Chapter 347: The Girl at the Ball
The Garrison Fort had previously been a dual-purpose structure—a fortress and a city.
Now, it was gradually transforming into a purely military stronghold.
The residents were being relocated to other areas.
Earl Mors had built a small town about 100 kilometers away, which now housed the displaced residents of the Garrison Fort.
Currently, the fort was filled with adventurers and soldiers.
Li Meng grinned as he strolled leisurely through the streets.
"I'm a bad guy. Freedom comes only when I decide to grant it to you."
Since he was already here, he might as well pay Sandra a visit.
If that woman was truly willing to sacrifice her life for freedom, Li Meng wouldn't mind sampling how she tasted.
"Xiao Bai, lead the way to the Earl's manor."
"Master, just follow this street straight ahead."
---
Around a long table, a group of nobles sat facing each other.
These nobles were all lords from the border territories, invited by Earl Mors himself.
"Gentlemen, the southern frontier is a fertile land. With the demons driven out of the Southern Continent due to internal strife among alien races, we now face only one enemy: the Goblin King in the Goblin Forest."
"As long as we kill the Goblin King, the southern frontier will be ours!"
Earl Mors' statement elicited mixed reactions from the lords around the table.
The Irisis Principality had long coveted the southern frontier, as had the other human kingdoms bordering it.
But even the Sword King, Carlos, had been defeated in the Goblin Forest.
Could they really achieve victory by assembling a frontier expedition force?
"Earl Mors, we lack sufficient powerful forces," one lord seated at the end of the table remarked.
Although both Earl Mors and his wife were Saint-level warriors, they alone weren't enough.
Mors smiled faintly and turned his gaze toward a graceful figure dressed in a white and gold ceremonial robe on his left.
The attire made it immediately clear she was a priestess of the temple.
Meeting Mors' gaze, Efrideet nodded slightly before turning to address the gathered lords.
"The Holy See has decided to dispatch a hero squad to assist Earl Mors in the campaign against the Goblin King," she announced in a gentle yet clear voice.
Her words caused a wave of surprise and delight among the lords.
With the hero squad joining, their chances of defeating the Goblin King were significantly higher.
The lords exchanged glances and no longer hesitated.
The hall soon filled with enthusiastic discussion.
---
While the meeting continued in the main hall, a tea party was taking place in the garden pavilion.
The participants were the wives of the lords in the main hall.
A colorful array of women in elegant gowns filled the pavilion, chatting happily.
Their conversations naturally revolved around men.
As the sun set, the garden gradually grew quiet.
---
The Evening Ball
As night fell, the Earl's manor came alive with activity.
A ball was being held in the main hall to welcome the visiting lords.
Earl Mors had invited prominent figures from the Garrison Fort, including merchants, adventurers, and nobles.
Music and singing echoed through the manor, mingling with lively chatter.
---
At the Manor's Gate
A group of five approached the entrance—three men and two women.
"This doesn't feel real," Martha muttered as they neared the gate.
"Why not, Martha?" Eileen asked curiously.
Martha glanced at the grand entrance.
"Why would the Earl invite us? We're just mid-level adventurers."
Her words caused the men behind her to exchange uncertain looks.
There were countless teams like theirs in the Garrison Fort, and they weren't particularly notable.
Why would Earl Mors invite them?
"Who cares? It's a noble's ball. Let's just enjoy it," Eileen said, unconcerned.
Since they had been invited, they might as well make the most of it.
"Come on, Martha, stop overthinking and follow me!"
Eileen grabbed Martha's hand and quickened her pace.
Both women wore off-the-shoulder, low-cut evening gowns—Martha's in white and Eileen's in purple.
The gowns hugged their waists and perfectly showcased their stunning curves, leaving the three men behind them momentarily dazed.
"Eileen, slow down!"
---
Just after the five entered the manor, another figure walked through the outer gate.
It was a young man in sleek black attire, with short black hair and dark eyes.
"Huh? Where's my invitation?"
At the gate, a chubby man was being stopped by the guards.
He fumbled through his pockets with his plump hands but couldn't find his invitation.
Sweating profusely, the man looked flustered, while his female companion appeared impatient.
"Uh… can't you let me in just this once?"
The man smiled nervously, pulling out a handful of gold coins.
The guard stood firm, staring straight ahead as if to say, "No invitation, no entry."
"You useless fool! You always screw up at critical moments. Go find it already!"
The woman's scolding sent the two away in embarrassment.
Watching the scene from the courtyard, the young man grinned and strolled leisurely toward the manor entrance.
"It's getting lively in here."
---
Upon entering, the space grew brighter.
The hall was filled with laughter and chatter.
Men and women danced in the center, while others gathered in groups, talking and laughing.
Li Meng scanned the room and fixed his gaze on the dance floor.
There, Sandra was dancing with a man, chatting and laughing as they discussed the Garrison Fort's recent invasion by demons.
The man wasn't Earl Mors—his attire suggested he was a noble.
Li Meng's gaze shifted to the edge of the hall, where Earl Mors was conversing cheerfully with a group of nobles.
---
"Um… excuse me, do you need a dance partner?"
A young girl blushing deeply blocked Li Meng's path.
She looked no older than fifteen, with a fair complexion tinged with red, making her appear both beautiful and adorable.
Li Meng glanced her up and down and smirked slightly.
Her petite figure wasn't to his taste.
"No, I don't."
The girl curtsied politely despite her disappointment, her eyes brimming with tears as she turned to leave.
In the distance, her parents seemed to be waiting for her.
"Was I too harsh?"
Even if he wanted to refuse, he could have been more gentlemanly about it.
Thinking this, Li Meng smiled and turned to walk toward the girl and her parents.
When he reached them, he bowed gracefully with a hand over his chest.