Evan D. Sherden at the Party (6)

The organizer of the party, Matthew L. Leonine, finally arrived at the party hall which had already been transformed into a sea of tears due to Evan and Arisha.

Sir Matthew is now entering! Slightly faded blonde hair, purple eyes, and an overall handsome man who was much less subdued than his younger sister Anastasia. Shine, who was attending to Evan, spoke quietly as they watched the man enter.

Hes strong.

Actually, his combat ability is considerable.

However, strictly speaking, he was not a regular, and he wouldnt ever have the chance to enter the dungeon, so he was weaker than Evan at this point. Probably? He really missed the in-game status system that could be used to grasp the opponents info.

Arent you like Leo, who can grasp the level of power your opponent has at a glance?

Can anyone do that? Besides, Grandpa Leo cant recognize it in detail.

Hey, if his sensing ability was perfect, he wouldve been frightened by you.

Evan had learned martial arts to move and fight, but it had also made it possible to recognize his opponents power, although the specifics were beyond him.

But is that important? The successor of a noble family doesnt necessarily need to be strong

No, its important because they are Leonine. I told you, right? This duchy claimed this territory by force.

Ah

Evans explanation followed, and Shine nodded. Right now, Sorde L. Leonine was also a general who led the army on the battlefield, and his successor was expected to take over that role. Leonines identity was as a duke and a lord of war. The power of the successor was more important than even in the Sherden family.

Thats why it becomes important to teach princess Anastasia how to practice her druidic magic.

Thats the case

Evan, hes heading this way.

What? He was the partys organizer, but he didnt even say hello to the guests from the podium and instead was coming here right away? Evan turned to gaze up to see Matthew L. Leonine walking straight toward him. No matter how much Evan played the role of a love-sick noble, it wouldnt work against the dukes successor. Evan stood up to greet him. Matthew stepped over and reached out for a handshake.

Evan D. Sherden, nice to meet you. I heard you were young, but youre pretty tall.

Matthew L. Leonine, nice to meet you.

Although Evan was tall for his age, Matthew was about ten centimeters taller than him. Evan was forced to look up and thought even Raihan would need to look up at him.

Thank you very much for responding to the invitation. I heard that this is the first party youve participated in.

Leonine is one of the great names in the Silk Line. Its an honor to be here.

Matthew slightly frowned at the polite response. The reason was that the name Leonine symbolized valor but, at the same time, was the name of one who could never become king.

Wellyes, who is this beside you?

This is Arisha of the Pellati family who rules the dungeon city of Mana Road.

I am Arisha von Pellati.

Matthew quietly applauded at Arishas grace and sophistication.

Now, I see. You two go very well together. I hope you enjoy this party.

I already am enjoying it plenty. Thank you for your consideration.

Yes. Then, I will see you later as we have something important to discuss.

He lightly tapped Evans hand then left with a wink. Evan merely looked down at his hand.

This is it.

What?

When he touched it, I could feel that he was weak. Perhaps much weaker than me.

Uh

Our master is a little different!

Evan could now quite calmly judge his opponent. However, his own abilities were so great that it couldnt be helped that it sounded like he was looking down on them.

Well, that is the young master.

No, hes too weak.

Evan laughed as he watched Matthew leave. It wasnt bad news that he was weaker. Even in the game, it was said that the successor of the Leonine family lacked compared to the previous Duke. Perhaps that was why he wanted to challenge the kingship to surpass his father.

If you lack in power, your brain should be good, but compared to your ambitionsthose both are too short.

Even now, didnt he just openly approach Evan, a man from the dungeon city, thinking that he could rely on his forces?

What a real fool.

Yes.

The power of the dungeon city was independent of the country, and its blade would never face toward humans. That was the absolute principle, and if it were broken, it would leave a great scar on the country to allow the demons to run wild

Itll be better if he can be stopped. Whats left then is Anastasia.

Evan raised the champagne glass Belois had provided him and toasted the future before taking a sip. His expression shifted to a frown immediately after.

This is non-alcohol. I dont feel it.

Were underage, master. Alcohol is still

He was hoping that he would be able to drink alcohol outside of the adults watchful eyes! Discouraged, Evan looked at Belois with troubled eyes.

Cant I have just a cup, Lua? Just one.

It cant be helped, then Ill bring you a drink. Belois couldnt endure even for a second and left to grab him one. Honestly, it was too easy.

No, you cant. You cant give in so easily to the young master.

Oh.

However, Shine blocked his operation right before its imminent success. No matter how much Evan looked at Shine, his honor as a butler would not falter.

Alcohol is something to drink as an adult.

Im going to start a liquor business sooner or later, then I can drink secretly.

Well, please give up.

These guys had never had alcohol before, so they didnt understand his feelings. How much he had longed for it since he regained the memories of his previous life! Having a cup of soju with some snacks after a hard dayof course, there were plenty of deaths in the game that had to do with Evan getting drunk, so he had to be careful of that. Fortunately, he had already prepared countermeasures.

Yes, actually, alcohol can be detoxified using the poison tolerance Ive trained! Whats even more surprising is that with some practice, it can be turned on and off

I still wont give you any.

I really hate you.

Im sorry, master Shine is stupid, but this time, he is right.

Eventually, his hope was shattered by Belois. Arisha grabbed his sleeve at that point.

Evan, shes here.

Thank you, ArishaIve made up my mind.

Matthew had just been about to begin his speech when everyones attention turned to the newcomer.

Well?

Hey, who is that beautiful girl? Waitmaybe?

Princess Anastasia is here!

Princess?!

I heard she cant go outside! She was wearing a dazzling party dress. The girl looked as if she might be blown away by the wind, trembling as if she were afraid of the peoples gaze.

Anastasia?

Sorry Im latebrother

Anastasia tried to respond calmly to Matthew, who was shocked. Knowing she had never attended any such event, he couldnt understand what she was thinking. Why now?

Anastasia, you no, its already done. Thank you for coming. Enjoy the party.

Yes, brother.

Matthew decided not to pay attention to her and decided that she, who had been stuck in her room until now, wouldnt be hurt by getting out. Perhaps that was the biggest mistake of his life.

Youre here, Anastasia?

Hello.

Hello, sir Evan. Lady Arisha, toonice to meet you.

?!

After greeting Matthew, Anastasia turned to Evans table so naturally, and Evan and Arisha gave her a seat as if they had been waiting. Until now, no one else had been allowed to join that table.

Why, Anastasia?! How?

Matthew was so confused he quietly puffed on the spot. The attendant behind him coughed loudly and returned him to his senses. Yes, now was the time for a speech!

I am Matthew L. Leonine. On behalf of Sorde L. Leonine, we welcome all guests to our home. This party has the hope that the young aristocrats who will lead Silk Line in the future can gather together and build a friendship

He tried to suppress his confusion and read the script he had been preparing. It was inevitable, however, that his gaze wandered over to the table Evan sat at.

Damn, when did you meet? Where? Evan D. Sherden, what are you thinking?

The speech ended without the great response that had been originally planned. Evans group had caught the attention of the others once more now that they were meeting with the princess.

Princess Anastasia

Did she have a connection with the Sherden family? No way is the duke trying to welcome the second son as a son-in-law

No, he has a fiance, right?

She hasnt been confirmed to be his fiance yet.

All of the party-goers were keenly interested in them. Although Evan hadnt been aiming for this, it was quite the achievement.

Sir Evan, is thisokay?

Anastasia herself, who was seated at the table, cautiously spoke up in a weak voice. Evan gave her a thumbs-up.

Only

It was great, Princess Anastasia.

The gazes are getting unpleasant.

Of course, this had been a planned scenario where they poured cold water onto Matthews ambition to rally the young nobles! But it wasnt over yet. Wasnt it just that Anastasia was doing something wrong at her brothers party? Not only Matthew, but the duke might try to punish her. In order to prevent that, they had to give this encounter a little reality.

Then, lets talk business a little while were here, Princess.

Evan deliberately spoke a little louder. Anastasia glanced over to Shine as if trying to gain a little more courage, then nodded with a small sigh.

That is what I was hoping for, sirno, CEO.

Evan, the CEO of the Brothers Corporation, was planning to do business with Princess Anastasia from now on.

At the end of his project, the succession of the Duke of Leonine would be at stake