Haas and the others slowly pushed themselves up from the ground, their earlier confidence replaced with embarrassment. One by one, they dropped to one knee.

"Lady Nina, we apologize for our disrespect," Haas said earnestly. "You are indeed powerful. We are completely convinced."

"We are convinced as well."

"We... are willing to support you as City Lord and serve you with loyalty from this day forward."

The other males echoed their submission.

With a leader this strong, Barbarian City might finally rise again.

Soon, the beastmen who had come with Haas followed suit, kneeling in unison.

"Lady Nina, we support you as City Lord. We will serve you faithfully."

If even Haas and his group were no match for her, there was no point in doubting further. What they had witnessed was enough.

Nina hadn’t expected things to resolve so quickly.

Beastmen... really did have a straightforward way of settling matters.

"Rise," she said, lifting a hand slightly.

"You can spread the word," she added calmly. "If anyone in the city still has objections, they may come challenge me within three days."

"Yes, Lady Nina."

Haas and the others stood and immediately carried out her command.

***

Before long, the news spread through the entire city.

"Have you heard? There’s a female in the east side of the City Lord’s residence who wants to become City Lord. And a bunch of males have already pledged themselves to her!"

"I heard too—some of them are people I know. They said she defeated them all."

"What? A female defeating males? That’s ridiculous. They must’ve been dazzled by her looks and started talking nonsense."

"I agree. No way that’s real. Those males must’ve been bewitched."

"A female as City Lord? I don’t believe it. I’m going to challenge her myself—maybe I’ll take the position instead."

"I’m coming too. Who knows? Maybe we’ll end up as City Lord."

Most of the males in the city were skeptical. In their eyes, Haas and the others had simply been charmed—or were deliberately exaggerating.

A weak female daring to claim leadership over them?

They scoffed.

They would teach her a lesson.

One after another, males from across the city surged toward Nina’s residence.

The females, however, reacted very differently.

"Do you think it’s true? A female wants to be City Lord?"

They could hardly imagine it. In terms of strength, females had always been far weaker.

"It’s true," one whispered. "My lover went to see her. He said she’s beautiful... and incredibly strong."

"Can a female really be stronger than males?"

"I think it’s possible. Some females awaken abilities too, right? Maybe she’s one of them—with exceptional talent."

"That... actually makes sense."

"I hope it’s true."

"Yes... if a female becomes City Lord, maybe she’ll help us. Maybe life will finally get better."

"I think she would. A female would understand us."

Their voices grew softer, tinged with fragile hope. Life here had long been unbearable. They wanted—needed—someone to change things.

"What kind of female is she?" someone murmured. "I want to see."

"Let’s go."

***

Before long, a massive crowd gathered outside Nina’s residence.

The eastern district was packed—people as far as the eye could see.

Males shouted from the front:

"Bring out that female who dares claim the City Lord’s seat—we’re here to challenge her!"

"That’s right!" another, a bearded brute, sneered. "A female beating males? What a joke."

Before he could say more—

Thud.

Viann stepped forward and kicked him flat to the ground.

"You can’t even beat me," he said coldly. "And you think you’re qualified to challenge Lady Nina? The only joke here... is you."

If Nina hadn’t strictly ordered them not to harm the beastfolk in the city without cause, he would have kicked the man to death on the spot. The audacity—to speak of Lady Nina like that.

The bearded male clutched his aching chest where he’d been struck, grimacing. "I came to challenge that female, not you. Go get her."

What kind of guard was this? That single kick had nearly made him cough up blood.

"Yeah, bring her out. Let’s see what kind of female thinks she’s so mighty."

"Exactly—call her out!"

The beastmen outside the gates shouted noisily, their voices rising in a restless clamor. Nearby, several females squeezed together, watching with curiosity.

"Stay here and don’t let them force their way in. I’ll inform Lady Nina," Ridan said to Viann.

Viann gave a short nod. Ridan turned at once and went to find Nina.

It didn’t take long before Nina appeared.

The moment the beastmen outside saw her, they all froze.

The males’ eyes widened; many couldn’t hide the greedy admiration that surfaced on their faces.

She was stunning—breathtakingly so. No wonder those males had been bewitched. Anyone would lose their senses looking at her.

They shook themselves, trying to clear their heads. Beauty alone didn’t qualify someone to rule a city. A city lord wasn’t chosen for her face.

The females, too, were struck with awe. She truly was as beautiful as the rumors claimed.

"Y-you’re... that female?"

For some reason, the males felt a flicker of nervousness as they faced her.

Nina nodded calmly.

"We’ve come to challenge you."

"Alright," she replied evenly. "You can come at me together."

At her words, the males clenched their teeth in irritation. So arrogant—she clearly didn’t know her place.

They had originally intended to show a bit of restraint out of courtesy. Now, they had no such intention.

Viann stepped forward again, clearing space for the fight.

The challengers surged ahead, brimming with confidence.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

In mere moments, several figures were sent crashing heavily to the ground.

Shock flooded the males’ faces. This female... she was truly as powerful as the rumors said.

Even the onlookers instinctively stepped back.

Incredible... she’s terrifyingly strong.

Still, a few refused to believe it and continued stepping forward to challenge her—only to be defeated just as easily.

Before long, no one dared to try again.

"Well?" Viann called out loudly. "Are you convinced now? Anyone else? Come on—step up all at once."

These small fry were nothing but a waste of Lady Nina’s time.

The remaining males retreated, one after another. "We... we yield. No more challenges."

If even the strongest among them couldn’t withstand a single move, what chance did the rest have?

With strength like hers, they had no grounds left to object.

Ashamed, they dispersed in silence.

The females who had come to watch were thrilled.

She’s really that powerful... We’re going to have a female city lord.

Over the next two days, beastfolk continued to arrive in ones and twos to challenge her—but every single one left in defeat.

From that point on, no voices of opposition remained in the city. Nina naturally assumed the position of city lord.

She chose not to reside in the former lord’s estate. Instead, she selected a new location and began constructing her own.

At the same time, she consulted with her mates, reorganizing the city’s infrastructure plans and establishing a new system of governance, gradually guiding the Barbarian City back onto the right track.

During those three days, Odian also completed the purification array.

He sought out Nina. "Nina, would you come with me somewhere?"

As he spoke, his gaze flicked briefly toward Idir, who stood beside her.