Once he was done with the Stallard Clan, Arthur headed to the Ashford Clan with Bastian and the other Elders who had pledged their allegiance in tow. By the time he was near their gates, the Elders of the family sensibly opened it for him and his people. Their intel had already told them everything that could be found out about Arthur's trip to the Stallard Clan, and they now hoped to receive the same treatment after they surrendered. "Welcome to the Ashford Clan, Sir Arthur," greeted Romulus Ashford, the new self-proclaimed Patriarch. "We have been waiting for your arrival, and we hope you can show us mercy. "It was the former patriarch's decision to attack the Leventis Family, and none of us had been willing to be a part of it. However, we know saying this will not be enough for our transgressions to be forgiven. "So, we are willing to work for the Leventis Family as your subordinates. We will do our best to show our sincerity, and we hope you will give us this chance, Sir Arthur." Arthur scoffed. "Where is Claude? Take me to him. Now." "Of course." Romulus nodded. "That traitor is currently imprisoned, and we will be more than happy to hand him and his wife over to you, Sir Arthur." Not wanting to anger the Patriarch of the Leventis Family, they all headed to the prison where they held Claude and his wife locked up. "It's time for you to pay for your sin, traitor!" Romulus shouted as soon as they arrived at Claude's prison cell. "Sir Arthur is here to decide your fate. I hope you're ready to pay for your transgressions with your life!" Claude looked at Romulus, who had always coveted his position as Patriarch. Despite their blood relation as cousins, not once had they ever been fond of each other—not even in their childhood. "Bring him out," Arthur ordered. Zion had already told him what to do, and for the sake of their family's peace, he reluctantly agreed to listen to his no-good grandson's demands. After Claude and his wife, Natasha, were both out of their cell, Arthur asked for a general assembly of all the Elders, as well as those who held a high position in the Ashford Clan. Thinking the old man only wished to make an announcement, Romulus complied and called all the Elders, as well as their high-ranking subordinates, to attend to the emergency summons. "Is everyone here?" Arthur asked. "Yes, Sir Arthur," Romulus replied. "Everyone who matters in the Ashford Clan is here right now." Even the members of the young generation, who were close to Zion's age, were also present to listen to the Monarch, who now held their lives in his hands. "First off, I have an announcement to make," Arthur said. "I will reinstate Claude Ashford as the Patriarch of the Ashford Clan." Arthur's words sounded like thunder in Romulus' ears, making him look at his cousin in disbelief. "S-Sir Arthur, why are you reinstating that traitor?" Romulus asked. "He is the one who planned everything, including the extermination of your family." It was very obvious that he was unwilling to give up the position of Patriarch, which he had long sought to acquire. Truth be told, Arthur really didn't care who would become the new leader of the Ashford Clan. What he only needed was a loyal dog who would obey his every word. Unfortunately, Zion had claimed the Ashford Clan as his own, and the young man wanted Claude to be its patriarch. Since that was the case, Arthur had no choice but to follow his grandson's arrangements and capture the people who would threaten Claude's rule. Michael had brought the elders of the Stallard Clan, including Bastian, who was more than willing to show their loyalty to their new Masters. "Everyone who is on this list will be taken under our custody," Michael declared. "Relax. As long as you cooperate, your lives will not be in any danger. We don't plan to kill anyone. But, if you really want to die, then we will be more than happy to oblige." Michael released the pressure of a Throne, making Romulus, who was about to resist being detained by Bastian, shudder uncontrollably. With the ringleaders of the Ashford Clan taken under custody, Claude couldn't help but sigh in his heart. These people had dragged him and his wife to the prison as soon as they heard the failed attempt of their Monarch to eliminate the Leventis Family. They had planned to make him the scapegoat and take the blame for everything his father had done. If not for his son, Clark, who had truly pledged his allegiance to Zion, he and his wife, Natasha, might have suffered a fate that was worse than death. "You're very lucky, Claude," Arthur said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "But remember this. You can't be lucky forever, so make sure you obey my grandson's order to the dot. Of course, you also need to obey me. Do I make myself clear?" "Yes, Sir Arthur," Claude replied. Gone was his arrogance of the past, who looked down on the Prestigious Families because a Monarch was supporting their Clan. They didn't even have a Throne, and only Champions remained. They were no longer a Monarch Clan, nor did they have the right to be even called a Prestigious Family. Claude knew that they were now just a shell of their former glory, forever to become the subordinates of the family whom they had tried to eradicate from the world. Arthur didn't hesitate to loot the entire treasury of the Ashford Clan, which he planned to bring back to the Aldebaran Continent. As for Romulus and the others, they would be sent to the Cygni Continent to redeem themselves through military merits. Although these Elders were very reluctant, they would rather fight for humanity than be labeled as criminals and be stuck in prison. With this, the glory days of the Ashford and Stallard Clans were finally over. Many families whom they had trampled in the past rejoiced after hearing this news. Many more cheered because they were the people who had been bullied by these two clans in the past. Lawrence had arrived at the territory of the Ashford Clan to meet with Arthur. The two then discussed for more than two hours on how to strengthen the alliance between the Central Government and the Leventis Family. They also discussed the plans for the Cygni Continent, where Arthur and Lawrence would head together to join the fight that would decide the fate of humanity.