Kino summoned Paladin into the room, signaling for Li Minkai to be dragged to the prison cells, where he would await his fate.
Li Minkai was never going to be released—no reincarnator ever was.
If a reincarnator were allowed to return alive, they would inevitably spread critical information, such as height and appearance, to other reincarnation squads. In subsequent invasion cycles, such discrepancies in knowledge would lead to disaster.
Thus, Li Minkai was doomed to die—it was merely a matter of finding a suitable pretext to justify his execution.
After dealing with the extraneous guest, Kino proceeded toward the inauguration ceremony.
The government mansion had already erected the ceremonial stage, with the royal flags of Doguland, emblazoned with laurel wreaths, fluttering proudly in the breeze—higher than any other banners, a symbol of royal sovereignty.
The elite guards of Twilight City stood beneath the flags, their military discipline unshakable, their stern glares fixed upon their counterparts, never once wavering.
Kino had changed into his official uniform, standing at the highest point of the platform, overlooking the crowd below.
The inauguration ceremony was not open to just anyone. It had been carefully curated, with only the high-ranking officials of Twilight City, noble family heads, and the most influential individuals from various sectors invited. Thus, the attendance was sparse—barely 200 souls, counting the guards.
Kino stood atop the stage, his demeanor calm and composed. "Normally, I would deliver a lengthy speech today, sharing my joy and personal reflections with you all, droning on for hours. But that would be a waste of both my time and yours. While this ceremony may seem grand, none of us truly desire to be here, and none of us want to hear speeches. So, rather than waste time on pleasantries, let's simply forgo them."
The guests exchanged glances, recalling how the previous administrator had tortured everyone with a two-hour monologue of self-praise during his own inauguration.
But there was no choice—the formalities had to be observed, however tedious. Everyone knew this, even as they begrudgingly played along.
This new administrator, however, was a different breed entirely—his individuality was striking, tearing down the usual facade with blunt honesty.
"I will do only three things during this ceremony," Kino's gaze swept over the crowd, "Lugo, step forward with your men."
Lugo, along with the remaining mercenaries, marched up—13 in total.
"These men came from humble origins, some even from dishonorable backgrounds. Yet it is precisely these men who stood by me, unwavering during the Battle for Shilin Town, repelling the first wave of marauder attacks," Kino raised his hand with authority, his voice booming, "Today, I, in my capacity as the Administrator of Twilight City, absolve them of all their past crimes. I hereby restore their lawful citizenship. Each shall be rewarded with 500 Silver Moons, and all future wages will be paid in Silver Moons!"
According to the Doguland Administrative Act, the Administrator held the power to grant pardons to criminals within the city, unless those criminals were sought by higher authorities.
Lugo and his men's criminal records were confined to Twilight City, and as Kino was fully authorized to forgive such offenses, this meant they were now free from the need to hide from the guards. No longer would they have to seek refuge in the chaos of underground taverns—they could walk freely throughout the city and the entire kingdom.
The 500 Silver Moons were enough to purchase at least 50 yaks, enough to feast on meat and drink to their heart's content, to indulge until they could barely move, and to call upon women to their chambers with abandon.
The mercenaries, one by one, struck their chests in salute, their eyes burning with passion, their voices rising in a warrior's roar: "Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!"
In addition to the mercenaries, Paladin, Bessa, and others received the same reward.
Upon witnessing this, the soldiers stationed at Twilight City felt their eyes turn green with envy, secretly wishing they could turn back time and join in the Battle for Shilin Town.
It was known that the average annual salary of a soldier in Twilight City was 3,000 Copper Moons, which, by conversion, equaled only 30 Silver Moons. The mercenaries' pay was more than ten times what they earned in a year.
But it was the final promise—"From now on, all wages will be paid in Silver Moons"—that truly shocked the onlookers.
In the Doguland Currency Act, the type of moon currency used for wages was a direct reflection of social status.
The "Iron Moon Class" referred to the lowest level—slaves or the lowest commoners with no skills.
The "Copper Moon Class" included those with some societal standing, such as craftsmen, farmers, doctors, and ordinary soldiers without extraordinary abilities.
The "Silver Moon Class" represented the elite—those with noble birth or immense capital, such as nobles, officials, landowners, slave owners, and wealthy merchants.
The higher-grade moons were not merely a matter of value; they were a symbol of status—nothing so simple as a mere exchange rate.
Lugo and his men, after a bloody battle, had earned 500 Silver Moons each, joining the ranks of the Silver Moon Class. How could the other soldiers not envy them?
Kino gestured for Lugo and his men to step back and spoke with cold detachment, "Where there is reward, there must also be punishment. The Battle for Shilin Town created a group of heroes, but it also exposed some cowards. Bring them forward!"
Of the 317 soldiers stationed at Shilin Town, only 82 had survived.
Aside from the Centurions Paladin and Bessa and five soldiers who had fought to the death, the remaining 75 were brought forward as prisoners.
The cold wind cut like a blade, and the 75 soldiers stood trembling before the crowd, their eyes filled with dread.
When Shilin Town's walls were struck by the Desert Firestorm, Kino had issued an order: kill the burning soldiers to prevent the fire from severing the city's gate bearings, then retreat.
These 75 were the deserters—those who had abandoned their posts, defying orders to flee.
"My lord, we were afraid…" one of the deserters, his body scarred from burns, clutched his head, sobbing hoarsely. "There was fire everywhere… I couldn't think… I watched my comrades burn alive, turn to charcoal... I was terrified and couldn't think clearly. I just wanted to run… what's wrong with wanting to live?"
Kino's voice remained calm, almost dispassionate. "There is nothing wrong with wanting to survive. I understand that desire, and I do not blame you for it."
Just as the deserters thought they had found a glimmer of hope, two words shattered it.
"However," Kino's voice grew cold, devoid of any emotion, and thus all the more terrifying, "you feared the enemy more than you feared your own commander. This is a serious mistake, and it must be corrected today."
As Kino's words fell, the guards divided the deserters into 15 groups, five men per group, each soldier holding a small cloth bag.
Kino continued, "I have prepared a bag for each group, containing five moons—four Copper Moons, and one Iron Moon. Now, draw your lots."
The deserters, panic stricken, had no idea what was about to happen but did as instructed.
Iron and Copper Moons were nearly indistinguishable in weight and texture, and the only way to tell them apart was by blind drawing.
Once the soldiers had drawn their moons, they stood motionless, unsure of what to do next.
Soon, the guards distributed iron rods to those holding Copper Moons, while those with Iron Moons were left empty-handed.
Kino's voice rang out, sharp and commanding. "Now, those holding Copper Moons, kill those who hold Iron Moons."
At that moment, a hushed silence descended. The 15 men with Iron Moons trembled in fear, their legs giving way beneath them.
The ones with Copper Moons were no better—though they had survived, they now faced the torment of having to kill their former comrades. The psychological burden they bore was far worse than any physical pain.
In that instant, not only the 75 deserters but also the soldiers of Twilight City, the guests in attendance, and even the mercenaries who had been rewarded, all felt a deep and profound sense of dread.
"Archers, prepare," Kino's cold gaze swept across the deserters. "In five minutes, anyone still standing with an Iron Moon will be shot by their own comrades."