"Using the life of an innocent child—how detestable." Hyrell said.

"You’re right. There are lines that should never be crossed. It seems that the Golden Dragon Association has a set of rotten roots that need to be pulled out and cut off." Izroth stated.

Vexpela remained silent. She grew up seeing her other siblings being cared for with great care by their mothers. Whenever she witnessed such a scene, she was always overcome with a wave of jealousy and sadness.

But, now that Vexpela knew the truth behind her mother’s death, as those memories resurfaced from her childhood, it felt as if her stomach was in knots as she became visibly disgusted.

How could they smile and laugh so happily after what they robbed her of? How could they all look down on her for having no support from a maternal family when they were the reason behind it? The more these thoughts flowed into Vexpela’s mind, the more she felt that her entire world had been a façade.

"Your mother was no fool. She knew that there were those plotting against her life. Coming to me was just a backup plan, but she was not the type of woman to fall for such a simple ploy. At first, I had no way to prove it. But, after investigating for a few years, I finally found some answers. I know it’s too late to make things right. My only wish is that I leave no other regrets behind in this world before I depart from it." Dagraen said as he held the palm of his hand out.

The next moment, the ring on his finger emitted a faint white light before a small purple crystal appeared in his palm.

"...I regret the way everything unfolded back then. Even if it’s only in the smallest of ways, I wish to make up for my passivity of the past. My life is coming to an end soon—an incurable disease that has been in my family for generations. I always thought of myself as being the fortunate one having lived such a long life, but it seems one cannot escape their own karma. Before that time comes, along with this final piece of information that I can offer you, I plan on transferring my entire fortune to you." Dagraen stated.

Dagraen was someone who had been accumulating wealth for more than a century at one of the best merchant companies in the entire Mortal Realm. His current amount of wealth was something the average person would be unable to fathom!

"Of course, all except the Transforming Rebirth’s Embrace. That is my final gift to Sir Balthaazar, who has looked after my well-being and acted as my protector for the last three decades." Dagraen clarified.

"Master..." Balthaazar uttered with a saddened expression.

Not long after Dagraen finished speaking, the room fell eerily silent. It was not until Vexpela opened her mouth to speak until that silence was broken.

"You kept the promise you made to my mother after all of these years. For that, I am thankful. As someone who understands business, I know how important it is to set aside one’s dislike of another when faced with a profitable opportunity. But, allow me to make myself clear. I have no intention of forgiving you regardless of what amends you attempt to make. I also don’t plan on doing something foolish like rejecting the information or fortune you’re giving me. However, the regret of your choices—of your inaction—you will have to live with them for whatever length of your life remains." Vexpela stated as she reigned in her anger and regained some composure.

Vexpela took the crystal from Dagraen’s hand. She stared at it for a few seconds before squeezing it tightly in her palm.

"This old man is not shameless enough to ask for your forgiveness—nor, expect it. Think of it as nothing more than an old man’s own selfish will. It will be difficult for us to meet face to face again after today. I hope the day comes when you rise to the top of the Golden Dragon Association and set right the wrong path it has tread upon." Dagraen said before he struggled to his feet with the help of his cane.

He then looked over toward Hyrell and asked, "May I please ask Formation Master Head Hyrell to release Sir Balthaazar? I assure you, he will cause no trouble."

"Pavilion Head?" Hyrell called out.

’Oh? I asked her to play along, but I didn’t think she’d take it this far.’

Hyrell’s actions and words made it so that Vexpela held the highest level of authority in the room. This made it so that Dagraen saw that Vexpela was not someone simply being controlled by others.

Despite his age, Dagraen was still a sly fox that could not be underestimated. Therefore, until he walked out of the room, even the slightest detail should not be overlooked.

"...You may release him, Miss Hyrell." Vexpela said calmly.

After Vexpela gave the order, Hyrell released Balthaazar from the magic formation she used to restrict his actions.

Balthaazar straightened himself up before he bowed toward Dagraen.

"Master, I failed to protect you. Forgive my incompetence." Balthaazar said woefully.

"Aye... You have done nothing wrong, Sir Balthaazar. Even that stubborn Sage of a Thousand Mazes took a step back before Formation Master Head Hyrell and lowered his head. I apologize for causing you to suffer for all these years." Dagraen responded lightheartedly.

He then turned to face Vexpela, Hyrell and Izroth.

"Supreme Elder of the Fourth Pavilion, Formation Master Head Hyrell—please take good care of the Fourth Pavilion Head, Vexpela. May your journey be well had." Dagraen said respectfully.

Afterward, Dagraen and Balthaazar left the private room. There was less than a minute before the bidding would be resumed. However, Izroth had already made up his mind to accept Dagraen’s bid for the Transforming Rebirth’s Embrace.

For one, it was much better than it ending up in the hands of the Duvelle family. Not to mention, the bid itself was well worth it.

Suddenly, Vexpela crushed the crystal in her hand as it turned to dust before flowing into her head.

"I see the Eye of Insight is still around. I suppose not everything has changed after 150 years. Though the purpose of its use seems to be different than from what I remember." Hyrell said as she watched the "dust" from the crystal flow into Vexpela.

The Eye of Insight was a productive of the Alchemy profession. It allowed one to store information on it. Then, the person who shattered it would have the information flow directly into their mind.

Back then, it was mainly used to pass down secret techniques or deliver secret messages. But, since better alternatives had come out since Hyrell’s time, its use had long since been phased out. Though being over 130 years, it made since that someone like Dagraen would use such an old-style method. Additionally, since there were not a lot of people alive who still knew about the Eye of Insight, it made moving around with them much safer since things like detection magic was never on the look out for it.