"What is your name?"

Three hundred young and strong slaves stood facing him. At this moment, Simon asked a somewhat thin and frail-looking boy standing in the middle.

Though the boy was lean, he was the most spirited among them. He was about 1.7 meters tall, with large eyes that kept darting around, taking in his surroundings. He looked very clever.

"Reporting to my master, my name is James Bennett." The boy replied.

At this, Thomas barked. "The person before you is the Twelfth Prince of the Eldorian Empire, His Highness the Prince of Brambleford. You should address him as ’Your Highness.’"

The term ’master’ was how slaves addressed the reavers on the grasslands. To Thomas, this was a sign of disrespect toward Simon.

James’ face showed surprise. Having been bought from the grasslands, they had travelled by sea directly to this place and had no idea where they were. Now, he exclaimed with joy. "Your Highness, this lowly slave is from Dunmere. Three years ago, when the reavers breached Dunmere City, I was captured by them."

At the same time, most of the slaves began to stir. They spoke up one after another. "Is this Brambleford? We’ve returned." "We’re finally home." "This is wonderful."

Thomas’s face turned red. The fall of Dunmere City was a humiliation that the soldiers of Brambleford could never forget. To think that these slaves before him were actually the people of the domain who had been captured by the reavers three years ago filled him with shame.

Simon also felt a flush of embarrassment. Although this was his predecessor’s fault, he now had to bear the responsibility.

Thinking quickly, he said. "After enduring countless hardships, I have finally brought my people back. Thomas, William, remove their shackles at once."

James’s eyes reddened, and tears streamed down his face. He fell to his knees, pressing his face to the ground, and clutching a handful of yellow soil, he wailed. "Father, Mother, I’ve returned. I’ve finally returned." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

The other slaves also began to weep. The sight of returning home was already enough to stir emotions, let alone after three years of enslavement and suffering.

Bjorn, who was usually silent and never disobeyed Simon’s orders, also spoke with a look of shame. "My Lord, these are all people of Brambleford. I beg Your Highness to restore their household registrations and free them from their status as slaves."

"Of course," Simon said to James. "Rise. Since you are people of Brambleford and were once free, from this day forward, I restore your freedom. I will provide you with silver and household registrations. You may each return to your hometowns."

After he finished speaking, none of the slaves moved. They looked at each other, their faces filled with confusion.

James stood up and spoke. "Your Highness, my parents were killed by reaver soldiers while helping me escape the grasslands. Now, I have no home to return to. Most of them are like me. When the reavers raided Dunmere, they slaughtered countless people. Few of us can find all our family members."

Simon fell silent for a long moment. A poor and weak nation only brings suffering to its people. Countless examples in history have proven this.

Thinking of this, he bowed and spoke. "Although the fall of Dunmere three years ago was due to the defending general abandoning the city, I also bear an inescapable responsibility. Here, I offer my apologies to all of you."

"Your Highness, this..." James and the others were stunned and quickly knelt. "How can we lowly slaves accept such a gesture from Your Highness?"

Thomas and William exchanged a glance, a strange look flashing in their eyes as they watched Simon.

Simon helped James up and spoke. "The reavers are strong and well-equipped, while Brambleford is poor and weak. The fall of Dunmere was the fault of the defending general, but the root cause is that our soldiers are not strong enough, and our horses are not sturdy enough. I have not forgotten the shame of three years ago. I am working to revitalise the domain and ensure the safety of the people going forward. At this moment, I am in need of capable individuals. Since you have nowhere to go, would you be willing to follow me and work toward a greater cause?"

James and the others, having no place to go and filled with the fervour of youth, were stirred by Simon’s impassioned words. James said. "If Your Highness does not reject me, I am willing to serve you faithfully."

Simon looked at the others. Some, like James, were filled with enthusiasm, while others seemed hesitant and worried.

He realised that not everyone was like James, who had lost both parents and had no one to rely on. He said, "Those who wish to stay with James are welcome. If anyone wishes to return home, I will not force them to stay and will provide silver for their journey."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Several voices rang out.

Simon then said to Bjorn. "Go and ask the other slaves. If they are people of Brambleford, restore their freedom. Provide them with travel expenses if needed. If they wish to stay and work in the workshops, pay them as craftsmen."

"Yes, My Lord." Bjorn nodded and headed into the workshop. At the same time, those who wanted to return home followed Bjorn.

Out of the three hundred people, about a third left, leaving around two hundred behind. They all looked at Simon, waiting for his orders.

Now that they had no home to return to, and Simon, a prince, was willing to take them in, this was an incredible stroke of luck. It was far better than suffering on the grasslands, where they could be killed at any moment.

Looking at the remaining two hundred people, Simon said. "Since you have chosen to stay, from now on, you are my people. I selected you to teach you some special skills. Starting today, you will return to Brambleford with me and live in the courtyard next to the castle. From tomorrow, I will begin instructing you in these skills."

"Yes, Your Highness." James and the others bowed and replied.

Simon nodded and had Thomas and William take them back. He wasn’t worried about whether they would be willing to become craftsmen.

Compared to their status as slaves, this was already a significant improvement. Moreover, as the status of craftsmen in Brambleford rose in the future, he believed these young men would come to take pride in their new roles.

To cultivate a group of skilled technicians, Simon had invested heavily. He had specifically purchased the neighbouring courtyard for secrecy and safety.

Once connected, this courtyard and the castle would be linked by a small alley, separated only by a gate.

After Thomas and William escorted James and the others to the courtyard, they immediately went to the military headquarters. Soon, twenty fully armed elite guards were added to the prince’s castle.

Although these two hundred people were arranged by Simon, Thomas and William increased security for his safety. If these two hundred were to rebel, it would pose a significant threat to the prince’s castle. This was just a precaution.

Simon did not object to this. He didn’t believe that a few words from him would be enough to completely subdue these young men.

Their true character would have to be observed over time. After all, in his position, he couldn’t afford to be too trusting. If they proved to be loyal and hardworking, that would be ideal.

But if they were to betray him or harm the interests of Brambleford, he would not hesitate to act. As a member of the royal family, he always remembered that he could not afford to be overly merciful.

For such mercy would not only endanger himself but also the millions of people in his domain.