We’ve decided to just leave the skill for now since there were clearly rules and limitations for it that we were still not completely sure about.

Instead, we moved on to the next item that she wanted to talk to me about, namely the selection for the future Guardians.

"I heard that you took part in the selection process today, my Lord."

I scratched my head "Ah... Yeah... I didn’t know you guys were doing that and I got mistaken by one of the participants to be a participant as well... So I just ended up going with the flow and participating as well... Was that a problem?"

She shook her head, "Not at all, my Lord. I was going to ask if you found any of the participants of note? We could pay more attention to them during the selection process if there are any."

I hummed, "Hmm... Participants of note you say... Well... I guess there were a few who stood out during the tests. Their abilities were also quite strong as well."

Olivia cleared her throat, "You do not need to be modest, my Lord. If there are any members who suit your tastes as well... You could also point them out. While they won’t be Guardians, I can assign them to work as auxiliary staff."

I needed a moment to understand what she meant before I shook my head, "No, no... I’m not that kind of person, Olivia..."

She bowed her head, "I see... Please excuse my rudeness then. In that case, who caught your attention, my Lord?"

"Well... I think you already have an idea... But I would say it’ll have to be the dark elf girl who can control plants, that pale woman who was dressed in all black... And a totally unbiased choice of my friend, Dan."

She nodded, "I thought as much."

I raised my hand, "If you’re intending to make the test for them easier, don’t. I want them to pass the test through their own efforts."

She paused for a moment before bowing her head, "I understand, my Lord."

I did not want to set some kind of precedent where I show favouritism for someone.

"Anyway... Are there any other assignments for me?" I asked. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Olivia took out her phone and gave it a few taps, "For now... There are no plans arranged that involve you, my Lord. Do you have any plans? I will add them to my calendar."

"Honestly, not really? Before this, all I did was participate in Vanguard raids whenever a portal appeared. Did any new portals appear around here recently?"

She tapped on her phone again, "Recently... No. There have not been any new portals appearing in the mainland these few days. And since they are still busy finalising the details with Thailand regarding the issue with their rift, everyone has decided not to involve you in any foreign rifts right now."

"Umu... Then I guess this means we can concentrate a little on expanding our base for now."

"Yes, my Lord. That was something that I would like to discuss with you next. The Bunarfs have a few ideas on what they wish to achieve on this island and have drawn up a few plans. Initially, the arrangement was that they would just go through the proposals with me but if you wish, you could join us as well, my Lord."

"Sure. I’ll go and take a look as well. Actually... You might as well just include me on the important matters related to the island too."

She tilted her head, "Are you sure, my Lord? You had first told me that you wanted me to handle all the paperwork. That’s why I tried not to involve you in any of these discussions."

I cleared my throat, "Ahem... Well... What I meant when I said I didn’t want to do paperwork was that I didn’t want to do all the data entry aspects of the paperwork... But if it’s just the meetings and verbal discussions... I am fine with being involved in it."

"I see... In that case, would you mind being involved with some other discussions related to how the island will be run as well as some of the living arrangements for the Guardians?"

"Well... I’m not sure if I would be of any help in those instances but I suppose I might as well just be involved in them anyway."

"Understood. Please give me a moment to rework the schedule, my Lord..."

She then pulled out her tablet and started tapping on it furiously and I watched her fingers fly around the screen at record speed.

I only needed to wait for a moment before she spoke to me again, "With the addition to that, this would be how your new schedule looks like, my Lord."

She handed over the tablet to me and I had a slight feeling of trepidation when I took it from her.

Looking at the screen... I can see that today, I have a meeting with the Bunarfs and Olivia about the future plans of the island like she had told me earlier... And an hour after that meeting, I would be deciding on the living arrangements together with the Guardians which Olivia also informed me so no surprises there.

But right after that, I would also have another discussion with the Bunarfs on what their living quarters would look like as well as where the location would be.

All that was just for today.

The next day, I would have to attend another meeting with my Guardians where Olivia had noted was to decide their responsibilities on the island. Then right after that would be another meeting with the Bunarfs to decide on the sale of materials and what we could export as well as things we need to import onto the island.

After that, I would have to do a survey of the island with both Olivia and the bunny sisters to map out where they could build future facilities and whether there were any materials they could exploit.

Then right after finishing that, there would be another meeting about the food and labour distribution which would be followed closely by...

Well, I get it... I would suddenly be really busy as compared to before.

But you know what... I’ll take it. All of this seems quite important and I think it would be better for me to get involved instead of just being stuck in my room here with nothing to do.

I’d think if I did that, I would end up being bored again and just go out and do some vigilante work. Which I actually plan to do anyway even if I was busy.

Olivia gave me a worried look, "If my Lord does not wish to attend any of the meetings on the schedule, you can just choose not to go, my Lord. Please do not feel pressured to attend them all. I’ll just leave your participation for these events as ’temporary’ instead of being confirmed, my Lord."

I guess that’s certainly better in a sense... It would certainly feel terrible if this felt like my new nine to five job or something...

I nodded at her ,"Don’t worry, I’ll at least do my part. Some of these look pretty important so I’ll at least show up for those."

"That’s more than what we could ask, my Lord."

I handed the tablet back to her, "So... I think I’ve probably procrastinated on this topic long enough but... How are you holding up?"

She blinked at me, "What do you mean, my Lord?"

"Well... I still remember that you agreed to follow me so that you could be on the front lines. Since it’s quite clear that we won’t be anywhere near that for the foreseeable future, you’re probably not too happy being stuck behind a desk either, right? So I’m wondering if you need help with that."

She sucked in a breath, "I... Have to admit... It’s an itch that I can’t scratch... Not that I do not like working for you, my Lord! Please don’t misunderstand! I will never complain about working for you!"

I waved my hands placatingly at her, "It’s alright, Olivia, I know what you mean."

She grimaced, "Yes... While I do find pride in my work for you and I do enjoy helping you, my Lord... I just can’t shake off the feeling that I still have something missing that I can’t get..."

I grinned at her, "I already told you, Olivia... I know what you mean. That’s why... Want to have a spar? I’m ready to go anytime when you’re free."

She looked up at me, as though having trouble hearing what I just told her.

"What... What did you just say, my Lord?"

"I said we can spar when you have the time for it. We have a training room built for it right? Unless that room was not meant to be used for sparring between people?"

She grabbed my hands, "Yes!! Please!! If I am allowed to request it, please let me spar with you, my Lord!!"

I knew it.