Since Yu accepted those gifts, he hadn't lifted a finger to do anything productive. Day after day, he simply lay back and watched the charming dancers below performing their routines. In the past, he wouldn't have wasted time like this unless there was truly something of interest. But now, it seemed something had caught his attention.
The dancers, who had initially been fearful, soon grew bold and eager. After spending a few days with Yu, they discovered that this so-called king was surprisingly easy to get along with. They could eat their fill every day, sleep in clean and comfortable accommodations (empty houses in Sumeru City), and even if they tried to escape, he wouldn't chase after them—he simply didn't care enough. Many, after briefly fleeing, came back due to the difficulty of surviving outside, yet he never punished them for it.
One day, a daring girl mustered the courage to massage his shoulders, and to her surprise, Yu agreed. Her reward was being treated like a princess. Gifts from the locals poured in, and from that moment on, the dancers' eyes lost a hint of innocence and fear, replaced by ambition and greed.
Meanwhile, Apep grew increasingly anxious. Everyone said that indulgence in wine and women could drain a man's vitality, yet this man didn't even drink! What kind of upbringing had he received that left him uninterested in alcohol? How could anyone not drink?
Even his interest in women wasn't as excessive as expected. This left Apep in a state of desperate frustration. How long will it take for this man to die? The dragon fretted. He's driving me crazy!
Yu, for his part, despised alcohol. Deep in his soul, he believed it was nothing but trouble. At one point, he even considered imposing a nationwide alcohol ban. However, after some thought, he dismissed the idea, realizing it would be impractical despite his distaste for liquor.
Apep wasn't the only one feeling exasperated. Alhaitham had reached his limit.
"Overlord, you can't just sit there and watch all day!" Alhaitham protested.
""In my whole life... I've Fought, can't I even enjoy myself?" Yu replied nonchalantly.
"Continue the music! Keep dancing."
At the gates of Sumeru City, a woman with a massive purple braid arrived. She observed how the city had grown more prosperous. Remarkably, there were even overweight people strolling about, and many had taken up raising pets—though the pets were… unusual.
Some people raised birds, and the species varied widely, from vibrantly colored ones to strangely shaped creatures. There were even birds from the desert capable of dragging a person into the sky.
Others kept crocodiles or pigs with mushrooms growing on their backs. She even saw someone leading a giant, snake-like creature down the street.
All of these oddities pointed to two conclusions:
First, once people had enough to eat, they would inevitably find other things to occupy their time.
Second, leaders always had a way of setting bizarre trends. Since Yu liked keeping pets (such as the little blue creatures), the people of Sumeru had followed his example.
Ei couldn't help but be amazed as she made her way through the city. Beneath her perpetually cold, ice-like expression, it was impossible to tell just how many emotions were boiling within her.
In Sumeru, humans and beasts roamed side by side.
"Brother, your bird isn't as big as mine!"
"Who cares about size anymore? It's all about skill! Hey, Little Huang, show him your moves!"
"You two are behind the times. Who even raises birds now? Check out this spirit snake from the desert around my neck. Priceless, isn't it?"
"Look at my little crocodile lizard. Isn't it adorable? They say it even has royal lineage!"
The streets were also filled with young women dancing, and many others teaching dance—charging exorbitant fees for lessons.
Ei didn't linger long. After returning last time, she had spent a long while in contemplation before deciding to come back for another visit.
Just as she reached the gates, she happened upon this scene.
"Continue the music! Keep dancing."
The dancers resumed their performance. At that moment, a striking figure appeared at the gates—a woman with a massive purple braid that made her stand out, adding an odd touch of charm to her otherwise cold demeanor.
Yu noticed her arrival and fell silent. He didn't know what to say, and after a moment of hesitation, he managed to squeeze out three words.
"You're here again."
Then, noticing the dancers, he added, "You may leave now."
Ei was slightly taken aback by the scene before her. She had never seen so many beautiful young women gathered in one place. Does Yu really love pretty girls that much? For reasons she couldn't quite comprehend, a trace of anger—mixed with a hint of sadness—bubbled up in her heart.
~~~~~~~
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