Chapter 342 - 126: I Am Lynch, I’ve Gotten Stronger

Chapter 342: Chapter 126: I Am Lynch, I’ve Gotten Stronger

A small squad of soldiers and zombies was escorting a group of shackled prisoners.

The prisoners included men and women, both human and a group of crestfallen, green-skinned goblins.

The officer in the lead approached, snapped a salute to Fritz, and respectfully handed over a document. "Mr. Fritz," he said, "I am under orders from Lord Lynch to escort these prisoners here and transfer them to the West Ridge Mining Area for labor reform."

"Lord Lynch specifically instructed that this group of prisoners is to be placed under your complete authority for management and re-education. You are to help them recognize their mistakes and, through labor reform, transform them into people who are useful to the Empire, and indeed, to the world."

Fritz froze for a moment, then quickly took the document and scanned it. When he saw Lynch’s note—"To be handled by Fritz"—an indescribable emotion flooded his heart.

It was the thrill of being trusted, of being recognized.

’It seems all my efforts at reform during this time have not escaped Lord Lynch’s notice.’

He took a deep breath, doing his best to suppress his excitement, and said solemnly to the officer, "Please relay a message to Lord Lynch for me. Tell him that I, Fritz, will not fail this great responsibility! After all, I am... ah, quite experienced when it comes to labor reform..."

And just like that,

he instantly got into character.

He turned to the prisoners, his voice immediately taking on the tone he once used to command servants. "Listen up, you lot! Now that you’re here at the West Ridge Mining Area, you are no longer bandits or robbers. You aren’t even prisoners. You are now penitents—subjects of reform!"

"Here in the West Ridge Mining Area, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Only through labor can you earn the resources to survive and reclaim your dignity."

The more he spoke, the more fluid he became, his eyes beginning to shine as if he’d found a new "calling." "Don’t expect any mercy from me. To start, you’ll eat nothing but gruel each day, and you will be assigned the hardest, most grueling work."

"Mining, clearing sludge, hauling ore—all of it. Only through the most arduous labor and the endurance of hunger will you truly quiet down and reflect on how wrong, how absurd your previous lives have been."

"Only when your minds are still will you learn to cherish food, to cherish order, and to cherish this chance to start anew!"

The corner of the officer’s mouth twitched, but he concealed it well. He nodded and said, "Well said, Mr. Fritz. In that case, these people, along with this elite zombie squad assigned to guard them, are now under your command and at your disposal. I hope they achieve ’successful reform’ soon and become useful individuals."

Staring at the squad of elite Purple Zombies, who exuded a deathly aura, Fritz’s eyes suddenly welled up, and he nearly burst into tears on the spot.

’Lord Lynch didn’t just put me in charge of reforming prisoners, he gave me direct command of an undead unit!’

’What a profound display of trust!?’

He wiped his eyes and forced himself to stand up straight. His voice choked with emotion as he said, "Please assure His Lordship that I will do my utmost. I will not betray Lord Lynch’s trust and expectations."

The officer, quite satisfied with his attitude, produced a letter of receipt for him to sign. With that, he departed to report back on his mission.

After seeing the officer off, Fritz turned back to the new group of "trainees." His expression instantly shifted from emotional to stern.

He picked up a sturdy leather whip that was leaning against the wall, cleared his throat, and barked, "Alright, everyone form two lines, shortest to tallest. Goblins, you’re a separate line. Count off!"

The prisoners stirred at his words, exchanging hesitant glances. For a moment, no one moved.

Fritz’s expression darkened. He cracked the whip, lashing the goblin at the front.

The goblin flinched back instinctively, but couldn’t avoid the blow and let out a pained shriek.

"It seems you haven’t grasped your situation yet," Fritz sneered. "You’re prisoners. You don’t have the right to say ’no.’ That was the first time, so I’ll let it slide. But from now on, if you dare to defy an order, slack off, cause trouble, or even attempt to escape..."

He gestured to the elite zombie squad behind him. "They will help you... ’deepen’ your appreciation for labor reform. Do you all understand me?!"

The prisoners stared at the menacing zombies, their courage instantly faltering.

Remembering the seven humans and several goblin leaders who had been executed right before they were brought to the mines, most of the prisoners, humans and goblins alike, instinctively flinched and became much more compliant.

"Now, count off!"

At Fritz’s sharp command, the prisoners flinched and immediately began to obediently count off.

"Very good. It seems you’re starting to adapt." A smile spread across Fritz’s face. "Everyone, follow me. We’ll get your tools and assign your quarters. Work begins before dawn tomorrow. Then, I’ll show you how to mine..."

With that, he turned and led the way into the depths of the mine.

The prisoners obediently followed.

******

「Lakefront Town Garrison.」

「In the study.」

Lynch couldn’t help but smile as he finished listening to the officer’s report on the handover at the West Ridge Mining Area.

’Fritz’s "impassioned" declaration on reform... well, how should I put it... It really didn’t sound like something he would say.’

"I never thought the young master from the Imperial Capital would come around so quickly. He’s got potential after all," Lynch mused, stroking his chin. "It seems a bit of proper physical labor really can unlock a person’s potential."

"It’s for the best. The mining area needs someone like him—educated, yet capable of being ruthless in his management. I’ll just let him have at it."