"Understood. What about disputes with other settlements? If someone from outside our territory commits crimes here, or our people commit crimes in other territories?"
"We judge our own people by our own laws," Satou said. "If a member of our settlement commits crimes elsewhere, we’ll work with that settlement to determine appropriate justice. But anyone who enters our territory is subject to our laws while here. We’re not a refuge for criminals fleeing other settlements."
"That’s going to cause political complications," Lyra warned.
"Probably," Satou agreed. "But I’d rather have political complications than compromise on these principles. Let other settlements know that we take these laws seriously, that we don’t shelter those who violate them, and that we expect the same consideration from them."
Lyra made additional notes. "We should also establish laws about commerce, property ownership, dispute resolution between citizens—"
"Yes, work all of that out," Satou said. "But let’s be clear on priorities. The four capital crimes I listed are our foundation. Everything else builds on top of that. If we get those four right, if we create a settlement where people don’t have to fear being enslaved, kidnapped, or assaulted, then we’ve succeeded in the most important way."
"Agreed," Lyra said. She looked up from her notes. "You know, when you first started giving us names and building this settlement, I thought you were just trying to survive. Keep us alive long enough to build something stable. But this... you’re trying to create an entirely new society. One that rejects the worst parts of our species’ history and builds something better."
"Is that a problem?" Satou asked.
"No," Lyra said, a small smile crossing her face. "It’s inspiring. And terrifying. And probably impossible. But if anyone can pull it off, it’s you." She paused. "Just promise me something."
"What?"
"Don’t lose yourself in the process. Don’t become so focused on enforcing these laws that you turn into a tyrant. The difference between a just ruler and a monster is often just a matter of degree."
Satou was quiet for a moment, thinking about the four elders he’d killed without hesitation. "I’ll try. But I can’t promise I won’t make mistakes. This is new territory for all of us."
"That’s all any of us can do," Lyra said. "Try. Learn. Adjust. And hope we’re building something worth the effort."
"It will be," Satou said with conviction. "It has to be."
They continued working through the night, drafting the legal framework that would govern their growing settlement. Outside, the sound of celebration continued as the settlement honored Kelvin’s achievement. But in Lyra’s office, two leaders worked to ensure that future celebrations would never be tainted by the dark practices they’d discovered today.
The four capital laws would be the foundation:
Slavery is forbidden. Penalty: Death.
Kidnapping is forbidden. Penalty: Death.
Sexual assault is forbidden. Penalty: Death.
All races have equal rights and protections.
From these foundations, they would build something new. Something better than the traditions that had come before.
And anyone who tried to return to the old ways would learn that Satou’s justice was swift, brutal, and absolute.
Three days had passed since Satou and Lyra drafted the new legal code. Three days of relentless work as Lyra coordinated its implementation across the entire settlement.
The laws had been announced publicly in the town square, with Satou and Urgak standing together to show unified leadership between goblins and orcs. Every resident, old and new, was required to attend and acknowledge understanding of the rules. Those who couldn’t read had the laws read to them by designated officials. Copies were posted throughout the settlement in multiple languages.
But announcement was only the beginning.
Lyra had taken it upon herself to ensure every single resident truly understood what the laws meant. She organized educational sessions, splitting the settlement into groups based on language and cultural background. She personally met with the newly arrived goblins from Zik’s settlement, many of whom had never conceived of laws beyond "follow the elders or die."
She established the guard force, working with Grimnir and Urgak to select and train goblins and orcs who would enforce the new code. She created a system for reporting violations, for investigating claims, for rendering judgment in disputed cases.
She hadn’t slept more than two hours a night since the laws were drafted.
And it was starting to show.
Jessica found her in the administrative building late on the third night, hunched over yet another document, her hand cramping from hours of writing. Dark circles shadowed Lyra’s eyes, and her normally neat appearance was disheveled, hair falling loose from its usual practical bun.
"Lyra," Jessica said gently, setting down a tray with tea and light food. "You need to rest."
"I’m fine," Lyra replied automatically, not even looking up from the parchment she was reviewing. "I just need to finish documenting the property rights cases from yesterday’s disputes, then update the guard rotation schedule, then—"
"Lyra." Jessica’s voice was firmer this time. "When was the last time you ate a full meal?"
"I... had breakfast yesterday, I think?"
"That was two days ago. I remember because Kelvin made that joke about your porridge being cold and you barely noticed." Jessica pulled up a chair and sat down firmly. "You’re going to make yourself sick if you keep this up."
"There’s too much to do," Lyra said, finally looking up. Her eyes were bloodshot, her hands trembling slightly from exhaustion. "The new goblins still don’t fully understand the concept of equal rights. Half the orcs think the punishments are too severe for what they consider ’minor’ offenses. The elves are watching us closely to see if we actually enforce these laws or if they’re just empty words. I can’t afford to rest, Jessica. Not yet."
"You can’t afford not to," Jessica countered. "You’re the Chief Administrator. If you collapse from exhaustion, everything you’ve built falls apart. Who’s going to coordinate enforcement if you’re unconscious in the healing hall?"
"I’ll rest when the foundation is solid," Lyra insisted, turning back to her documents. "Once everyone understands the laws, once the guard force is properly trained, once the judicial system is functional—"