Legendary Awakening: Harem System In The Post-Apocalyptic World-Chapter 112: Choice
Step! Step! Step!
The sound of Max and others’ footsteps echoed in the area they walked to the front of the crowd.
Nick tugged at his mother’s sleeve and sensibly stood with the crowd. Seeing this Noah and Naira were about to walk over when Max stopped them.
"You stay with me."
A moment later, Max stood before the crowd with Noah and Naira behind him on either side.
He swept his gaze across them and saw that there were only women, both young and middle-aged with a few elderly ones, and kids, ranging from 5-6 years old to 14-15 years old. He also saw a young woman, in her late twenties, carrying a newborn in her arms too.
His expression calm without any ripple, he said, "You all have made a good decision by choosing to come here instead of leaving like others because if I have to be honest, they are doomed."
His words made the crowd’s expression harden.
Seeing this, Max continued, "I’m not saying I’ll kill them, because I will not unless they cause trouble. They are doomed because they would most likely die to other starving survivors. Even if they do not, when I drive them out of the city and radiation spreads to the New Island, they will die a painful death."
Without giving them time to think, he continued, "All of you must already be aware that nuclear weapons were launched all over the world. But what you don’t know is that while the New Island wasn’t nuked, the radiation will spread here within 3-4 days. In fact, the radiation has already contaminated the ground water you have been drinking."
Max took in their expressions—while some looked aghast, the majority had a suspicious and distrustful look on their faces.
Max didn’t mind.
"I don’t care whether you believe me or not, but you must have already felt some changes in yourselves after drinking the ground water after so many days—some irrationality, and out of character anger probably."
Saying this, he continued, "Anyways, you will know how good your decision is in a few days. Now, I’ll tell you what’s going to happen to you from now on.
All of your supplies will be confiscated because they don’t belong to you in the first place.
As soon as I re-establish the order in the city, your status will drop and you all will become slaves, with no right to your name.
You’ll do whatever I command you to do."
As Max listed out the things, their expression became uglier and uglier and they had begun regretting their decision to come here.
Max saw this and with an indifferent expression on his face, he continued, "But if you choose to submit to me, though slaves, you’ll be my people and I’ll naturally protect you from the radiation, preventing you and your loved ones from dying painful deaths. I’ll also provide uncontaminated water and enough food.
Moreover, you’ll have the opportunity to shed your slave status and become an ordinary citizen of my city or increase your status even more.
Now, I’m giving you all 10 minutes. Think things through and give me your answer. Remember, you can still choose to leave the city and I’ll be generous to allow you to take all the supplies you have. Your time starts now."
Finished speaking, he walked to the side with Noah and Naira, letting them decide without towering over them.
After they were far enough and stopped, Noah looked at Max and asked, "Do you really want them to turn into slaves?"
"Was I not clear just now?" asked Max, giving him an indifferent look.
"I... I’m sorry." said Noah, averting his gaze, "I just feel that—"
Max ignored him and looked at Naira, asking, "How do you feel about my decision?"
Noah’s expression froze seeing him disregard him. Then, he smiled bitterly in his heart and shut his mouth.
As for Naira, after thinking for a moment, she said, "I think what you are doing isn’t wrong. In fact, you are already being generous to them."
"Oh? Why do you think so?" asked Max, curious. He could tell she wasn’t saying this just to make him feel good, but really felt it.
"Because they are the people closely related to the Scavengers who slaughtered all those innocents. While they hadn’t directly participated, they didn’t stop them and instead, benefitted from them, which makes them guilty.
If the law and order hadn’t fallen, the government wouldn’t have thought so and would have deemed them to be innocent, but the fact is... it has fallen. So, whatever the new law—you—decide is right.
Moreover, you are giving them a choice and not forcing them into slavery.
If they decide not to become slaves, they can simply leave your city and live as free people. But if they decide otherwise, you have promised them safety, food and water which is a luxury they can’t afford right now.
Furthermore, they can become free men afterwards. So, all things considered, you are not wrong at all."
While Max looked at her with an appreciative look in his eyes, Noah stared at her in disbelief.
A few moments later, he calmed down and fell in thought. ’If he is right about the radiation and can indeed save them from it, he really isn’t... wrong.’
He then recalled how desperate he had become for water and food when he was starving and bitterly thought, ’In fact, if he really provides them food and water in future... that alone is enough for him to command them however he wishes.’
Right then...
Nick walked over with his mother and with a serious expression on his face, he said, "My Lord, I and my mother are willing to become the s—"
"You don’t need to." Max interrupted him, his words stunning both Nick and Fenna.
"I-Is that true, My Lord?" Nick asked.
"Why? You don’t believe me?" Max asked, his lips curving upwards into a faint smile.
"No, I do." Nick hurriedly shook his head and then gratefully bowed his head, "Thank you very much for your kindness, My Lord."
"Mm." Max nodded, "You no longer need to live here with them. Go with me to the Governor Mansion in a while."
"Yes, My Lord." Nick nodded.
While she was terrified of him, she was grateful and had to express it. So, she bowed her head and said, "Thank you... My Lord. My son and I will never forget your kindness."
"Hmm." Max hummed in acknowledgement.
Whirr!
Right then, the sound of a motor vehicle sounded and they all looked in the direction it was coming from.
The crowd did the same, some among them wearing hopeful expressions.
Max had killed their husbands and fathers and now he was telling them that they had to become his slave or he would force them out of the city. So, how could they not hate and resent him?
Therefore, even though the possibility was unlikely, they hoped that whoever was coming was another party who could save them from him.
However, when a few moments later... 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
A truck rolled over with several men on it. It stopped before Max and they all disembarked, then they approached him and began conversing with him in a subservient manner, their hopeful expressions turned into desolate and bitter ones.
...
On the other side, a man who introduced himself as Kevin, glanced at the uneasy crowd and asked Max, "What’s going on here, Sir?"
Max glanced at Nick, who understood what he wanted and immediately stepped forward and quickly explained everything.
When they heard Max had single-handedly killed dozens of armed men, they looked at Max in awe.
But when they heard he wanted to turn their families into slaves, their expressions became complicated. For the majority of their life, they had lived in a systematic and peaceful society, so it wasn’t easy for them to accept such a thing.
Despite that, though, they understood why he was doing this and didn’t say anything about it.
...
After a few minutes, someone stepped out of the crowd—it was the young woman with the newborn.
Immediately, everyone’s curious gazes focused on her, including Max.
After stepping out, she took a deep breath and then walked towards Max, which made Nick, Kevin and others nod in satisfaction.
Arriving before them, she bowed her head towards Max and suppressing her sadness, shame and humiliation, she said, "I accept to be your slave, Sir. Just please make sure to give us good water and food."
"Rest assured," said Max after looking her up and down.
The woman nodded and after hesitating for a bit, she looked at the child in her embrace and said, "Sir, can you..."
