The overlord of the gods is interrogating the alien female spy.

　Before he knew it, someone was helping him improve his eloquence by scolding people like a spoiled little slave.

　"Phew...that really makes me feel so much better."

　Theresa learned the banshee's insult techniques from Ramalyn and gradually became more uninhibited, even inventing new words, which Ramalyn exclaimed as genius.

　"Right. So when you have grievances, never bottle them up, or you'll hurt yourself. Whether you're cursing or fighting, you have to let your anger out."

　"Hmm. I understand. I used to sew clothes when I was angry."

　Theresa vented her anger on her needlework. Once she had vented her anger, she had almost finished making the little items she was making, such as underwear and socks.

　"Hmm. That's one way to do it. Okay, now, practice the etiquette for attending a banquet with me. And help me review it too."

　Lamarlene still remembered that Theresa wanted to learn these skills.

　"Good."

　“Let’s start with the greetings. Adjust how you address each other based on how close or distant you are. If you’re friendly, use their name and title. For example, if you’re meeting me, you can call me Princess Lamaren. But if you’re a stranger, you should call me Princess Ducanfalis.”

　Theresa listened and nodded, and that's how she learned that nobles had names and surnames, while ordinary people like her were lucky to have a proper name.

　Just like her name, another translation, 'Teresa,' is the most common name for a commoner woman. As for her surname, if she was lucky, people would know her father's name and call her the daughter of XX. If she was unlucky, they would only call her by her first name.

　When the two parties meet and greet each other, they can tell whether the other party is a nobleman by whether or not they have a surname.

　Chapter Fifty-Seven Attending the Banquet

　Although mobile cities already existed, when it came to travel, whether they were well-off nobles or commoners who went hungry, they still traveled by riding pack animals, riding in animal-drawn carriages, or relying on their own two feet to travel thousands of miles.

　"Respected, great, Primordial Celestial Venerable."

　Today, Hornhochberg personally came to pick up the distinguished guests from the tower to attend the banquet.

　only……

　What does a Qilin look like? What kind of magical transformation was used?

　Horn saw the handsome man in gorgeous clothes. Compared to before, the man was less domineering and more noble. Standing there, his violet robe reflected the golden sunlight. If one were to look into those sun-like eyes that seemed to exist in the night sky for even a moment, it would be as if one were plunged into the darkness of eternal night. The only light one could see was the radiance emanating from the other man, which filled one with gratitude and was unforgettable.

　"Hmm. You're here early, Hochberg."

　Chen Lingxu glanced at the other person, then at the ornately decorated carriage.

　Surrounding the carriage were thirty fully armored knights clad in gleaming gold armor. Such a procession was considered a grand gesture for picking up someone anywhere in the world of Terra. Horn's actions were a way of building momentum and announcing the importance of this guest to the other nobles.

　However, what attracted his attention even more were the horses pulling carts or carrying riders.

　In the past, horses or donkeys served as cart drivers in the animal kingdom, but now in Terra, it seems that these horses and donkeys have become humans, and the work of pulling carts has fallen to the native Terran wildlife that resembles them.

　What bothered him was the rather perfunctory classification of these wild animals by the scholars on Terra. Regardless of whether the pack animals resembled horses, donkeys, or cattle, they were all uniformly called pack animals, with at most a prefix added based on their size or characteristics. For example, pack animals that resembled horses but had long legs and ran fast were called swift pack animals, and those with claws were called dread pack animals. Birds were also uniformly called feathered beasts.

　If the scholar who designed this classification method were to work under him, Chen Lingxu would certainly make sure that the scholar knew the difference between roasted feathered beasts and roasted birds.

　"The weather is fine today. Let me take you to the manor for a short rest, to have some black tea and snacks to relax. Once everyone has arrived, I will call them to come and see you."

　Hochberg lowered his stance, explaining his purpose while subtly revealing what he hoped to gain in return for such courtesy.

　As the elector of Shi Tongling, he naturally had a large number of vassals under his command. He wanted to demonstrate his strength at this banquet, so these vassals were expected to lend him a hand and also observe the ceremony.

　"Very well. Let me see what abilities you 'big shots' have in this day and age."

　Chen Lingxu could also understand the unspoken meaning in his words, but it didn't matter. Since the other party was willing to host a meal, he didn't mind giving back some small favors like deer and sheep.

　"Ramallen, you go first?"

　As the Qilin took its first steps, servants knelt on the ground to serve as stools for it to board the carriage. Chen Lingxu neither encouraged nor cared about this practice of using the beastmen as tools. Compared to the Tikkaz slaves, using them as stools was better than chopping them up and serving them as snacks.

　"Hmm... I can fly by myself."

　Seeing this, the succubus princess standing beside him frowned slightly, cast a levitation spell on herself, and floated up gracefully onto the carriage. After landing elegantly, she didn't forget to help lift the curtain instead of going into the carriage herself.

　"You have come here today to welcome me with such lavish preparations; you have done a good job, and I am very pleased."

　Chen Lingxu patted Horn's shoulder, who was still slightly bowing, left a thin piece of paper, and stepped on the young deer man to get into the car.

　"Be grateful to His Majesty the Heavenly Venerable, you brat from Hochberg. This is ten years of lifespan; you can take it and use it."

　What is the biggest worry after becoming a nobleman?

　Is it because he doesn't have enough power? Is his territory rich enough to support his expenses? Or is he simply unable to protect himself?

　The answer is lifespan.

　Even during this period, despite the rapid development of Originium Arts and the significant improvement in technology, some areas remained backward, and medical technology lagged far behind other fields.

　The lifespans of these early inhabitants were still short and fragile.

　Even if they live for just one more day, or even just one more hour, it is a treasure they are unwilling to give up.

　Who wouldn't want to be immortal and rule their territory forever?

　Horn looked at the thin piece of paper in his hand; it seemed as if even a slight gust of wind could blow it away.

　Ten years of lifespan?

　He listened to the warning left by the fat penguin as it walked past him, took a deep breath, gripped the paper tightly in his hand, and said words of thanks to the Primordial Celestial Venerable for the gift.

　"It still has some gas."

　Despite the temptation of a decade, Horn was able to maintain basic composure, which further improved the Qilin Overlord's impression of him.

　"After all, he's in his forties or fifties. What kind of behavior would it be to act like a young man, bossing people around?"

　The Emperor flapped his wings and offered a brief explanation.

　"Even if you are five or six hundred years old, what difference is there between you and me and a child? Come here, Theresa, let me have some fun."

　Chen Lingxu raised his hand, and Theresia, the bird that had been sitting quietly on his shoulder, hopped down to his fingertips for him to play with.

　"..."

　Lamaren listened silently to the conversation between the two, her eyes drifting back and forth over the plump, fluffy pink and white bird.

　This time, she not only has to be the female companion, but she's also playing the role of a 'mute bride'. Unless Chen Lingxu asks her something, or like before, she can only speak and respond. Otherwise, she has to obediently shut up and be a delicate 'Liboli' vase.

　The reason Chen Lingxu chose this banshee as his companion, rather than Theresa, was not only because Ramallen, as a noblewoman from the Banshee Royal Court, had received higher education, but also because the banshee's horns and wings could serve as Liberian feathers, allowing her to impersonate a lost Liberian tribe rather than a Sarkaz slave. Theresa, on the other hand, was instantly recognizable as a Sarkaz. In Letania, for a Sarkaz to attend a banquet of Letania's top nobles—was Kazdel being a bit too arrogant?

　"What’s wrong with you

　"Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell?"

　After playing with the birds for a while, Chen Lingxu frowned slightly as he watched the restless penguins.

　"Your Majesty... I have a feeling... something bad is going to happen this time..."

　A certain intuition was pressing on the Emperor, as if...

　"Really? That would be interesting."

　Besides seeing fantastic creatures, you can also watch an extra show.

　Chen Lingxu was already quite impatient, but unfortunately it would take a long time to start until evening.

　Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Deer Girl

　"Lord Zoris Castro, my old friend, it's been a long time."

　"Lord Horn Hochberg, you look very well today."

　The relationship between electors is all business; any so-called friendship requires sufficient mutual benefit to form a bond that will not be broken.

　"I've heard that the music emperor from the tower will also be attending our music festival today? I've brought my orchestra with me."

　"Haha, you old rascal, your ears are still as sharp as ever. Not bad, I've been waiting day and night, and finally the Emperor of Music has arrived. Tonight is sure to be a sleepless night. May the golden symphony forever protect Letania."

　"May the golden symphony forever protect Letania."

　A sheep and a deer entered the banquet hall hand in hand.

　This grand event, hosted by the Hochberg family, used the entire estate where the tower is located as a venue. The multi-story tower served as a gathering place, with maids and servants coming and going, and plates of delicacies and bottles of fine wine being served to the tables.

　An orchestra trained by the Hochberg family is already performing classic Leitanian pieces.

　Of the ten regions and nine electoral families of Letania, only nobles of the rank of count or higher were eligible to be invited to this banquet. Those nobles who traveled great distances to attend the grand event needed to bring no extra money beyond what was needed to maintain their own entourage, as this event was entirely a display of power and prestige by the electors themselves. To ask their guests to pay would be tantamount to slapping them in the face.

　All expenses incurred at the event were paid for by the Elector!

　Of course, some nobles will still bring gifts, since they are guests and their hands are empty. The dignified Elector Marquis, as the host, will not care, but other nobles will have some doubts about whether you are qualified as a noble.

　"Oh? There's a violin too."

　As a Letanian, I found that musical instruments were the most popular gift among the people I met, and the instruments that guests brought were incredibly diverse.

　Chen Lingxu, accompanied by the female demon, moved around the banquet as an 'inconspicuous' guest.

　The food on the table was mostly pies made from various fruits or dried fruits, or roasted dairy products and various stews.

　As alternatives to clean water, there are also a wide variety of alcoholic beverages.

　However, none of these were of Chen Lingxu's liking; his gaze was mostly fixed on the musical instruments.

　"What musical instruments do you play, Lamaren?"

　"Well... I'm better at playing the flute and things like that."

　The banshee carried a bone whistle, and similar musical instruments included flutes and xiao (vertical flutes).

　"No wonder."

　"..."

　No wonder? Does this guy want her to go back and play him a little tune? He really knows how to boss people around.

　Miss Blueberry, dressed up in her new outfit, glanced at Theresa the bird, who was covering her eyes with her wings, looking shy. She thought about what Qilin had said, and her pretty face turned red, making her look even more like a strawberry.

　"Damn it...who wants to blow for you..."

　They use this to bully people all day long; they don't act like important people at all.

　Chen Lingxu didn't care whether his words were misunderstood by the two Sarkaz.

　He was already getting a little bored with the banquet.

　Should we say that these nobles never enjoyed good things, or that technological backwardness slowed down their ability to enjoy them?

　He was surrounded by towers and houses made of stone, and the people dressed in bulky clothes. Their food consisted of nothing but simple cooking, with no food that could please him in terms of refinement or visual appeal.

　Even the most powerful families in a country, the Electors who pride themselves on their wealth, have estates that are similar to, or even inferior to, those of Chen Lingxu back then.

　The only thing worth mentioning is that most of the Terrans are handsome men and beautiful women, so they don't have any worries about appearance at all.

　Well... perhaps another advantage is that you don't have to listen to the leader say "I just want to say one thing" before the banquet starts. Guests can move around freely and choose what they want to do.

　Whether you're there to keep the important people entertained, to grab a bite to eat, to chat and drink with some familiar noble friends, to play a dice game, to improvise a piece, or to participate in a martial arts contest... no one restricts your behavior. Some minor nobles who simply come to eat and have fun make the banquet even more lively.

　"Lord Lancaster has arrived!"

　The waiter's call drew everyone's attention.

　"Lady Veronica Lancaster presents Lord Horn Hochberg with a pipe organ forged by Master Gallopedric!"

　Carried by a group of golden-armored knights, the exquisitely crafted pipe organ was placed before all the nobles.

　"Gallic goods?"

　Gaul's national strength was unparalleled in modern Terra, and consequently, the countries in the core region of Terra, centered around Gaul, were culturally, economically, and politically interconnected.

　They were all deeply influenced by Gaul. Gaulish goods were extremely rare in these regions.

　Some of these luxuries were beyond the reach of even the Elector of Letania and the Duke of Victoria. After all, you were merely a "nouveau riche" from these "backward countries," and the things enjoyed by the noble Gallic rooster were best left untouched by country bumpkins.

　"Gallic things?"

　Upon hearing this, even the emperor, who was sitting in a special position to attract the attention of the nobles on behalf of Chen Lingxu, couldn't help but stand up.

　He plays music in Letania purely because of the great atmosphere there, not because he's so happy with life in Letania that he doesn't want to leave.

　If he had a choice, he would certainly prefer to stay in Gaul.

　Being the music emperor of Letania is certainly nice, but the continental music scene in Gaul offers far more possibilities.

　"Mr. Emperor".

　The title of "Emperor of Music" carries great weight here. Upon hearing his call, people immediately made way for him to go to the front and be the first to appreciate this masterpiece from the Gallic master.

　"It really is that old man's craftsmanship...the patterns, the tone..."

　The emperor praised the organ's many excellent features with great admiration.