After saying this, Laine's eyes reddened a little. He paused for a moment, and then said, "Shall we take a look at Nord? They take pleasure in humiliating veterans and regard pitying them as a mark of their own kindness."
"Well, indeed, in Nord, the law of the jungle prevails. These retired veterans hold very low status, often receiving only a pension before heading home to retire. Unlike the Empire, where retired veterans might become instructors in the army or serve as military police keeping order." Lady Teresa remarked casually. It was clear that the topic didn't interest the female sorcerer much, although the previous story had touched her somewhat. Her path was ultimately to pursue the Path of Aurora, not to concern herself with the lives of commoners.
"Ah, never mind, let's not talk about this. In a while, Lord Villarld is holding a banquet. Do you want to come along?" After forcing the mercenary named Simon to apologize, Laine understandably noticed a decline in the Blood Axe Mercenary Corps' favor toward him, so he didn't plan to linger at the dock and intended to return to the inn for a rest.
"Before deciding whether to attend the banquet, can you tell me what these countryside noble banquets are like?" The female sorcerer's slender almond eyes fixed on Laine, and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, "Mr. Laine, the know-it-all?"
"What do you mean, know-it-all~" Laine rolled his eyes.
"Then~ Mr. Great Hammer?"
"..." Laine's facial muscles twitched continuously; he was truly annoyed by the nickname "Great Hammer."
It always reminded him of a skit from the Celestial Dynasty: "Eighty for a great hammer, forty for a small one."
But there was nothing to be done; in this world, nicknames are given by others, not chosen by oneself. Generally speaking, for a low-ranking noble like him, nicknames are often derogatory and unpleasant. It's not that "Great Hammer" is derogatory, but rather that nicknames are often like this because they want to show their humility to the deities and the world.
Among the Eight Virtues of Chivalry, humility is also an important virtue, isn't it?
To have a nice nickname, Laine's current level is still far from sufficient. He needs to become stronger and have more recognition.
"A countryside lord's banquet usually consists of a bunch of people enjoying barbecues, stews, and wine indoors. People either stand or sit, eat while chatting, and discuss the recent situation and some trades together." Laine nodded first, then shook his head self-deprecatingly, "However, some lords' banquets might be different; they might... be more open~ like, well, you know what I mean."
"What do you mean?" The female sorcerer apparently didn't understand.
Laine gave a sly smile and made a gesture. His right thumb and index finger formed a circle in the chilling air, and then his left index finger quickly thrust through the circle, winking.
"...I really want to shoot an Ice Arrow and slice your head off your neck." The female sorcerer quickly grasped the man's meaning. Her cold and charming face blushed red all of a sudden and then quickly turned black. Better for those smelly men to stay far away.
She suddenly didn't want to attend the banquet, "You go to the banquet tonight; I won't be going."
"Then will you go see that little mercenary? The one who broke his arm trying to show off in front of you, Banda?" Laine stroked his chin and said with interest, "Oh~ beautiful Lady Teresa personally visiting the brave mercenary and giving him a passionate kiss, our lovely little mercenary would be so touched he'd wet the bed, I'm sure."
"Tch, admirers of mine could line up from the Chaos Sea all the way to the World's Roof Mountain Range, including many of my suitors. That mercenary, Banda? What does he have to do with me?" Teresa sneered, showing disdain on her face. To the female sorcerer, a little mercenary with ordinary-tier strength was definitely classified as a "useless man," so even if he were willing to die for her, he wouldn't leave any impression in her heart.
The women of the Jialan Council are like this—realistic and harsh; this is why many people don't like them.
Laine thought that this made things simple: you don't care about me, and do you really think I want to seek you out?
If it weren't for the cooperation with the Church and the life-saving grace from his father, Laine would not have planned to get involved with these female spellcasters.
Because the Jialan Council has always liked to meddle in politics. Some of them marry into the Royal Nobility and then issue orders as lady of the house, continuously using gatherings for "lady" diplomacy, thus forming their own network to gain more political influence.
"So you don't intend to attend the banquet?"
"Do you think I should attend?" The female sorcerer suddenly stopped in her tracks, her tall figure standing still, her beautiful almond eyes gazing at Laine.
"If you would like to hear a word of advice from me, you should attend, Teresa. Meeting some smelly men and learning about the outside world is better than being cooped up in your hotel room indulging in vain self-admiration, isn't it?" Considering her mother's advice, Laine could only offer his suggestion, "Of course, it's your choice whether to go or not. The Path of Aurora doesn't mean hiding away in a tower for endless research."
"Alright, see you tonight, Laine." The female sorcerer finally nodded, striding away with her proud posture, her long legs wrapped in tight pants and high boots swaying as they vanished around the street corner.