The banquet hall buzzed with excitement.
"Hahaha! You brat, you're finally here!"
Sauros's voice was as booming as ever.
He strode over with a wineglass in hand, his eyes full of pride and relief.
"Good, good... you've finally agreed to dress like a proper person."
"In those clothes, you actually look like one of House Boreas!"
His enormous hand slapped Cui Ciyou heavily on the back with a dull thump.
"Any harder, and you'll knock me to pieces."
Cui Ciyou gave a wry smile and rubbed his back.
"Hmph! If you can't take that little bit of force, how can you call yourself a man of House Boreas?"
Sauros bristled and glared, though he couldn't hide the laughter in his eyes.
Philip and his wife, Hilda, followed close behind.
"Welcome back, Ciyou."
Philip wore an impeccable aristocratic smile, but his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's.
Guests came forward one after another, hoping to strike up a conversation with the young duke whose fame was rapidly growing.
Cui Ciyou smiled and responded to each of them with effortless poise.
Sylphy stood quietly beside him.
Her distinctive long green hair, gleaming softly beneath the magical lights, stood out in the crowd.
To most people in this world, green hair was the hallmark of the Superd Race.
Everyone regarded it as an ill omen.
Tonight, however, not a single oblivious "champion of justice" came forward to spout any nonsense.
Simply because she stood quietly at Cui Ciyou's side.
This duke of Asura, the slayer of the Red Dragon, had brought her into the hall as his companion without the slightest attempt to hide her.
That gesture alone was a declaration of the strongest kind.
Anyone who wanted to touch her would first have to consider whether they could withstand the wrath