From Ruin to Reign Leander's Unbreakable Will novel Chapter 394

Five elderly men entered the hall, all dressed in military uniforms. Each bore olive-branch insignia on their shoulders—four with single stars, and the one in the center with two.

The entire banquet hall erupted. Gasps filled the air as everyone froze, unable to look away.

Four major generals—and one high general. That lineup alone was enough to crush anything in its path.

Across all of Astria, only the nation's top elites could withstand such an overwhelming presence.

With five senior generals joining in, along with Logan and Dorian—two more generals—the total reached seven. The tension in the room thickened to the point of suffocation.

"Isn't that General Tarrow from Southcrest? I heard he once led his army to the Crosswind Ridge, wiping out the bandit strongholds and restoring order. Even after retirement, his proteges dominate the region's military ranks. The man's practically a living legend."

"And that's General Verrin from Overstead! He's an Alderton Military Academy graduate—top of his class back then. He's fought in countless major operations and even commanded entire units!"

"There's General Caulder… and General Ainsley…"

The onlookers, many of them seasoned veterans of politics and war, were visibly shaken. The five newcomers were all decorated generals of Astria's past, men who had once shaped history in times of chaos.

Any one of them could have held up a powerful family by himself—but together, the five formed a force that could level mountains.

A collective chill rippled through the crowd.

The Riverstone family, just to deal with one man—Leander—had mobilized an army of legends. It was an act of pure domination, leaving no room for mercy.

Dorian spread his hands, his tone cool and assured.

"Jeff, maybe our Riverstone family alone couldn't hurt you. But with everyone here—what do you think now?"

Seven generals. Dorian felt utterly secure, victory already gleaming in his eyes.

Among the five elders, the high general, Malric Tarrow, stepped forward and looked straight at Leander.

"So, you're Mornwick's Legend, the man who tops the rankings of martial artists—Jeff Ashcroft?"

His tone was calm, almost courteous, as if addressing a younger man of promise.

The guests around them quietly shook their heads, their eyes filled with pity for Leander.

Most of them knew little about the martial world, but with seven generals standing together—and two of them high generals like Malric and Logan—they could already see how this would end. No matter how high Leander's status soared, he was about to be crushed beyond recognition.

Mornwick's Legend might have been a legend in name, but before seven generals of the nation, he was nothing more than dust in the wind.

Before Leander could speak, Malric continued, his gaze unflinching. "No wonder Logan called us in. You're impressive for your age.

"I've heard the stories—how you rule the underground of Mornwick, commanding countless factions, crushing any who stand against you. Even Grove's Walsh family was brought to heel under your hand. Quite the show of power."

His words sounded like praise, but his tone was glacial, edged with reprimand.

Leander's reply was steady, his voice cold. "My power has nothing to do with you."

Facing seven generals, he remained calm, almost detached. "But you—I respect what you've done for this country. So here's my advice: leave now. Don't wade into this mess. The feud between me and the Riverstones… is far beyond your reach."

His words had barely left his mouth when Malric's gaze darkened.

Beside him, Dorian snapped, fury blazing across his face.

"Jeff, you're just a kid—do you really think a few achievements make you untouchable? Do you think you can look down on every hero in the land? General Tarrow is a senior officer. Talking to him like that—do you even know what respect means?"

Around them, countless guests shook their heads and sighed. To them, Leander's attitude was pure arrogance.

This was a high general standing before him—an elder who had come all this way to support the Riverstones.

Then, Logan spoke up, his voice solemn. "Gareth, convey my apologies to Old Mr. Ashcroft. Jeff may be your family's heir, but this time, there will be no leniency.

"My son Lachlan, together with the other two governors of the Northeastern provinces, has already co-signed a petition to the Central Authority—demanding Jeff's conviction and permanent exile."

At that, Gareth's expression finally changed. Even the heads of the three great families who had stood ready to back Leander looked shaken.

This move was ruthless—beyond anything they had imagined.

Seven generals filing an official request, joined by three provincial governors in a unified appeal… the entire military and central government were effectively issuing a death warrant.

Once the order was approved, Leander would lose his citizenship and be exiled. Even the vast power and influence of the four great families could not overturn such a decree.

At that point, he would have only two choices: obey the ruling and leave Astria—or face the full force of the nation's army.

And no matter how strong he was, no one could stand alone against tanks and artillery.

Daphne's eyes widened, and she rushed to stand in front of Leander. Gripping his hand tightly, she looked up at him, her gaze full of fear and helplessness.

"Ander…"

Her voice faltered. Even with all the faith she had in him, her heart was pounding.

Being exiled wasn't a death sentence—but it might as well have been. Once that order took effect, Leander would be branded a national traitor, blacklisted forever, erased from Astria as though he had never existed.

Eira's eyes flickered as she studied him. His face remained calm, unshaken, as if none of it mattered. She could only sigh. B*stard… you've already become powerful enough to stand above most—but this time, even you might have to swallow defeat.

At this stage, unless one of Astria's supreme powers intervened, there was no turning the tide.

Leander's situation had reached a point beyond saving.