Once the guards were distracted, the troops punched a hole in the outer wall near the outbuildings. Now a steady stream of beastmen is going through the hole under the watch of my soldiers. There are bodies of several guards and beasts nearby, but none of my people.

I have the slaves that I freed join the line waiting to leave and then take a look around. Judging by the remaining numbers, the beasts are going to win, but not many will be left. In the distance, I can see the servants and some of the guards fleeing the estate.

Word is going to spread about our actions, but I don't really care about that. I already consider the empire an enemy, so it doesn't matter if they learn that we are attacking them. It's not like we could really keep it a secret for long anyway, so why bother trying.

The church of Holos worries me a little, but they should be kept busy by the demons. Even once the demons are all dead, I can't see the church passing up the chance to take over. Of course, I don't plan to let them take over completely, but letting them try will use up their strength.

The kind of chaos that has started in the empire isn't going to end anytime soon. Especially if the emperor is brought down, a change in leadership will only create more chaos. If the new ruler isn't strong enough, the empire may even break into smaller nations.

Unfortunately, I don't have enough information about the various factions within the empire. If I did, I could make better predictions about what is going to happen. As it is, I will just have to do my best to react to the situation as it changes.

I do feel pretty bad for the common people of the empire, they will suffer a lot. However, I have done what I can to not add to their suffering and will continue to do so. I will at least keep my people from adding to the problems they are facing.

In fact, we may even be able to recruit some of them, or at least Illium will. There are always people who flee from war and I have plenty of open land. I wouldn't mind letting humans settle in the new city and surrounding areas.

I think I will be sending out a few new sets of orders once I get back to the fort. This is something that I didn't think of previously, but I need to take steps soon. While I have been thinking, the slaves have all moved through the hole in the wall.

Once they are through, the soldiers follow them and then I am the last one to leave. I follow along and keep an eye on things until the group reaches a camp. At the camp are others who will assist in getting the slaves back across the border.

They also have food ready so that the slaves can eat and regain their strength. Luckily, beastmen are resilient and will be able to recover fairly quickly, at least enough to travel. Before I leave, I use my strength to break any restraints that are still on the slaves.

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There are others who can take care of it, but with my strength it is easier for me to do it. Not to mention that it means each and every slave gets to see me up close. It will help generate loyalty towards me, not that that will really be a problem.

Just being freed at my orders will be enough that I don't really need to worry. What does concern me is how their attitude towards humans is going to be. It would be understandable if they hate humans now, but it will also cause problems.

My main worry is how they are going to react to Lin becoming my queen. If they hate humans, then me taking a human wife is not going to go over well. However, I am not about to let that, or anything else, stop me from marrying Lin.

The only thing that could actually stop the marriage would be Lin deciding she didn't want to marry me. I am pretty confident that that isn't going to happen, not unless I do something really stupid. I don't plan for that to happen, but with me you never know what might happen.

Once I have removed the last restraint, I walk away from the camp, but stay within sight. I can feel a lot of eyes on me as I drop shapeshift and take off into the sky. I stayed within sight specifically so that the former slaves would see what I really look like.

All of the freed slaves will be gathered together on our side of the border, so word will spread. Hopefully, it will prevent them from being as shocked when they find out about what I am later. I will just have to wait and see how things go, but for now I contact Myria.

"Job's done. I'm heading back to the fort now."

Myria says "That was fast! Any problems?"

"Nope. It was just the estate of a really paranoid noble. How are things on your end?"

Myria says "It's going really well! We've already freed several hundred slaves. Question, what are we supposed to do with the human slaves we have found?"

"Free them and then give them the choice of running off on their own or coming to live in our lands."

Myria says "You are going to let humans live among us?"

"Yeah. That was always the plan. It is just happening sooner because of all of this. I was just thinking that a lot of commoners are going to turn into refugees because of the chaos. I want to absorb some of them too."

Myria says "You realize that some of these slaves are not going to be happy living with humans?"

"Yeah, I was actually just thinking about that. For those that can't handle it, I was thinking of making another city. One deep in the beast lands where humans have no reason to go. What do you think?"

Myria says "That could work. Even some beastmen who haven't been slaves might prefer to live there as well."

"Okay, then that will be the plan. I plan for the humans to mainly live in and around the new city and the port. So, to the east of the mountain should be a good spot for the city."

Myria says "That should work."

"Alright. When I get back I will contact Mason to find a good spot and plan out the city."

Myria says "Sounds good. We are pretty deep into the empire, so I won't be back tonight."

"I know. In fact, unless something goes wrong you probably won't be back for a couple of days."

Myria says "Are you going to be alright on your own for that long?"

"Of course I will. I have plenty to keep me busy and if I get lonely I can always visit Lin in the tower."

Myria says "Why not visit me?"