"Tch, you arrogant little brat, it seems you're not completely hopeless after all."
The disheveled old man next to him, reeking of cheap beer and tobacco, nodded in approval. One of his muddy boots casually rested on the polished redwood windowsill.
Without turning his head, he gazed at the starry night sky outside, and spoke with a tone of mild amusement.
"Compared to that scheming emperor in the palace, your petty little cleverness and paper-thin strategies could use a reality check. You'd be better off taking off that fancy robe of yours and heading back to the drawing board to learn properly."
Lister's eyes flashed with defiance, his face showing no attempt to hide his rebelliousness and intense unwillingness to accept the challenge.
His voice dripped with blatant provocation.
"Sure, his methods were unexpected, like a snake hidden in the shadows—catching people off guard. But tell me, old man, do you dare to bet with me?"
