Dian's trip continued. He didn't want to delay this matter any longer than necessary. It was bringing a financial crisis to the family.
From the financial statements he had read before, their family's revenue had reduced by a total of 40%. Five years ago, their revenue had been 290 Platinum, 17 Gold, and 50 Silver coins.
Now, it had dropped to only 176 Platinum coins. And these numbers were devastating for a big family like Dian's.
So, a loss of 11,617,500 dollars just last year, Dian thought.
And this loss was only for a single year. These problems have been going on for five years now.
---
[ Currency Conversion Reference ]
10 Bronze coins = 1 Silver
10 Silver coins = 1 Gold
100 Gold coins = 1 Platinum
1 Platinum coin = $100,000
1 Silver coin = $100
---
Everywhere they went, the situation was the same. The tenants were selling crops under their own names instead of under the Skyster family.
The punishment remained the same—if they were seen again on Skyster land, their heads would roll. But this time, there was no bloodshed.
All of them admitted their wrongdoings. Some even stood outside the castle gates, waiting for Dian's judgment.
This isn't normal, isit? Dian thought.
As if reminded of her existence, the system spoke.
"Of course it isn't, Host," her tone slightly cringy.
"Look at their faces closely."
Abiding by her suggestion, he looked. At a glance, their expressions seemed normal, but their eyes... they were filled with uncertainty—and fear?
"The news must have reached them," the system said. "About how you punished Abils. And obviously, they don't want the same fate."
Hmm… That does make sense. Dian thought, the pieces coming together. Everything was finally making sense.
They stayed at inns, sometimes camping under the starry sky. And like that, weeks passed. Dian was now on his last inspection.
---
Wait... am I forgetting something? Dian thought as the carriage made its way forward.
As nothing came to mind, he shook his head and looked outside the window.
**The Arbor Flat Town Castelet**—Dian's final destination. It was the farthest from the Main Castle, located near the dense forest that formed a natural border between the Kingdom of Rikos and the Kingdom of Elves.
---
Inside the castle—
Balios Bia, the land manager for the area, sat in his chair, gazing out the window behind him. His frame was short, with white hair, a wrinkled face, and a protruding belly.
"Once the clock strikes midnight, the time will finally come," he said, a creepy smile tugging at his lips.
Sitting in front of him, across the table, was his son, Aether Bia, who also smiled.
"Then… can I have her, Father?" he asked. His frame mirrored his father's, only younger, with grey hair and eyes dripping with lust.
Balios turned toward him, still smiling. "Of course. And you must take her tonight, at midnight. I've already prepared the room upstairs."
Aether's smile widened, and he nodded.
I don't know why Father didn't let me touch her till now. It's been months! But today he finally agreed. I want to taste her so bad! he thought.
Outside their room, deep within the castle, rang a soft whisper.
"S-someone… p-please… help me…"
A female voice—barely a whisper, cracked, and struggling—managed to spill out those simple words.
---
Outside the castle—
The carriage stopped. It *creaked* as Dian stepped off.
His eyes scanned the surroundings. No guards at the gates. People with dull eyes. No shine in them. Weak bodies working in the fields. The whole area felt… off. Creepy.
Breaking the odd atmosphere and silence, a voice chimed in.
"Mother! Look! Big brother looks rich. He'll definitely give us something to eat!"
A small child, around six years old with a thin body and blonde hair, ran toward Dian with hope shining in his innocent eyes.
Dian looked at him as the little one drew closer. His eyes softened, while rage quietly surged inside him as he saw the boy's condition.
Scattered clothes. Bruises on his face—evidence of hard labor. A malnourished, fragile body.
The child tugged on Dian's pants.
"B-big brother, you'll give us food, won't you? Me and my mother… we haven't eaten for two days now," he said, desperation thick in his voice.
His mother, working in the field, came out upon hearing her child's voice. She froze as her eyes fell on Dian.
"Maria!" she shouted, then darted toward her daughter and Dian with astonishing speed.
She pulled her back, then dropped to her knees.
"I'm sorry, young master! P-please forgive my daughter for ruining your clothes!"
Her forehead touched the ground, her body trembling in fear.
Her long, blonde hair spread over the dusty ground.
Dian's heart ached at the sight. Containing his rage, he crouched a little and gently held her shoulders, lifting her up.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Dian said softly.
"Don't worry about the clothes. What happened to you two?"
She didn't reply at first. Her mind had gone blank at the sight of him.
W-what is he...? He... is... so handsome! A blush crept onto her face.
Coming back to her senses, she stammered,
"N-no, y-young master. I must apologize for my daughter's behavio—"
She paused mid-sentence.
Her eyes had fallen on the crest embroidered on his robe.
The Skyster Family?she thought.
Her eyes then darted behind Dian—his grand carriage, its sigils, and the crest she now recognized: a silver bird in mid-flight, wings outstretched.
Her body relaxed. Her eyes filled with tears.
"Y-young l-lord?" she asked, voice shuddering.
Dian noticed her change. "Hm? Yeah. What is it?" he asked.
"Are you—"
Before she could ask further, the castle doors flung open with a loud *thud*.
A figure emerged from within.
**Aether Bia.**
Hearing the commotion outside, he had come.
The moment her eyes fell on him, she instinctively hid her daughter behind her.
"L-Lord Aether," she bowed quickly.
For the last five months, Aether had been inspecting the fields and managing the area himself. His father was... *busy*. Or so he had claimed.
Aether's gaze shifted to her, then to the handsome stranger beside her.
Tch! Who the hell is this bastard now?
That bitch—when I tried to touch her, she got me beaten by the workers! Now she's all over this guy?
His face twisted with disgust as he walked toward Dian.
"Hey, are you the one causing a commotion here?"
His tone was condescending, like a master addressing a servant. But his figure betrayed him—standing just 5'2" before Dian's towering 6'0".
Dian said nothing. He merely looked at him.
Already irritated, Aether grew angrier.
"Hey, you! Are you deaf or so—"
*BOOM!*
Before he could finish, a super-fast kick struck his face.
He went flying into the castle's door. Dust exploded around him.
The woman and her daughter stared, eyes wide in shock.
"Yay! Big brother is so strong!" Maria shouted, stepping out from behind her mother.
Seeing her smile, a strange warmth filled Dian's chest.
"Am I?" he asked, jokingly.
Their moment was shattered by a piercing voice from inside the castle.
"Who dares to touch my son!!"