-Well, young man, you have achieved another great thing in a short time since we last saw you.
The emperor said as soon as Paul and Elaina greeted him.
-Your Majesty, this time I didn't do much, and if anyone is deserving of recognition, it is Elaina, who recognized what we were dealing with and knew what to do.
Paul said and bowed.
-We have heard about that, but it is irrefutable that if you were not called in to take a look at the child, there would still be no Dryad in our realm.
The emperor said, with a smile, as it was not often that someone tried to push all the contributions to another person.
The gathered nobles all nodded, agreeing with the monarch, and even the princes and princesses could not find any excuse to interfere, as their father ordered them to keep quiet this time.
-Additionally, you accompanied the child to the elven forest and even aided in her transformation, so the contribution is yours as well.
Moreover, this time, the whole empire gets to benefit from your efforts.
The emperor continued seeing as Paul was keeping quiet, which was to the monarch's liking.
-In light of such great contributions, we will reward both of you with two hundred fifty thousand crystal coins each, as well as an item of your choosing, from the third level of the royal treasury.
-Thank you, your majesty.
Both Elaina and Paul said at the same time, and bowed in thanks.
-You both deserve it, and even more.
The monarch smiled.
He liked that Paul only spoke when he needed to and didn't waste time.
Using Paul's presence at the palace, the emperor gave him a scroll with an answer to Xiao Han's petition about transferring his status, since it saved time and effort for everyone.
-Young man, at this rate, you will clear out the treasury within a few decades.
The treasurer joked, seeing Paul again.
-What can I say, other than that the emperor is very generous.
Paul answered with a smile.
-That he is, but only to those who earned it.
The treasurer agreed.
-By the way, how is your research on the bracer and the scroll?
The man asked with interest.
-I'm sorry to say that I had little time to study them lately.
Paul answered.
They talked for a few more minutes before the treasurer took both of them to pick their items.
Soon, Paul and Elaina were brought to the third level of the treasury to choose their items.
-Should I take the other bracer?
Paul asked his reincarnation soul.
-Don't waste your reward.
This bracer will be yours later. For now, just look around.
Maybe you'll find something useful to you in the upper realms.
The soul answered.
Hearing that Paul didn't take the bracer and instead looked around, trying to find something useful.
Elaina also looked around and even found a few items that were made by elves, but none of them were useful, or she didn't know what they were.
In the end, she settled for a tree-shaped jade necklace that she found.
It was not only beautiful, but for some reason, she felt that this was something she just had to have.
Paul, on the other hand, chose a ring that looked similar to the one he received from Fei Fei.
The only difference was that this one depicted a different kind of dragon, and it was sapphire blue in color.
-This is a storage ring, and If, Im not mistaken, it should belong to the sapphire dragon clan.
Lord Sei explained seeing this ring.
-Treasurer, what do you know about this ring?
Paul asked, hoping that the man was unable to open it.
-Absolutely nothing, other than the fact that it's not from this realm.
It is sealed in a way I have never seen, and no matter how I tried, there was no way for me to get rid of the seal.
With that said, I'm sure this is some kind of spatial device, but as long as it is sealed, there is no way to determine what could be inside of it.
The man said with a hint of regret in his voice.
-Since that's the case, then I'll take it.
Paul smiled.
-Maybe I'll get lucky or find a way to open it in the upper realms.
He added.
But he already had an idea about getting rid of the seal.
As for what was inside, whatever it was would most likely be useful in the upper realms.
-Then what about this necklace?
Elaina asked, showing him the item she decided on.
-This one is a total mystery for me as well.
The treasurer admitted.
-I can't even say for sure what this is, since I could not probe it in any way.
However, the way this item makes me feel when touching it indicates that it's not a simple necklace.
-Then I'll take it and try to find out what it is.
The elf smiled.
-As you wish, and since you have chosen, then let's go back.
The treasurer said.
Soon, they were back at the entrance to the treasury, and the guards were waiting with the money prepared in spatial bags.
Less than an hour later, the two of them were outside the capital, ready to use their transport spells.
-What are you looking for?
Elaina asked, when Paul started looking around, just as they were about to activate the spells.
-Every time I leave the capital, someone is looking for me, so I'm making sure that this time there is no such person around.
He explained, making her laugh.
-There is no way that someone will be looking for you every time.
Elaina said, still laughing at his antics.
-Lord Marshal, please wait.
A woman in a maid's clothes suddenly rushed out from the city gate and ran as fast as she could in their direction, followed by two guards.
-You were saying?
Paul sighed, looking at the elf who was laughing at him only a moment ago and was now standing there with eyes as big as saucers and her jaw on the ground.