Chapter 577: 577:We Are The Children Of Blanks
The moment the decree settled in their minds, the room did not calm down at all, and instead the tension grew even heavier while anger began to spill out from everyone.
Sophia was the first to erupt again, and her voice rose sharply as she pointed toward the door where the Envoy had just left.
"That fucking bastard thinks we will just hand over our children like livestock?" she shouted, and her eyes burned with rage while her aura flickered violently and the air around her trembled slightly.
Rina closed her eyes for a moment, but when she opened them again, even her calm had completely broken, and her voice carried a sharp edge.
"He is not pardoning us ," she said.
"He is pressuring us."
Her fingers clenched tightly, and her breathing grew slightly uneven as she tried to control herself.
"And now they are forcing us into a corner," she added.
Lia shook her head, and tears gathered in her eyes as she looked at Ethan, and her hands trembled slightly by her side.
"How can they even say something like that?" she asked, and her voice trembled.
"They want to send them to war like it means nothing..."
Diana’s expression darkened, and she took a step forward while clenching her fists.
"If they think we will just accept this quietly, they are wrong," she said, and there was clear anger in her tone.
Selene, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke, and her voice was cold and steady.
"This is a warning," she said.
"They are testing how much we will endure."
Sophia slammed her hand against the broken pillar beside her, and dust scattered again while cracks spread further across the surface.
"I don’t give a shit what they are testing!" she snapped.
"They crossed the line!"
The entire hall felt strained, and the air itself seemed heavy as emotions clashed from every side while no one seemed willing to back down, and even the servants standing far away did not dare to move or even breathe loudly.
The situation had become completely strained.
And then a voice came from outside.
"Mother, calm down a bit. It’s not that bad."
The words were steady, and they cut through the chaos like a blade.
The discussion stopped immediately, and everyone turned toward the entrance as footsteps echoed through the hall.
A group of young figures walked in with long, confident strides, and their presence carried a calm strength that stood in contrast to the tension in the room.
Leading them were Arnold, Sally, and Christina, and behind them followed the others.
They stood tall, and their expressions were steady while their eyes remained clear and firm.
Arnold stepped forward slightly, and his gaze moved toward Ethan first before shifting to the others, and there was no hesitation in his eyes.
Sally stood beside him with her posture straight and composed, while Christina followed closely with a calm but firm gaze.
The rest of the children stood behind them, and although they were younger, there was still determination in their faces as they looked ahead without fear.
Arnold spoke again.
"Since they invited us to go to war, we should accept it," he said.
His voice was clear and steady, and it carried a quiet confidence that made the room fall silent.
The words shocked everyone.
Sophia’s expression froze for a moment, and disbelief flashed across her face.
"What did you just say?" she asked slowly, and her voice carried disbelief while her eyes stayed fixed on Arnold.
Arnold did not back down, and he looked directly at her without lowering his gaze, and his expression remained steady as if he had already made up his mind.
"We should accept it," he repeated, and his tone did not waver.
Sally stepped forward slightly and stood beside him, and her posture remained straight while her expression stayed calm and composed.
"We are not weak," she said, and her voice was firm.
"We have been trained for this."
Christina nodded in agreement, and her eyes remained clear while she followed with a steady voice.
"And we are not children who need to hide behind others," she said.
Their words carried weight and confidence, and even though the room was filled with intense gazes and rising emotions, none of them showed any hesitation or fear.
Arnold’s gaze slowly returned to Ethan, and although his voice softened just slightly, the resolve in it did not change at all.
"He thinks that we are just fodder who might die on the battlefield, so why don’t we prove it wrong," he said, and his eyes remained firm.
"We will raise our ranks with merits and make him realize his mistake."
Sophia opened her mouth as if to interrupt, and her brows tightened as she tried to speak.
"But—"
"Stop," Christina spoke before she could continue, and she stepped forward while raising her hand slightly to hold her back.
Her tone was not loud, but it carried enough authority to make Sophia pause, and for a brief moment even the tension in the room seemed to settle.
"Father, the elder children have their own field, while I am to inherit mother’s business," she said calmly, and her gaze shifted briefly toward the others.
"I am sure you have planned some things for the others. However..." she paused, and then turned her head slightly as if signaling them to speak.
One of them stepped forward immediately, and his expression carried the same determination.
"Yes, we have been cooped up for a long, father," he said, and his voice remained steady.
"It’s time for you to let us out."
Another followed right after, and his tone carried the same firm resolve.
"And don’t worry. No matter the situation, we will stand," he said.
Their voices did not shake, and their eyes did not waver as they spoke, and the confidence in their words spread across the room.
Arnold then took a final step forward, and his gaze locked onto Ethan once again while his expression remained calm but firm.
"After all, we are children of Blanks," he said, and he paused briefly as if letting the words settle.
"The mighty Ethan Blanks."
