Alien world

Chapter 1823, Section 456: Flowers Need Green Leaves to Set Them Off
"Lord Annam, what do you think of this one?"

Annan turned to look at Peterson, who was standing next to the servant.

Well... some people, even if they wear the clothes of a prince, carry the sword of a prince, and are addressed as prince by servants, still seem like pickpockets who have stolen the prince's clothes.

Peterson was also quite self-aware; this was already the one he found most pleasing to the eye. He was prepared to be mocked by Annan.

But a hundred years later, as an elderly Peterson lay on his sickbed, facing his concerned children and grandchildren, he couldn't help but recall what Lord Annan had said that day: "Why are you dressed so nicely? Are you trying to steal my thunder?"

"No, no, even if I wore ten thousand clothes, I wouldn't be as eye-catching as you!" Peterson laughed so hard that even the servants couldn't help but lower their heads.

Annan waved his hand: "Alright, change into something more ordinary. I'm just going through the motions at the banquet, there's nothing I need you for."

“You treat your subordinates very well,” Oulin said.

"Why do you always have such a serious face? Aren't you tired?"

Shouldn't leaders inspire awe?

"Is there a book called '100 Things Leaders Can and Cannot Do'?" Annan asked rhetorically. After O'Lin shook his head in confusion, he said, "Since there isn't, a cat is a good cat as long as it catches mice, whether it's black or white."

Evening came quickly, and Peterson eventually changed back into his regular tuxedo.

Peterson's main problem is that he has short limbs, is underdeveloped, and has a protruding belly from eating in Liberty City. In addition, he has a short mustache that makes him look like a humanoid goblin.

Annan was still dressed in his loose mage robes, but with Peterson by his side, he looked 114 percent more handsome than usual.

Annan, with Peterson by his side, flitted among the ladies like butterflies in a flower garden, making them giggle incessantly. Behind them, Peterson held paper and pen with an expression of reverence, recording their names and the items they ordered.

Even the most stingy... cross that, even the most "poor" lady spent over eighty gold coins to order a complete autographed "Everybody's Singer" model set.

Lord Annan only made one trip, yet he brought in a trade volume of roughly tens of thousands of gold nars!

Oulin and her ancestor also attended the banquet, but they were still dressed in men's casual clothes that resembled armor. After sending her ancestor to meet someone at the back of the banquet, Oulin walked out alone, looking out of place among the elegantly dressed noble ladies and the noisy atmosphere of the banquet.

She calmly kept her distance from everyone, watching as Annan, the center of attention, responded to a chorus of soft chatter. The guests clinked glasses, as if the war had not yet begun.

Just as he was thinking this, Annan unconsciously led the crowd to move closer to him.

Annan, his throat dry from talking to the chattering girls, glanced outside and beckoned to Oulin, mistaking her for a waitress: "Hey, get me a glass of juice."

Oulin made a move, taking the juice from the passing waiter's glass and walking over.

The girl, who was chatting excitedly with Annan, saw Oulin approaching and suddenly turned pale with fright, like an eagle swooping over a flowerbed and startling countless butterflies.

"How come it's you?" Annan took the juice in surprise, then realized that he might have confused Oulin with the waiter.

When Oulin arrived, Annan's surroundings instantly became empty, and the noble ladies were all frightened away.

Peterson tactfully stepped back five meters to avoid disturbing their conversation.

"They seem afraid of you?"

"Women like to stick together, but I don't get along with them and I'm always ostracized. I can't win an argument with them, so I can only resort to fists."

"Really..."

Annan pictured a teenage Oulin wearing dragon-scale gloves, charging into a group of terrified noblewomen. Just as he was about to say something, he saw Oulin's dangerous gaze and quickly changed his words: "Well done."

Oulin remained silent, while Annan spoke up indignantly, "With the chaotic forces of the North at the forefront, the nobles are still reveling here. This is simply too much!"

“That’s a good thing.” O’Lin disagreed with him. “The worst thing about war is a commander who lacks self-awareness. Sending them to the front lines would only cause trouble; it’s better for them to stay in the rear, where no one is affected.” “You’re right,” Annan readily agreed, raising his juice. “To this good thing.”

Once O'Lin arrived, the noble ladies dared not come any closer—which was for the best, since they had already spent their money and were of no use to Annan.

As for who will back out tomorrow... nobles care most about their reputation. If anyone refuses to pay, and the news gets out, they'll be ostracized by their inner circle.

Olin has her fists to protect herself; you'd better have them too.

"Where have you left the ancestors again?"

"The host of the banquet wants to see the ancestor."

"Who's so important that they can just see the ancestor whenever they want?"

"They are good sisters."

"Oh……"

Annan always forgets that her ancestors weren't actually that old. Without the curse, given the legendary lifespan of hundreds of years, she is currently in her prime, like a mischievous elf mentor who is over a thousand years old.

Of course, it's definitely not because he judges people by their appearance.

"...assigned to the Great Wall in the north."

Amid the noisy banquet, a few words suddenly reached his ears. Annan looked up and saw two ministers he had met earlier in the courtroom and the deputy judge in a black robe talking not far away.

"How do you know I met the Emperor and talked to him for more than ten minutes?"

Annan suddenly spoke to O'Lin in a voice they could hear, "But don't worry, I won't be petty and tell that emperor that the imperial bureaucrats played me for a fool."

They couldn't continue speaking, exchanged a glance, and walked towards Annam.

Peterson sensed something was wrong and moved behind Annan, trying to lend his support.

The deputy judge spoke first to Annan, who wore a fake "Oh, you're here too" expression, saying, "Annan Reeves, the Empire will remember your help, but since it's not the right time yet, your actions cannot be known to the world."

“I understand, the Invisible Guardians, right? I’m proud to stand alongside these unsung cornerstones of the Empire.” Annan felt honored.

They exchanged another glance. When a not-so-noble fellow suddenly becomes noble, it must be because he is not satisfied.

It seems that this guy won't be satisfied without offering him some tangible benefits.

The deputy judge said again, "The Empire rewards merit, Annan Reeves, what compensation do you want?"

"I don't want compensation, I just want the empire to be great again and drive out the chaotic forces in the north!" Annan declared righteously, displaying the demeanor of a loyal subject of the empire.

“This is a private matter, so you can make any requests you like.” The minister next to him coughed lightly, signaling to Annan to speak freely.

Annan softened his stance slightly: "Any request is acceptable?"

"As long as we can do it."

"I want money."

Annan's words were both unexpected and reasonable.

People in different positions and with different perspectives have different understandings of Annan.

(End of this chapter)