Chapter 21 : Chapter 21
Chapter 21. Inspecting the Slaves in the Manor, A Marriage Arrangement
The mages began to screen the slaves in an orderly manner. Those with magical talent were taken away by the accompanying mages and immediately began learning the basics of meditation.
Those with potential to become knights were brought to the other side by the Palace Knights, where they would learn basic swordsmanship and undergo physical conditioning.
Among the crowd, seven slaves stood out in particular—they were Professionals, currently possessing the strength of the Black Iron Realm.
William had spent a considerable sum to purchase them from the Slave Auction House. There had been no bargain or lucky find.
He gave Tos a subtle look.
Tos immediately understood. After the screening ended, he quietly approached the seven and handed them additional Cultivation Resources. In a low, solemn voice, he said, “His Highness has given orders. Your resources are to be doubled.”
The seven froze momentarily, a trace of surprise flashing across their eyes.
Then Tos changed his tone, his voice turning cold and stern.
“But His Highness also said that if you take double the resources yet still fail to keep up with the others in the future, then there will be no need to keep you. You will be melted down and reforged. Understand?”
The phrase “melted down and reforged” struck them like icy spikes, sending a chill through their bodies.
In an instant, they understood. The doubled resources were not a gift—they were a death warrant, a sign that His Highness was forcing them to give everything they had.
“Understood… we understand!”
The seven quickly bowed, gripping the resources tightly in their hands. Their eyes now carried a hint of determination.
Standing on the high platform, William watched everything unfold. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly in a nearly imperceptible smile.
Resources had to be given, but pressure had to be applied as well. If a talented person became lazy, they were less useful than someone with mediocre aptitude who was willing to fight desperately.
What he wanted were not flowers raised in a greenhouse, but wild grass that could grow madly in the harshest wastelands.
On the other side of the Training Grounds, the mage apprentices attempted to condense elements under the guidance of the mages. Meanwhile, the knight apprentices sweated heavily as they practiced under the shouts of the knights. Roars and the low murmurs of incantations intertwined, filling the air with vigorous vitality.
William turned to Tos and said, “Tell them that the first evaluation will take place in one month. The best performer will receive triple the resources.”
Tos acknowledged the order and left.
As the news spread, the atmosphere in the Training Grounds instantly erupted with excitement.
Triple resources—those four words were like a powerful stimulant, piercing deeply into every slave’s heart and igniting a light in their eyes that had never been there before.
William looked down at the surging crowd below, his gaze deep and contemplative.
He tempted them with resources, pressured them with threats, and used freedom as the ultimate bait, gradually binding these slaves to his war chariot.
After all, hope and hopelessness were two entirely different things.
William withdrew his gaze and waved toward several Instructors in the distance. They immediately jogged over and respectfully bowed.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
“Mm. Walk with me.”
William turned and walked toward the garden deeper within the manor. Tos and several Palace Knights followed closely behind, while the Instructors hurried after them, not daring to show the slightest negligence.
The garden was neatly trimmed, and moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting mottled shadows across the ground.
William stopped and glanced at the Instructors. His tone was calm, yet carried unquestionable authority.
“Remember this sentence—if loyalty is not absolute, then it is absolutely disloyal.”
He paused briefly before continuing.
“I can give you the greatest respect and the highest pay. But I have only one requirement—absolute loyalty to me.”
He looked at the Instructors.
“Starting today, establish rules for those slaves. Every day they will perform loyalty prayers. Engrave the word ‘loyalty’ into their very bones. Do you understand?”
“Understood! Understood!”
The Instructors nodded repeatedly, their faces filled with awe.
“Please rest assured, Your Highness. We will never betray your trust!”
William nodded slightly and took several contracts from his Spatial Ring before handing them over.
“Sign these. Once you do, you will officially become my people.”
The clauses on the contracts were clear. They served both as employment documents and as hidden restraints—any betrayal would bring a painful price.
The Instructors exchanged glances and accepted the pens without hesitation, signing their names on the contracts.
“Very good.” William collected the signed contracts and placed them back into the ring. “You may leave now. Carry out my orders.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
The Instructors bowed and slowly withdrew.
Tos stepped forward. “Your Highness, can these people be trusted?”
William looked at the flowers in the garden and replied calmly, “The human heart is unpredictable. But with contracts binding them and interests tying them down, they will be useful tools—at least until they find a better option.”
He turned to Tos.
“As for those slaves, prayer alone is not enough. They must understand that only by following me can they obtain what they want—freedom, dignity, and the means to survive.”
Tos nodded in acknowledgment.
A gentle breeze swept through the garden, carrying the fragrance of plants and flowers. William stood silently, his gaze deep.
Loyalty might be difficult to demand. But if they knew they dared not betray him, could not betray him, and that the price of betrayal was beyond what they could bear, that was enough.
Watching the knights and mages each performing their duties in perfect order, William nodded with satisfaction. Then he left the manor with Tos and a small group of Palace Knights, heading back toward the Royal Capital.
The City Defense Army followed behind them. Before long, the group arrived at the royal palace.
Just as he stepped through the palace gates, the Queen’s personal maid approached.
“Fourth Prince, Her Majesty the Queen requests your presence.”
William nodded and glanced at Tos.
Tos understood immediately and quietly headed toward the direction of Vivian’s Residence.
The maid acted as if she saw nothing and simply led the way respectfully.
“Your Highness, please follow me.”
William smiled faintly and followed her.
After passing through several corridors, they soon arrived at the Queen’s Residence.
Pushing open the door, William immediately saw the Queen seated gracefully on a soft couch. He stepped forward and bowed.
“Greetings, Your Majesty the Queen.”
The Queen waved her hand. “There is no need for formalities. William, you are already seven years old this year, correct?”
When William nodded, she went straight to the point.
“It is time to consider your marriage.”
William remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
The Queen continued, “I have a suitable candidate in mind. From the western region, the daughter of—”
Before she could finish, Vivian’s voice sounded from outside the door.
Vivian quickly entered the room. After greeting the Queen, she turned and asked, “Your Majesty the Queen, I have also been concerned about William’s marriage. May I ask which lord’s daughter from the western region you are referring to?”
The Queen smiled warmly. “The daughter of Marquis Tuso of the western region.”
Vivian’s heart tightened slightly. Marquis Tuso held real power in the western region—why would the Queen offer such a marriage to William without reason?
Her expression remained calm as she spoke carefully.
“Your Majesty the Queen, William is still young. Perhaps his marriage could wait—”
“He is not that young.”
The Queen interrupted her, her tone firm and unquestionable.
“The engagement can be arranged now. The wedding can take place when he comes of age.”
Vivian glanced at William. Seeing that he remained silent, she continued her polite refusal.
“But William is still young. His mind should be focused on study and cultivation. I am afraid that—”
“Precisely because he is young, we must make arrangements early.”
The Queen set down her teacup and looked directly at William.
“Marquis Tuso is a trusted minister of your father. Forming a marriage alliance with his family would benefit both you and the royal family.”
“William, what do you think?”
William finally raised his eyes to meet the Queen’s gaze, his tone calm.
“Matters of marriage should naturally follow the arrangements of Father and Mother.”
He neither accepted nor refused, simply sending the matter back to them.
A trace of surprise flashed through the Queen’s eyes, but she quickly smiled.
“It is good that you understand.”
“Vivian, I have already discussed this with His Majesty. He also believes it is feasible.”
“You may return and consider it. Give me a definite answer tomorrow.”
Vivian sighed inwardly but could only agree.
“Yes, Your Majesty the Queen.”
William bowed once more. “Then I will take my leave.”
After leaving the Queen’s Residence, Vivian took William’s hand and spoke in a low voice.
“Marquis Tuso is quite ambitious. The Queen is trying to bind you to the war chariot of the western region.”
William nodded. “I know.”
“Then what do you intend to do?”
“Father has not spoken yet.”
William looked up at his mother, his eyes carrying a steadiness far beyond his age.
“The Queen’s eagerness to arrange this engagement may not necessarily reflect Father’s intentions.”
Vivian looked at her son and sighed softly.
“You have grown up.”
The setting sun cast its final rays over the palace walls, stretching their shadows long across the ground.
Marriage within the royal family had never been a private matter. It was always a contest involving the interests of many powers.