Black armor advanced down the streets. The ashes of Martin Xuanfeng's burned corpse had already begun to settle. Whether the Xuanfeng Tribe or the leaders of the rebel Mountain Folk, all had been slain. Within all of Layan City, no individual or force remained capable of resisting Ian.
Residents of Layan City, do not panic. I am Ian, the Empire-appointed new lord of Layan Territory.
As he walked slowly, a somewhat distorted yet sufficiently clear voice came from the loudspeaker: "The rebels and those who sowed unrest have all been executed. The chaos that has gripped Layan City these past days will soon end. But for now, I demand that everyone remain at home and stay still until noon tomorrow, when a grain convoy from Nauman City will arrive.
"Those who want food, who want full stomachs and peaceful lives, I order you to return home immediately. In one hour, any pedestrian still wandering the streets without a proper reason will be shot as a rebel remnant. Take note."
There was not the slightest trace of warmth in that voice, only icy commands and the arrogance of demanding that others obey by force.
And so, amid their immense terror, all the subjects of Layan City were instead able to understand this simple order.
—Go home. Wait. There will be food. Wander around and die.
This was the normal way Transcendents of Terra Continent gave orders.
And Ian, who had just killed three other Transcendents, was clearly the strongest one.
So they obeyed.
The crowd that had gathered because of Martin's speech dispersed.
But there were still some remnants in the city who refused to give up and wanted to struggle.
In a distant corner of the city, a group of nearly crazed Mountain Folk pushed an Alchemical Cannon into position