Blood Sword

"Thank you for your esteem, Your Excellency."

Gilan rose from the sofa and bowed once more to the red-haired man.

"No need to thank me." Caesar waved a hand. "It is because of your own exceptional abilities that you deserve to be valued by the Empire."

"Besides this matter, there is also a reward."

The young man with crimson curls smiled slightly, raised his eyes to Gilan, and asked gently:

"The ministerial meeting at the Four Directions Palace originally discussed awarding you a medal, but I felt that held no practical significance—just empty formalities..."

"You are already a Cross Knight laden with honors, and you have received no small number of medals and decorations. Besides..."

Caesar turned and glanced at the elderly white-haired gentleman beside him.

"As Pala's student, you specialize in mystical alchemy. What you pursue should be truth and power; such worldly honors are insufficient to recognize your contributions to the Empire."

"So, I prepared this for you."

With that, Caesar rose from the sofa.

He gently raised an arm.

A small wooden box suddenly appeared in his palm.

Gilan looked puzzled, but he did not ask any questions. After offering his thanks, he accepted the wooden box with both hands.

"Open it and have a look." Caesar smiled.

At that, Gilan slowly unclasped the ornate silver-plated latch and opened the antique wooden box in his hands.

Click.

Inside was a recess lined with red silk, with a white stone card placed in the middle.

A round red crystal was set into the center of the card. Through spiritual vision, he could faintly make out the image of a scale.

Gilan's eyes widened in surprise.

He recognized the item.

When he had previously traveled as an envoy to the Fosaka Kingdom, he had received one among the many