Chapter 1184: The Second Invitation
That evening, Natsuki Minamiya indeed brought Astarte home.
Upon seeing his uncovered face, Astarte froze for a moment.
She glanced at him in surprise.
Then glanced again.
Noticing her reaction, thoughts began swirling in Natsuki Minamiya's mind.
She was about to tell Eiji to put his disguise back on, but the words died on her lips.
"I have a question."
Eiji raised his hand seriously from the sofa.
"Can Astarte cook?"
"I possess the relevant knowledge but lack practical experience."
Astarte replied in a tone as if she didn't know Eiji at all.
"I think you should get more practice from now on!"
Remembering the nauseating takeout every morning, Eiji made the suggestion very earnestly.
"Accept."
"Astarte, you don't have to listen to everything this brat says."
Natsuki Minamiya sat on the small sofa that was clearly custom-made for her, adding with displeasure.
"What's important is that you hone your black tea brewing skills. You should strive to make brewing the world's best black tea your life's goal from now on, understand?"
"Understood."
Astarte nodded thoughtfully.
"I think you really don't need to understand that."
Eiji suggested very seriously.
Whack!
Natsuki Minamiya suddenly hit him with her fan.
It made a crisp sound as it struck his forehead.
"When it comes to black tea, I will never compromise!"
Eiji rolled his eyes.
"Master, I found a letter in the mailbox."
Astarte quickly began her maid duties, and right at the start of her work, she retrieved a brand new envelope from the mailbox outside.
"Haven't checked that thing in months?"
Natsuki Minamiya muttered to herself as she took the envelope from Astarte.
Then she frowned deeply.
On it was engraved a pattern of various weapons like swords and spears evenly distributed - clearly the official emblem of the Warring States Domain!
"Tch, more trouble brought by the Fourth True Ancestor?"
She grumbled disdainfully and roughly opened the envelope.
"What is it?"
Eiji showed an expression of someone ready to enjoy some drama.
"Just a boring party invitation."
Natsuki Minamiya explained calmly.
Eiji understood.
Probably another dinner party on that cruise ship, right?
How many years had it been since Natsuki Minamiya attended something like a dinner party? Such invitations were completely meaningless!
"And it invites you too."
But the next words from Natsuki-chan made Eiji mentally question mark heavily.
Holy crap!
When did you find out I'm the Fourth True Ancestor?!
"It says it's inviting the Witch of the Void and Narcissus."
Under Eiji's shocked expression, Natsuki Minamiya handed the letter over.
Eiji took it and looked, then secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Oh, so it's inviting Narcissus!
That's fine then.
He thought Natsuki-chan had already seen through his identity and gave him quite a scare.
Looking at it this way, Natsuki-chan probably still didn't know, since he hadn't actively revealed himself, especially being very careful around Natsuki-chan - they hadn't even had any physical contact.
"I'm not going."
Eiji refused outright.
"Rather than attending that boring banquet, it'd be more interesting to sleep at home!"
"But isn't this quite nice?"
However, at that moment, Natsuki Minamiya suddenly smiled.
"You've grown up without ever attending such a luxurious evening banquet, right? I'll make a special exception tonight—you can stay out overnight and broaden your horizons. How about it?"
"Natsuki-chan, did you change genders?"
Eiji looked at her with an expression of utter disbelief.
He was only allowed to stay out overnight on New Year's Day.
Moreover, he could only be with people like Kojou Akatsuki and Aiba who already knew what he looked like. Appearing in front of others was absolutely forbidden—this was the iron rule set by Natsuki-chan when she took him in, one that could never be violated!
Because if he removed his disguise, no one knew whether the events of that year would repeat themselves!
And now, Natsuki-chan was actually changing her tune?
"Watch your language!"
Natsuki Minamiya struck him with her folding fan again.
"This represents the limited pity I have for you. Of course, you're still not allowed to show your face!"
"Haha."
Eiji immediately laughed, almost mockingly.
"Isn't it really because the Warring States Dominion found out about the Narcissus Incident, and you're worried they might expose what happened back then?"
Natsuki Minamiya fell silent instantly.
She couldn't understand it.
How could this kid, who had barely been involved in political matters since birth, possess such sharp political intuition?
The Narcissus Incident was the biggest stain on the Japanese government since its establishment!
If this matter were exposed, it would undoubtedly provoke the thunderous wrath of the Third True Ancestor!
For some reason, the Warring States Dominion had already uncovered the Narcissus Incident.
Though it was unclear how much they knew, the fact that they used this term in the letter clearly carried a threatening undertone!
If you don't come, I'll expose what happened back then!
Coming back to her senses, this implication was unmistakably written between the lines!
For the sake of peace, Natsuki Minamiya had to make Eiji attend this banquet.
"But I don't have a female companion?"
Eiji looked at the envelope and scratched his cheek.
The envelope clearly stated that tonight's banquet required bringing a female companion.
Although he didn't care much about the rules of a mere banquet, as the great Narcissus, the king of charm who nearly overthrew the Japanese government, wouldn't it be pretty lame if he showed up without a female companion?
But there wasn't much time left before the banquet started. Who could he find?
"Application, am I qualified?"
Astarte raised her hand.
Though her expression was hard to read, she seemed quite eager.
"Appearing in public with me is a dangerous job."
Eiji shook his head.
Astarte drooped her head in disappointment.
Her familiar beast had already been transplanted away; now she was just an ordinary artificial life form, no different from a normal girl, clearly lacking the ability to protect herself in dangerous situations.
"Natsuki-chan, how about you..."
Eiji's gaze shifted to Natsuki Minamiya.
Natsuki Minamiya let out a soft sigh.
She set down her teacup.
This time, she was indeed being unreasonable, so she might as well accompany him.
"I understand. I'll be your female companion—"
"You're too small; not my type."
Eiji flatly refused.
The expression on Natsuki Minamiya's face instantly froze.
...What did you say?
"Alright, I'll go find someone else!"
Eiji hopped up from the sofa with a cheerful "heave-ho."
He walked out of Natsuki-chan's sight, whose face had turned extremely unpleasant, then took out his phone and dialed a number.
After two rings, the call was hung up.
Eiji didn't lose heart and called again.
This time, after just one ring, it was hung up again.
He thought for a moment, then simply took out his boxing gloves, put them on, and sent a photo over.
"Pretty, isn't it?"
He waited for half a minute.
Eiji made the third call.
"...What do you want?"
The call connected as expected, with a fierce tone.