Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Banquet (1)
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Evening time.
Sophia Russell attended the banquet with Jackson Cutter.
The Copperhead Count family had set up the banquet hall by linking together massive tents.
Although it was a temporary banquet hall and thus not flashy, it lacked for nothing.
On one side, orchestras played their instruments. Servants hurried about, transporting freshly prepared food.
“Jackson, ah~.”
Sophia Russell held out a canapé that a servant had just brought and spoke.
Jackson Cutter accepted the food Sophia Russell proffered straight into his mouth.
“Mmm, delicious. Sophia, it tastes even better since you’re feeding it to me.”
“If you think I’ll be happy to hear that, you’re greatly mistaken.”
The two burst into giggles. Passing nobles wore expressions like goosebumps prickling their skin.
“Haa…….”
Jackson Cutter let out a deep sigh midway through eating the food Sophia Russell handed him.
Sophia Russell asked with a puzzled look on her face.
“Jackson, why all of a sudden?”
“Sophia…… look. Don’t you feel it?”
Jackson Cutter glanced sidelong at the nobles in the banquet hall. Sophia Russell cocked her head.
“No one recognizes me.”
Jackson Cutter said listlessly. Only then did Sophia Russell understand her lover’s words.
“Even leaving aside those vermin from before, all the nobles are gathered here in the banquet hall. I figured at least one person would recognize me…….”
“Jackson, don’t worry about it. They’re too busy exchanging greetings with people they know. Someone who recognizes you will turn up soon enough.”
Sophia Russell said as she pulled Jackson Cutter into a hug.
“Right?”
Her reassurance brightened Jackson Cutter’s face slightly. Sophia Russell nodded.
‘……If it were Demian Haksen, everyone would have recognized him, wouldn’t they?’
Suddenly, Sophia Russell thought of Demian Haksen.
As proven that afternoon, there was no one who didn’t know Demian Haksen’s face.
His portrait had spread far and wide alongside the rumors.
‘If it were Demian Haksen…… he’d be swamped with people trying to talk to him.’
Sophia Russell pictured herself standing beside such a Demian Haksen.
It was a scenario that filled her with happiness just to imagine.
“Sophia? Why the sudden smile?”
Jackson Cutter asked in a puzzled tone. Only then did Sophia Russell snap back to reality.
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
That was when Sophia answered in a fluster.
Murmurs began to grow louder from the banquet hall’s entrance.
“That’s Demian Haksen, right?”
“Who’s the young man beside him?”
“Their faces look uncannily alike…… brother, maybe?”
At the mention of Demian Haksen, the two turned toward the entrance.
Nobles were already crowding around it.
“My, he’s even more handsome than I imagined.”
“Tell me about it. I heard he had such a brutal, hot-tempered face. Doesn’t match the rumors at all.”
“Not just Demian Haksen—even his little brother next to him is a total hunk.”
Sophia Russell felt her heart pounding.
The Demian Haksen she’d seen that afternoon had been handsome enough to briefly steal her heart.
He cut such a fine figure in his everyday state. What must he look like properly dressed up?
Curiosity and anticipation surged within her simultaneously.
‘No. Stop it. I’ve got Jackson.’
Sophia shook her head vigorously. But she couldn’t stop her gaze drifting toward the entrance.
‘Hang on…… maybe Demian Haksen is actually hoping I’ll come see him?’
Locked in inner conflict, Sophia Russell began rationalizing things in a strange direction.
‘Yeah. He pretended not to know me on purpose to stir up my jealousy. He’s definitely dressed to the nines right now, expecting me to watch.’
Sophia Russell nodded to herself.
‘Maybe I should go take a peek, if only to honor that effort?’
But she couldn’t just charge ahead. Jackson Cutter was right there beside her.
“Damn…… Demian Haksen…….”
Jackson Cutter glared toward the entrance, grinding his teeth.
He clearly resented Demian Haksen drawing all the attention he himself lacked.
“Jackson, are you just going to stand here?”
Jackson Cutter shot Sophia Russell a look, as if to ask what she meant.
“I told you. I’ll definitely crush Demian Haksen in the jousting tournament. Instead of standing around, we should get close and observe him.”
Jackson Cutter’s eyebrows twitched at Sophia Russell’s words.
“You’re telling me to go observe Demian Haksen?”
“They say even a lion doesn’t let its guard down when hunting a rabbit. A flawless victory over Demian Haksen will only elevate your reputation further, won’t it?”
Her persuasion took hold. Jackson Cutter’s eyes gleamed differently.
“……You’re right. No sense standing here—I should get a close look at Demian Haksen. For the sake of total victory.”
Sophia Russell cheered inwardly. Fortunately, things were going her way.
The two headed for the entrance.
“Pardon us, make way.”
Jackson Cutter shoved through the nobles to clear a path. Thanks to him, Sophia Russell reached the front row with ease.
The instant she laid eyes on Demian Haksen, words failed her.
His hair combed neatly back, his body wrapped in a sleek black tailcoat.
At the sight, Sophia Russell’s face flushed crimson in a heartbeat.
‘……D-Demian Haksen is that handsome?’
Come to think of it, Demian Haksen ranked among handsome men.
It was just that his sordid habits and erratic lifestyle had squandered all his advantages.
But the Demian Haksen before her now was a different story.
The physique he’d honed as a knight amplified his looks even further.
‘……Demian.’
Sophia Russell murmured with an enraptured expression.
‘Going to such lengths just to show off for me.’
Demian Haksen would have unleashed a torrent of curses had he overheard.
* * *
The moment Demian Haksen stepped into the banquet hall, one emotion dominated his thoughts.
‘This is a hassle.’
The nobles inside were swarming toward him.
Eager desire to speak with him poured from their expressions.
Yet not a single one actually approached.
Demian Haksen was deliberately radiating intimidation.
That kept the nobles at bay.
“Brother, look. Dessert made from uckle fruit! They say it’s tough to get because it’s so hard to grow in the Apple Kingdom.”
Unlike Demian, Abel was savoring the banquet hall’s fare.
Demian watched his brother with a wry smile.
“Your brother’s a handsome one too.”
“In terms of looks alone, he outshines Sir Demian Haksen.”
“Still, I prefer Sir Demian. Look at those forearms!”
Abel drew attention as well. The female nobles in particular took keen interest.
Demian upped his killing intent a notch, lest any women draw too near.
That was when it happened.
The entrance guards slammed their spear butts against the ground.
Thud thud. The harsh sound drew all eyes.
“Count Copperhead enters!”
The soldiers bellowed. The orchestra fell silent.
The soldiers swept the entrance drapes aside left and right. An elderly man stepped through the gap.
He sported a thin goatee like a goat’s. His eyebrows were narrow, his eyes deeply socketed.
It was Count Copperhead’s entrance.
A young woman walked beside Count Copperhead.
Everyone in the banquet hall gawked at her beauty, faces slack as if spellbound.
It was the count’s eldest daughter, Olivia Copperhead.
Count Copperhead and Lady Olivia Copperhead traversed the banquet hall’s center.
Without any order given, the crowd parted left and right to form a path.
Count Copperhead took the seat of honor at the hall’s midpoint. Olivia Copperhead sat beside him.
“Seems I’ve killed the vibe. Pay me no mind now—enjoy the banquet, all of you.”
At his words, the orchestra resumed. Noble chatter filled the air once more.
“Count, it’s an honor. I am Frentz of the Nation Barony.”
One noble strode forward unbidden. He knelt before Count Copperhead and spoke.
“Nation Barony! I know of it. Famous for its fine apples, isn’t it?”
“You honor us by knowing.”
The nobleman bowed his head lower.
“To mark Lady Olivia’s birthday, I’ve brought a gift. Our house’s greatest glory if you accept.”
Frentz Nation proffered a small box studded with jewels.
“Cosmetics crafted by alchemists of the Miju School. Made with fairy dust, they say.”
Female nobles buzzed at Frentz Nation’s explanation.
“Isn’t the Miju School the top name in cosmetics among alchemists?”
“Did he say fairy dust? The stuff that breathes life into your skin on contact?”
“A mere speck trades for a gold bar…… how much must those cosmetics cost?”
No woman could resist coveting it.
Yet Olivia Copperhead betrayed no interest.
Count Copperhead seemed equally unimpressed.
With the Copperhead Count family’s wealth, such trinkets were trivial.
“Must’ve been a chore to acquire. My thanks.”
Frentz Nation slunk back, deflated by the count’s response.
Scarce had he retreated when another nobleman advanced.
“Greetings, Count! I am Charlie of the Zion Viscount family! For Lady Olivia, I present this necklace!”
Charlie Zion hoisted a glass case aloft.
Within gleamed a necklace strung with radiant, multicolored gems.
Awe lit the onlookers’ faces at the gems’ luster.
“Isn’t that septachrome stone?”
“You might get one rare stone after slaying a hundred golems from the rocky wilds.”
Septachrome stones held no special powers.
But their scarcity and beauty made them the gems of the hour.
“To bring something so precious.”
Even Count Copperhead looked pleased.
“Olivia, what say you? Exquisite, no?”
Olivia Copperhead offered no real reaction, however.
She merely gazed at the necklace with impassive eyes.
“We’ll accept it graciously.”
“Yes! My thanks!”
Charlie Zion bowed and withdrew.
Many more nobles followed suit with gifts.
Olivia Copperhead ignored them all.
‘Picky one.’
So thought Demian as he opened his subspace and withdrew a bow.
“Hey, catch.”
He tossed it to Abel. Abel stared at Demian in shock.
“Why the surprise? We brought a gift—we’ve got to give it.”
“Y-You’re really giving away that bow?”
“Hey, man, the marquis gave me this. It’s insanely valuable.”
Abel looked utterly unconvinced.
Small wonder. The bow Demian produced was pathetically shabby.
The stock appeared hacked from a dagger, its color a dull black.
It paled beside the other nobles’ offerings.
“Ah, did I never explain this bow to you?”
“You only said the marquis gave it to you.”
“Did I? Well, let’s head out. You’ll see.”
Demian strode toward the count. Abel trailed after his brother, no choice in the matter.