The crowd remained visibly dissatisfied with the uncertainty on their leader's face. While they held back from launching an outright riot, their resentment was palpable as they lost faith in his long term strategy.
"You claim your sole intention is to protect us," a spellcaster from District Four challenged, stepping out from the front rank. "Yet under the guise of offering safety, your orders have already cost twenty of our mages their lives!"
Yogev recognized the inevitable sting of their rejection; he had risked their lives in a desperate gamble, and fixing damaged trust was an uphill battle when casualties were involved. He was already carrying the weight of so many fallen souls, a reality that continually tied his name to bloodshed.
"As your leader, I am exhausting every resource to secure your survival," Yogev countered, forcing his voice to remain steady.
