Chapter Sixty: “The Abolition of Slavery Decree”!
The third wave of the Saint’s Cataclysm was intensifying.
However, far away in Modo City, it seemed to have avoided this crisis. During this period, apart from the Tribunal capturing a disguised Bone Demon, there had been no sightings of other demons in Modo City.
One thing was undoubtedly clear!
Demons are a cunning and intelligent bunch, and these clever beings would certainly avoid obvious danger zones, such as the well-guarded Modo City, managed by Soren like a fortress. From the Southern Plain to the Northern Wilderness, the presence of demons was becoming increasingly common; they incited conflict and stirred trouble in places like Taro Port on the Southern Coast, Shipwreck Bay, Fury Sand Island, and other locations, yet signs of demonic activity were rarely seen in Modo City. They seemed to fear this place, while Modo City’s increasingly stringent regulatory system offered no opportunities for them.
This provided Modo City with a precious respite.
While chaos reigned elsewhere, even the City of Radiance and Arendelle began to experience issues, the growth of Modo City became increasingly evident.
The influx of outsiders accelerated!
The number of refugees accepted by Modo City was rising, with merchant caravans filled with newcomers arriving at Modo Harbor almost daily.
Now, to the west of Modo City, the results of the third large-scale expansion had emerged. A row of neat brick houses extended towards the harbor; all of these houses were uniformly constructed, making them look very orderly. They were all two-story buildings, each housing three to five families. This area bore similarities to the internal planning of Modo City, with standardized drainage channels and clean, well-maintained gravel roads, standing in stark contrast to the filthy and chaotic living quarters of other cities. This newly built residential area also inherited the good traditions of Modo City.
In Modo City, public urination is a serious crime, and offenders could be locked up for several days.
Currently, the residential area primarily housed craftsmen and technicians, who were provided free accommodation. However, if they wished to gain ownership of their residences, they would need sufficient wealth and contributions.
These days, newcomers in Modo City were eager to obtain property certificates from the City Hall, representing that they had truly integrated into Modo City and attained a corresponding status, becoming part of the legitimate citizen class.
If this pace continues,
it is estimated that the population of Modo City could exceed three hundred thousand this year, making it a city with a relatively high population density in the entire Material Plane.
Recently, the City Hall had been organizing logistics and allocations. When the population became highly concentrated, the demand for resources increased. Although Modo City’s resources currently sufficed, according to the City Hall’s plans for the future, it was expected to become a metropolis with a population of over one million. Consequently, with the recent increase in the influx of newcomers, City Hall officials were considering preliminary colonization plans.
There are still many areas in the Overseas Islands that can be reclaimed.
The City Hall must ensure a sufficient supply of grain, and other living necessities should keep pace, even ensuring a supply of vegetables.
While there may still be some shortcomings, Modo City’s officials could proudly tell others that this city, through their efforts, had become the most civilized and thriving city in the Material Plane!
A sense of honor from Modo City had already formed.
Even the most unruly Drow Warriors were doing their utmost to gain the recognition of others and truly become citizens of Modo City. Recently, for example, a Drow Warrior married a Half-Elven girl, and their wedding even received the blessing of a Bishop Priest.
The pirates, worn down by order, had learned a bit of politeness.
While they still acted arrogantly towards outsiders, they understood that they should exhibit a certain degree of decorum towards the citizens of Modo City.
A stable life can change a person significantly.
Old Peter was one of those.
He had become accustomed to reporting to the military camp every day, going to the tavern for a few drinks at night, and then curling up with his wife and children to sleep. This stable life had not extinguished the hostility stemming from over a decade of wandering and killing, but it had greatly alleviated the rage in his heart, especially after bringing his old lover from Shipwreck Bay.
When the first child was born, Old Peter’s hands trembled.
He knelt in the temple with an unprecedented sense of reverence, praying for a blessing from My Lord Soren’s priest to baptize the tiny life cradled in his rough hands.
A man does not become weak because of family.
Peter’s rage had disappeared; his transformation was akin to a reef by the sea, becoming increasingly solid and substantial with the birth of his child. And when Modo City needed him, he would unhesitatingly offer his life because of honor, because of faith, and for everything he had given for this city, for his homeland.
All of this was worth protecting!
He believed and firmly understood that even if one day he died fighting for Modo City, his family, his child would receive proper care.
Once order is established,
the impact is on the entire social structure. The rules that Soren had formulated from the beginning, initially maintained through power, bloodshed, and killing, gradually led to a better Modo City over time. People began to understand, to start fearing, and to realize the importance of this order and the benefits it could bring.
They began to actively maintain this order.
Even the lower-class civilians in Modo City, who could not read a word, understood the rights and responsibilities of a civilian in Modo City.
However,
the changes Soren desired for the world were certainly more than just this. Once the situation he wanted in Modo City was established, he began probing the responses of the whole world.
It was on this day,
that chaos suddenly erupted at the City Hall of Modo City, followed by a piece of news rapidly disseminating through various channels, causing shock among many and panic among merchants and nobles.
— “The Abolition of Slavery Decree!”
When Gloria learned of this matter from Soren, the wise and virtuous witch could not help but pause.
“Have you thought this through?”
Gloria’s expression was very serious, more serious than when confronting a deity, as she said earnestly, “The existence of slaves has been for countless years. Do you really intend to abolish slavery? If so, many nobles and merchants who support you and own a large number of slaves may oppose you.”
The Fallen Witch stood silently beside her, but there was a strange light in her eyes.
This was the allure emitted by a man confronting the order of the entire world, an irresistible charm for women!
Soren’s expression was very calm.
He nodded and said, “Yes. I have planned this for a long time. Now, Modo City’s development no longer requires slaves. What Modo City needs is citizens, more proactive civilians filled with hope for outsiders.”
“The existence of slaves is a tremendous waste of human resources.”
“I intend to officially issue the Abolition of Slavery Decree within Modo City, eliminating all systems of slavery.”
“As for those merchants and nobles’ slaves, I will compensate them at a certain price.”
Modo City had many slaves; from the beginning, a significant number occupied the city, and Shipwreck Bay was a port for slave trading. Soren had originally risen through the ranks with slaves. It was unlikely anyone expected this butcher, known for his bloodied hands, would utterly abolish the existence of slavery at this time.
If Soren’s decree were to be enforced,
Modo City would have to grant freedom to tens of thousands of slaves, a staggering loss!
Adding in the amount of compensation, Modo City would suffer a direct loss of over fifty thousand Gind, likely causing profound implications for other regions.
“Very well.”
Gloria smiled as she tossed her long hair, lifted herself onto her toes, and kissed Soren’s cheek lightly, whispering, “No matter what you do, I will support you.”
“Just do what you want.”
“No matter what happens, I will always be by your side.”
As news of the abolition decree just emerged,
merchants in Modo City began secretly relocating their slaves, fearing for their assets.
However,
quickly the next day, the City Hall of Modo City officially issued the decree, rapidly spreading to other areas. It was like dropping a bomb in an already chaotic Material Plane; even the Princess from Arendelle sent a message.
“What exactly do you want to do?” The Princess seemingly felt puzzled by Soren’s actions.
The Agricultural Goddess was equally confused and surprised. The system of serfdom had existed for a very long time; she neither accepted nor rejected this system, and she certainly did not expect that Soren would act in this way.
Regarding all of this,
Soren remained very calm, merely muttering to himself, “What do I want to do?”
“I want to change the whole world!”
“Now is the time! The Material Plane is at the point of breaking and reconstructing!”
The faith of three hundred thousand paladins.
Some things no longer existed; some beliefs had vanished. Soren belonged to darkness and evil, but there were still some things he needed to do.
On this day,
Modo City became known to the entire world.
Because on a clear afternoon, Modo City officially promulgated the Abolition of Slavery Decree, unconditionally granting freedom to all slaves and purchasing the personal liberty of all slaves within its territory at the price of 1-3 Gind per slave. Subsequently, the City Hall began to register the household registrations for all slaves; they would become the lower-class civilians of Modo City, possessing the rights to freedom and property protection. Whether they could become official citizens of Modo City in the future would depend on the efforts of these former slaves, though now they at least held a significantly higher status than before.
“The Abolition of Slavery Decree [Epic Event]: In the mid-May of the Year 1677 of the New Moon Era, the Lord of Modo City, the God of Half-Elves, and the Lord of Shadows—Lord Soren officially issued the Abolition of Slavery Decree, completely abolishing all systems of slavery within Modo City. This event created a tremendous impact on the Material Plane. Many regions where slavery thrived were shocked by this move, and some deities felt wary of this action! The entire world’s rules and order were shaken. Modo City’s challenge to the institution of slavery left many stubborn old powers and the Church of the Deity feeling dissatisfied. [Legendary Points +100]” (To be continued ~^~)
