I Became the Villainess, But My Beast Husbands Can Hear My Mind?!-Chapter 97: Judging Their Hearts (3)

First, warriors were not allowed to train freely unless Loba gave permission. This slowed down their growth.

Second, patrol schedules were unfair and exhausting, even for injured warriors.

Third, rewards were not based on skill or effort. Loba only rewarded those who obeyed him blindly.

Fourth, warriors were not allowed to question orders. If they spoke up, they could be punished.

Lastly, beastwomen were not allowed to train or become warriors, even though they could be strong too.

Because of these rules, the warriors grew weaker, and the tribe became less effective.

"These ridiculous rules..." Zeir said seriously. "I will erase all of them and replace them the moment you give me the chance to become the commander."

He looked straight at Roxanna, his eyes full of determination. He seemed to understand that Cyrus had already decided to stay behind and protect her. That meant Zeir could focus on becoming the commander without worrying about his family.

In other words, her husbands had talked about this behind her back. Roxanna didn’t know when it happened, but it seemed like they had already reached an agreement to let Zeir take the lead.

When Roxanna realized that, she finally understood why Calen hadn’t been angry at all when she told him to leave the battlefield.

Maybe that was also the main reason why Luan didn’t want to join the tournament. He probably knew he wouldn’t become Commander in the end, and as a lazy cat, he simply didn’t want to waste his time.

Roxanna couldn’t help but feel touched and amused because her husbands had secretly worked like a team behind her back.

Honestly, they had always been reliable as a group. Their usual teasing and arguing meant nothing compared to how well they worked together whenever they faced real problems.

"That’s really thoughtful, Zeir," Roxanna said warmly. "Those rules really are indeed useless."

Commander Marlow, who had been silent the whole time, finally spoke. "Do you truly believe you can change those rules?" he asked sharply. "It’s not easy to erase something that has been rooted in this tribe for years."

Zeir didn’t hesitate. "Yes," he replied firmly. "Because those rules were never made for the tribe’s survival. They were made for Loba’s control."

Commander Marlow nodded, clearly impressed by Zeir’s answer. Since Roxanna wasn’t planning to ask many questions, she finally let Zeir leave the hut.

Once Zeir was gone and only Roxanna and Commander Marlow remained inside, Marlow was the first to speak. "I think you already know who you want to choose, Leader," he said.

Roxanna pressed her lips together. "It’s not because I’m biased."

After all, the system had asked her to appoint a commander who truly had strength of body, mind, and heart. There were many strong beastkin on the battlefield, but only a few actually understood what it meant to be a leader.

"It won’t be a biased choice if someone else agrees with you," Commander Marlow said. "I’ve been watching Zeir since the first time he came here, and I can tell he’s the type who can stay calm in any situation."

"Even though he hates your evil twin sister so much, he still holds himself back and waits patiently until he gets the right chance to kill her," Marlow continued. "That patience... I don’t think I even have that much."

In other words, Commander Marlow was praising Zeir. He truly believed Zeir might become an even better commander than him.

"So... you agree with my choice?" Roxanna asked.

Commander Marlow nodded. "Yes. I completely agree."

After getting his approval, Roxanna called all the candidates back into the hut. Azul and Cyrus looked relaxed, almost as if they didn’t care much about the result.

Meanwhile, Rilik and Haka showed hopeful expressions.

Roxanna was sure that if she chose Zeir openly, people would think she was being biased. That was why she asked Commander Marlow to announce it instead.

"After discussing all of your qualities with the Leader," Commander Marlow said in a firm voice, "we have reached a final decision."

Commander Marlow looked at them one by one, as if giving them one last chance to prove themselves with their attitude alone.

Then he finally spoke again. "The position of Commander is not something given to the strongest," he said firmly. "It is given to the one who can lead. The one who can stay calm. The one who can think clearly even when everyone else is panicking."

Rilik’s eyes brightened immediately, and Haka swallowed hard. Cyrus, meanwhile, lazily leaned against the wall, as if he was listening to a story that didn’t involve him at all.

Commander Marlow continued. "We need someone who will protect this settlement, not control it. Someone who will support the warriors, not break them. Someone who understands discipline, fairness, and responsibility."

Then Marlow took a deep breath. "And after discussing with the Leader..." his voice sharpened, "we have chosen—"

Commander Marlow looked straight ahead and announced loudly, "Zeir."

Rilik’s eyes widened, as if he couldn’t believe what he had just heard. "What?!" he burst out.

Haka froze, looking shocked but not angry.

Rilik said again, "Is this because he’s the Leader’s husband?"

Roxanna was about to defend herself, but Azul spoke first. "What kind of accusation is that?" he snapped. "My wife is not someone who would make a biased decision like that. She’s a fair leader!"

Rilik frowned, clearly unimpressed. "How would you know? You haven’t even known her for that long!"

Rilik scoffed. "So now we can’t speak freely either? Just like when her twin sister led us?!"

He clenched his fists, his anger growing. "If the result is unfair, shouldn’t I be allowed to question it?"

Before anyone else could respond, Roxanna spoke first, her voice serious and calm. "I didn’t choose this important role carelessly."

Then she continued, "I chose Zeir not because he is my husband, but because he has the qualities a true leader needs."

"A leader must stay calm in every situation," Roxanna added. "Even when he doesn’t get the result he wants."