Adrian pointed at the black slave seal burned into the boy’s neck.

"That seal is different." Adrian said slowly. "It activates on intent. If you even plan to backstab me, the seal stops you before you swing the sword. It is because of that seal, that I can trust you way more than some random mercenary I hired off the street."

The kids stared. It was brutally cold logic, not a fairy tale about a hero saving them with the power of friendship. Just a calculated business decision that benefited both parties. Of course, they wouldn’t really have full freedom but it was much much better than being a slave under someone else.

And honestly that cold truth made them believe him.

"I know it’s messed up." Adrian rubbed the back of his neck. "Terrible foundation for a relationship, really. We are total strangers and I only bought you tonight because my daughter asked me to and I felt bad for you. You should thank her."

He walked back to the fire.

"I do not expect you to trust me yet," Adrian said. "And you can’t expect me to trust you. We are starting from zero, but I want to change that."

He gave them a small smile.

"Don’t think of this as earning your freedom and instead, think of it as a trial period. Let’s learn to trust each other and I will prove I am someone you can trust. You prove that you are good people who’d never stab me in the back. Deal?" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

The forest stayed completely silent for a long moment.

Then the scrawny boy with the burn marks slowly nodded.

"Deal," the boy mumbled.

One by one, the rest of the kids started nodding. They had no idea what the future held, but this man was the only one who had taken steps to save them. The other? They had just treated them like goods to be sold off.

Seeing the kids just nodding along, Adrian couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh.

Aria on the other hand, couldn’t help but smirk as she looked at the five unpolished diamonds in the group.

Inside the city.

Adrian looked at the massive group of kids and then turned to his crew. Claire stood there with her sword sheathed, the mercenaries were talking to each other and the three newly hired ex-bandits were awkwardly standing at the side.

He clapped his hands once, getting everyone’s attention instantly.

"Alright listen up," Adrian said. "Change of plans. All of you are going back to Oresfall without me."

Claire snapped to attention. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Adrian said as hee pointed at the fifty teenagers. "Claire. Take the mercenaries, the mage, the two knights and escort these kids back to my territory safely. Feed them on the road and get them settled. Leave the rest to Damian but do tell him about my orders. The kids need to be well fed and taken care of."

Aria looked up, her eyes going wide. She grabbed his pant and opened her mouth to complain.

Adrian did not let her start. He crouched down and looked her dead in the eye.

"You asked for this," Adrian said firmly. "You pointed at them and you asked me to save them. That makes this your responsibility."

Aria clamped her mouth shut.

"We cannot travel efficiently with fifty kids dragging behind us," Adrian explained. "We would be moving at a an extremely slow pace and it would get much more dangerous. We would eat through our supplies in days. It is not realistic, so you have to take them home. Choices come with consequences and you made the choice, so take the responsibility. I will finish my business trip alone."

Aria pouted, and she knew he was right.

’He’s trying to teach me how to be responsible for my choices, huh?’ she thought, but she gave a small nod and let go of his pants.

Claire took a step forward, looking completely stressed.

"Lord Adrian," Claire argued. "You cannot travel alone. You need someone for protection and the roads are not safe. Let the mercenaries take the kids back and I will stay by your side."

Adrian shook his head.

"I do need protection," Adrian admitted. "And you are the only person here I actually trust with my life. But these people need a leader right now. The kids are scared, the mercenaries only care about getting paid and the ex bandits are wildcards. You are my knight and in a way, you are my right hand, so you have to keep this entire circus in line until you reach Oresfall."

Claire gritted her teeth. She knew that she shouldn’t leave him unprotected, but she did not have a choice as it was a direct order.

"Understood, Lord Adrian," Claire said and turned to look at the others and spoke, "We will stay here for the night and move out in the morning."

Adrian left the group right then and there. He walked around the city for a while and then, he headed straight for the premium stables. He did not bother renting a cheap cart or a slow carriage.

He slapped ten gold coins on the stable master’s desk. That was double the price of an average horse. He bought a massive, majestic horse with a light reddish brown coat. He threw in extra silver for a premium leather saddle and travel bags.

He climbed up and began moving.

Though, the moment he left the town, a notification popped up.

[Quest Failed!]

’Ah... right, the adventure with Aria...’ he thought and sighed, ’Well, teaching her responsibility is more important than some Mithril. It’s not like I can’t get my hands on mithril in other ways.’ he thought as he continued.

Adrian rode hard. He did not stop at the neighboring territories to trade. He ignored the local black markets and slept in cheap roadside inns for a few hours a night and got right back on the road. He only stopped long enough to let the horse rest and eat.

One brutal week later. He reached the capital of the Crestwall Empire.

The city was massive with towering white stone walls. Guards in shining armor stood or patrolled everywhere and endless streams of merchant caravans poured through the massive gates.

Adrian led his horse to an expensive stable and paid for a week of premium care. Then he walked into the wealthiest district and headed into a nice looking inn. He tossed a few silver coins on the counter.