What is a noble?
When it comes to this question, most people usually have only two impressions.
One is the image of an elegant and noble upper-class individual.
The other is the image of a pompous and overbearing rich brat who abuses power.
Although the nobles around Fang Li mostly fall into the latter category, like Darkness and Claire, daughters of two of the kingdom's most powerful aristocrats, known as the left and right arms of the kingdom, yet one is a masochist and the other has... unusual preferences, they each still have a firm sense of duty and unwavering loyalty when it comes to matters concerning Iris, fully living up to the title of nobility.
If Darkness and Claire represent the former image, then Alderp is undoubtedly the latter.
The way his unrestrained gaze roamed over the bodies of the girls, as if he could strip them bare with his eyes, made even someone as pure and innocent as Iris feel uncomfortable, let alone Aqua, Megumin, Claire, and Rain. Instinctively, Iris took a half step behind Fang Li, trying to hide.
In such a situation, the Darkness being directly targeted by Alderp could only force a polite smile.
"It's been a long time, Lord Alderp," Darkness greeted him in a distant tone. "My father still often mentions you. He asks me to send his regards whenever I have the time, as a younger generation to an elder."
The emphasis Darkness placed on "as an elder" made her meaning very clear.
She was reminding Alderp to behave appropriately.
But Alderp seemed entirely oblivious to her warning, continuing to stare at Darkness with those lustful eyes as he said, "Lady Dustiness, you're too polite. With the close relationship between our two houses, there's no need to say such empty formalities."
His words ran completely contrary to Darkness's effort to keep him at a distance. Instead, he was trying hard to close the gap between them.
Being this shameless had already sent his impression down to rock bottom.
Aqua and Megumin couldn't help but instinctively take two steps back.
"W-what should we do?" Aqua muttered. "My body just can't handle someone like him."
"Even as a Crimson Magic Clan member who fears nothing, I have to admit I don't want to go anywhere near him," Megumin said. "If possible, I'd really like to blast him with Explosion Magic, but it feels like using my life's greatest pursuit on such a guy would be an insult. What should I do?"
With the conversation reaching this point, it was obvious what kind of impression Alderp had left on the girls.
So much so that Darkness had completely fallen silent, helplessly casting a pleading look toward Fang Li.
But in the face of Darkness's silent plea, Fang Li could only shrug, there was nothing he could do.
After all, the visitor had come for Iris. It wasn't his place to intervene.
Perhaps sensing this, Iris, who was still half-hiding behind Fang Li, shifted her gaze to Claire.
Claire immediately understood and stepped forward, addressing Alderp.
"Lord Alderp, may I ask what business you have in requesting an audience with Princess Iris?"
Her tone returned to the formal and strict one she had used when she first met Fang Li.
Only then did Alderp withdraw his inappropriate gaze from Darkness.
"Ah, Lady Symphonia?" Alderp gave Claire a smile and said, "Actually, I've come to ask Princess Iris for a favor."
"A favor?" Iris blinked in surprise.
"A favor?" Claire also frowned and said directly, "Please explain your situation."
"Well, it's like this." Alderp coughed, putting on a fake air of seriousness. "I've heard that the prince has been having a tough time lately at the border fortress, he's having to fend off the Demon King's army, worry about His Majesty's health, and deal with the princess's engagement. So, I've come to offer an artifact to the prince, hoping it will help him in some way."
Alderp's statement caused everyone present to react with visible surprise.
"Offer up an Artifact?"
Everyone exclaimed in surprise.
Even Fang Li's eyes narrowed slightly. He lifted his head and finally looked directly at Alderp.
Under everyone's gaze, Alderp seemed rather pleased with himself as he took out an incredibly luxurious treasure box.
"Just a humble token of appreciation. I hope His Highness the Prince will accept it."
With that, Alderp opened the box, allowing everyone to see the Artifact inside.
It was a necklace, simple in design, but with a very different style.
"Uh…" Kazuma hesitated for a moment and said, "This is the Artifact?"
"It should be one, no doubt," Megumin stared at the necklace and said, "I can sense an incredible amount of magic power. Even if it's not an Artifact, it's definitely a magic item just one step below Artifact-level."
"I've never heard of this Artifact before," Darkness muttered as she examined it. "It feels suspicious."
And she wasn't the only one who thought that, everyone else felt the same way.
"Hm?" Aqua tilted her head while staring at the necklace, murmuring to herself, "Why do I feel like I've seen this somewhere before?"
Not recognizing it would be the strange part.
Aren't the Artifacts in this world basically all given by you to Hero Candidates summoned from the modern world?
And yet all you can say is it feels familiar?
This isn't something you can just blame on bad memory anymore, it really makes people wonder if something's wrong with your brain.
While Fang Li was thinking this, Alderp smiled slyly and handed the treasure box containing the necklace over to Iris.
"Princess Iris, could I trouble you to deliver this to His Highness the Prince at the border fortress?"
That was a very abrupt request.
Because while Alderp was offering an Artifact, he hadn't explained what the Artifact actually did.
Given that, how could Iris possibly agree so easily?
Just as Fang Li expected, Iris's expression turned somewhat troubled.
"Apologies, Lord Alderp," Iris said somewhat apologetically. "Although it is a very precious Artifact, if I don't understand its function, I can't casually accept it on Ani-sama's behalf."
Artifacts aren't without risk.
If the user isn't suitable, not only might the Artifact's power be limited, but it could also go out of control, possibly causing serious harm to the user.
Given that, there was no way Iris could accept it lightly.
Yet Alderp suddenly smiled.
A smile that was both sinister and filthy.
"Princess Iris, that won't do."
He spoke with a tone that pretended to be kind.
"This is a rare Artifact. You should accept it on the Prince's behalf."
Hearing this, Iris froze slightly.
"Eh?"
And in that very moment, Fang Li's ice-blue Mystic Eyes suddenly gleamed.
Under the power of the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception, Fang Li noticed it,
A faint and extremely subtle wave of mystical energy had begun to spread throughout this space.
Immediately afterward, Iris looked as if she had been bewitched. In a dazed and confused tone, she spoke:
"Ind… indeed… Since it's such a rare Artifact, I should accept it."
And just like that, she agreed. So suddenly and unnaturally.
(End Of This Chapter)
You can read ahead up to 70 chapters on my patreon https://www.patreon.com/GGS6395