A Question of How

"Doesn't that mean the seven families are fighting against each other?" Arthur asked. 

"Well, yes. Just because they're called the seven families, it doesn't mean they're united or on good terms with each other. Why would wars happen, in your opinion? Each family wishes to get stronger than the others." Sier said in a helpless tone. 

"However, there's also a balance of power. That's why there hasn't been a family who was exterminated completely. They're like cockroaches, spread everywhere." Ivy snorted but Arthur disagreed on the inside. 

Even though Jizo hasn't told him the details, he knew that there were nine guardians, not seven. He suspected that the seven families were either the descendants or the followers of the seven guardians who had either betrayed the people or remained neutral. 

'What happened to Jizo's and the other guardian's followers and family?' Arthur wondered to himself. 'Were they killed or are they hiding?'