Lord of Rot

Leech stood at the entrance of Porcupine Castle, gazing into the distance.

He watched as a caravan of carriages slowly approached.

A few cavalrymen rode at the front, followed by two carriages, with more cavalry bringing up the rear.

The entire party was traveling light, numbering just over a dozen people.

Leech wasn't surprised. If some unlucky fool tried to rob a carriage from Green Forest Castle, they'd have a death wish.

The carriages stopped and their doors opened. His cousin, Bode, dressed in an intricate robe, stepped out with a cold expression on his face.

The moment he appeared, it was as if the temperature in the entire castle dropped.

"Bode, it's been a year!" Leech said, walking toward Bode with open arms. "I've missed you so much."

The soldiers and servants standing by all broke out in a cold sweat for their Lord, fearing the sinister-looking nobleman might suddenly draw his sword.

Bode smiled, and the temperature finally seemed to rise. "Happy birthday, Leech. But I think you should greet the beautiful ladies first."

"Of course."

Leech looked toward the rear carriage. Just as he walked over, a figure leaped out.

There was only one person who could move with such flair while holding up a long dress.

Stacy.

She had long, golden-blonde hair and wore an elaborate, puffy gown.

"Happy birthday, Leech," she said, presenting the back of her hand.

From her previous movement, however, Leech thought she had been about to open her arms for a hug. Fortunately, she reacted quickly and raised her hand instead.

Leech gently took her hand and greeted her with a standard hand-kiss, though he didn't actually make contact. He just lowered his head in a feigned gesture.

'It's not that she isn't lovely, but I can feel her sweaty palm. Sickness enters through the mouth; better not be careless with kisses.'

When he looked up, he noticed Stacy's eyes shifting slightly.

Leech smiled. "Thank you for your wishes, Stacy. I'm so glad you could come. I must say, you look very beautiful today."

"Fami helped me pick out the clothes. I don't really like dressing like this, it makes me feel awkward," she said, fidgeting. But after hearing Leech's compliment, she seemed to feel that wearing such an uncomfortable dress wasn't a total waste.

'Fami?'

'Miss Ivory Tower? Miss Water Hyacinth?'

It was only then that Leech realized there was another person in the carriage. He truly hadn't expected her to come.

Although they were pen pals who had exchanged affectionate letters, they had rarely corresponded over the past year.

His casual invitation for her to visit Porcupine Castle had merely been a hope that the year would be enough time for her to forget about him. After all, their correspondence had started with a misunderstanding.

'Although, she really is very beautiful.'

He watched the figure stooping at the carriage door, waiting to alight.

She wore a light purple, puffy gown with a petticoat woven from horsehair and a collar adorned with several layers of lace ruffles.

Her ocean-like eyes gazed at Leech.

Unlike the agile Stacy, she would have a very difficult time getting out of the carriage without help; she might even take a tumble.

Leech offered his hand to give her something to lean on.

'It must be too stuffy in the carriage.'

'Holding a beautiful woman's hand is nice, but a sweaty one is definitely a terrible experience.'

Miss Water Hyacinth grasped Leech's hand with one of her own and held up her dress with the other as she stepped down from the carriage.

"Happy birthday, Lord Leech!" she exclaimed, looking incredibly happy. The smile on her face was impossible to hide.

"As a friend, I think you can just call me Leech," he said with a smile, letting go of her hand at the same time.

Offering his hand just now had simply been a gentlemanly gesture.

Though he was a lecher, he wouldn't commit the absurd act of getting handsy with one lady right in front of another.

"Okay, Leech!"

Compared to Stacy, who was a little awkward after not having seen him for some time, she acted as if she and Leech had just parted ways yesterday. Her attitude was even almost the same as it was on the night of the ball.

He had to admit, being with the carefree "Miss Ivory Tower" was genuinely relaxing.

'Knowing less is its own kind of innocence.'

Perhaps only she, a good friend of Stacy and the daughter of a nobleman, could remain so shielded from the world's malice. Leech hoped she could maintain this innocence forever, because it was a rare and precious thing.

When he turned around, he saw a servant from Green Forest Castle hand something to his cousin, Bode.

Bode walked toward him, holding the item.

"This is my gift," Bode said.

'This is the first time I've ever received a birthday gift in this world.'

"I've been looking forward to getting presents," Leech said with a smile.

He inspected the gift in front of them, as was part of the etiquette.

Inside was a book.

Lena's Travelogue

"I know you're very interested in books, so I spent a long time searching for this one," Bode said. "You've probably never heard of Lena. She was a lady who fell in love with a Giant Dragon. This book chronicles her encounter with the dragon and their eventual breakup. I still remember the night she and the dragon met..."

"Don't say another word," Leech immediately cut him off, complaining, "Are you planning to spoil the whole story before I even open the first page? I want to savor this book myself."

He hated people who gave spoilers.

"Sorry, I just really admire the story inside," Bode said. "It's so magical."

'It's not really that magical.'

'What's so strange about being with a dragon? Giant Dragons can take human form and there's no reproductive isolation. Not a problem at all.'

'Some people even do it with lizards.'

"I really like this gift," Leech said sincerely.

Getting an entertaining novel to pass the boring times made him happier than being given a few Jinri.

He was sure this rather thick book would provide him with plenty of entertainment.

Next was Stacy's gift.

What she gave him perfectly matched her personality: a one-handed sword.

Leech drew the longsword, bouncing it lightly in his hand. The sword weighed about a pound; it was very light.

He also observed that the edge of this one-handed sword was actually lined with incredibly fine serrations. The teeth were so small he couldn't see them without looking closely, making him think his eyes were playing tricks on him.

"What exquisite craftsmanship!" he exclaimed in surprise.

Even an Extraordinary blacksmith like Chuina would have a hard time achieving this level of work. He pressed his finger lightly on the spine of the blade, and the sword bent slightly with great resilience.

'This is definitely the show-off piece of a master craftsman!'

There was a line of small text on the spine of the blade.

"For Leech"

Leech looked at Stacy and said, "I love this gift. Does it have a name?"

Famous swords all have their own names, but more often than not, a sword becomes famous because of the power of its owner.

"Bladesaw," Stacy said.

"Very fitting." Leech sheathed the sword and hung it directly from his belt.

He truly liked this weapon. It was exquisitely crafted yet simple in appearance, and it fit his hand perfectly. When he swung it gently, the sword in his grip felt like an extension of his own limb.

He could wield it as he pleased.

It might not be enough for a real battle, but it was excellent as a personal sidearm.

Stacy smiled. "I'm glad you like it."

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