Paige Summers and Woody Warren followed Young Master Monroe toward the main hall of the Citadel.

Both of them had many questions, but under the circumstances, there was no opportunity to ask each other. They could only suppress their curiosity.

Paige Summers glanced around curiously.

The Dead City was located in a windy and dusty environment. The architecture was already rough and rugged, built mostly from stone rather than brick or wood. After the City Lord, Graham Monroe, had led his people to settle here and gradually established The Dead City, he had doubled down on this style. Any structures destroyed in the apocalypse and needing to be rebuilt were now made even sturdier.

This time, however, the defenses weren’t against wind and sand, but against the Zombies and beasts outside.

Paige silently memorized the path they took, marveling that this was indeed the Citadel. Every person she occasionally saw was a Superpower User, and their Levels were likely all higher than hers.

What puzzled her was the subtle attitude these people had toward this Young Master Monroe.

They bowed their heads, but not with complete respect.

It was as if they were forced to.

And what about the man himself?

He wasn’t warm to anyone, nor did he put on any airs. After a brief nod of acknowledgment, he would just keep walking.

Paige grew even more curious about his identity.

Before long, the three of them arrived in front of the main hall.

This place had once been the main hall of a temple but was now the Citadel’s council chamber. There were guards at the entrance, but they didn’t stop them, simply letting them pass.

The chamber was vast. A long stone table stood in the center, surrounded by stone stools.

Seated in the main seat directly facing them was a middle-aged man in his fifties. He had a broad face, wide-set eyebrows, large eyes, and a very sturdy build. When Paige saw his hands resting on the table, her first thought was that hands the size of cattail fans really did exist.

The man seemed to be in a good mood; he even cracked a smile when he saw them.

Paige blinked. ’Have you ever seen a bear smile? I have now... Though, it was less of a smile and more of a baring of his teeth...’

’This must be the City Lord of The Dead City, Graham Monroe!’

Just as she was thinking this, the man in front of her spoke. "Father, I’ve brought them. These two are the makers of the Wine Pourer—Woody Warren and his apprentice..." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

’Father?!’

’He’s actually the City Lord’s son!’

Paige’s eyes widened as a name flashed through her mind. ’Marcus Monroe!’

’That’s right, the male lead has an older brother named Marcus Monroe. The two of them were apparently on bad terms due to their fight for the position of heir to The Dead City... But since Shawn Monroe is now called the Young City Lord, this one must have already lost the struggle.’

A wave of understanding washed over her. No wonder the people on the way had treated him like that.

Meanwhile, Marcus Monroe paused, then suddenly turned his head and asked, "What’s your name?"

She was taken aback for a moment, then quickly recovered. While inwardly grumbling that he really didn’t need to ask, she answered obediently, "Paige Summers."

Marcus Monroe gave her a deep look before turning back. "Weren’t you worried about not having enough time? With an extra person now, it shouldn’t be a problem."

Graham Monroe nodded, looking very pleased. "Sit down and talk."

He turned to Woody Warren. "The Wine Pourer was well made. However, I now need a new one—more beautiful, more exquisite. Remember, the design cannot be the same. How about this: I’ll give you one month. You don’t have to worry about materials or payment at all. Just focus on making it perfect. As for the rest, I trust the Citadel will satisfy you."

His tone was absolute, as if he was certain his offer would not be refused.

In fact, Woody had no intention of refusing. The price for selling something to the Citadel was too good to pass up—something no one else could afford! His only worry before had been that Paige wouldn’t return in time. But now, he was truly baffled! ’The last Wine Pourer was already a masterpiece, wasn’t it? How could he not be satisfied... Isn’t this just making things difficult for us!’

’Even for Paige...’

He stole a glance at her and saw that although her eyes were slightly lowered, her expression was relaxed, showing no signs of pressure.

’Could it be that she’s confident?’

Woody hesitated, not daring to nod, but Graham Monroe was already growing impatient.

"What, you can’t do it?"

The deliberately drawn-out words had lost their warmth, replaced by the pressure of a man in power.

A shiver went down Woody’s spine, and he instinctively blurted out, "I can, I can do it..."

"Good."

Graham Monroe waved a hand at Marcus Monroe, signaling the end of the conversation.

Outside the main hall, Paige met Woody Warren’s anxious gaze and said softly, "Master, believe in yourself. It’s no problem." The design of the previous Wine Pourer was good, but it had been rushed and wasn’t beautiful or exquisite enough. Now, with more time, she was confident she could create something better.

Only then did Woody Warren’s tense shoulders relax slightly.

Marcus Monroe, walking ahead, seemed oblivious to their interaction and simply told them to follow.

But this wasn’t the way they had come.

Paige held back for a moment but couldn’t help asking, "Master, aren’t we going back to the furniture shop to prepare?"

It was Marcus Monroe who answered her. "You will remain in the Citadel until the Wine Pourer is finished."

Woody Warren laughed heartily. "That’s great! We don’t have to worry about safety here, or about food and drink. We can focus on our work!"

’I bet you just want to use this as an excuse to freeload on their alcohol!’ Paige thought, but her mind immediately jumped to her own situation. After such a long delay, Shawn Monroe might have already been discovered. If he found out she was still here...

She scratched her head vigorously. ’What a pain!’

She wracked her brain for a solution the entire way, but by the time they arrived, she still hadn’t come up with anything.

Even if he spared her because she was still useful, he would definitely make her life difficult. Besides, the Wine Pourer would be finished eventually. If he was still angry a month from now, not only would she be in trouble, but Woody would likely be dragged into it as well.

Still, at least she had a month.

’There’s always a way out. I’ll figure something out!’

She took a deep breath and straightened her back. Before them was the place they would be living for the next month.

It was a small, isolated, self-contained courtyard.

On a workbench in the courtyard were all sorts of crafting tools, clearly brand new.

Marcus Monroe waited for them to look around before saying unhurriedly, "Make a list of everything you need as soon as possible, and I’ll have someone bring it over. Try not to go out. The guards outside the gate will ensure your safety."

"Understood. Don’t worry."

Marcus Monroe gave a solemn nod.

Watching his back disappear out the gate, Paige grabbed Woody Warren’s arm and dragged him into the house.

"Sue, what’s the hurry? Wait a minute... did you just say we could make a new Wine Pourer to make me feel better? You can’t actually do it? Oh, this is terrible! What are we going to do? Let me think, let me think..."

"Master!" she interrupted, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. "It’s not about that! I have something else to tell you."

"It’s not? Oh, oh, then I’m relieved!"

Paige’s lip twitched. Just as she was about to speak, the door was kicked open with a BANG.

Shawn Monroe stood in the doorway, his face ashen. A deep ligature mark was visible on his exposed wrist. Behind him, the courtyard guards were being restrained.