C400 - Emperor Sword Banquet (5)
When Ron's greetings concluded, the banquet began in earnest.
The imperial orchestra, personally sent by the Emperor, took its place and started playing music, filling the hall with delightful melodies.
Fireworks burst in all directions, and colorful and bright flower petals rained down.
Various performances prepared by the Vermont Magic Theater Company also caught everyone's attention.
Inside, magic had shaped fire, ice, and lightning, decorating the venue like giant sheets of colored paper.
Among Vermont's acts, the Hairan banquet was the most popular.
While Runcandel gatherings were practically battlefields for settling grievances and Zipple banquets were stiff and dull, the Hairan banquet lived up to its name.
It was lively and a beautiful social gathering.
The nobles waiting in the reception hall gradually made their way into the banquet hall.
Dressed in their finest attire, they cast admiring glances at the warriors gathered here.
For those born into noble families, the warriors present were like stars in the sky.
The most radiant figure among them was Dante Hairan, the banquet's protagonist.
At twenty-two years old, he was the young patriarch of Hairan, known for his youthful appearance and outstanding character, a Vermont supernova.
Regardless of gender, many aspired to form an alliance with Dante, and every time he shook hands, cheers erupted among the nobles.
Among the nobility, there was a rumor that this banquet had been organized by Ron Hairan to find a partner for his grandson.
However, in reality, Dante, along with the nearby Beradin, only showed interest in Jin. Lata also stared fiercely at Jin with murderous intent.
"Hey, kid, crush that guy at midnight. Make sure to show him what happens when you mess with the wrong person," Murakan said, and Gilly lowered her head, worried for Jin.
"Although he tends to be underestimated due to his youth, the Leader of the Ghost Legion is considered one of the strongest in the mercenary world. He's even known as one of the Three Great Mercenaries, alongside Amela, the great mercenary of the Gaifa Islands, and the leader of the Black King's mercenaries. Are you okay, Young Master?"
Hearing Gilly's words, Jin's companions all nodded in unison.
"Didn't he just recently destroy the Garden of Swords and turn the Third Flagbearer of Runcandel into minced meat? Who is this guy to speak that way?"
"Although the Leader of the Ghost Legion is known as one of the Three Great Mercenaries, he's undoubtedly not on the same level as Amela or the leader of the Black King's mercenaries. In my opinion, Jin-nim has a good chance of winning."
"Moreover, this duel is held in the presence of Ron-nim, so even if the lord loses, he won't lose his life. In fact, his reputation will only grow even if he loses. Of course, in my opinion, our lord is likely to win, but we shall see."
Kashimir and Alisa also expressed similar views.
As Alisa mentioned, at the moment, the Leader of the Ghost Legion, Lata, had a greater reputation than Jin.
Jin's recent victory over the Third Flagbearer had garnered attention, but it had not yet become widely known.
After all, less than a month had passed since the incident.
The gazes of Dante, Beradin, and the other warriors fixed on Jin, sparking the interest of the nobles.
"Is that person Jin Runcandel?"
"His face matches the advertisement. He doesn't even need cosmetics."
"You should try those cosmetics too; you'll never want to use anything else."
"Wow, look over there. Isn't that Siris Endorma from the Hidden Palace? It looks like she's heading toward Jin."
Next, Siris approached Jin.
When the two faced each other, with their glamorous golden and shining silver hair, the nobles eagerly anticipated what would happen next.
"Jin."
"Siris-nim, it's been a while. You came to the banquet too."
"You look good; I'm glad."
"Did you worry about me?"
Siris nodded when Jin asked in surprise.
Jin felt somewhat perplexed.
It was strange for Siris to treat him as someone close.
"The blood drop you used was one that our Hidden Palace had been keeping."
Jin and his companions had no idea about this fact.
They only knew that butler Heinz had brought it.
"I didn't know. I should express my gratitude. Did Talaris-nim give it to me?"
"...Not exactly. Cyron-nim gave it to my mother a long time ago. Since my mother never told me, I've always known it belonged to the Hidden Palace."
"Ah."
"And, from what I've heard from my mother, Cyron-nim hasn't paid it back yet."
"If there's anything you wish for, please tell me. I will take responsibility on behalf of my father."
"In that case, dance with me."
"What?"
"It seems it's time to inform Zipple that the Hidden Palace has a friendly relationship with you. Especially because the next patriarch of Zipple is watching. There couldn't be a better opportunity to send a message," Siris said, extending her hand.
It was a moment that left not only the nobles but also the warriors open-mouthed.
As far as the Warriors knew, Siris Endorma wasn't one to show interest in others in a public event like this.
"Very well. It's an honor to dance with you, Siris-nim."
When Jin took her hand and stood up, some of the warriors seemed to accept it with a nod, as if they had expected it.
That's what those who had attended Runcandel's banquet four years ago had thought and had "misinterpreted" the relationship between Jin and Siris.
There was an unusual atmosphere between the two even at Runcandel's one-trunk bridge party.
"At that time, the Fourth Flagbearer of Runcandel was amazed at their bold intimacy."
"Perhaps Runcandel wants to send the Twelfth Flagbearer as a son-in-law to the Hidden Palace. It's not the right time to topple the firmly established Second Flagbearer. It would be advantageous in many ways to secure the Hidden Palace as a reliable ally."
"Anyway, they make a good pair, don't they?"
Of course, in reality, the two had secretly battled without anyone knowing, and that remained a secret known only to their comrades.
Most middle-aged warriors showed smiles of satisfaction, while the younger generation had to suppress their inexplicable anger and jealousy.
And two years ago, the nobles who had visited Bellard's Gambling Den felt a strange sensation.
At that time, Jin Runcandel was acting under the alias Bamel.
"Come to think of it, the woman named Julia in the gambling den looks like Siris-nim, doesn't she?"
"It can't be. Could it be that Jin Runcandel and Siris Endorma worked together even during their days as Provisional Flagbearers? Could Julia from the dive be Siris Endorma?"
While each of their thoughts passed, Jin and Siris took the stage and began dancing gracefully.
Their dance was destined to be sung across the continent through the verses of bards from today.
Warriors had already praised the two until they ran out of voice, putting Jin and Siris on a pedestal.
"Oh, how I envy my lord...! Phew. I can't even remember the last time I danced with a lady..."
"Let's dance together!"
The spirited voice belonged to Zephyrin.
Unnoticed by anyone, she had approached Jin's table again, avoiding Murakan's gaze.
"I'm so grateful for this! Oh, gods! This is..."
Just as Jet was responding with joy, Quikantel pinched Murakan's side.
It meant: Go and find out about Zephyrin.
"Did you say your name is Zephyrin? I'll dance with you."
"Oh, you remembered my name! Shall we?"
"No, Murakan-nim!? Are you doing this? Murakan-nim? Huh?"
Murakan had already gone to dance with Zephyrin.
Having seen Zephyrin belatedly, Murkan could only sigh deeply, almost as if he wanted to bury himself, and clenched his fists in frustration.
Azabache, with hawk-like eyes, stared at Murakan and Zephyrin's backs.
In the end, Gilly, who was watching, reached her hand out to Jet.
"Well, Jet. If you're okay with it."
"I'm just overwhelmed, Strawberry Pie, I mean, Gilly!"
This time, Murakan looked at Jet as if he were about to kill him. In fact, if he could kill with his eyes, he would have turned Jet into minced meat on the spot.
Jet was simply thankful that even someone like him could dance at such a banquet.
Kashimir went to dance with Alisa.
Kuzan and Beris did the same.
At the table, only Quikantel and Enya remained, enjoying some refreshments.
As if waiting for this moment, several warriors and nobles approached them, asking for dances.
But in the end, Enya was paired with Beradin, while Quikantel danced with Dante.
This peculiar arrangement added another level of amusement for the banquet's guests.
Especially because Dante knew that Enya and Quikantel were unofficially sought after by the Empire. So, he intentionally wanted to reveal his friendship with the two to have the arrest orders revoked.
"Oh, I want to dance too!"
Meanwhile, someone watched the procession of dancers with sorrow.
Margiella Ivlianos.
She also attended the banquet as Ivlianos.
Bishkel and Bouvard disguised themselves to be by her side.
Bishkel had a somber expression.
"Ah, it's not like I've been in a wheelchair for a day or two. There's no need to feel so sorry for me, brother."
"Indeed, Bishkel-nim. By the way, the croquettes here are to die for... Bishkel-nim, do you have any contact with Hairan? If possible, could you bring croquettes from here at least once a week?"
As always, Bouvard was scratching Bishkel's already somber heart, annoying him.
Shut up, Bouvard.
Bishkel was too immersed in sorrow to even respond like that.
"Brother?"
"Margiella. I... It pains me to think that I have to use you in situations like this."
Hearing this, Margiella smiled.
"That is precisely my role, brother."
"But..."
"Don't be disheartened. And Bouvard-nim, please stop eating croquettes. You promised to lose weight, remember?"
"Haha. Really? Margiella-nim."
Night was approaching.
The banquet was scheduled to continue into the next day, so it was natural for people to start leaving around dinnertime.
However, not a single person left the banquet hall until midnight.
Of course, it was to witness the battle between Jin and Lata.
No one had requested it, but when midnight arrived, all the guests took their seats and waited for the duel to begin.
"Thank you all for waiting. The knights will now guide you all, so let's proceed to the training ground."
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