Jacob insisted on walking through the Temple district that same evening, despite Leo's protests about security and rest. Anna joined him without a word, her exhaustion forgotten the moment she heard about the twelve thousand dead.The streets leading to the destroyed district were intact but eerily quiet. Shops stood shuttered. Houses showed no lights in their windows. It felt like walking through a city that had died but refused to fall down.Then they crossed into what remained of the Temple district itself."Dear God," Anna whispered.Nothing prepared them for the devastation. Entire streets had been erased from existence. Buildings that had stood for centuries were now piles of blackened stone and twisted metal. The ground itself looked wounded, scorched black in places where fires had burned so hot they melted stone."This section housed about three thousand families," Leo explained, his voice professionally detached in the way soldiers used when discussing horror. "Mostly mercha

The council chamber descended into chaos after Lady Helena's nomination. Half the nobles were on their feet cheering while the other half shouted objections so loud the guards actually stepped forward thinking a riot was starting."This is madness!" Lord Hammond bellowed over the noise. "You cannot simply hand power to a military general!""Why not?" Ben Tate shot back. "He saved this city while you were hiding in the countryside!""That is exactly the problem! He is a soldier, not a statesman. Seron needs proper governance, not martial law."Lady Voss stood up, her voice cutting through the shouting. "I support the nomination. Jacob Krigg has proven his loyalty and capability.""He has proven he can kill people," Drake snapped. "That does not qualify him to run a government."Judge Willis banged his gavel repeatedly but nobody paid attention. The argument raged for another twenty minutes before Helena finally got them to agree on a formal vote in three days. That gave everyone time t

Every engineer in Seron gathered at the main reservoir by dawn, regardless of their political loyalties. The contamination was worse than Doctor Foster initially reported."Three bodies," the water supervisor explained, his face pale. "Victims from the Temple district attack. They fell into the reservoir during the explosions and nobody knew. The water has been poisoning people for over a week."Jacob stood at the edge looking down at the massive stone basin that supplied water to half the city. "How do we fix this?""Empty the entire reservoir, remove the bodies, scrub every surface clean, then refill it. Minimum three days of work.""We do not have three days. People are already getting sick."An elderly engineer named Richardson stepped forward. "There is a faster way but it is risky. We divert water from the northern river, flush the contaminated water out through emergency drainage, and simultaneously clean the reservoir sections as they empty. Could be done in eighteen hours if

Jacob was on his feet instantly, running toward the burning house even as debris still rained down around him. Anna followed close behind, already calling for medical help.The explosion had demolished the central house completely. Fire consumed what remained of the structure, spreading rapidly to neighboring buildings that had just been finished hours ago. People scattered in panic, some injured and bleeding from flying debris."Get water!" Jacob shouted. "Form bucket lines! We cannot let this spread!"Leo appeared from somewhere, his face grim and his weapon drawn. "That was not an accident. Someone planted explosives.""I know. Find them."While Jacob organized firefighting efforts, Leo's security teams spread through the panicked crowd looking for anyone suspicious. The flames were intense, fueled by something more than just wood and fabric."Accelerant," Richardson said, helping coordinate the water efforts. "Someone soaked the building in oil or something similar before igniting

The trial took place in Seron's largest public square since no building could hold the crowds demanding to witness it. Thousands packed the area, angry citizens who had lost family members to Chao's betrayals.Judge Willis presided, the same elderly man who had moderated the chaotic council meetings. But today he looked different, harder and more focused. Treason trials stripped away political niceties and left only raw justice."Former Defense Minister Chao stands accused of treason, espionage, conspiracy to commit murder, sabotage, and crimes against the state of Seron," Willis announced. "How do you plead?"Chao stood in chains, defiant despite everything. "Not guilty. I acted to save Seron from military dictatorship."The crowd roared with anger. Guards had to form barriers to prevent people from rushing the defendant."Order!" Willis slammed his gavel repeatedly. "There will be order or I clear this square!"The prosecution presented evidence methodically. Documents showing intel