Huh?

“You lowly commoner, how dare you speak to me like that?! Do you even know who I am?”

After the initial shock, the green-haired boy twisted his face into a ferocious expression and pointed at Su Mo, shouting loudly.

As a fallen noble, fallen to the point where even his own territory had to be bestowed by others…

Su Mo’s identity had long been regarded by other nobles as no different from that of a commoner.

It was only out of consideration for Alice’s face that this thin veil had not been torn apart until now.

But today’s banquet had no elders present, so these young noble heirs were far more unrestrained.

Even the instructions they received before coming—not to provoke Su Mo and to simply ignore him—were now forgotten.

The exchange of words between the two immediately drew the attention of everyone present, their faces wearing expressions of eager anticipation for a good show.

Almost everyone here felt some degree of disgust toward Su Mo, so seeing him humiliated was naturally something they looked forward to.

As for the green-haired NPC’s words, Su Mo found them somewhat laughable. In this day and age, he was still using such a simple method of intimidation?

That sort of thing couldn’t even protect your family lineage.

“Idiot dog, if I knew who you were, would I have asked? And I don’t care who you are. All I know is that I’m human. If you think you’re different from me, that only means you’re not human.”

Su Mo shrugged as he spoke, and hearing his words, the green-haired boy—already fuming—turned an even darker shade, his face as red as pig liver.

‘It’s because of idiots like this that the entire noble class looks bad.’

Su Mo no longer wanted to waste words on this half-developed brain and fully undeveloped mind.

Ignoring the boy’s furious reaction, Su Mo turned and headed toward the dessert table.

“Stop right there! After humiliating us like this, you think you can just walk away as if nothing happened?

My name is Grarha Xi-Huanbei-Tan, and I hereby challenge you, Noah Brand, to a duel!”

He had barely taken a few steps when that annoying voice called out from behind again.

Hearing the name spoken, Su Mo couldn’t help but feel speechless.

‘Galahad Likes Getting Hit? What kind of idiotic name is that? This family is finished for life.’

This was why Su Mo always said you shouldn’t focus all the writing effort on the main protagonist—everyone else ends up looking like a cardboard cutout.

And now, here was a name straight out of nonsense-land. A total developer shortcut—just some lazy pun work.

“No fight. Bye.”

Without turning his head, Su Mo replied coldly.

“What’s wrong? Are you scared?”

“Oh yes, absolutely! I happened to bump into the great Galaha—strong as a monster, impossible to defeat even if I tried my best.

You win. Happy now?”

His tone remained utterly indifferent, as if just speaking to this guy was lowering his own IQ.

This attitude from Su Mo shocked the onlookers.

Today’s Su Mo was nothing like the old one—he hadn’t gotten angry even once and had calmly driven the other party into a rage.

Among everyone present, only Lofiel understood why Su Mo was acting this way.

Just thinking of Su Mo’s earlier look of pure disdain, Lofiel couldn’t help but picture Edenia using that exact expression while insulting someone.

Then she felt her nose heat up. Touching it, she realized she was getting a nosebleed.

She quickly wiped it away while no one noticed, shaking the image from her mind and returning her attention to the lively scene.

Lofiel was certain Su Mo would never accept a duel. Even if it wasn’t instant death, Su Mo didn’t look like he had any combat ability.

And with that unstable head of his, Lofiel worried it might just fall off mid-fight.

Unless… he planned to turn into Edenia.

Though she had been charmed by Edenia’s appearance at the time, once calm, she realized that Edenia had felt terrifying.

She couldn’t gauge Edenia’s true strength at all—only that it was unfathomable.

That meant Edenia’s strength absolutely surpassed hers—and by an unknown margin.

This was why Lofiel hadn’t immediately tried to attack Su Mo.

She couldn’t beat Edenia now, so she couldn’t risk revealing his identity or trying to forcibly get close to him.

Lofiel could only grow stronger as quickly as possible—until she surpassed Edenia. Then, and only then, would she feel safe pursuing him.

Of course, some light flirting before that was still acceptable.

Meanwhile, seeing Su Mo still speaking in that condescending tone, Grarha felt his pride crumble completely.

If he let this go, his family would become the laughingstock of all other houses after this banquet.

Thinking this, Grarha signaled the two men behind him. They immediately understood and ran ahead to block Su Mo’s path.

“Whether you want to or not, you will duel me today! Of course, I’m not asking for nothing in return.

I hear you’re broke, right? If you win, I’ll give you 1,000 gold coins.”

‘1,000 gold coins? Well, I’m awake now! That’s more than enough for everyone’s food budget!’

Su Mo had been about to say something else, but upon hearing that the guy was offering money, he immediately changed his mind.

‘Huh? Is little Eden short on cash?’

Hearing Su Mo’s thoughts in real-time, Lofiel muttered curiously to herself.

“You seem to have forgotten where we are right now. This is a banquet hosted by Her Highness the Princess. And here you are, screaming in impotent rage and trying to cause trouble with your goons.

Isn’t this the same as showing complete disrespect to the Second Princess of the Augilis Kingdom?

Should I take this as your Xi-Huanbei-Tan family’s tacit approval?

Could it be that your family is secretly plotting rebellion and planning to overthrow the royal family of Augilis?!”

Su Mo’s words instantly turned the banquet hall deathly silent.

Grarha himself went pale in an instant.

“What’s going on? Why is the hall so quiet?”

At that moment, a gentle voice broke the silence.

A blonde girl in an elegant gown stepped forward, her face carrying a look of puzzlement at the strange atmosphere.

The speaker was none other than the host of tonight’s banquet.

Her Highness Alice Augilis Aclade, the Second Princess of the Augilis Kingdom.

“P… Princess… Your Highness…”

Upon seeing the noble blonde beauty, everyone present showed respect and admiration—everyone except Grarha and his two lackeys.

“It’s nothing. I was just about to have a mock duel with Grarha, the second young master of the Xi-Huanbei-Tan family.”

Su Mo took over the conversation, his gaze settling on Grarha, who was now too frightened to speak.

“Hey, you—Galahad or whatever your name is—I accept your duel. Don’t forget the reward you promised.”

Su Mo smiled as he said this.

Then…

The mask suddenly issued a warning.

Su Mo’s cheerful face immediately froze.

And finally, he couldn’t help but let out a single word—

“Huh?!”