The other Polar People also knelt down on the spot.
They knelt with their knees, their heads touching the blue stone floor beneath them.
"Lord, you can't blame Du An alone."
"We were also participants; please punish us as well. No matter the punishment, we are willing to accept it!"
Before Cao Xing could speak, the Ascalon Soldier Captain, Yaskin, also stepped forward.
He too knelt, "Respected Lord, it was my decision alone to appoint them as instructors."
"Please punish me as well!"
This sudden scene left Cao Xing and Liu Muxue dumbfounded.
And the people present, including Subject Cao Yi and Dazhuang, wore expressions of exasperation like hating iron for not becoming steel.
It seemed as though Du An and the others had done something outrageous.
However, Cao Xing, half-crying and half-laughing, said, "Why should I punish you?"
Upon hearing this, Du An hurriedly said,
"Because... we used the training ground without your permission."
"We, these lowly Polar People... actually dared to dream of possessing power, which is not allowed in this world..."
Hearing these words, Cao Xing still appeared somewhat puzzled.
At this moment, Subject Cao Yi came over and explained to Cao Xing.
After a moment, Cao Xing nodded in realization.
For this world had a clear social hierarchy.
For commoners to break free from their status and achieve social mobility was extremely difficult.
Many people's identities were predetermined at birth, and they would never have the opportunity for advancement throughout their lives.
And the physically robust yet simple-minded Polar People were always the bottom-tier laborers in any territory.
The Lords or Nobles would never allow them to obtain power.
If discovered, execution was the least of their worries.
In severe cases, the entire territory's Polar People might be executed.
Over the years, countless Polar People and commoners had died because of such circumstances.
In their view, Polar People were meant for the dirty work, and commoners were to be used by the Nobles as cannon fodder.
Such an idea was deeply rooted in their minds.
Even Assam, Hilda, and Isabell, the Clergy, were accustomed to such matters.
It was not that they lacked compassion, but the world was just , accepting this ideology from the moment of birth.
At this moment, the atmosphere on the field solidified to a peak.
Everyone dared not breathe too heavily.
Even Franciska, with her emerald-like eyes, was watching Cao Xing.
She wanted to see what decision the Lord before her would make in the face of such a situation.
Would it be total execution or just partially?
Yet Cao Xing slowly stepped forward.
The Polar People kneeling on the ground pressed their faces even closer to the floor.
Cao Xing sighed and said, "You don't need to do this."
"I know, Du An, that you went to the training ground to improve yourself, wanting to contribute more to the territory."
Polar Person Du An slowly lifted his pale face, hesitation in his eyes.
He seemed to have made a decision, then solemnly said, "Lord, I seek to improve myself partly to contribute to the territory."
"On the other hand, I indeed want to possess powerful strength!"
Dazhuang hurriedly said, "Du An, shut up!"
"Admit your mistakes properly to the Lord, maybe the merciful Lord will spare your life!"
"If you keep speaking nonsense, no one can save you!"
However, Du An shook his head and said, "No, this is my personal thought; I also want to be like those warriors, using my strength to defend the territory."
"Even when faced with danger, we don't have to just stand by in the territory!"
His voice was loud and clear!
This was Du An's heartfelt truth, words he spoke prepared to face death.
At this moment, everyone looked at the group of Polar People and sighed.
Because under normal circumstances, what Du An had uttered was destined to be fatal.
Cao Xing thought for a moment, then asked, "I see, you want to possess the power to protect yourself, is that right?"
Polar Person Du An struggled for a moment, then solemnly nodded.