Absolute Beast Dominion

While talking with Torbin, Leo learned that Torbin wasn't exactly the right person to talk to about the automated golems.

After that, Torbin called another Gnome with the [Mechanist Instinct] talent who could provide better insight into Leo's questions.

"So, you are Orvik, right?" Leo asked, though he already knew the name since it was floating right above the Gnome's head due to the slave collar. He still asked for effect.

"M-my Lord, you know me?" Orvik asked, looking a bit baffled.

Lily also seemed amazed that Leo knew the name. Because even she knew only handful of Gnome names—leader figures like Torbin.

"That's a small detail. Let's get back to the main topic." Leo waved it off.

"Y-yes..."

Leo initiated a casual conversation with both of them to ease their minds.

"It's been quite some time since you both and the other Gnomes have been in the territory. What do you feel about the territory and me?" Leo asked.

"And be truthful."

Both Torbin and Orvik looked at each other. Even though they were hesitant, they still needed to speak because of the slave collar.

"L-Lord, we never expected our lives to be so good after becoming slaves. We are treated well in the territory, given work to do, and provided proper meals. It's more than what we can ask for. And even though we haven't gotten to talk with you much, we can tell you are a great Lord!" Torbin responded, and Orvik only nodded in agreement.

"Are you sure that whatever you spoke just now is the truth? You look quite nervous right now." Leo said with a sly smile, teasing them.

"I-it's the truth! We swear on our lives!" Torbin became even more panicked.

"Alright, I understand. Now, for the other part, I am curious whether you and the other Gnomes are ready to contribute more to the territory, or if you plan to continue what you are doing and remain stagnant. And what I mean by that is to utilise your talents and skills from your heart rather than me forcing you."

Torbin and Orvik seemed a bit confused, so Leo clarified.

"You can't tell me that all of your expertise lies in just farming crops, right? I had been informed that many of you specialise in mechanical areas like you, Orvik. Some specialise in fighting like Torbin, some in smithing, and only a decent percentage in farming."

Both the Gnomes nodded.

"But as things are right now, almost all 160 of you are giving your time to farming. Doesn't that seem a bit wasteful?"

Both Torbin and Orvik realised what Leo was talking about.

"My Lord... if you say so, we can do some other work too..." Torbin said hesitantly.

Leo shrugged.

"That I can see. Your status as slaves will indeed make it possible for me to order you around. But what I am talking about here is you doing that work of your own will."

Leo pointed at an empty space beside them, and a 3-meter-tall, Peak 2-star Golem materialised.

"See that? What if I say you make it more durable by making it an armour, then do something to have it function without me supplying it mana actively, and that you go further and proceed to craft a battle suit in which you can sit and pilot it to increase your fighting capabilities?" Leo paused.

"You can definitely do the first part of armour crafting if I force you to, but the second and third parts cannot be accomplished if you don't pour your heart and soul into it. A forceful order cannot bring out your creativity and imagination. Are you getting what I am talking about here?"

Torbin and Orvik pulled their eyes away from the statue-golem and turned to look at Leo. The suppressed the fear in their heart that Leo was capable to killing them in an instant due to his power and responded.

"We understand, my Lord." Torbin began.

"To be honest, we have actually been planning to talk to you about this for some time, but were scared that you might scold us."

Leo raised his brow.

"So, you are saying others are also ready to work?" Leo asked.

"Not all, but most. Some are still feeling down even after all this time... We are sorry."

"Don't worry about that. What if I say I will free you people from the status of slaves if you work for me enough?"

Leo's words rang a loud bell in both Torbin and Orvik's minds.

"M-my Lord! Are you speaking the truth!?"

"Do I look like I am lying? I promise you and the other Gnomes that if you work and contribute to the territory wholeheartedly, I will make you people free from the status of slaves. At that time, it will be your choice whether you want to stay in my territory or leave. If you want to leave, I will personally have you escorted out of the Human Empire so you can start a new life. Now tell me, do you agree?"

Leo said with a smile.

And just like that, the first step was taken to have his automated golems built. Torbin and Orvik were instructed to spread the news among the other Gnomes while Leo showed a few more tech-oriented Gnomes that were interested an Earthpulse Heartcore that he had stored back when fighting the tree behemoth.

"See this. I had once come across some golems that used these as a power source to function independently. And this was installed on them by a beast with very low intelligence. I am sure you all should be able to do it with your advanced minds."

The Gnomes gathered like ants around the heartcore, and some even touched it to get a feel for it with Leo's permission. Leo had purposefully given them a very low-charged heartcore so that they wouldn't get hurt.

As they felt the power within the treasure, the Gnomes' eyes widened. Some even immediately started to examine the standing stone golem that Leo had created previously. It seemed that it was only after Leo gave them the green signal that their whole curiosity started to show.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!