"Lord Velin, thank you for your help last time. It spared me from the schemes of the surrounding nobles. This is an ancient book I found in the Ansa Kingdom. I hope you'll like it." Clever took an ancient book from his breast, lifted it with Battle Qi, and sent it floating before Velin.
Velin accepted the ancient book and stared blankly at the writing on its cover.
"The Struggle Diary of Magic and Technology I"—by Silas Ansell (for private viewing).
Seeing Velin's dazed expression, Clever asked with some concern, "Lord Velin, is there a problem?"
"It's nothing." Velin came back to his senses, put the book into his Spatial Ring, and replied with a smile, "Viscount Clever, I like your gift very much."
"I'm glad you like it." Clever let out a breath of relief and spoke with a smile.
The two chatted idly about all manner of things, and a bottle of Glowing Wine was soon drained.
After calculating the timing in his heart, Clever felt the moment had come and took the initiative to say, "Lord Velin, it is rather shameful to say this, but I came here to ask you for a favor."
"Oh?" Velin set down his wineglass and looked at Clever. "So long as it is within my abilities, I would be happy to help you."
"It's like this..."
Clever recounted the conflict between himself and Count Joshua Marcus, including the reasons he had guessed at.
"Have you ever tried approaching him directly?" Velin asked.
Clever nodded and replied, "At the beginning, when Count Joshua started targeting me, I tried to seek him out and make peace. But before I could even see him, his Guardian Knight escorted me out of the camp."
"Afterward, I also asked several friends to request an audience with