The hour moved quickly. Kain sent the children back to the space, allowing them to continue doing their own explorations. He felt as though he had been trampled when he heard that Dominic could see everything outside.

He decided the inspirational speech he prepared wasn’t necessary.

Amelia saw his sullen face and couldn’t help laughing.

"Stole your thunder, huh?" she joked.

"Don’t talk about it," he said, then walked briskly into the cool air.

Amelia shook her head as she watched him walk away. She turned to look at the mass of water and the mountains. She could imagine the trouble that was to come.

Kain sat on a high stool near the intercom, ready to address the people.

He pressed the intercom and spoke. "Hello, everyone. My name is Kain Nightfall. I can imagine many of you are confused."

He pressed a button on the remote in his hand. It showed the state of the outside world

"What you are currently seeing is the world as it currently is. As far as the eye can see, there is only water. Even Floor One is submerged in water. Thankfully, I had previously done some construction work. It is currently preventing the water from entering Floor One.

If there is anyone who wishes to leave, I will not refuse. Your way out is through the gate. I will ensure you can get through the gate. As for being able to swim to the surface and how you will survive afterwards, that is not my concern."

He paused. He watched them look around. He saw those who wanted to leave but couldn’t. Those who stayed because of their greedy ideas and those who are looking to live a good life at his expense.

He continued. "For those who wish to stay, know that staying means you are willing to adhere to the strict rules of the Nightfall Faction.

Currently, we are in a settling-in period. I will give everyone three days to adjust. During this time, I expect to have everyone’s names and the tasks they wish to do. No one is allowed to idle their days away. Not even the children.

Having time for appropriate rest is fine. I will also hold myself to the same standard."

"I will ask that everyone send a list of their names and the things they are good at. This way, we can decide who is fit for what position. I will also give everyone three minutes to decide whether they want to stay.

If everyone decides to stay, I will have them recite an oath. It is a promise to both yourself and Nightfall."

Kain didn’t put much stock in the oaths and promises of others. He knew that people would lie and cheat their way out of anything. But he, himself, made a promise to his children, and he intends to keep it.

He told them he would have the people staying promise to protect them.

When he needed them to make the oath, he would take the children out of the space and have them listen.

"Your three minutes begin now."

He turned off the intercom. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"You really plan to let them say an oath?" she asked, brow raised.

"Who asked me to be a good father?" Sighing exaggeratedly, he ploped down beside her.

"And the three minutes?"

"Maybe some fool is willing to swim for it." He shrugged.

Two minutes and thirty seconds. The children appeared before him.

"Ready to hear their promise?"

The children nodded. The TV screen lit up with the faces of the people on Floor One.

"So glad no one decided to go for a swim," he drawled. "Since you have all decided to stay, men, women, and children must all say this oath. When I say ’state your name’, please use your legal name. Those who refuse to say it will be promptly ejected."

"Repeat after me, ’I, state your name, pledge in the presence of the Nightfall clan, to maintain the stability and peace of the Nightfall Faction. I will prevent chaos, murder, and violence towards its members. I will protect all men, women, and children of Nightfall, especially protecting the safety of the Nightfall children.

I will guard the secrets of Nightfall from all outside threats. I swear I will not intentionally attack the members of Nightfall. I will not sabotage Nightfall in any way that causes immediate catastrophic harm.

If I break this oath, I accept the fate of becoming an outsider, the crushing weight of all the sins of the people I have harmed, and the obliteration of my body and soul."

The children watched as the people on Floor One repeated every word. Their little faces were filled with joy when they heard the people promise.

Kain smiled, watching their excitement. He didn’t believe any of the things he said, and he doubted anyone in that room believed. Yet, to continue to stay, they listened to every word and repeated it. Even forcing their own children to repeat it.

When the last syllable was uttered, the system chimed.

[The host has kept his promise to his children. As a reward for keeping your promise, the oaths uttered have taken effect.]

[The system has detected a flawed oath. Unfortunately, the oath is binding and cannot be changed. The host should continue to strive to protect his children.]

As if shocked by lightning, Kain’s relaxed posture went rigid. He ground his teeth, seething. If he had known there was such a thing, he wouldn’t have had them say a half-assed oath.

His eyes darted to the children; they were watching him. He immediately relaxed his posture and pretended everything was fine.

"So, what do you think? Can they protect you now?"

They nodded.

"Alright, just remember, just because they protect you, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t protect yourself." He pointed to the other children on the screen. "And now you have playmates. You’ve been staying in your rooms too often."

Kain placed a finger on his lips as soon as he saw them open their mouths. They did the action.

"Friends are a good thing. Try it once. If it doesn’t work, then we’ll forget about it."

They nodded reluctantly. He ushered them to their room. Their actual rooms, not the rooms in the nurturing station.

He turned to Amelia, "I think we either have a big problem or we’ve resolved one."

A scream from Floor One cut the conversation short. Amelia and Kain turned to see what was happening.