Cassius stopped walking, standing still in the centre of the room, his presence looming over the crowd like a shadow. His smile widened, his crimson eyes gleaming with a dangerous light.

“Don’t worry…” He said softly, his voice carrying a mockery of reassurance. “I’ll make sure this lesson is…unforgettable and will make sure you know never to think too highly of yourself again, so that you don’t lead yourself into such a situation again.”

The servants remained frozen, their fear and uncertainty now visible in the stifling silence. Whatever Cassius planned to do next, none of them doubted that it would leave its mark—and none of them wanted to be the example he spoke of.

Cassius then moved back to his seat with a relaxed, unhurried grace, settling into the chair as if nothing in the world could faze him.

His look across the room lingered briefly on the servants, who didn’t know what was going to happen next. Leaning back comfortably in his chair, he then turned his head slightly toward Lucious.

“Lucious…” Cassius said lightly, his tone as casual as if he were commenting on the weather. “How about I tell you a story?”

Lucious, who had maintained his usual calm throughout the night, momentarily blinked in surprise. His bright grey eyes lit up, and an eager smile spread across his face, a rare flash of unguarded enthusiasm.

“It would be my greatest honour to hear one, Young Master!” He bowed his head and said earnestly, his voice tinged with genuine excitement. Lucious then straightened, his curiosity clear. “But what kind of story is it, Young Master?” He asked, tilting his head slightly out of curiosity.

Cassius tapped a finger lightly against the armrest of his chair, considering the question with a faint glint of mischief in his eyes.

“Ah, a fine question.” He said like he asked the perfect question. He then let the silence linger for just a beat longer before answering. “It’s the story of a man who once worked in the mines of the Holyfield province.”

The room collectively tensed, and even Lucious’s ever-present smile faltered slightly at the mention of the Holyfield mines.

The Holyfield mining fields were known by everyone—revered and feared in equal measure. As the largest supplier of Eather, the mines were the lifeblood of the entire continent, fuelling cities, powering machinery, and sustaining entire nations.

To speak of the Holyfield mines was to invoke the essence of wealth and power, but also the harsh reality of its demands.

Lucious straightened, his expression becoming thoughtful. “A worker from the mines, you say?” He asked carefully, the thought of the location not lost on him.

Cassius nodded slowly, a faint, enigmatic smile playing on his lips. “Indeed. Not a miner but a worker who worked in those mines, surrounded by the very essence of prosperity and power…and yet, he fell.”

Lucious’s brows furrowed slightly, his intrigue deepening. “Fell?” He repeated, his voice quieter now.

Cassius leaned forward slightly, resting his elbow on the armrest and propping his chin against his hand.

“Yes.” He said softly, he said as he looked into the distance. “A man who committed sins so vile, so insidious, that they stained the very ground he worked upon.”

The room was utterly silent now, the severity of the situation making everyone present wish they had taken a sick day instead. The servants, though still rooted in fear, couldn’t help but exchange glances, their curiosity piqued despite themselves.

Even the most defiant among them couldn’t help but lean slightly forward, their ears pricked as they waited for Cassius to speak.

Cassius let the silence stretch just a moment longer, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. Finally, he leaned back in his chair, his posture as relaxed as if he were seated by a fireside instead of addressing a room full of trembling servants.

“Now that I have your attention.” He said casually while looking at the men who suddenly looked like children waiting to hear a bedtime story. “Let me begin the story.”

“But before I get to the heart of it.” He continued. “There’s something you need to understand…To appreciate this story fully, you need to know a few things about the Holyfield family.”

The name itself carried weight. It was impossible not to know the Holyfield name while residing on the continent—it was practically a legend in its own right.

“For generations…” Cassius began, his tone steady and deliberate. “The Holyfield family has been one of the most powerful families on the entire continent. We achieved long ago what other families still strive for: endless wealth, influence, and power.”

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing as he added, “So much so, in fact, that even the kings of other nations consider us their equals.”

Faint whispers were heard from the crowd. Though they tried to remain composed, it was clear that the subtle pride in those words struck a chord.

Some servants couldn’t help but glance at one another, their expressions betraying thoughts of how lucky Cassius must be to have been born into such a family.

Cassius ignored their reactions, his smile faint and unreadable as he continued.

“But…” He said, his voice softening slightly. “When you already have everything—wealth, power, influence—what else is there to strive for?”

The question hung in the air for a moment before he answered it himself.

“For the Holyfield patriarchs.” He said, his tone carrying an edge of finality. “The answer was clear: the family’s reputation.”

The murmurs stopped, the servants full attention now locked onto him.

“After achieving everything there was to achieve…” Cassius explained, his crimson gaze sweeping the room. “…the Holyfield patriarchs dedicated themselves to one goal above all others: protecting the family name.”

“The Holyfield name became more valuable than any treasure, more important than any political alliance or military victory.”

He gestured slightly with his hand, as though brushing away any doubt.

“For years, they ensured that the Holyfield name was untarnished. Never involved in corruption. Never linked to scandal. Every action was carefully calculated to maintain the family’s spotless reputation.”

“The people…” He continued, his voice quieter now. “…also began to see the Holyfields as saints— incorruptible paragons of virtue, incapable of committing any evil deed.”

The crowd nodded in agreement, showing their acknowledgement. It was true; unlike other noble families who were known for greed, corruption, and backstabbing, the Holyfield name had always been associated with dignity and righteousness.

Even the most skeptical among them couldn’t deny the family’s near-pure reputation. The Holyfields were seen as untouchable, their honour as unshakeable as the mountains themselves.

Cassius’s faint smile lingered as he continued, his tone steady and calm.

“To state a few examples of the deeds, the Holyfields have never indulged in corruption.” He said, his voice firm. “Always maintaining a neutral role in the affairs of kingdoms and empires. They never involved themselves in wars or disputes and instead focused on uplifting society.”

He let his gaze sweep the room, noting the quiet nods of agreement from the gathered servants.

“They dedicated themselves to charity.” He went on. “Built schools, hospitals, and shelters. They conducted their business with fairness, ensuring that even their rivals could never claim dishonesty.”

Several servants exchanged approving glances, talking softly.

Cassius smiled faintly as he brought up the main point he wanted to focus on and said, “And one of the most notable aspects of the Holyfields’ reputation was their commitment to their employees and workers. The family took pride in providing the best possible treatment for everyone under their care.”

This was something that the men couldn’t deny, as they were also employed by the Holyfield family and knew all the benefits that came with it.

“Even the miners who worked in the dangerous fields of the Holyfield estate were treated fairly.” Cassius said, his voice carrying a hint of pride like he were honestly impressed by the Holyfield family. “They were paid generous wages—far more than the industry standard—for the risks they endured. They were given first-class safety equipment, something no other mining operation had ever done before.”

The room seemed to brighten slightly at the mention of such generosity. The servants exchanged glances, many of them nodding in approval.

The thought of a noble family caring for its workers so deeply was unheard of, and it only cemented the Holyfields’ magnanimous image in their minds.

Cassius leaned back slightly, letting the admiration simmer for a moment before continuing.

“Other lords and families never cared if their workers lived or died.” He said, his tone carrying a note of hidden disdain. “But the Holyfields did. They valued every life in their service.”

The servants’ expressions softened as they took in his words, some even smiling faintly at the thought of working for such a family.

But then out of nowhere, without warning, Cassius’s expression changed.

His smile faded, replaced by a solemn look that sent a ripple of unease through the room.

“But unfortunately.” He said, his tone quieter now. “Even with all the safety measures in place…accidents can still happen.”

The room grew silent once more, the earlier admiration giving way to a sense of foreboding.

Cassius’s crimson eyes darkened slightly as he continued. “There was an incident a couple of years ago.” He said, his voice steady but heavy. “A mining team, equipped with the best safety gear the Holyfields could provide, met with tragedy.”

The servants leaned in slightly, their curiosity mingling with a growing dread.

“A loose ridge unexpectedly gave way.” Cassius explained, his gaze distant as if recalling the event himself. “A sudden cascade of boulders rained down, striking the miners before they even had a chance to react.”

He paused, letting his words settle over the room.

“They were killed on the spot.” He said softly, while imagining how those miners felt as they felt those boulders crushing their bodies.

The servants’ expressions grew sombre, their earlier awe replaced by sorrow as the bitterness of the tragedy sank in. The room seemed to grow colder, the oppressive silence full of unspoken grief.

Even the faintest murmurs had died out, leaving only the faint rustle of clothing as the servants shifted uncomfortably.

Lucious, standing beside his master, broke the silence with a quiet, respectful tone.

“What a tragic accident.” He said softly, bowing his head slightly. “May their souls rest in peace.”

Cassius’s gaze flicked toward Lucious, and a faint smile curled at his lips—not one of amusement, but something darker, edged with bitterness.

“Accident?” He repeated, his voice calm but carrying an undertone that sent a ripple of unease through the room. “Who said that it was an accident?”‘

Lucious blinked, taken aback by the response. His gaze darted to his master’s face, searching for clarification. “What else could it be?” He asked, his voice tinged with shock.

Cassius leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees as his expression darkened. His crimson eyes glinted coldly as he said, “You, as well as everyone else, may not know this, but it was actually murder, Lucious. Cold-blooded murder…driven by the greed of a certain individual.”

The room erupted into quiet gasps, the servants exchanging startled glances, stunned by the sudden twists that made the story only turn worse, and wondered what exactly was his objective by telling such a disturbing story to them…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep