Lady Nicopolis fell silent for a moment, and finally spoke, "That's impossible, don't think I don't know what you're up to. Show some sincerity and don't treat me like a fool."
The overwhelming desire to regain her freedom ultimately prevailed, and the importance of the object compelled her to suppress the anger in her heart, softening her tone accordingly.
This statement made Fang Hong realize that his efforts prior hadn't been in vain.
He then got up from the ground, pressing on his chest as he coughed twice, and replied, "Cough cough, sincerity is mutual, Lady Nicopolis."
His prior foolish antics, of course, weren't to play the fool, but to make her realize that he was also a threat to her.
After the journey to the Elf Ruins, he had long come to understand that the principle of trade was equality; a completely disadvantaged party had no right to negotiate terms with a dominant one. Because, instead of reasoning, people's first instinct is to trust in their own power.
