After returning from the past life, everything around me remained frozen in a frosty white stillness, and time itself had ceased to move.
However, where Kino had originally stood, there was now only an afterimage. He moved to the spot of the afterimage, and in an instant, the frost vanished. Time resumed its natural flow, and the world once again teemed with vitality and color.
Kino cast a brief glance at the Rejector's mark, noting that there was no countdown displayed.
According to the information leaked by Li Minkai, the reincarnation disguise could simulate a false countdown, so once a countdown appears, it would be vital to consider the possibility of a reincarnation team infiltrating.
But if no countdown appeared, it meant the invasion had not yet begun, and no such simulated infiltration existed.
Kino had no idea when the countdown would emerge, but this moment of respite provided him a chance to make early defensive preparations.
He was now the administrator of Twilight City, a city with a population exceeding 200,000. Its standing army numbered around 5,000, with the quality of troops superior to that of Xilin Town. With ample military funding, it represented a formidable force readily available for deployment.
While his available forces had grown, he knew the next invading team would likely be stronger.
He had expended considerable energy within the Threefold Shackles, and the next reincarnation team might not consist of the weak First-Tier "Muggles" like Li Minkai.
Faced with increasingly powerful reincarnation teams, it was crucial, besides relying on his conventional forces, to make use of the extraordinary individuals within this world.
Most of the extraordinary beings in Doguland were absorbed by the royal family and the five great noble families, with a few scattered among the remaining nobility.
To enlist their help, building relationships with the higher-ups was as important as directly recruiting them.
The royal family remained an elusive target, only accessible to those of high rank or those with significant achievements that could earn them a place within the royal palace.
Currently, Kino held a bargaining chip—the method of smuggling salt crystals from overseas.
He needed an opportunity to enter the royal city and deliver this intelligence to the royal family, thereby gaining their trust.
Alternatively, he could use the information to win favor with one of the five great noble families, though he risked being discarded once his usefulness had ended.
Just as Kino weighed his options, a knock echoed at the door.
*Knock, knock, knock.*
Paladin's voice rang out from outside. "Sir, Civil Administrator Pro requests an audience."
"Wait a moment." Kino noticed he was still in his casual clothes, so he hurriedly changed into his official uniform, stowed his formal attire into a spatial ring, and stepped out to meet him.
Paladin escorted Kino to the meeting hall, his face grim. "He brought those two with him."
"Those two?" Kino muttered, quickly realizing, "Oh, they…"
Upon entering the meeting room, Civil Administrator Pro Percy was already waiting. He was a short, corpulent man with sleazy, beady eyes.
Upon seeing Kino, Percy immediately bowed low. "Good day, Sir Administrative Officer."
Kino took his seat, casting a playful look at Percy. "Impressive efficiency, sending them here so soon after I sent my letter?"
Had this been before, Percy would have dragged his feet on dealing with such trivial matters, especially those of little consequence. If Kino were still the Civil Administrator of Xilin Town, he'd have never met Percy this quickly. But now, as the Administrator of Twilight City, overseeing 11 towns including Prolo, delaying would be sheer folly.
Percy bent low, respectfully saying, "Your request is my utmost priority, so I personally brought these two here."
In short order, Percy's attendants brought forward two disheveled, fearful individuals. A man and a woman, both dirty from their long journey. The woman was attractive, while the man had a sturdy build, making them an unusual yet somewhat fitting pair.
Percy introduced them. "Jennica Mopasson and Vick Sorifa, the two individuals you mentioned in your letter as having absconded with funds."
Upon seeing Kino, the two of them collapsed to their knees in fear. "Sir Administrative Officer…"
Kino appraised Jennica with a compliment. "Madam, you're truly beautiful. No wonder young Luca is so lovely."
Jennica's eyes darted nervously, and she trembled as she asked, "You know Luca? Where is she now?"
Kino shook his head, sighing. "I regret to inform you that Luca and Ramos were killed by highway robbers. They have both left this world. Even if she were still alive, she'd be confined in the upper district's quarantine area, imprisoned like a bird in a cage."
Jennica's face turned pale with panic as she tried to argue. "Sir, please, see reason! I was facing business difficulties and had no choice but to borrow that money from Ramos. I intended to repay him as soon as I could turn things around!"
Paladin's anger flared, and he couldn't hold back from shouting, "Lies! You vile woman! How dare you stand here and lie?! You abandoned your family and stole a child's hard-earned money—he's only 12 years old! Are you even human?"
Jennica and Vick shrank back, not daring to speak.
Kino glanced at Paladin. "You've crossed the line. This is not your place to speak. Apologize to them."
"I…" Paladin was about to retort but faltered under Kino's stern gaze. Reluctantly, he lowered his head and muttered, "Apologies."
Jennica and Vick quickly waved their hands. "It's fine, it's fine…"
"Let's return to the matter at hand." Kino addressed the two of them, his voice calm. "I have reviewed the report submitted by Civil Administrator Percy. The loan between you and Ramos was a private debt within a marriage, without a contract or any documentation to prove the debt. Thus, legally, this debt cannot be substantiated."
Paladin's eyes widened in surprise, and he shot Kino a complicated look.
Kino continued. "According to the Doguland Code, a suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty. There is no direct evidence proving that you absconded with Ramos's money, and Ramos's testimony is merely one-sided. Therefore, in theory, you are innocent. Even if this went to trial, the judge would not convict you. Your affair, though immoral, would not result in criminal punishment."
Paladin gritted his teeth in frustration, but there was nothing he could do.
Jennica and Vick breathed a sigh of relief, their taut nerves relaxing as they expressed their gratitude. "Thank you, Sir Kino! You truly are a great administrator!"
[Respect from Jennica Mopasson: 25]
[Respect from Vick Sorifa: 17]
"Thank you for your kind words, it's all part of my duties." Kino shrugged, his amber eyes sparkling with a smile. "However, we both know the truth. You two did indeed steal the money, it's just that there's no evidence. While you've escaped punishment, I believe that out of basic courtesy, you should apologize to their father and daughter. Of course, the choice is yours. I'm not forcing you."
Jennica and Vick, having been spared, knew they had to show respect. "We will, we will apologize to them!"
Kino raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"
Jennica and Vick both answered in unison. "Absolutely!"
"Really sure?"
"Absolutely sure!"
"Really, really sure?"
Jennica and Vick froze. Was it really necessary to confirm so many times? They said with certainty, "Absolutely sure!"
Kino scratched the back of his head. "Alright then, if you're willing, it shows you still have a shred of conscience. Out of respect, I leave the next decision to you. How would you like to apologize?"
Jennica thought for a moment. The cemetery was far away, and taking a carriage would be best, but to seem sincere, she said firmly, "We're willing to walk!"
"Walking punishment?" Kino was confused and turned to Paladin. "Is there such a thing as a walking punishment in the Doguland Execution Records? I've never seen it before."
Jennica's face froze, her eyes wide as she trembled. "Wait... What? Execution? Sir, what do you mean?!"
Kino looked bewildered. "Didn't you say you wanted to apologize at the cemetery?"
Jennica panicked, her words coming out in a rush. "Yes... Yes, we want to apologize... at the cemetery... for the farewell!"
"Farewell?" Kino chuckled as though hearing a joke. "You're joking, right? The dead can't hear your farewell. What's the point of saying goodbye? What I meant was, an apology in person. They've gone to the afterlife, and so should you, or else how can you apologize in person?"
Vick, panic-stricken, began to stammer, "Sir! This is a misunderstanding! Jennica and I didn't mean it like that!"
Kino sighed. "I asked you three times, three whole times, and you both insisted. Of course, I have to go along with it. Paladin—"
Paladin stepped forward. "Yes!"
Kino gave his order. "Handle this. Send them to apologize. If they've chosen the method, let them proceed. If not, choose for them."
At that moment, Paladin, previously frustrated, now felt a sense of relief, his irritation dissipating. He bowed deeply to Kino. "Understood!"
[Respect from Paladin Jones: 44]
[The individual has reached the emotional value cap and can no longer contribute any further emotion points.]
"Spare us, Sir! We didn't mean it! Please spare us!" In the midst of their desperate pleas, Paladin grabbed their hair and dragged them out toward the execution grounds.
[Fear from Jennica Mopasson: 69]
[Fear from Vick Sorifa: 73]