Wasteland Lord: Starting from Thirty Days to Live

When Vittorio went down, a group of people had already gathered in the open space in front of the castle.

In front of this group of people was a makeshift execution platform made of three horizontal beams with several ropes on top.

Yes, hanging.

As Vittorio walked at the front, he saw the girl named Serena not far away.

Serena's identity had already been told to him: the former young lady of Zhakou City, with a weak personality, and a noblewoman who claimed to have nothing left.

However, the claim itself is a good thing. When you are weak, you can't exchange it for any food or money, but when you become strong and want to do something, it becomes a necessary thing.

So Vittorio didn't neglect the girl; instead, he beckoned her to come to his side and stand on equal footing with him.

Serena walked over, clearly flattered.

Vittorio didn't spend time comforting her; instead, he turned to face the crowd of onlookers.

"Today, some new companions joined us, and some bandits tried to infiltrate our ranks, but everyone's eyes are sharp, and they were all screened out."

"Based on the testimonies of most of them, these people committed heinous crimes such as murder, rape, and theft. Their circumstances are extremely serious, and they must be punished accordingly."

"Actually, in the past period of time, no serious cases have occurred in our River Bend Fort, but as more and more friends have joined us, some things have inevitably happened."

"Now that it has happened, we need to have countermeasures."

"I'm not talking about the complicated legal codes of a kingdom."

"I hereby agree to three legal provisions with everyone."

"First, murderers pay with their lives, and those who injure others are punished with the same amount of harm."

"Second, no one may forcibly take possession of another's property; those who rob or steal shall compensate for the property and perform hard labor."

"Third, one must not make false accusations or deceive others. If discovered, the person making the false accusation will be punished for the crime of false accusation and will also be subject to hard labor."

After Vittorio recited the three articles of law, he looked around at the crowd and found that they had no objections, but rather showed expressions of agreement.

These three legal provisions—to stop violence, protect private property, and maintain peace in the community—are the most basic legal provisions Vittorio could think of.

Given the current situation where there are neither too many nor too few people, implementing this simple legal provision will be most effective.

After reading these three articles, he began to order the Fiery Fang henchmen who had committed crimes to be brought up one by one.

Each person brought in was declared guilty of a crime, and these crimes were based on reports from newly arrived refugees, with absolute evidence.

Although they shouted that they were innocent, they had no choice but to confess in the face of overwhelming evidence.

Venomous Fang had a total of sixteen men, twelve or thirteen of whom had committed murder and were guilty of capital offenses.

Only three or four people did not commit capital crimes, but they did engage in robbery and theft, and these people naturally served as slaves for the lord.

Then came the execution. The criminals were escorted, dejected, to the execution platform. Their heads were placed in ropes, and then three or four people pulled from behind, causing the condemned to struggle and be hoisted up. However, they could not resist the gravity and were eventually hanged.

Because there weren't enough ropes, they had to wait in line to be hanged.

The first group of people who went up to receive punishment were alright; at least their eyes rolled back and it was over.

But the second group of people had to watch the first group die, so many of them broke down and cried.

But Vittorio's expression didn't change at all.

In fact, he found that since coming into this world, his heart had become colder and colder. The young man who used to live in the city and was always humble and peaceful was gone forever.

There was another person beside him who couldn't bear to look.

That's Serena.

Upon seeing this scene, Serena covered her eyes with her hands and made a soft "no, no" sound.

Vittorio realized that his subordinates' report that the noble girl was weak by nature was not false.

As a lord who had once faced difficulties but had now gained a foothold, Vittorio offered her a few words of advice from the perspective of a senior.

"Unrestrained kindness is also a form of cruelty. If we don't kill these bad apples today, they will turn around and harm the kind people tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Serena gradually lowered her hand, her eyes vacant, seemingly lost in thought.

However, what she thinks isn't very important.

After saying this, Vittorio went to watch the execution.

As those condemned to death were hanged one by one, those who had committed serious crimes and become slaves of the lords were branded with red-hot irons by soldiers to mark their faces as slaves.

The crowd fell silent at first, as if a sense of awe was spreading among them, then erupted in cheers, seemingly pleased with the lord's fair and just reward system.

Vittorio could almost imagine that when he checked the system after returning home today, it would probably boost public morale even further.

The only one present who seemed downcast was Serena.

She stared blankly at the corpses that swayed in the wind on the gallows like leaves.

"If this is the price, I would rather be the ignorant girl on the tower."

After the execution, Old Martin consulted with a group of Lumens, and he stepped forward as their representative.

"Your Excellency, we are a group of homeless refugees. We beg you, could you grant us a piece of land in this prosperous territory to sustain our lives?"

"We are not people who eat and drink for free. If you agree, we will repay you a thousandfold."

In fact, Martin's move was not a spur-of-the-moment decision.

Before he even arrived in this territory, he had already witnessed the well-trained army under Edmund's command.

Then I saw the bustling renovation work at River Bend Fort.

Even on the outskirts of River Bend Fort, many newly built houses have been erected, and everyone's face is beaming with smiles, a scene of prosperity and flourishing.

Even the wheat in the fields was taller and stronger than any wheat he had ever seen before.

If it weren't for a wise lord, this place wouldn't be able to be governed so well.

Today, the lord's decisive execution of those criminals by hanging made him feel that this lord was a wise and benevolent ruler who rewarded and punished accordingly.

So old Martin decided to stay there, and the other refugees agreed with his idea.

Vittorio naturally stood up and helped the man up, expressing his sincere welcome.

And so, the group of refugees joined River Bend Fort.

Because there wasn't enough accommodation, they temporarily squeezed into tents outside and various corners of the castle.

Providing them with adequate housing is now a matter that must be put on the agenda.

It is also necessary to distinguish which people joined loyally and which were half-hearted.

Vittorio returned to his room, feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of events unfolding before him.

Just as he was pondering this matter, there was a sudden knock on the door.

Vittorio assumed it was some subordinate reporting something and casually opened the door, but the scene outside stunned him.

Serena stood outside the door wearing only a thin undershirt, her hair completely loose, without any makeup, her head lowered, only her eyes, like autumn water, looking at him.

Serena held only one candlestick in her hand.

"May I come in?"