011 Establishing Authority

Although his subordinates had not yet arrived, Dorn believed that to deal with a third-rank necromancer, dispatching eight fourth-rank entities, one dark magic scroll, and two light magic scrolls was more than sufficient. The cost of such an operation, if converted to currency, would easily amount to thousands of gold coins.

With such a lavish investment, he was confident that Karen, according to the intelligence they had gathered, had no chance of making a comeback. It was clear to him that the market was firmly in his grasp, and as a result, Dorn felt somewhat elated.

However, his unabashed declaration at this moment was not merely due to his exhilaration; more importantly, it was a deliberate move to assert his authority. Dorn was well aware of the situation in this market concerning Ogoren: almost no merchant in the entire market regarded Ogoren with any respect.

In the past, Dorn would have welcomed such a scenario. After all, he was once a merchant himself, and conflicting interests meant that Ogoren’s weakness was his advantage. But now things were different. With Karen under his control, the market was theirs.

Under these circumstances, they would not tolerate the market merchants looking down on their group of administrators. For the busy trio of Dorn and his companions, establishing their authority meant making a powerful impression on the merchants right from the start.

Of course, their so-called impression was not merely about announcing their conquest of the market; that alone would hardly be impressive. After all, Karen’s faction never seemed to have much prestige in this market to begin with. Simply telling the merchants that they had taken over might establish some authority, but it was more likely to provoke unwarranted speculation.

Wenger and the others had no desire to spend the foreseeable future engaging in petty scheming with these merchants after taking control. It was not that they lacked confidence in their ability to win such battles, but rather, it was unnecessary. They believed that after securing the market, their focus should be on generating profit. Hence, they decided to settle matters decisively from the outset.

Almost at the moment Dorn was boasting, a dense cacophony of bone clattering suddenly echoed from all directions outside the market. Upon hearing this, the merchants’ expressions changed drastically.

“There are undead outside the market—many of them! A conservative estimate puts their numbers at over ten thousand, all at least first-rank undead, with a significant number of second-rank, and even some third-rank!”

Hearing this news, the merchants’ faces turned pale.

In contrast, Ogoren’s ashen face regained some color. “I knew it. Karen is so formidable; there’s no way a few goblins could have dealt with him.”

While the merchants paled and Ogoren’s complexion brightened, Dorn and his two companions maintained confident smiles.

“Everyone, there’s no need to panic.”

“No need to panic? Really? Why shouldn’t we panic? You’re the one who attacked that undead necromancer, and now a massive undead army is coming for you. Why wouldn’t we panic?” a goblin merchant sneered sarcastically, his face full of malicious glee.

“Are you so sure they’re here for revenge against us?” Dorn smiled confidently in response.

“I know many of you are hoping for my downfall because you don’t want to see a powerful ruler in this market. But I’m sorry to disappoint you—that is merely wishful thinking. The undead legion you see is not here to get revenge on me. In fact, I summoned them.

“Although I have taken command of the market from the necromancer, I didn’t eliminate him. Instead, I hired him as the market’s guardian. Their arrival now is nothing more than to demonstrate the guardian’s strength.

“In simple terms, this undead legion belongs to me. I am here to establish my authority!”

Dorn’s face radiated immense satisfaction as he spoke. He was exceedingly pleased with the competence of his goblin assassin subordinate, who had executed the plan perfectly: after capturing Karen, he ordered Karen to assemble the legion and assist Dorn in asserting his dominance.

Everything unfolding before him was exactly as he had anticipated.

Karen arrived at the perfect moment, and during Dorn’s display of power, someone foolishly stepped forward.

Thinking this, Dorn coldly fixed his gaze on the goblin who had just mocked them and whose face had now turned pale. Without hesitation, he raised his executioner's blade.

“Sir, I regret to inform you that from this moment on, your right to enter the market is revoked. You will be placed on the market’s blacklist, and you will be indefinitely excluded from any business related to this market.”

“No, you can’t do this! You have no authority to do this! I can take you to the council for this!” the goblin merchant screamed hysterically, realizing the gravity of the situation.

Dorn merely smiled coldly. “It seems you have misunderstood something.

“Do you know where you are? This is neither Silver Hand nor the Bourbon Kingdom—it’s a no-man’s land between the two nations. Here, neither country’s laws hold any power. Only one person has the right to make laws in this place.

“Originally, that person should have been the human necromancer, but unfortunately, he lacked the capability. So now, I am the one who sets the rules here.”

Dorn paused, then strode up to the goblin.

“So, dear sir, don’t think I’m merely barring you from the market. Even if I killed the council, you would have no way to hold me accountable.

“After all, this market’s establishment is the result of a decade-long desire by both Silver Hand and the Bourbon Kingdom.

“This is a rare window for trade between the two countries. Do you think they would risk everything just for you to cause trouble with me?”

Having said this, Dorn ignored the goblin merchant’s ashen face and turned his gaze to all the merchants present.

“Since you have come to this market, you must understand the enormous profits it can bring you.

“But if you want to enjoy those profits, you must abide by the rules I set.

“Those who comply may continue to operate here; those who do not will be expelled.

“Of course, you needn’t worry too much. I am a merchant myself, and I understand what creates profit.

“The reason I’m so assertive is not to exploit your gains, because that wouldn’t benefit me much. What I want is for you to grow strong and prosperous, to make this market flourish.

“Only when this market thrives will we all reap greater rewards.

“And to achieve that, a strong and capable ruler is essential!”

As Dorn’s commanding words echoed, everyone understood deeply that from this day forward, a powerful ruler would rise in this market, bringing with him new systems and regulations.

Amidst the merchants’ shock, contemplation, and indifference, applause suddenly broke out.

Accompanying the applause, Karen rode in on his spectral shadow leopard, his face full of approval.

“Well said, sir. A market must have a strong and capable ruler!”