Chapter 141: Baron Blood Mushroom
Night fell, but the manor in the valley was not shrouded in darkness.
Magic Energy Lamps lit up the surroundings, making it as bright as day. For a moment, Duane felt as if he had returned to Earth.
As the guests arrived, the band began to play elegant and beautiful music.
At the same time, many beautiful young women performed dances on the stage, and songstresses with wonderful voices would occasionally offer a song or two.
Young noble ladies and masters, as well as the sons and daughters of wealthy merchants, moved through the manor. Whether it was to become a familiar face or to network, everyone found their own purpose and chatted happily.
Even Natalia wasn’t idle.
Besides some young nobles who came up to greet her and exchange a few pleasantries, she also had two friends here, both said to be Mages.
The three of them gathered together, discussing Magic and interesting things they had encountered in their lives.
Duane, by contrast, was bored.
For one, he didn’t know anyone.
For another, the title of Baron of Black Forest Island held little appeal. The wealthy merchants had no intention of striking up a conversation, as there was no profit to be made.
And so, a line from a song came to Duane’s mind: "That year I was eighteen, at the school dance, standing there like a nobody."
However, it wasn’t as if he had gained nothing.
This trip allowed him to personally experience the luxury of a high-society banquet. In comparison, the few "banquets" he had held on Black Forest Island were more like potlucks or team-building events.
Furthermore, he heard the songs and music of this Otherworld and saw the beautiful songstresses and dancers—a feast for his eyes and ears.
Oh, and there were also many delicacies laid out on the long table, including the Rock Sheep Blood Mushroom he had eaten at Sea Cliff Castle.
Since Duane had nothing better to do, he sat down at the table and began to enjoy the food.
One bowl down, attribute points +0.1
A second bowl down, another +0.1 to attribute points.
After the third bowl, he didn’t gain any more attribute points, and his stomach was already full.
’It seems that Potions or Extraordinary foods of the Same Tier can only grant attribute points a maximum of three times.’
The Rock Sheep Blood Mushroom was effective for Human Tier Warriors. Duane had eaten four bowls in total, but only the first three yielded attribute points.
Similarly, the High-Level Body Tempering Potion behaved the same way.
So he had deduced this rule.
’This way, I won’t have to waste Same Tier Magic Potions in the future.’
But sometimes, things are just that coincidental.
When you’re just wandering around, no one pays you any mind. But the moment you do something "out of the ordinary," people start to notice you.
The sight of Duane downing three bowls of Rock Sheep Blood Mushroom in one go had just been witnessed by many people.
Many people began to whisper amongst themselves, occasionally pointing at Duane and letting out faint laughs.
As more people joined the discussion, even more eyes turned toward Duane.
Upon asking around, they learned that this man was the Baron of Black Forest Island—the Baron of the Lonely Island who had committed a crime but was protected by the King and subsequently ennobled.
"No wonder he’s eating like a starving man. I bet this Baron’s living conditions on Black Forest Island are pretty tough, huh?"
"He probably only gets two meals in three days."
"He’s quite an embarrassment to the Nobility."
Although these people were not speaking loudly, Duane was a Human Tier Warrior with excellent hearing. How could he not hear them clearly?
For a moment, he felt a little awkward himself, his face flushing slightly with embarrassment.
’I was only thinking about attribute points and my experiment; I completely forgot about etiquette.’
"Natalia, how did you end up with such an ill-mannered friend?"
A girl in a sky-blue robe asked, somewhat puzzled.
She found it strange; logically, Natalia shouldn’t know someone like Duane.
"Er..."
Natalia’s cheeks flushed slightly. She also found the situation incredibly awkward.
However, since he was the one she had brought, she had to say something to defend him.
"Maybe it’s because Elwin’s Rock Sheep Blood Mushroom is just that delicious?" she said, forcing an excuse.
Perhaps afraid that Duane would eat even more, she steeled herself and walked over. "Duane, you..."
Duane scratched his head in embarrassment. His actions had definitely made things awkward for her, that much was certain.
"Sorry, I was bored by myself, so I had a few extra bites."
Hearing this explanation, Natalia froze for a second, then immediately thought of Duane’s situation.
Other than her, he didn’t seem to know anyone else here.
The banquet was lively, but he was all alone.
Natalia remembered that she had invited him here to make friends and socialize with people his age, but in reality, it was just to buy her father some time.
This awkward situation was partly her fault.
"I’m sorry, I was just chatting with my friends for a bit and wasn’t very considerate."
She glanced at the empty bowls of Rock Sheep Blood Mushroom on the table and said with a smile, "Anyway, it’s put out for the guests to eat. It doesn’t matter who eats it, right?"
"Haha, you’re right, Natalia."
Elwin walked over gracefully. "If Duane likes it, you’re welcome to have all the remaining Rock Sheep Blood Mushroom. I’m sure no one would object."
Instantly, everyone present burst into laughter and chimed in agreement.
Some told the Baron to help himself, others told him to eat his fill, and still others said there was plenty of Rock Sheep Blood Mushroom to go around.
Duane gave an awkward smile, unsure if Elwin was trying to help him out and bungling it, or if he was intentionally trying to make a fool out of him.
"Thank you for the kind offer!"
He suppressed his awkwardness. "The Rock Sheep Blood Mushroom is delicious. Good things should be shared with everyone, so I’ll leave the rest for all of you."
With that, he left the center of attention, found a sofa in the music hall, sat down, and started allocating his points.
The banquet soon returned to its previous liveliness, but from that day on, Duane gained a new nickname—Baron Rock Sheep or Baron Blood Mushroom.
"What are you thinking about?"
A sweet fragrance wafted over as Natalia sat down next to Duane.
Duane snapped out of it and said apologetically, "Sorry, I embarrassed you."
Now that it was out in the open, although she still found Duane’s behavior improper, she didn’t feel as awkward as before.
"It’s fine. If I had known the party would be this boring, I wouldn’t have brought you."
"It’s actually not so bad."
Duane pointed to the songstress on stage who was singing a beautiful song to the music. "The music and singing are things we don’t have on Black Forest Island. I’m enjoying it."
He paused for a moment, then added, "You go have fun. You don’t have to stay here with me."
Just then, Elwin appeared again. He stood before Natalia and bowed in an inviting posture.
"My beautiful lady, may I have the honor of this dance?"
Duane looked over. To the accompaniment of the music, quite a few men and women were dancing on the dance floor in the hall.
Natalia put on an apologetic expression. "I’m sorry, Elwin. You know I don’t dance."
Elwin didn’t seem annoyed, maintaining his gentlemanly demeanor. "That’s a true shame."
Just then, a noble lady happened to ask Elwin for a dance. He gave a slight bow, took her hand, and led her onto the dance floor.
After Elwin left, Natalia showed a helpless expression. "See? Now you know how annoying he is."
"He’s actually not so bad."
Duane commented impartially. Elwin hadn’t done anything out of line; his words and actions had the bearing of a man from a great house.
Natalia’s eyes darted. "Why don’t you ask me to dance?"
"Huh?"
Duane blinked. "Didn’t you just say you don’t know how?"
Natalia blinked back. "And you believed that?"
"Alright, I guess I’m too naive," Duane said helplessly.
It was the first time Natalia had heard a man call himself naive. She couldn’t help but chuckle, her eyes curving into crescents.
"Well? Aren’t you going to ask me?"
’There’s no way I’m doing that.’
’She just refused Elwin. If she accepts my invitation the next second, won’t that put a target on my back?’
"Sorry, I don’t know how to dance," he said.
"Liar!"
Natalia thought he was just copying her and puffed her cheeks in a slight pout.
Duane spread his hands sincerely. "I really don’t know how."
"Really?"
She found it hard to believe. "Then what are your hobbies?"
’Hobbies?’
Duane thought for a moment and said, a little uncertainly, "Painting?"
He had quite a few Skills at Mastery or Perfection level.
If he had to pick a hobby, painting was the most suitable.
"How good is your painting?" Natalia asked, curious.
"Pretty good, I guess?"
Basic Painting (Mastery 256/400) was actually very good.
"Come on, come on, let me see how good you are."
Natalia beckoned a waiter over and asked him to bring paper and a pen.
She was bored anyway, so she wanted to see Duane’s painting skills.