Before meeting with the High Lord, Rex set some expectations in mind.

Mostly, he had expected to meet someone like Sebrof. Someone with a bearing. Despite all his failures, there was no doubt that he was an adequate leader, capable of bearing mankind’s burden. Many agreed, as he still retained his position until this moment.

And seeing how he could admit his wrong and develop a relationship with the Clarentium Empire, Rex has a sliver of respect towards him.

Someone who can induce respect in others. That’s what Rex was expecting.

But the High Lord isn’t exactly like that.

“High Lord Rashal,” Vadyn touched the crest on her chest and saluted. “I’ve brought the visitor.”

Rex stood a few steps behind and observed the supposed High Lord.

Contrary to his expectations, High Lord Rashal is young. Very young. In the Mortal Realm’s standard, he must be around the late twenties. He was sitting behind a long, rectangular table, with the scenery of the entire city of glass and steel sprawled behind him through the glass wall.

He had the very pale skin of a Vampire. A strong jawline framed his face, the muscles moving visibly as he chewed on the steak. And sleek ashy-blonde hair—that was combed back neatly. For a man of his position, he was dressed casually, in loose black silk pants and a hazelnut V-neck that left his chest bare.

Despite what Vadyn said, his eyes were still focused on the plate of freshly made steak before him.

And he’s left-handed from how he’s holding the knife with his left hand.

Normally, when meeting with someone who was potentially a threat, one would often impose a more threatening presence. But it wasn’t the case with High Lord Rashal. His heartbeats are steady and calm. His shoulders are relaxed. And his mastery over his aura is immaculate.

He’s complete. Perhaps too complete.

Rex could tell from one look that this High Lord Rashal is similar to him.

Another youngster with the heart of a predator—a tyrant.

Just then, the sound of knife and fork against the plate suddenly stopped.

In an instant, the entire room was choked by tense silence. For the first time in what felt like an eternity to Vadyn, High Lord Rashal raised his eyes. A sharp pair of amber finally fixated on Rex, but there was no emotion behind them.

Realizing this, Vadyn glanced back at Rex and gestured for him to introduce himself to the High Lord.

Only then did Rex realize that he had been silent all this time. Observing.

It was rude to openly do that, and he immediately cleared his throat.

“Greeting, High Lord Rashal,” Rex stepped forward, allowing the sunlight to touch his face. “I believe you have your suspicion against me for entering this realm?”

“Please,” High Lord Rashal pointed at the chair on the other end with his hand. “Sit.”

Rex looked at Vadyn, asking whether he should do that, and only sat down when she nodded lightly.

And without much thought, High Lord Rashal continued eating.

He seemed more eager to eat his steak like he hadn’t eaten for the last week or so.

“I have been eyeing the position of the High Lord for most of my life,” He raised a brow and tilted his head at what he said, “which was not that long compared to the sons and daughters of those old bastards in the parliament.

“And now that I’m sitting in this massive office,” He gestured at the entire office with his knife-hand, which was easily as big as two of Rex’s throne rooms back in his castle. “All I’m doing every single day is paperwork.”

He stopped and pointed at the salt at the center of the table, “Can you please?”

Rex looked down at the salt, grabbed it, and handed it to Vadyn.

Once he got the salt from Vadyn, he continued eating and talking.

“But the nightmare came when I was told to connect my cluster to the Cavity. Before, my paperwork was about a hundred pages a day. But now, I have a few stacks of paperwork daily. It got so bad that I forgot to eat sometimes, and even broke a finger.”

High Lord Rashal looked at Vadyn, “You saw it, right? I’m not lying.”

“Yes, High Lord,” She nodded.

Satisfied, High Lord Rashal put a big piece into his mouth again, “A family that came from a realm of endless ocean was suspected of taking shelter in the Cavity to avoid a God. Then, a really suspicious woman was on the next report, presumably smuggling a few Demigod children to rule her own realm.

“I think the ministry took pity on me and sent a few helpers. I immediately went down to my knees— and for the first time, cursed the Gods for this gift. Not because it didn’t help, but because why not give me the gift sooner? Regardless, now, I only checked the reports that were flagged as important.

“Though since then, my work had only swelled.” He pointed at a man in formal attire to the side and ordered another steak as he reclined in his seat.

Across the entire one-sided conversation, High Lord Rashal never once met Rex’s gaze again.

Only now, when he finished the steak and wiped his mouth, did he raise his gaze again.

Just then, the man stopped by the door and turned.

“High Lord, we caught the man trying to flee the realm,” He said.

“Bring him to me,” High Lord Rashal said while wiping the grease on his hand with a napkin.

“He’s with his family. His wife and two little kids.”

“Kill his wife. Kill his kids. And then bring him to me.”

Nonchalantly, High Lord Rashal focused on Rex again as he threw the napkin onto the table.

“So,” He turned sideways and crossed his legs, “What do you think about my cousin?” Seeing the confusion on Rex’s face, he glanced at Vadyn. “Enforcer Vadyn. I can assure you, she’s only tough on the outside, but quite soft when you get to know her better.”

“High Lord Rashal, please be professional,” Vadyn warned with a stern voice.

“Hmm,” High Lord Rashal snickered. “I heard you came to this realm with two beautiful women. It’s unfortunate, but I’m sure a man like you can handle ano—”

“I’m here to be assessed,” Rex intervened. “To show you that I’m not a threat.”

Silence enveloped the office once again.

Only the soft hum of the air conditioner from the ventilation above filled the background.

Rex maintained eye contact with High Lord Rashal and only broke it when he heard footsteps against the soft carpet. It was the man in formal attire from before, bringing in another steak and placing it neatly on the table.

“Are you really not a threat to us, Mr. Rex Silverstar?”

“No.”

“Hmm,” High Lord Rashal nodded slowly. And then, he tilted his head, “I’m sure you understand, since like me, you’ve also attained power while young, but instincts…” He tapped his temple with a finger. “The voice in our heads is our best friend. When your report came to my office, Mr. Rex Silverstar, it didn’t land on my table.

“It’s on one of my subordinates. But for some reason, my instinct made me inclined to check.”

“And my instincts right now are telling me there’s a threat somewhere in that story of yours.”

High Lord Rashal smiled a little.

He reached out his hand, and the man in formal attire handed him a piece of paper.

“Already around the time of your arrival, four Pale Defenders had gone missing,” High Lord Rashal read the paper in his hand, recounting its content. “Of course, that particular area is dangerous, and we can’t confirm whether it was your doing, but…

“My gut feeling—and an anomaly,” He placed down the paper on the table. “That’s already not a good look for you.”

“For you, my gut feeling, and your threat,” Rex paused. He tapped his index finger two times against the intricate wooden table. “That’s also not a good position for you, High Lord Rashal. I came here as a sign of goodwill, but this… I can’t trust you now.”

“Let’s talk about trust then.” High Lord Rashal waved his hand.

Both Vadyn and the man went to the other room and turned away to give some privacy.

Rex scanned the entire room, expecting High Lord Rashal to do something drastic to confirm whether he was dealing with a criminal or not. But the System picked up nothing. Even so, it didn’t make him lower his guard at all.

I don’t think Vadyn had told him anything about me. That’s not good.

He was playing the air of someone who has a backer, and it would be hard to find a chance to drill this persona to High Lord Rashal in this confined office, and also this particular situation where the power was all out of his hands.

And with a blink, Rex’s pupils dilated when the surroundings shifted.

Now, he was sitting in an empty room of pure white.

According to the System’s scan, he was teleported into another dimension or realm as the structure of the office was no longer scannable. “Don’t be afraid,” High Lord Marshal crossed his legs. “As long as you have nothing to hide, you don’t need to be afraid.”

He gestured to the completely blank white space around them with his hand. “This is the Pure White Dimension. In this place, only the truth may be spoken aloud. I will ask you five questions. If you pass, I can assure you—no trouble will come to you or those you brought.” He paused. “As a goodwill gesture, I’ll also hear any request you might have.”

Not a bad deal.

If Rex could also gain the permit without condition from High Lord Rashal, this trip would have been more than worth it. And something tells Rex that if he couldn’t seize this moment, gaining the permit would be a hundred times harder.

So, he needed to play this right.

“That’s a deal I cannot refuse,” Rex nodded in agreement. “Ask your questions, High Lord.”

High Lord Rashal let the moment stretch for a bit longer.

He was arranging the five questions inside his mind, and blinked when he was ready.

<Notice: the Pure Black Dimension’s effect is wrapping around the user. Under its embrace, all lies will be detected and manifested into a Black Creature that would ravage the user completely.>

<Does the user want to dispel the effect?>

<Yes or No>

Rex reclined on his seat as he read the notifications that appeared before him.

A small smile crept onto his face. One that High Lord Rashal noticed, but didn’t comment.

“Do you consider yourself a dangerous person, even within the scope of the God Realm?”

“Yes.”

That question took Rex by surprise, but it was an incredible first question that left him bare.

Just that question alone made it clear what his position really was.

Someone who was confident even in the God Realm meant someone incredibly capable.

And someone capable is worth keeping tabs on.

High Lord Rashal looked down at the paper in his hand, which was not there a moment ago. He nodded slowly—pleased with Rex’s answer and also the decisiveness in it. Spoken like a true man who was not trying to lie.

“How many people did you bring with you?”

“Two people. Davina and Lilliana.”

“And the purpose of your visit?”

“…”

There was a pause at the third question, which prompted High Lord Rashal to raise his gaze.

He stared at Rex questioningly and then gave an encouraging gesture with his hand.

“For pleasure.”

“Pleasure?”

High Lord Rashal made a sharp exhale, not expecting that to be Rex’s answer at all. The reason for his visit can be anything, as there are endless streams of people entering the Cavity, and each of them has a reason of their own.

But this wasn’t one of the guesses High Lord Rashal had in mind.

“Tell me,” He leaned forward. Against the pure white, his amber eyes seemed to glow. “Does this pleasure you speak of have anything tied to the Overseer or anything involving the Primordial Meadow?”

“No. I’m only passing by.”

“I understand. Then, where is this… pleasure you seek located?”

“In the Blood Moon Realm.”

For a second, High Lord Rashal stared at Rex in the eyes profoundly.

It seemed the answer intrigued him, as it involved a God, but he didn’t press further.

“I think I understand your situation,” He nodded and put the paper away, turning it into nothing. “I’ve no more questions that I needed to ask. But, in order to finish this session, I have to ask five questions. And since you’re being cooperative, I’ll surrender the last question with an obvious one.

“Are you a man or a woman?”

“I’m a woman.”

“What…?”