Dez’s mind was consumed by sheer terror as he knelt on the ground, unable to muster a coherent thought.
Kaylyn, watching from the side, was filled with confusion.
What was happening?
This entire conflict had begun because of her, yet it now seemed to have nothing to do with her at all.
As an outsider, Kaylyn had resigned herself to swallowing her pride and enduring humiliation to secure a future for her people. This was the norm for newcomers seeking to establish themselves.
But never had she seen anything like this.
That girl, Nina, was truly extraordinary.
Her strength far surpassed Kaylyn’s own, and while Kaylyn felt immense gratitude for Nina standing up for her, she couldn’t help but worry.
Such actions were bound to provoke the powers that be, especially given that the Lord of Black Water City was associated with the mysterious and powerful Crossbridge Sanctuary.
If the sanctuary learned that the city gate had been destroyed, their reaction would surely be severe.
Kaylyn feared for Nina.
After all, Nina’s intervention was entirely for her sake, and the weight of that left Kaylyn feeling uneasy.
But what happened next exceeded even her wildest expectations.
When the Lord of Black Water City, Dez, finally appeared, Nina’s power was on full display.
Without hesitation, Nina attacked.
In a single blow, Dez was sent flying, utterly defenseless against her strength.
Kaylyn was shocked.
She had known that Nina and her companions were powerful, but she had never imagined that a figure like Dez—someone from the renowned Crossbridge Sanctuary—could be so thoroughly defeated in an instant.
It was as if he had no ability to resist.
Kaylyn was grateful she had heeded Nina’s words and refrained from offending her during their journey.
But now, Kaylyn was faced with a new dilemma.
Her original plan was to settle her people within the sanctuary, but Nina’s actions had effectively shattered that possibility.
Destroying the gates of Black Water City and humiliating its lord would surely invite the sanctuary’s wrath.
For years, the sanctuary had cultivated an image of mystery and strength.
While it rarely demonstrated its power openly, that was likely because it had never encountered a worthy challenge.
The mere association between the Death Legion and the Crossbridge Sanctuary was enough to keep most people in awe.
Surely, Nina and her group would now face the sanctuary’s harshest retribution.
As the one who had inadvertently caused all of this, Kaylyn knew her dreams of settling in the sanctuary were over.
Despair set in as Kaylyn reflected on the situation.
She had led her people here with the hope of securing a better future.
Now, it all felt like a fleeting dream.
If they couldn’t establish themselves in the sanctuary, what options remained?
Kaylyn had once considered settling in the surrounding wilderness, dangerous as it might be. At least there, they could begin building a new home, step by step.
But as she contemplated these grim possibilities, an unbelievable scene unfolded before her eyes.
Dez, the Lord of Black Water City, did something no one had expected—he knelt.
Why?
Why would he kneel?
Had he seen something that terrified him?
Kaylyn wasn’t the only one baffled.
The onlookers, who had been following the events closely, began whispering amongst themselves, struggling to make sense of what they were witnessing.
Initially, they had thought they understood everything—the cause, the conflict, the outcome.
But now, it was as though the entire situation had flipped on its head.
“Are you the Lord of Black Water City?” Daniel asked, his voice calm but commanding as he looked down at the kneeling Dez.
“Yes… Headmaster, I… I’m Dez,” Dez stammered, his head bowed low.
Sweat poured down his face as Daniel approached.
His voice trembled, each word harder to speak than the last.
“As the lord of this city, you must be aware of the actions of your subordinates,” Daniel said, his tone sharp.
“I… I know… I don’t know!” Dez stuttered, utterly incoherent in his panic.
“It seems their actions were carried out under your orders, weren’t they? Look at me,” Daniel commanded.
Instinctively, Dez raised his head, meeting Daniel’s gaze.
In an instant, Dez’s eyes clouded over, his will subsumed by Daniel’s power.
“Yes… They were all recruited by me. Their actions were under my instructions,” Dez confessed robotically.
For several minutes, Daniel questioned Dez, extracting every detail he needed.
Once satisfied, Daniel turned and walked away, leaving Dez kneeling in the dust.
Dez blinked, as though waking from a dream, and watched Daniel’s retreating figure in stunned silence.
“Return to the academy and accept your punishment,” Daniel said over his shoulder.
Realizing what had just happened, Dez’s face turned pale.
Unaware that he had just confessed everything, Dez hurriedly prostrated himself on the ground.
“Thank you… Thank you, Headmaster!” he cried before scrambling away in the direction of Crossbridge Academy.
Nina followed behind Daniel, sensing his displeasure.
“Headmaster, Black Water City can’t go without a leader,” Nina said. “If no one manages it, the situation could spiral out of control, especially with so many people gathered here today.”
Daniel nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right. We need someone capable to stabilize the city.”
“Headmaster, I think I have someone in mind,” Nina said, a glint of determination in her eyes.
Daniel raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Who?”
“Kaylyn,” Nina replied confidently.
Hearing her name, Kaylyn, who had been standing nearby, looked up in astonishment.
“I’ve gotten to know her over the past few days, and I think she’s a good candidate for the role of Lord of Black Water City,” Nina continued.
“And your reasons?” Daniel asked.
“First, she has leadership experience. Second, she’s already proven capable of organizing and integrating disparate groups, such as those who joined her from enemy factions. Third, she has a good understanding of Black Water City’s situation,” Nina explained.
“But most importantly,” she added, “Kaylyn, like many of the people here, is an outsider. She understands their struggles and what they need most.”
Nina’s argument was persuasive, and Daniel found himself agreeing.
Given the circumstances, Kaylyn seemed the most suitable choice.
Moreover, Daniel wasn’t overly familiar with anyone else in Black Water City.
So long as Kaylyn avoided the pitfalls of her predecessor, she would be a fine leader.
“Very well,” Daniel said. “We’ll proceed as you suggest.”
Kaylyn was stunned.
Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined this outcome.
The leadership of a major city—a critical gateway to the sanctuary—had just been handed to her.
Two people had casually decided her fate with a simple conversation.
“Kaylyn,” Nina said, smiling, “you’re now the Lord of Black Water City. You’ll be responsible for managing this city. Do you have any objections?”
“I… But I… What about the sanctuary?” Kaylyn stammered, still overwhelmed.
“Don’t worry,” Nina reassured her. “With the Headmaster’s approval, the academy won’t raise any issues.”
“I… Yes!” Kaylyn said, finally finding her voice.