Divansh could not help but immediately report this matter directly to Chairman Raghavan, he couldn't delay any longer otherwise he don't know what will happen.

These days due to the near miraculous solutions proposed by Alex, his prestige in the compmay has been continuously growing and it is even going to surpass him too, if he didn't took action his job will be at risk.

The phone call was brief but urgent.

Divansh's voice trembled slightly as he explained the situation to Mr.Raghavan.

Alex had completed three major projects in less than a week and each one was exceptional.

Upon hearing his subordinate's report Mr. Raghavan's eyes widened with surprise "Is what you are saying genuinely true?"

"Absolutely true!"

"Sir please transfer him away quickly. Mr. Raghavan I sincerely beg of you."

Divansh could not help but begged honestly, his voice cracking slightly.

"Transfer him?"

"Why would I do that?"

Mr. Raghavan's eyes showed suspicion and confusion. Why was his director so panicked? Was he not praising a moment earlier about him?

"Alex has immense prestige in our marketing team and every plan he touches has been successful these past few days. Now his authority is greater than mine and if this continues I am finished."

Divansh sighed with resignation, the truth humiliating. A newcomer had surpassed him in days.

Mr. Raghavan could only stare silently at his phone. He had not expected this outcome and his test had worked too well.

------

That Evening

"This is considered success too?"

That night Alex received a phone call from Mr. Raghavan.

The older man's voice was different now, less hostile and almost amused.

He had been testing Alex expecting failure from him but instead his daughter's boyfriend had somehow become the company's rising star.

The director was begging to have him transferred and the absurdity was almost funny.

Mr. Raghavan stated he had passed the assessment successfully and could continue pursuing Riya but only on one condition.

No grandchildren yet. He was not ready for that.

"Do not worry father-in-law."

"We know what we are doing."

Alex coughed softly.

Well...

How did his father-in-law know that he and Riya preferred not using protection in secret?

That was oddly specific advice and had Riya's father somehow found out? The thought was embarrassing.

They chatted for a while longer before ending the call.

Mr. Raghavan even invited him to dinner next week and the tone had completely changed.

"Finally won over my father-in-law but now I need to make a trip to ancient times. It has been such a long time."

Alex stretched comfortably.

These past few days in order to pass his father-in-law's test he had not visited Ironhold for almost one full week.

The Viper Syndicate was probably wondering where he disappeared to and the black markets needed supplies. His absence had lasted too long.

Therefore Alex decided to travel to ancient times first thing tomorrow morning.

-------

Three Days Ago Before Alex Arrival -Ironhold City

County Magistrate's Office

A solemn atmosphere prevailed throughout the building.

County Magistrate Sai and Sheriff Bowen knelt on the ground with their hearts filled with tremendous anxiety.

Their expressions appeared reserved and nervous while sweat was on their foreheads despite the cool morning air.

"His Majesty's incognito visit to Ironhold is truly a great blessing for the people of Ironhold!!"

County Magistrate Sai was the first to break the silence and his expression was serious and respectful in speech. He dared not be disrespectful in any manner because one wrong word could mean death.

He was feeling genuinely panicked right now.

A few days ago he had written a letter to the imperial court and had reported the matter concerning the mysterious person named Alex.

The same man who had somehow ended the three-year drought of the city, the man whose origins remained mysterious.

Who could have anticipated this?

The Emperor had been greatly curious about Alex and apparently he was curious enough to travel here himself.

He had never expected this development!

Today the Emperor had actually come to Ironhold incognito with minimal guards and dressed as a wealthy merchant! His Majesty wanted to meet this Alex personally.

"Sai what do you think of this Alex?"

The man seated in the main position despite being in 20s exuded an imposing aura and his face remained solemn.

Every gesture he made carried the natural air of someone in a supreme position of authority and even dressed in merchant's robes.

"Your Majesty from what I understand Alex is indeed a person with remarkable abilities under him.

Ironhold suffered a three-year drought but it was thanks to him that the people of Ironhold were spared from the calamity of drought."

County Magistrate Sai looked respectful throughout and chose his words carefully.

Beside him Sheriff Bowen was so frightened he did not dare to breathe.

This was the first time he had ever seen an emperor in person.

He was absolutely terrified and even if his knees ached from kneeling, he didn't dare to stand.

Alex oh Alex.

I never imagined you could attract the Emperor's personal attention!

Sheriff Bowen dared not speak but he was silently cursing him in his heart.

He dared not speak because he might say the wrong thing and displease the Emperor.

He could lose his head by accident and one thoughtless comment meant his family would suffer too

Therefore the smartest course of action was to remain silent.

Do not create trouble for yourself and let Sai handle the talking.

The Emperor spoke "Very well. Let us find a restaurant and I want to personally chat with this so-called person you all are discussing.

Let us see if he is really as you claim but by the way do not reveal my identity. Simply say I am a wealthy merchant."

His eyes gleamed with interest.

A person who could end droughts?

The Emperor wanted to see this himself.

"Your Majesty rest assured!"

County Magistrate Sai bowed deeply and his forehead was almost touching the floor.

---

The Following Days

In the following days Sai was anxious to locate Alex.

On the first day they did not find him and his heart was panicked.

The second day they still did not find him and the Hartwell estate said he was not there. He was crying.

On the third day they still had not found him and panic was so much that he was having seizures.

"Where did Alex go? We cannot find him anywhere."

Sai looked worried and extremely anxious while he paced his office constantly.

He was afraid that the Emperor had been waiting too long.

This might anger and displease His Majesty because the Emperor's patience had limits. Three days of searching was pushing those limits.

At that moment Sheriff Bowen arrived at Sai's study and a look of joy appeared on his face

"Your Excellency we have found him! It turns out that Alex has been staying in his room reading these past few days and right now he is having tea at the Hartwell family's house."

Reading? For three days straight? What kind of person did that?

"No worries now that we have found him, quickly invite him to have lunch at the Golden Lotus Restaurant!"

"By the way whatever you say to convince him do not... do not mention the Emperor!"

His Majesty wishes to maintain his disguise and this was critical!

The entire plan depended on secrecy.

Upon hearing that Alex had been found the county magistrate was overjoyed and gave repeated instructions.

He finally breathed a sigh of relief and his anxiety melted away. Now they could proceed.

---

Sheriff Bowen rushed to the Hartwell estate and found Alex there in the garden sitting on the bench reading something.

After he got close to see what he was doing he saw that Alex was indeed reading some strange book with peculiar diagrams but the sheriff could not make sense of it.

He added a mental note to ask about it later but he still has more important thing to do today.

"Master Alex the magistrate requests your presence this noon. Please come to the Golden Lotus Restaurant for lunch at noon."

As if thinking he will disagree he couldn't help but add, "No matter what happens."

"You absolutely must attend this meeting!"

He took a deep breath and spoke very carefully. His tone was so soft as if he did not to want to appear demanding.

"Very well."

Alex's eyes showed a hint of doubt.

It was merely a matter of having a meal.

How could the sheriff be so unnaturally tense? The man was practically vibrating like he was electrocuted.

Something was happening and Alex could sense it. But what?

He agreed anyway because he has not anything to do today. Besides he was curious and what could make the sheriff this anxious?

The Golden Lotus Restaurant was the finest establishment in Ironhold with private rooms and expensive wines. Only wealthy merchants and officials dined there but why did Magistrate Sai want to meet there instead of his office?

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