Duke and Vivian walked side by side through Ironrock City's ruined, oppressive streets, quietly discussing their observations of the city.
As they passed an intersection, they heard shouts of reprimand ahead, along with the heavy dragging of chains.
A group of fierce-looking knights was escorting a line of people bound together by thick chains.
The chains were forged from Magic Metal, specifically designed to restrain wizards, though they could naturally also restrain others with extraordinary abilities.
Such chains were essentially a restriction on energy-based methods. If one's physical strength was great enough, there was still a chance of tearing them apart.
At a glance, these people's clothing was clearly far from ordinary. They had likely once been either wealthy or noble.
Being bound in chains meant they had not yet been branded with Slave Marks, which was why they were being controlled this way. That was only natural; Ironrock City had only just fallen, and much work remained unfinished.
Most of the prisoners had yet to receive Slave Marks and could only be controlled by other means.
However, not just anyone was qualified to receive a Slave Mark. At the very least, they needed a certain degree of combat ability.
On the Devourer Plane, one had to be at least an Apprentice Awakened or possess the potential to become an Awakened before qualifying for a Slave Mark.
As for ordinary people, they were imprisoned in cage-like prisons outside the city, kept in pens like livestock.
Once branded with a Slave Mark, they essentially became part of their own side's strength, so there was naturally a selection process.
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Duke's gaze swept over these people whose fates were destined to be tragic, but his heart remained largely unmoved. Such were the cruel rules of war.
However, when his eyes landed on