"Hehe, as long as my lord likes it, that's all that matters."
Barbatos—Venti—grinned cheerfully at Ren Kai. He had never expected the tavern owner to show such deep respect toward Lord Rexasis.
"My lord, is the pressure alright?"
The elf girl behind Ren Kai gently asked while massaging his shoulders.
"Yes, that pressure is fine."
Ren Kai replied calmly.
To be honest, the girl's strength was practically nonexistent. Even if she used all her power, she wouldn't be able to make Ren Kai's body feel anything.
But the comfort of the moment—the atmosphere—was enough.
"My lord, how long do you plan to stay in Mondstadt this time?"
Venti asked with a bright smile.
Although he had heard Uncle Fu mention that Ren Kai would only stay briefly, if Ren Kai liked the place and stayed longer, Venti could also continue eating and drinking along the way.
"That depends on your performance."
Ren Kai smiled knowingly. He could see right through the drunk bard's little scheme.
"My lord, this is a spirit wine preserved by the Elven Forest to commemorate that day. Please enjoy it."
Shamena entered elegantly carrying a bottle of luminous wine.
She walked up to Ren Kai and opened it.
Immediately, a rich fragrance filled the room.
The six elf maidens blushed the moment they smelled the aroma. Their cheeks turned red, and they looked even more alluring.
When Venti saw the bottle, his eyes widened.
He stared at it like a starving man seeing food, sniffing the aroma with desperate enthusiasm.
Unfortunately, after pouring Ren Kai a glass, Shamena simply held the bottle in her hand—without any intention of pouring Venti a drink.
Venti looked at her with pitiful longing.
Shamena ignored him entirely and focused only on Ren Kai.
"Drinking alone is a bit boring. Pour him a glass as well."
Ren Kai said lightly.
Seeing Venti's desperate expression made him slightly uncomfortable. It would be better to let the drunkard have a drink—otherwise he'd probably keep pestering them.
"Yes, my lord."
Since Ren Kai had spoken, Shamena reluctantly walked over to Venti and poured him some wine.
While pouring, she cursed him in her mind.
Out of spite, she filled only two-thirds of the glass.
As she walked away, she glared at him.
Drink yourself to death, you drunkard.
Soon the kitchen brought in several appetizers.
Venti stared at the dishes with a complicated expression.
Not because he disliked them—but because his entire salary couldn't even afford one dish.
Each plate cost about a year of his wages.
Seeing his miserable look, Shamena couldn't help laughing internally.
If she couldn't fleece the guest, she would at least fleece him.
Ren Kai gently swirled his wine glass.
The fragrance grew stronger.
He took a small sip.
Sweet fruit flavors first filled his mouth, followed by a spicy warmth that spread through his chest.
"Excellent wine."
Ren Kai smiled toward Shamena.
"If my lord enjoys it, I'll bring two more bottles."
Shamena's heart melted the moment she saw his smile.
She handed the bottle to one of the elf girls and immediately went to the wine cellar.
"My lord, let me toast you."
"I'll drink first as a sign of respect."
The moment Shamena left, Venti grabbed his glass and chugged the entire thing in one go.
Then he raised the empty cup and eagerly signaled the elf girl for more.
The girl ignored him completely and instead looked toward Ren Kai.
"Let him have it."
Ren Kai said helplessly.
After receiving permission, the elf girl poured him another two-thirds of a glass, just like Shamena had done.
She also ignored Venti's pleading expression.
Soon Shamena returned with two more bottles.
The kitchen finished serving all the dishes.
For Ren Kai, it became a truly enjoyable meal.
Whenever he wanted a dish, Shamena personally fed it to him.
The feeling of simply opening his mouth and being served was extremely satisfying.
Meanwhile, Venti looked pitiful every time he finished a glass of wine.
For a god, the Anemo Archon was living quite miserably.
At that moment, outside the Forest of Roses Tavern, a group of lion beastmen arrived.
Leading them was a tall and domineering young man.
"Shamena! I'm here again!"
The young man roared like a lion.
His voice echoed for miles.
Nearby residents quickly shut their windows and doors in fear.
He then kicked open the tavern door.
Shamena was nowhere in sight—only a single elf waitress stood inside.
The young man frowned and glanced toward the private rooms.
Inside one of them—
Ren Kai's expression instantly turned cold.
Even Venti sensed something was wrong and stood up.
"My lord, please don't be angry. I'll deal with that bastard immediately."
Shamena's anger exploded.
Her red hair began floating as she hurried toward the door.
"Don't rush."
"I'd like to see what this is about."
Ren Kai stopped her.
Someone causing trouble in a tavern under the watch of the Anemo Archon?
That was interesting.
At that moment, the young man kicked open the private room door.
He saw Ren Kai, Venti, and the furious Shamena.
"Shamena!"
"You dare eat with another man behind my back?!"
"What is this pretty boy supposed to be?"
"And you—drunken bard! Didn't I warn you never to appear again?!"
The young man roared angrily.
Several lion beastmen behind him drew their weapons.
"How interesting."
"So this is why the tavern has no customers."
"Venti, your reputation has reached me."
Ren Kai said with amusement.
"My lord… may I have one second?"
Venti asked calmly.
"Sit down."
"What adult would get angry at a child?"
Ren Kai said coldly.
His acting progress increased again.
His chakra surged within his body.
But Ren Kai ignored the change for now.
He simply watched the furious youth with curiosity.
"Who do you think you are?!"
"You dare speak like that in front of me?!"
"I'm the heir of the Lion King Tribe, the future elder of the beastmen!"
"Kill those two men!"
The young man roared, waving his hand.
His subordinates rushed forward.
"Leave him alive."
Ren Kai pointed at the young man.
At that moment—
Shamena unleashed her fury.
Venti simply sighed.
The next instant—
All the beastmen were burned to ash by flames, and a gust of wind blew the ashes away.
"Shamena! How dare you!"
"Aren't you afraid the beastmen and elves will go to war?!"
The young man froze in disbelief.
He had never expected Shamena to attack.
He immediately resorted to threats.
In truth, Shamena had tolerated his behavior only because he had a lot of Mora.
She had been putting up with him purely for profit.
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