Lear, having chosen the territory for expansion, did not linger.
Nodding to Firina as a gesture, he turned and left the hall.
In the afternoon, Wetland Lizard-man would be available for purchase, a necessary force for his expansion.
Tomorrow would be July 10th, and new intelligence would be updated, filling him with anticipation.
However, just outside the hall, Jasmine, the maid he had seen at Rose Manor driving for Firina, stopped him.
"Lord Lear, please accompany me to the side chamber; Her Highness summons you."
The other's golden hair shone like the sun, leaving a deep impression.
Was this Firina's return gift?
Lear's interest piqued, and he followed her into a smaller side chamber.
Seated, tea was brewed.
After a short wait, an elegantly poised figure gracefully entered, her auburn hair floating in the air, mysteriously enchanting.
"Lord Lear, you've waited long enough."
Lear looked at this person, admired by countless others as an earthly beauty.
"Does Your Highness have other matters to instruct?"
Firina approached and gazed at him with interest.
"Lord Lear, you're still owing me 100 gold coins... Planning to leave without saying anything?"
It's money I borrowed based on my skills... Lear justified himself with confidence.
"We're all friends here. Once I've earned from the territory expansion, I'll pay you back double."
Friends?
Firina chuckled.
"That would indeed be my honor."
After exchanging light-hearted banter, she continued without waiting for his response.
"Your choice of Mire Swamp was indeed unexpected to me."
"However, I believe it's a well-considered decision, so I'll refrain from saying much."
"Yesterday, the Blue Crystal Grass was retrieved."
Her face showed considerable gratitude as she spoke.
"It's a Magic Plant essential for my advancement... You've done me a great favor."
The item needed for advancement? No wonder the eagerness.
Only then did Lear understand.
However, the other party is already a Level 16 Grand Mage, seeking advancement? Heading towards Level 17?
A genuine genius...
"Her Highness loaned me 100 gold coins, which also greatly aided me."
"I'd say we've settled our accounts."
She obtained her advancement item, and he did as well.
What he gained was a hundred thousand times more!
Firina smiled warmly.
"Lord Lear, the account can't be settled like that."
"I took the liberty to understand your circumstances... So I specifically prepared some resources for Your Lordship."
"I hope they help you."
"Jasmine..."
With the words spoken, the golden-haired maid handed him a list, which detailed an extensive array of resources.
Food, farming tools, ironware... A total of 30 carriage loads of miscellaneous supplies.
Additionally, the main highlight—1000 gold coins in cash, two hundred sets of Lorand City's Guard Legion's standard armor, along with 100 slave artisans!
After carefully reviewing the list, Lear gave a deep look at this Lorand Rose.
This gift... was incredibly generous.
Firina noticed his gaze and flashed a smile.
"Is Lord Lear satisfied?"
Those resources were acceptable, but the most precious were the two hundred sets of armor.
Standard armor typically costs 20 gold coins a set, which would take a common person four to five years of work without eating or drinking to afford.
Two hundred sets would value at 4000 gold coins! Equivalent to 800 years of a worker's labor!
"Your Highness's kindness, I've noted it."
Hearing this, Firina blinked.
"Aren't we friends? No need to be so formal..."
Lear gazed at her for a moment, suddenly breaking into a smile.
"Then let's introduce ourselves again, Lear Els, greeting you, Firina Lorand."
Upon hearing this, the maid's expression slightly changed.
The esteemed status of Her Highness, how could an average person dare address her by name?!
Yet Firina acutely sensed the genuineness beneath those words.
Inwardly, she unexpectedly felt a sense of... honor?
Have I gone mad?
To feel honored by the acknowledgment of a fallen noble's descendant?
Such an inexplicable emotion...
But her gaze softened.
"Firina Lorand, greeting you, Lear Els."
Even she did not understand why the other exhibited such confidence.
Since yesterday, he showed no trace of fear before her.
Even while living in the Ninth District, a slum.
Yet the confidence emitting from him, inside and out, was not feigned, granting him a distinct aura and charm.
She had encountered countless excellent individuals, unlikely to feel any trivial infatuation yet looked forward intensely to his actions in the Wilderness.
Hope you'll reveal your ace, showing me what's sustaining your spirit.
Do not disappoint me.
As her thoughts wandered, Firina seemed to conjure something—her hand waved, a small exquisite wooden cage appeared in thin air.
Inside was a plump, gray insect chewing on leaves, akin to a caterpillar.
Handing the cage to Lear, her tone carried subtlety.
"Lord Lear, this is a peculiar creature I randomly acquired from an Ancient Ruin—Mire Mud Worm."
"This creature is well-suited for the swamp conditions."
"According to legend, Mire Mud Worms can prey on Giant Dragons when mature."
"However, it seems it has slumbered too long within the relic... Despite feeding it countless Magic Plants, its essence remains unrestored."
"Perhaps once it enters the swamp, it will recover."
"Mire Mud Worm... as a testament to our friendship, I give it to you."
Lear extended his hand to accept, gazing at the small-in-size worm in wonder.
That little thing could prey on Giant Dragons once mature?!
No wonder it's a Fantasy World, defying logic.
As for her mention of insufficient nourishment...
His lips curled slightly.
Swamp Divine Format, controlling all swamp life!
"Thank Her Highness for your graciousness."
As he spoke, he searched in his pocket with slight reluctance and pulled out an item, looking earnestly at her.
"Since Her Highness is so generous, I cannot be miserly... This is my most cherished possession, as a symbol of our friendship."
Firina and the maid looked, finding a skewed, whimsically designed Seven-Colored Bamboo Dragonfly in his hand.
The maid was stunned... Just this?
Her Highness gifted so much, yet you presented this trifle in return?!
Firina, however, sincerely accepted, gazing at the crooked Seven-Colored Bamboo Dragonfly, her smile like spring blooming, warming the winter sun, brightening the air, filling it with boundless grace.
Earnestly storing it, she seriously remarked.
"I've received Your Lordship's gift... It's the first time anyone has presented me with such a special gift."
With three slender, fair fingers gently placed at her brow, slightly turned skyward.
"May the Goddess be always with you."
She gazed deeply at the youth, slightly thin but exceptionally poised with profound eyes.
May you return alive from the Wilderness... My friend.
——
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