Chapter Fourteen: The Village of Strength and Submission
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As Crow and his companions continued through the rugged terrain of this new world, they eventually stumbled upon something that caught their attention—a massive village that seemed to stretch endlessly across the horizon. The village itself was surrounded by towering stone walls, offering some semblance of defense against the wilderness beyond. Crow could sense an immense amount of power radiating from the village, and his eyes narrowed with interest.
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"Look at that," Lady Nagant remarked, her voice cool, but her eyes scanning the area with cautious curiosity. "A village of this size... it seems like the population is filled with strong individuals."
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Mirko, ever the enthusiastic one, jumped up and down, eager to get closer. "I can't wait to see what kind of fighters are in there!"
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Crow simply nodded, his eyes studying the village carefully. As they approached the main gate, he could feel the strength of the people inside. This wasn't a regular village. It was a stronghold, a hub of power where different ranks of warriors lived and trained. A place where the strong ruled and the weak served.
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The village itself was bustling with activity. There were groups of powerful individuals—warriors of varying ranks—sparring in the open fields, practicing their combat techniques, or talking amongst themselves. Crow's sharp eyes quickly assessed the power of each group, and what he saw intrigued him.
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There were 500 C-Rank warriors, each one formidable in their own right. Then there were 37 S-Rank warriors—individuals with immense strength and skill. But what truly caught Crow's attention were the 200 S-Rank mermaids. Their aquatic grace and power were unlike anything he had seen before. These were warriors capable of unleashing devastating attacks from both land and sea.
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The 356 A-Rank warriors weren't to be underestimated either. Crow knew that each one of these individuals had honed their strength to near perfection, and they would be formidable opponents if provoked. But it wasn't just the strength of these warriors that drew Crow's attention. It was the balance of power—the way the hierarchy was structured. The men held a certain dominance here, while the women seemed to occupy a subservient role. The dynamics were clear: the strongest ruled, and the weaker obeyed.
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As Crow's gaze continued to wander, he noticed something else—a group of 1,000 S-Rank males who stood out from the rest. They were large, powerful, and exuded an air of authority. But despite their strength, Crow could see something unsettling. The men were bound by invisible chains, held in check by the social structure of the village.
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"Interesting," Crow muttered, a dark grin spreading across his face. He could feel the power within the village, and his mind began to churn with ideas.
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Without warning, Crow snapped his fingers. The air around him seemed to hum with dark energy, and in an instant, the entire village fell under his control. His influence surged through the area like a tidal wave, seizing the minds and bodies of the male warriors. One by one, they fell to their knees, their wills crushed by Crow's overwhelming presence.
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The 1,000 S-Rank males, once mighty and proud, were now his captives. Their bodies trembled as they struggled to resist, but it was futile. Crow's grip on them was absolute. He could feel their strength, their defiance, but it wasn't enough to break free from his control.
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"Lady Nagant, Mirko," Crow said coolly, his eyes flashing with excitement. "Capture the males. Make them submit. We'll add them to our growing collection."
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Mirko, a grin spreading across her face, took a step forward. "You got it, Crow. Let's make sure they know who's in charge here."
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Lady Nagant, ever the strategist, moved with precision. She was calm, collected, but her eyes betrayed a glint of something darker—something just as eager for domination. She didn't need to say anything; her actions spoke volumes as she stepped into the fray, using her tactical mind to incapacitate the remaining males and bring them under Crow's influence.
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Crow turned his attention to the mermaids, watching as they gracefully swam through the village's streams and rivers. Their beauty and power were undeniable, but Crow's control over their minds was already taking effect. With a simple command, he bent their wills to his own. The 200 S-Rank mermaids fell into line, their once-proud gazes now filled with submission. They were now his slaves, bound by his power and completely under his control.
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The 356 A-Rank females were not left out. Crow's ability to influence and dominate those around him was growing stronger by the moment. He extended his reach, compelling the A-Rank women to surrender their independence. They, too, were now part of his growing collection, their wills now aligned with his desires.
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"Now," Crow said, his voice calm but laden with menace. "The women of this village belong to me. Their strength is mine to command. And you"—he glanced at the remaining villagers, their eyes wide with fear—"you will serve me as well."
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The village, once a thriving hub of power, now stood under the rule of Crow. His control over the warriors—both male and female—was absolute. Those who resisted were swiftly crushed, their will shattered under the weight of his influence. The once-proud fighters, now reduced to mere slaves, stood in awe of the dark power Crow commanded.
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Mirko and Lady Nagant looked on with approval, their expressions reflecting a mix of admiration and satisfaction. They had seen Crow's power grow over time, but this… this was something else. Crow had taken an entire village, made up of some of the strongest warriors they had ever encountered, and turned them into his puppets.
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As the village fell silent, with only the sound of controlled breathing and subdued movements filling the air, Crow took a deep breath, savoring the moment. This world, this strange place without quirks, had its own unique power structure—but now, it was his to command.
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"It's done," Crow said, his tone almost bored. "We'll make use of this place. The strong will bow to me, and the weak will serve."
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He looked out over the village, his eyes glinting with ambition. There was more to this world than he had initially anticipated, but now, it was all within his grasp. This village—these warriors—were just the beginning.
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End of Chapter Fourteen.
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