The ones who were most affected right now weren't the spectators or even Nuri.
It was Astrid's own people.
The human students standing in perfect formation behind her, the ones who served under her direct command, the ones who had seen her fury, her coldness, and her ruthlessness firsthand.
Because to them, their commander was supposed to be untouchable, sharp, emotionless, and unbreakable.
They had seen her in training sessions, pushing them beyond exhaustion without blinking, striking down those who failed to meet her standards without an ounce of sympathy.
To them, she was a goddess of discipline and steel.
But now? She looked like she was about to cry.
Her face was trembling, her eyes glistening, and her voice had cracked when she spoke to Mika.
That sight made the soldiers blood boil.
It was as if someone had just broken something sacred inside them.
"Unbelievable…" One of them muttered bitterly.
"He made Lady Astrid look like this?" another hissed.
