"I'm sorry, guests."
In front of the heavy oak doors decorated with brass inlay at the Golden Crucible restaurant, a young doorman wearing a crisp uniform raised his arm slightly to block a man and woman who were about to step inside.
The doorman's gaze quickly swept over the two uninvited guests before him.
They were dressed like typical adventurers, both wearing hunting outfits made of a practical mix of leather and coarse cloth. At the moment, however, their clothes were splattered with mud and grass bits, and one could even smell a faint stench of blood mixed with decaying soil.
The male adventurer had matted hair and unkempt stubble, while the female adventurer's face also bore the fatigue and grime left behind from battle.
Their travel-worn appearance looked completely out of place against the polished marble steps of the Golden Crucible's entrance, the fragrant potted plants flanking the porch, and the elegant, luxurious interior dimly visible through the stained-glass windows.
"Our establishment has regulations to protect the dining environment and experience of all our guests, imposing basic requirements on attire."
The doorman wore a professional smile:
"Your attire... is unfortunately rather unsuitable, so I cannot let the two of you inside."
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, the female adventurer's eyebrows instantly shot up, the flush left over from traveling and battle deepening on her face as anger flared up from being tired and hungry:
"We just finished a difficult request and wanted to treat ourselves to a good meal with the money we earned! What's wrong with dirty clothes? It's not like we'll pay a single copper short!"
Her voice rose unconsciously, drawing glances from passersby outside the entrance.
The doorman's brow furrowed imperceptibly, yet his smile remained intact.
"I am terribly sorry, lady, but these are the establishment's rules."
His tone remained polite, but his body leaned forward slightly, adopting a silent stance of blocking.
Seeing his female companion about to blow up, the male adventurer beside her quickly grabbed her arm, urging her in a hushed, rushed tone:
"Alright, alright, stop talking! This isn't the local tavern we usually go to..."
As he spoke, he looked around vigilantly, his eyes sweeping across the restaurant's exquisite sign, grand facade, and the doorman's expensive uniform before lowering his voice:
"Anyone who can afford to eat in there is either rich or noble—people we can't afford to offend. Let's go. I'll take you to The Old Anvil; there'll be plenty of roast ribs and ale for us!"
The female adventurer was still somewhat indignant, but pulled and persuaded by her companion, she gave the doorman a harsh glare, muttering things like "snobbish eyes looking down on people" and "so many trashy rules," before being half-dragged away by her partner.
Watching the two curse as their figures walked away, the young doorman imperceptibly breathed a sigh of relief, his stiff spine relaxing slightly.
He adjusted his meticulous bow tie and grumbled internally:
Tch, another pair of country bumpkin adventurers who don't know the rules. Thinking they can act like big spenders at the Golden Crucible just because they made a little life-risking money?
They didn't even look at what they were wearing; one could smell the stench of magical beasts and the mildew of graveyard dirt from miles away.
If I actually let them in and they disturbed some noble lord or wealthy merchant inside, wouldn't I be the one suffering the consequences?
Rules are rules. This uniform isn't just for show.
Just as he was thinking this, his gaze casually drifted toward the street, preparing to welcome the next potential guest.
However, when he saw four figures turning from the street corner, his hands adjusting his bow tie froze, and his eyes widened slightly.
Walking in front were three young girls, distinct in style yet equally eye-catching.
The girl on the left had rare, long gray hair with slightly flipped ends, giving off a lively, energetic aura.
She wore a neatly tailored, silver-gray knee-length dress made of a slightly stiff fabric that outlined her straight, long legs. A wide black leather belt studded with tiny sapphires was tied around her waist, and she wore black ankle boots that hugged her calves.
The girl on the right had smooth pink hair loosely pinned up with a simple pearl hairpin, a few strands falling gracefully beside her neck.
She had chosen a light-pink chiffon dress with lace trim. The lightweight hemline fluttered gently with her steps, while delicate ruffles accented the cuffs and neckline, complementing her pale complexion and giving her a gentle, graceful air laced with sweetness.
She seemed somewhat unaccustomed to this slightly gorgeous outfit, her cheeks slightly red, but her eyes were bright.
Walking in the middle with the most composed temperament was a girl with brilliant long golden hair.
Her azure eyes were calm as still water, and she wore a sapphire-blue velvet evening gown that was simple in design yet exuded intense nobility.
The gown fit her slender silhouette perfectly, with a tasteful V-neck revealing her delicate collarbones. The hemline reached her ankles, the velvet fabric flowing with a soft sheen as she walked.
She wore few accessories, with only two small diamonds sparkling on her earlobes, yet it was already more than enough to captivate anyone.
"My god... what kind of wonderful day is today?"
The doorman was thoroughly stunned inside.
Less than half an hour ago, two young ladies of exceptional appearance and elegance had just entered, causing a stir of whispers throughout the hall.
Who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, three more of the exact same caliber had arrived!
Just looking at them made it impossible for anyone to avert their eyes.
However, when his gaze finally landed on the blonde young man accompanying them slightly behind the three girls, the doorman felt his breath hitch even further.
The young man wore a well-fitted black formal suit. The fine tailoring perfectly accentuated his tall, upright figure and smooth muscle lines.
Beneath it was a pure white silk shirt with a dark red bow tie at the collar, simple and elegant.
His dazzling golden hair was meticulously combed, with a few rebellious strands falling naturally across his forehead.
Most striking of all was his face—with deep, handsome features, a high nose bridge, and a subtle curvature to his lips that exuded a charm resting right between laziness and sharpness.
His eyes in particular, illuminated by the warm yellow glow of the magic lamps outside the entrance, showed a translucent amber hue. They calmly scanned their surroundings as if capable of peering into human hearts, while simultaneously appearing entirely indifferent to everything.
"Hss—!"
The doorman sucked in a cold breath in his heart.
"Th-This young master... his looks and poise... are just far too...!"
He prided himself on having welcomed countesses, handsome noble young masters, and dashing mages at the entrance of the Golden Crucible, but seeing someone like this young man—who blended handsomeness, dashing charm, mystery, and an indescribable allure so perfectly—was undeniably a first!
No wonder... no wonder he could walk alongside three peerless beauties of such a level at the same time!
This wasn't coming out for a meal; this was practically bringing along a walking scenic landscape!
"A role model for our generation!"
The doorman couldn't help feeling a surge of emotion mixed with envy and admiration.
His previous impatience toward the adventurer pair had completely vanished, replaced by one hundred percent enthusiasm and respect.
As the four walked over, he immediately took half a step forward, a smile ten times more sincere than before beaming on his face. He bent slightly, opening the heavy doors for them with an impeccably graceful posture as his voice rang out loud and welcoming:
"Good evening, distinguished young master and ladies! Welcome to the Golden Crucible. Please, right this way!"
Compared to his businesslike indifference when blocking the adventurers earlier, his attitude now was a world of difference.
Greg felt fortunate that he had changed his clothes as well; otherwise, he might have been barred from entering just like those two adventurers.
He then nodded slightly and led the three girls into the restaurant.
The restaurant's interior was even more spacious and luxurious than it appeared from the outside.
Soft magic crystal lamps hung from the high vaulted ceiling, illuminating the deep red carpeted aisles and tables draped in crisp white tablecloths, set with silverware and crystal glasses.
The air was filled with the aroma of fine food, premium fragrances, and a subtle scent of wine.
Soothing harp music flowed from a corner.
The arrival of the four was like a pebble tossed into a calm lake, immediately creating ripples.
From the greeting servers near the doorway to the guests dining or chatting in hushed voices at nearby tables, eyes were involuntarily drawn toward them.
Surprise, admiration, curiosity, envy, jealousy... all sorts of emotions intertwined in those glances.
Whispers were faintly audible amid the elegant background music.
"Look over there... what gorgeous young ladies!"
"Who is that blonde young man? He looks a bit unfamiliar, but his aura is truly outstanding..."
"Three at once? Th-Which house's young master is blessed with such good fortune?"
The moment Greg and his companions stepped inside, they drew the eyes of almost everyone, except for the person sitting at a four-person table by the window.
Sitting there was a woman with dark golden hair.
Her hair shimmered with a unique luster under the lights, tied back simply behind her head.
Unlike the surrounding guests who maintained elegant postures, nibbling on delicacies or speaking softly, she had her head buried in a huge, fragrant, and hearty plate of roast ribs, eating with extreme focus and... boldness.
She seemed entirely immersed in her own culinary world, completely unaware of the commotion at the entrance or the glances from around her, forming a strange contrast with the refined and elegant atmosphere of the entire restaurant.
"Whoa."
Greg raised an eyebrow slightly. "Rather than looking at handsome guys or beautiful girls, she's actually more devoted to devouring her food? What an interesting woman."
He was nearly ready to look away.
However, the moment his eyes shifted, he caught sight of another young girl sitting at the same table as this big eater.
It was a girl with hair the color of honey.
She had been leaning slightly sideways, speaking in low tones with a gorgeously dressed middle-aged noblewoman across from her, her expression gentle and a perfect slight smile resting at the corner of her lips.
What surprised Greg somewhat was the appearance of this honey-haired girl.
Even though it was just a side profile, her delicate features, flawless skin, and the serene, gentle air surrounding her made him feel she was in no way inferior to the three girls beside him—she belonged to the exact same tier of beauty!
"It seems... I really shouldn't look down on other background characters after all."
Greg thought to himself silently.
"Hey."
Victoria's lowered voice came from beside him, carrying a trace of imperceptible dissatisfaction:
"Are three beauties right next to you still not enough for your eyes? Staring over there so intently... just how repressed are you?"
Greg withdrew his gaze and looked at the gray-haired girl side-eyeing him, a playful smile curling the corner of his lips. "Hmph, a sparrow like you could never fathom the heights of my vision!"
"You!" Victoria choked, giving him a dirty look. "I think you're just begging for a beating!"
"There seems to be an open table over there. Let's head over."
Silvia smoothed things over in time, pointing toward an open four-person table on the inner side of the hall that was relatively quiet and set against a decorative pillar.
Catherine didn't speak, her azure eyes merely scanning the window table quietly, lingering on the honey-haired girl's demeanor for half a second.
"Are they nobles from the Empire..."
Rate on N.U.
