Siris’s questions left the courtyard in silence, with no one daring to interrupt him.
"The alliance needs a long time to recover before it can launch a war against the Nix. But as you can see, the Nix people have already established their foothold on this land by the Sava River. As time passes, their strength will only become stronger! The alliance has suffered disastrous defeats twice already. The next confrontation between a stronger Nix Army and a weaker alliance force has an obvious outcome. What will you do then?!" Siris’s last question was a chilling warning to all present.
"Look at me. I joined the Nix Tribe and became a Reserve Tribe Member of the Nix. I’ve been granted 50 acres of land and have been busy farming at home these days. Because of my good performance, I’ve been specially tasked by the Nix Tribe to manage you. In the future, I might even become a Nix Tribe Official, just like the clan leader of our tribe!
Look at those tribesmen who chose to join the Nix Tribe. They also received 50 acres of good land. Some even got better housing due to their dilapidated homes, and they have been diligently cultivating their awarded land. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ Novᴇl_Fire(.)net
Even those who were once our slaves, the Skodisqi people, have now become Nix Reserve Tribe Members. They have moved into our villages, received 50 acres of land, and are just as busy!
Look at him—" Siris pointed to the young Nanix next to him and shouted, "His parents were captured by the Nix people last year (actually, Nanix’s father died in battle, and his mother remarried a Nix Veteran), but having joined the Nix, he can now attend Nix schools and learn those mysterious scripts!
In just over a year, he can now live in a comfortable house, use writing to record and manage you, and has become an admirable figure, like a priest!... And what about you?!"
Siris grieved and exclaimed, "You’ve already missed a great opportunity and now you just muddle through your days. Do you really want to wait a few years, when those who were once less than you fill their homes with grain, keep many cattle and sheep, and ride their own horses, passing by you, who are still working under the watch of soldiers, and tell their now literate children, ’Those working people on the ground seem familiar; they should be Segestica people from before, but after a few years, they’ve completely changed.’"
Siris paused and raised his voice, "Even if you don’t want to think for yourselves, think of your wives and children! Do you not care if you’re always separated from them? If this continues, life will remain hopeless; your wife might remarry and your children might become someone else’s children. Think carefully!"
Siris’s words struck like a morning bell, stunning everyone into silence.
Young Nanix didn’t expect such powerful words from the man who had only asked questions and listened along the way. While he was both absorbed in and worried about the painful expressions on the faces of the Foreign Auxiliary, fearing they might do something in anger.
Siris confidently watched his fellow tribesmen. He knew these people hadn’t chosen to flee with their families, nor had they chosen to remain as Foreign Auxiliary due to their many concerns and lack of courage, preventing them from making a definitive decision. He shattered their illusions; they had no other choice.
"Siris," broke the silence, speaking first was Siris’s former comrade-in-arms, Tenecas. With determination on his face, he bit his teeth and pleaded, "For the sake of our past comradeship, can you ask the Nix people for me? Tell them I... I don’t want to be a Foreign Auxiliary anymore, I want... I want to immediately become a Reserve Tribe Member. Is it possible?!"
Siris didn’t respond directly but instead turned to look at the young Nanix.
Nanix steadied himself and said coldly, "It’s too late now! Since the Nix Tribe Decree has been issued, everyone must abide by it. Initially, you had three days to consider, and you didn’t choose to join. Now wanting to change your mind is simply impossible."
At these words, not only Tenecas but others also showed painful regret.
"However—" Nanix raised his voice: "The tribe has just decided that every three months, there will be a few spots offered to Foreign Auxiliary to become Reserve Tribe Members. But only those who perform exceptionally well have the possibility of transitioning early to a Reserve Tribe Member."
In order to encourage the Foreign Auxiliary to work more diligently, the Political Affairs Hall announced this decree yesterday after discussion. Nanix mentioned this to Siris on the way over, originally thinking Siris would announce this decree to everyone from the start, allowing them to reluctantly accept Siris’s leadership. Unexpectedly, after Siris’s stirring speech, it turned into the Foreign Auxiliary pleading to join the Nix Tribe, and in the end, this decree was seen as a blessing bestowed upon them.
Siris looked at his previously frustrated and despondent tribesmen, who now suddenly had hopeful expressions and sighed internally. Yet he kept a stern demeanor, "You all understand, right? Only those who do well and work hard have the chance to apply to be Nix Reserve Tribe Members after three months. From there, you can become Official Tribe Members, and even later become nobles among the Nix, living lives like mine, or ones even better than before!
So starting now, as long as you follow my instructions and work diligently, I will truthfully report your performance to the Administration Department, ensuring your efforts don’t go in vain!"
Siris scanned the crowd and said solemnly, "Does everyone understand and are you willing to work hard with me? Speak up!"
"Willing... willing..." The crowd gradually responded.
"Good!" Siris replied boldly, "We Segestica people have always kept our word, so it’s settled! Starting today, within a month, we’ll cultivate the available land outside. By the end of the month, if we cultivate more land than other teams, I’ll apply to the Administration Department to grant you more spots to become Reserve Tribe Members than other teams, so everyone must work extra hard for their own sake!"
"Since I have to manage people in three courtyards, I might not always be able to look after you, so I need to appoint a captain here to help supervise you. If you have any difficulties, you can first go to him. Tenecas, you’re the captain of this courtyard!"
"Ah! Me?" Tenecas, standing in front of the crowd, was a bit surprised.
The reason Siris chose Tenecas was that, after observing him in the courtyard for some time, he noticed that Tenecas had considerable influence among the people and remembered their past camaraderie, noting Tenecas’s determined nature.
"What, you’re afraid you can’t handle it?" Siris provoked.
"I led a troop of hundreds back in the day, managing this two, thirty people is a breeze. Alright, I’ll be the captain in this courtyard." Tenecas readily agreed.
"I also need a vice-captain to assist Tenecas. What’s your name?" Siris asked, pointing to the young man who had spoken earlier.
"Kamabas, I think you’re pretty good. Are you willing to be the vice-captain and assist Tenecas in helping everyone?" Siris asked seriously.
"Willing." The young man replied promptly.
Siris continued, "There’s little time, and I still need to go to the other two courtyards to rally the other tribesmen for work. So, Tenecas, Kamabas, you two make sure everyone is brought outside and lined up. Then Tenecas, quickly go to the neighboring courtyard to help persuade the tribesmen there."
With the two newly appointed captain and vice-captain of the courtyard readily responding, Siris said nothing more and turned to leave.
Nanix naturally had to follow behind but couldn’t resist looking back. He found that the people in the courtyard voluntarily stepped outside, and under the direction of the two captains, quickly lined up in a rather orderly manner.
This was the first time today that Nanix, who had shown several people from the Administration Department around, had seen the Foreign Auxiliary so proactive and obedient.
This seemingly ordinary Segestica person was indeed a bit different!... Nanix silently thought, looking at the figure of Siris ahead.
..........................................
Due to the successive major events of Acoupaigos’s funeral and Alistacas’s succession as the Great Chief, Aldean Main Camp and along the Murenica River were lively for several days. After finally settling down, the hustle and bustle started again, this time originating from the Budocaribas camp.
The camp had already changed significantly, with the wooden walls on the east and west sides removed, and most of the houses still standing but without doors.
As the new year approached and the weather was getting colder, the villagers did not stay in their homes to keep warm but instead gathered in front of the camp. Men and women alike carried heavy bags, even children carried items, and amidst the group were over 20 carriages loaded with various supplies...
Over a thousand people formed a long line, and although there was reluctance on everyone’s faces, there was more excitement and anticipation for a better future.
A quick horse galloped through this soon-to-be-abandoned settlement, reaching the front of the line.
"Leader, the people from the other promised tribes are already prepared." The rider on the horse said excitedly.