Hiding in the alleys and buildings were hundreds of thin skeletal forms covered by nothing more than rags wit a hole for their heads and hands. So many people without a shred of meat on their body making the knights look like fat pigs compared to them.

The scene left him just as confused as he was surprised. This was the alst thing he had expected. TO him at the moment, the world was filled with excess. How could they have so little they looked like nothing but skin on skeletons.

Jonas felt his breath catch as he saw a few children that were as thin as sticks and had bruises they probably got from falling, the damage taking ages just to recover. Men and women alike with skin so tight, he could literally count every rib and find any that were broken.

He looked back towards Ash, his eyes watering at the sight. She had said she came from a tough world, born a commoner and barely survived before his father had found her talent worth the effort of saving. He did not know it was like this. They had more than enough food just on his dinner table. More so when there was a ball, most food was thrown out or given to the animals in stables and houses made to fit their frames.

How could they be so starved?

Were they not the farmers of the kingdom? Did they not tend to fields thousands of acres long and wide? How could they not get enough to eat and sustain themselves? Where would all the crops go to if not them?

“Do you understand now, Master?” she whispered low enough for only him to hear. “They have no one to protect them, no one to watch for their rights. No one to give them justice when injustice occurs.”

He could see the pain she spoke with. Her own experiences had been similar to what the people of this tiny village had to go through. She was of common birth in a massive city where they were overlooked by anyone with even a small modicum of power.

Jonas opened his mouth to speak, but found his tongue tied into knots. No matter how he tried, he found no words to say. They just wouldn’t come out. He didn’t know whether to comfort her or encourage her.

But he knew one thing without a single doubt. She would never return to such poverty as long as he lived. He would take care of his people regardless of circumstance and environment. They would never find themselves without his wide umbrella to protect them.

Or he could do what his father had done.

Finding a hidden gem within the common people would be beyond hard, but he would raise those who deserve to be given a chance at success and a better life for themselves and their families. He would give them things they could only imagine. The power to stand on the highest hierarchies, capable enough to challenge the strongest that would ever dare to attempt to harm him and themselves.

Jonas, with a resolved face came to a final determination. He would do this regardless of his image in high society. ANd if they dared to speak up, they could only blame themselves for the consequences.

Under him, Arnold began to become restless. The behemoth began to stomp impatiently like it wanted to move on. It’s reaction had every single person that was peeking out scurrying like mice back into their homes and buildings they occupied them.

Their disappearance left the wide streets of the village completely empty

“Jonas!” Raneria hollered.

He jumped in response as he was deep in thought .

She came in tow with Gregor, she probably dragged him everywhere now. “Can I ask you a question?”

Her innocent face made him cringe. He knew what was coming, he had to work hard to find an excuse to get away from it because he had no answer to give her. Or at least none that wouldn’t bring up the most uncomfortable situations.

“Oh, Raneria, hold on to it or write it somewhere. We have to go-”

She interrupted before he finished his excuse. “Why do they look so thin? Do they forget to eat all the time?”

Everyone who heard winced including the knights of the village. Of course, his BlackGuards stayed as stoic as ever.

Her question only made it clear how naive she really was. They did not teach her anything, but to be honest, he had not expected it either. How could their situation be so bad when everything he ever knew was filled with excess wasted and thrown away?

“Err…” Jonas looked around for help, but no one, not even Tedder would look him in the eye.

Finding no assistance coming, he resolved himself to his fate. “It was a mistake I intend to fix. They will eat today, we will make sure to remind them.” he looked around at the soldiers around him only to find Tedder and drill holes with his stare. “Isn't that right, Sir Tedder.”

The man shivered as he kept his head down, not willing to look Jonas in the eyes.

“We have much to speak about! Let us hurry to the manor and have a very long discussion.” Jonas turned around and left them behind not looking back to see if they followed or not.

There was hell to pay and he was determined to make sure they cashed in full-time.