soon as possible! If you can rescue my husband, I am willing to bring my whole family and join your Nix!" The woman’s voice choked, tears streaming down her face.
The surrounding people also gathered around, comforting her and offering their blessings.
The extremely oppressive atmosphere in the square was greatly alleviated.