The splendor of a medieval Western-fantasy world was beyond Loulan's imagination. It was also his first time seeing the fabled "gold-paved path, stone pillars, crystal lamps, fountain, dance floor, and high throne."
Walking across gold-plated flooring suffused him with a sense of extravagance. Meticulously carved marble pillars supported the banquet hall, while overhead, rows of crystal lamps cast warm, pale-yellow light, making everything look breathtakingly beautiful.
A small fountain stood quietly at the center of the dance floor. The clear water it sprayed even reflected pinpricks of starlight from the crystal lamps, resembling elegant disco lights.
The banquet's host, master of Coldiron City's earl's castle, designated successor to the Frostsky Earldom, and third son of Earl Frostsky—Ivan Wallace Frostsky.
He sat high upon a throne on a dais at the front of the hall, holding a golden goblet of wine. Three stunning young women accompanied him, while lightly armored knights stood on either side.
【Tsk, tsk...】
Loulan shook his head inwardly. He envied the man, but he understood that such a life remained far beyond his reach.
Yet setting aside the extravagant architecture, it wouldn't be long before he too could immerse himself in the tender pleasures of another world.
Rather than envy, it was more accurate to say a man's instinctive admiration for the powerful urged him to work hard and acquire all this, or even something better!
"What, is this your first time seeing something like this?"
"Yes. I was a recluse in my homeland too. Honestly, this scene is astonishing, as luxurious as a dragon's lair."
"It shows, but with strength like yours, once wartime comes, you might be able to fight your way to a viscount's title. Then it wouldn't be any worse than this."
Maven didn't mock Loulan's inexperience or regard him as a country bumpkin. Instead, he pointed out a path by which Loulan could attain the same life.
Join the army, fight in wars, and earn merit.
At the same time, he subtly informed Loulan that a fortress this luxurious was something even a viscount could manage, though this was a main castle and amassing the wealth would still take considerable time.
Loulan nodded. Once he became powerful enough, he also intended to fulfill his past life's dream of becoming a great general from a Three Kingdoms novel.
Whom would he fight?
Even a viscount could accumulate such wealth, yet Coldiron City's outskirts still reeked and people could even starve to death.
Wouldn't your right hand feel an urge to rise at a forty-five-degree angle?
Loulan's did, but he knew his own limitations. He wasn't cut out to be a leader, though this world would eventually welcome such a leader.
It was only a matter of time. History always moved in cycles. Perhaps, when the time came, he could take part and write a chapter of epic legend himself?
【I can't wait!】
Anticipation welled up in Loulan's heart, making him feel increasingly integrated into this world.
"Oh, my dear Wina, my fiancée. I want to introduce you to a new friend. Trust me, you absolutely need to meet him."
Led by Maven, Loulan soon reached a banquet table with him.
An alluring older beauty stood there, wearing a deep-blue evening gown with black gauze that gave her an incomparably seductive air.
She was Maven's fiancée, the daughter of a viscount and an excellent match for him in social status.
Two close friends stood around her, both watching the unfamiliar Loulan curiously as they waited to hear Maven's introduction.
"All right, Maven. Shall we share a dance later?"
Wineglass in hand, Wina walked naturally up to Maven, wrapped both arms around his neck, and enticed him in a seductive voice.
Loulan simply wasn't interested in human women. Otherwise, a classic medieval love story might have unfolded.
Hehehe~
【Not bad. Maven actually has such a beautiful wife. I hope he can handle married life.】
"Of course. Loulan, let me introduce you. This is my fiancée, Wina, the representative of House Luwana in Coldiron City. Her elder brother is now the head of House Luwana, Viscount Luwana!"
Maven held Loulan's arm with one hand and wrapped the other around Wina's waist as he introduced them to each other.
"Wina, this is Loulan, a powerful traveler from the East. He's strong enough to venture into a Darkest Dungeon by himself! He's also generous. Remember the relic I gave you? It was Loulan's spoil, and he sold it to me for a friendly price."
"Incredible! Doesn't that mean he's as strong as a main combatant in a Magic Crystal-rank adventuring party? Darling, you've brought me a wonderful surprise. Tell me, why did you bring Loulan here? Let me guess—a commission?"
Covering her little mouth with one hand, Wina looked extremely astonished, shocked by Loulan's formidable strength.
At the same time, she was delighted by his friendship with her fiancé. Such a relationship was exceptionally valuable!
Although Magic Crystal-rank and Gold-rank adventurers differed by only one rank, the gulf between their strength was enormous!
A fully staffed fourteen-person Magic Crystal-rank adventuring party could even hunt lone dragons in the wilderness with impunity!
Dragons were treasures from head to toe, yielding profits that exploring Darkest Dungeons couldn't begin to match.
For minor nobles like them, the friendship of any Magic Crystal-rank adventurer was no different from a life-saving talisman.
It was no exaggeration to say that even a ruling earl couldn't afford to support an entire fully staffed Magic Crystal-rank adventuring party! One could easily imagine their formidable combat power.
"Yes. Loulan was attacked by a dragon during his travels and ended up stranded in Coldiron City. Right now, he needs some help. Ordinary dungeons yield too little, while normal Darkest Dungeons are just right. As his friend, I want to secure as many commissions for him as possible."
"No problem. Loulan, have Huian bring you directly to my home tomorrow. I'll have House Luwana's quota and bounty for this year prepared for you."
"Thank you very much. If I bring out a supernatural relic, I'll make you my first choice for a trade, Miss Wina."
Loulan bent forward twenty-five degrees in gratitude to the alluring older beauty.
For the remainder of the evening, Maven and Wina brought Loulan to meet many acquaintances. They visited three noble families in total, all of which had quotas for issuing Darkest Dungeon bounty notices.
After learning of Loulan's strength and generosity, they were also happy to give him priority in accepting those bounties, provided he handled them one at a time.
Over the course of one banquet, Loulan completely resolved the issue of gaining access to Darkest Dungeons. For a long time to come, he wouldn't lack opportunities to explore them.
Only after the banquet ended did Loulan leave with Maven.
"Well, Loulan, can you handle so many commissions?"
"They're only simple explorations of shallow regions, one after another. They aren't difficult for me. Maven, thank you for doing so much for me. If you ever run into trouble, come to me."
"You're welcome. That's what friends are for~"
Along the moonlit road, their little boat of friendship carried them shoulder to shoulder.