From Ruin to Reign Leander's Unbreakable Will novel Chapter 408

"Fergus Lynch, Son of Judgment?"

A faint glimmer flashed through Daphne's eyes. The stranger who appeared out of nowhere carried an almost overwhelming confidence. His gaze fixed on Leander—steady, cool, and superior, like he was looking down from a throne.

She couldn't sense the terrifying surge within him as clearly as Leander could, yet she understood he was far stronger than she had imagined.

"Son of Judgment? Never heard of it." Leander lifted his eyes, calm and unreadable. "You came here for me?"

A smirk played at Fergus' lips.

"Yeah. I came specifically for you. Since becoming a Son of Judgment, you're the first person important enough to make me show up myself."

"Jeff, I'm here today for two things—to see you, and to deliver your death notice."

"Oh?" Leander's eyes narrowed slightly.

Fergus gave a short, cold laugh and pointed at him.

"I've spent the past week in Astria asking about you. Your story's pretty legendary. A waste you chose to stand against us."

A bloodthirsty chill flickered in his eyes as he stepped aside.

"The more legendary you are, the more I want to hunt you. You have five days. Enjoy whatever time you have left."

He vanished through the airport exit in an instant.

"Ander, who is he?" Daphne asked with a worried frown.

Leander remained steady. "He's from the Arbitration Office."

Fergus hadn't revealed his strength outright, yet even at first glance, Leander sensed a shockingly pure Doomlight within him—denser and more concentrated than any Arbitrator he had encountered. They were several feet apart, yet the sinister force inside Fergus rolled outward like crashing tides.

"The Arbitration Office?" Daphne's heart tightened after hearing the name of the ancient organization that had dominated the world stage for centuries.

The last time, at the Southern Shore, the Arbitration Office had sent five Elite Arbitrators, and barely two weeks had passed before another powerful figure appeared.

"Don't worry about him."

Leander wrapped an arm around her and turned. His voice stayed firm.

"We're going to pay our respects to Ms. Hollis."

A so-called Son of Judgment wasn't worth concern. Throughout his life, countless people had tried to kill him. None had succeeded. With his current strength, unless one of The 16 Supreme Arbiters appeared personally, the rest were beneath notice.

They left the airport and took a country bus to a small mountain village near the Mornwick-Cloudveil Edge.

The village was called Greenstem. The bamboo there grew tall and straight, full of vitality. Every home was built from giant bamboo tubes, warm in winter and cool in summer. No matter how much the villagers cut, the bamboo shot up wildly after every rainy night.

At the village entrance, Leander paused, staring at the mountain path lined with towering bamboo. His expression turned distant.

He pointed toward a lush grove. "Dani, that's where I ended up after dragging myself out of Highcliffe. I was wounded and barely conscious when I collapsed there. Ms. Shire found me and saved me."

Daphne nodded softly. Thinking of a ten-year-old child bleeding alone in the bamboo made her chest ache.

Leander held her hand as they walked into the village. Many of the villagers turned to look at the unfamiliar pair.

Her name was Gemma Murphy, third in her family. When Clement cast Hazel out, she came to Greenstem alone while pregnant. Gemma cared for her the most.

After Hazel rescued Leander and took him in, Gemma brought food and clothes often. He had never forgotten her kindness.

The clean, well-kept gravesite made it obvious her family tended it regularly, which moved him deeply.

The man beside her was her husband, Francis Wilson. The young woman was their eldest daughter, Stella Wilson, whom Leander had often played with years ago.

"It really is Leander!"

Gemma lightly smacked his shoulder.

"You came back the year before last, then disappeared for more than a year. Now you finally show up—and bring such a beautiful girl with you!"

Her expression softened, tears gathering.

"It's a shame Ms. Shire can't see it."

Leander exhaled and nodded to Daphne. They bowed and offered incense at Hazel's grave.

"Ms. Shire, I came back to see you. Madeline is doing great. She's a star now, working hard toward her dreams. The daughter you raised is a household name."

Leander pulled Daphne closer. "Ms. Shire, this is Dani, my future wife. I brought her here today so you could 'meet' her."

He bowed deeply, his forehead striking the concrete with a heavy thud.