Pretend to Be Confused

The Falling-Flower City's leader, clad in her splendid attire, gestured for Eddie to come over. She scrutinized him curiously before laughing lightly, "How come everyone returned from the battle injured, yet you look like you've just been on a leisurely stroll?"

Eddie, ever the jester, replied with his usual flair, "I am a staunch supporter of peace!" He reiterated this point emphatically.

"But the demons of the Abyss don't know you're a pacifist. And don't tell me you just found this moon blade lying around," she chuckled heartily.

Her laughter was infectious and unrestrained, radiating a sense of genuine sincerity and openness that was both charming and endearing. It was a stark contrast to the typical demure laughter of highborn ladies, making her presence all the more refreshing.

Eddie couldn't resist but to tease her, saying, "Oh no, it's not something I found. This weapon is a gift from a witch. I think she's taken a liking to me!"

James and Hessian struggled to contain their laughter, barely managing to keep a straight face.

"A witch gave it to you?" The leader of Falling-Flower City laughed heartily again. "Just a moon blade? She didn't give you anything else?"

"No, no, not just any witch. She's a high-ranking demoness with a keen eye and stunning figure. She held these moon blades to my throat, intending to end my life. But in the nick of time, I chose to display my unparalleled talent, convincing her that killing me would be a great loss to the three realms. You should have seen it – I recited a poem so touching that the blades fell from her hands. She wept with such sorrow and regret, barely managing to compose herself. In the end, she gifted me these moon blades as a token of our memorable encounter and uttered, 'If only we had met before I was wed.' Her lament was truly heart-wrenching. Ouch! Who hit me?" Eddie was swept up in his own tale when suddenly someone from the crowd lunged at him, sending him flying with a punch.

It was Inan, the bright-eyed thief whom Eddie had flirted with earlier. "You shameless liar, stop deceiving everyone! His poetry is nothing but plagiarism!" Inan shouted as he emerged from the crowd.

"Plagiarism or not, it sounds pretty good," the leader chuckled, slightly amused by Eddie's antics. She then turned to Inan with a curious look, "Inan, why are you dressed like this? Do you know him?"

Before Inan could respond, Eddie wrapped an arm around Inan's shoulder, laughing boisterously, "Of course, Inan is my partner in crime. We're planning to write a guidebook on wooing women to benefit all mankind, a beacon for lost youth. Our great friendship isn't based on frivolous nights out, but on a shared dream – to charm ladies worldwide!"

His words drew a mix of laughter and astonishment from the crowd, creating an atmosphere of lighthearted camaraderie amidst the aftermath of battle.

Hessian, watching Inan's reaction, felt an urge to hit himself. How could Inan have even the slightest semblance of a brother? Eddie's judgement in people, especially in recognizing genders, seemed utterly flawed.

James began to understand why Eddie had broken off his engagement with a girl as wonderful as Sophia from the Snow Family.

Eddie simply couldn't discern between genders, a blind man in matters of love!

The world had never seen a 'brother' as elegant, perfect, and fragrant as Inan. Exasperated, Inan shoved Eddie aside and exclaimed, "Get away from me!" Upon noticing Sophia on Eddie's back, Inan's demeanor changed instantly. "Who's this?" he asked.

"Cough, cough. Brother Inan, this is Sophia, Eddie's sister," James interjected, feeling the need to clear up the misunderstanding. Otherwise, the situation could escalate to disastrous levels.

Inan, now understanding the situation, immediately began to untie Sophia from Eddie's back. He then turned to the Falling-Flower City Leader, "I need to attend to her first. We'll talk later."

Eddie, confused by the change in titles, asked, "Weren't you the City Leader? How did you become a Duchess?"

The leader laughed heartily, explaining, "Being a Duchess is just a title that shows I'm someone's daughter, it holds no real power. Do you know how many princes, princesses, and duchesses there are in the Dragon-Teng Continent? Over two hundred! But being a City Leader is different; it's a testament to one's strength. Typically, one must be at least a Level 6 warrior to become a City Leader. So, just call me the City Leader, I prefer that."

"But 'Duchess' sounds cuter!" Eddie remarked playfully, then shifted the topic, "Can every Level 6 warrior become a City Leader?"

"In theory, yes. But some warriors may lack administrative skills. They might end up with a nominal military position. Reaching Level 5 qualifies one to hold a minor military title, mostly enjoying freedom except during national wars or Abyss invasions. By the way, my city needs a new guard captain. Interested in trying out?" The City Leader asked with a smile.

Eddie immediately declined, "They say a soldier who doesn't aspire to be a general is no good soldier. I've decided not to be just a guard captain. I'll aim directly for the rank of general!"

"I was just joking anyway. I wouldn't really consider anyone else," the City Leader replied nonchalantly, seemingly anticipating Eddie's rejection.

Sophia fluttered her eyelids slightly in her slumber, murmuring faintly with a hint of discomfort. Although she didn't wake up, the movement and her soft breaths continued, signaling a peaceful sleep. Eddie gently brushed a few strands of hair from her forehead, watching over her with a brother's care.

Meanwhile, James came to, groaning as he struggled to sit up. He reached into Hessian's pocket, retrieved a healing stone, and crushed it. A soothing light enveloped them, hastening their recovery.

Hessian and the others soon regained consciousness, looking around in bewilderment at the peculiar surroundings of the battlefield.

Eddie, seeing their confusion, explained with a straight face, "We were teleported here by the Demon General. You all were ambushed and fell first. I had to face the Demon General alone. It was a battle of wits rather than strength.

He couldn't handle my intellectual prowess and committed suicide in frustration. As for why he turned into a pile of stones, I'm still investigating that."

Inan couldn't believe what he was hearing. Eddie's tale was outrageously unbelievable. The others, too, were barely holding back their laughter, except Hessian, who seemed convinced by Eddie's words.

Eddie, noticing Sophia's stirring on his back, quickly hid the Holy Grimoire and turned his attention to Inan, who had just returned. "Inan, brother, I've been worried about you these days!" he said, reaching out to pat Inan's shoulder.

Inan, blushing slightly, dodged Eddie's hand. "Worried about me? Why? I'm perfectly fine."

Eddie, undeterred, continued, "I know you're still inexperienced with women, curious but hesitant. You've been holding back too much. As a friend, I can't let you continue like this. I'll help you break through. Don't worry about room techniques; I'll teach you everything you need to know!"

James, Hessian, and the others were exasperated by Eddie's antics. They pretended not to hear his outrageous offer.

Hessian, lying on the ground, cried out in frustration, "What are you doing, Eddie? Why Inan of all people?"

Inan, flushed with anger, punched Eddie, sending him flying. "Die, you big pervert! I hate people like you!" she yelled.

Eddie, feigning innocence, asked, pointing at Inan's retreating figure, "What's wrong with Inan? Why is she angry?"

Hessian, overwhelmed with emotion, wailed, "Don't ask me, just let me die! I hate you, too, Eddie. You're a fool. You're wasting all your chances!"