Pax put on that same false, friendly smile again and said to Cui Ciyou:
"Today, my third brother and I have a personal favor to ask of you, Duke Cui Ciyou."
"Of course, I will compensate you."
"Even if you cannot help, please consider this a gift to mark our meeting."
"A prince would hardly take back a gift he had given."
Seeing how courteous Pax was, Cui Ciyou felt puzzled.
In the original story, wasn't this guy...
The kind of scum who sent soldiers to bully people at the slightest disagreement?
And a bastard who coerced others?
His attempt to enslave Roxy in the original story completely shattered my view of him.
Why was he being so polite? Was it because of the powerful Humanfolk nation backing me?
After all, back then he had only regarded Rudeus as a talented mage.
Coming back to his senses, Cui Ciyou replied:
"Your Highness, you are far too kind."
"If there is anything I can help with, I certainly will."
"After all, Asura and the Dragon King Kingdom are fellow Humanfolk nations on friendly terms."
At that, Pax looked at Cui Ciyou with delight.
He immediately took an exquisite box from inside his luxurious formal attire.
It was made from the finest rosewood, engraved with intricate magic power circuits.
"Duke Cui Ciyou, before we discuss business..."
"Please accept this modest gift as a token of my regard."
"My third brother begged me for this gift for days, but I never gave it to him."
As Pax spoke, he slowly opened the wooden box.
The moment the box opened and Cui Ciyou saw what lay inside, his pupils abruptly contracted.
Resting quietly inside was a figurine about thirty centimeters tall.
It was so lifelike...
It could only be called perfect!
The figurine had