"We are sorry to say that we were never informed of your stay up here in the North, and wanted to welcome you warmly into our land."

"..."

"Governor... I don't like fancy talk, so please, get to the point."

"..."

The Governor sat there, stunned for a second, before nodding, and then getting straight to the point.

"I see, I've never met a noble like this before, so please accept my apologies."

"It's fine, most nobles do like fancy talk, but I'm not of the norm, so please, continue." I said, whilst waving my hand dismissively.

"I would just like to ask that you don't make trouble in this land, we are struggling enough with the slave traders as is, and we can't afford any more trouble."

"And why would you proceed immediately to think that I would make trouble for this land?"

"Uhm... Your most recent incident..."

Before he could continue, I put a stop to his words by showing the palm of my hand.

"I understand, I'm fine with anything, that is, until somebody steps onto my property."

"That's great to hear..."

I cut him off once again.

"But, what do I get in return?"

Reaching into the briefcase that he had been carrying with him, as if already prepared for this, the Governor brought out three items.

"I have three items here that I believe can satisfy you, but I must ask, please refrain from choosing more than one item."

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"That's fine by me, I'm not a particularly greedy one anyways, Governor." I emphasized the last part of the sentence, as I found the items that he had placed in front of me to be extremely peculiar.

Hearing this, the Governor seemed satisfied, and reached out to touch the first item, a bottle that was filled with a strange, ever-changing liquid, in both viscosity and color.

"This is a potion, one of great value that boosts the rate at which you can grow your stats."

"I must inform you that I don't yet have a status window, so, this would be utterly useless to me."

He nodded solemnly after hearing this information, and moved his hand onto the next item, a pair of silver, almost white, cuff links that shined with a strange, iridescent glow.

"This is an artifact, one that boosts your intelligence by a whole factor of 1."

Hearing this, I almost chose the artifact immediately, but I reprimanded myself and waited until the last item was introduced.

The Governor had been trying to study my reaction when he had introduced the artifact, but seeing my ever indifferent face, he sighed, and just moved on to the last item.

But, when I took a closer look at it, I realized something.

"This is an unknown item that has been passed down in my family for generations. It seems to be useless for me, but maybe you, a noble, can decipher its use."

Noticing the inscriptions on what looked like a cross that was imprinted on a circle that looked like a crescent moon on one side, I knew it was a divine artifact, one of the 5 pieces of the set that my sister would need as the hero in the future.

And I also knew, touching it with my bare skin would burn me into the deepest pits of hell.

Realizing this, I turned to Gwen who was standing behind me.

Seeing the look of surprise on her face amused me for a second, but then I got serious again.

"Gwen, please take the third item to the castle treasury."

"..."

"Gwen!"

"Y-yes, Young Master!"

After the initial embarrassment, she quickly returned to her usual self and professionally whisked the divine artifact away.

"May I ask why you took the third artifact, My Lord? It didn't seem like that would be the best option."

"I just chose it because I was, well curious if I might say so. The way you described the artifact, intrigued me..."

And, before he could say anything else, I continued.

"You know that this is the first time that you have addressed me the correct way, right? I could have you flogged and burned at the stake for your past transgressions."

"I know that, My Lord, however, you have been disowned, so I needed to test you first before deciding if you were worth my time."

"Those are some bold words that you are directing to the one you consider your "Lord"."

"Of course, I just wanted to see if the rumors about My Lord were true."

"May I ask, which ones?"

"The ones about you being a political prodigy, of course."

"Ah... so let that rest as it may be."

"I agree, My Lord, so excuse me whilst I take my leave now."

"Charlotte, please escort this... pretentious Governor out." I ordered, whilst smiling fully, as it had been a long time since my meddle was last tested.

Standing up, I took the initiative to shake the man's hand, as I knew that he was an interesting figure, even though he had rarely been mentioned in the novel.

"Lysander Solacine Endendyk." I said, reaching out my gloved hand.

"Rusty Highcliff, My Lord." He said, whilst shaking my hand firmly.

Releasing our hands, I watched as he bowed down to me before leaving with his back turned, whilst Charlotte escorted him.

Standing tall and firm like an old tree, I watched as he left, before relaxing and sitting back down.

After all, I knew, that man definitely was, or is a very dangerous individual.

Then, I waited in silence, as I watched Karina squirm under my sharp gaze.

She was probably incredibly perturbed now, as we were the only ones left in the room.

Well, not really, because Gwen was probably spying in on our conversation from somewhere, but I didn't mind it, as I knew that it would just be another chance to convince her that I wasn't the same man as the one in her previous regression.

"Sigh..."

After a while, I just sighed, as I knew Karina wasn't going to take the initiative anytime soon.

"You really have nothing to say to me, Sis?"