After the sudden announcement by the kind-looking faction leader, all the members, let it be saints, normal clan leaders or the two women in question were completely baffled.

The faction leader's words caught everyone present in this grandiose meeting hall that sized over a kilometer in length by surprise.

Nevertheless, as one would expect, the entire hall went into disarray and many people, including the saints who sat on their respective thrones, started shouting and discussing in between like a ragtag bunch causing a ruckus in the streets.

"We refuse! Why must you make such a rushed decision, lord faction leader?!" said a 6th stage human mage saint. His facial structure matched slightly with Kassandra who was one of the candidates for the position.

"Yes! Both of them don't have any experience in leading a faction of tens of millions of people at all!" exclaimed a red demonkin 6th stage swordsman saint who sat on the opposite side of the former.

Following their rebuttal, dozens of other saints also voiced their opinions and disagreement as if their life depended on it.

SHRILL!

The next moment however, the kind-looking tigerkin released a tyrannical aura and even the air present in this hall froze as his dark red aura suppressed and forced everyone to sit back on their seats.

The blazing heat around him gave everyone a sense of dread while encapsulating their bodies under his immense pressure. Even the sixth stage saints such as Kassandra & Celine's fathers felt couldn't move an inch under this insurmountable pressure.

"Do you all really think of me as a fool who would make reckless decisions?!

Perhaps I should treat you all like how that bloodsucker Allister treats the Pureblood Faction council." said Stalin as he gave a deathly glare to everyone except the two young women.

"Apologies, lord faction leader. But it is a very sudden announcement for any of us to accept." said a fifth stage female elven saint.

"I have my reasons. Whether this competition was in question or not.. You all know that it's about time we think of the future of the faction.

Many of you already know that not just me but the other faction leaders have reached our limits as well. Even a Vampire like Allister Mor Vandereich who lived for more than two centuries is counting his days. And I'm already a hundred and fifty years old.

Already past the limit that my kin lives for. Unless I break through to the 8th stage, I will die within the next two decades.

The same applies to most of the saints present here. We all have reached our limits and soon, there won't be a firm wall left to protect us in the future. So it's about time we finally address the elephant in the room!"

"No offense, Ganesha." said Stalin to a 5-meter tall figure with an elephant head.

"None taken." said the elephant-kin and nodded.

"This is the best opportunity to create a chain of command for our future generations than trying to maintain our authority. Or else, we will be leaving our children and grandchildren defenseless for the vultures to hunt down.

Or do you have objections because of them are women?" declared and questioned the tigerkin leader as he caressed his long braided white beard.

"No, faction leader. We did not mean it like that." apologized one of the saints.

"My decision is final! Should either of them win this competition, they will become my successor. And I will personally train them how to rule until my last moment comes.

I don't want any objection! I would rather fight you all to death than crippling the future of our faction and clans." declared the leader.

No one dared to speak a word after this. They knew how stubborn and terrifying their leader was. And now that he had made up his mind, there was no going back.

At this moment, both the human mage & demonkin swordsman sixth stage saints were looking at each other with furious eyes as if they wanted to kill each other at any cost.

Both of them were the leaders of their clans and also one of the top ten strongest people in the entire empire. But they too had no choice than swallowing that decision made by their leader.

One would expect them to be happy that their daughters were a candidate for the faction leader's position but in actuality they knew what this announcement ensued.

At night, when the meeting was over and the Tigerkin & Bearkin knight were alone. The knight finally asked with eyes full of concern.

"My Lord.. I don't understand your decision. Both of the Mikealson & Armitage clan already has too much power and authority in the faction. Why give them a chance to rule?

Contrary to his previous image of a kind and thoughtful leader, Stalin scoffed off with a grin on his face.

"As if I'll let a woman become the leader of this faction I built with my own hands.

The only reason I said that was to motivate them and appear as fair and encouraging to everyone in the meeting hall.

But in reality, I wanted to shut up the Mikealson & Armitage clan.

If I sided with either of them, it would ruin my rule and unnecessary faction wars would arise.

And hence, I appeared fair and just to keep them both in check. So that none of them can complain and those who did will be hated by the entire faction and clans leaders, saying that they're hungry for power.

But whoever wins the competition will be the ruler only in the name while we will reap the rewards from the chosen territory." said Stalin in a sinister tone.

"And then, we would side with the clan that didn't win to oppress the winner's clan.

Saying that the faction should be put as first priority and then the winner & their clan would have no choice but to concede their authority over that land.

I'm certain that both of them also understood the consequences of my announcement.

Before they even made a move for my position.. I have already won the war." said Stalin and chuckled.

"Leader you're very evil." said bearkin with a pleased smile.

To his response, Stalin gazed at the bright night and the two moons shining in the sky as he spoke in an evil and greedy tone..

"In this world Being evil is a necessity."