Luo Ye's Invitation

Thor closed the door.

This was already the third noble who'd come to visit him, only to be turned away.

"If it's someone like that again, don't bring them to see me," he told the attendant beside him.

"But..." The attendant looked troubled. "Lord Kogel represents a duke of Eternal Night. I can't afford to offend him, either."

Thor tapped his chin. "Then tell them that the next person who comes to bother me will become fish food."

Seeing the attendant's stunned expression, Thor smiled. He didn't bother to repeat that he wasn't joking.

After all, if someone really did show up, the people who came after would learn whether he'd been joking or not.

Thor returned to the Palace. There was still a guest inside.

Luo Ye was leaning against a pillar in the middle of the Palace, grinning happily.

"These nobles are a nuisance, aren't they? But don't worry, they're clever, too. They'll push right up against the limits of your patience, but the moment you show even a hint of irritation, they'll obediently back off."

Luo Ye pursed his lips. "The ones who didn't know when to back off were cleared out long ago."

"I hope so," Thor said quietly. "I don't like raising fish."

Luo Ye nodded. "Neither do I, but there's no helping it. Mermaids are like fertilizer for the Red Sea Tree. Without them, the Red Sea Tree can't keep growing."

He followed Thor into the Laboratory.

Luo Ye had thick skin. As long as Thor didn't outright stop him, he'd dare to follow him inside and rummage through someone else's notes.

Thor glanced sideways at him but didn't stop him from coming in.

After all, Luo Ye couldn't tell what ingredients Thor had used in his fusion from the materials visible on the