Strolling along the wide stone paths of the garden, Izoruti took the initiative to speak. "I didn't realize your family's rank was so high, Dorin. So many big shots actually came to your fifth birthday banquet. I think I even saw the Prince; I've only ever seen him in person before during the Victory Day Festival. If I had known so many important people were coming, I wouldn't have attended."
(Note: The Victory Day Festival is a festival held to celebrate the three heroes' victory over the Demon God Laplace and the world's return to peace.)
"Why wouldn't you attend just because there are big shots? Did you come to my birthday banquet to meet'small' people? It has nothing to do with those big shots. I actually don't like attending balls either; occasions like this make me feel restless. If you don't join in the conversations, you feel isolated, but if you actually join their talk, it feels incredibly boring. It's truly a contradiction."
I paused for a moment before continuing, "We are both martial artists. We're used to doing things that improve ourselves—practicing the sword to make our swordsmanship more formidable, practicing magic to become more proficient. That's why we aren't interested in balls like this. We don't need to make friends or build relationships this way. So, it's fine if you're not good at attending balls. Shouldn't your purpose for coming today be to celebrate my birthday? It couldn't be just to eat those snacks you've wanted to try but never had, right?"
Izoruti gave me a look with her beautiful eyes, rolling them slightly. She didn't say anything, seemingly not entirely agreeing with my words of comfort.
I stared at Izoruti for a moment and then burst out laughing. Her brow furrowed, and she said angrily, "What are you laughing at? Are you mocking me?"
"I'm laughing because this dress really doesn't suit your temperament at all."
Izoruti reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, suddenly bristling. She said angrily, "I'm going back, go for a walk by yourself!" and turned to leave.
I hurried to grab her. If I let her go now, it would be over. I probably wouldn't be able to coax her back into a good mood for at least ten days or half a month.
"Don't go, I haven't finished yet. Don't be in such a hurry. Don't stop listening halfway; at least wait until I've finished before you get angry."
Izoruti huffed and glared at me, a hint of crystalline tears seemingly welling in her eyes.
"I said the dress doesn't suit you because you look much more beautiful in your swordsmanship uniform. Your swordsmanship is so formidable, so why compare yourself to others in an area where you aren't skilled? I think you're more beautiful than all those girls in gowns today when you're in your uniform. When you wear it, you're full of confidence, looking as if you fear no failure or setback. Your confidence is your most beautiful trait. Who wouldn't praise a swordsman full of confidence and courage?"
"And to be honest, not a single guest here today, including the Prince and my grandfather, is more formidable than one person. Can you guess who?"
"I don't know. Are you talking about the King?"
"Not the King. I'm talking about our master, Water God Leda Lia."
"Think about it—would you remember the name of a neighboring country's crown prince or a minister? But I believe every knight, adventurer, and national leader knows the name of the Water God. She represents the highest level of human combat power, roughly equivalent to the Seven Great Powers. The Aras Kingdom with her is a completely different country from the Aras Kingdom without her. She's like a guardian stone of the nation."