Hearing Arius's aged voice, the younger generation of the De Molinos family froze in place, stunned.
For years, they had lived under the protection of the family, never having experienced the brutal realities of power struggles and conflicts.
"Changge, organize a group to take the younger family members out to visit the villages around Nezier Town under our family's protection," Arius said, shaking his head slightly as he issued the command.
Only by facing the harsh truth directly could these young ones truly grow.
On the other side, as the Ashfell family guards overheard the conversation between Arius and Simon, they began to stir.
Terror spread across their faces, and they started shouting and thrashing, desperately trying to escape their bonds.
But it was far too late to resist or flee.
"No! Don't kill me!"
"I'll serve as a slave! I swear eternal servitude to the De Molinos family…"