Chapter 400: The Banquet at the Sword Emperor Castle (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 400: The Banquet at the Sword Emperor Castle (5)
Once Ron’s greeting concluded, the banquet began in earnest.
The imperial orchestra, sent by the Emperor himself, marched in and began to play. Accompanied by pleasant melodies, celebratory cannons erupted from all corners of the hall, showering the area in a cascade of brilliant, multicolored petals.
Performances prepared by the Viment Magic Troupe also captured the eye. Mana-forged fire, ice, and lightning decorated the grand hall like giant, shimmering streamers.
Banquets in Viment—especially those hosted by the Hairan Clan—were famously popular. While a Runcandel banquet was a battlefield for settling grudges under a murderous atmosphere and a Zipple banquet was the height of stiff boredom, a Hairan banquet was a vibrant and beautiful social gathering, true to its name.
The nobles who had been waiting in the reception rooms began to enter the hall one by one. Men and women dressed in their finest attire cast envious glances at the renowned warriors. To those born into simple noble houses, the warriors gathered here were like stars in the night sky.
The most radiant among them was the protagonist of the banquet, Dante Hairan.
At twenty-two years old, the Young Lord of Hairan was a supernova in Viment, famous for his handsome features, exceptional conduct, and noble character. Throughout the empire, countless suitors, men and women alike, hoped to secure a marriage alliance with Dante.
Every time Dante waved his hand, frenzied cheers erupted from the nobles.
A rumor had even circulated among the aristocracy that Ron Hairan had thrown this banquet specifically to find a match for his grandson.
However, Dante himself seemed interested only in Jin and Veradin, who stood nearby. Meanwhile, Rata was glaring at Jin with intense, murderous intent.
“Hey, kid. Just crush that guy at midnight. Show him what happens when you stare at people with those nasty eyes.”
Gilly’s eyebrows furrowed in concern.
“He tends to be undervalued because he’s still young, but the Ghost Captain is one of the top powerhouses in the mercenary world. He’s counted among the World’s Top Three Mercenaries, alongside the Great Mercenary Amela of the Gaifa Archipelago and the Black King Commander. Will you be alright, Young Master?”
As Gilly spoke, the rest of Jin’s companions tilted their heads.
“The kid just smashed the Garden of Swords and beat a Runcandel 3rd Flagbearer half to death not long ago. What’s one more guy like that?” Murakan grumbled.
“The Ghost Captain may be called one of the Top Three Mercenaries, but his reputation is clearly a step below Amela’s or the Black King Commander’s. I also believe Young Master Jin will secure a comfortable victory,” Casimir added.
“Besides, the duel is being held under Lord Ron’s supervision. Even if the Young Master were to lose, he wouldn’t lose his life. And even in defeat, their reputations are on completely different levels, so it’s not really a loss for Young Master Jin. Of course, I also think the Young Master will win,” Alisa chimed in.
As Alisa said, Ghost Captain Rata currently had more fame than Jin. While rumors of Jin defeating a 3rd Flagbearer were spreading among many knights, it hadn’t yet become an established fact. After all, less than a month had passed.
The fact that the gazes of Dante, Veradin, and other prominent warriors were fixed on Jin piqued the nobles' interest.
“So that’s Jin Runcandel?”
“He looks exactly like the face on the advertisements. I guess they didn't need to touch up his portrait at all.”
“You should try those cosmetics too. You won’t be able to use anything else.”
“Oh, look over there! Isn't that Siris Endorma of the Secret Palace? It looks like she’s heading toward Sir Jin!”
The next person to approach Jin was Siris.
With her brilliantly dyed blonde hair and his shining silver hair, the two stood facing each other, causing the nobles' faces to flush with a strange sense of anticipation.
“Jin.”
“Lady Siris, it’s been a long time. I see you’ve come to the banquet.”
“I’m glad to see you look well.”
“Were you worried about me?” he asked, feigning surprise.
Siris simply nodded, and Jin was inwardly flustered by her directness. It felt unfamiliar for her to treat him with such open warmth.
“That Blood of Kaian you used was something our Secret Palace was safekeeping.”
Jin and his companions had no idea. They only knew that Head Butler Heinz had brought it.
“I didn't know. I must offer my thanks. Did Lady Talaris provide it?”
“...Not exactly. It seems Lord Cyron entrusted it to my mother a long time ago. Since Mother never told me, I always thought it was a possession of the Secret Palace.”
“Ah.”
“And I heard from Mother that Lord Cyron has not yet paid the price for it.”
“If there is anything you desire, please say the word. I will pay the price on my father’s behalf.”
“Then dance with me.”
“Pardon?”
“I think it’s about time we let Zipple know that the Secret Palace is on friendly terms with you. Since the next Patriarch of Zipple is watching, it’s the perfect time to send a message.”
Siris extended her hand.
It was a moment that left not only the nobles but even the warriors slack-jawed. The Siris Endorma they knew was never the type to show interest in others at a banquet.
“Very well. It would be my honor.”
As Jin took her hand and stood up, some warriors nodded as if they had expected this. They were the ones who had ‘misunderstood’ the relationship between Jin and Siris when they attended the Runcandel banquet four years ago.
‘Even at the Runcandel Single-log Bridge Party, there was a strange atmosphere between those two.’
‘I remember the Runcandel 4th Flagbearer acting like the world was ending just from watching their bold interactions back then.’
‘Perhaps Runcandel wants to send the 12th Flagbearer as a son-in-law to the Secret Palace. It’s not the right time to disrupt the 2nd Flagbearer’s solidified power base, so securing a reliable ally like the Secret Palace would be beneficial in many ways.’
‘Regardless, don’t they make a fine pair?’
Of course, the two had simply fought a secret duel, but that was a truth known only to their companions.
Most of the middle-aged warriors wore satisfied, warm smiles, while the younger generation had to suppress a surge of inexplicable anger and jealousy.
The nobles who had visited the gambling dens of the Bellado Principality two years ago felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
‘Wait, back then, Sir Jin Runcandel was active under the name Barmul. And that woman named Zelia who was at the gambling den... now that I think about it, she looks just like Lady Siris...?’
‘Could it be that they were working together even when Jin Runcandel was using a pseudonym as a reserve flagbearer? Was Zelia from the gambling den actually Siris Endorma?’
While various thoughts and impressions flickered through the crowd, Jin and Siris moved to the floor and began to dance gracefully. Their dance was destined to be sung about by bards across the continent starting today. Some painters were already capturing the two on canvas, remarking on how beautiful they were until their voices went hoarse.
“Ugh, I’m so jealous, Milord...! This Jet can’t even remember the last time he danced with a woman...”
“Dance with me!”
The owner of that lively voice was Zephyrin. She had once again slipped away from Murka’s sight and approached Jin’s table.
“What a blessing! Oh, heavens! I’d be delight—!”
Just as Jet was about to respond joyfully, Quicantel pinched Murakan’s side. It was a signal for him to go and learn more about Zephyrin.
“You said your name was Zephyrin? Why don’t you hang out with me instead?”
“Oh, you remembered my name! Shall we?”
“Wait, Lord Murakan!? Are you really doing this!? Lord Murakan? Hey!”
Murakan had already left to dance with Zephyrin. Murka, who had spotted Zephyrin too late, could only let out a deep, earth-shattering sigh and tremble with rage.
Jet glared at the backs of Murakan and Zephyrin, his eyes narrowed, until Gilly, unable to watch any longer, extended her hand to him.
“Um, Jet. If you’re okay with me...?”
“It is an absolute honor, Strawberry Pi—no, Lady Gilly!”
This time, it was Murakan’s turn to glare at Jet as if he wanted to kill him. In fact, if there weren't so many eyes watching, he looked ready to beat Jet to within an inch of his life right then and there. Jet, however, was simply grateful that someone like him could dance at such a proper banquet.
Casimir also stepped out to dance with Alisa, as did Kuzan and Beris.
Only Quicantel and Enya remained at the table eating refreshments, but a scene soon followed where all sorts of warriors and nobles came to ask them for a dance, as if they had been waiting for this moment.
Veradin paired up with Enya, and Dante partnered with Quicantel. That peculiar arrangement became another source of amusement for the guests.
Dante, in particular, knew that Enya and Quicantel were unofficial fugitives of the Empire. By showing his friendship with them so openly, he was intentionally working to have their wanted status revoked.
“Ah! I want to dance too!”
Meanwhile, one person watched the procession of dancers with regret.
Margiella Ivliano. She had also attended the banquet as a representative of the Ivliano family. Vishkel and a disguised Bubar were by her side.
Vishkel’s expression was dark.
“Oh, come on. It’s not like I just started using a wheelchair yesterday. There’s no need to feel so bad, Brother.”
“She’s right, Lord Vishkel. By the way, these croquettes are absolutely to die for... Lord Vishkel, you have some connections with the Hairan family, right? If possible, could you get me these croquettes, maybe once a week?”
As always, Bubar was grating on Vishkel’s nerves, scratching at his already wounded heart.
Shut up, Bubar. Vishkel was so overwhelmed with sorrow that he found it difficult to even snap back.
“Brother?”
“Margiella. I... it pains me that I have to use you for something like this.”
At that, Margiella gave a wide smile.
“This is exactly what my role is, Brother.”
“But.”
“Don’t be so heartbroken. And Mr. Bubar, stop eating so many croquettes. You promised to get slim, didn't you?”
“Hahaha. Is that so, Miss Margiella?”
Night was approaching.
Since the banquet was scheduled to continue the next day, people would usually start to leave around evening. However, not a single person left the hall as midnight arrived. Naturally, they were all waiting to watch the duel between Jin and Rata.
As if on cue, when midnight struck, all the guests sat in their places and waited for Ron.
“You have all waited long enough. The knights will now guide you. Let us move to the sparring hall.”