Ashen Dragon-Chapter 126 - 56 Lord

The information appeared on Cassius’s panel.

[You have occupied a city with a population of tens of thousands, gaining the special achievement [Lord]]

Achievement [Lord]

"This place shall become my territory, and I shall be the lord of the world! —Conqueror King Audik"

Trait gained: [Dictator’s Rule]

Charisma +1

Ruling Proficiency +6

You conquered cities with overwhelming strength, and your dictatorial rule instilled fear in all. Inhabitants within your territory, viewed as "subjects," found it nearly impossible to disobey your orders. Furthermore, your decrees would manifest as natural laws within your domain.

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(Note: All players belonging to your faction who are within your territory must pass a stringent will check if they attempt to break the law; otherwise, they will be judged as deceased. Depending on your domain and number of subjects, you can currently enforce: 3 laws)

An invisible power enveloped Cassius.

His charisma was further enhanced, reaching a terrifying 26 points—almost comparable to some ancient dragons who had lived nearly a thousand years and had deep connections with the world.

Additionally, a special, psionic-like power also appeared in Cassius’s will, quietly waiting to be used.

"Dictator’s Rule, interesting..."

"It will have a miraculous effect on controlling players."

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Players might appear chaotic and disorderly, but in reality, they were bound by the greatest order—the system.

Everything they did, whether fighting or leveling up, strictly followed the system’s rules.

And now, with [Dictator’s Rule], Cassius could make himself like a system administrator, exercising precise and detailed control over players’ actions, finally making them accustomed to and accepting their roles as laborers for the Ashen Nest.

"Let’s try it then."

With this thought, Cassius used the invisible power attached to his will to issue the first "Dictator’s Rule."

Given his understanding of players, they would definitely break this rule, allowing him to see the effects of this new ability.

[Theft is prohibited here.]

...

"Damn, this city is much bigger than Barto City."

"Yeah."

"It’s said to have tens of thousands of people inside."

"The modeling is so realistic; even the marks on the city walls feel ancient."

Players stood at the city gates, marveling at Trolo City’s tall walls that had stood for hundreds of years.

"In such a big city, think of all the items there could be to pick up..."

A player with the ID "Nocturne Psalm" sighed.

Everyone turned their heads, looking at the person warily and distancing themselves.

"Nocturne Psalm" was a player with the wanderer sub-occupation [Thief], already at level three, a notorious pickpocket, known alongside Swashbuckler as one of the "Double Dogs of the Mine," who stole gear and money from countless new players in the dark mines.

His occupation traits [Sleight of Hand] and [Gentlemanly Thief] allowed him to escape unscathed each time, leaving the victims infuriated yet helpless, able only to vent on forums.

"Black Beast, go away!"

"Don’t come into the city with us!"

Players expressed their disdain, given that his victims numbered in the hundreds.

Nocturne Psalm protested, "I was just sighing; I didn’t take any action, nor did I steal anything from you all. Why so serious?"

Once those players left, he took out the ring he had just stolen, a sly, moist grin forming on his lips.

[Treasure Ring]

Quality: Common

Description: A very precious ring that can be sold for five gold coins in jewelry stores.

"Hehe, good stuff."

Nocturne Psalm deftly used his "Gentlemanly Thief" trait, silently leaping onto a building rooftop.

Several minutes later, that player sensed something amiss, touching his now empty finger, and exclaimed in shock.

"Wait...my ring is gone!"

"Damn, it’s the Black Beast!"

When he turned around in anger, Nocturne Psalm had already disappeared without a trace.

"Next time, let’s go together and catch him!"

"Unbelievable, this jerk is pure scum!"

"I worked over ten days to earn that reward—"

As players grieved their losses, Nocturne Psalm had already picked the complex lock and sneaked into a luxurious mansion.

"Hehe, that poor place Barto City had nothing good, with annoying sheriffs.

"Here, this is paradise for us thief players!"

The interior was adorned with exquisite decorations, many precious gold and silver jewels displayed in mahogany cabinets.

Nocturne Psalm eagerly rubbed his hands, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"This necklace is worth fifteen gold coins, this bracelet eleven gold, this pendant twenty-one gold, these earrings six gold..."

"Hehe..."

"Treasures, here I come—"

Suddenly, Nocturne Psalm’s body stiffened.

Information continuously refreshed on his panel.

[You have broken [Dictator’s Rule First Item—Theft is prohibited here]]

[You need to pass a will check]

[Check target is 20, your current check result is 2]

[Will check failed]

[You have received the status: Death]

Nocturne Psalm only had time to say two words: "Damn it..."

Immediately, his brain was squeezed by an immense, invisible power.

"Boom!"

His entire head exploded, like a shattered watermelon, leaving red and white pieces splattered on the ground.

The next day, rumors circulated that several headless bodies had been found in Viscount Burton’s mansion, located in different places, with nearby locks all picked.

It was said these people were Count Dawson’s followers, intending to assassinate the surrendered Viscount Burton but fell into Viscount Burton’s anticipated trap.

On the other hand, several posts appeared on the player forums.

"Solemn protest against targeting wanderer players by the officials!"

"Has the game bugged?"

"What’s with this ridiculous rule—"

"Theft is a part of the world; banning theft is not conducive to the normal operation of the game."

However, most posts attracted mocking comments, especially in Nocturne Psalm’s section, which turned into a celebration for the victims.

"Good and evil will be repaid; the Heavenly Dao is a good cycle."

"Look up and see, who has the official’s ever spared."

"Black Beast: I stole your money. Official: I stole your head."

"Strong support! Suggest extending this rule to Barto City."

"Seems like it’s updated over there too; now sheriffs can’t catch thief players, only native pickpockets."

"Great satisfaction, great satisfaction!"

"You officials did a good job, dog officials!"

"Why hasn’t the theft rule triggered in Northwind Castle yet; has it not been updated?"

"Rogue Beast, why aren’t you dead yet—"

Cassius browsed the player posts, nodding slightly.

This display of killing one to warn a hundred seemed very successful; these guys had started treating his rule as part of the system’s rules. Once this opening was made, they would gradually accept stricter rules.

It just needed to be done gradually; if squeezed too hard, pushing players out of the Ashen Nest would be bad.