The palace attendant, dressed in loose red robes trimmed with gold and with a layer of powder on his face, gave Qin Ran a fawning smile. His yellow-black teeth were clearly visible under the torchlight outside the inn.
"Milord, this is your letter of ennoblement."
After presenting the letter to Qin Ran with both hands, the attendant immediately reminded him,
"It contains recognition of your title, as well as proof of the land that belongs to you—it is a town not far from Aitandinburg, and quite a prosperous one."
"Now, all you need to do is choose a family crest."
"Will you choose one yourself?"
"Or have a specialist design one?"
"Is there a difference?"
Qin Ran asked.
"Of course there is."
"If you choose one, it will be a family crest that was once glorious in these lands. Though their houses have declined, they still deserve respect. Therefore, you will need to pay some Gold Pinton..."
"The second option. I'll design it myself."
Before the attendant could finish, Qin Ran answered decisively.
Paying Gold Pinton was impossible.
Not a single coin.
Qin Ran knew very well what Aetandin VI wanted to do.
He was happy to let the other man do it.
But that did not mean he would contribute anything more after already putting in the labor.
The foundation of a transaction was fairness, wasn't it?
As for the fief?
That was what he had earned through his labor.
The attendant flashed his yellow-black buck teeth again, though his smile was somewhat forced.
He knew Demon Hunters were a group of independent-minded people.
But he had never known Demon Hunters could be so stingy.
After all, most of his extra income as a palace attendant came from selling those former-glory "family crests" and the services of crest designers.