Since Terence was now a Rookie, his body had become stronger than before.
He had even absorbed the Core of the Rank 4 Monster Prime Ape, giving him a boost in his physical strength.
When the first lash landed on Cristopher's body, a groan escaped his lips because Terence didn't hold back.
The place where the whip landed had torn Cristopher's shirt, showing a reddened skin at the place of contact.
Truth be told, Terence was very angry inside after seeing his Retainer choose to serve someone else.
In order to make an example to the rest of his Retainers, he planned to whip Cristopher until the chubby boy was crippled.
All the other members of the Leventis Family were also present in the room, including the Heirs and the geniuses of their family.
The lashing of the whip reverberated in the surroundings, but no one said anything. They only looked at the pitiful boy, who was clenching his fists tightly, as traces of blood appeared on his shirt.
Just as Terence was about to whip Cristopher for the thirteenth time, the doors of the Throne Room opened wide, making Terence pause his whipping.
There, Thirteen's Father, Gerald, swaggered in like he owned the place and walked toward the chubby boy, whose pitiful state made his gaze become as sharp as a hawk.
"Come, Cristopher," Gerald said. "Since you are now my son's retainer, I'm taking you out of this place. Why do you need to bow to this Branch Family? They're so not worth it, you know?"
Cristopher, who heard a familiar voice, teared up. But, he didn't raise his head because he didn't want Gerald to be punished for trying to save him.
Gerald's right hand was still in a cast, but he didn't hesitate to pick Cristopher up with his left arm, holding him securely in place.
"Well then, I'll be taking my leave," Gerald said as he turned around, carrying the chubby boy in his arms.
"Where do you think you are going?" Arthur asked. "That boy is only getting the punishment he deserves for leaving the Leventis Family."
"Shut up, Old Man," Gerald said before glaring in Arthur's direction. "This boy is Zion's retainer. Are you sure you wish to offend my son?"
"Oh?" Arthur arched an eyebrow. "Since when did you have the guts to talk back to me, Gerald?"
"Since now," Gerald replied with contempt. "What? You want a piece of me, Old Man? Let's take it outside."
After facing off against a Majin Prince, Gerald's world view had changed completely.
Back then, he thought that Monarchs and Thrones were the Gods of the World.
But after seeing how his son fearlessly faced off against Arundel, Gerald knew that he must not stand still and watch his son go to the battlefield on his own.
His face off against Arundel made him understand the difference in strength, so after meeting an existence that was stronger than a Monarch, Gerald was no longer impressed by the might of a mere Throne!
Also, even if Arthur fought him, he was certain that he would be able to survive.
It was because he now possessed a Mythical Armor of his own, made from the scales of a Rank 9 Dragon Sovereign!
Herrakon was a Rank 9 Jinn, boasting an incredibly strong body that was near impenetrable.
The only reason why it was defeated in battle was due to the fact that the Tigerkin King and the Ogre King were both using weapons made from Forneus' body parts, which had the ability to give a Rank 9 Sovereign serious injuries.
If Gerald were to face off against his Father, he was confident that he would survive as long as Arthur didn't use the Mythical Weapons that he had crafted for him.
Seeing Gerald's fearless gaze, Arthur couldn't help but frown because he could tell that the black sheep of his family wasn't the least bit scared of him.
"Leave Cristopher behind or else…" Arthur ordered.
He needed to show everyone that the dignity of the Leventis Family wouldn't be brushed off like it was nothing.
"Or else what, Arthur?" Callista, walked inside the room with a smile on her face. "Come. I want to hear what you're going to say next."
Gerald laughed internally at his old man. Of course, he wouldn't barge into the Leventis Residence unprepared.
Although he was confident that he would survive his father's tantrums, he still used his brain and went to his mother to ask for backup.
With Lady Callista on his side, Gerald could move unhindered in the Leventis Residence.
"Callista, stay out of this," Arthur stated.
"Fine," Lady Callista replied. "Gerald, I'll be living in your house from now on. I'll stay out of this place."
"Good decision, Mother," Gerald glanced at Arthur with a smug look on his face. "Let's go."
The two left without even giving Arthur a backward glance.
Terence, who was feeling aggrieved because Cristopher's punishment ended prematurely, looked at his Grandfather with a face filled with injustice.
Arthur almost roared in anger, making Terence and the other retainers of the Leventis Family cower in fright.
Michael adjusted his glasses and sighed in his heart. Everything had become a mess.
He had planned to stop Terence from killing Cristopher when the chubby boy's life was in danger.
Truth be told, he and his father, Arthur, didn't want to become Zion's enemies.
Both of them had recognized that the seven-year-old was an abnormal existence.
Due to Cristopher's firm stance, it was very easy for them to deduce that he had met Thirteen in Solterra.
Arthur stood up from his throne and walked out of the throne room, followed closely by Michael.
"Father, where do you plan to go?" Michael asked.
"I want answers," Arthur replied. "And I will get them."
A second later, both of them disappeared as they ran after Gerald, Lady Callista, and Cristopher, who were returning to their home near the base of the mountain.