Since the previous Warrior Captain, Gazef, died in battle, the position had been vacant for years. Now, the old king had decided to begin the selection process again. Many nobles had sent representatives to the martial arts competition, eager to win the position that commanded the kingdom's elite forces.
"I can't help with that. I'm too busy," EeDeChi's response was as blunt as ever. She glanced at the gift box and the large bouquet of tulips on the table. The tulips were snow-white, with petals layered like falling snowflakes and a few dewdrops clinging to the buds, looking as if they were just about to bloom.
"Are these flowers from Princess Renner?" EeDeChi asked casually.
"No... They are from me," Brain replied.
Tulips from you? White ones? Barrett, sitting nearby, raised an eyebrow and cast a subtle glance at Brain. The famed swordsman sat straight in the chair, hands neatly placed on his lap, eyes fixed intently on EeDeChi, looking like a well-behaved apprentice in a tailor's shop.
EeDeChi grabbed the bouquet of tulips, buried her nose in the petals, took a deep breath, and then lifted her head, wrinkling her nose before nodding. "Hmm, not bad, it's quite fragrant. You two continue your conversation. I'll go find Princess Renner."
With a loud bang, the door slammed shut, and the sound of her footsteps gradually faded away. The room was left with just the seasoned adventurer and the renowned swordsman.
Brain let out a sigh of relief and looked at Barrett, somewhat uneasy. "May I ask if your captain likes chocolate?"
Barrett noticed the beautiful gift box on the green-painted table. The box was made of boxwood, exceptionally refined, with a blue satin ribbon tied into a bow and an elegant floral inscription on the lid: "Gillian's Chocolate."
Chocolate? And white tulips? Barrett's eyes widened as he stared at the swordsman, unsure of what expression to show.
He had traveled and adventured around the world for years and had a slight understanding of various customs and traditions. He had once gathered singing flowers in the forest for a noble young master and had chatted extensively with that charming young lord about romance and poetry. He had vaguely heard about the meaning of white tulips in the Re-Estize Kingdom.
At first, Barrett didn't think much of the white tulips, but seeing the box of chocolates...
Oh! Man... your taste is a bit over the top. Although the captain isn't unattractive, her martial demeanor is more striking than delicate beauty! And her personality always comes off as rather stern and unapproachable. She seems to have nothing like the word "miss"! No, not just unlike a "miss," she seems nothing like a "woman" at all!
The seasoned adventurer, who had weathered countless trials and seen the coldness of the world, sat upright, lips motionless, but his mind was a storm of confusion, as if a thousand goats and camels were dancing across the prairie of his thoughts.
Brain, however, looked genuinely earnest, leaning slightly forward, waiting for Barrett's response. His sincere eyes never blinked as he stared at the adventurer, making the well-traveled Barrett certain he wasn't joking.
"Let me think," Barrett looked away, "I've never heard the captain mention whether she likes chocolate, but she might." Hmm, most ordinary girls would probably like it.
"Then... why did you give her tulips?" Barrett suddenly felt a twinge of curiosity.
In the customs of the Re-Estize Kingdom, white tulips symbolize a secret admiration. The color white itself represents purity and innocence. If a boy has feelings for a girl, giving her white tulips is a way to show that his emotions are as pure as the flowers.
The blue-haired swordsman looked somewhat awkward and uneasy. "I've spent over twenty years honing my swordsmanship, and this is the first time I've met someone as unique as Miss EeDeChi."
Hmm, this is the first time in my life that I've met such a unique guy. Barrett agreed with Brain's words in his mind.
"She is powerful and fearless, with a straightforward and candid personality, yet she is approachable and elegant." Brain spoke with a reverent tone, his eyes sparkling as if there were light within. "I know you might not agree with what I'm saying." He looked at Barrett.
No, no, no. I agree with everything you said except for "approachable and elegant," Barrett thought, staring at the ceiling, unsure how to respond to this lovesick kid.
"I once met a vampire girl as powerful as her. That silver-haired vampire wore a black dress and was only as tall as my waist.
"But she viewed me as an ant, defeating the swordsmanship I had honed for twenty years with just her pinky nail. At that moment, I experienced despair and the fear of death for the first time.
"Later, I encountered an incredibly powerful Magic Caster. Both my dear friend Gazef and I believed he was a good person, but he killed Gazef on the battlefield and slaughtered tens of thousands of my countrymen, leaving corpses everywhere..."
Brain continued his story, as if recalling and pouring out his heart. As he spoke, two figures slowly surfaced in Barrett's mind: Shalltear from the Great Tomb of Nazarick, and the Great Demon King Ainz Ooal Gown.
"But Miss EeDeChi is so unique. She is willing to converse on equal terms with ordinary people like us, even traveling, adventuring, laughing, and singing together. Barrett, I really envy you."
Faced with Brain's sincere gaze, Barrett pondered deeply.
...
The conversation between the two men soon ended. Barrett, being a seasoned elite adventurer, and Brain, a long-famous swordsman, needed little more discussion between two mature adults.
Barrett saw Brain to the door.
Just before they parted ways, Barrett suddenly asked, "What do you think of Princess Renner?"
Having joined Princess Renner's service, Brain likely knew many things Barrett did not.
"Princess Renner truly lives up to the title 'Golden Princess.' She is the greatest ruler I've ever seen. Both the people and the nobles need and support her. All who wish to protect the people in these troubled times rally around her."
Brain smiled slightly at Barrett. "Of course, we won't be blindly trusting her like Climb does. I don't think you would either, after all, you're a smart person."