The moment the city gates opened, the refugees who had been lingering around the wall madly rushed over!

"Let us in! We received the Great Duke's decree to leave our homes to come to the capital! How can you not let us in?"

"There are Demons outside, how can you leave us out here?!"

"Let us in quickly!"

The refugees began yelling their complaints.

Marvin narrowed his eyes, Isabelle was expressionless, and the people behind them paled.

They were all disconcerted by the implications!

What was going on? Could something have happened in the capital for them to no longer welcome refugees?

"Milord?" Isabelle softly prompted.

"Let's just watch for now," Marvin suggested.

After going through the fight with the Demon army, Lavis' defenses had been tightened. But these refugees were ordinary people. It was rather strange that they weren't being allowed inside.

…

The guards responsible for guarding the gates likely didn't expect that these refugees would burst out like that. Several soldiers with shields were even pushed out of the way!

A gap appeared in the city gates. The refugees cheered, ready to rush in.

But at that time, a deep and vicious sound echoed from inside the gates!

"Halt!"

This wasn't shouted in Common, sounding more like an ancient language. Although it was only one word, it was very intimidating.

In an instant, the bodies of all the ordinary people went stiff.

Fear filled their eyes. They wanted to rush into the city, but they couldn't move.

Many people had unwilling expressions on their faces.

They were so close!

Just as they were about to manage to get into the city, a roar repelled them!

"Halt!" That man let out a deep roar once again.

The refugees gathered in front of the gate felt their legs turn soft as they fell to the ground. Some even began to crawl away eerily.

As even the guards watched in fear, a black-gowned man slowly appeared on the city wall.

His gaze was filled with contempt as he chastised, "A mere group of ants. On what basis do you think you can enter the city?"

"Don't you know your own status?"

"Peasants? Peddlers? Masons… Masons actually might be a bit useful, my house got damaged, so if you can repair it, I'll let you enter the city."

He glanced around, speaking very coldly.

The others all had sorrowful expressions. They wanted to say something, but they were intimidated by his powerful presence and lost the ability to speak!

Marvin frowned.

To even use an intimidation spell just to deal with a group of commoners...

That Sorcerer was being rather excessive.

Daniela's subordinate?

He felt that it was wrong.

"Let's go check."

He didn't consult with the others and started walking over.

The group he had been leading froze in place, having seen what just happened.

That black-gowned man clearly had some authority, and he didn't let anyone in. Could that youth have a way to get inside?

These were all people who had left their homes. If the capital didn't shelter them, who knew how many would survive the night!

But after thinking of Isabelle's fighting strength again, they all looked at each other for a moment before following.

...

Just outside the city, the mason who had been chosen was sorting his things, feeling overjoyed. He pulled the hands of two girls, an older one and a younger one, preparing to get in.

Who would have thought that the black-gowned man would suddenly shout, "Stop!"

The Mason's face immediately became uneasy, "What is it, sir?"

"When did I say that you were allowed to bring in other people?" Jast coldly snorted. "Only you, the others are trash with no qualifications."

The mason's face reddened. He shivered, suppressed by Jast's powerful intimidation magic, he remained speechless for a long time.

Jast coldly ignored him and looked across the rest of the crowd. After glancing at everyone, he spat on the ground, "I thought there were useful people here. Trash like you can't contribute to the capital, so why should we protect you?"

"What qualifications do you have to enter the city?"

But at that time, the mason who was between the group of refugees and the gates suddenly yelled, "They aren't trash!"

Jast frowned, his gaze as venomous as a viper as he glared at the mason.

The poor mason said with clenched teeth, "They are my daughters…"

"Dad, I'm scared…" A girl wearing shabby clothes was hugging the mason's thigh, a look of fear on her face.

The older one had a worried expression. She had long brown hair and seemed to be unsure what to do.

Jast looked at them coldly and muttered, "Very well."

"Get lost then!"

The mason led his two daughters along and turned to leave.

Everyone seemed angry, but no one dared to say anything.

The guards looked at each other in dismay, but remained silent.

Jast's performance during the siege was clear to everyone. If not for him killing a few Greater Demons, the city might have already been breached.

Such outstanding military services had earned him this position. Even if these weak soldiers had sympathy for the refugees, what could they do?

After all, they also had precarious lives.

...

"What's going on?"

A group of militiamen came out from the crowd.

At the lead was a sturdy and buff man carrying a greatsword. "Sir, the decree we received doesn't seem to be like what you're suggesting."

"Then you understood it wrong," Jast said loudly enough for everyone to hear. "You are useful to the Dukedom, you can come in."

The militia leader nodded. "Then the villagers we escorted…"

"Absolutely not!" Jast impatiently snarled, "How many times do I need to repeat myself before it's understood?"

"It is a very precarious time right now, and I am completely in charge of the city's defenses. If I say no, it's no."

"I don't know what sort of decree you received, but here, people who can only waste food supplies aren't qualified to enter the city!"

A few members of the militia were fired up, they had relatives among these refugees, "Then we won't enter either!"

"The Great Duke's decree was clear, everyone has to enter the capital to take refuge. Everyone!"

"Yeah! Without that decree, we wouldn't have left our hometown to come here!"

Jast angrily shouted, "You are military personnel!"

"You have to obey my order!"

[Absolute Dominance]!

This was a 3rd-circle spell. It would unconditionally overwhelm the wills of ordinary people!

The militiamen lowered their heads, and as all the other stared in shock, they obediently followed Jast's wishes and entered the city.

Even if their relatives called out to them, they didn't seem to be able to hear anything!

Jast wore a pleased smile.

But at that time, a carefree voice echoed beside his ear.

"Step aside, we want to get in."