Absolute Ruler
Ricaford Berry was hearing many things during the meeting. There was a matter about the academy but there was a subject that piqued his interest: slave traders.
He did not ask for details about that matter for fear that he might be misconstrued considering the sensitivity of the subject. 'I should ask Langford about these slave traders. What events transpired during the rescuing of the slaves?' Those were his internal thoughts. He did not pursue the matter until he could investigate.
However, when there was an item that secretly delighted him after it was demonstrated, he could not help but feel the intensity of possessing that item by hook or by crook. He knew the capabilities of the Chuan Clan. 'But to create this protective item endowed with those attributes, I should have one!' Another of his secret monologues he tried to suppress. 'I am hoping Lord Sigmund is not a mind-reader!'