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"Huu..."
Leaning against the wall that radiated with a brilliant golden splendor, Fang Li let out a slow breath.
At this moment, he was once again dressed in formal evening wear, a glass of wine in his hand, gently swirling it, taking small sips now and then.
In front of him, the farewell banquet was reaching its peak.
Just like the previous celebration banquet, tonight's dinner was held in the same grand hall, with nearly identical decorations.
Long white tables were arranged in orderly rows.
Plates of steaming, luxurious dishes were served upon them. Nobles dressed in elegant evening gowns conversed politely with flawless smiles on their faces. Adventurers fully geared up in their usual equipment gathered together, chatting and laughing.
The scene was exactly like last time. The only difference was: this time, no one questioned Fang Li's party's strength.
The nobles' eyes had shifted from doubt to respect. The adventurers' expressions had gone from unfriendly to warm.
Kazuma, Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness stood in the center of it all.
This time, they were undoubtedly the stars of the show.
"You ask why Fang Li chose me? Why he invited me into his team? Obviously because I'm super talented!"
The famous weakest Class was surrounded by a bunch of adventurers, chugging beer and stuffing his face with meat while boasting wildly, spittle flying everywhere.
"I'm not bragging, but I'm really the soul of the team. Without me, we wouldn't make it, nope, not a chance. Fang Li knows exactly how valuable I am. That's how we defeated a Demon King's General, and why even the princess took notice! You guys can be like me too, if you join the Axis Church, that is...!"
The ever-useless Goddess was over in the nobles' circle, bragging shamelessly about her abilities, even trying to trick them into becoming Axis cult followers.
"Awooo…! Awooo…!"
The ever-brain-broken Crimson Magic girl had no time for words, buried deep in a mountain of food like a reincarnated starving ghost, shouting orders at the servants to bring out more dishes.
"No, no, you give me too much credit. If I've made it this far, it's all thanks to my companions. I'm just the team's humble shield, nothing more…"
Surprisingly, Darkness had completely concealed her usual side. She carried herself like a proper noble young lady, conversing gracefully with surrounding nobles and adventurers. Her elegant demeanor was on full display. It seemed she was mindful of maintaining her public image.
Watching his four teammates being swarmed by nobles and adventurers like true main characters, Fang Li couldn't help but smile silently.
"Can't believe they're able to let loose like this."
Of course, Fang Li was also the main character of this banquet.
Or rather, this banquet was specifically held to bid him farewell, he was supposed to be the true center of attention.
However, Iris hadn't announced that Fang Li was leaving.
So the nobles and adventurers simply assumed she was making up for the last banquet that ended abruptly, and naturally, they all gathered around Kazuma, Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness.
Fang Li had also mingled with the crowd earlier.
But he quickly grew tired of exchanging empty pleasantries with nobles and listening to the same compliments from adventurers over and over. So, he slipped away to this quiet corner, watching the banquet from afar in silence.
Until, a voice called out to him.
"Why are you hiding out here?"
As usual, Iris, dressed in a stunningly pure white gown, had somehow appeared in front of Fang Li, tilting her head and smiling at him.
Perhaps, only in front of Fang Li would Iris reveal such a completely unguarded smile. Normally, she'd be too concerned with appearances to show such cheerful expression, wouldn't she?
Fang Li believed that if things continued like this, Iris's naturally shy personality would eventually change for the better.
So, he responded with a soft smile of his own.
"Nothing much. Just felt a little bored. Those guys seem to be enjoying the banquet anyway, so I figured I'd let them have their fun."
This reply didn't seem to surprise Iris.
"You really haven't changed, still so straightforward," Iris said with a wry smile. "Even though this farewell party was carefully prepared just for you, to think you'd still find it boring."
"I said talking with nobles and adventurers is boring, not the banquet itself," Fang Li subtly corrected. "I mean, who could be bored by eating and drinking, right?"
"Then that's good." Iris's expression finally brightened again. She stepped up beside Fang Li, leaned against the wall just like he did, and gazed out at the banquet hall.
This scene didn't go unnoticed.
But no one dared approach.
After all, the princess was speaking privately with her fiancé, nobody would be foolish enough to interrupt.
Even Claire, recognizing the situation, simply sat gloomily with Rain, quietly eating and staying away.
And so, Fang Li and Iris stood side by side, watching the festivities in silence.
Though, the silence didn't last long.
"Tomorrow…" Iris murmured to herself. "You're leaving tomorrow?"
"More accurately, I'm leaving tonight," Fang Li replied directly. "As soon as the banquet ends, I'll leave the Royal Castle."
"...That soon?" Iris said softly. "Why not wait until morning?"
"Everything that needed doing is done. Everyone I needed to say goodbye to, I already have." Fang Li shrugged. "If I linger any longer, it'll just make parting harder. Better to make a clean break."
"That's just like you." Iris couldn't help but laugh, a laugh tinged with emotion, and said, "Last time, you left the same way. Not a trace of hesitation. I still don't know if that makes you cruel or gentle."
As she spoke, Iris quietly reached out and took Fang Li's hand in hers.
Fang Li looked down in surprise. Iris, too, looked up and met his eyes. On her young and cute face was a smile, one that looked both happy and sorrowful.
Then, she softly spoke: "Please come back soon. If you don't… I'll be lonely."
Those words were enough to shake anyone's heart. Fang Li let out a soft sigh and smiled back.
"I'll remember that."
That simple answer seemed to satisfy Iris. Together, they looked out once more at the banquet, saying nothing more.
Only their joined hands remained, unwilling to let go.
That night, after the banquet ended, Fang Li changed out of his evening clothes and, just as he had said, quietly left the Royal Castle.
And at last, vanished into the streets.
(End Of This Chapter)