Chapter 133: Chapter 131: The Balcony
Eight days before the Rainbow Festival, on the balcony of the Grand Benefactor’s residence.
This balcony, which can capture the most beautiful parts of Shalin City, is a place where the Grand Benefactor receives distinguished guests. Over half of the nobles have dreamed in bed of being fortunate enough to be a guest on the balcony. Recently, a lowborn commoner was received by the Grand Benefactor on the balcony and moved into the noble district the next day, becoming an authentic noble.
Within a day, rumors spread throughout the noble circle about “Big Shot Furith” behaving like a dog in front of the Grand Benefactor on the balcony. The rumors vividly depicted Furith’s contemptible and fearful demeanor, making people nauseous, in stark contrast to the Grand Benefactor’s composed and dignified presence.
The nobles secretly admired the Grand Benefactor’s demeanor while viewing the new noble Furith with disdain, agreeing among themselves that even if “Big Shot Furith” shamelessly approached for a marriage alliance, neither distant female relatives nor maids would be offered to him as a wife. Of course, if the Grand Benefactor were to intervene, perhaps a jaded bedslave could be considered for Furith.
Sadly, it was clear that Furith was afraid. Ever since he moved into the noble district, he had never attended a single public gathering. In fact, he had only received one contemptuous invitation, which he had rejected. This, to some extent, displeased the nobles organizing banquets who wanted to bring Furith down a notch.
However, while they used polite language to belittle Furith, everyone yearned even more for the Grand Benefactor’s balcony. If an abject commoner could achieve a class leap on the balcony, what would happen if it were themselves?
Regardless, knowing how to use the balcony was a mandatory lesson for the future masters of Shalin City.
Miss Lise, the granddaughter of the Grand Benefactor, was currently troubled by this mandatory lesson.
With thick, long brown hair cascading down to her waist, she wore a form-fitting light gold gown, and her emerald earrings matched perfectly with her pair of green eyes. She sat at a round table, maintaining a polite smile while enduring an endless barrage of words from a tall, red-haired man sitting across from her.
That red-haired man, Straus, was also her childhood friend. His face was flushed with excitement, and his lips were animatedly moving:
“…Lise, this balcony is so spacious, and the garden below looks lovely too, but compared to the World Tree in the realm of the elves—Lise, have you heard of the elves’ World Tree?”
“I know.”
“It’s where the elven royalty lives, the palace of the elven king is like a bird’s nest built on a branch… there’s a wide balcony on a golden palace…”
Lise hated Straus’s condescending tone as he spoke. He didn’t care about whether she understood; he only wanted to satisfy his desire to teach. Of course, she knew there was a World Tree in the elven forest and was aware that Straus confused wood elves with high elves.
However, she had to bear with it. Since her mother’s death, after mourning, she had to take on her mother’s heavy responsibilities and would eventually inherit the position of Grand Benefactor.
Lise had heard the maids describe the day when Big Shot Furith spoke with the Grand Benefactor. She respected her grandfather’s dignified bearing and composure; if it were her, she would certainly mock the dog-like Furith.
That’s why she had invited red-haired Straus over—not merely valuing his family background but also as practice. If she could withstand the incessant self-aggrandizement of Straus, what “balcony guests” in the world could make her lose her composure?
After his lengthy introduction, Straus proudly said:
“I was fortunate enough to step into the elven king’s palace; it was truly magnificent.”
Lise felt annoyed and thought of taking back the initiative, saying coolly, “If I’m not mistaken, your introduction was a verbatim excerpt from the book I read when I was nine, ‘The Elven King’s Palace – A Nest-like Palace.’”
Straus was momentarily stunned and responded:
“Ah… as expected of you, such a good memory. I referenced this famous work. I assure you, the scenery on the World Tree is exceptionally beautiful—ordinary people won’t have the chance to see it in their lifetime.”
Lise felt irritated but remained composed, thinking to hit back at Straus, she said:
“Recently, the Paladin George from the Holy Hall was exposed and expelled from the city; you heard about that, right?”
Straus’s enthusiasm surged as he said:
“Of course! I said no wonder he fights so well; he’s simply a monster—he’s a monster wearing human skin. The Holy Hall has bad intentions, pretending to be good people while sending someone to deceive you.”
Lise lightly furrowed her brows and replied:
“Monsters alone cannot kill the Demon King, and he also saved my life.”
“Lise, that’s just his disguise.”
“I like him,” Lise boldly said. “He is the real warrior.”
Straus’s eyes widened in shock:
“He’s a fanatic of the Holy Hall! You don’t know, when he was escaping, he even had the leisure to burn a mage apprentice alive.”
“I asked my grandfather; he was trying to retrieve his customized magical item. You still don’t understand these intricacies.”
“Don’t forget, he wanted to destroy Shalin City, he’s our enemy.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t prevent me from appreciating his knightly spirit in protecting ladies,” Lise responded. “He broke through towards the direction of his girl after being discovered.”
“That’s not an impressive quality, like me.”
“You? Just don’t hold me back.” Lise mercilessly brought up his sore spot, “I still remember the last time we entered the goblin cave.”
Straus’s face turned beet red with embarrassment, and his ears burned. He opened his mouth to say something but ultimately didn’t.
Finally managing to silence the boaster, Lise felt secretly pleased and said:
“Let’s call it a day; thank you.”
The old maid nearby came over to escort him out.
“Ah? I still have more to say; please wait.”
Brown-haired Lise ignored him.
The old maid made a gesture inviting him to leave.
Straus wasn’t so shameless as to linger, so he reluctantly stood up, following the old maid out. Just before leaving, he turned back and said to Lise:
“I will protect you with my life, forever.”
Lise pretended not to hear, turning her head away from Straus to avoid showing her contemptuous smile, fearing it would be rude.
Straus puffed out his chest and followed the old maid out.
Upon hearing the sound of the glass door shutting behind her, Lise stood up and walked to the balcony, supporting her chin with her hands, sighing.
Why was her admirers so disappointing?
Compared to the righteous George, he was utterly worthless.
Thinking of this, Lise felt a pang of jealousy towards the succubus, Jima, beside the brave George. Although Jima could never compare to her in terms of status or moral virtue, she was fortunate enough to have the blood of such an exceptional and powerful man as George. He was willing to bleed for her.
Lise couldn’t help but start fantasizing about how great it would be if George would also be willing to bleed for her.
Maybe it was the magic of words.
Lise thought maybe George secretly admired her charm as well. Who said that love couldn’t exist across different camps? She had heard of a saintess falling in love with a demon king; couldn’t a holy knight like George like her?
Perhaps George, precisely because of their differing beliefs and factions, was forced to suppress his admiration for her.
Maybe he could bleed for her.
Thinking this way, Lise envisioned George riding a white horse, arriving beneath her balcony, dismounting with a cold expression, yet humbly kneeling before her, seeking her blessing.
Lise couldn’t help but giggle, lightly covering her flushed face with her hands, shaking her head to dispel this fantasy.
However, if George could awaken from the Holy Hall’s brainwashing, abandon his faith, and pursue her, she would definitely accept his pursuit and plead with her grandfather to pardon his sins.
At that time, her friends would surely be stunned, jaws dropping.
Thinking of this, Lise couldn’t help but smile again.
