"Father, Richard can be considered half my disciple. I hope you grant him a good city…" Lilith suddenly spoke right after Richard had finished.

Her tone was casual, yet it also showed that not even the King could pressure her.

Since she had changed the topic so abruptly, Richard thought she might be signaling the King not to ask too many questions.

"Very well," the King replied without hesitation. "I will allow him to choose from among the list of cities that have been prepared as rewards."

After saying that, the King waved to the old servant who had welcomed them earlier and had followed them into the hall.

"Sir Richard, there are five cities you may choose from. While none of them are provincial capitals, their scale is equal to such cities. Please, take a look," the old servant said.

He simply removed the seal from his ring, and light shone out, forming an energy screen that displayed images of five great cities.

One city was surrounded by forest. Another was an icy city where snow fell without end. There was a city atop a desert, one by the sea, and even one surrounded by many volcanoes, where the city's rivers mixed with flowing magma.

"Sir Richard, the tax revenue from these cities generates Nature Spirits no less than the provincial capitals. They also lie along heavily traveled routes, so they are always bustling," the old servant continued.

"Why are they all border cities?" Lilith asked, surprising Richard.

But the old servant calmly explained, "Your Highness Lilith, ever since the Monster World was formed, it was these cities that were prepared. Even to this day, they do not have official rulers—only palace representatives temporarily assigned to govern them."

After saying that, the old servant turned his gaze back to Richard.

"Sir Richard, border cities are indeed prone to conflict, but they also have their advantages. For example, the soldiers stationed there are stronger. They have all been indoctrinated to be absolutely loyal and obedient to the commands of the kingdom. Of course, in those cities, they obey the city lord. If conflicts with surrounding regions arise, the spoils of war are handed to the city's ruler. Normally, these spoils are sent to the kingdom, but since you will become the absolute ruler of one of these cities, the spoils will belong to you. This is a great benefit, one that other city lords can only dream of."

Richard nodded at those words, not seeing the idea of ruling a border city as a bad thing.

"Which city faces conflict the most often?" he asked.

"Snow Sky City," the old servant replied, pointing to the city blanketed in eternal snow.

"It borders the Ancient Ice Region. That land has no kingdoms, but many barbarian tribes who frequently raid our kingdom."

"Very well, then I will choose Snow Sky City…" Richard decided.

He didn't deliberate much over the choice.

All he wanted was a place where he could wield his strength once he arrived—so naturally, he chose the city that faced conflict most often.

"Very well…" The old servant seemed slightly surprised at Richard's decision.

After that, he took out a document written on golden parchment, wrote down the name Snow Sky City, and handed it to Richard.

"This is the King's decree. You need only show this to the soldiers in Snow Sky City. Of course, before you arrive, we will also send word to inform them that you are to be their new ruler," the old servant explained.

Richard accepted the golden decree, reading it briefly before nodding.

It was not something that could be forged, for it carried the faint aura of the royal family.

"Thank you," he said, moving the document into his Storage Artifact.

"There is no need to thank me—thank the King," the old servant replied.

However, when Richard looked toward the King, the latter shook his head.

"No need, no need. This is your rightful due. The laws of the kingdom already stipulate this reward, and you have qualified to receive it. Not even I could prevent you from obtaining it," the King said.

"Since it's settled, Richard, let's go!" Lilith spoke again.

After saying that, she took Richard's hand, pulling him forward so that his steps moved on their own.

"Your Majesty, excuse me!" Richard, of course, could not leave the palace without saying something to the King.

By now, he was keenly aware that even though Lilith seemed cordial toward her father, things might not be so simple. Perhaps there was hidden enmity between them.

Lilith's pace was even faster as she left the palace.

Naturally, Lisa only followed quietly. She had no stake in these matters. Aside from paying her respects to the King and Queen, she remained silent.

Once they reached the palace courtyard, Lilith immediately ushered them into the carriage and ordered a soldier to act as coachman.

"Where are you staying?" Lilith asked Richard.

"We rented an inn," Richard replied.

With a bit of explanation, it was easy enough for Lilith to know the way to the inn.

"I still have matters to attend to, so you'd best not wander around. You should be safe at the inn," Lilith said once they arrived.

Richard simply nodded.

"Lisa, come with me," Lilith added, startling Lisa.

"What? Where?" she asked in confusion, not expecting to be taken away while Richard was left at the inn.

"To handle some matters. It will also make you stronger," Lilith replied.

Naturally, Lisa became curious at those words.

But she also hesitated.

"Richard, will you be fine on your own at the inn?" she asked.

"What are you worried about, Sister? I'm far stronger than you," Richard replied.

He had plans to once again absorb power from the Black Heart of the Dragon Knight—of course he wanted solitude.

Lisa felt a little embarrassed at Richard's words, while Lilith merely shook her head.

"This boy is not easily suppressed. Don't worry too much," Lilith said.

Lisa unconsciously nodded.

In the end, only Richard got out of the carriage.

He even leapt straight through the window into his room at the inn.

With his current strength, it was truly easy to jump dozens of meters high.

Lilith glanced at Richard briefly through the carriage's window before instructing the coachman to drive them away.

On the other hand, Lisa grew increasingly curious about their destination, her eyes fixed on Lilith.

Unfortunately, Lilith did not seem inclined to reveal their purpose just yet.

And if she didn't want to speak, Lisa couldn't force her.

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