Green Shade Territory.
City Lord's Mansion.
Lian didn't meet Lord Moria right away. Instead, he was led away to bathe and change his clothes.
He looked at the young man in the mirror: short blond hair, faintly blue eyes, and sharp, defined features. He was quite handsome.
The only drawback was his somewhat rough skin. From years of working in the blacksmith's shop in Blueberry Town, his hands were covered in calluses, and his skin was a bit tan.
But this didn't detract from his appearance at all. In fact, it gave him a well-proportioned, muscular build. It was a world of difference from the poor Physique of his previous life.
After changing into the magnificent clothes brought by a Maid, the young man in the mirror gained an air of nobility.
Lian paced back and forth in front of the mirror, studying himself repeatedly, getting used to his new face.
"Anna, where's Sophie?"
Lian asked the Maid named Anna.
A flicker of surprise crossed Anna's eyes. "The Ice Witch has returned to her room."
"Please ask her to come here. Thank you, Anna."
Lian wanted to test his Cleaning Entry ability. He hadn't had a chance to be alone until now, and the opportunity had finally arrived.
Of course, the Cleaning Entry ability wasn't free.
Lian currently lacked a guard to protect him, and in a world with supernatural monsters, he felt very insecure.
Besides, the two Maids currently by his side,
One was Anna, with the tags [Sinful], [Maid], and [Spy] above her head.
The other was Annie, with [rebel], [Maid], and [Assassin].
This was very unsettling. He felt like they could backstab him at any moment.
And they were beautiful twins, to boot. The debuffs were stacked against him. Lian was terrified he'd suddenly drop dead, and he didn't have the chance for repeated Rebirths.
"Of course. But before that, you must attend the welcoming ball the Lord is holding for you."
Anna reminded him.
"A welcoming ball?"
Lian asked in surprise.
"Yes. You are a child Lord Moria values deeply. Lord Moria will introduce you to his ministers."
Lian nodded and followed the twin Maids out of the room. They passed through a long corridor with thick, plush carpets and walls adorned with various world-famous paintings, descended a spiral staircase to the first floor, and arrived at a magnificent, splendid ballroom.
Beneath the dazzling lights, nobles and magnates in lavish attire gathered, raising their glasses in toast. Goblets clinked as they mingled, while waiters in black vests occasionally moved through the crowd, serving the aristocrats.
A gaunt, listless old man with Blond Hair and Blue Eyes sat in a wheelchair, seeming out of place amidst the lively atmosphere.
Yet, he was the center of the ball. Nearly all the important figures, along with many beautiful young wives, were gathered around him.
Lian noticed the entries above his head: [Wise Person], [Concubines in Droves], [Lord].
In other words, this Old Golden Hair in the wheelchair was his father, the Lord Moria, whom he had never met.
Just as Lian noticed Moria, Moria saw him too.
The butler, Denis, pushed Moria's wheelchair toward Lian.
Moria came to Lian's side and proactively took his hand.
Denis tapped a wine glass, and everyone's attention turned toward them.
Moria smiled and announced to the crowd,
"This is my son, Lian Moria.
"His mother, Dais, and I met when we were of humble origins. By the time I became a Lord, she was unwilling to follow me and enjoy a life of wealth and glory. This has been my eternal regret.
"Fortunately, she raised our child to adulthood and educated him with great care, making him a gentleman of fine character.
"Today, I announce his official return to the Moria Clan.
"He is the guest of honor at this ball. Let us welcome him."
Moria clapped his hands, and everyone at the ball applauded. A wave of welcomes and praises washed over Lian.
"As expected of Lord Moria's child. So handsome."
"That dazzling blond hair is the best proof."
"Green Shade Territory has gained another young noble gentleman."
Holding Lian's hand, Moria generously introduced him to everyone, while also introducing the important figures of Green Shade Territory to Lian.
He acted like a doting father, wishing the whole world could know he had found his long-lost child.
'If it weren't for the sight of my thirty-three young and beautiful stepmothers, I might have actually been touched.'
"Lian, this is the Minister of Finance, Omari Hani. His daughter is very beautiful, but unfortunately, she's been married three times. Not a good match for you."
Omari Hani was a middle-aged, overweight man. Despite his best efforts to suck in his stomach, the flesh on his face still trembled as he spoke and laughed.
"Lian, this is the Chief of Internal Affairs, Karel Dennis. He's still single. I'd guess he likes handsome young men like you. Haha, just kidding! He probably prefers burly men."
Karel Dennis was an effeminate-looking man. His formal attire was more extravagant than a noblewoman's, and his face was caked with at least two pounds of powder, making it as white as a paper doll. His high-bridged nose and thin lips gave him a somewhat harsh appearance.
"Lian, this is the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alex Pool. Don't underestimate him because he's short; he's a master negotiator."
At only 1.5 meters tall, Alex Pool had beautiful black hair and amber eyes. He looked like a young boy, but in reality, he was already an adult.
"Lian, this is the richest man in Green Shade Territory, Romayada. He has nothing but wealth. You two should get to know each other."
Romayada was an old gentleman with thinning hair. He proactively extended his hand to shake Lian's, expressing his friendliness.
"This is my Knight, Land John. His family has served our Moria Clan since his grandfather's generation."
"This is my butler, Denis. Don't be fooled by his age; he's extremely responsible. He was in charge of this ball."
"How are Annie and Anna? They are the Maids your mother chose for you. Oh, I mean your stepmother, not the late Dais."
"Lian, don't be so formal with me. You are my child. Everything I have is yours."
Moria chattered endlessly in Lian's ear, showing immense concern, which greatly surprised him.
It wasn't until Old Moria's energy began to wane and he had to return to his room to rest that Lian finally got a moment's respite. He escaped the noble schmoozing and went to the rear garden for some fresh air.
The lively ball also gave him an indescribable sense of dissonance.
Lian felt that several things were very strange.
'First, why is my father, a powerful Lord, suddenly acting so enthusiastic after ignoring his son in a remote town for so many years? It's like he wants the whole world to know I'm his son.'
'Second, why am I the only Illegitimate Child at this Moria Clan welcoming party? Where are Moria's other children? A man with concubines in droves should have some daughters, even if he has few sons. What would make all of them miss this?'
'Finally, why is Miss Witch, Sophie, who is about to lose control, still working for the Lord? Shouldn't there be a new Witch to replace her?'