Frilian: This Demon Isn't So Cold

Mid-autumn day, the lord's mansion in Tiyua.

After parting ways with Vlamé, Carlos first wandered around the streets, and then went to meet her on time when it was almost time.

Noble banquets are quite different from ordinary restaurants. The atmosphere created by the exquisite decor, the servants standing at various points, and the carefully designed plating and seating are all very small details, but when combined, they can make a person's experience completely different.

But it made no difference to Carlos; he simply wanted to have a meal.

As long as the food tastes good, that's fine.

"This must be Carlos. You can't judge a book by its cover."

Carlos followed the servant who greeted him at the door into the dining room, where the lord was already waiting for him. Glancing inside, he could also see Vlame, Sylvie, and the others; they had already arrived.

However, I wasn't late.

"Not at all, it was just a small favor."

Carlos made a modest remark, and the lord, who was about to offer a few more compliments, paused for a moment before laughing and saying, "You can be more frank. Everyone here is very grateful for your contributions. Without your help, we wouldn't be able to have such a relaxed meal together right now."

The lord's expression suddenly turned serious, and he bowed solemnly to Carlos.

"Thank you very much, Lord Carlos."

The difference in strength brought absolute respect, and that was what Carlos thought when he saw the bowing lord.

The Demon King spent thousands of years lying low to achieve his current great feat, so what about me?

After bowing, the lord led him into the dining room and introduced Carlos to the local nobles one by one.

The nobles of the north were mostly powerful soldiers. Because they often had to fight against the demons, those nobles who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun would never want to come here to die. Over time, those who remained were all creatures that fit the ecological environment.

Vlame and Sylvie were also here. They were not nobles, but the former's strength was beyond doubt. It was only because of his status that the empire had not granted him any title. The latter was probably here because of the former's influence.

"I don't need to introduce these two, do I?" the lord said to Carlos with a knowing look in his eyes. Sylvia, who was standing behind the lord, winked at Carlos.

She didn't really want to participate in this kind of event, but many people wanted her to come, so under that pressure, she had no choice but to come.

I have no choice in the matter...

"Of course, my junior sister and her disciples are all people I am determined to protect." Noticing the lord's gaze just now, Carlos was speechless for a moment.

The other party seemed to have misunderstood something, but he had no intention of explaining, because this kind of relationship could actually help protect others.

After the introductions and a few more guests were introduced, the limited-attendance celebration banquet began.

"There was a celebration banquet last night, which I didn't attend, but I was still invited today. And today's banquet is almost entirely attended by nobles. Sigh, there's no escaping it."

Sylvia sat between Vlame and Carlos, and spoke to Carlos in a low voice.

Carlos was eating, taking a little of this and a little of that, thoroughly enjoying himself. Except when others greeted him, he would politely respond, but otherwise he was completely absorbed in eating.

I'm going to eat, eat, eat!

The best way to avoid trouble is to keep yourself busy, just like now. Seeing Carlos wolfing down his food, many nobles who wanted to curry favor with him hesitated.

As for those who had come to bother him earlier, Carlos could only silently lower his opinion of them.

But Sylvia is different.

Sigh, this is a society built on personal connections!

Carlos swallowed the food in his mouth and said softly, "Isn't this great? Being able to know so many powerful and influential people will make life much easier from now on."

"That's what my father told me too, but I know the truth in my heart." Sylvia said quite seriously, "If it weren't for the chance that he happened to bring you here at that time, it would be almost impossible for me to be sitting here now."

Upon hearing her clear self-awareness, Carlos paused, unsure of what to say.

"Besides, if it weren't for my connection with you, what good would it do me to know those nobles?"

Sylvia kept her head down, mechanically stirring the mashed potatoes in the plate.

"Don't worry, neither Vlame nor I are the kind of people who would abandon you." Carlos didn't have much experience in comforting people, so he tried his best to make his voice sound as gentle as possible.

"You just said you wouldn't abandon me, right?" Sylvia suddenly looked up at him, the gloomy expression on her face vanishing as if it were an illusion, replaced by a smile as if she had succeeded in her scheme.

Vlame, her mentor, was practically dead in name only. Over the past year, the time they spent together had drastically decreased. Sylvia had clearly realized the difference in their worlds, and given the ideals he held, it was impossible for him to stay here for long.

But Carlos's appearance changed everything. Vlamé and she spent more time together again. Just yesterday, he was about to leave, but he chose to come back and accompany her for basic practice.

"You plotted against me?" Carlos's eyes widened. Wasn't this bullying an honest person?

"Hehe, no, I just wanted to be a little spoiled. I feel much better now," Sylvia said with a smile. "If you ever abandon me, I'll definitely write it down in my little notebook."

"Sylvia, stop fooling around," Vlame, who had been eavesdropping, said helplessly. "I didn't say you couldn't come with us, but has your father agreed?"

"How dare he disagree? I'm an adult now, and I can make decisions about my own future." Sylvia lightly punched Volamey.

Carlos sensed that something was amiss with his father's daughter.

"Lord Carlos." Just as he was smiling as he watched Vlame and Sylvie playfully bickering, someone called to him from the side.

Carlos turned around and saw a man with a buzz cut, probably a teenager, with a youthful face but a resolute expression.

He recognized him at a glance.

"It's you, Brenner."

"I never expected you to remember my name." Brenner was deeply moved, and his eyes welled up with tears.

"I might have needed to think about it for a while, but someone else had already mentioned it to me once before."

Carlos didn't say those words aloud, but smiled and nodded as if he had truly remembered his name for a long time:

"How could I possibly forget such a mischievous child?"

"That's all in the past..." Brenner's face immediately turned red, the kind that he couldn't hide. "Anyway, I came here specifically to thank you for your guidance back then."

After saying that, he left the banquet venue without looking back.

"What's wrong? Who was that just now?" Sylvia asked curiously as she leaned closer.

"I met him when I stayed here before, don't worry about it, it's nothing serious." Carlos laughed as he searched his memory after entering the room and realized that Brenner had come to talk to him after finishing his meal.

He's still young and impetuous, but he likes it very much.