It was already afternoon when Niu Zida returned to Duōléi City with the captives. In the morning, when they set out, there was widespread panic in Duōléi City, as people believed the Knights' expeditionary army would surely win. Some even mocked and incited, preparing to launch a rebellion that night to retake Duōléi City and welcome the Knights' expeditionary army. However, when Niu Zida returned to Duōléi City in the afternoon, leading Goblins escorting the seven captured Knights, it stunned everyone in the city.
Soon, the news of the territory's Knights' expeditionary army's crushing defeat spread throughout the territory. Naturally, all talk of rebellion vanished. No one had expected this short Goblin to be so formidable, leading a mixed army of humans and Goblins to annihilate hundreds of Knights in a single day.
Upon returning to the castle, he imprisoned the captured Knights. In this battle, he had led out 150 ordinary Goblins and three elite Goblins, suffering a total loss of 22 ordinary Goblins. The three elite Goblins—a Goblin Assassin, a Goblin Demon Swordsman, and a Goblin Thunder Element Shaman—all played their roles. The Shaman could command Goblins in valley combat, while the Assassin and Demon Swordsman could fight alongside Yor and Misato Shizuku respectively, greatly compensating for the qualitative gap in individual combat power of his Goblins. Otherwise, the casualties might have been much higher, as the individual combat power of ordinary Goblins was still too weak, especially on the front lines.
The human troops taken suffered heavier casualties. Many were killed in the ambush after surrendering, and some were executed. In the end, only two Knights remained. The mixed human force of Militia and thieves was also reduced to only 15 people. The loyalty of these individuals was considered tested, or at least they hadn't had time to surrender. But these were the only human troops Niu Zida could trust. These human troops were organized by Niu Zida into a patrol team, specifically responsible for maintaining order and security within Duōléi City from now on.
After making simple arrangements for the city's defense and parading the captives through the city to publicize his victory, Niu Zida rode Yor, accompanied by Misato Shizuku, back into the castle. Upon entering the inner chambers, he saw Amelie, attended by Aponia, already kneeling in a dogeza posture at the entrance to greet him. It seemed she already knew the outcome of the battle, and her attitude spoke volumes.
"Lady Amelie, it seems you understand everything now."
"Yes, but now that I can fulfill the contract and officially acknowledge you as my master, may I ask if Master will uphold our previous agreement?"
The Knights' expeditionary army in the territory suffered a crushing defeat. Amelie, upon learning this, immediately adopted such a pragmatic attitude. She was indeed a human noble, completely realistic in her political choices, a point Niu Zida admired. However, precisely because of this, dealing with these nobles was quite easy; as long as he demonstrated his strength, the other party would weigh the pros and cons and not offer futile resistance. With that in mind, Niu Zida already had an idea of how to deal with these captured Knights.
"Of course, absolutely no problem."
Amelie, kneeling on the ground, heard Niu Zida's renewed assurance. Only then did she raise her seductive face to look at Niu Zida with satisfaction. Yor, at the opportune moment, embraced Niu Zida and went over to sign the contract with Amelie. However, what popped up after the contract was completed was not what Niu Zida had expected. The contract was not the "Servitude Contract" that Huan Long had given him, but a "Concubine Contract" he had never seen before.
"What is this?"
Muttering to himself, Niu Zida couldn't understand what was happening. He reached out and squeezed Amelie's large breasts, wanting to bring up the attribute panel, but nothing happened. At this, Niu Zida was completely confused. Had the Servitude Contract failed?
"Master, the contract you signed with Miss Amelie is just a Concubine Contract, isn't it?"
Yor, on the side, seemed to understand something and leaned in to whisper in Niu Zida's ear:
"When Lord Huan Long brought me into this world, she said that not all contracts signed with Master would be Servitude Contracts; there was also something called a Concubine Contract. After signing this contract, only ordinary Goblins can be born, not elite Goblins. In other words, a maid who signs a Servitude Contract with Master has the status of 'waiter' (attendant), while if a Concubine Contract is signed, the status is 'slave girl' (concubine/handmaid). The ranks are different."
"There's such a distinction? Why are you only telling me now?"
"Eh? Because Master previously only signed Servitude Contracts, and there was no situation that required signing a Concubine Contract!"
Yor looked bewildered and a little wronged at Niu Zida's questioning. Niu Zida didn't know what to say, but he understood the problem. He squeezed Amelie's large breasts again and said:
"The contract has been signed. From today onwards, Amelie, you are my maid."
"This humble maid understands."
Amelie, as if resigned to her fate, knelt on the ground and agreed. To protect her daughter's title and safety, sacrificing her body to please Niu Zida was the least costly method she could think of.
Looking down, he could clearly see Amelie's pair of large, pale breasts. Niu Zida reached out and kneaded them back and forth, watching Amelie's fair face flush with shame but showing no sign of resistance. This was considered passing the loyalty test; if she resisted even physical touch, how could Niu Zida believe that she had truly completed the contract?
"Tonight, I'll be looking forward to your performance, Amelie."
"Then, please be gentle with this humble maid, Master."
The elegant and beautiful noblewoman knelt on the ground, raising her head and trying to force a smile as she looked at Niu Zida. Seeing this great beauty fawn over him, Niu Zida felt a surge of satisfaction. He, on the contrary, felt that these nobles, who only cared about their status and wealth, were easier to conquer; one only needed to satisfy their needs.
"Yor will also come tonight. Remember to put more effort into pushing her backside, okay? Amelie, your daughter will be looked after by Aponia. Aponia is gentle and will take good care of her."
"Yes, thank you, Master."
Amelie knew this was Niu Zida's indirect threat, telling her not to harbor any ill intentions. In truth, at this point, based on rational choice, Amelie already knew that pleasing Niu Zida after her husband's death was the best way to preserve her territory and title. As for her husband's death, having married Spring in a political marriage, she had no deep feelings for him. If a noble could not protect her, then he was no longer a person she needed. Amelie measured a person's worth based on their utility and whether they could be utilized. This was something she, as a noble, was forced to do. In this cruel world, if one could not do this, then one could not maintain one's status.