Being criticized by Leonard for her ideology, Mirelle was rendered speechless. As much as she wanted to argue and deny his claim, she found herself to be stuck.
After all, she had indeed tried to impart knowledge to everyone without bias.
However, reality always proved her wrong.
The commoners whom she had taught were either coerced to join some nobility as guards or servants or they ended up dead in some random corner.
Although she had filed a case before the Mage Association regarding such an incident, it was ultimately left as a cold case.
Given the fact that the commoners never had the chance to join the Mage Association before their demise, the association wouldn't attempt to interfere in the matter.
Feeling bittersweet, Mirelle's expression seemed to have aged. Her greatest desire was for everyone to be equal and use magic for the collective well-being.
Unfortunately, not everyone was selfless like her, especially when commoners' lives were constantly on the edge by those in power.
"If I promise to assist you in forming a magic circle, can you ensure fair and equal treatment in the Aldros Imperial Academy?" Mirelle asked solemnly.
"That will be decided upon your result." Leonard didn't give an explicit answer, but rather a subtle one.
As a crown prince, each and every promise of his meant a lot. There was no way he would risk dampening the crown prince title by offering a promise that he couldn't fulfill.
He might not have transmigrated for long, but the world he experienced showed that this was a very dark and realistic world.
The ideology from Mirelle was very grand, but also very hard to succeed.
Such reformation meant changing the whole ideology implanted in the people of Aetherion.
It was a one-way ticket to damnation.
"You people of royalty always know how to use words to their advantage." Mirelle pursed her lips and said.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Indeed, it's a compliment befitting that of a Crown Prince."
As the tension inside the carriage began to surge, Curtis' voice suddenly resounded from outside.
"Crown Prince, Lady Mirelle, I'm afraid the journey has to be delayed a little." As Curtis finished his words, the carriage came to a sudden halt.
"What is it?" Leonard questioned. "It's not an assassination attempt, right? We're still in the capital if I recall correctly."
Mirelle appeared visibly confused that Leonard was joking about an assassination attempt.
'Are the rumors fabricated?' She glanced at Leonard and wondered silently. So far, throughout their conversation, she kept finding the rumors and information she learned about Leonard to be the complete opposite.
An incompetent and cowardly prince wouldn't have been so eloquent. Moreover, a cowardly prince wouldn't have been calm in the face of a crisis.
"No, Crown Prince. It's just that there seemed to be a group of slaves who escaped and the merchants are scrambling to capture them back. The road in front is currently blocked by the capital guards to prevent the slaves from fleeing far." Curtis explained the circumstances.
Naturally, the capital guards wouldn't need to explain the situation to anyone, but they recognized the carriage that Curtis was driving.
When they learned the identity of the occupant inside the carriage, the capital guards became more cautious and made sure to emphasize the need for safety.
After all, slaves running amok could potentially harm the nearby citizens.
"Slaves huh…" Leonard murmured, wondering how coincidental the incident was. This was the capital, so he refused to believe the experienced slave merchant would suddenly be so careless as to allow their precious slaves to escape from their clutches.
To the slave merchants, slaves were their main money-making tool. It was practically their income and overall wealth.
Would someone treat their wealth carelessly?
"What kind of slaves escaped and who is the slave merchant responsible for the mess?" Leonard's tone turned cold. His demeanor also changed in the blink of an eye, shocking Mirelle.
Outside the carriage, Curtis' body trembled slightly upon sensing the displeasure tone from Leonard. His eyes darted toward the capital guards, clearly signaling them to reveal everything.
The capital guards dared not conceal anything. "The slave merchant is named Gerald Beck. He specialized in slave trading of different races."
"So you're saying the escapees aren't humans?" Curtis' expression darkened.
"Yes, the escapees are elves, beastkins, and dwarves." The capital guards replied nervously. It was fine for slaves to be beastkins and elves, but the fact that even dwarves were among the slaves brings a bad light.
After all, dwarves were prominent in architecture and numerous pieces of equipment that benefited humans.
"This Gerald Beck sure is gutsy." Curtis snorted. He wasn't interested in these slaves, but he was more concerned about how Gerald Beck could cause such a mess and delay the Crown Prince's journey.
"Where is that slave merchant?" He then demanded.
"The slave merchant is currently being protected by the guards at 25th Street, 7th Avenue."
The carriage was being halted at 23rd Street, just two blocks away from the slave merchant's position.
"Have the guards bring the slave merchant over. The Crown Prince is dissatisfied with the delay already, so I'm sure you know what the outcome will be, right?" Curtis didn't explicitly say what the outcome was, but the capital guards understood the implication.
They weren't employed as guards for so long by being ignorant and foolish.
Instead, they were trained both physically and mentally.
Sometime later, Gerald Beck was escorted by the capital guards. He was dressed nicely, but his face was rather pale. It was clear that he was frightened by the news that the Crown Prince wanted to see him.
Having caused a huge mess in the capital, Gerald knew he had to bribe some of the officials to resolve the issue. However, he never anticipated that he would be intercepted by the newly appointed Crown Prince.
'How can my luck be so rotten? Why did the cage suddenly malfunction and free all my slaves?' Gerald was internally frustrated and furious by the situation.
Despite his feelings, Gerald still walked forward and bowed in extreme respect and reverence. "Certified 3-Star Slave Merchant pays his greetings to Crown Prince of Aldros."