Moreover, since these individuals are defeated warriors who are well aware of their status as such, Ian has many experimental techniques and management methods he can apply to this group of people who have neither the will nor the courage to resist.
Perhaps they might be the first to truly become Ian's people.
Most importantly, Ian did not strip them of their Sublimator inheritance; he merely deprived them of the wealth necessary to become a Sublimator.
For the Mountain People, this was simply the loss of all former wealth, but their honor remained intact. The Dragon God's Emissary promised them a clean slate for all their sins, with a fresh start for everything else.
Rather than punishment, it was almost a blessing.
Ultimately, with the arrival of the new year, the Mountain People could visibly look forward to better days, willingly offering their allegiance to the progeny of the King of the Mountain, to the True Dragon that would bring them peace.
And Sio was not idle either.
