Apocalypse Villainess? Nah, I'm Nice

He had a modest demeanor and spoke in an unhurried, steady tone that easily inspired confidence.

His words sent everyone into deep thought.

Henry Chase, however, was incensed.

"Division Commander Preston, what do you mean by that? That the enemy can just waltz in and out of The Citadel? Are you suggesting there’s a problem with my Second Division?!"

Miles Preston glanced at him but said nothing.

Just as Henry Chase was about to continue, Colin Koenig cut in. "The Second Division’s defense was indeed lacking. Wouldn’t you agree, Division Commander Chase?"

Henry Chase opened his mouth, but no rebuttal came.

He was angry because Miles Preston’s words implied the Second Division had either colluded with the enemy or orchestrated an inside job. Colin Koenig’s words, however, were different. While he was critical, he was questioning their competence, not their loyalty.

He had no argument for that.

Colin Koenig knew they wouldn’t reach a conclusion about the City Lord position today, so he seized the opportunity to steer the conversation toward the group that had stolen Leo Joyce’s body.

Once noon passed, time seemed to fly by.

Before they knew it, they had been discussing for the better part of the day.

As dusk fell, the building gradually emptied out until only their floor remained lit.

Although they hadn’t reached a conclusion about the new City Lord, they were in unanimous agreement that the investigation into the enemies who had infiltrated the city must be expedited.

As Deputy City Lord, it fell to Colin Koenig to lead the effort.

The others were expected to provide their full cooperation.

Although Colin Koenig had also been nominated as a candidate for City Lord, most of the others, with the exception of Keegan Woods and Ronan Forrest, harbored little animosity toward him. This was for two reasons. First, Colin was unassuming and had already stated he had no interest in the position. Second, he wasn’t affiliated with any of the powerful families and had a long-standing feud with the Woods Family. Consequently, they were content to let him take charge. In the process, they didn’t miss the chance to further stir up trouble between him and the Woods Family, making certain the two could never reconcile.

After sitting for nearly an entire day, everyone was showing signs of exhaustion.

After a simple meal, Colin Koenig announced an end to the day’s deliberations.

He was about to stand and speak when he suddenly found his limbs were powerless—he couldn’t move his body at all. He tried to open his mouth, but all that came out was a groan so faint it was barely audible!

’What is going on?!’

The color drained from his face. He darted his eyes around and saw that the others at the table were also frozen in place, their faces etched with horror. Straining to look to the side, he saw Marcus Monroe in the same state, slumped powerlessly against the back of his chair!

’A thousand thoughts raced through his mind, but none offered a solution to this predicament.’

’But who could have done this?!’

Just then, Miles Preston leisurely rose to his feet. A smile played on his lips as he walked over and opened the door.

He didn’t have to say a word. A squad of soldiers rushed in, moving in a swift, orderly formation. They were all holding sharp blades, and they quickly positioned themselves one by one beside each person at the table.

Colin Koenig quickly felt a shadow fall over him, and a cold blade was pressed against his neck...

’Are you trying to start a rebellion?!’

He glared furiously at Miles Preston, who had returned to the front of the table.

Miles Preston smiled and gestured to the soldier beside him. The soldier immediately hauled Colin Koenig roughly from his chair and tossed him into a seat to the side.

"Rest assured, everyone. Division Commander Preston is not staging a rebellion."

A crisp female voice offered an explanation. As she spoke, Maisie Joyce slowly rose to her feet and walked to the head of the table, the seat Colin Koenig had just occupied.

Her demeanor now was a world away from what it had been before!

If before she had appeared frail and pitiable, she now radiated an uncompromising confidence. Miles Preston stood respectfully at her side, his gaze sweeping over the others along with hers.

’So that’s how it is...’

Marcus Monroe narrowed his eyes, studying the vibrant Maisie Joyce.

’It seems they had all underestimated her.’

Maisie Joyce continued, "Division Commander Preston isn’t trying to make a choice. He is simply helping me reclaim what is rightfully mine. For instance, the position of City Lord of Southreach!"

"I’m sure you’re all wondering what right I have to the City Lord’s seat."

Taking in their shocked, disbelieving, and even contemptuous stares—looks that screamed, ’Are you dreaming?’ and ’How could you possibly be City Lord?’—Maisie Joyce simply smiled. She glanced at the five ministers, then at Colin Koenig, and addressed the room. "I have always worked in the Logistics Department. The head of that department should be well aware of my capabilities, as should the Deputy City Lord. For the past several years, I have been the one sifting through chaotic intelligence to separate fact from fiction, providing the City Lord with viable routes and strategies. Southreach has secured over twenty cartloads of supplies on five separate occasions. While I daren’t say it was all my doing, my contributions were undeniably crucial. Deputy City Lord Koenig wouldn’t deny that, would he?"

As she spoke, she nodded to Miles Preston.

Miles Preston immediately had his men bind everyone with chains, then forced a medicine pill into each of their mouths.

A moment later, they found they could speak again.

Colin Koenig was also dragged back before the table.

He remained silent for a moment before speaking. "What Second Miss Joyce said is true."

Everyone was stunned. A few tried to speak, but the blades at their throats pressed in tighter, forcing them into silence. They could only listen.

Colin Koenig continued, "However, City Lord Joyce said he didn’t want his sister to draw too much attention, so the credit for her achievements was always given to others. Only the City Lord, Minister Warren, and I knew the truth. The City Lord issued a gag order, forbidding it from being spread."

He lowered his head slightly.

’Maisie Joyce was indeed immensely talented. He’d felt it was wrong to hide her accomplishments from the very first time, but Leo Joyce had insisted. Afterward, Maisie herself had never objected or shown any sign of resentment; if anything, she had become even more dedicated to her work. That was when he finally relaxed, assuming it was what she wanted, too.’

’If he hadn’t been aware of Maisie Joyce’s abilities, he never would have specifically invited her to attend today. He had simply wanted to hear her opinion, hoping she would continue to serve Southreach.’

’He never imagined... it would turn out like this...’

’Maisie Joyce as City Lord?’

’The thought had never even crossed his mind!’

’It was likely because, despite her talent, she had neither formidable strength nor the right connections. That was why he had never considered her a candidate.’

’But from the looks of it today, Miles Preston was her backer.’

’Was it because of Leo Joyce?’

’Or had he known all along that she was the one responsible for those accomplishments?’

Maisie Joyce nodded at Colin Koenig. "Deputy City Lord Koenig, you are a fair and just man. When it comes to personal integrity, I believe you are second to none in Southreach. So why don’t you think about it: with my abilities, in what way am I not competent enough to be the City Lord?"

"Well..." Colin Koenig paused for a long moment before sighing. "You aren’t incompetent. It’s just..."

He didn’t finish, but Maisie Joyce did. "It’s just that I’m a woman, and you’re not accustomed to being led by one. The apocalypse has taught you to see women as the weaker sex, as people to be protected. That’s why you never even considered me a candidate from the start. Am I wrong?"

"...You are not."

Maisie Joyce smiled. "Then you can start changing that way of thinking now. I am confident that I can lead Southreach to prosperity, and you cannot! That proves I am more capable than you, and more capable than everyone else sitting here. It proves I am better suited for the City Lord’s seat than any of you!"

Henry Chase let out a cold sneer.

"Such big talk! You’re only acting tough because you have Miles Preston. If it weren’t for him and his soldiers, you’d be..."

"But I do have him!" Maisie Joyce cut him off, her smile vanishing. "I have what it takes to win his support, and you don’t. That is the difference between us!"

"Don’t bother attacking me for my lack of personal strength. No City Lord needs to personally go out and kill Zombies and Mutant Beasts. What Southreach needs right now is a brain, not brawn! City Lord Joyce’s death is a perfect example! Wasn’t his Combat Power higher than anyone else’s here? And what was the result? I don’t need to spell it out for you, do I?"

"I’ll just say this: support me as your City Lord, and we will all build a stronger Southreach together! If you oppose..."

Maisie Joyce paused, then suddenly broke into a brilliant smile.

"The consequences will be dire."

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