Renato knew perfectly well that Gaska had recounted those past events with such solemn care for neither idle conversation nor bragging.
From the magical gun emplacements on the fortress to the Governor's own feat of slaying a dragon, every detail had demonstrated the Governor's Mansion's power and influence.
Renato felt no particular aversion to this; he even vaguely approved. Knowing each other's strength before negotiations could reduce strategic miscalculations and spare their subsequent probing some needless bloodshed.
After all, only when both sides were evenly matched could they truly negotiate as equals.
After they entered the Governor's Mansion, two fully armed noble retainers in enchanted plate armor stepped forward, the runes on their armor glowing faintly blue in the candlelight.
Expressionless and businesslike, they barred Selina and Barnaby, who had followed behind Renato, and ordered them to wait in the ground-floor hall in a tone that brooked no argument.
Confronted by the two men blocking her path, the Sea Elf, who had only just been frightened by the dragon's head, nearly reached for her sword hilt.
Renato had to stop and soothe the Sea Elf, who looked ready for battle, quietly telling her not to act rashly and to wait here for a little while.
Then, guided by Gaska, he headed up the spiral express staircase with the Accountant.
The staircase was narrow and steep, with no landings at the intermediate floors. It was clearly a shortcut reserved for the Governor when attending to official affairs. Their footsteps echoed between the stone walls, and the higher they climbed, the quieter it became.
At last, the two reached the reception room on the fourth floor.
The reception room was breathtakingly sumptuous. Expensive incense drifted slowly from a silver burner shaped like a sea beast, while whale-fat candles burned quietly, all attesting