Hearing the voice coming from the dining hall, Shane was taken aback for a moment before he approached.
As he did, Shane realized that the dining hall was filled with familiar faces.
At that moment, Vivian, Lu Muya, and Merica were apparently having breakfast.
However, it was unclear if they were discussing something that made their expressions seem off.
Specifically, Vivian and Lu Muya both wore apologetic faces, while Merica seemed a bit disappointed, her demeanor crestfallen.
Shane was somewhat puzzled, yet he still entered the dining hall, catching the attention of the group of girls.
Seeing Shane appear suddenly, Lu Muya and Merica stood up subconsciously.
Upon closer inspection, the way Lu Muya and Merica looked at Shane seemed a little different from before.
It was a look that, in addition to the usual nervousness and timidity, carried an almost imperceptible adoration and respect.
This sort of gaze had emerged in Lu Muya and Merica since Shane had defeated Aridia.
Clearly, both had developed a slight tendency to become little fangirls of Shane.
As for Vivian, her expression remained as gentle as ever.
Regrettably, there was a hint of amusement in her eyes when she looked at Shane.
"Have you deigned to return? Our esteemed Count of Beizut?" Vivian teased, or perhaps mocked, "I thought you couldn’t bear to leave Princess Luoqi’s chambers."
It seemed that Vivian also knew that Shane had not returned all night and had spent the entire night in Princess Luoqi’s chambers.
"...Sorry, I forgot to tell you guys and made you worry."
Shane was a bit embarrassed.
Although he was usually thick-skinned, the bewildered and ignorant expressions of Lu Muya and Merica, as if they didn’t understand what had happened, made him feel as if the car door in his heart had been welded shut and the steering wheel was slipping from his grasp.
Only Vivian appeared composed.
"Don’t worry, I understand," Vivian nodded gently, smiling, "After all, you outshone all the men in the world, winning over the Human Race’s foremost beauty and becoming betrothed to the Kingdom Treasure. Of course, you would want to develop a deeper connection with the Princess. We can understand."
...That sounded normal, but why did it feel somewhat off?
Could it be that the captain was accusing him of acting on base desires?
"Cough cough..." Shane coughed and said with a wry smile, "Don’t make fun of me; I haven’t won her over yet, and after neglecting her for a whole half month, I should at least keep her company, right?"
"Indeed," Vivian finally set aside her playful attitude, earnestly agreeing, "Even Princess Luoqi is just an ordinary girl in this matter. Since she has chosen you, you must take responsibility and accompany her well."
Vivian thus spoke warmly to Shane, seemingly very concerned about his and Princess Luoqi’s future happiness.
Lu Muya nodded repeatedly on the side, seeming to agree with Vivian’s statement.
Only Merica, upon hearing Shane and Vivian discuss such matters, pursed her lips unconsciously, not appearing to be in the best of spirits.
Shane did not notice this and, after briefly addressing the issue, turned back to the main topic.
"By the way, were you discussing something important?" Shane looked around at the three of them and asked, "From your expressions just now, it didn’t seem like a very pleasant topic?"
At least, that’s what Shane thought.
Otherwise, why would Vivian and Lu Muya look so apologetic, and Merica also appear so downcast?
They must have been discussing something unhappy.
However, just as Shane was thinking this, the girls denied it.
"No... it’s not like that."
Lu Muya spoke timidly.
"It’s not a bad thing."
Vivian also indicated.
Shane was puzzled for a moment, his curiosity piqued.
In this context, Merica raised her hand.
"Um... should I say it?" Merica seemed a bit nervous and embarrassed, "Actually, I was inviting Sister Vivian and Lu Muya to return to Elf Country with me."
Hearing this term, Shane’s curiosity surged.
Because this was a place that greatly intrigued Shane.
"So-called Elf Country refers to the forested area where the Elves of the Elf Clan reside, right?"
Elf Country, as the name implied, was the homeland of the Elf Clan.
At the edge of the Kingdom, there lay an immensely vast forest.
It was the largest forest in the Human Realm, known as Taiger Forest.
Taiger Forest was inhabited by countless demons.
Yet, deep within this forest, lay the dwelling place of the Elf Clan.
It’s said that all Elves in this world were born there and also resided there.
Many people had gone there out of curiosity, but the Elf Clan was quite exclusive regarding their own purity and bloodlines, also aware that many outsiders coveted their Elf nature, and so they had set up multiple Barriers around their habitat—both concealing the location of Elf Country and deterring those with malicious intentions from coming.