After hanging up the communication device, Sabrina's brother, James Wornstar, called for his butler.
"Sabrina messed up. I want that butler killed, and I want his family dead by this evening as well. Coordinate with our spies within the clan and take care of it."
The butler bowed and replied, "Understood, Master."
Without wasting any time, he immediately left to carry out the order.
James slowly turned toward the window and muttered, "This will definitely increase Reynolds' suspicion of us."
Back at Ashborn Castle, Julius was bound in the clan jail while the guards interrogated him. Even after many hours of questioning and resorting to torture, Julius refused to open his mouth.
Realizing they were getting nowhere, the guards decided to inform the clan elders.
Meanwhile, Arthur remained in his room, continuing his cultivation and body-tempering practice.
A few hours later, Arthur decided to meet Julius one last time.
He headed to the clan jail and informed the officer in charge that he wished to see Julius. The jail warden was initially hesitant, but after Arthur invoked his authority as the clan heir, he had no choice but to comply. Technically, Arthur was still the clan heir as the eldest son of the family.
After entering the prison, Arthur ordered everyone else to leave them alone.
He walked to the cell where Julius was being held captive. Julius was chained to the wall with magical restraints that prevented him from using mana. However, these were only low-grade chains designed to restrain lower-stage knights.
Looking at Julius hanging against the wall, Arthur began speaking.
"I used to believe you were loyal to me. Clearly, I was wrong. I realized long ago that you had betrayed me."
Julius froze in shock and stared at Arthur with wide eyes.
"I know Sabrina is the one controlling you, and I know you've sold yourself to her. I also know that you're the one who spread rumors about me both inside and outside the clan."
Arthur paused before continuing.
"Now that you've been caught, do you really think you'll survive? Sabrina will have you killed to eliminate any future suspicion."
Hearing those words, the color drained from Julius's face.
"Young Master, please forgive me!" he pleaded. "Everything I did was on Sabrina's orders. I never wanted any of this."
Arthur sneered.
"Before Sabrina ever contacted you, you were already looking down on me and making my life difficult just to earn her favor."
"No, Young Master!" Julius shouted desperately. "They threatened my family. If I refused to do what they wanted, they would kill me and my family as well."
Arthur laughed coldly.
"Your family? I know your family. Your wife is a sadistic woman who tortured maids and abused her position within the household. There are even rumors that she murdered several maids and covered up the crimes with your help.
"And your son is even worse. He used your authority as the Ashborn Clan's butler to bully countless civilians. I've lost count of how many maids he assaulted alongside your wife.
"What a wonderful family you have."
Julius lowered his head in silence.
Everything Arthur said was more or less true. On many occasions, he had even sought Sabrina's help to cover up their crimes.
"Anyway," Arthur continued, "I didn't come here to listen to your excuses. I only came to see you one last time and say goodbye. If my guess is correct, you won't live another day."
With those words, Arthur turned and walked away.
Behind him, Julius shouted frantically.
"Master! Please forgive me! Please save me! I swear I'll be loyal from now on! Please!"
Arthur didn't even bother turning around.
After leaving the jail, Arthur looked down at his shirt.
Hidden beneath it was the same recording device he had used earlier. Their entire conversation had been recorded.
This will come in handy in the future, he thought.
Arthur quietly left the prison and returned to his room.
A few minutes later, several elders arrived at the jail. After spending half an hour there, they also departed.
Once they were gone, a prison guard quietly entered Julius's cell carrying a small bottle.
The moment Julius saw him, he realized the man had come to kill him.
He opened his mouth to scream, but before he could make a sound, the guard lunged forward, covered his mouth, and forcefully poured poison down his throat.
Within minutes, Julius stopped struggling.
His body went limp, and he died with his eyes wide open.
After confirming his death, the guard stepped outside and approached the head guard waiting nearby.
"Sir, it's done. He's dead."
The head guard nodded.
"Good work. Now I need you to die so I can pin everything on you."
The junior guard thought he misheard.
Before he could react, the head guard circulated mana through his arm and struck him with a powerful punch.
The blow sent the guard crashing back into the cell. His body slammed into the wall before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
After the guard died, the head guard stepped outside and ordered his subordinates to inform the clan leaders and elders about the deaths of Julius and the prison guard who had supposedly murdered him.
Upon hearing the news, the Senior Elder, who had been particularly vocal during the investigation, arrived with several other elders.
According to the report, a prison guard had poisoned Julius and then attempted to escape. The head guard had intercepted and killed him while trying to stop him.
The Senior Elder glanced around the scene, performed a brief inspection, and then left to report the findings to Reynolds.
After learning of Julius's death, Reynolds merely nodded and walked away.
He already knew everything that had happened and was certain that the Wornstars were behind the entire incident.
In fact, the situation had benefited him. It had confirmed his suspicions regarding several clan elders who appeared to be secretly supporting the Wornstars.
Although he ordered the elders to conduct a thorough investigation, Reynolds already knew nothing would come from it. The order was simply necessary to maintain appearances.
With that matter settled, he turned his attention to more important affairs.
When Arthur heard about Julius's death, he simply nodded and resumed his cultivation.
Meanwhile, Sabrina finally learned that Julius was dead. She let out a long sigh of relief.
At the same time, she realized just how deeply her brothers' influence had penetrated the clan. The thought sent a chill down her spine.