Nameless King

"That's not a bad option, let's go look at the assortment." Wain said and entered the store. Eva and Feno followed him.

Initially, Feno wanted to buy the book he saw on the shelf, but he changed his mind once inside. Dozens of books consumed all his attention, and he had only a few minutes to make his choice. Feno wanted to develop in the medical field and learn how to make quality pills and potions, so he looked for books from that field.

"Wain, this is all too strange." Eva said worriedly, while Feno was deciding on a choice.

"You think it might be a trap?"

"Yeah, if he knows that we've already talked to Leon, then what's the point? Leon and the Scarlet Rose family are their main competitors and adversaries. We have accepted Leon's offer, which means we have become a threat to the Fallen Lotus Family, moreover we are outsiders."

"Your words make sense, but I don't think so. We have already met with one of the Fallen Lotus Family, the man who came to take the girl we defeated. He tried to negotiate, but Leon was adamant. I don't think the Fallen Lotus Family is right, but maybe it's not that simple in this conflict. The blood lotuses are hiding something else." Wain murmured.

"Okay, but in case of danger, we have to take care of Feno's safety. He must not get hurt because of us."

"Of course, he'll be fine, and I didn't sense any hostile intent from Felix. He's the exact opposite of Leon, they're both calm, but also so different. One is like a hard fire, and the other is like a free water flow."

"There, I've chosen!" Feno said, running up to them. In his hands were three books, two green, and one brown.

"Huh, didn't you originally want to pick just one?"

"Well...I decided that in addition to recipes, I also needed to learn more about known plants and animals, as well as the basics of alchemy. If I only do what's written in the recipe book, I'll never get further. I need to try to create something myself!"

Eva smiled, "You have a great attitude, you're thinking right."

Eva was glad that Feno could change his mind so quickly about his powers and abilities. Not long ago, he wasn't sure if he should continue practicing medicine, but now there was a fire in his eyes, and he was eager to get better.

Feno paid his purchase and returned.

"Your smile has weakened noticeably, is something wrong?"

"No...it's fine...I just didn't expect the prices in the Rose District to be this high, though I still have quite a few souls left."

"Valuable things and knowledge always cost a lot, that's no surprise." Wain looked out the window, "We should get back, time's almost up."

"Uh-huh."

Wain, Eva, and Feno walked out of the store, and a massive lotus slowly opened, and Felix emerged from it.

He looked at the books Feno had taken and said, "Not a bad choice, maybe you can make it to the top."

Felix waved his mantle, and a ladder of lotus petals appeared before him. He made no signs or gestures, Wain and Eva understood that they had to follow him.

The nobles in the square watched silently. Many of them were outraged or puzzled, but no one dared object. They did not understand why Felix had associated with outsiders and commoners, but they were afraid to open their mouths and die for it.

Felix looked weak and harmless because of his drowsiness and slowness, but that only added to the fear because of his often unreasonable cruelty.

...

The manor of the Fallen Lotus Family was on the edge of town, amidst a massive lake where beautiful lotuses grew on lilies. The buds were closed during the day, but they would open and illuminate at night, and that moment had come.

"Wow, it's so beautiful here! The Rose District is an amazing place." Feno was amazed. Compared to this, the Dandelion District he had lived in all his life was dull and gray.

"You think so?" Felix asked.

"Of course! Aren't you enjoying the sight of those lotuses? You're a real lucky!"

"Huh, maybe, but unfortunately, everything gets boring. There will probably be something interesting in the center, though." Felix said and entered the grounds of the estate.

They were greeted by the maids and made their way to the main hall.

On their way, they met Carlos, and he was outraged to see Wain and Eva, who he found out were attacking the lotus girl.

"Felix! Why did you bring them? Don't you know what they did?'

"Hmm? Carlos? What do you want from me? It's been unnecessarily noisy enough today, don't give me any unnecessary trouble. I don't have the energy for it." Felix waved his hand away and signaled the maids to close the doors to the main hall.

"Damn! That Felix! He never listens to anyone and does only what he wants! One day this will lead both him and us to disaster!" Carlos stomped his foot on the ground in anger and then turned and walked away. He could not change Felix's mind.

Carlos was the elder but not the head of the family; Felix decided everything, and he had to obey him. Carlos was sure that if Felix had been more assertive and willing, they could have found a compromise with Leon, but Felix refused his suggestions, and the other elders supported him. This infuriated Carlos greatly.

...

Felis, Wain, and Eva remained in the hall. They sent Feno off to admire the lake and the garden of the Fallen Lotus Family. It was better than he was not present for this conversation for his good.

"I will not discuss your relationship with Leon and the Scarlet Rose Family with you, I am not interested, but I want to ask you that tomorrow, you do not attack my family members. I want to talk to you not as outsiders but as humans, it is very rare to meet you."