SURPRISINGLY enough, there was a decent amount of cheer when Winged Tassel started walking towards the rink. Those who wanted to see another turn-around just like with the previous match cheered even louder.
When the two were finally both standing on the rink, the duke continued on with his 'emceeing'.
"These two are the ones who would fight for the last spot at the finals. Let's give them a warm of applause, shall we?"
As the duke said that, the crowd complied and applauded.
"Now, let the second round of the semi-finals begin!"
Before the duke could disappear and turn to red smoke, Luo Yan called out to him.
"Wait, milord."
The duke did stop and looked at him. "Is there something?"
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"Milord, may this humble servant request something?" Luo Yan said, his tone was very respectful. To raise the chances of the duke agreeing to his request.
Interest flashed in the duke's eyes, probably curious as to what he would request. "Oh, what is it?"
Luo Yan walked towards the other. "My pet seems to admire the lord very much. He wanted to stay with you during my match so he could admire your amazing visage up close. He might be a bit naughty but he's very obedient. Can he stay with you, milord?"
The duke seemed to not have expected that. He gazed down at the little fox in Luo Yan's arms. Then, he suddenly lifted his chin, his expression proud, as if it should only be natural that Eclipse admired him.
The little fox, on the other hand, showed a dazed expression. He obviously didn't expect that his master would say such a thing!
[Mashter, what are you saying? Eclipse definitely doesn't admire this pompous lord! Just look at his face! He's definitely thinking that Eclipse is his fan! No, Eclipse doesn't want this pot!]
Luo Yan didn't have any change in his expression when he heard Eclipse complaining. He just gently patted the other's head. [Of course, I know. You're just going to act like you do. Look at the bird guy. He looked like he was about to vomit but he couldn't, so he just swallowed it.]
When he told the duke about leaving Eclipse to the other during his match, that's the exact expression Winged Tassel showed. If Luo Yan still wanted evidence of the other having bad thoughts about Eclipse, then this expression was enough proof of it.
The little fox glanced at Winged Tassel and after seeing the other's expression, he said energetically, [The bird guy's expression is so funny! Okay, Eclipse will do as Mashter said.]
Eclipse jumped down from his master's arms and was surrounded by black smoke, turning into a seven-year-old boy. He was wearing new clothes, replacing the clothes that were ruin in yesterday's match.
A white robe that was similar to a priestess' kimono with wide sleeves. But instead of trousers that were also similar to a priestess' costume, he was wearing a pair of black shorts. This set of clothes looked cute but still had a certain mystery around them. Especially added with the fox ears on top of his head and the five tails behind him.
Eclipse looked at the duke with admiration in his big blue eyes. "Milord, can you let Eclipse watch the game with you? Eclipse really admires milord! Especially your posture. It's very, ahm, it's very domineering!"
The duke seemed to be very pleased by Eclipse blowing rainbow fart. "Hmm… since you ask this lord so sincerely—"
<
Before the duke could continue, Winged Tassel suddenly interjected, "Milord, isn't it a bit of a waste to not let the little fox fight? Surely it would be much more interesting for milord to watch the little fox fight than have him by your side, right?"
The duke frowned, obviously displeased that the other cut off what he was about to say. Luo Yan, on the side, just watched. Waiting for a good show.
One could say that the NPCs in this game were simply made of data and codes and that they only followed the set of programs given to them. But Luo Yan didn't think the same. For him, they were almost like an independent entity. When they were not interacting with players, they were still moving and doing their own thing. Wasn't that similar to 'living'?
That's why Luo Yan never underestimated these NPCs. He treated them the same way he would treat a person with the same personality. It's the reason why he could pass all those hidden tasks. Because his actions depended on how he thought the NPCs he encountered would react.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmBased on the duke's personality, the way Winged Tassel interrupted the duke just now would surely ruffle the other's feathers. Luo Yan thought that Winged Tassel would be a bit more cautious with his words. The way he behaved during the last two matches showed that he wasn't the careless type. He was probably even someone who plans thoroughly before making his move. But the way he acted just now was the complete opposite.
It seemed the fact that Eclipse wouldn't join the fight really rattled the other. To the point that he couldn't even care what the duke's reaction would be. That's a very wrong move on his side.
Before the duke could say his dissatisfaction, Eclipse was much faster than him.
"Why are you dictating the lord what he should feel or not feel? Aren't you being too disrespectful?"
What Eclipse said seemed to make the duke even more displeased towards Winged Tassel. He raised his chin and looked at the other. Although the duke was half a head shorter than Winged Tassel, the way he lifted his chin and looked down on the other made him look like he was a few meters taller.
"This lord doesn't need your opinion. I will do whatever I want," the duke said before glancing at Eclipse. "Let's go, little fox."
"Yes!"
And the two were surrounded by red smoke, disappearing from the rink.
Luo Yan turned to Winged Tassel and smiled sweetly. "Too bad, huh?"
Hearing that, Winged Tassel no longer looked like he had swallowed his own vomit.. Instead, he looked like he had eaten shit.