The air was thick with tension inside the grand hall of the Phoenixes' headquarters as Shinon stood before the formidable leaders of the settlement. However, he wasn't alone.
The settlers, who had hailed him as their hero, eagerly awaited Marcus's reply to their request.
"Shinon," Marcus began, his voice carrying a note of caution, "the settlers are grateful for your heroic deeds. They believe you deserve a reward. So, you may ask for one demand, and we will fulfil it if it's within our power to do so."
Shinon raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. He had been waiting for this moment, knowing he had the settlers' support and that Marcus couldn't refuse their wishes without painting the Phoenixes in a negative light.
'Of course, you had to add a condition there,' Shinon thought. 'However, it doesn't matter as you will have to grant my wish regardless of how you feel about it.'
