Why Would a Homegrown Flower Smell as Sweet as a Wildflower

"Lord Iliphis, let's go check out that shop!"

Serena pretended to be intimate Iliphis's arm, walking towards a luxurious beauty salon that looked extremely expensive.

Iliphis smiled and nodded, his every move giving off a feeling of "doting" on Serena, making the onlookers want to scream.

The reason he brought Serena out was to cultivate his public image and deepen the impression in the public's mind that "Lord Iliphis and Princess Serena are in love," so that his wedding with the Princess in the future wouldn't be too abrupt.

Yes, the wedding. He's already considering marrying the Princess.

No matter how you look at it, now is a great time.

The Warrior Country, which frequently clashes with the kingdom on the border, will soon be holding its nationally significant "War Festival," leaving it no time to attend to its conflicts with the kingdom.

Moreover, he had no need to worry about the long-standing problem of the demon race; things were peaceful both domestically and internationally.

It wouldn't matter if the King died now.

He had to consider whether this was his only chance in his life, and whether he could find a new opportunity if he missed this period. However, his cautious nature prevented him from making any rash moves.

He brought Serena out today with the intention of seeing the public's reaction.

"If only I had a way to control the thoughts of the entire nation," he thought to himself, "I'm not even capable of controlling a single Leyndell with my current abilities."

Unless, there is an opportunity that will bring about a qualitative change in oneself.

Thinking of this, he subconsciously touched his chest, where a strangely shaped red pendant hung, hidden by his clothes.

The Fallen Devil Egg is a mysterious item he obtained after making a deal with a demon priest. This item can entice people's negative emotions and lure them into becoming life forms similar to demons.

One of Iliphis's Unique Talent happens to be the ability to manipulate people's emotions, whether positive or negative.

Later, after many experiments, he discovered that people who had been guided by him to use the Fallen Devil Egg did not turn into mindless demons, but instead became beings that retained their own intelligence and were closer to "monsters".

By controlling the amount of negative emotions, users can maintain their wisdom.

But he calculated the exact amount of this "quantity" through many painstaking experiments.

In that instant of success, he believed that his use of the Fallen Devil Egg had far surpassed that of the demon race.

If he so desires, he can use the Fallen Devil Egg to instantly overwhelm anyone with negative emotions and transform them into an intelligent beast that is absolutely loyal to him.

However, the Fallen Devil Egg has two problems.

One problem arose with King Anzi III.

Secondly, he Iliphis is currently unusable.

At first, he was just puzzled by the situation, but he didn't take it to heart. He was the commander and he was very strong. Although using the Fallen Devil Egg could greatly enhance his combat power, Deathmatch was more suitable for his subordinates.

But recent events have changed his mind.

Those were the crushing defeats we suffered in the Zane Dungeon.

Black Swordsman, Mist Dragon, Overlord Wolnir.

Iliphis wanted nothing more than to devour their flesh and blood, but he also knew that he was no match for either of them in a direct confrontation.

He now also craves power, but the power he can gain through training is negligible, and he doesn't have time to spend in the Zane Dungeon accumulating Spirit Power. So he can only study the Fallen Devil Egg and figure out how he can use it.

Even when he channeled his negative emotions to the point of near explosion, he couldn't get the Fallen Devil Egg to react, as if it simply disliked him.

Too many negative emotions would affect his daily work, so he needed to get away and relax. Choosing the innocent and silly Serena was a good way to unwind.

"Lord Iliphis, Lord Iliphis?"

Serena's voice came from beside him, Iliphis realized that he had been lost in thought, which was really wrong of him.

"You look quite tired. How about trying the Hair Washing Massage Method that's been popular in the Leyndell lately?"

What were those nobles in the Leyndell researching again? Iliphis was puzzled, with so many people watching, he figured it was just a hair wash and massage, nothing serious, so he agreed.

Serena immediately instructed the staff to request the best service, Iliphis along to observe the so-called Hair Washing Massage Method.

"Oh oh ah ah ah!"

A utterly undignified scream came from inside the beauty salon. Iliphis was startled and instinctively reached for the longsword at his waist, only then realizing that he hadn't brought his weapon with him today.

What's going on? Could it be that some demons have infiltrated the Leyndell?

Then, he saw a scene he couldn't understand.

A portly middle-aged man wrapped in a bath towel stumbled past him, while a thin man straddled him, his legs locked around the man's neck, his hands frantically scratching at the man's head, soap bubbles flying everywhere.

"Earl Samid?"

Iliphis recognized the middle-aged man's identity. Was this an attack targeting the nobles?

Just as he was about to intervene, he saw the skinny man jump off Earl Samid and, with a wave of his hand, use water magic to dispel all the soap bubbles.

Earl Samid, who had been screaming in agony, now looked refreshed and said comfortably, "Oh my, the popular Hair Washing Massage Method is truly living up to its reputation. All my fatigue seems to have disappeared."

Iliphis almost blurted out "Huh?" but thankfully he held back to protect his image.

Serena explained, much like Speedwagon:

"Recently, the Sain Style has become very popular in the Leyndell. The Hair Washing Massage Method in this shop was inspired by a monster called Ghrū in Farron Keep. The massage effect is very good, and it can dispel fatigue even better than the Greater Holy Light Spell."

What is the "Sain Style"? Why is it imitating a monster washing its hair? What changes have occurred in the Leyndell while I was researching the Fallen Devil Egg?

Iliphis a daze, he felt as if he had returned to the time when he first came to the Leyndell and was still a country bumpkin.

But Serena's words interrupted his memories before they could even surface.

"Next up is your turn, Lord Iliphis."

Iliphis was uncharacteristically stunned, his flawless expression twitching almost imperceptibly.

"Remember to run like Earl Samid! This is to mimic the adventurers who have been attacked by Ghrū, and it will also promote blood flow and make the massage more effective."

After saying that, Serena, her eyes sparkling, Iliphis's arm and said pitifully, "I'm really worried about your health. Please go get a massage."

"This is the first time I've ever seen Princess act cute! So adorable!"

"Lord Iliphis is so lucky!"

"Don't even mention washing my hair, if I Iliphis, I'd be willing to turn my back on you!"

Where did all of you onlookers come from?!

Iliphis suddenly realized that he was surrounded by people. What happened to the private place he was promised?

This was, of course, Serena's scheme.

"Ghrū."

Seeing the staff member gesturing "please" to him, Iliphis was in a desperate situation.

Rather than let him run like the wind in front of people like Earl Samid, he might as well go and have a French kiss with Overlord Wolnir.

But his vanity surpasses even that of Leon, who made his debut, so—

Soon after, rumors spread throughout the streets and alleys that Iliphis truly doted on Princess Serena.

Does this mean he indirectly achieved his goal?

"."

Iliphis walked silently out of the beauty salon, she felt unclean, as if she had been defiled.

But, but.

For some reason, he felt that the hair washing and massage he had just received was really comfortable, and his fatigue had been completely swept away, with his brows involuntarily relaxing.

"Wrong!"

After realizing that his thoughts had been led astray, Iliphis even had the idea of blowing up the beauty salon with a magic spell!

"Lord Iliphis, let's go to the next shop. They can provide a back massage experience like the Furious Rajang."

I absolutely do not want to go!

Iliphis felt a negative emotion rising within him. If he continued to stroll around with Serena like this, he might be able to use the Fallen Devil Egg today.

I need to find a way to get out of here.

As soon as he stepped out of the beauty salon, he saw familiar figures waiting outside – it was Elsa and Sally!

"Ah, Captain," Sally said quickly Iliphis come out, "Gers is important, and the Princess is here too, so let's go first."

"Princess Highness, please allow me to take my leave for now. The Light Eagle Legion has important matters awaiting my attention," Iliphis said quickly.

"Hmm, don't worry about me, please go and do more important things."

This sounded a bit strange, but Iliphis decided to pretend he didn't notice, since he could control Serena's loyalty to him anyway.

With the unexpected help of Elsa and Sally, Iliphis successfully escaped from the upcoming back massage service.

Serena smiled as she watched them leave, wondering when the life-size Pure Gold Ornstein Statue she had commissioned would arrive.

On the way back to the Light Eagle Legion camp, Iliphis listened to Sally's report, which was all information Elsa had gathered from the Skyrim Strategy Team.

Pontiff Sulyvahn

Iliphis fell into thought. This pope also sounded like a heavyweight, and seemed even more powerful than Wolnir.

Could it be that the Eagle Country I've been longing for is in Sulyvahn's hands, and that I can obtain it by defeating him?

How many areas of the Zane Dungeon have been opened since it appeared near the Leyndell? Irithyll is the fifth, and considering its size and the strength of its monsters, it should be the perfect final area.

People, including Iliphis, have never seen a dungeon with a constant stream of new areas appearing. People are always wondering when the Zane Dungeon will finally stop "updating".

Doesn't Irithyll look just right right now? It's perfect as an ending.

"Let everyone get ready," Iliphis said. "In a few days, I will personally lead the people into the dungeon."

Sally had guessed the answer and wasn't surprised. However, at that moment, Iliphis suddenly looked at Elsa and asked:

"Have you been having fun out lately?"

Elsa paused for a moment, hesitated, and finally nodded; she always spoke the truth.

"They're with that adventurer team called the Skyrim Strategy Team, right? Thanks for gathering information for me, Gers."

Iliphis suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, since you like them so much, why don't you recruit them into the Light Eagle Legion?"

"What?" Sally exclaimed in surprise.

This was a problem Elsa hadn't anticipated; she struggled with the thought, and finally shook her head.

But what was the reason? She couldn't think of a suitable reason; at that moment, her inner thoughts were almost summed up in one sentence—

Homegrown flowers never smell as sweet as wildflowers.

"That makes sense. They've already made a name for themselves, so they wouldn't join the Light Eagle Legion for no reason."

Iliphis patted the two of them on the back, as if to encourage them, and said:

"No matter how we treat outsiders, we will always be one family."

A red light flashed in Sally's eyes, and she nodded, moved.

Elsa remained expressionless and unresponsive, but that was always the case, Iliphis didn't take it seriously.

However, recently, the mercenaries of the Light Eagle Legion have a consistent opinion about Elsa: "Captain Gers has become much more expressive lately, and even cuter."

At this moment, Iliphis was thinking about the Skyrim Strategy Team and the Strategy Team that Leon belonged to; it was these two who had come looking for trouble in the first place.

Now, the cabbage (Elsa) I raise at home is showing signs of growing arms and legs and running out of the garden to find wild boars. Even if the cabbage can cut a piece of meat from the wild boar and bring it back to me, it still leaves me feeling uneasy.

So now is the time to slaughter the pig and eat the meat.