While Caesar and Lucy were debating how to deal with Pompey and the Vanquishers, just outside of Blazewood Town—
A middle-aged man dressed in a black cloak, bearing a commanding presence, stood at the head of a group of subordinates.
His aura was immensely oppressive. Even the members of the Sons of Calydon who came to block his path didn't dare look him in the eye. Just locking gazes with him was enough to make their legs tremble.
He was none other than Pompey, the leader of the Vanquishers and the supreme authority over the entire Outer Ring.
"Lucius, let me confirm once more—what you said is true, correct?" Pompey's tone deepened as he turned to the man beside him.
That subordinate, with short blond hair and one eye hidden by his bangs, exuded a sinister presence, like a wolf lurking in shadow. It was as if the words I am not a good person were written all over his face.
His name was Lucius, the second-in-command of the Vanquishers. His competence was the reason Pompey promoted him, but his swelling ambition had always been a headache.
In truth, Pompey didn't fully believe Lucius. According to him, the Sons of Calydon—once known for minding their own business—had suddenly allied themselves with the outsiders.
Together, they had supposedly launched an attack on the Vanquishers' base, causing massive casualties.
No one else knew the details. Lucius was the sole witness, and he swore the Sons of Calydon were involved.
His body bore injuries from battle, too severe to easily fake. Bandages wrapped tightly around one hand, visibly stained with blood underneath.
This was enough to convince many of the Vanquishers' members that he was telling the truth.
Their righteous anger left Pompey with no choice—he had to come to the Sons of Calydon's territory to investigate. If what Lucius said turned out to be true, then wiping them out might indeed be justified.
"You'd better not be lying," Pompey said flatly. He knew this wouldn't end cleanly. After saying that to Lucius, he turned his gaze to the Sons of Calydon members blocking the way.
Then, in a calm voice, he said, "Call out your leader. There are some matters I must confirm with her personally."
The group looked at each other, unsure how to respond.
One of their comrades had already gone to alert Caesar—but for some reason, she had yet to appear.
Could it be she really did something to betray the Vanquishers... and has now fled in guilt?
Just as uncertainty began to spread, a voice full of steadiness suddenly rose from behind them.
"Lord Pompey, I didn't expect you'd find time to visit the Sons of Calydon today. Judging by your formation, though, you're not here for a friendly chat."
Caesar emerged from within Blazewood Town, followed by Lucy and the other core members. Their appearance instantly bolstered the confidence of the members blocking the Vanquishers—they believed that as long as Caesar was there, everything would be fine.
"Caesar... the little girl from back then. I never imagined you'd grow into this," Pompey said, his tone tinged with emotion. "But the crimes committed by the Sons of Calydon cannot be brushed aside."
His voice suddenly sharpened: "I brought a witness here today to give you a chance to prove your innocence. Honestly, I don't want to see factions of the Outer Ring fighting amongst themselves—but my hands are tied, because the evidence is overwhelming."
Hearing that, Lucy's fury ignited. She looked at Caesar, who nodded slightly in response.
Understanding the signal, Lucy stepped forward and said loudly, "Pompey! So your 'overwhelming evidence' is just your subordinate's one-sided story? If he has physical proof, fine—we'll accept it. Otherwise, don't think for a second you can set foot in Blazewood Town!"
Her stance was fierce, and it rattled more than a few Vanquishers.
In just a few short years, this rising force called the Sons of Calydon had become the second-largest power in the Outer Ring—and rumors hinted at their potential to overtake even the Vanquishers and claim the title of new overlords.
Their reputation was no bluff.
Caesar's combat prowess could only be rivaled by Pompey himself across the Outer Ring.
As for Lucy, her strength was said to be formidable as well. On top of that, she was the daughter of a prestigious family from New Eridu—definitely not someone you wanted to provoke lightly.
"It seems you still don't understand..." Pompey sighed, then dropped all pretenses. "Let me make it clear—if you can't present any evidence to clear your name today... I'm sorry, but the Sons of Calydon will be erased from the Outer Ring starting tomorrow."
His declaration struck like a bomb. The gathered members of the Sons of Calydon were stunned—they couldn't believe the Vanquishers were so brazen about annihilating them.
It was terrifying.
Even Caesar hadn't expected this level of decisiveness from Pompey, who was usually known for being a measured and thoughtful ruler.
This meant that war between the Sons of Calydon and the Vanquishers was now unavoidable.
Worse still, as the ones accused of betraying the Outer Ring, they were bound to draw the ire of other major factions. Even if they survived the coming onslaught, they would become public enemies, with no foothold left in the Outer Ring.
Everything was spiraling into the point of no return.
Just as Pompey was losing patience and preparing to order his men to strike, a voice—timed rather inappropriately—sounded from within Blazewood Town.
"A mighty Outer Ring overlord, and yet you're so high-handed? Handing down a sentence without hearing both sides? Absurd. In that case, let me be clear as well."
"As a guest, I accepted their hospitality. So, I won't just stand by. At least today, you're not laying a finger on the Sons of Calydon."
"If you dare move against them—then starting tomorrow, it'll be the Vanquishers who are erased from the Outer Ring."