...

...

Giant Stone City, Dungeon.

"Thump, thump, thump."

Heavy footsteps echoed through the dark corridor.

The sound was slow and rhythmic.

The dungeon air was damp and cold, walls covered with moss.

The torchlight cast flickering shadows on the walls.

Deep in the dungeon, the Eldest Princess sat on the cold stone bed.

The armor she once wore was long removed, replaced by a somewhat stained linen gown.

Her hair was a bit disheveled, yet her back was still straight, eyes sharp.

Upon hearing the footsteps, the Eldest Princess stood up and quickly walked to the iron bars.

"You don’t need to try persuading me, I will never bend to Luo De."

Her voice was firm, her face full of defiance, "The Shuiyan Royal Family has never feared death..."

The words suddenly halted.

At the end of the corridor, a familiar figure appeared in the firelight, followed by a tall White Wolf.

"Long time no see, Atrey."

The deep voice echoed in the dimness.

"Uncle Ola, aren’t you..."

The Eldest Princess looked at the figure before her in disbelief, her voice quivering with shock.

After the shock passed, her tone suddenly shifted,

"It’s so great, you’re alive!"

Her eyes flashed with a glimmer of hope amidst despair.

But that glimmer only lasted for a moment.

Suddenly, she realized something, her expression froze.

The joy gradually faded from her face.

"You..."

She swallowed hard, "Did you submit to Luo De?"

"A long time ago, I’ve already lived within Luo De’s territory."

Ola did not deny it, calmly saying, "I’ve done quite a few things for him, it can be considered allegiance."

These words were like a splash of cold water, extinguishing the last hope in the Princess’s heart.

"Why?"

Her voice turned sharp, her face pale.

She gripped the iron bars tightly, her fingers whitening, "Why did you stand with him?"

Her voice was tinged with anger, "Shouldn’t you help the Shuiyan Clan?"

"How can you betray us? Betray my father?"

Ola looked expressionlessly at the somewhat hysterical Princess, spoke up, "You and your father both enjoy commanding others."

"Back then, I left Riyue City because I didn’t want to get caught up in all that chaos."

Ola asked gently, "Why can’t you let others make their own choices?"

"Because you are a key member of the Shuiyan Clan, serving your family is your innate duty!"

She said passionately, "This is the mission the bloodline has entrusted to you! This is glory! It’s an obligation!"

"This isn’t my family, Atrey."

Ola shook his head expressionlessly, "Once this was your father Agnar’s family, now it’s yours, Atrey."

"Since my father and mother passed, the Shuiyan Clan has little to do with me."

"Then, then don’t you think about the Empire, about the common people?"

She frowned, questioning, "Weren’t you always the most concerned about the common people?"

"Didn’t you say that the nobles’ duty is to protect the commoners?"

"Aren’t you just handing our people over to Luo De like this?"

"Before Luo De, you really have no right to mention the commoners."

Ola’s voice turned unusually serious, "Ever since Luo De took control, no one has starved or frozen to death in Black Pine Ridge."

"Except for those criminals who broke the law, even slaves have not died from cold or hunger."

"How is that possible?"

Her gaze filled with skepticism, "Where is there a place where people don’t die? And in a place as cold and barren as the Northern Wasteland, you must have been deceived..."

Ola extended his hand, interrupting her as he slowly spoke:

"Because Luo De never thinks about collecting taxes, he thinks about how to feed everyone."

"Luo De never thinks about how much gold is in his warehouse, he thinks about what can be exchanged for development in the territory."

"Luo De is never stingy with using grain for the common people, always focusing on territorial development."

"He might not be merciful, but he never disappoints those who work honestly."

Ola spoke each word clearly, "If it’s truly for the Empire, then you should submit to Luo De now, personally crown him."

"Then, then..."

She stammered, taking a long time before stubbornly speaking again, "This Empire should belong to the Shuiyan Clan, Luo De is not qualified!"

"Atrey, saying such things only makes you more foolish."

Ola looked at her, "This Empire doesn’t belong to anyone, Emperor Shuiyan took it from the hands of other rulers."

"There is never anything such as should, if you truly want to talk about qualifications..."

"Then whoever is stronger should be the ruler."

Ola’s words plunged her into complete silence.

The empty dungeon fell into dead silence, only her heavy breathing could be heard.

Ola knew, the profound family pride made her exceptionally stubborn.

Even knowing Ola was right, she wouldn’t easily yield.

Ola had no obsessions.

He only wanted to try, to give everyone a chance.

"Atrey, you can voluntarily sacrifice for your family’s honor."

Ola spoke solemnly, "But you can’t demand others to sacrifice for it, you cannot deny others the chance to choose."

"If you forcibly deprive others of their choice, then your so-called family honor is nothing but void."

Finished speaking, Ola bent to pat the White Wolf, slowly turned away,

"I will take care of your burial, as the last thing I do for the Shuiyan Clan."