I Am Not Goblin Slayer

Chapter 307: Autumn Lake Night Banquet

Albenia, like Aria, wore an evening gown.To be honest, what Gauss really admired was that the clothing shop actually carried sizes that fit Albenia’s body type!

What kind of mindset did the tailor have to produce evening dresses in that size?

Shadow was wearing a dress of a similar style. Gauss couldn’t help but suspect the three of them had gone shopping together.

Only Aria’s dress was light blue, Shadow’s was black, and Albenia’s was pure white.

Looking at Albenia, that gown on her made Gauss involuntarily recall a character from a game in his previous life, vaguely named Eight... Eight-foot Lady or something, though Albenia was much more robust.

Not exactly ugly, but Albenia’s physique didn’t really suit such a long gown, and it gave him a strange, indescribable sense of dissonance.

As if in the next moment she might reach out from the side of the skirt and pull out an axe.

“Very... spirited, looks refreshed, Albenia.” Gauss hesitated for a long time, and finally offered an appraisal that was honest yet polite.

“Really?” Thick-skinned Albenia couldn’t read the subtle complexity on Gauss’s face.

She didn’t overthink it.

At Gauss’s “praise,” she beamed, even twisting left and right in place, scrutinizing herself a few times.

Lord Gauss actually likes it?

She had felt awkward when she first put it on.

But since Lord Gauss said so, she dismissed that little doubt in her heart.

Lord Gauss couldn’t be wrong about aesthetics.

Instead of doubting Lord Gauss, she should doubt herself.

Albenia, be a little more confident!

Shadow smiled watching the scene, appearing composed as if she saw through everything.

Gauss caught her glancing their way and thought she was waiting for his opinion as well.

He considered Shadow’s dress the best of the three.

The main reason was Shadow’s perfect height: a long gown needs height to flatter it, but must avoid being too tall like Albenia.

Her night-black dress had extremely fine gold-thread embroidery only on the hem and cuffs. The neckline was simple, just enough to reveal the slender curve of her neck and collarbone.

He wanted to compliment her more, but seeing the other two were watching him, and not wanting to show favoritism, he only nodded slightly in approval.

“This dress looks very elegant on you.”

“Thanks, as long as you like it.” Shadow’s mouth curled in a faint smile.

What surprised Gauss most, though, was that usually steady Serlandul had also changed into special attire.

It was not human fashion.

Instead it was a tropical half-snake traditional outfit, tailored to the half-snake physique. A long robe draped naturally from the shoulders, elegantly covering his serpentine body, the hem fanning out in a fishtail shape.

When he moved, the snake body swayed within it, and the folds of the robe rippled like water.

“Even you...?” Gauss blurted.

Serlandul shook his head with a serious expression.

“Captain, we are attending the banquet as your teammate guests. You may dress casually, but we cannot be casual and embarrass you.”

Seeing him so formally prepared, Gauss couldn’t help but smile wryly.

So in the end, only he was truly casual.

Were these people really not just looking for a chance to dress up? He began to suspect.

But it was too late for him to go buy a proper evening outfit now, so the simple white robe would have to do.

Though plain when worn, it was appropriate.

At this point, no matter what he wore it wouldn’t look bad.

“Let’s go.”

The street was bright with lights.

The more prosperous the town, the livelier its nightlife.

Gauss and his handsome, beautiful companions naturally attracted many glances.

Even Serlandul the half-snake, after careful grooming, looked striking in a distinctly exotic way, drawing some attention.

Gauss caught the almost invisible upward twitch at the corner of Serlandul’s mouth as he put on an acted-cold expression.

“Hmph hmph...”

He knew it—Serlandul secretly wanted to show off too, but was putting on a dignified front about doing it for his sake.

Fine, he wouldn’t expose this obstinate fellow.

They reached the lakeside.

Beside the town office, in front of a magnificently styled hall, all sorts of mounts and vehicles were parked.

Tall horses were the plainest of the lot;the showier competitors were the exotic draught animals.

A giant black panther, large mountain-goats with rocky plates on their backs, and a quadruped that looked part-maned, part-lion...

The variety was dazzling enough to make Gauss’s head spin.

It felt like his previous life, with all sorts of flashy carriages trying to outdo one another.

Two luxurious beast-carts were blocking the main gate, neither willing to give way.

Two women in glamorous, jewel-laden attire were lifting their curtains and shouting across the gap.

“Isn’t that Miri of the Kyle family? Dressed so ostentatiously, trying to catch some young handsome man’s eye?”

“Could it be Lord Gauss? Would he fall for a butterfly-chaser like you?”

They obviously knew each other;one woman, slightly older and more mature, started the attack.

“Oh, Lady Fanny? I was merely following tradition and dressing decently. Our Kyle family has always valued substance.”

“But Lady Fanny, didn’t your husband just pass away a few months ago? Why are you already hunting for swans?”

“Don’t tarnish the reputation of Blue Lake’s five towns.”

The younger woman retorted.

As they traded barbs, blocking the entrance and refusing to yield, an older steward rushed out from inside the gate with several servers.

The servers hurried, expressions deferential.

Just when the two noblewomen thought the staff were there to greet them, the servers ignored the parked vehicles.

Without stopping, they threaded straight through the gap between the two carts, moving with purpose toward the back road.

The steward approached Gauss and his group, wearing the warmest smile.

He stopped a few steps away from Gauss and bowed gracefully.

“Mr. Gauss, and honored guests. My apologies for the late welcome! Chairman Robin, Mayor Ansel and the distinguished guests have been awaiting you in the hall for some time, and specially instructed us to receive you. Please, follow me.”

“Thank you.”

This sudden scene silenced the two women who had been hurling insults at each other.

They were not far from where Gauss stood, and had been paying attention, so they heard the steward’s words clearly.

Gauss?

Following the steward’s polite lead, they looked toward the source of his greeting.

Under the clear, slowly pouring moonlight like flowing mercury, a young man was gradually moving forward amid a protective crowd.

He wore an extremely simple white mage robe, ordinary material, plain tailoring, with no ornate embroidery or flashy accessories.

Yet that very simplicity, under the pure moonlight, attracted more attention than any decoration would, giving off an indescribable clarity and otherworldly aura.

Simple, yet handsome.

Is that Gauss?

The two women swallowed.

Knowing he was the primary target their family elders had repeatedly emphasized, they felt their hearts ignite.

They had asked about him before coming, but hadn’t expected their target to be so handsome.

Had they known he looked this way, they wouldn’t have needed their family’s schemers—they would have come to Lakeside Town to court him days ago.

Gauss walked calmly.

Space had been left between the two carts for pedestrians, so without complaint and led by the steward, he passed through the gap with an expressionless face.

The steward glanced at the two women’s stunned, clueless looks and shook his head inwardly, but didn’t bother to comment.

“Lord Gauss, please this way.”

Seeing Gauss quicken his pace to leave,

the two women no longer cared about seating order. After a word to their coachmen, they hurriedly climbed down with the help of their maids, lifting their skirts as they raced toward Gauss.

But they’d only taken a few steps before other servers from Blue Lake Hall blocked them.

“Distinguished ladies, the banquet is about to begin. Please allow me to guide you and your attendants to enter in order.”

“Mr. Gauss and his party are tonight’s invited guests and must enter first. We ask for your understanding.”

“How dare you!”

“Do you know who my grandfather is? You’re delaying my private time with Lord Gauss—do you know how serious that is?”

“My apologies.” The well-trained server maintained an impeccable polite smile.

“What is your name?”

As the sharp shouting behind them faded, Gauss shook his head.

It proved that no amount of elegant clothing could drape over a barren, mean heart.

He saw these highborn ladies for what they were.

He didn’t linger and went straight in to avoid being pestered.

Upon stepping through the main doors into the banquet hall, a server announced loudly.

The previously bustling hall fell silent.

Merchants, minor nobles, elegant ladies, senior officials, and adventurers all turned their gazes to the entrance.

Some had not yet met the current celebrated champion Gauss and were very curious.

But upon seeing him, they nodded inwardly.

At least in looks and bearing, he matched their expectations.

Some ladies who had been chatting before discreetly pulled away to study reactions.

For ninety percent of the unmarried women present, their target was Gauss—whether for a marriage alliance to benefit their families or simply attracted by this young powerful man’s charm.

Even if they couldn’t secure marriage, a one-night liaison producing offspring could raise their status at home.

Albenia sensed those burning gazes and stepped forward, using her broad frame to shield Gauss.

She had come for exactly this.

—

A few snorts echoed through the expansive hall.

Besides Gauss, his teammates also attracted many eyes.

Some believed Gauss’s overwhelming score owed not only to his strength but also to his teammates’ abilities.

Now, they indeed seemed extraordinary.

A towering warrior who looked like a small giant, whose white dress could not hide her muscular aura.

An exotic half-snake, a mysterious lady in black, and a composed female spellcaster who remained graceful despite so much attention.

Even without Gauss’s champion halo, this team’s presence alone could overshadow other adventurers by far.

“Gauss, you’re here!”

Mayor Ansel and local dignitaries soon greeted Gauss and his party with big smiles, not letting them stand at the door long.

“Haha, our great contributor has arrived!” Mayor Ansel warmly shook Gauss’s hand, then turned to the crowd and raised his voice.

“Everyone!”

“Allow me once again to introduce this year’s Blue Lake Hunting Competition champion, the young hero Gauss, who set a new record by absolute advantage! And his brave teammates! Let us welcome them with applause!”

Thunderous, long-lasting applause.

Adventurers showed respect, knowing better than anyone how hard it had been.

Merchants and nobles wore smiling faces while scheming how to make connections.

As for the ladies, their faces burned with desire, wishing they could devour him whole.

“Now let us begin this victory banquet.”

...

“Phew—”

“We should really come to fewer formal banquets like this.”

On the balcony of the second floor,

Gauss seized the moment and, using his nimble steps, slipped away from the crowd.

Rubbing his temples lightly, he couldn’t help but sigh.

This was his first time at such a formal banquet.

He had expected it to be a mere formality, but it was unexpectedly exhausting.

Those seemingly gentle ladies acted as if they had no bones—drunk on wine at the slightest invitation. Often he couldn’t break free forcefully;luckily he had several loyal guards close by.

Albenia in particular served as a one-woman barrier that kept many approaching women at bay.

Still, he now had a mild headache;the chatter of the ladies still buzzed in his ears.

Really... such a powerful magic attack!

His teammates smiled seeing Gauss’s rare wary look.

“If those beauties heard you describe them that way, their hearts would shatter,” Aria joked.

“Beauties? What beauty?” Albenia grunted disdainfully. “Their makeup is thicker than the plaster on my walls.”

Her arm still bore a thick, chalky white paste.

If scraped off and remade into cosmetics for sale, it would probably fetch a decent sum.

Gauss listened to his companions’ banter without comment,

leaning on the balcony railing, he quietly watched the bright moon outside and mentally calculated the banquet’s end time.

He planned to descend near the end to show his face so it wouldn’t be too rude.

As for being swarmed afterward, Gauss said that was impossible—

he could use Fly.

While he made these plans, a commotion downstairs in the courtyard outside the balcony suddenly erupted into shouting.

“You can’t go in! This is the celebration banquet for the hunting competition!”