The next day, Ilia arrived at the estate early.
"Lord Charles, please get in the car."
Ever since learning of Emrys' "identity," Ilia's attitude had clearly changed a great deal.
This time, he even had a hovercar for his outing, and it was the latest model.
Moreover, she had specifically changed from yesterday's professional attire to a more alluring outfit, a glimpse of her smooth and inviting skin caught the eye, but it didn't stir much emotion in Emrys. He frowned and deliberately said, "I don't want too many people to know my identity, do you understand what I mean?"
"Please rest assured, Lord Charles." Ilia smiled gently, "This is our 'little secret'~"
"We can go now."
Emrys ignored her little ploy and plopped down in the back.
Ilia, having failed to get a rise out of him, wasn't embarrassed. She gracefully bent down and sat in the front, and after entering the destination, she introduced, "Lord Charles, today happens to be the warm-up for the auction. I'll take you there now."
Soon, they arrived at the Fernando Auction House.
The magnificent building, like a golden palace, truly opened Emrys' eyes.
Upon entering, Ilia led him directly to the second floor, knocked on one of the room doors, and then respectfully pushed the door open.
"Welcome to Wanderer's Port, Mr. Charles."
In the opulent private room sat an old man with white hair and beard, and several mechanical modifications.
Perhaps the face reflected the heart; the old man's sinister face, with several deep furrows between his brows, a high nose bridge, and deep-set eyes, resembled a carrion vulture, and his sharp gaze held a hint of scrutiny.
"Hmm?"
Emrys maintained the demeanor of a 'Great Noble,' frowning as he likewise observed him.
"Lord Charles, please allow me to introduce you." Ilia hurriedly came forward, her face full of tension, saying, "This is lord Lloyd Fernando, the Earl of the Fernando family of Wanderer's Port."
"Bastard!" Emrys suddenly exploded in rage, slapping her across the face, "Didn't I tell you to keep it a secret?"
The crisp sound of the slap sent Ilia to her knees, where she knelt in fear and trepidation, "I'm sorry, Lord Charles, please forgive me"
The old man remained seated in his chair, observing the scene with interest.
Emrys was playing the role of an arrogant and overbearing Great Noble. How should he act when faced with a subordinate who dared to defy his will?
The answer was simple: the more arrogant he appeared, the more his identity would be confirmed.
In fact, Emrys had already guessed that his identity would be revealed to the Fernando family, but he hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.
Judging by Lloyd's reaction, he was probably observing him as well.
He punched and kicked Ilia, who was cowering on the ground, until she was bruised and swollen, appearing seriously injured. Finally, Lloyd spoke, "Lord Charles, please give me some face and don't cause a death."
"You ignorant fool!"
Emrys seemed to finally let out his anger, huffing coldly, "Since Earl Fernando is interceding, I'll spare your life. Now get out!"
"Yes, yes" Ilia cowered, crawling out of the private room.
"You go out too, and put the thing down."
Emrys waved his hand, dismissing Jackal first.
"Yes, Lord."
Jackal glanced at him, then placed the iron box he was holding down, and slowly exited the room.
"I hope Lord Charles doesn't mind me meeting you in such a way." Lloyd narrowed his eyes, asking with a benevolent smile like an elder, "Seeing you reminds me involuntarily of your father Patrick's heroic bearing a decade ago."
Patrick?
Upon hearing this, Emrys immediately became alert, a cold sneer in his heart.
As expected of the old fox from Fernando, he had subtly planted a trap in his words.
"Are you joking? Earl Lloyd Fernando!" Emrys was stunned for half a second, then a look of anger appeared on his face.
He appeared furious, veins bulging on his forehead, and he angrily rebuked with a green face, "Patrick is my uncle. My father is Julius. I don't believe this is a slip of the tongue. You must apologize to me immediately, or I will consider it a provocation against the 'Aquilus' family!"
Among nobles, calling someone by the wrong name was an extremely disrespectful act.
For a prominent family like Aquilus, it was even more serious, and could even be considered a provocation or insult!
Lloyd paused slightly, then annoyedly patted his head, feigning senility, "Oh dear, look at my memory... I am truly sorry, Lord Charles, please forgive my impoliteness."
"Hmph, you'd better be senile." Emrys' words showed no hint of respect.
However, this perfectly matched the temperament of a Great Noble, and this arrogant demeanor, in Lloyd's eyes, actually put him at ease quite a bit.
"Alas, I'm getting old." Lloyd sighed dramatically, "I remember the last time I met your father was nearly twenty years ago. I didn't expect time to pass so quickly, and now I have the honor of meeting you."
"Less small talk, Earl Lloyd." Emrys feigned impatience, sitting in the chair with his legs crossed, "I don't care if you know my old man or not. I'm here to sell a treasure. I heard Wanderer's Port buys everything, is that true?"
"Heh heh, not entirely."
The old fox was clearly much more cautious, stroking his beard and smiling, "At least within the limits allowed by the Imperium, Lord Charles."
"Hmph, don't play dumb with me, Lloyd." Emrys immediately grew angry, veins bulging on his temples, "I went through great lengths and difficulties to steal this thing. Don't talk to me about Imperial laws. You and I both know that to a true noble, that stuff is just a piece of waste paper!"
The more arrogant 'Charles' was, and the more he showed disregard for Imperial law, the more at ease Lloyd became. He was simply a hothead, and it was no wonder that the esteemed 'Aquilus' family was squeezed out of Holy Terra's core decision-making circle.
Lloyd sneered inwardly, but outwardly he still appeared very troubled, finally sighing, "Alright, for the sake of your father and the Aquilus family, I am willing to take a look at your item."
old man, you're getting a good deal and still playing coy?
Watching Lloyd's reaction, Emrys remained outwardly unfazed, but inwardly he also sneered.
Very good, it seems the first step has been successful. Now it's time for the 'big treasure' to make its appearance!
He brought the metal box in front of Lloyd, saying proudly, "This is a treasure I specifically stole from the family's treasury. You must examine it carefully!"
Stolen from the Aquilus family's treasury?
Even Lloyd was startled, his eyelids twitching, "Lord Charles, this won't cause any trouble, will it?"
"Are you afraid of trouble?" Emrys said disdainfully, "Don't worry, the Aquilus family has plenty of good stuff. This thing is nothing."
Thinking about it, that was true. Besides, even if it was exposed, with such a distance, what could the Aquilus family do to him?
At this thought, Lloyd felt much more at ease, "Then, Lord Charles, what exactly is this thing?"
"A creation suspected to be from the 'Ancient Saint' civilization."
Emrys said, and after entering the password, the contents of the iron box were a 'suit of armor'.
"The Destroyer Armor. Once activated, it can automatically search for enemies, and its destructive power is no less than a 'Fate-level Knight'!"
That's right, the 'gift' he was going to give to Fernando was the Destroyer Armor!