The Gray-Eyed Wizard slowly raised his head and looked at Annie. He did not rush to answer. His brows lifted as he said, "Heh, is this Miss Annie of the Pombo Family? I have to say, your words really are blunt. You do not leave anyone any dignity. I would think that after hearing you, no one would surrender, right? Cough, cough!"
Annie crossed her arms over her chest and glanced at him sideways. "Actually, my words work far better than you imagine. Before this, I had already persuaded quite a few people."
The Gray-Eyed Wizard's breathing caught slightly. A second later, he opened his mouth and said in sudden realization, "Oh, I underestimated Miss Annie's abilities and overestimated everyone else's sense of honor.
"There really are people like that. As long as they can survive—as long as they can live better—they do not care who they serve. Even if their so-called masters oppressed their fathers for decades or centuries, even if they treated them as slaves from beginning to end, it makes no difference."
"But I am not one of them." The Gray-Eyed Wizard paused, staring fixedly into Annie's eyes as he asked, "Miss Annie, I have a story. Would you like to hear it?"
Annie turned her head and faced the Gray-Eyed Wizard directly. Her expression remained blank as her gaze swept over his body. Then she enunciated each word: "No. Interest."
"..." The Gray-Eyed Wizard choked, swallowed, and refused to give up. "Since Miss Annie has no interest in hearing it, then I will keep it brief.
"There was once a little boy who lived in a mountain village rich in iron ore. Life was somewhat difficult, but it was still happy enough. The little boy thought he could go on living like that forever, but a