As night fell, the temperature dropped sharply, and flurries of snow began drifting down from the sky, once again covering the land beneath a blanket of white.
Against that endless sea of white, the magnificent Hydromel Restaurant stood out brilliantly, like a golden flower blooming amidst the snow, dazzling and radiant.
Tonight, the Hydromel Restaurant was especially lively.
Carriages filled the square outside its entrance, each one bearing the crest of a different noble family, creating a magnificent display worthy of a gathering of the kingdom’s elite.
Among them, the Frenzel family’s carriage slowly rolled into the square. Guided respectfully by the attendants, it came to a stop at one of the most prominent spots.
"We’re here, Mr. Riezel, milady."
Ain and Ian, who had been driving the carriage, stepped down first before helping the passengers out one by one.
Naturally, the first to step out were Riezel and Yuri.
Riezel was now dressed in a long-unworn set of luxurious purple formal attire, making him look every bit the young master of a noble family, with a commanding and dignified presence.
Yuri had also put on a formal gown for the rare occasion. Her pure white gown shone brilliantly, giving her an incomparably elegant and holy appearance.
Right after them, Lizbeth, Euryale, and Lilith stepped down from the carriage one after another.
Like Yuri, all three were also dressed in formal gowns.
Lilith had even cast an illusion to hide the horns on her head. At first glance, she resembled a queen—an exceptionally seductive and enchanting one at that—drawing countless gazes from the men passing by.
Finally, the last to step out was Marilyn, who remained dressed in her maid attire, quietly standing beside Yuri.
Just like that, the group made a striking entrance together.
With such a combination of a handsome man and several beautiful women, they immediately became the center of attention. As the only man among them, surrounded by beautiful women, Riezel naturally drew the most attention of all.
"So, this is where Isis said the banquet’s gonna be? I thought it’d be at the royal palace."
Ignoring the gazes around him, Riezel spoke with slight surprise.
Honestly, his assumption was understandable.
Two days earlier, Isis had personally visited on behalf of the Letryss family and delivered an invitation to both Riezel and Yuri that read:
Indeed, this banquet had been organized specifically for the candidates to the throne, along with the nobles and powerful individuals who held voting rights. Not only would every legitimate candidate for succession be present, but all nobles and experts with voting rights would also attend.
Needless to say, the banquet served as a necessary occasion for everyone involved, allowing them to prepare for the upcoming royal succession.
According to Isis, the candidates would have the opportunity to meet one another, assess each other’s condition and capabilities, further strengthen their influence, present themselves before the gathered nobles and powerful figures, and win over as many votes as possible.
Meanwhile, the nobles and experts would be able to observe the current state of Jinas firsthand and decide what course of action to take and whom they should support.
At the same time, the Royal Faction and the Duke Faction would officially announce the rules governing the succession, explaining the procedures and requirements to everyone present.
For example, the voting system Yuri had previously mentioned—such as how many votes each qualified individual would possess—would be formally announced by the Royal Faction and the Duke Faction during this banquet.
In short, it was a gathering that brought together the highest-ranking figures and the strongest combat forces throughout Jinas, allowing everyone to compete and make their choices on the same stage.
And the reason the Letryss family had personally delivered invitations to Riezel and Yuri was because that ducal family was serving as the host of this banquet.
As one of the oldest and most established ducal families, the Letryss family had always maintained an ambiguous political stance within the kingdom. Like the Frenzel family, they had never openly sided with either the Royal Faction or the Duke Faction.
Because of the Letryss family’s influence and neutrality, both factions had ultimately agreed to place the royal succession under their supervision.
As a result, the Letryss family was perhaps the only noble family in the entire kingdom that did not need to declare its allegiance.
As the host, the Letryss family would automatically relinquish its voting rights and remain absolutely neutral, which was why Isis had personally come to deliver the invitations to Riezel and Yuri on behalf of the banquet’s host.
Even so, Riezel had never expected the banquet to be held at the Hydromel Restaurant instead of the royal palace.
Yuri soon offered a brief explanation.
"It’s because the Hydromel Restaurant has always held official status and has long served as the primary venue for noble banquets."
"On the other hand, the royal palace is ultimately the royal family’s territory. After what happened with Prince Sorren not long ago, there are still many unresolved issues there."
"So, after careful consideration, Duke Letryss decided to hold the banquet here instead."
Hearing her explanation, Riezel nodded in understanding.
Just then, Lizbeth, who had been following behind him, timidly raised her hand.
"Um... do I really have to attend?" Lizbeth asked nervously. "I’m no longer a member of the royal family, and unlike Ms. Euryale and Ms. Lilith, I also don’t have a Sword Saint Medal. Am I really qualified to be here?"
It was not without reason that she asked.
Several days earlier, while the competition for the throne was in full swing, the royal palace had suddenly sent word, summoning Euryale and Lilith to receive the Sword Saint Medal.
Back then, that was the explanation Yuri had given Riezel.
If Jinas could gain two additional Sword Saints at such a critical moment and make up for the combat power lost with Rohm’s death, it would serve as a tremendous reassurance to both the kingdom’s citizens and the foreign nations watching from beyond its borders.
It would calm the people while intimidating foreign powers, accomplishing two goals at once.
As a result, with the royal family clearing every obstacle from their path, Euryale and Lilith quickly received the Sword Saint Medal—the highest honor a swordsman could obtain—causing an enormous sensation throughout both the kingdom and the entire continent.
Jinas, having survived such turmoil, had not weakened after losing a Sword Saint. Instead, it had gained two more, which successfully deterred many hostile forces. Even the activity from Reiburg had noticeably diminished.
Naturally, this also caused the news that both Euryale and Lilith served as Riezel’s attendants to spread far and wide, creating an even greater uproar.
Previously, only a portion of Jinas’s upper echelon knew that Riezel commanded two female Sword Saints. Now, nearly everyone knew, and the rumors had even spread among the common people.
In fact, the royal family even intended to publicly reveal that Riezel was a Strategic-Class Magician.
It was understandable, considering that during his confrontation with Hendrick in the throne room, Riezel had once summoned the end of the world and had nearly drawn Rhongomyniad.
From that moment onward, everyone present had realized that he was not merely a Tactical-Class Magician as the rumors claimed, but also a Strategic-Class Magician.
No—judging from his own words, the magic he had used might have surpassed even the realm of Strategic-Class Magic.
Back then, that revelation had shocked the royal family deeply, raising their wariness of Riezel to an unprecedented level.
Now, however, they wished for nothing more than to spread the news, making everyone believe that Jinas had gained a magician who surpassed even the Strategic Class, granting it unparalleled power capable of dominating the entire Akasha Continent.
Only then would Reiburg and the many surrounding nations be sufficiently intimidated to avoid causing trouble during such a sensitive period.
As a result, rumors had recently begun spreading throughout every faction, informing people that Riezel was not only a Tactical-Class Magician but also a magician capable of wielding magic beyond the Strategic Class.
However, the story was simply too unbelievable, so very few people actually believed it.
Returning to the matter at hand, now that both Euryale and Lilith had received the Sword Saint Medal, Lizbeth was the only Sword Master among Riezel’s attendants.
A Sword Master did not qualify to attend this banquet. Even among the major noble families, only the family heads and their direct heirs were permitted entry.
For that reason, once they entered the banquet hall, Marilyn, Ain, and Ian would all have to remain outside.
Yet Lizbeth had specifically been invited inside, leaving the little princess extremely anxious.
"Don’t worry about it." Riezel reached out and gently patted the little princess on the head. "If you ask me, you’re already a Sword Saint. Why wouldn’t you be qualified to go?"
Ever since awakening the bloodline of the Reinnail Clan, Lizbeth’s magical energy had grown stronger with each passing day, and so had her strength.
By now, she was hardly inferior to a true Sword Saint. If she used the War King Sword Style and unleashed her spiritual power, then anyone unable to withstand its suppression—including Sword Saints—would stand no chance against her.
Moreover, she also possessed Moslow.
Once she drew it, the power she displayed was enough for even Riezel to treat her with caution. If that strength were revealed to the world, obtaining a Sword Saint Medal would be effortless.
By this point, the only reason she had not received one was because the little princess had always kept a low profile and had never revealed her true strength in public.
"You don’t need to worry. Didn’t Duke Letryss already say that Your Highness could attend?"
Yuri, who knew both Lizbeth’s true strength and her extraordinary identity, had never stopped addressing her as
"Besides, rules are rigid, but people aren’t. With Riezel’s current influence, bringing a single attendant into the banquet isn’t something anyone would dare object to."
At the very least, neither the Royal Faction nor the Duke Faction would dare object.
"Alright, let’s head inside and meet the people who are gonna decide this kingdom’s future."
Riezel smiled nonchalantly as he spoke before leading the way toward the Hydromel Restaurant.