"Tell me, do you know what happens to a martial artist who consumes food with no nutritional value for a long time?" Matthew grabbed Errol off the ground, his intense gaze piercing through him as he asked each word deliberately.
His voice, enhanced by his power, boomed like thunder, causing Errol to tremble uncontrollably.
"Mr. Summit Warden, I… I had no choice," Errol stammered, his pale face twisting into a bitter smile. He no longer cared about the children's reactions and spoke openly. "Do you know where Dewsbury Martial League's main funding comes from each year, sir?"
"From the families?" Matthew asked, already sensing the answer from what he had just witnessed.
"Exactly. If I don't prioritize the families' children with resources, the commoners' children wouldn't even get to eat meat. If the families withdraw their financial support, the Dewsbury Martial League will collapse entirely. Then these kids—these commoners—would have even less."
A look of bitter resignation crossed Errol's face as he continued, his tone somber. "I don't want it to be like this, but I have no choice. The higher-ups are facing financial strains as well. Plus, we aren't even within Cathay's borders, making it even harder. Do you think I want this injustice? I know I'm in the wrong. Punish me however you see fit, but right now, the Martial League is surviving only through the wealth of these powerful families."
Errol bowed deeply before Matthew, his words filled with remorse. When he first joined the Martial League, he had hoped to change things, to create a better world. But the harsh reality had beaten him down, showing him that those who didn't follow the established rules would be destroyed, leaving nothing behind.
Matthew considered Errol for a moment, then spoke with a calm authority, "Errol Hervey, as vice president of the Dewsbury Martial League, you've colluded with powerful families, leading to an uneven distribution of resources. Today, as Summit Warden, I sentence you to forfeit three years' salary. You will continue to manage the League under probation, and you will work to redeem yourself through your actions."
Errol, who had been standing before Matthew, pale and trembling, froze in disbelief. After confirming he hadn't misheard, he bowed deeply again and said in a loud, clear voice, "I understand! I will not fail your trust, Mr. Summit Warden. I will atone for my wrongdoings!"
Matthew turned to the children, who were now divided into two distinct groups—the rich and the poor.
"Today forward, all pills and resources will be distributed based on rankings and performance. The previous system, where resources were handed out regardless of effort, will no longer exist."
The commoner children's faces lit up with joy at Matthew's words. One small boy, noticeably shorter than the others, stepped forward and asked, "Sir, does that mean we won't have to eat just spinach and potatoes for every meal anymore?"
Practicing martial arts required immense physical strength and energy. But surviving on nothing but vegetables had left the kids too weak to properly train. To avoid burning through the little food they had during intense workouts, they'd often eat until they were uncomfortably full, just to make it through. The scrawny boy earlier had fainted from the combination of overeating and malnutrition.
Matthew smiled softly at the children and said, "Yes, from now on, every one of you will be able to eat meat. If anyone tries to stop you from getting your fair share, come to me."
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