"Tsk, that look isn't very friendly." Lorenzo's second son sipped the amber liquor in his cup, his tone playful.
"Sigh..." Warren followed with a soft sigh, also taking a sip of wine before whispering, "I'm afraid he sees me as a competitor too."
"What?" Lorenzo's second son raised an eyebrow, leaning closer with a teasing smile in his voice. "Hearing your tone, don't tell me you don't have any thoughts about little Inanna? Leaving aside the identity of the Duke's only daughter, just that figure... full where it should be full, slender where it should be slender, paired with that unique pink hair and pink eyes, marrying her home wouldn't be a loss no matter what!"
To say Warren had absolutely no thoughts in his heart would naturally be a lie. But as someone who had truly been in contact with Inanna for a period, he could clearly feel that Inanna had no interest in him.
Or rather, he felt Miss Inanna seemed only interested in Puchis.
His coming here this time was less out of expectation and more out of a polite response to Duke Alama's invitation.
Warren just smiled bitterly, didn't reply, and drained the remaining liquid in his cup.
However, a voice with extreme oppressive force came from behind the two at this moment.
"My good nephew... what did you just say? Your uncle is old, ears aren't working too well. How about... you say it again?"
Alama's broad and powerful hand reached out from the shadows like iron pliers, pinching Lorenzo's second son's chin neither lightly nor heavily. The Duke's face even wore an elder-style "kind" smile.
"Speaking of which, didn't you marry long ago? Why so attentive to this banquet held for my daughter? Could it be... you also have some plans for my Inanna?"
Lorenzo's second son instantly went stiff all over, cold sweat pouring non-stop, yet dared not move a muscle: "Un... Uncle! How would I dare! Isn't it because Father is still at the front and unable to attend, so he let me attend on his behalf to congratulate you and Inanna... absolutely no other intentions! Really absolutely no other intentions!"
Under the other party's repeated assurances almost amounting to swearing oaths, Alama slowly released his hand, even helping him tidy up the crumpled collar.
Subsequently, he turned to Warren, who was silent as a cicada in winter beside him, patting his shoulder encouragingly. The force was so great it made the young knight sway, then Alama left.
Alama's gaze swept across the hall again. Those young talents invited, whether handsome and upright, elegant in temperament, or with ambitious eyes, were all under his scrutiny.
He nodded secretly. For this banquet, he had invested heavily.
Due to the depreciation of deliciousness caused by mushrooms, he brought out all the high-grade Delicious Fruits preserved in the warehouse this time.
Afterward, he prepared other precious things just to give Inanna enough pomp.
However, Alama's quite good mood was quickly destroyed. His gaze caught a figure that absolutely shouldn't appear here—Viscount Adin.
Alama deliberately didn't invite him, yet he appeared at the banquet.
This could only be the banquet's protagonist, Inanna, specially bringing him.
"This... old thing who doesn't know the times..." Alama gritted his teeth tight.
Could his daughter really be interested in this old man...?
And with the shrewdness and ability to judge the situation Adin displayed in the past, it was impossible for him not to see the meaning behind not being invited.
Yet he still came, appearing here despite the risk of completely offending Alama.
The only reason... was that he had made up his mind to take down Inanna at all costs?
Thinking of this, Alama was about to crush his teeth.
Not far away, Adin broke out in cold sweat, pretending not to feel that lion-like stare...
...
When guests gathered, Inanna finally appeared amidst the anticipation of the whole venue.
Pink hair and pink eyes, dressed in a magnificent ball gown, without a doubt, she became the sole focus of this moment.
For the safety of the guests, Inanna specially temporarily removed those two Imprisonment Rings.
She also didn't want human ice sculptures or roasted whole humans to appear at her birthday banquet.
On stage, Duke Alama was giving the opening speech with his daughter.
Off stage, No. 4 had already trotted with "puchi puchi" sounds to find No. 5.
The two Puchis had sensed each other long ago. At this moment, lightly bumping mushroom caps counted as greeting, then they shrank into a corner, chattering in the mycelial network.
And after the banquet started, No. 5 was even dragged by No. 4 to run to the middle and dance a song.
Although they danced completely without method, just jumping randomly on their own, who would make things difficult for two Puchis?
Quite a few noble ladies looked at the two Puchis and let out "wa wa" sounds.
Fayling knew how to dance the kind of dance adventurers did around a fire, but it clearly didn't fit the atmosphere here, so they just huddled aside, eating and watching.
As the protagonist of the banquet, Inanna's first dance was with her father Alama.
Needless to say for Inanna, she received standard noble education before sixteen, so her dancing was naturally quite skilled.
Surprisingly, Duke Alama, whose status was established by military merit, could also dance an elegant melody with his burly body.
And after the first dance ended, quite a few people were eager to go invite Inanna.
She, however, snatched up No. 4 and No. 5 first, sitting directly beside Adin, chatting sporadically.
No. 5 was tense all over at first, but under Inanna's gentle kneading, it soon softened into a ball like No. 4, enjoying itself.
In the distance, Vera and the others were stunned watching this.
Whenever someone tried to approach to invite a dance, Inanna would look at them quietly until that person retreated consciously.
Even Phineas was no exception.
After all, although being forced back by a gaze was regrettable, if invited but rejected, that would really be losing face.
He gritted his teeth secretly, never expecting that the biggest opponent this time would actually be an old man like Adin.
Miss Inanna's taste was too weird, right?
Alama watched this scene from afar, only hating that his greatsword wasn't by his side, unable to cleave Adin, this old ox wanting to eat his tender grass, with one sword!
Adin sat on pins and needles, but could only silently withstand the pressure.
After all... the Boss gave really too much.
...
Seeing the ball progressing flatly, Alama made a prompt decision, moving the entertainment program he prepared onto the stage—a martial arts contest.
Since its establishment, the Kingdom had long faced threats from the Empire.
Therefore, compared to red tape, this land advocated strength more, and the noble class was no exception.
Arranging a point-stopping martial arts contest after the ball naturally felt abrupt to no one.
Young noble children were all eager to try, wanting to distinguish high and low through this, revealing their sharpness.
Alama promised the winner could choose a piece of equipment from his treasury at will. Although tempting, what everyone truly tacitly competed for was the logical opportunity after winning—inviting Inanna to the garden for a chat.
Under that circumstance, Inanna almost couldn't refuse.
As for how progress went afterward, that naturally depended on their own ability to please Inanna.
This wasn't a true deathmatch arena. The rules were simple and crude: one person defends the ring, everyone challenges, until the last one standing wins.
Theoretically, appearing last had the biggest advantage, but that inevitably appeared cowardly and lost grace.
Phineas and Warren stood up almost simultaneously.
Only their thoughts were completely different.
Warren just wanted to appear earlier, win a few rounds, then admit defeat gracefully.
This would account to the Duke and avoid the awkwardness of being rejected by Miss Inanna in the end.
Phineas had a completely different stance. He was young and sharp, a recognized genius in the noble circle; otherwise, he wouldn't be so determined to win this banquet.
Attendants brought their weapons. Cheers and applause from the crowd surrounded the ring.
Seeing the opponent was Phineas, Warren also put away his original coping mentality.
He just wanted to admit defeat gracefully, not wanting to be beaten off the ring wretchedly.
Unfortunately, after truly engaging, he discovered Phineas's strength was even stronger than he expected!
In just a few rounds, he was suppressed left and right—strength approaching Palace-tier!
Realizing the strength gap, although unwilling, Warren, who had truly commanded battles, knew that forcing it would only bring more harm, so he was already preparing to retreat and admit defeat.
Phineas seemed to sense this too, but he obviously didn't want to let Warren be so graceful.
[Gale]!
Blade-like violent wind was stirred up, blowing the caught-off-guard Warren flying, looking like he was about to smash onto the dining table over there.
Not life-threatening, but losing all face in a wretched state was inevitable.
And Phineas extended a hand, looking like he wanted to grab Warren but was too late.
Just then, Vera, who was still eating by the dining table, leaped up, grabbing Warren's back collar, spinning to unload the force, landing steadily aside.
Warren, who thought he was going to lose big face, looked somewhat surprisingly at Vera who pulled him: "Th... thanks."
Vera waved his hand nonchalantly.
Phineas ran over only then, expressing he accidentally hit too hard.
Warren couldn't say much either. After admitting defeat, he exited the hall. His formal suit was slashed in several places; had to change.
Alama watched this scene, frowning.
Phineas might think he did it relatively secretively, but how could Alama, who guarded the border all year round, not see the tricks within?
Somewhat disliked Phineas's slightly narrow magnanimity, but couldn't say anything at this time.
And after Phineas easily defeated several more challengers, he actually actively pointed the spearhead at Adin, who didn't seem prepared to come on stage.
"Viscount Adin, I've also heard of some senior's deeds. Opportunity rare, how about learning from each other?"
This was a good thing for Alama; he wanted to see Adin beaten right now.
It was just that, watching Adin accept the challenge and walk onto the stage, his intuition felt a trace of wrongness.
Thus, Alama calmly activated several magic items on his body, then saw with surprise Adin still sitting beside Inanna, not moving at all?!
...
On the other side, in Inanna's arms, No. 4 twisted around. It couldn't wait to go up and fight in the ring, winning glory for the Mushroom Tribe!
(End of Chapter)
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