CHAPTER 122: CHAPTER 122 - PUNISHMENT

Lucien and the brainwashed group raced down the road on bicycles. The wind whipped against their faces as the world blurred past. What started as a ride quickly turned into a competition.

Naturally, Lucien was in the lead. His strength outmatched theirs yet the others pushed themselves with everything they had. Their veins bulged as they pedaled furiously to catch up.

Fortunately, the Crafting Division had prepared for this. Before they set out, the bicycles were enchanted with protective magic circles. If anyone lost control, a barrier would appear instantly, minimizing the impact and shielding both rider and bystander from harm.

Lucien glanced over his shoulder.

The people following him had their eyes locked on his back. He had personally crafted more bicycles through his CRAFT feature since his territory didn’t have enough to equip all five hundred.

Everyone quickly got the hang of riding.

Above them, Cielius soared gracefully. His speed was eclipsing the riders below.

He watched with amusement as a smile tugged at his lips. Seeing Lucien laugh and enjoy himself made him look like an ordinary doting grandfather... Well, an ordinary flying granddad.

Their destination lies north of Lootwell.

The fishing village under Coalheart.

Reaching it first would make their journey to the main territory quicker and Lucien also wanted to inspect the area along the way. From there, they would head west toward the main territory.

No one slowed. The group pedaled skillfully across uneven ground.

Then at last... the horizon shifted. The terrain changed. A new land came into view.

Lucien raised his voice over the wind. "Slow down, everyone! We’re near!"

The riders obeyed at once.

Lucien drew in a deep breath. The salty tang of the sea washed over him, stirring something old and familiar within.

"The ocean’s scent."

He remembered a promise once made to his people... That one day, he would carve a path to the ocean. Now, it seemed, that promise had already been fulfilled.

He dismounted then stored his bicycle neatly into his INVENTORY. Beside him, Cielius descended from the sky, landing beside him.

One after another, the rest of the group followed. They dragged their bikes as they took in the scene before them.

Lucien’s eyes swept across the village.

He remembered that it was as large and lively like Lootwell with just as many subjects. But the sight that greeted him now was nothing like his memory.

The streets were nearly empty. Too few faces.

Houses lay broken. Roofs caved in. Walls collapsed. The earth itself looked gray and lifeless.

And then... the villagers noticed them.

Five hundred strangers appearing all at once. Fear and confusion rippled through the crowd.

But before panic could take hold, one man stepped forward.

It was the agent Sebas had stationed here.

"Young Lord!"

His voice rang out as he gave a salute to Lucien with visible relief.

He turned to the villagers.

"Everyone, please welcome our new Lord! He is the one who will restore the former glory of this land!"

The villagers stilled. Their eyes widened and curiosity sparked.

One by one, their gazes turned to Lucien.

He was only a boy yet the villagers could feel the weight of his presence. An overwhelming aura radiated from him.

Their eyes drifted to the group behind him. Every single one of them carried the same genuine respect for Lucien.

The villagers fell silent.

For the first time in years, something stirred inside them. A fragile ember of hope.

But doubt clung stubbornly. Coalheart’s shadow still lingered in their hearts.

Ever since the takeover, their world had only grown darker.

The ground had turned gray, the population had dwindled and now only about a hundred villagers remained.

They lived only because the sea still gave them fish... scraps of survival pulled from the ocean’s depths.

Suddenly... a cry split the air.

"Son...? Is that you? My boy, where have you been?!" A woman’s voice trembled as her eyes locked on someone among the group.

A man stepped forward. His face was streaked with tears. "Mother..."

He hesitated.

Guilt weighed on him like chains. Under Coalheart’s control, he had done vile things... sins that haunted him.

He had even slain villagers here with his own hands. The shame was unbearable. He had no face to show his mother.

His eyes wavered... until they met Lucien’s.

Lucien gave him a single nod.

And just like that, the man’s walls collapsed. His conviction broke and he stumbled forward into his mother’s arms, sobbing like a child.

Inwardly, he was overcome with gratitude.

’Did the Young Lord bring us here on purpose? Can he truly read our hearts?’ The thought spiraled in his mind. ’He must have done this to give us a chance to heal... he even understands people like us.’

Of course, he was completely mistaken. But the misunderstanding only deepened his loyalty.

One by one, more people from the group stepped forward.

Like the man before, they too had roots in this village.

Some rushed to find their families. Their hearts pounded with both hope and fear.

A few returned in tears. They were devastated by news of their loved ones’ deaths.

Others clung to tearful reunions. Their cries echoed through the ruined streets.

Emotions surged like a tide.

Those who had no ties here watched silently. Their hearts ached with shared sentiment.

They too had lost families, homes, entire lives to the same misfortune. In that moment, they felt a kinship stronger than blood...

They are brothers and sisters bound by suffering. And together, they chose to stand as one.

Lucien said nothing. He simply let them be.

Watching their reunions, their grief, their embraces... warmth stirred in his chest. For an instant, memories of his own parents surfaced.

Cielius stepped to his side, resting a hand on Lucien’s shoulder. It was as if he had seen straight through him. For a brief moment, the two simply stood there in silence.

Soon, the reunited villagers began to speak. With trembling voices, they told their families about Lucien.

Their savior. The one who freed them. The one who gave them back their lives.

The words spread quickly.

The villagers who moments before were weighed down by despair, now stepped forward to thank Lucien. Gratitude filled their eyes as they accepted him without hesitation as their new Lord.

Lucien took a step forward.

"My people! You will not have to wait long. I will restore your glory. No... we will surpass it! Together, we will rise higher than ever before!"

A cheer erupted. Hope ignited once more.

And so, after the brief but moving stop... the group continued their journey to the west.

Lucien had thought to let those with roots here remain behind. But they refused.

They insisted they would not rest until they witnessed Noctra’s fate with their own eyes.

•••

At last, they reached the main territory.

The guards rushed to welcome Lucien and his group. Their eyes lingered on the brainwashed men and women as recognition flickered across their faces.

But something felt different.

These were no longer the hollow, puppet-like figures they remembered.

In the past, the group had been unpleasant. Soulless husks who never greeted nor spoke. Now, they carried warmth in their expressions.

They smiled. They waved. They called the guards by name.

The guards were startled at first but soon the unease melted away. Laughter replaced silence. Bonds began to form.

And in those small exchanges, the guards realized the truth. What had truly been done to them. Empathy settled in, bridging the gap that had once stood between them.

Not long after, Lucien gave an order. "Please call Sebas."

Moments later...

Sebas appeared. Dragging behind him was Noctra.

The moment the group laid eyes on her, their expressions darkened.

Fury blazed across their faces. Their jaws clenched. And hands curled into fists. They wanted to tear her apart then and there.

But they did not move.

They remembered their decision. The night before, they had spoken as one. Revenge would not be theirs to claim. They would leave everything to their Young Lord.

One of them stepped forward. "Young Lord, we have decided. It would be better if we leave her punishment in your hands."

Lucien stood silent for a moment.

In the end, it fell to Lucien.

And in truth, he had already decided her fate.

"Good," he said at last. "Killing her would be mercy. She will not die easily in my hands. I’ll make her feel every sin she’s committed."

The group nodded firmly. Their anger find solace in his words.

Lucien turned to face Noctra. She had gone hysterical, spitting out incomprehensible chants and mutterings as if madness could shield her.

He only stared.

’Don’t think your pathetic shrieking will earn my pity, ugly bitch.’

His expression hardened.

At last, he spoke.

"Since you love gargoyles so much then I’ll make you into one. A living gargoyle. Forced to watch the very territory you shattered rise and flourish. You won’t be able to speak. You won’t be able to move. You won’t even be able to die as you like."

With a flick of his finger, Noctra’s body was wrenched into the air.

Dominion Circle.

Lucien conjured magic circles and he unfurled them beneath her. Black and white chains burst forth, snapping around her limbs one by one. This one has almost the same effect has Eclipse Chain but milder and more painful.

Noctra’s shriek tore through the air as the bindings sank deep. She could feel something being ripped from her... Her very essence was being drained away. The chains tightened whenever she struggled, crushing her spirit as much as her body.

Her screams filled the air.

Raw. Piercing. Unpleasant.

Lucien’s eyes narrowed. With a gesture, he layered additional circles.

And then...

Silence.

Her mouth still opened. Her body still convulsed. But no sound escaped. The sudden quiet was almost more chilling than the noise.

But Lucien did not stop there. He conjured more circles.

One to amplify her pain.

Another to stack that agony.

A third to delay the torment, forcing it to resurface in waves.

And finally... a barrier, sealing her off from the world.

This would ensure that no one could interfere. No one could save her.

Inside the cage of light and chains, Noctra felt it all.

Her senses burned. Every nerve screamed. Yet her body refused to move.

She tried to cry out but no sound escaped. She tried to beg but no words left her lips.

The silence of her suffering chilled everyone present.

For a fleeting moment, pity stirred within them... but they crushed it down.

This was justice. This was what she deserved.

For the years of torment. The stolen lives. The broken wills.

No punishment could be more fitting.

Together, they stood and watched. They carved this moment into memory letting the fire of their anger finally begin to cool.

Lucien stepped forward.

"Let this be a reminder," he said. "I will never tolerate anyone who dares bring harm to my territory."

He cast one last glance at Noctra.

"She will remain there until her life force runs dry. She will be forced to watch as this land prospers without her. So... Let’s show her what it means to build a territory not of blood but of life."

His words rang out like a vow.

And the people answered with thunderous cheers.