Ethan settled onto his own mat, staring at the ceiling as he reflected on everything that had happened.

His life had been chaotic since the moment he’d transmigrated into this body, from being a cannon fodder that was destined to be discarded to someone with some power and strength.

He’d never asked for any of this. Not the transmigration. Not the responsibility for these people now sleeping under his protection. Not the monstrous abilities that grew stronger with each kill.

And yet, here he was.

Outside, distant howls echoed through the night—monsters testing the city’s outer defenses. Closer, the occasional shouts revealed nervous guards patrolling the streets.

At the north side of the city, General Han paced the length of his headquarters like a caged beast. The silver-ranked monster threat kept him tethered here on the city lord’s direct orders—”Do not abandon your post unless the walls come under direct attack.”

His communication crystal had flashed repeatedly throughout the evening, his attempts to reach Han Wei met with silence.

Finally, he’d dispatched one of his most trusted guards to the summer pavilion, expecting a simple report that his son had broken or neglected his crystal.

Knock-knock.

“Come in,” General Han barked, turning toward the door.

The guard entered and immediately fell to one knee, head bowed low. The man’s uniform was singed and soot-stained, his face ashen.

“Report,” the general demanded.

“Sir, the summer pavilion…” The guard faltered, swallowing hard. “It’s gone.”

“Gone? What do you mean by ‘gone’?”

“Burned to the ground, sir. Nothing salvageable.”

General Han’s face darkened. “And Feng? My son’s guards?”

“Most are dead, sir. Their bodies were found inside, badly burned.”

A chill settled in General Han’s stomach. “Most? Who survived?”

“We’re still accounting for all personnel, sir. The scene is… chaotic.”

The general stepped closer, his Low-Silver aura pressing down on the kneeling guard. “And my son? Where is Han Wei?”

The guard audibly gulped, his forehead touching the floor in the deepest possible bow. “He… he passed away, sir. His body was identified in his private chambers.”

Something snapped in General Han’s mind. The words echoed hollowly in his ears as the implications crashed through him like a physical blow.

His son. Dead. In his own pavilion.

“Who?” he whispered, the single word carrying the weight of promised vengeance. “WHO DARED?!”

His aura exploded outward, cracking the stone floor beneath them. The guard trembled, pinned by the silver-rank pressure.

“You said most were dead. Who survived? WHO?” The general seized the guard by his collar, lifting him bodily from the ground. “I want you to bring them to me! Now! Find them even if they’re buried under the earth! I want to know EXACTLY what happened!”

“Y-yes, General!” The guard choked out. “Right away!”

The general’s eyes narrowed as a new thought occurred to him. “Why am I only hearing about this now? A fire of that magnitude—someone should have reported it immediately!”

The guard winced, clearly dreading this question. “General, the pavilion was isolated in your private territory, as you designed it. No neighbours, no public roads within half a mile.” He hesitated before continuing. “And with the monster attacks in District Three, most people are in their houses.”

His voice trailed off as General Han’s aura intensified.

“You mean to tell me my son burned to death and nobody noticed for HOURS?”

“The walls around the property contained the visible smoke, sir.”

“Find whoever is alive from those traitors. I want to see them!”

General Han dropped the man, who scrambled to his feet and bolted from the room.

The general activated his communication crystal, channelling energy into it to connect with the city lord.

The crystal flashed three times before a connection was established.

“General Han,” the figure acknowledged, voice distorted.

“My lord, I request immediate leave from my post. My son has been murdered, my summer pavilion destroyed.”

“I see,” the city lord replied, his tone nonchalant. “Unfortunate timing, with the monster threat so imminent.”

General Han’s knuckles whitened around the crystal. “My lord, with all due respect, I need to investigate this myself. My son—”

“Is dead,” the city lord interrupted coldly. “And will remain so whether you investigate now or later. Your duty is to the northern wall, General. The Silver-ranks have been sighted less than five miles from the city.”

“But—”

“This is not negotiable.” The city lord’s voice hardened. “However, I will assign my personal investigators to the matter. They will report directly to me, and I will keep you informed of their findings.”

General Han gritted his teeth. “When can I expect their first report?”

“When there is something to report,” the city lord replied dismissively. “For now, focus on keeping those monsters outside our walls. That is your only concern.”

The connection closed abruptly, leaving General Han staring at the darkened crystal.

“DAMN IT!” he roared, hurling the crystal against the wall. It bounced harmlessly, enchanted to withstand far worse.

He slammed his fist into his war table, splintering the hardwood. “Han Wei…”

Someone had murdered his only son, and he was powerless to act. Forced to remain at his post while his heir’s killer walked free.

After letting the initial wave of rage wash through him, General Han took a deep breath. His eyes cooled from burning amber to calculating ice. He’d had enough of the city lord’s dismissive attitude, enough of being treated like a common soldier despite decades of loyal service.

The general moved to the window, gazing north where monster hordes gathered beyond the wall. Silver-rank beasts commanding armies of lesser creatures—a genuine threat, yes.

But also an opportunity.

“City lords,” he murmured, tracing the distant wall with his fingertip. “Such privilege. Such power.”

The position of city lord came with benefits that awakeners could only dream of.

General Han had coveted that position for decades but he never had the power or the opportunity.

A cold smile formed on his face.

“Perhaps it’s time for a change in leadership,” he whispered to himself.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep