Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Celebration Party (1)
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On the day of the celebration party.
"Dear, the guests are arriving."
Lady Haksen said while peering out the window. At her words, the rest of the family gathered at the window.
Carriages carrying the guests were streaming into Spring Castle one after another.
The family's expressions as they watched them were quite grim.
"We'll do well today, right?"
"You're stating the obvious. You know full well how hard we've prepared."
Count Haksen reassured his wife. But his voice trembled just the same.
The Haksen family had never hosted or attended such a grand banquet before.
To suddenly become the hosts welcoming guests in such circumstances?
It was a situation that couldn't help but feel burdensome.
"Huuu...."
"Abel, don't worry. I'll help you."
Abel was tense as well. Olivia, who was at least somewhat accustomed to such events, encouraged him.
"My heart's pounding like crazy."
Even Luise, who was always gentle and soft-spoken, had a stiff expression today.
Then, suddenly, Luise spotted Demian sitting there with a relaxed, almost drowsy face.
"Demian, you don't seem nervous at all?"
"Why should I be? It's just looking at people's faces."
Demian said dismissively.
"Our family's honor depends on what those guests think."
"No need to worry about that."
"Huh? Why not?"
"If anyone badmouths our family, I'll personally set them straight right there."
"Ahaha, good one."
Luise giggled and waved her hand.
But seeing Demian's utterly serious eyes, she stopped laughing.
"...You're serious?"
"Of course. So, sis, don't worry and just enjoy yourself."
Luise stared at Demian in disbelief, then burst into laughter.
"Fine, I'll trust my little brother."
* * *
The western nobles gathered in droves at Gargari Plains.
Some came in private carriages, but nobles with close ties rode together.
"Finally, the day has come. I can't wait to see how pathetic the Haksens will look."
"Isn't it obvious? The Haksens don't have the chops for it."
These were nobles belonging to a group called the Highland Gentlemen.
The Highland Gentlemen was a social club open only to the most cultured and learned among the western nobility.
Even though the Haksen family had become a count's house, they insisted on calling them viscounts.
It was their way of refusing to acknowledge the House of Haksen as counts.
"But why Gargari Plains instead of Haksen territory?"
"Exactly. I thought the party would be there."
"What's in Gargari Plains to hold a celebration here?"
The nobles were all puzzled. One of them pondered deeply and muttered.
"No way... Nah, probably not."
"Hmm? Lord Southoden, do you know something?"
"I've heard there's a castle built by the royal family near Gargari Plains... but no, it can't be."
As the Highland Gentlemen conversed, their carriage crossed Gargari Plains.
Looking out at the plains, the nobles couldn't help but marvel.
"I've heard the rumors, but I didn't know it was this vast."
"A river cuts right through the middle of the plain. No worries about irrigation."
"They say the soil is so fertile here. Bountiful harvests no matter what you plant."
Gazing at Gargari Plains, the Highland Gentlemen couldn't hide their envy.
This was the most fertile farmland in the west, renowned for its yields.
Everyone drooled over it, but as royal land, no one dared covet it.
They never imagined the Haksen family would acquire it all.
"The Haksens are biting off more than they can chew with this prime land."
"Exactly."
The members suppressed their jealousy and busied themselves badmouthing them on the surface.
They thought today would be the last time they'd envy the Haksens.
But upon arriving at Spring Castle, the nobles had to change their minds.
"My goodness... such a beautiful castle."
"They're holding the party here?"
Exclamations of awe slipped from the nobles' lips unbidden.
Gargari Plains was in a remote part of the western region.
Thus, most nobles had never seen Spring Castle in person.
The walls and spires were built entirely of gleaming white brick. It seemed to be the exceedingly expensive white marble.
The roof contrasted sharply in black. The black stone was said to form only when rare clay was fired, making it as precious as white marble.
It was a castle straight out of a painting.
"How did the Haksens get a castle like this...?"
The nobles couldn't stop marveling even as they disembarked.
Spring Castle was impressive from outside, but inside, its beauty reached its peak.
Especially the two statues guarding the gate—artistic masterpieces worthy of being designated treasures.
Guided by attendants, the nobles headed to the banquet hall.
"So that's why they dared host a celebration party—in a place like this."
"Anyone in their right mind wouldn't choose their own manor for it."
The Highland Gentlemen continued to disparage the Haksens.
It was their way of not showing envy.
"But it's not the venue that matters—it's the food and music."
"I wonder if those country bumpkins hired proper people."
The members chuckled as they entered the banquet hall. And once again, they were stunned.
Upon entering, majestic music welcomed them. An orchestra of over twenty musicians was performing.
Despite the large ensemble, there were no mistakes, the tones were incredibly smooth, and it perfectly suited the occasion. Proof of their skill.
"Hrm, hrm... They've hired a decent orchestra."
"Y-Yeah."
Then, attendants entered the banquet hall and began busily setting out food.
These were party appetizers, designed for easy one-handed eating.
Freshly made, appetizing aromas wafted from every dish.
Sniff sniff.
The moment they smelled it, the nobles felt ravenous hunger.
The scent was so tantalizing it felt like a threat.
Like the music, the food's aroma alone bespoke the chef's mastery.
The banquet's dishes were undoubtedly crafted by top-tier cooks.
"Uh, uuum."
"Hrm! Hrrmph."
The Highland Gentlemen suddenly fell silent. No one badmouthed the Haksens.
Having attended many noble gatherings themselves, they could tell.
The preparation for today's banquet was far from ordinary.
It must have cost a fortune and gathered the best talents.
"The guests have arrived."
A voice called out then. The nobles looked up. Members of the Haksen family were approaching from ahead.
"Whoa...."
"No way...."
Seeing them, the nobles couldn't help but marvel.
They had already investigated the Haksen family. They knew the members were all exceptionally attractive.
They figured it was exaggerated, or even if true, how exceptional could they be?
But the Haksens in person surpassed all expectations.
"They said the eldest daughter was the beauty... How has someone that stunning stayed unknown?"
"That young man must be the second son, Abel. They say he's the handsomest of the Haksen men."
"And that lady over there is Olivia Copperhead... no, Olivia Haksen now. Called the flower of the west. Impressive indeed."
Not only were they all strikingly handsome, but their attire was extraordinary too.
The members whispered among themselves.
All were outstanding, but the one drawing the most attention was Demian Haksen.
True to the family, Demian Haksen was quite the looker.
But what overwhelmed the nobles wasn't just his looks.
A languid expression.
Yet an inexplicable pressure emanated from him.
It even felt like facing an absolute being.
"I am Theodore Haksen. Thank you all for attending the celebration."
With that, Viscount Haksen shook hands one by one with the Highland Gentlemen nobles.
"I hope you enjoy this modest banquet before you go."
* * *
Afterward, more guests kept arriving.
"......"
"......"
The Highland Gentlemen nobles couldn't enjoy the banquet. They just sat silently in a corner.
Their plan to mock the Haksens mercilessly, assuming they'd botch it, went awry from the start.
The celebration was perfect—beyond perfect. Not a single flaw to nitpick.
The Haksens, whom they'd dismissed as bumpkins, were already a splendid count's house.
"......Are we all just going to sit here like this?"
One member spoke up. All eyes turned to him.
"You're not thinking of acknowledging the Haksens like this, are you?"
The noble spoke strongly, but the Highland Gentlemen averted their gazes.
They had already lost their will to fight.
"......It's not too late to give up hope."
The first speaker wore a determined expression.
"Do you have some countermeasure?"
"Not exactly a countermeasure, but... I have some prior information."
At that, the nobles gathered. They perked up their ears for what came next.
"That person is attending this banquet."
"That person?"
"Who?"
"Viscount Topikan."
At the name, the nobles' faces lit up instantly.
Viscount Topikan.
As head of the Topikan Viscount family, he wielded great influence in the west for generations.
Though viscounts, the Topikans held vast territories. With immense wealth, retainers, and influence beyond their rank, it was common knowledge.
"Viscount Topikan is sharpening his blade against the Haksen Counts. He won't let them be."
Despite their power, the Topikans weren't called great nobles.
Because of the Copperhead Count family.
With the Copperheads standing firm, the Topikans couldn't ascend to count, let alone great noble status.
Then, turmoil struck the Copperhead Counts, greatly weakening them.
A golden opportunity for Viscount Topikan. He planned to suppress them and rise to great noble.
But then the Haksens suddenly became counts.
It was enough to make Viscount Topikan's blood boil.
"Once he arrives, the Haksen Counts won't be so smug anymore!"
It was then.
A murmur suddenly spread through the banquet hall.
The Highland Gentlemen turned toward the sound. Soon, their faces brightened.
A man entered, accompanied by several nobles.
Furrowed brow.
Slitted eyes. Tightly pursed lips. Half-bald head.
Viscount Topikan, the west's eternal number two.
"Where is Viscount Haksen?"
Viscount Topikan bellowed upon entering. Count Haksen approached from afar.
"Lord Topikan, welcome."
Viscount Topikan sneered at Count Haksen's words.
"Pretty bold for someone encroaching on my turf."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Don't play dumb when you know. It's annoying."
The Highland Gentlemen inwardly cheered at Viscount Topikan's bold attitude.
This was exactly what they wanted—putting the Haksens in their place.
"I'm not here to enjoy the party. I came to warn everyone here."
Viscount Topikan shouted, scanning the banquet nobles.
"You'd better think carefully. Whether to side with me or Viscount Haksen!"
* * *
Abel couldn't help but feel rage at Viscount Topikan's attitude.
Barging in and ruining the mood with that nonsense.
Not to mention calling his father Viscount Haksen every time.
It sounded like he resented the Haksen family's promotion to counts.
But Abel decided to bury his anger for now. He had to defuse a bomb.
"Brother! You can't step in! Viscount Topikan has huge influence in the west..."
But Abel soon realized. Demian Haksen wore an utterly serene expression.
"Brother?"
"What's up?"
"Aren't you angry?"
"You're asking the obvious. I want to smash that punk's face in right now and crush the Topikan family."
His face was peaceful, but his words were vicious.
"B-But why are you just standing there..."
"No need for me to step in. It's about time."
"Pardon?"
As Abel asked again, Viscount Topikan raised his voice once more.
"I don't make empty threats! Etch this into your brains! I will go to war with the Haksen Viscounts if need be—"
"Lord Haksen! Sorry I'm late!"
Then, someone interrupted Viscount Topikan, approached Count Haksen, and clasped his hands.
"First time seeing you in person! Congratulations on your promotion to count!"
Viscount Topikan scowled and grabbed the man's shoulder, shouting.
"Can't you see I'm speaking?!"
Viscount Topikan yanked the man's shoulder. The moment he saw the man's face, he froze on the spot.
"D-D-D-D-D-Duke!"
Words wouldn't come easily. Viscount Topikan swallowed dryly before he could speak properly.
"Your Grace!"