There were also people who were forward thinkers and already musing about how slave life would be in a place like this.


    The more they thought about it… the more reassured they were.


    Based on what they had seen so far, serving a place like this was infinitely better than what they had experienced.


    One of the slaves was Pency, who was just happy to get out of Guia. Besides, he had seen how clean Alterra was. Even if his job was the same, it would be much better.


    Actually, looking around, he could just walk around the streets all day long, and it''d be an honor to be part of maintaining this place.


    He also wondered if… he could be a part of it. Part of that camaraderie, that happiness…


    What a nice dream.


    Other slaves were also hopeful. They didn''t really know what to expect and how big the differences were—they didn''t even know why would they have to go to the Village Center—but their apprehension transformed into curiosity the deeper into the territory they got.


    Still, most of the humans were still a bit confused and they looked awkward. Most of them looked down and avoided the eyes of the locals, just sneaking glances here and there of the sights and the people.


    If the humans felt shy, the goblins were huddling together, shaking a bit, but otherwise couldn''t help but look around in curiosity as well. This was especially true for goblins like them who were used to being kicked and spat on whenever they were in a group of humans.


    They had sensed no hostility at all and that alone made them feel disoriented.


    Somewhere along the way they saw something odd, a tall person with odd ears and tails went past the crowd. From their perspective, he was lunging at them.


    A half-orc?!


    They shivered.


    A goblin also peed his cloth.


    But then they realized he had already stopped and just stood as an audience at a distance from them like everyone else. There were many little human cubs surrounding him.


    They also belatedly realized that he was not rushing to them, he was simply heading closer so the kids could see!


    "Gochi! Gochi! Let me see better!" they could hear little voices, happily taking the orc''s attention.


    He was already carrying a little girl, and there was another little one hanging on his leg.


    It was an odd unbelievable sight, but it inexplicably softened a couple of hearts even among the aborigines.


    Their goblin senses confirmed none of these people meant harm and they calmed down. The goblin who peed could only hide his face in his palm, very embarrassed.


    One of the humans saw this and chuckled. It was a motherly woman who leaned down and handed him a damp cloth and a dry piece of clothing.


    "You can find a public bathroom near the center and clean yourself up."


    The goblin''s eyes widened as he saw the cloth. It looked nice and clean and he shakily took it, wondering if his hands would be cut when he did.


    When nothing happened and he only see the kind eyes of the woman, he pursed his lips. He had never actually gotten clean clothing before. The cloths they had were usually passed on from older goblins, and some from dead ones.


    "Why do you still look so afraid? Alterra won already, and we don''t hurt people who aren''t our enemies."


    They already won?


    They looked at the woman who nodded at them. This was actually Rosalind, the Elder of Education. The lord is dead, as well as most of his cronies."


    A few guards around nodded, joining in. They had long felt pity for the shy goblins and wanted to reassure them. "It''s true. I saw it myself. They beheaded him. Too bad the lord token wasn''t with him though."


    The goblins shivered in happiness as they heard of this. They couldn''t stop tears drop from their eyes and it looked so pitiful, they earned a few handkerchiefs to wipe their tears.


    They cried for themselves and also for their fallen brethren.


    Not too long ago, each one of them received tortures even harsher than before.


    So many of their friends died even outside the wars, thrown in a mass grave somewhere outside.


    Not even considering how their lives were saved, this was enough for them to swear service for years to come. After all, the goblins had always believed in Karma and paid for what was due.


    They owed this place and they must serve it until they felt their debts had been paid.


    Soon, they arrived at the center and there they saw the same old woman who visited them at the hospital earlier. She had that kind smile on her face that made every one of them drop their guards.


    "You may be wondering why we brought you here."


    "That is because we are allowing you to gain the freedom and capability to rid yourselves of the slaves status. However, for the sake of our territory, we need you to swear an oath of non-aggression.


    Freedom?


    "Are you telling the truth?"


    Mathilda nodded, looking incredibly kind. "Alterra doesn''t keep slaves. Perhaps we would keep prisoners of wars, which are similar, but we will never keep slaves for the sake of it.


    "Make your oath and you will live freely. Through hard work, you will be able to buy your own freedom." Sёarch* The n??el Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Oaths cost money and this would naturally be added to their debts, but they didn''t mind at all!


    They didn''t just swore not to harm Alterra in any way now or in the future, but when they realized they were truly being set free, many of them vowed loyalty outright.


    "We swear loyalty to Alterra! Never to betray for the rest of our lives!" the goblins said, and the human slaves couldn''t help but say the same.


    The Alterrans flinched, a bit surprised at the promise. Mathilda and the others looked at each other, a little startled, before breaking into smiles.


    At this, many people approached the slaves, and some even patted goblin heads.


    "Welcome, Alterrans!"