In short, he was a powerful figure of high standing who wielded real authority. No wonder he had acted that way toward Ye Chuqi. But she wasn't even interested in knowing who the Barton Empire's current emperor was, so why would she care about his right-hand man?
Under the circumstances, though, she supposed she should take some interest in the man. He had come all this way, after all. Not to see her, granted, but to get a closer look at the Thousand-Leaf Sword in her hand. If she was generous, she could count that as coming for her, couldn't she?
"Oh," Ye Chuqi said, tightening her grip on the Thousand-Leaf Sword. "Lord Milforth seems more interested in the sword. But you know how important it is, so a couple of glances will have to do. If that's not enough, I suppose I could reluctantly give you a demonstration?"
She wouldn't mind letting Milforth witness the Thousand-Leaf Sword's power firsthand.
Gaines's smile deepened as he gazed at Ye Chuqi. Milforth didn't understand the situation. The moment he heard the Thousand-Leaf Sword had appeared, he had rushed over. The sword was important, of course, but after getting to know Ye Chuqi, Gaines believed the girl before him was the real treasure.
Everyone thought the Thousand-Leaf Sword left behind was the key. None of them had considered how important the girl who could unlock it might be.
She was the true treasure.
"Gaines..."
"What can I do for you, Miss Ye?"
"You're looking at me strangely. Please rein it in."
"All right..."
Gaines had originally kept the story of the Thousand-Leaf Sword a mystery, intending to reveal it to Ye Chuqi when they reached the Central Five Islands. But Milforth had lost patience and appeared out of nowhere. Some things could no