"Hey, Evileye, look at those Fairy Tail's members. They're real beauties, aren't they? After changing clothes, their aura feels completely different!" On the second floor of the banquet hall, Gagaran, still in her red armor, looked down at Erza, Kagura, and Wendy below and said to Evileye beside her.
"What's the use of telling me? I don't have that kind of interest!" The masked Evileye responded in a displeased tone.
Gagaran knew this was just Evileye's nature and continued without minding: "Then look at Fairy Tail's leader, Kenichi!"
Even before Gagaran spoke, Evileye's gaze had already fallen upon Kenichi.
As she looked at Kenichi, she couldn't help but recall his words from last night when facing Jaldabaoth: 'The leader of the monsters is right here. To catch rebels, first catch the leader...'
Although Evileye had never truly fought Jaldabaoth, she could tell that Jaldabaoth was a monster among monsters.
Even she herself stood no chance of defeating Jaldabaoth.
Yet, when she learned that Kenichi had repelled Jaldabaoth, she felt an inexplicable joy.
Moreover, her heart, which hadn't beaten for hundreds of years, had miraculously started beating at that time.
Seeing that Evileye didn't answer, Gagaran immediately turned to look at her.
Noticing Evileye's face was directed towards Kenichi below, she couldn't help but tease: "Oh? So even Evileye can be interested in a man?"
Hearing Gagaran's words, Evileye flusteredly said: "What nonsense are you spouting? How could I be interested in a human? I've just never encountered someone so powerful before, it's just... admiration, that's all!"
"Eh? Admiration, is it?"
"Of course!"
Although Evileye said this with apparent calmness.
Inside, she was extremely flustered.
'Ah~ What's wrong with me?'
'My heart clearly stopped beating long ago, why is it like this!'
'And that person already has three women by his side...'
Just as Evileye was thinking these somewhat girlish thoughts, Gagaran looked towards the Golden Princess who was walking towards Kenichi.
"Evileye, why do you think Princess Renner specifically asked us to invite the Fairy Tail's members to this banquet?"
Hearing Gagaran change the subject, the fluster in Evileye's heart subsided a bit. She followed Gagaran's gaze towards the Golden Princess, looked at the innocent smile on the Golden Princess's face, and answered: "Isn't it obvious? She probably wants to see what kind of people could repel the Demon Emperor Jaldabaoth."
"Is that so?"
Gagaran casually responded, but a puzzled expression appeared on her face.
From what she knew, the Golden Princess only cared deeply about Climb.
As for other men, she paid them no mind at all.
But this time, the Golden Princess had specifically entrusted them to ensure Fairy Tail, especially Kenichi, attended this banquet.
Naturally, Gagaran found it a bit strange.
However, she wasn't the type to overthink things.
She only wondered for a moment before letting it go.
…
After Lakyus introduced the Fairy Tail's members and the Golden Princess to each other, the Golden Princess lifted the hem of her dress slightly with both hands, gave a small curtsy, and with a smiling face, expressed her gratitude to Kenichi, Erza, and the others: "On behalf of the royal family, I extend our sincere thanks to you all for repelling the Demon Emperor last night and saving the entire capital!"
"There's no need for thanks. The Adventurer's Guild has already paid the reward."
Kenichi never had much fondness for the Golden Princess to begin with.
Now, knowing that her invitation this time was to help Nazarick extract information, it was natural that his tone wasn't particularly friendly when he spoke.
The Golden Princess was an extremely intelligent woman.
Hearing Kenichi's words, she already understood that this man seemed somewhat resistant towards her.
However, she still maintained that innocent smile on her face.
"The lives of the millions of people in the capital are priceless!"
"Only by thanking you in person can I express the gratitude in my heart!"
After saying this, the Golden Princess continued: "There is a VIP room upstairs. Evileye and Gagaran of the Blue Roses are currently inside. If any of you need to rest, you are welcome to go up at any time."
Although the Golden Princess's voice wasn't very loud, the young nobles around who had their eyes fixed on her heard her words clearly.
Seeing that the Golden Princess had actually taken the initiative to invite Kenichi and the others to rest in the VIP room, they immediately showed expressions of envy and jealousy.
"They're so lucky to receive an invitation from Princess Renner! If only I could be invited by Princess Renner too..."
"Don't even think about it. Those people are the heroes who repelled the Demon Emperor and saved the capital."
"Repelled the Demon Emperor? Hmph, who knows if it's even true?"
Just as the young nobles were discussing, Kenichi spoke up: "No need. We'll just take a walk around the main hall."
As soon as Kenichi said this, those young nobles were instantly furious.
"He refused?"
"That guy actually refused Princess Renner's invitation?"
"How detestable!"
…
Being refused so directly by Kenichi, the Golden Princess herself felt somewhat uncomfortable inside.
But she was a smart woman.
She wouldn't show frustration just because Kenichi refused her.
Moreover, her intention in inviting Kenichi, Erza, and the others upstairs was naturally to extract some useful information from them.
Now that Kenichi had refused, it meant that no information could be gleaned from them tonight.
However, she wasn't in a hurry.
If she couldn't obtain useful intelligence this time, she would try again next time.
"Then I wish you all a pleasant time!"
"Lakyus and I will head upstairs now!"
After saying this with a smile, the Golden Princess, accompanied by Lakyus, headed directly for the second floor.
Watching the Golden Princess's departing figure, Wendy spoke up: "That princess is a really strange person."
Hearing Wendy's words, Kenichi turned to look at her: "You noticed?"
"I just feel she's a bit strange, especially her smile. It gives me a very uncomfortable feeling!"
'A feeling… A woman's intuition is truly terrifying.'