I Build a Modern Shelter in Fantasy World

That night, Luke and the others were resting when the clock struck midnight. No one was active, neither inside the Baron's residence nor in the village. The atmosphere was silent and still.

Perfect for carrying out an assassination.

Gideon stepped out of his room, wearing a tactical shirt with a blue coat to keep himself warm. The SIG M17 was strapped to his waist, magazines full and equipped with a suppressor.

With that, Gideon was going to kill Bian, and no one would ever know except Luke and Lena.

The door of the Baron's residence opened slowly without a sound. He turned and saw Bian curled up asleep from the cold inside an old dog kennel that had been there for years. His large body could not fully fit in the kennel.

Gideon pulled out his pistol, moving his thumb down to disengage the safety. He was ready to use it to shoot Bian, killing him forever.

The sound of footsteps and Gideon's scent reached Bian. He woke up and looked back, seeing Gideon approaching, wearing a medieval-style winter coat.

"Gideon?" Bian asked, shocked.

"Why are you still awake?"

Gideon stopped walking, just a few meters from the kennel's entrance. His sharp eyes fixed straight ahead made Bian tremble, the look alone enough to intimidate anyone.

"At first I brought you here to give Luke the chance to take his revenge. He was the one most deserving to kill you."

"I'll tell you this, Luke's feelings for Lyra were more than just friendship. He could not accept her sudden death," Gideon explained.

"Why did you kidnap her? Why did you attack the human village?" Gideon asked, his gaze filled with pity and disappointment.

"Because you started it first. You were the one who began this, Gideon."

"You chose to side with humans, with the Moko Kingdom, your clear enemy. That was enough to disappoint us," Bian said firmly.

"Us? Are you sure your people think the same way as you? I saw the worried, frightened, and panicked faces of your people, as if they had no idea about the consequences of what they did," Gideon replied.

"Those people… they were innocent. Your decision to be my enemy is what caused all of their deaths," Gideon continued.

Gideon let out a breath and released it slowly. He crouched down in front of the kennel, eyes fixed ahead, staring intently at Bian.

"I thought the combined strength of humans and the wolf race could bring peace to this world. Looks like I was too naïve," Gideon said.

"You were my first wolf friend, the one I trusted most to lead the forest wolf race. I truly wanted to be friends and work together with you, no matter that our races were different," Gideon added.

"As long as you side with Moko, then I will always stand against you, Lord Gideon," Bian said.

"Looks like we will never be on the same path."

Gideon raised his hand, showing the SIG M17 pistol with the suppressor attached to its muzzle. After releasing the safety, Gideon pulled the trigger and fired a 9mm round forward.

Bian panicked, trying to dodge and begging for mercy. But it was too late. Gideon had closed his heart to any apology from him. What Bian had done was, in Gideon's eyes, a grave crime.

BANG!

With the hissing sound from the suppressor, the 9mm bullet pierced Bian's head and pushed his body backward.

Instantly, Bian was dead, a bullet hole in his head, blood pooling inside the kennel. The guards would find out about his death in the morning.

"You disappointed me, Bian."

***

The next morning.

Rockvalley Village.

One of the guards came to the Baron's residence with news he discovered at dawn. Gideon was having breakfast with Luke and the others, unbothered by anything.

But when the guard arrived, Gideon immediately raised his head while chewing boiled meat in his mouth. The soldier came to inform him that Bian had died mysteriously.

Viviene was shocked, not expecting such news, but Luke, Lena, and Gideon remained calm as they continued their breakfast.

The three of them already knew Bian would die last night, since Gideon had promised Luke.

"Thanks, Capt," Luke said.

"Don't mention it. He deserved it."

"Do we need to investigate his death?" Viviene asked.

Gideon turned, smiling, and shook his head slowly.

"Just a dead dog. Not worth bothering about," Gideon said.

He looked at the Baron's guard who was still kneeling, waiting for his next order. Whatever Gideon commanded, he would carry it out.

"Throw the body into the forest and clean the kennel," Gideon ordered.

"Yes, my Lord."

"And also order Lucas to gather the wolf captives in the village square. Prepare the gallows," Gideon said.

"Yes, my Lord."

Hearing Gideon's words shocked Viviene and the others. At first she thought Gideon would spare their lives and sell them into slavery.

But the tragedy that happened to Lyra had caused a significant change in Gideon's attitude.

From a man who often granted forgiveness, he had turned into someone who showed no mercy. Lena smiled, not thinking Gideon's decision would harm his image.

By carrying out a public execution, people's trust in Gideon would only grow. Those who hated the wolf race could vent their anger during the execution.

"Is that necessary?" Viviene asked.

"Yes. To give satisfaction to the villagers. Watching the criminals who hurt them die in execution is the right thing to do," Gideon replied.

"Or do you disagree with my decision?" Gideon asked, his eyes sharp.

"O-Of course I agree, it's just that your decision now is different from what I expected," Viviene answered.

"Tell me, which is better, a leader loved by the people or a leader feared by them?" Gideon asked, staring at her.

"Of course, one who is loved. When the people are close to their leader, loyalty is built from trust and the will to protect," Viviene answered.

"That's true, but the risk is that such a leader will look weak. The people will become too relaxed. In the end, it is difficult to mobilize."

"That's also true," Viviene admitted.

Gideon drank his wine in one gulp. Luke and Lena glanced at each other, curious about what kind of leader Gideon wanted to be.

"So which one will you choose?" Luke asked.

"A leader who is feared."

"That will increase work productivity, make the people obey, and maintain stability in the village."

"But they could rebel?" Lena asked.

"Not as long as their three needs are met: food, clothing, and shelter."

"I will not restrict their opinions. But I will enforce strict rules with harsh punishments for those who break them," Gideon replied.

Luke and Lena agreed. In a medieval situation like this, a leader who was loved was less useful than one who was feared.

With fear rooted in their hearts, Gideon could make them obey, work, and follow the rules because they feared punishment.

"Luke."

"Yes, Capt?" Luke asked.

"Start massive recruitment of soldiers. I want every household to send at least one member to be a soldier, male or female," Gideon ordered.

"Understood, Capt."

"Gather them from four villages. I want to build a strong force to prevent another attack like yesterday," Gideon explained.

"Increase patrols. Improve soldier skills. Build a centralized military barracks for the three branches to come: infantry, archers, and cavalry."

"There is no more time to relax. We must fully control the southern region!"