"Nonsense."
Esmond Stavenger glared, "Just what are you up to? Are you trying to usurp the throne of my Whispering Wildlands Lower Realm by dealing with me and having another scrooge of yours sit here while you reap the benefits in secret!?"
He roared as he took a step forward, plunging the edge of the blade over his neck as blood poured out.
The Venerable Hollow Knight's expression changed ever so lightly.
He pulled his halberd back and pushed the Realm Master away with the staff.
"Heal yourself." He frowned, "I'm not a Heaven's Warrior who is concerned with such puny benefits. You, of all people, should know what my title entails and how much wealth I possess from having hunted three Anarchic Divergents alone. There's no other glory I seek, so for you to claim that I'm after your throne is nothing but your own insecurity."
