CH 187

As we were leaving the workshop, I received a report from Onyxim.

He said that the rabbit people that were sent were even better than he had expected, and that he wanted to hire them officially.

They are very good at repetitive tasks and keeping things in a certain shape.

It’s rather hard to stop them from overdoing it, he said ……

I happily approved it.

Now we can avoid the neuroses of the rabbit people.

As we walked home, Kiara was pondering with a difficult look on her face.

At times like this, I keep my mouth shut.

It wasn’t an aura I wanted her to hear.

Eventually, Kiara gave a small shake of her head and let out a breath.

Giving up.

“Does brother think that the opponent is mainly cavalry?”

“Humans dominate beastmen on the plains. If that’s the case, it won’t be enough to just clash. We will need some other means. Cavalry will be the most effective means.”

“My brother won without cavalry, didn’t he?”

“We won once, and then we proposed assimilation on terms they would accept, not domination. They keep winning and establish dominance. It’s a different premise.”

Kiara nodded her head, so I continued to explain a little more.

“When I say dominate, it won’t be a one time thing. The opponent will either flee or desperately resist. Soon, they will be worn out and defeated.”

Mickey, who had come along as an escort, agreed.

(T/N: Mickey is a dog tribesman and one of the Elite Guards.)

“Abraham also said before joining. If I’m going to be dominated, I’m going to fight. He said it later when he became a representative. He said this would make it difficult for us to rebel even if we joined you.”

That didn’t seem to sit well with Kiara.

“How is this unlikely to lead to a rebellion?”

I explained with a wry smile.

“If the chief is reduced to the same position as his subordinates, everyone will be dissatisfied. When there is a change in the environment, everyone has a complaint, big or small. If a former chief is dissatisfied, it is easy to start a riot. Even in Ravenna now, it will happen.”

Let’s say a company is being merged.

What would happen if all of the executives of the merged company were made common employees?

It wouldn’t end up good.

And the other companies will definitely try to avoid being merged.

Kiara sighed.

“Haaa …… There’s a lot of depth to brother’s studies ……”

Like I said, let’s stop that ……

Let’s change the subject.

“Let’s get back on topic. If you want to overpower the beastmen, use something they don’t have.”

“Is that the cavalry?”

“With training, even the beastmen can ride, but they are not in the habit of riding themselves.”

Mickey agreed.

“Yes, that’s true. We just have to run.”

Considering the cost of breeding horses and the range of the beastmen’s activities, there is not much advantage in using horses.

“Beastmen can naturally surpass humans in terms of leg strength and agility. But they can’t beat a horse that specializes in running.”

Mickey looked a little frustrated.

“You’re right, we can’t beat a horse ……”

It would be bad if you could win.

“If the cavalry is used skillfully, the beastmen will not be able to compete with their mobility. In addition, if they rush at you with spears, they will instill fear in you.”

Kiara seemed to be convinced, but she also had some doubts.

“But that’s not going to happen against us, is it?”

“Yes, I know I said it was mainly cavalry, but it’s not only humans fighting.”

“They’ll make the beastmen they control to fight?”

Rather, they fight in a way that minimizes the consumption of humans.

“They treat them as disposable pawns, auxiliary in tactics.”

Mickey seemed to be suspicious.

“What good is that to them? Won’t they turn their fangs on its master?”

“That’s what happens if you don’t do anything.”

Kiara pondered.

“There is a way to keep them from turning, that’s what you’re saying, right?”

“There are ways to keep resentment from turning on humans.”

Mickey’s face twitched.

“I’m afraid to ask, but …… What is it?”

“Fear is the natural method. Of course, they will take hostages.”

Mickey looked unsatisfied.

It’s a method anyone would consider.

It was written on his face.

So I explained the rest.

“They’ll make them fight each other for different treatment. They will also divide them into certain groups in order to prevent them from working together as beasts.”

Mickey’s face became serious.

He must have remembered that he had been manipulated by the cat tribe in the past and had a falling out with them.

Seeing this, I looked like a naughty boy who wanted to play a prank.

“The treatment of the group will vary depending on the outcome of the battle. However, peacetime blunders will also affect them in tandem. This will accelerate the bickering among the governed.”

Mickey’s face twisted in fear.

I told him the final touches.

“They’ll make an accusation so that the lower levels are not fixed, and switch the hierarchy appropriately. This will break the link between the beastmen. If there is resentment, and there is something below you, your frustration will go there.”

Kiara gave an astonished look.

“If you’ve been mistreated by the higher-ups, and suddenly you’re the higher-up, you’re going to …… they’ll get back at them. It’s a simple but scary negative cycle.”

Mickey looked at me as if I were a demon king.

“So you could have done it if you wanted to, my lord …….”

“There is a difference between being able to do something and doing it. To operate, humans need to fight and show their strength on a regular basis. First of all, I don’t like that kind of method.”

Mickey chuckled.

“Because my lord is an unparalleled lover of children, after all. Regardless of species.”

No, that’s not true ……

It’s just the result of following my policy, and I don’t protect children without principle.

Kiara didn’t seem to think this was perfect ……

She pondered a little.

“But even so, isn’t there a possibility that the beastmen might turn on the humans in battle?”

“That’s where human psychology comes into play.”

“Psychology?”

“For the beastmen who are fighting each other, beating those who rebel will make them feel better about themselves. If they are in the top rank, they will protect their position.”

Kiara seemed to agree with him honestly.

“That’s true.”

“Even if you attack the humans, there is no guarantee that the enemy will not attack you.”

“Ah ……”

I smiled at Kiara, strangely amused by the conversation.

“And the people who control them are not stupid. Humans are loosening the reins just enough to keep the beastmen from despairing. Now …… would you really betray them in this situation? Wouldn’t it be better to take out your frustration on your enemy?”

Kiara glared at me with a scowl.

“It’s because you say things like that with a smile on your face that you’re called the Demon Lord. You need to reflect on that.”

I can’t even reply.