The New Lord of the City

If there was something Jun was good at, it was leading. He knew the opposite effect of fear and how to control others without them noticing.

When it seemed right, he would kill those who needed to be killed and turn into slaves those who were useless to him. He had done this with criminals—those scum didn't deserve to die. On the contrary, if their sins could be resolved, they would serve as slaves.

Jun's army was made up of criminals who were once the cancer of society, now working under his command.

How could he tame them?

Trevor had done it with ease—a hellish training that turned them into lethal and loyal soldiers.

"Have the affected workers been compensated for what those mobsters did?" Jun was interested in giving back a little of what had been taken in his absence.

"We've done just as you ordered." Rugal had changed a lot since he started acting like a true general of five hundred men.

Jun nodded and said, "We will execute the criminals publicly. I want everyone to see how they will die."

"Understood, sir."

Kyou Kai was sitting nearby, looking over the things Jun had given her—many of them dresses she had refused to wear.

"I won't wear these."

Jun glanced at the dresses and nodded. He knew fashion wasn't practical for them, so he said, "I think you'd look good, but of course, our clothes are much more comfortable."

"Do you want me to wear this?" Kyou Kai looked at Jun, then spread the dresses out across the table.

"I won't force you to. You can try them when we get home." Jun smiled slightly as he signed some papers.

…

It had been no more than two days since Jun had assumed the role of lord of the city, and at this moment, he was making an announcement that shook everyone in town.

[A public execution is being held.]

All the thugs would be killed, those beyond redemption. Jun decided to behead them in public, bringing justice back to the citizens.

It might seem like madness, but Jun wanted to give the people this sense of peace.

Soon, Jun was labeled as someone who demonstrated an innate sense of justice and loyalty—qualities that had guided him for a long time without him even realizing it.

Despite his clashes with the King of Qin, he always put the people and the kingdom first.

Of course, he wasn't neglecting his own interests in the process.

And today, in the main square, the entire town gathered to confirm with their own eyes that these criminals would indeed be eradicated.

"Today we gather here to witness the public execution of all those who extorted you for merely living in this city. From the bottom of my heart, I apologize. If I had come earlier, perhaps you would have suffered less."

Everyone looked at the boy, no more than fifteen years old, holding a red sword in his hands. His gaze was anything but that of a child. After the speech ended, they expected someone else to come in with a massive axe to chop heads.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

But in that moment, Jun's hand moved, slicing through all the criminals. His sword decapitated them with ease.

"You can all live peacefully now. Crimes will be punished twice as harshly, so I suggest you live honorably from now on. Don't be afraid to report crimes or trust the new city guards." Jun's powerful voice echoed through the square.

The silence around could have been uncomfortable for most people, especially those giving the speech. But Jun was different—he was made to feel no shame.

"Hang their heads on pikes. Leave them in the square until the end of the day, then burn them." Jun ordered before leaving the place.

Everyone thought that would be the end, but as soon as Jun left, the people nearby approached the bodies and began kicking the criminals.

"Filthy bastards."

"They're nothing but scum."

"Rot in hell."

…

From a distance, Kyou Kai handed Jun a white handkerchief to clean his hands and sword. "Did you foresee this?"

"No, this was unexpected." Jun turned after watching the scene filled with hatred and resentment towards the people he had killed.

This city had been dead under the grip of its rulers, but now everything had changed. Jun, who hadn't even considered the benefits, had earned the gratitude of the people.

Now that it was all resolved, he would return to his final destination—the royal family's palace—where he would speak with the new king who had caused him so much trouble.