Chapter 49: The Banquet (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 49: The Banquet (4)
Uger’s boisterous laughter froze, his expression turning to stone.
One second. Two. Three, four, five.
Jin waited through those five seconds, giving Uger a chance to correct his mistake. Instead, Uger’s face only twisted into a look of slight displeasure.
It wasn't something Jin could simply overlook. Even Johnsina Perel, a man in his fifties, had shown him proper courtesy despite the age difference. Yet here was this man, not even thirty, speaking to him informally right from the start.
“Uger. I hope the food I've prepared suits that reckless mouth of yours.”
As Jin added that soft remark, Uger’s earlobes turned crimson. A fair number of people were watching them now. A mixture of humiliation and rage sent blood pounding in his ears.
“Hey, you little brat! Are you trying to embarrass me just because I spoke a bit casually? You may be a Runcandel, but I am your senior by a long shot in the world of warriors! I only did it because I was proud of a talented junior, but you’ve got no damn manners!” Uger demanded, his voice full of disbelief.
Jin decided this fool needed an explanation.
“Listen well, Uger of the Tuko family. What you just did wasn't just an insult to me—it was an insult to everyone here who has shown me respect. If you care so much about seniority, you should have been far more careful.”
“What?”
“The 1st and 2nd Flagbearers of the Ken family, Sir Johnsina Perel of the Dragon King Knights, among others. Aren't most of them your seniors? If your eyes and ears are functioning, you would have seen how they treated me.”
Julado Ken and Siger Ken nodded in agreement, while Johnsina’s eyes sparkled with intrigue.
Other onlookers let out small gasps or began whispering among themselves.
“When you act like that, what does it make of them? Acknowledge your mistake and apologize. Since I’ve already given you a piece of my mind, I’ll consider the matter settled.”
Just as Uger was about to snap back in anger—
“Oh—!”
The onlookers let out whistles and exclamations of admiration.
“You really took a blow there, Uger!”
“Khahaha! Hey, didn't I tell you to be more cautious? It looks like our friend Uger just received a great lesson from the Youngest Lord of Runcandel.”
“You should consider your life saved, thanks to the Youngest Lord. With a mouth like yours, you were bound to cause a disaster eventually. Hehe, you should take the Youngest Lord’s suggestion.”
“Surely you aren't going to challenge the Youngest Lord to a duel just because you’re embarrassed? I’d hate to think you’re such a narrow-minded man.”
The onlookers, all senior warriors and friends of Uger, approached and patted him on the shoulder, deftly lightening the mood.
Uger was a simple man. Before long, his angry expression faded, replaced by a much brighter one.
“Ahem, well, if my seniors put it that way… Goodness. It seems I really did make a mistake. Senior Johnsina, and all my other seniors, please forgive this junior’s blunder. And Lord Jin, I would appreciate it if you did the same.”
“Of course, Sir Uger.”
The situation, which could have turned explosive, ended on a warm note. Uger laughed loudly, looking a bit bashful, before heading toward where his family members were gathered.
A moment later, as the crowd dispersed, Luna—who had been watching from a corner of the banquet hall—slipped into the seat next to Jin.
“Sister Luna.”
“Haha, our youngest really does have a talent for making enemies. It wouldn't hurt to act like a cute, normal kid once in a while, you know?”
Clink. Their glasses met in a light toast.
“If there weren't so many people watching, I would have let it slide. But just now, I was the representative of Runcandel. I had to show them I’m not to be trifled with.”
“That’s true. But what would you have done if Uger had actually challenged you to a duel? He’s still stronger than you. He looked to be around 6-star.”
“I didn't think there was any chance of that. Even if he had, the Tuko Patriarch and elders, who were watching from that front table with anxious eyes, would have rushed over to drag him away.”
Luna glanced toward the Tuko family’s table where Jin had gestured. She saw the Tuko Patriarch personally scolding Uger.
“……Good heavens. You mean you were calculating the situation with even them in mind?”
“Yes. Besides, the Tuko Patriarch’s face darkened the moment Sir Uger spoke informally to me. He knew his kinsman had made a mistake.”
“I’m speechless. Where did you learn to scheme and navigate social politics like a noble?”
“If there’s someone who teaches such things, I wouldn't mind having them by my side. In the Garden of Swords, the only thing that improves daily is my swordsmanship.”
“That should be enough… Do you really need anything else?”
“For someone like you, Sister, nothing else is necessary. But for a hated youngest child like me, there are countless things I need just to survive.”
“Is that so…?”
Luna tilted her head with an innocent expression, as if she truly didn't understand. Born a predator who had never needed to read the room in her entire life, she couldn't help but find Jin fascinating.
Jin clicked his tongue inwardly as he looked at his sister.
On the other hand, Luna was thinking:
This child has talent equal to or greater than mine, and he’s even sharp-witted. No wonder someone tried to assassinate him at Storm Castle… I wonder which of our siblings recognized the youngest’s potential so early on?
Meanwhile, the guests watching the siblings converse so familiarly wondered if Luna was truly the legendary ‘White Whale’ of the rumors. Since her own 5-star commemorative banquet at age fifteen, she had never attended a single noble party. Even at that banquet, all she had done was drag everyone who approached her to the dueling grounds and beat them half to death.
People assumed she hated banquets because she was as aloof as the mythical White Whale, but in truth, Luna loved banquets more than anyone.
To be precise, she loved hiding her identity and dancing at small parties in back-alley taverns.
“Anyway, I only came because this banquet was for you, but this place really isn't my style. I should head off to somewhere more interesting.”
“Are you leaving already?”
“Yeah. You’re still a bit too short to dance with me, anyway. When you’re all grown up, this big sister will take you somewhere nice.”
The siblings grinned at each other.
“I’ll look forward to it, Sister.”
“Oh, and before I go, I should leave a message for the people here, just like you did.”
Luna stood up and gave Jin a long hug from behind.
Ugh, why are you suddenly doing this? It’s giving me goosebumps.
He truly did feel a chill. Luna’s voice echoed in his mind.
If I do this, won't everyone here realize how much I dote on you? Then they’ll be too scared of me to ever make a mistake with you. See you later.
Just as she expected, the guests could barely hide their shock. The White Whale, whom even her own siblings found difficult to approach, was openly flaunting her deep affection for the youngest.
In particular, the men who secretly harbored feelings for her were divided into two groups: those who resolved to get on Jin’s good side to create even a single chance to meet her, and…
“Ugh… I’m so jealous! Dammit! Sir Vishkel, I want to hug Lady Luna too! Uuuugh, that lucky brat!”
…those who were insanely envious. Like this man, who claimed to be her biggest fan: Bubar Gaston.
“Ah! Sir Vishkel, I simply must write a poem about Lady Luna tonight. Ha, even with my perfect shapeshifting, I could never replicate someone as beautiful as her…”
Listening to him, Vishkel Ivliano felt like his head was going to throb and explode. He was attending the banquet as the successor of the Ivliano family, but his true purpose was to monitor Runcandel’s movements for Kinzelo.
He had originally intended to attend alone, but Bubar had begged like a madman to be brought along as an attendant. The process had been exhausting. Attendants weren't normally allowed into a Runcandel banquet hall, so Vishkel had been forced to spend hours pleading, even using his younger sister’s leg disability as an excuse.
And for what? The only reason Bubar wanted to come was to see Luna. Vishkel hid his trembling, clenched fists inside his coat.
“Aaaah, Sir Vishkel! Tonight, I shall compose a poem for Lady Luna and sing it all night long! All night!”
“Just… shut up, Bubar Gaston.”
“Brother, don't be so harsh. It might be an important matter to Mr. Bubar. Besides, thanks to him, I was able to see inside the lion’s den for myself.”
The girl sitting in the wheelchair Bubar was pushing had sparkling eyes. She was Vishkel’s only sister, Margiella Ivliano.
“Lady Margiella, as expected, you truly understand my heart! My lady, hehe. For your sake, this Bubar shall roam every nook and cranny of this vast banquet hall from now on!”
“That sounds lovely, Bubar.”
Jin had noticed the group earlier, as the wheelchair made them stand out, but he didn't know the identities of Vishkel and Bubar. The fact that Vishkel was the Vice Captain of Kinzelo was information he hadn't even obtained in his past life, and Bubar was currently in disguise.
Jin soon turned his gaze elsewhere. People were starting to approach him one by one again, so he didn't have the leisure to keep paying them any mind.
Being the host is exhausting. By the way, where on earth are those Zipple brats…?
Jin scanned the room for the Zipple children who had arrived at the last minute. As they were his highest priority for surveillance, it was only natural.
However, the Zipple scions seemed to be hiding deep in a corner of the banquet hall, as they were nowhere to be seen.
Hmm, it’s a bit annoying, but should I go look for them myself?
Just as Jin was about to stand up with that thought—
Thud!
Someone set a glass down on his table.
“May this girl be so bold as to request a drink from the Holy One of Runcandel?”
The words were polite, but the tone was not. The girl’s voice carried a provocative nuance.
Jin looked up, met her eyes, and let out a silent chuckle.
“Ah, you are…”
“Siris Endorma of the Secret Palace. It is an honor to meet you.”
Siris gave a thin smile, her eyes narrowing.