Monster Subjugation

[Today is the day! Are you ready to fight?]

"Yes, Sir!"

[Are you ready to kill?]

"Yes, Sir!"

[Are you ready to die?]

"Yes, Sir!"

[You bunch of dumbasses!]

"No, Sir! We won't die!"

[Better. Are you afraid to die?]

"No, Sir!"

[You should be! Death is painful!]

"Yes, Sir?"

[I'm telling you!]

"Yes, Sir!"

TMR is watching this scene play out while chuckling.

[Perfect, we roll out!]

Me in front with the squad behind me. All in a formation. We are just missing the slow-motion. They are looking scary and yet pitiful. They washed but it won't remove the wounds. I still don't have a sword. Meh, whatever.

Direction, the wildlands! This will be a trial by fire! Without any fire of course. Wildfires are no jokes. I like how I'm leading but I have no clue where I am going. All I know is that I'm going away from the town and the road.

Before long we encounter something. There are …what are these? Some kind of weird foxes.

"Oh my god! Dire foxes! Almost as dangerous as Dire Wolves!"

Do these guys add Dire to any animal to show that it's dangerous?

[Well, what are you waiting for? Fuck them up!]

They all charge at the targets. Still, I can see they are ready to fall back at any time. Even then I'm sure they'll screw up somehow. After all, they are inexperienced.

I'm ready to assist them whenever. I watch carefully. The tension is high. The fight is heated. The creatures powerful and… Never mind.

They completely destroy the few. I can hear them laugh. I can see them smile. I can hear them cheer. All the while stabbing the creatures. Relentlessly. In all possible spots.

The poor things don't even have the chance to counterattack. One is already beheaded yet it is still getting repeatedly stabbed in the ass. A shower of blood sprays on their faces. Did they just gulp it down?! What the hell is wrong with them?! Are they demons?! They are deriving such joy from bloodshed!

"Finally! We have a chance at living!"

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"It was worth it!"

"Quick let's hunt some more!"

"Kill them all!"

"Sir, let's keep going!"

[Uh…sure.]

The more this goes the more I am questioning myself. Did I do the right thing by teaching them? They are just slaughtering creature after creature.

This is reminding me of something on Earth. Back when fur was in high demand. Back when it was traded without restrictions. So many species almost got hunted to extinction.

Right now they are killing for the sake of killing. I can see it on their faces. The exhilaration brought by every victim. Will they only stop after committing a massacre?

Did I just doom an entire ecosystem? Should I feel bad? Am I a monster?

"Sir! Come on!"

Ah, she is brightly smiling. An innocent smile. So beautiful Eyes full of joy. But she's bloodied from head to toes! I follow them. Soon enough they have killed more than they can even carry. Yet these madmen still want to keep going?!

[We turn back now!]

"But we can still fight!"

"Yes, compared to training this is so easy!"

"We are not totally useless for once!"

"We can-"

[No. You guys are getting excited. Losing sight of what matters.]

I look at each of them.

[You guys are proud of killing a few animals? Seriously?! Any butcher should be able to do that.

You guys killed some stragglers? Is that praiseworthy? Getting overconfident? What will you do if there is a few hundred of them, eh?]

They lower their eyes in shame.

"You are right, Sir!"

"I'm sorry!"

"Please forgive us!"

"It won't happen again!"

[Next time it happens you will die, leaving the town to fend for itself. Don't get swept up by emotions. Grab as much as you can. We are going back to town.]

"Yes, Sir! X31"

As we enter it, I can see the villagers. They are all lined up. When they see the preys we are bringing back, they start crying. Emotionally.

Some are fixing the loot with the dumbest smile. Not moving their eyes away in the least. So much that they are not even blinking. Others are cheering for the new heroes.

This is too exaggerated. I simply go back to my inn room. I'll leave them some time to process it all. Still, there is something weird. If that is the extent of the threat, why couldn't they deal with it before? It makes no sense.

"Master, aren't you rejoicing?

After all this time they are able to fend for themselves."

[I feel like they are naïve. They are all still weak.

Chances are they'll invite a disaster soon enough.]

"So will we stay to help them?"

[No. It doesn't concern me. I can't always remain here to protect them. If they cannot stand up for themselves…]

"They will die?"

[Pretty much.]

*Knock Knock*

[Enter!]

It is the Mayor.

"Sir, we are hosting a feast. Would you join us?"

[Coming.]

I simply follow him. All the villagers are in the public plaza. As soon as they see me, they all drop on the ground. All of them kneeling.

[What is this?]

I turn to ask the mayor but he is kneeling too.

"Simply our heartfelt thanks."

[No need. I simply felt like it is all.]

"Sir, please accept this bow. You deserve it. Before we had pain, despair, suffering, and barely any hope. Thanks to you we have hope, rich food, and strong warriors."

[You guys should have trained on your own. I barely did anything really. *Sigh*]

"It wasn't much for you, Sir. But it means the world to us."

[Fine, whatever. Where is the food? I'm famished.]

He gives a wry smile. Then everyone gets up. Before long, my trainees are bringing me barbecue. Dire Fox is surprisingly delicious.

To go with that they get some alcohol out. There is barely any to go around. Yet they keep filling my cup. They are clearly giving me preferential treatment. I'll accept it.

This way they will consider the debt repaid. They attacked me and I killed their leader. I trained them and they paid me with food. The slate is clean now.

There is eating, dancing, drinking (water for most). Everyone is merry. There is a cute girl feeding me. Well, the guys wanted to but I refused them. That is when one of them takes a deep breath. Seemingly preparing himself mentally.

"Sir, could you please tell me your name?"

[So you can get revenge on me later if you ever get stronger?!]

"I swear I don't have any evil intention!"

"Please, Sir! X31!"

They all swear that they won't look for revenge. I whisper so only them hear it, gesturing them to keep it secret.

[Yggdrasil's Pupil.]

It is my title but it should be fine. They all nod while engraving it in their memories. Not that the little good I have done here will change anything.

Later, the feast is over and everything is peaceful. I am the only one awake. Actually no. The mayor slowly comes to sit beside me. He is clearly intoxicated. He seems to want to know something. Unsure how to do so.

[Just ask.]

"Sir, when was the exact moment that my daughter sealed her fate?"

[...]

Was it when she drugged her fellow villagers?

[No.]

"Was it when she convinced them to sacrifice themselves?"

[Not.]

"Was it when she tried killing you?"

[Neither.]

"Then when was it? I just want to understand."

[It was when she tried killing my rat.]

He starts laughing.

[Do you find this reason laughable?]

He shakes his head.

"No, I find it very noble. It stems from a desire to protect. Have a good night, Sir."

He walks away but stops for a few seconds.

"You know, she would have loved you very much."

He leaves me with my thoughts. I'd actually love to meet her properly too. But it is too late. Would I act differently if I was given the chance? Weirdly enough, probably not.

I can forgive anyone targeting me easily. But my friends...

No way I will face loneliness again.

*Sigh*