Chapter 439: The Victory Banquet
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 439: The Victory Banquet
That night, a festival erupted throughout the capital.
Lanterns celebrating the victory brightly illuminated the streets, and the sound of laughter breathed life into the city.
The various religious orders vied to hold celebratory events, but the Sun Cult alone remained conspicuously silent.
But that fact mattered little to the citizens.
The Grand Duke had announced a massive tax cut for the next year.
However, unlike the commoners who reveled in the boisterous festival, the nobles found themselves in a precarious situation.
Clip-clop, clip-clop—!
Carriages emblazoned with the crests of noble families raced through the streets toward the ducal castle.
No one had expected the war to end overnight, so when the invitation to the victory banquet arrived from the Grand Duke's family, everyone was caught off guard.
And for good reason. The rebellion had sealed the fate of three great marquisates: the House of Kailix, the House of Orion, and the House of Bellastir—all of whom had boasted immense wealth, power, and long histories. Their lines were now confirmed to be extinguished.
Furthermore, a significant number of other nobles associated with the Noble Faction were destined to become dew on the executioner's block.
This meant that those who had distinguished themselves in the war would soon fill the empty seats of power.
“You're confident, aren't you, my dear daughter?”
“Of course.”
The noblewomen hoped their daughters would find excellent sons-in-law, making this banquet an opportunity they could not afford to miss.
Thanks to this, the capital's boutique street, which had been dead for some time, was now packed shoulder-to-shoulder with the servants of noble houses.
After dressing in their finest, the young noble ladies arrived at the banquet hall, gathering in small groups to exchange pleasantries and smiles.
But their eyes were constantly scanning their surroundings, like predators searching for prey.
'That's the eldest son of Baron Caldon's family. I heard he performed admirably on the eastern front... but the fact that it's all just rumors is a bit concerning.'
'Oh? That light green hair... I believe that's a trait of the Kravinhar viscounty. The eldest son died in battle, so that must be the second son. He's as handsome as the rumors say, but he hasn't achieved any notable military feats... Hmm, what to do?'
'It's a foregone conclusion that the Alestro and Castrel counties will be promoted to marquisates. I must find a way to connect with the sons of those two families, no matter what.'
For the nobility, marriage is a type of transaction.
If it isn't mutually beneficial, a marriage can never be established.
Of course, there were occasional young men and women who eloped for love, but such stories rarely ended well.
Hiding their true intentions, the young noble ladies naturally approached the men to strike up conversations.
Just as the atmosphere of the banquet was beginning to ripen...
“—Announcing the entrance of Sir Kang Hyun-woo, the Knight of the Dark Moon; Her Highness, Grand Duchess Amelia Claris Orsia; and Lady Iris!”
As the names, impossible to ignore, echoed through the hall, all eyes turned to the entrance.
The fact that Kang Hyun-woo's name had been announced before Amelia's—a woman who was essentially the princess of Orsia—sent shockwaves through the room.
Creeak—
The banquet hall doors swung open, revealing a man confidently escorting two beautiful women, one on each arm.
Iris wore a refreshing, light green dress that matched her eyes, while Amelia was clad in a pure white gown, like the lilies she so adored.
The gazes of those admiring the two women's elegant and graceful figures naturally shifted to the man escorting them both: Kang Hyun-woo.
“Wow...”
“...Tch.”
His hair was swept back, a departure from his usual style, and he was dressed in a refined formal suit. The reactions from the men and women in the room were starkly divided.
Though his features were foreign, his looks were by no means out of place among the nobles gathered in the hall.
More than a few young noble ladies blushed, staring at him as if entranced.
Above all, everyone present was well aware of his heroic deeds, which made him seem all the more exceptional.
Ignoring the countless gazes fixed upon him, Kang Hyun-woo headed toward the center of the hall.
Where he stopped, he saw a few familiar faces.
“Count.”
“Hm? Ah, you're here.”
It was Count Alestro, whom he'd gotten to know on the battlefield.
Several other nobles were gathered around him, most notably Baron Bipolun and his son, Sir Leonique, as well as the slit-eyed Baron Dorasilb.
The moment their eyes met Amelia's, they immediately set down their wine glasses and bowed respectfully.
“"Your humble servants greet Her Highness, Grand Duchess Amelia Claris Orsia."”
“A pleasure to see you.”
While Amelia exchanged greetings with them, I took a glass of wine from a servant and handed it to Iris.
Fortunately, the elixirs and medicinal herbs from the ducal treasury seemed to have worked well; her complexion looked much better.
“How is it?”
“It's delicious. Sweet, just how I like it.”
Iris's gentle, smiling eyes made the corners of my mouth lift unconsciously.
“It's quite strong, so be careful not to drink too much.”
“Hehe, I'll just have to trust you, Hyun-woo.”
Iris chuckled softly and took a sip of her wine.
She was openly declaring her intention to get drunk.
Remembering the doctor's advice to avoid alcohol for a while, I gently wrapped an arm around Iris's waist and whispered in her ear.
“If you keep this up, I might just forget the banquet and carry you straight to bed.”
“...”
As I stroked her waist pointedly, Iris's earlobes turned red. Leaning against my chest, she looked up at me, a faint hint of anticipation in her eyes.
For a moment, her gaze was so alluring it could tempt any man, making me wonder if she was a succubus, not a high elf.
The thought of heading to the bedroom right then and there didn't seem so bad, but only for a moment before a sharp glare stabbed me in the back of the head.
“That's enough, Sir Hyun-woo. Aren't you ashamed, with so many people watching?”
It was Sylvia.
I shrugged and released my arm from around Iris.
Sylvia was wearing a black dress. The color contrasted with her pure white hair, making her look quite captivating.
For the record, both she and Iris had hidden their ears with magic.
“Marking one's territory is only meaningful when others are watching.”
I couldn't help but chuckle at her using formal speech just because Iris was present.
Sylvia shot me a look full of dissatisfaction, as if something displeased her.
“You're not mad because I didn't escort you, are you? Sorry, but as you can see, I only have two arms.”
“What kind of bullsh—”
Just as the harsh word was about to escape, Sylvia glanced at Iris and clamped her mouth shut.
“Sir Hyun-woo?”
Just then, Sir Leonique spoke to me.
I shook his hand lightly.
“It's been a while.”
“It's hardly been three days since you left our territory, but it's good to see you again nonetheless. I've heard a great deal about you, Knight of the Dark Moon.”
“...”
What's this? Is he here to mess with me?
I almost lost my composure, but I managed to calm down when I saw the genuine envy in Sir Leonique's eyes.
“I was well aware of your excellence as a knight, but you've far surpassed my imagination. If the opportunity ever arises, would it be alright to ask you for a training spar?”
“If you're fine with me.”
I nodded.
It was an empty promise, of course.
“Um, and the beautiful ladies with you...?”
“They are my wives.”
“...What?”
Smack!
Sylvia hit me.
She'd struck when Iris wasn't looking. She must have infused it with aura, because my bones ached.
“Is that true?”
At that moment, Baron Bipolun approached.
A clear killing intent flickered in his eyes. Only then did I remember that this man was a ridiculously doting father who lived and died for another man's daughter.
“Yes. Circumstances haven't allowed for a wedding yet, but we have indeed promised our futures to each other.”
“That is not true.”
Sylvia immediately protested, but I simply ignored her.
“Hoo... I suppose it's only natural for an outstanding knight like Sir Hyun-woo to have many women by his side. I understand. However, let me ask just one thing. Naturally, the first wife will be the Grand Duch—”
“That's enough, Baron.”
Shove—
Just then, Baron Dorasilb appeared, pushing Baron Bipolun aside.
He was still the same man with the impressive slit eyes.
“A man your age, meddling in the love lives of young people. Have you no shame?”
“...”
Baron Bipolun glared silently at Baron Dorasilb. It seemed their relationship was as bad as ever.
Ignoring the baron's glare, Baron Dorasilb greeted me with a friendly demeanor.
“We meet again, Sir Hyun-woo.”
“A pleasure, Baron Dorasilb. Um, by the way, were you injured?”
“Hm? Ah, it's nothing serious.”
Baron Dorasilb, who had a bandage wrapped around his neck, gave a meaningful smile.
Even though I knew from Lavinia's and Dermier's memories that he was a loyal servant to the Grand Duke's family, his characteristic slit eyes made him look like a villain plotting some nefarious scheme every time I saw him.
'The taciturn-looking baron is a doting fool crazy about another man's daughter, while the shifty-looking, slit-eyed baron is more loyal to the Grand Duke's family than anyone. Does that even make sense...?'
It felt like I was watching some kind of comedy sketch.
In any case, just as I finished greeting them and moved on to the other nobles...
Screeeech—
The doors to the banquet hall opened, and a group of people were brought in.
They were familiar faces.
Thud—
“Walk faster!”
“Kuh?!”
Marquis Kailix, Marquis Orion, Baron Jerus, Viscount Lias, and about twenty others.
They were all the nobles from the Noble Faction that I had captured.
It hadn't been long since they were imprisoned, but they must have suffered greatly, as every single one of them was a wreck.
Anyone seeing them would have thought they'd been dragged out after serving a long sentence.
The chains and shackles on their necks, hands, and feet blatantly displayed their predicament. To top it off, the one leading them wasn't even a knight, but a common soldier.
'The Grand Duke has a twisted sense of humor.'
His intention to publicly humiliate them in front of all the duchy's assembled nobles was painfully obvious.
It wasn't a pleasant sight, so I passed the time chatting with Iris, Amelia, and Sylvia.
About thirty minutes passed like that.
“—Announcing the entrance of His Highness, Kyle Ashburn Orsia, Master of the Great Duchy of Orsia!!”
At the guard's shout, everyone gathered in the hall bowed their heads in unison.
I was busy finishing my wine, so I was a step late in showing my respects.
It definitely wasn't because I was still salty about him teasing me in the audience chamber earlier.
Thump—
The central doors on the second floor of the hall opened, and the Grand Duke appeared, dressed in an impeccable formal suit.
He looked down upon the hall and spoke with a solemn air.
“Raise your heads.”
I raised my head before anyone else.
Our eyes met, and I had no choice but to remove my hand from Amelia's waist.
“...I have arranged this gathering today to commemorate our precious victory and the peace of the duchy. However, that is merely the superficial reason.”
Thud—
He struck the floor with his magnificent royal scepter, and a powerful wave of aura swept through the banquet hall.
It was an absurd display of power, making it hard to believe he had spent the last year bedridden.
The Grand Duke slowly scanned the hall before declaring in a grave voice:
“I, Kyle Ashburn Orsia, hereby declare before you all that on this day, I will no longer reign as the Grand Duke of the Orsia Duchy, but as the first Emperor of the newly born Orsia Empire!”
