Edmund and Leonor returned to the Aschwin Mansion.

They walked together along the city’s main road with the intention of heading back there.

However, their attention was drawn to the crowd gathered in front of the Aschwin Mansion gates.

Edmund and Leonor clearly remembered there had been no crowd there before.

More and more city residents continued arriving at the scene.

Edmund could hear familiar names being mentioned among them, names like Julian, Aschwin, Oleander, and Siegfried.

"What’s happening?"

"I... don’t know," Edmund answered.

Edmund quickened his pace toward the front. The moment he asked people to move aside, the crowd immediately stepped away while staring at him.

"So the rumors were true. Viscount Edmund abandoned his family because of that woman."

"She really is beautiful, but to influence a handsome man like Edmund? She’s clearly dangerous."

"That shameless woman! How dare she steal Edmund away from us?"

Edmund heard every word and immediately narrowed his eyes, releasing a strong wave of mana from his body.

The reaction shocked them and filled them with fear.

The closer Edmund got to the mansion gates, the more his steps slowed.

His eyes widened when he saw two carriages waiting ahead, both carrying different colors and banners.

The Siegfried Family carriage was red with a lion emblem, while the Aschwin Family carriage was blue and white with crossed swords as its crest.

This is bad!

Edmund turned toward Leonor and crouched before her.

"Go find Denise. I need to speak with them."

At first, Leonor was curious and wanted to know what was happening.

However, seeing the people in front of them glaring at both her and Edmund with narrowed eyes frightened her.

In the end, she listened to Edmund and ran away from the Aschwin Mansion.

The people watched Leonor leave, but not a single one of them dared to stop her.

Now Edmund stood alone on the paved road before the Aschwin Mansion.

Five people stood in front of him from a considerable distance away.

Oleander, Clara, Marcus, and Lara wore their black-and-red dresses, the signature colors of the Siegfried Family.

The last person standing beside Marcus Siegfried... was Julian Aschwin.

Edmund walked forward firmly, his sharp gaze fixed on them.

He knew he would be blamed today, standing before his father, a Count who had perhaps already become a Marquess by now.

Not only were they standing before Edmund, but the city residents behind him were also listening.

The gates were closed, and soldiers stood guard, forcing the crowd to keep their distance from the mansion walls.

"Father," Edmund greeted him.

"You’ve surprised me, Edmund," Julian replied.

The white-haired man stepped forward firmly, stopping a significant distance away from Edmund. In his hand was a rolled document bearing the seal of a duke.

Edmund’s attention focused on the scroll, especially the duke’s seal.

It clearly proved Duke Gaelion had rewarded the Aschwins with the title of Marquess.

Officially, the Archie Territory now belonged to Marquess Aschwin, no longer Marquess Archibald.

"It seems you managed to win Duke Gaelion’s favor, Father."

"That’s not the reason I’m speaking to you right now," Julian replied while staring sharply at him.

Edmund narrowed his eyes and glanced toward Oleander and Marcus. Something was clearly wrong.

"While I was in the Capital, I heard that the Aschwin Family was suffering from internal conflict. I thought you could handle it because you’re talented and intelligent."

"I never expected... you would be the cause of that conflict," Julian said.

"There’s a reason why I have to protect her," Edmund replied firmly.

"You have the right to protect her, but your family should still come first."

"Family comes first, Edmund!" Julian shouted loudly.

Clara stared ahead with tears filling her eyes. She could not bear watching her brother being scolded by their father.

Yet her mother continued forcing Clara to hate Edmund.

Deep inside, Clara still loved her brother. No matter what happened, she still cared about Edmund.

"You threw away your family... just because of some unknown woman!"

"She’s not a noble. She’s just a commoner with no clear background, Edmund!" Julian shouted.

Edmund felt powerless. He did not want to argue with his father, especially not while his anger remained difficult to control.

Too many people were listening to this scene. Two noble families stood there watching, while hundreds of city residents listened from outside the mansion gates.

The situation was too complicated. Edmund could not reveal the real reason behind his actions.

"I did it to save all of us," Edmund answered.

"Save us from what? There’s no massive demon army invading. You think a woman like her can protect all of us?!" Julian snapped.

"Even if I explained it, none of you would understand," Edmund replied.

"But one thing is certain. I care more about this territory and everyone in it than I do about all of you. I’ve already considered every possible outcome!"

"So you already planned to drive Clara and me away?" Oleander asked.

"That... was an unforeseen event."

Julian strode forward with heavy steps. Edmund turned his face toward him and locked eyes with his father.

SLAP!

With one powerful swing, Julian slapped Edmund across the face, shocking Oleander, Clara, and Lara.

Marcus only smiled faintly, satisfaction clear on his face.

"You disappoint me, Edmund!"

It did not stop there. Julian grabbed Edmund by the collar and punched him hard in the face.

The strength behind Julian’s fist sent Edmund crashing to the ground, blood spilling from his mouth.

"Brother!" Clara cried out through tears.

"I thought you would become far better than me. Turns out I was wrong."

"You’re worse. You are the worst descendant of the Aschwin Family, Edmund!" Julian declared bitterly.

Many people outside the gates sympathized with Edmund and felt sorry for him.

After all, he had governed the city well, maintained public safety and food stability, and guaranteed the merchants’ security.

What he had done might have been unforgivable, but many still believed Julian should not have punished Edmund so harshly.

Edmund slowly stood back up. His eyes stared sharply ahead, a bruise forming on his right lip while blood dripped down.

"I understand this city better than anyone. I protected my family in my own way."

"If you truly hate it that much, then I’ll leave," Edmund declared.

"Leave?" Oleander asked in confusion.

Edmund raised his hand and untied the fur cloak he wore, dropping it onto the ground beside him.

Not only that, he also removed the sword his father had given him and carefully placed it on the ground.

"Edmund? What are you doing?" Oleander asked in shock.

Finally, Edmund removed the Aschwin noble pin from his shirt. He stepped closer to Julian and handed the pin to him.

Edmund placed the pin and his right hand against his father’s chest, his eyes glistening with tears as he stared at Julian’s face.

Julian was visibly confused. At first, he only intended to scold and punish Edmund so he would come to his senses and stay away from Leonor.

However, something had happened far beyond what Julian imagined.

"EDMUND?!" Oleander screamed.

"What are you doing?!"

Lara and Marcus stared in shock with widened eyes. They understood exactly what Edmund was doing.

The symbolic act of removing his cloak, disarming himself, and finally taking off his noble pin.

"No way..." Lara whispered.

"I love you, Father, Mother, Clara," Edmund said quietly.

"Maybe... the way I tried protecting all of you was wrong as long as I remained a noble."

"You might be right, Father. Maybe I’d be better off as a commoner," Edmund continued.

"Wait, Edmund!" Julian shouted.

Edmund removed his hand from Julian’s chest, turned around, and walked firmly toward the mansion gates.

Julian stood frozen in shock, his hands trembling as he watched Edmund return the noble pin.

Not only was he about to lose his heir, but he was also about to lose his best son.

Julian clearly was not prepared for that. He did not want Edmund leaving the Aschwin Mansion.

Oleander cried loudly, and Clara cried even harder. She broke free from Lara’s grip and ran toward her older brother, who had recklessly abandoned his noble status.

"BROTHER!" Clara screamed.

Edmund turned and saw Clara hugging him tightly from the side. The girl cried loudly, begging Edmund to cancel his decision.

They might be separated by where they lived, but Clara clearly did not want to be separated by status.

However, Edmund was not an ordinary man who could be persuaded so easily.

What he decided now was the best possible consequence for the chain of cause and effect.

If he remained a noble, many people would end up hurt.

"Take care of yourself, Clara. Always remember to eat. You always forget to eat."

"I don’t want us to separate!" Clara cried.

The Aschwin Mansion gates opened, and the gathered crowd showed expressions of sorrow.

Some were shocked, others panicked, while a few looked satisfied with the situation.

"The son of a Marquess abandoning his noble status? This is insane!"

"What’s Edmund going to do now? He’ll completely become a commoner."

Edmund’s steps stopped when he saw Sebastian emerge from the crowd, still dressed in his black suit. He walked toward Edmund.

"I’ll accompany you, Edmund."

"There’s no need, Sebastian. Stay here and help my father."

"You are my master. I already swore loyalty to always stand beside you," Sebastian replied. "Even if it costs me my own status."

Edmund smiled faintly. "Thank you. I truly appreciate your decision, Sebastian."