The Old Fox and the Young Fox

The next day, Selene arrived at the manor early.

"Your Highness Charles, please get in the car."

Since learning Alvin's "identity", Selene's attitude has changed significantly.

Look, he even drives a hovercar when he goes out, and it's the latest model.

Moreover, she had changed out of her business attire yesterday and into a more alluring outfit, revealing a glimpse of smooth, bare skin. However, this didn't stir much emotion in Alvin. 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, Your Highness Charles," Selene said with a gentle smile, "This is a little secret between us."

"~"

"You can go now."

Alvin ignored her little scheme and plopped down in the back.

Selene, unfazed by the fact that she hadn't taken the ticket, gracefully bent down and sat down in front. After entering her destination, she introduced, "Your Highness Charles, today is the pre-auction event. I'll take you there now."

They soon arrived at the Fernando Auction House.

The magnificent, palace-like building truly opened Alvin's eyes to a new world.

Once inside, Selene led him directly to the second floor, knocked on one of the doors, and then respectfully opened it.

"Welcome to Nomad Port, Mr. Charles."

Inside the luxurious private room sat an elderly man with white hair and beard, whose body was heavily modified with mechanical parts.

Perhaps it's true that one's appearance reflects one's heart; this old man's face was sinister, with deep furrows between his brows and a high, straight nose.

His eyes were deep-set, like those of a vulture feeding on carrion, and his sharp gaze held a scrutinizing quality.

"Um?"

Alvin maintained his "noble" demeanor, frowning as he sized him up as well.

"Your Highness Charles, please allow me to introduce you," Selene hurriedly stepped forward, her face full of nervousness. "This is Earl Lloyd Fernando of the Fernando Family in Nomad Port."

"You bastard!" Alvin suddenly erupted in fury, slapping her across the face. "Didn't I tell you to keep it a secret?"

The sharp slap sent Selene crashing to her knees, kneeling down in utter fear and trembling. "I'm sorry, Your Highness Charles, please forgive me..."

The old man remained seated, observing the scene with great interest.

Alvin plays an arrogant and domineering nobleman. How should he deal with a servant who dares to disobey him?

The answer is simple: the more arrogant he acts, the more he can solidify his identity.

In fact, Alvin had already guessed that his identity would be revealed to the Fernando Family, but he didn't expect it to happen so quickly.

Judging from Lloyd's reaction, he was probably observing him as well.

He punched and kicked Selene, who was curled up on the ground, until she was bruised and swollen, and looked seriously injured. Lloyd finally spoke up, "Your Highness Charles, please give me some face and don't kill anyone."

"You fool who doesn't know what's good for him!"

Alvin seemed to have just caught his breath, and snorted coldly, "Since it's Earl Fernando who's pleading for you, I'll spare your life. Now get lost!"

Yes, yes...

Selene curled up and crawled out of the private room.

"You go out too, and put your things down."

Alvin waved his hand, signaling Tucker to leave first.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Tucker glanced at it, put down the iron box he was carrying, and slowly left the room.

"I hope Your Highness Charles won't mind that I'm meeting you in this way," Lloyd said with a smile, his eyes narrowed like a kind elder. "Seeing you reminds me of your father Patrick's dashing figure more than a decade ago."

Patrick

Upon hearing this, Alvin immediately became alert and sneered inwardly.

As expected of Fernando, the old fox, he planted a seed of discord without anyone noticing.

"Are you kidding me, Earl Lloyd Fernando!" Alvin paused for half a second, then his face showed a hint of anger.

He was furious, veins bulging on his forehead, his face turning blue as he roared, "Patrick is my uncle!"

My father is Julius, and I do not believe this was a slip of the tongue. You must apologize to me immediately, or I will consider it a provocation against the "Acquis" family!

Among nobles, calling someone by the wrong name is considered extremely impolite.

For a large family like the Acquis, this would be even more serious, and could even be seen as provocation or insult!

Lloyd paused slightly, then slapped his forehead in annoyance, looking like a senile old man. "Oh dear, look at my memory... I'm so sorry, Your Highness Charles, please forgive my rudeness."

"Hmph, you'd better be senile." Alvin's words were utterly disrespectful.

However, this was very much in line with the nature of a great nobleman, and this arrogant demeanor actually reassured Lloyd.

"Ah, I'm getting old," Lloyd sighed, feigning concern. "Thinking back to when I last met your father, it's been almost twenty years. I can't believe how fast time flies. And now I have the honor of seeing you again."

"Let's cut to the chase, Count Lloyd."

Alvin, feigning impatience, sat down in a chair, legs crossed. "I don't care if you know my old man or not. I'm here to sell a treasure. I heard Nomad Port can buy anything, is that true?"

"Hehe, not entirely."

The old fox was noticeably more cautious, stroking his beard and chuckling, "At least within the limits permitted by the Imperium, Your Highness Charles."

"Hmph, don't play dumb with me, Lloyd." Alvin was instantly enraged, veins bulging at his temples. "I went through so much trouble to steal this thing, don't give me any Imperium law. You and I both know that for true nobles, it's just a piece of paper!"

The more arrogant Charles became, and the more he seemed to disregard Imperium laws, the more at ease Lloyd felt. He was simply a hothead, no wonder the prestigious "Acquis" family was squeezed Holy Terra.

Lloyd sneered inwardly, but maintained a troubled expression. Finally, he sighed and said, "Alright, for your father's sake and the Acquis Family's sake, I'm willing to take a look at this item of yours."

Old fool, you're getting the benefit and then acting innocent?

Seeing Lloyd's reaction, Alvin appeared nonchalant, but inwardly he sneered.

Great, it seems the first step has been successful. Now it's time for the "big baby" to make its appearance!

He held the metal box up to Lloyd, saying proudly, "This is a treasure I specially stole from the family treasury. You'd better take a good look at it!"

Stolen from the Acquis Family vault?

Even Lloyd was startled, his eyelids twitching. "Your Highness Charles, will this turn out badly?"

"Are you afraid something will happen?" Alvin said dismissively, "Don't worry, the Acquis Family has plenty of good stuff, this is nothing."

Thinking about it that way, it makes sense. Besides, even if he were exposed, what could the Acquis Family do to him from this distance?

Thinking this through, Lloyd felt much more at ease. "Then, Your Highness Charles, what exactly is this thing?"

"An artifact that appears to be a creation of the 'Old Ones' civilization."

As Alvin spoke, he entered the password, and inside the iron box was a suit of "armor": "The Destroyer Armor. Once activated, it can automatically search for enemies, and its destructive power is no less than that of a 'Destiny-class Knight'!"

That's right, the "gift" he was going to give to Fernando was the Destroyer Armor!

Old man, I don't believe you won't take the bait!