CHAPTER 166: CHAPTER 166: TRICK_1

"I was telling the truth just now," Tamara said with a serious face, adopting a very earnest demeanor.

"Yes, most of what you just said was indeed true. But it’s in these truths that lies are hidden; that’s where you excel. However, have you forgotten that my inspiration isn’t too shabby?"

As he spoke, Lance’s gaze fell upon the ring that had just functioned. He noticed that the emerald gemstone set on it had dimmed.

There must have been some consumption. But seeing that she’d rather use another replacement than let it go, it must still be recoverable and not beyond repair.

"If you’d sell that to me for twenty thousand Gold Coins, perhaps we could discuss it."

After being exposed, Tamara showed not the slightest embarrassment. Instead, seeing Lance take an interest, she immediately covered the ring with her hand, cautioning, "Any item that can soothe one’s Spiritual Essence is a life-saving tool in the eyes of a Transcendent, not something that can be measured in Gold Coins."

Lance remained calm, not dwelling on the previous topic. Instead, he looked at the ring she presented and asked curiously, "What’s the function of this one?"

"Can’t you tell?" Tamara gestured with her eyes for Lance to examine it himself.

Lance reached for it without any hesitation. But just at the moment of contact, the earthy yellow gemstone on the ring emitted a strange fluctuation. He felt his muscles stiffen, and his whole body became rigid, frozen in that posture.

It was then that Tamara finally revealed her true colors, a triumphant smile appearing on her face.

"You’re right, Romani are all cunning."

It seemed that Lance’s stiff appearance gave her a sense of smug satisfaction, and she began to explain unprompted.

"You can’t move now, can you? That’s because this ring is called the ’Paralysis Ring.’ Anyone who touches it will suffer muscle paralysis and stiffness. But don’t worry; with your excellent constitution, you’ll recover after a little while."

Tamara eyed the ring on Lance’s finger. That treasure is finally mine!

Just as she was reveling in her triumph, a hand casually took the ring from her. At the same time, an unhurried voice sounded by her ear.

"So that’s how it is."

Tamara reacted in an instant, suddenly looking up to meet those amused eyes.

"You! ..."

"Don’t be nervous." Lance casually examined the ring’s odd gemstone. It looks like a vertical pupil.

Despite his words, she didn’t dare make a move. Her entire being was on high alert, staring intently at Lance as if she might strike at any second.

"But could you tell me more about this thing? It seems a bit too impractical if it only works on touch. How is the user supposed to avoid being harmed?"

Lance looked up at Tamara, signaling her. He seemed completely unfazed by the earlier incident, instead focusing intently on studying the object.

His bizarre behavior confused Tamara somewhat, but she certainly didn’t dare to relax, so she forced herself to ask.

"You... What exactly do you mean?"

"Didn’t you just give me a ring?" Lance played with the ring in his hand, his expression playful.

If she hadn’t lacked the intent to kill just now, I fear I’d be speaking to a corpse right now.

"I just let you have a look. I didn’t say I was giving it to you," Tamara said, having grasped the situation. She couldn’t accept the reality of not getting the ring and potentially losing another one, so she spoke tentatively.

"Keep your money; I don’t want it. You don’t have to compensate me for the loss. Just give the ring back to me."

It seems this ring is quite valuable, huh. Her display of apprehension only strengthened Lance’s conviction.

She dared to trick me. Although she still has her uses and I can’t just kill her, making her suffer a significant loss and giving her a lasting memory is certainly possible.

"Whether you get the ring back depends on your performance."

His words were extremely vague; he was obviously trying to be slippery.

But hearing this, Tamara’s face fell. To think I, who’ve always been so clever, would be outmaneuvered by him.

"Hurry up. Do you still want it or not?"

"I accept defeat." Provoked by Lance, Tamara decided to give up. It seemed she knew she couldn’t get the item back and might as well salvage some pride.

"Really?" Lance, seeing through her, smiled and placed the ring on the table. His teasing expression spoke volumes.

Tamara’s attention was drawn to the ring, but she didn’t reach for it, caught in a dilemma.

If I reach out, never mind whether I get it, my pride will definitely be gone. If I get it, that’s one thing. But the worst would be failing to get it and then being mocked by him.

Thinking this, Tamara seethed with anger. If he’d just taken it, I could have considered myself bitten by a dog and moved on. But here he is, taunting me! How can anyone be so despicable?

Even so, her gaze was uncontrollably drawn to the ring.

Noticing her conflicted expression, Lance had no intention of dragging it out. He pushed the ring towards her.

"Take it back. Consider it a gift from me."

However, Lance’s attitude only made her more wary. "What exactly are you trying to do?"

"Don’t project your own way of thinking onto me. As I said, I need a Mysticism advisor."

Lance saw right through her. This woman, full of lies, has surely caused trouble for many others. She judges people by her own standards, always suspecting them of trying to harm her, hence her paranoid demeanor.

Knowing she wouldn’t pick up the ring herself, Lance simply grabbed it and tossed it to her.

Tamara caught it instinctively. She had been on guard, but then she realized nothing had happened, and the ring was in her hand.

It was only then that Tamara realized this man hadn’t been lying; he had genuinely returned the item to her.

But she didn’t understand!

She didn’t understand why he would treat her this way after how she had just treated him.

It was an attitude she had never experienced from anyone else.

"Why?"

"Because I trust you," Lance replied nonchalantly. Even I don’t believe that.

The simple reason I can tolerate her is that without her, I don’t know how to find a channel to make contact with the Extraordinary. I need an advisor. Liu Bei visited the thatched cottage three times to recruit Zhuge Liang. Surely, I can indulge her in this little game. Those with great aspirations don’t get caught up in trivialities.

Tamara fell silent, her emotions unsettled for a long time. She felt an inexplicable heat rise to her face.

Discrimination is a pervasive issue. The inexplicable pride of the Imperial People doesn’t just extend to the Barbarian Tribes; the Romani, another nomadic people, also face severe discrimination. Such deep-seated discrimination has plagued me for years, even after becoming a Transcendent.