Chapter 1 North Continent, Early May

Sunday noon in the heart of Herloom City. A building soared, its smooth glass surface reflecting the bright sky like a giant tower to the heavens.

This building not only surpassed the surrounding structures in height, but also became the most striking part of the city's skyline with its luxurious and unique design.

At this moment, Ranch had arrived at the top floor of this building.

He stood in front of the only door on this level.

His mood seemed a little delicate.

After a while, he placed the Cat Boss in his left arm, freeing his right hand to ring the doorbell.

"Come in."

Sigrid's faint voice came from inside the door.

Not because her voice was soft, but because she was clearly far from the door.

Although indifferent and distant, it was still so familiar.

"Is Sigrid angry, meow?"

Cat Boss grabbed Ranch's arm and asked in a low voice.

"Who knows."

Ranch took out the key ring from his pocket and found one that had never been used. It was a spare key that Sigrid had given him a long time ago.

The slight click of the key entering the lock and turning was particularly clear in the silent corridor.

"Meow."

Cat Boss didn't know how their date went yesterday.

But with Sigrid's attitude, it guessed that the two of them most likely parted on bad terms.

When the three of them were in the Snowfield, when Sid said that she would not let Ranch go, it thought that Ranch would definitely fake his death and escape.

Unexpectedly, Ranch was so upright that he didn't lie to Sid from beginning to end. Even if Sid gave him a week to run, he wouldn't.

The door slowly opened, revealing a spacious and bright entrance hall.

The decorations here were very exquisite and luxurious. From the carefully selected works of art to the custom-made furniture, each one was unique.

The carefully selected paintings hanging on the walls were not only a manifestation of craftsmanship, but also a symbol of Sigrid's taste.

Ranch stepped into the living room, his footsteps almost silent on the soft carpet.

The indoor lighting was warm and soft, and the air was filled with a faint fragrance, Sigrid's favorite aromatherapy.

Although he hadn't been here many times, after getting to know Sigrid, he found that everything here seemed very familiar.

After walking for a long time, Ranch finally arrived at Sigrid's gallery.

This was where they first met.

Of course, he was forcibly brought here by Sigrid that time.

In the distance, Sigrid stood quietly in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the scenery of Herloom.

Now she had finally achieved her wish and became the rightful overlord of the Protos Empire.

However, recently, the reason for her happiness seemed to be related and unrelated to this matter.

She turned around, her eyes as clear and deep as ever, hiding countless memories and emotions.

Between Ranch and her, not many words were needed. Eye contact was enough to convey each other's thoughts.

"I'm here to fulfill my promise."

Ranch said.

After finishing this painting for Sigrid today, he would temporarily return to the Southern Continent.

Sigrid didn't respond.

She just slowly walked to the main seat in the gallery.

She sat down on her own and stared at Ranch.

"Ranch Wilford, is that your real name?"

Sigrid asked.

She had actually guessed long ago that Loki McCarthy was not his real name.

She could have asked him his real name a long time ago, and she believed that he would tell the truth.

But she had always wanted to wait for him to confess on his own.

"Yes, I'm from Southern Wantina Territory, Hutton Kingdom, and I currently live in the royal capital, Ikeryte."

Ranch nodded in acknowledgement, holding the little black cat.

"Aren't you afraid that I'll go to the Southern Continent to find the Hutton Kingdom, and then find you?"

Sigrid observed him and the little black cat with interest.

She remembered when she first brought Ranch here to meet her, Ranch still looked calm, but his shadow had already begun to waver. Then the little black cat with all its fur standing on end jumped out and curled up in Ranch's arms, constantly afraid that she, the Overlord Church, would find out Ranch's information.

Now Ranch had even revealed his old background in the Southern Continent, but the little black cat still seemed indifferent.

"I will welcome you at any time."

Ranch showed a sincere smile.

"The royal capital, Ikeryte, is a very nice city, very suitable for dating."

He added.

"What are you trying to say?"

Sigrid was stunned for half a second, then narrowed her eyes and stared at Ranch.

She didn't expect Ranch to say that so suddenly.

"I'm just introducing Ikeryte to you."

Ranch looked at Sigrid with a natural expression.

"I see that you just want to hold my hand and go on a date again. You could have said it more directly."

Sigrid crossed her arms and sneered.

She seemed to be joking again, and seemed to be half serious.

"Meow meow? Meow meow meow!"

Cat Boss looked back and forth between Ranch and Sigrid.

This stubborn kid actually held hands with Sid yesterday?

And Tata, is still eating!

"In Ikeryte, we can all use our original appearances. We don't have to worry about being surrounded by a bunch of reporters and people on the street."

Ranch thought for a while and replied.

The corners of Sigrid's mouth curved slightly, but she quickly suppressed it and returned to her coldness.

He still hadn't denied the date.

"Now it's just the two of us and the little black cat. Show me your true face, otherwise it's not fair."

Sigrid leaned back in her chair and glanced at Ranch.

Ranch just smiled at her, turned around, and let her see his black hair and green eyes.

"..."

Sigrid opened her eyes and remained silent for a long time, unable to say anything.

She instantly understood what the Holy Son meant.

"Alright, it's still satisfactory."

She commented.

"Yesterday's date was also satisfactory. Here, this is for you."

As she spoke, Sigrid took out a thin and small stone carving float board from her pocket, and its special radiance instantly illuminated the entire gallery.

The stone was then thrown to Ranch.

Ranch steadily caught it and stared at the divine object in his hand.

Earlier, it was inconvenient for Sigrid to take out this stone slab to give to him in the outside world. Now that they were alone, and with the probing magic isolation barrier of Sigrid's family, she was finally able to give him this trophy.

[Primordial Stone Slab - Seal]

[Category: Equipment Card]

[Grade: Orange Epic]

[Tier: 5]

[Passive Effect: The Primordial Stone Slab cannot be destroyed. Only living beings in the present world can bind to it with their souls, and only one can be bound at most. Comprehensively enhances all sealing attribute magic, martial skills, equipment, and summons. The stone slab will be unbound when the soul binder dies.]

[Note: Fate is tightly bound, but the soul can save all things.]

On the stone slab's intricate ancient incantations, the light of the God Era was dazzling and secretive, directly hitting the soul and constantly resonating with the magic power on Ranch's body.

He was not yet at the fifth tier, so he could not bind to this stone slab.

However, he was not far from the fifth tier, and he would soon become the new user of the [Primordial Stone Slab - Seal].

"I can go back and report now."

Ranch exclaimed.

When the time comes, he would write a report and submit the relevant information about the [Fake Stone Slab - Seal].

"I have a ticket for 5 PM. I will take Antanas and the others back to Lilom City in the southernmost part of the empire, and then take a boat back to the Southern Continent."

He put away the stone slab and looked at Sigrid.

"Don't get me wrong, I have never agreed to let you leave."

Sigrid did not change her cold attitude today, but her voice changed again.

"But I haven't slept much these days, and I'm very tired today. If you really want to run, I probably won't notice it."

Sigrid's purple eyes gradually became hazy, and her words became slower and slower, and her voice became softer and softer.

It seemed that if she hadn't been waiting for Ranch, she would have fallen asleep long ago.

Of course, because Ranch was there, she became even more sleepy.

Once she finished explaining things and relaxed her mind, the exhaustion of her brain would flood in like a tide.

"Good afternoon, Sigrid."

Ranch said softly, understanding what she meant, and also saying goodbye.

From their previous interactions, Sigrid had already formed a conditioned reflex. She wanted to take a nap when she was by Ranch's side.

The Overlord Church wanted to save face, and would not change what it said.

It was just that it might give the Overlord Church's Holy Son a little leeway.

"By the way, Herloom Broadcasting Company has an interview program today. It's scheduled to visit my gallery in the afternoon, so don't think about being perfunctory, otherwise it will definitely make you, Principal Loki McCarthy, a laughingstock, haha..."

As she spoke, Sigrid closed her heavy eyelids. The high-backed chair provided her with enough support, allowing her to relax her body unconsciously, until only a slight breathing sound remained.

(End of this chapter)