Irithea’s beauty was absolutely on par with Selena and Viviana, yet compared to mere aesthetics, the white-wolf maiden possessed a far more unique aura.
Wild, dangerous, yet elegant and dashing.
In other words, she had universal appeal regardless of age or gender.
"Thank you!"
The noble lady covered her mouth, letting out a delighted squeal, and the few onlookers nearby broke into enthusiastic applause.
It was not until Faust approached that they suddenly quieted down and tactfully took their leave.
"So this is where you ran off to. Since when did you learn how to bartend?"
During the festivals of the Fog Moon Kingdom, Irithea would indeed flit between different stations—sometimes as the host of a grand ceremony, other times as a performer singing on stage, or perhaps as a masked jester juggling tricks... Hardly anyone could ever guess where Irithea might appear next.
However, Faust had truly never seen the wolf-maiden mix drinks before.
"For me, the process of learning a skill is quite enjoyable in itself. It doesn't even take a day."
Irithea wiped a glass and smiled at Faust:
"Would you like one? Care to taste my craft?"
Faust sat down and slapped the table:
"I won't be standing on ceremony. Give me a large glass!"
"Haha, then I'll mix something refreshing with fruit juice so we can drink together."
Just as Faust and Irithea were drinking at the bar, a commotion erupted among the crowd in the distance.
It seemed some heavyweight figure had entered the estate, and guests were swarming around them.
"Lord Alexander!"
"So you really did come."
"Welcome, our hero."
"............."
Faust cast his gaze toward them and discovered that the person being surrounded was a quite young man with golden hazel-colored hair and bronze skin, appearing both confident and rustic.
There was a sense of innocence about him.
Faust swirled the fruit juice in his glass and raised an eyebrow:
"...Is he that first discovered Brave One candidate?"
Helen had already told him the story of how this man was established as the first candidate. He could be called a standard template of a 【Brave One】, but more than the person himself, Faust was interested in the uniquely shaped broadsword worn at the man's waist.
The broadsword looked plain and unremarkable, but near the crossguard, colorful gemstones floated and orbited the blade.
That was the sword identified as a relic of the Age of Gods, and it was also the origin of the 【Brave One】 qualification.
One must know that there are differences among 【Brave One】s; some are powerful enough on their own to bear that fate-star, while others are entirely blessed by the heavens.
And this Brave One candidate named Alexander was undoubtedly the latter—he could have succeeded even in a wheelchair.
【Oh, that sword... so that's it.】
Faust: "You recognize it? Speak your mind."
【That weapon is not a divine blade meant for slaying, but the Blade of Praising Gods. It is the highest ritual vessel gifted by the gods to mortals. However, in terms of specifications, it is indeed qualified to carry the status of a Brave One.】
Mephistopheles spoke eloquently in Faust's mind:
【The Blade of Praising Gods collects the hymns of sentient beings, granting various buffs to its wielder or channeling magical power. If the hymn for rain is enabled, it can summon torrential downpours; if the heroic hymn is enabled, it will elevate the body of a son of man to a transcendent, saintly state.】
【It even has a hymn for dragon-slaying, stacking anti-dragon buffs on the user. In essence, this is a part of the world's authority controlled by the gods. Even though the Age of Gods has long since passed, the wheel of destiny still retained the Blade of Praising Gods, and it has ended up here as a qualification prop for the Brave One.】
Faust listened to Mephisto's explanation while summarizing the situation for Irithea, maintaining his persona of being well-informed.
The white-wolf maiden’s lake-blue eyes sparkled, and she could not help but remark:
"This sword is practically tailor-made for a bard!"
Faust smiled at this: "If you want it, I can get it for you, though it will take a little while."
"Isn't this a relic of the Age of Gods that has already recognized its master? You can't just snatch it, can you?"
Although Irithea truly liked it, she still had her principles.
A gentleman loves wealth but acquires it through proper means. The wolf-maiden, who despised the barbaric, would not tolerate acts of plunder.
"Sigh, you can't say it like that. I see this Blade of Praising Gods as a vessel of the state. As the saying goes, when the heavenly mandate shifts, the divine vessel changes hands to one of virtue—this is the natural order of things."
"If the master is gone, the ownership of the divine vessel must naturally be re-determined. I think you are more qualified to possess it than anyone else."
Faust looked up and saw Alexander crossing through the crowd, walking straight toward the depths of the estate with a firm stride and a gentle smile on his face.
Suddenly, that proper smile froze.
His gaze was naturally drawn to the most dazzling and stunning 【witch】.
The two beautiful maidens on the chaise longue were like a painting independent of the world, existing on a completely different layer than everything around them.
Alexander could not help but ask:
"Who are those two beautiful ladies?"
"Oh, that is the princess of the Midwinter Kingdom, and the other one should be a noble from the Qingxi Kingdom."
"Alas, Lord Alexander, wait, they are!"
Seeing the young man appear to head toward Selena and the other, others tried to warn him, yet Alexander’s pace was too fast.
Within mere breaths, he walked up to the chaise longue and stopped three steps away from Selena, bowing elegantly:
"Respected Princess of Midwinter, please allow me to introduce myself—Alexander, one of the Brave One candidates certified by the Sanctuary."
His voice was low and magnetic, filled with intense confidence. In the past, he would not have even been able to look up to anyone present.
But ever since obtaining the 【Blade of Praising Gods】 and the title of Brave One candidate, he had long grown accustomed to his transcendent status over these past few years, becoming able to stand neither humbly nor arrogantly before anyone.
"A mere glimpse in the crowd just now was enough to be struck by your beauty. If I could not come to greet you personally, I think I would regret it for the rest of my life."
Selena had been lazily leaning on the chaise longue chatting with Viviana when she was suddenly addressed.
She lifted her eyelids and swept a faint, indifferent glance at him with her silver eyes.
"Oh."
It was but a single word.
Such a cold reaction left Alexander somewhat at a loss.
In the past, if he had revealed his identity, even if beauties didn't throw themselves at him, he would at least have been treated with great courtesy. Where had he ever endured such a cold shoulder?
Faust’s brow arched slightly.
Good, someone has finally walked right into it!
Faust’s mood was as pleasant as having successfully pulled off a scam; it was immensely satisfying.
However, this was not just any ordinary dissolute young master, but a 【Brave One】 candidate who had walked right into his trap. If that was the case, should he proceed?
No! Precisely because he is a 【Brave One】, it is even more worth the effort to practice on!
Faust placed his glass on the bar, strode toward Selena and the others, and shouted:
"How insolent! You have quite the nerve!"
Rate on N.U.
