Chapter 1436 - 1401: Extraordinary Charisma

"Is that the killer crab, a specialty of the Kovir Sea?"

Lann stood by the dining table with Margaret and Triss, the Demon Hunter looking at a giant crab surrounded by lavish ice sculptures with great interest.

If the limbs of this crab were fully extended, they could be as long as a ten-year-old child. Paired with sharp protrusions on the shell and large claws, it did indeed look capable of killing.

However, compared to real monsters like crab-spiders or Qiqimo, the ’killer crab’ was nothing more than a gimmick.

The crabs Lann had seen in the Punishment Forest Swamp of the Flame World were the size of a villa, truly terrifying.

"Wouldn’t it take half a month to transport it over from the sea?"

"In fact, it was on Kovir’s seabed just two hours before the banquet started." Margaret said to the Demon Hunter, using a silver spoon to scoop out a spoonful of the delicately carved, translucent crab meat from the opened shell, "Teleportation Technique is indeed a great invention."

"Alright, alright." Lann clapped unenthusiastically, "If only this great invention could be more widespread."

"Aren’t we already working on that? The way you said it makes us sound like a bunch of slackers."

Margaret rolled her eyes at him.

Lann actually had no interest in coming to the dining table, because at such banquets, such actions meant that a certain social obligation was about to descend upon him simultaneously.

Someone would recognize you and act as if overjoyed by this fact, then approach to exchange pleasantries, with a tone both warm and insincere.

Following the obligatory distant air kisses and soft, flaccid handshakes, after the fake smiles and insincere yet cleverly eloquent compliments, would be dull, brief conversations devoid of substance.

Lann knew only a few people here, just Warlocks he had communicated with about research progress through the Thousand-Mile Telescope during the crystal cultivation project.

Even with these Warlocks, their exchanges were limited to academics.

After all, every time Lann returned, it was during a rest from his world-crossing adventures, and he couldn’t spend his time making small talk with these Warlocks, with whom he had little bond.

Having the fortune of becoming friends would be great, but maintaining only a professional connection didn’t leave Lann feeling regretful.

More people came over to greet, contributing to those aforementioned dull and meaningless small talks, most being friends of his two female companions.

In Lann’s view, the social interactions of the entire world and even across worlds are all the same.

If a female companion’s friend comes over and you still display a stance of "Stranger, stay away," unwilling to even show a smile, what position does that leave Margaret and Triss in?

So, even though he disliked these social engagements, Lann, considerate and perfect, still effortlessly completed all his social etiquette and duties.

His smile was as refreshing as a spring breeze, conveying with just a glance and subtle gestures that the other party was highly valued, heating their hearts.

Some who seemed clumsy and unskilled in social interactions stumbled over to converse, yet simply under Lann’s smile, their speech turned more fluent, their mood more eager, to the point of near excitement.

Even the insincere small talk almost turned into genuine one-sided friendship chats.

And unquestionably, the two female Warlocks were getting closer to the Demon Hunter through this process.

Margaret and Triss’s cheeks, already slightly flushed from drinking, bore an even rosier hue, that fragrant color extending from their cheeks down their slender necks, swelling bosoms, and further down their bodies...

For female Warlocks, the envious and jealous glances of others were the best aphrodisiac.

Initially, the two female Warlocks attending with a male companion, particularly these two distinguished personages as the Dean of Airetusa and the Temerian Royal Advisor.

That alone was big news.

People whispered ceaseless speculation and gossip.

From this perspective, the attendees at this noble and luxurious banquet were no different from the women in Velen villages who gossiped while working.

However, as soon as Lann truly started to make an appearance at the banquet, all the whispers disappeared.

People began to spontaneously understand and even envy these two female Warlocks.

This extraordinary charisma was not the first time Lann had exhibited it; at the end of the Battle of Sodden Mountain, almost every soldier who had witnessed his presence on the battlefield seemed ready to salute him voluntarily after the battle.

At that time, even the Kings didn’t receive such honor.

In the arena of social prestige, Lann’s charm was just as compelling as on the battlefield.

Though it was just a slight show of himself, the atmosphere in the entire banquet hall unknowingly turned into a whirlpool centered around him, starting to churn.

Dikoschek maintained a composed expression, but he himself knew just how astonished he felt inside.

Heaven knows what’s going on! Just now, he couldn’t help but start moving in that direction!

If he hadn’t accidentally spilled his drink, he might have already walked over to the serving table!

Dikoschek didn’t personally go to Sodden Mountain during the last war; he was in the back providing intelligence support.

But now he completely understands why Vizimir had such a complex and indescribable expression when mentioning this person after returning from Sodden Mountain.

"Is this magic?" Dikoschek looked at Philippa Eilhart with utmost seriousness, even repeating for emphasis, "Is this some kind of magic?!"

Philippa also looked distressed and shocked: "You’ve seen more mages in this room than you have in your entire life! If this were magic, do you think these people would willingly jump into someone else’s magic like fools?"

Nevertheless, Lann has perfectly completed his social duties at this banquet, and no one could find a fault with him.

At the right moment, the young Demon Hunter withdrew himself.

Tonight, he wanted to reserve his energy and thoughts for those genuinely valuable people, like the ten Great Mages from the Talent and Skill Association and the Warlock Supreme Council.

These are the people who truly decide the direction and will of the Warlock community.

Persuading them will help pour a bucket of cold, sobering water over the heads of those few reckless kings.

Lann was thinking just that, but soon, a friend came strolling over through the crowd with another friend at the banquet.

Yennefer’s expression was displeased, yet mixed with a hint of joy, while Geralt wore a completely stony face.

But Lann, who was already familiar with the White Wolf, knew clearly that beneath this stony expression was a complete sense of bewilderment.

"Sabina just came to talk to me!" Yennefer headed straight toward Triss and Margaret, starting with a cold snort, "Did you see her clothes? Only someone shameless and tasteless would wear them! That woman is older than me!"

"Forget it, let’s not talk about it, it’s as if there’s anything worthwhile to care about concerning that woman."

Apparently, when it comes to gossiping behind someone’s back, female warlocks are no different from ordinary women.

Triss and Margaret’s eyes lit up as they greeted her. "What did she ask you? Everyone knows by now, Sabina is gathering intelligence for Henselt of Codwin."

"Really?" Yennefer said shockingly, but anyone can see she’s joking.

The three female warlocks laughed heartily in their private gossip about others, while Geralt seemed relieved as he moved to Lann’s side.

He pulled at his collar as if he were being suffocated.

"Thankfully, you’re here." The White Wolf sighed, "This ridiculous outfit, and this suffocating new-style banquet. It’s all making me almost unable to breathe."

"Is the rule among the wizards really to blow cold drafts at everyone and eat cold seafood without ever getting full?"

"It appears so." Lann nodded, unsurprised at Geralt’s complaints. "Although, I see Yennefer is actually quite pleased, and you seem happy too. What’s happened?"

The White Wolf’s already-stony expression suddenly became even more rigid.

"...I love Yennefer."

Lann looked a bit puzzled: "I know, and then?"

"I mean, I said it out loud... I love her. Just now, after being provoked by that Sabina."

Lann’s expression first stayed calm as he blinked his eyes. Then, when he truly understood Geralt’s words a second later, the young Demon Hunter’s eyes slowly widened.

"Wow~"

The Bear Demon Hunter excitedly patting the shoulder of the Wolf Demon Hunter, as if watching a block of wood suddenly develop insight!

"Geralt. Geralt! You’ve improved! Really improved!"

"And then? Tell me quickly!"

"Then." Geralt’s stiff lips cracked into a smile, "She responded to me, urgently so."

"And then, dear Duke of Sintra." Yennefer interjected, pulling Geralt’s hand and leading him away. "We haven’t seen each other for so long, and our to-do list is pretty long. We have to tackle each item one by one."

"Oh!" Lann smiled kindly, "Yes, I’m sure you have plenty of things to discuss."

"Talking is something," Yennefer smiled suggestively, gazing at the White Wolf beside her with an eye full of implication, "that can be saved for later. It should be last on the list, Lann."

This response made Lann raise his eyebrows, and it also elicited knowing laughter from the other two female warlocks.