Apocalypse Villainess? Nah, I'm Nice

This so-called election was hardly a formal affair.

Of course, everyone understood that this was just a way to get things started. It was an opportunity for those with ambitions to bring matters into the open. Even if it led to conflict, it would be a public struggle. No one expected a definitive result from this single meeting.

In a way, the incident with Marcus Monroe handling his stalkers was the catalyst.

So many naked men put on display was quite the spectacle for the city’s residents. But for those involved and the powers behind them, it was a massive loss of face.

They weren’t idiots. They decided to learn their lesson and play smart.

Rather than everyone causing a chaotic mess, it was better to hold an election.

That way, everyone’s intentions would be clear for all to see.

Especially Marcus Monroe’s.

His arrival drew a great deal of attention.

People were incredibly friendly on the surface, but inwardly, they were all wondering the same thing. ’Is he really interested in the City Lord position of Southreach? If so, he’ll definitely be a formidable rival!’

However, when he took a seat in the back row, the looks he received changed again. Compared to before, their cordial greetings now seemed to hold a bit more genuine goodwill.

Of course, there were also more calculating individuals who believed he was likely feigning retreat to advance later.

Marcus Monroe, naturally, paid them no mind.

He was just surprised to see Maisie Joyce.

After leaving the base, the woman had acted docile enough. But according to his subordinates’ reports, she had gone out several times recently, and each time, she managed to shake the people tailing her.

The men he’d sent were all trained for this kind of work, yet she could still lose them. This meant she wasn’t nearly as harmless as she appeared.

’And she came here today... is she really just here to watch?’

He observed her discreetly.

Maisie Joyce had already greeted everyone and was now sitting quietly to one side. Her face was a little pale. While she wasn’t particularly beautiful, she had a certain fragility that easily inspired pity. Several department heads, for instance, nodded at her from time to time as if to comfort her. In their eyes, with Leo Joyce dead, Maisie Joyce must be the most grief-stricken. They would never have guessed at the hidden complexities of the Joyce siblings’ relationship.

Marcus Monroe snorted inwardly with disdain.

When it came down to it, out of everyone present, Colin Koenig was likely the only one genuinely heartbroken over Leo Joyce’s death.

After all, Leo Joyce had single-handedly promoted him.

It didn’t matter whether Leo had done it to counterbalance the Woods Family or because he truly valued Colin’s abilities.

At the very least, he had given him a chance.

Seated at the head of the room, Colin Koenig soon announced the start of the election.

First came the nominations.

The Woods Family nominated two candidates, the Forrest Family nominated one, and the Koenig and Archer Families each nominated one as well. These latter two seemed to be mere foils, with little real chance of winning. Additionally, Division Commander Henry Chase was also nominated. As for the five department heads, they had no hope of making a bid for themselves in this kind of situation, so they could only throw their full support behind Colin Koenig.

Colin Koenig sighed to himself.

He had actually discussed this with the department heads before, expressing his lack of interest in becoming the City Lord.

Unfortunately, these men were all Leo Joyce’s trusted confidants.

With Leo Joyce dead, they naturally had to find a way to protect their own power.

If someone from one of the other families became City Lord, it would be extremely disadvantageous for them.

Therefore, they had to—and could only—pin their hopes on Colin Koenig.

In their view, Colin Koenig lacked a powerful backer. Even if he became the City Lord, he would have no choice but to win them over, not cast them aside.

So, one by one, they chose to ignore Colin’s wishes, writing them off as mere modesty.

Colin Koenig didn’t want to be the City Lord, but that didn’t mean he wanted to give up being the Deputy City Lord. At a time like this, he certainly couldn’t argue with them or risk a fallout. He had been forced into a corner.

The list of candidates was finalized. Next, each one was to state their qualifications.

It was only at this moment that the five nominees from the various families entered the conference room.

Marcus Monroe scoffed internally.

’These guys are obviously puppets!’

Sure enough, the scene that followed was so boring it made him want to yawn.

The three candidates from the Woods and Forrest Families at least spoke decently. But the two from the Koenig and Archer Families... even if you’re just a foil, you could at least put in some effort! They stammered and stumbled through their words, wasting everyone’s time. And to make matters worse, they just kept talking longer and longer. In the end, even the Clan Leaders of their own families couldn’t stand it anymore and shot them fierce glares, which finally brought their tedious speeches to an awkward end.

Henry Chase’s speech, however, struck him as somewhat interesting.

Henry Chase had a strong build and rough features. He acted boisterously, seeming like the type with more brawn than brains. However, judging by the fact that he had listened patiently to the previous five speeches—and while he expressed his dissatisfaction several times, he never went too far—it was clear he wasn’t as simple-minded as he seemed.