kingnovel Chapter 551 - 551
Chapter 551 - 551
"Lady Iris, I've brought Mr. Nangou with me."Claire walked to Iris's side and, along with another mage-dressed girl, stood behind her left and right like loyal attendants.
"Please have a seat, Mr. Nangou."
It was Claire who invited him to sit.
Eiji nodded silently.
His gaze swept briefly over Iris.
Unlike her daytime military attire, she seemed to have dressed up meticulously for the evening banquet, wearing a snow-white silk dress. The pristine color highlighted her purity, while the golden trim exuded elegance.
Being only about twelve years old, her figure appeared delicate and slender, giving off a fragile impression that could easily stir a man's protective instincts.
She sat gracefully on the chair, her eyes seemingly glowing under the dim light as she looked at Eiji.
The cluster of grapes on her head was somewhat puzzling.
The holy sword was not with her either.
However, when Eiji used his treasure-sensing skill, it still provided feedback.
Iris possessed another divine artifact.
His gaze naturally fell on her slender, snow-white neck.
There, she wore a sapphire-embedded necklace that complemented her perfectly.
"A second divine artifact... As expected of royalty."
Eiji pondered inwardly.
Even the reincarnators only had one cheat item each—no more than a single divine artifact per person. Yet this little princess, despite her young age, possessed two divine artifacts. Truly, appearances could be deceiving.
Eiji took a seat across the long table, and a servant promptly stepped forward to pour wine.
"Excuse me, just a beverage will do."
The servant paused briefly before switching to a red-colored drink.
Iris watched him with keen interest.
Then, she lightly waved her hand, and Claire immediately leaned in, offering her ear.
"Does Mr. Nangou dislike alcohol? Most adventurers I've seen rarely refuse wine. That's what Lady Iris is asking."
After whispering a few words, Claire straightened up, acting as a messenger to relay the little princess's question.
"Why the need for a messenger?"
"Please understand."
Claire gave a slight bow but offered no further explanation.
"Fine."
Eiji didn't mind.
"Alcohol dulls a swordsman's blade."
Iris blinked in confusion.
Then she leaned toward Claire's ear again.
"But aren't you a mage? That's what Lady Iris is asking."
"...Oh right, I am a mage!"
Eiji paused in thought before suddenly slapping his forehead in realization.
Careless!
Despite how much he enjoyed wielding a staff, he hadn't taken his disguise seriously at all!
After all, every adventurer's class was clearly recorded on their adventurer card. If anyone checked his, they'd immediately see that his class was the weakest adventurer, not a grand mage.
His reason for posing as a mage was simply to indulge his desire to use magic—in other words, just for fun.
Who knew a slip of the tongue would expose him?
"Hehe."
Iris couldn't suppress a giggle before quickly covering her mouth.
The dim lighting obligingly cast a faint blush across her cheeks.
The little princess ducked her head slightly, appearing somewhat embarrassed.
This little princess seemed rather shy.
The girl now sitting at the table was a far cry from the fierce warrior who had summoned thunder with her sword on the battlefield.
Eiji began to understand why she needed Claire to relay her messages.
"Mr. Nangou, you're an adventurer, right? If I may be so bold, may I ask what your adventurer level is? That's what Princess Iris wants to know."
Claire, the merciless message-relaying machine.
"Level 30."
Eiji glanced at his adventurer card.
After killing a bunch of small fry earlier, he'd gained two more levels.
"That's much lower than I expected."
"Is that the princess's opinion?"
"No, that's just my personal thought."
Claire shook her head.
"Black-haired adventurers shouldn't be judged by their levels."
Eiji said nonchalantly.
He picked up his chopsticks and started on dinner—it was so late he was already starving.
Ever since his body had grown stronger, his appetite had increased significantly with each meal.
Claire's sharp sword-like eyebrows suddenly shot up as she glared at Eiji with intense sharpness.
"Mind your manners, Mr. Nangou. We're in the princess's presence. You should wait until Princess Iris begins eating before you start."
Her tone remained calm, but her words carried clear displeasure.
"Why so rigid?"
Eiji paused briefly with his chopsticks mid-air, then casually picked up a bamboo shoot that seemed to leap onto his hand.
Crunchy and fresh!
Just from eating one bamboo shoot, the experience bar on his adventurer card advanced slightly.
This world was strange—ending any life form's activities would grant part of its soul memory as experience points.
So adventurers didn't need to limit themselves to fighting monsters to level up. They could also buy high-end fresh ingredients, kill and eat them to gain substantial experience.
Thus, even ordinary eating and drinking in this world could continuously make people stronger.
"Lord Nangou, as a retainer of Her Highness Iris, I absolutely cannot tolerate any disrespect toward her."
Claire's voice remained restrained, though her expression darkened.
"Did you ask the princess for her opinion before saying that?"
Eiji sighed in exasperation.
"You're the princess's education specialist, right? But overprotecting isn't proper education. It'll only turn the princess into a puppet without autonomy, hindering her growth."
"What?"
Claire was stunned.
How did this happen?
She had been the one reprimanding him, yet suddenly he'd turned the tables and lectured her instead!
Worse, his argument made sense, leaving her unable to refute. If she snapped back with "none of your business," she'd only appear uncultured... As the eldest daughter of the Grand Duke of Senfonia, the kingdom's highest nobility, she was actually being outmaneuvered in a war of words?
"Um..."
Iris looked flustered.
Before she could react, Eiji and Claire were already at odds.
"Oh no, Claire's old habits are acting up again..."
The mage-dressed attendant girl covered her face in dismay.
"Can't stand anyone disrespecting Princess Iris, won't tolerate the slightest offense. Honestly, I think the other side has a point!"
"Shut up, Rein!"
Claire glared fiercely at Rein.
"Alright, alright, I'll keep my mouth shut."
Rein made a zipping motion across her lips, signaling she'd stay silent no matter what.