When Levi, accompanied by a maid, arrived at the entrance of the banquet hall, the last rays of the setting sun were gradually fading.
"Knight, please remove your sword!"
Two guards in bright silver Armor stood at the entrance. They were powerfully built, half a head taller than Levi.
Spotting the sword at Levi's waist, their sharp gazes swept over him, and they subconsciously rested their hands on the hilts of their own swords.
'Heh, who are you trying to scare?'
Levi met their gaze without flinching.
The air grew tense.
Just as fine beads of sweat began to form on the two men's foreheads, a slight smile finally touched Levi's lips. He tossed his sword to them. "Here, big guys. Take good care of it. If you lose it, selling the two of you wouldn't be enough to cover the cost!"
The heavy atmosphere vanished in an instant.
One of them caught the sword steadily. He let out a sigh of relief, a smile appearing on his face as well. "Knight, we wish you a pleasant banquet."
Unconsciously, his tone had become much more respectful.
It was just that Levi's gaze moments ago had made him feel like his head was about to part ways with his shoulders.
It sent an uncontrollable shiver down his spine.
It was like being targeted by a ferocious Jungle Tiger, leaving him with no will to resist.
"Ah! This is a sword forged from Mithril! Only the Elves can make these. It must be worth at least Five Hundred Gold Coins!"
GULP~
"That Knight wasn't lying…"
...
Hearing the astonished voices behind him, the corner of Levi's mouth curved up slightly.
He could have just stored the sword in his System Space, but then, what would have been the point of getting it in the first place?
'There's no stopping a good flex…'
Humming a little tune, Levi walked into the banquet hall.
Brilliant white light emanated from thousands of unknown gemstones, illuminating the entire banquet hall as if it were day.
The floor was covered with a thick, red woolen carpet. Walking on it felt like strolling on clouds.
Long wooden tables filled the spacious banquet hall, draped with white cloths woven from high-quality velvet and decorated with golden tulips.
A faint, elegant fragrance wafted by, making Levi rub his nose involuntarily.
To be honest, after spending all his time in the arena—a place filled with the stench of sweat and all sorts of other odors—suddenly being in such a grand and opulent venue felt a little strange to Levi.
A meticulously dressed Attendant led Levi to a table and seated him. With one hand behind his back and a slight, elegant bow, he poured him a glass of red liquid.
"What kind of wine is this? It's pretty good." Levi smacked his lips after taking a sip.
It was less like regular wine and more like a fruit wine; a rich, fruity aroma filled his senses after he drank it.
"Knight, this is a red wine from the Golden Garden."
Looking at this obvious country bumpkin, the Attendant couldn't help but puff out his chest, a haughty look on his face.
'Damn, he got to act all high and mighty.'
Under the Attendant's slightly contemptuous gaze, Levi unceremoniously chugged the entire glass of wine, then shot the Attendant a triumphant look.
'I might not know a thing about it, but I get to drink it. You might know everything, but you can only stand there and serve, watching me, your Lord, drink!'
The Attendant was stunned by Levi's move. The next moment, as the meaning sank in, his face was a mask of astonishment and the pained expression of someone seeing pearls cast before swine.
"Fill it up for this Lord!" Levi said menacingly.
Levi smirked victoriously as he watched the dejected Attendant obediently refill his glass.
'It was the same principle as someone else being too precious to ride their new bike, while he not only rode it but popped a wheelie for good measure.'
'You're still too green to mess with this Lord!'
There was still some time before the banquet officially began, but most of the guests had already arrived. They were gathered in twos and threes, talking quietly amongst themselves.
Eavesdropping for a moment, Levi discovered they were mostly discussing the purpose of the banquet—why the Duke had summoned all of them, his Vassals.
However, Levi noticed that some Lords wore faint smiles, as if they had everything Mastered, clearly privy to some inside information.
Just then, a handsome, powerfully built, blond middle-aged man walked in from outside, a magnificent sword hanging at his waist.
Being such a famous figure, Levi recognized him instantly.
It was the man known as the "Highland Golden Lion," Duke Xilong's younger brother, Damon Isely.
Although he was nearly fifty, time seemed to have left little trace on his face.
'This is bad,' Levi thought to himself.
Two years ago, not long after Levi himself had arrived in the Southern Territory, this "Highland Golden Lion" had a falling out with his older brother, Duke Xilong. He was demoted from his post as commander of the Kolon Defense Team and sent to the border to keep the Lizardmen company.
'So why is he suddenly here now?'
'Has he reconciled with Duke Xilong? Or is there another reason?'
'The key issue was that this Highland Golden Lion had been exiled to the border precisely because he made no secret of his desire to inherit the ducal title.'
As he lowered his head and sipped his wine, Levi noticed many people in the hall enthusiastically greeting the Highland Golden Lion.
Even the Attendant beside him had a look of admiration in his eyes.
It seemed this Damon Isely, the Highland Golden Lion, was very well-loved.
'This is not good news.'
After a short while, the host of the banquet finally appeared.
But Duke Xilong's entrance was rather unique. He was carried out in the arms of a burly man who stood a full Sanren Gao tall.
Levi even suspected the man might have a trace of Giant Bloodline in him.
The old man in his arms was skeletal, his face ancient and haggard. His head of standard-issue Iseley Clan golden hair looked like a patch of withered, lusterless grass.
Levi was half-afraid Duke Xilong would kick the bucket in the very next second.
It seemed the rumors weren't false; the Duke truly didn't have much time left.
As Duke Xilong was settled in the seat of honor, the banquet officially began.
Young, beautiful Maids flitted between the long tables like butterflies, serving one delicious dish after another.
Honeyed Bear Paws, Silverfish Salad, Black Truffle Layer Cake, Charcoal-Roasted Venison Leg, Kolon's specialty Tulip Pancakes, a plate of fresh cherries, and a serving of Pine-Scented Pork Chops—a dish rarely seen even on a nobleman's table. The sight made Levi's mouth water.
'Looks like staying for this banquet was a good decision after all.'
This banquet wasn't to celebrate Levi becoming a Vassal of the Iseley Clan; he, a mere Pioneer Lord, didn't have that much clout.
Levi even wondered if Duke Kolon, the man who'd had his own granddaughter enfeoff Levi, even remembered who he was.
But the moment that thought crossed his mind, his name was called. He was then introduced to the crowd by the very same "man without much time left," Duke Xilong.
Although it was only a brief introduction, it still left Levi feeling rather "flattered and bewildered." He immediately began to ponder if there was a hidden meaning behind Duke Xilong's actions.
What he found even more bizarre was that Damon Isely, who was seated at Duke Xilong's right hand, even gave him a kind smile.
'No, something is wrong!'
'He was just a Desolate Baron who had only managed to secure the title of Pioneer Lord through his reputation in the arena.'
'You could pull any other Lord from the crowd, and their name would ring out far louder than his.'
'He knew he wasn't some brilliant young talent, nor did he possess anything worth scheming over.'
'What had he possibly done to be remembered by these two great figures?'