Outside the City Lord's Mansion, tension crackled like dry lightning.
"Bastards! How dare you kill a member of the Black Eagle Mercenary Group!"
The City Guard Captain raised his weapon, shielding a trembling cat-eared mother and daughter who clung to each other in torn clothing.
"I don't care which group you claim to be," the captain said coldly. "Anyone who violently assaults women in San Marino City will be executed on the spot per city law."
The adventurers barked harsh laughter. "We bled for this damn city fighting monsters last night, and now you want our heads just for 'looking' at a few women?"
One of them turned and shouted to the growing crowd: "This so-called Lord is only using us! Demand an explanation!"
Weapons clashed, voices rose. Dissatisfaction that had simmered for weeks now boiled over.
Inside the mansion, Karl slowly opened his eyes.
Sunlight stabbed through the curtains. Lin lay curled against him, exhausted from the previous night, breathing softly in deep sleep. Yi rested nearby, equally spent, dark bruises and faint marks visible on her skin.
Karl exhaled, feeling the quiet aftermath of the long night. He gently disentangled himself, letting both women rest undisturbed, then rose and dressed.
Hill entered, looking drained. "Adventurers are causing trouble outside. Large group. They're surrounding the guards and making demands."
Karl raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. Let's go see."
They stepped out onto the balcony overlooking the courtyard.
Hundreds of adventurers faced off against the City Guard line. As soon as Karl appeared, all eyes locked onto the youthful, strikingly handsome city lord.
A burly middle-aged man stepped forward. "City Lord Karl. I represent the Black Eagle Mercenary Group. One of our brothers was killed without cause under your rule. We demand an explanation."
The guards quickly summarized the assault on the mother and daughter.
Karl's gaze flicked to the terrified cat-eared pair, then back to the speaker. He motioned for Hill to escort the mother and daughter inside to safety and medical care.
Then he descended the steps.
The middle-aged leader smirked, seeing only a pampered young noble. "We risked our lives on the front line last night while your mansion's strongest sat inside. A little gratitude would be appropriate."
Another man smoothly stepped beside him. "The Mountain Wolf Group echoes the demand."
One after another, group names rang out. Gale, Flame, Iron Wind… Each announcement added weight to the collective pressure.
They weren't stupid enough to attack the guards outright — but they were very good at making noise, creating chaos, and fishing for compensation or loosened rules.
Feliccia clutched Saintess Chris's hand at the edge of the crowd, heart pounding. "This is bad… Karl wanted to use these adventurers against Lilia, but they're turning on him."
Chris sighed. "They just signed their own death warrants."
The young man beside the Black Eagle leader spoke again, voice oily: "City Lord, surely you understand. Our brothers fought and died while—"
**Thump.**
A wet, meaty sound cut him off.
The man froze. A pale hand emerged from his chest, fingers curled around a still-beating heart.
Karl stood directly behind him now, expression blank.
He crushed the organ. Blood sprayed. The man collapsed like a marionette with cut strings.
Silence swallowed the square.
Before anyone could scream, Karl vanished.
A second later the Black Eagle leader's head met the cobblestones with such force that stone cracked and blood fanned outward in a gruesome halo.
Then the arrows came.
Countless black shafts materialized behind Karl and rained down in disciplined volleys. Screams erupted and were quickly silenced as bodies fell.
Karl flickered across the courtyard like a phantom — each blink accompanied by the crunch of breaking bone or the wet rupture of flesh.
Dark elves materialized from every shadow, finishing those who tried to flee.
In under two minutes, more than a hundred armed, vocal men lay dead or dying. The sweet-iron stench of blood hung thick in the air.
Karl calmly scanned the remaining adventurers who had not joined the protest.
"Does anyone else require… an explanation?"
Several leaders dropped to one knee instantly.
"We pledge loyalty to the City Lord!"
Karl waved a hand dismissively. "No need for groveling. You're adventurers. Obey the laws of San Marino City and you may stay and work. Break them — especially against my citizens — and you die. That is the only rule."
He turned and walked back inside without another word.
Feliccia stared at the carnage, then at the retreating figure of the gentle-voiced young man who had promised her a future.
Chris placed a hand on her shoulder. "Another one who didn't see the dragon until it was too late."
### Later scene – Arrival in the room (heavily toned down)
Karl entered the quiet chamber where the cat-eared mother and daughter had been brought.
The young mother knelt immediately, pulling her child protectively close, ears flat with fear. Their torn clothing revealed bruises and scrapes, but nothing more was shown.
"City Lord…" Her voice shook.
Karl crouched to their level, voice gentle. "I apologize for the terror you've endured today. Those men are dead. No one will harm you again while you remain under my protection."
He offered a hand to help her stand. She hesitated, then accepted, trembling.
"My guards will bring fresh clothes, food, and a healer. Rest here as long as you need. You and your daughter are safe."
He gave them a small, reassuring smile — the same one he had shown Feliccia — then quietly left the room so they could recover without his presence adding to their stress.
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