Banquets were honestly boring wherever they were held. I spent the next two hours politely picking at my food and making small talk with the people around me. Eleanor introduced me to her daughter, princess Nora. After briefly talking to her I noticed that she seemed to have inherited her mother's gift for making conversation.
However, our talk was cut short when the young man beside her intruded on our conversation and forcefully switched topics. Princess Nora gave me an apologetic look before turning to the man and talking solely to him.
Prince Albion saw the whole thing but didn't comment. Seeing my questioning gaze he mouthed the words "fiancé". So that arrogant prick was to be the princess' future husband. Judging by the way people were pointedly ignoring his behavior, it was probably a political marriage.
Finally, after those boring two hours a servant entered and caught my attention. He walked up to the queen and whispered something into her ear. I didn't wish to pry but my hearing allowed me to make out most of the words he said.
He was recounting how I had sent the Galli army into retreat. Most of the things he said were exaggerated but the truth wouldn't change the impression the report would leave on a listener. As the servant came to the part of who had likely caused all that the queen's eyes shot towards me at the mention of the grey empire.
I smiled at her and held her stare. She looked away and motioned for the servant to leave. Then, she continued what she had been doing before trying to act like nothing happened.
However, I could see her gaze occasionally dart back to me and away again. Another ten minutes passed and she finally acted.
The general topic in our table area had slowly shifted to the ongoing war in the kingdom of Saital. At the mention of the army advancing on the capital Eleanor interjected.
"Actually, I recently received word that the army in question was defeated and forced to retreat. The one accredited to have done this is the grey empire. Abel, you said before that you are part of the grey empire, any insights as to what exactly happened there?"
"Well, admittedly I am from the grey empire but I'm currently part of the grey merchant guild which usually doesn't get involved when it comes to combat affairs of the empire. The only thing I can say for certain is that the intervention was partially due to the presence of a branch of our merchant guild within the capital."
At that many whispers went through the attendees. The bait I had laid out didn't go unnoticed by any of the nobles present. Saying that the intervention was due to the presence of one of our branches was akin to saying that by having a branch guild in their cities they would also receive such protection.
Of course there was no guarantee that what I had said was accurate but the chance of receiving the protection of an entity that could defeat an army of a kingdom by itself was just too enticing.
"Oh, so the guild in Saitala is merely a branch? Then I assume the main one is within the grey empire. But tell me, where is this empire located."
"The grey empire lies outside of this realm. It is quite a distance from here so you might have trouble traveling there without the help of space magic."
"I see, it must be awful to be in a place so far away from your home. Don't you miss it?"
"I'm rarely there and spend most of my time traveling so I rarely miss it."
The banquet lasted for another hour. I wasn't bored anymore, quite the opposite in fact. From all across the table nobles tried to "coincidentally" mention how beautiful their cities were and how many trade routes went through them.
Not one of them had the guts to ask me to the face if I was willing to set up a guild in the main city of their territory. Towards the end, princess Nora's fiancé left to freshen up. Nora immediately used this opportunity to start another conversation with me. I knew where this was going but couldn't care less.
"Sir Abel, please tell me, what is it your merchant guild sells?"
"Since our branch here has only recently been established we don't have a wide range of goods yet. Most of our income came from an auction we held. So for now we only sell potions and from time to time some oddities."
"Sigh, what wouldn't I give to see some of these oddities. Sadly, I cannot leave the city not even speaking about leaving the country. But nothing can be done!"
"You might be in luck. Part of the reason I'm here is to see if there is a possibility to open a branch here in the capital, Nix. Though I'm still in the phase of evaluation."
"Truly, that would be wonderful! If there's anything I can do to help please tell me!"
She was positively beaming. I doubted that she was really interested in the oddities I mentioned. It was more likely she was excited about having a branch of the guild in her family's kingdom.
And of course now of all times, princess Nora's fiancé reentered the hall just to see the princess beaming at me. His face became flushed and he charged over seized by rage.
"How dare you talk to Nora again! She is my fiancée and I will not tolerate this! I challenge you to a duel!"
I turn to look at him as he stands there pointing at me with his index finger. I mentally debate breaking his finger but decide to be civil.
"Is princess Nora your property?"
"She's my fiancée and a woman is her husband's property!"
"The property part is debatable. However, since she is still your fiancée you are not yet married so her talking to me should be fine."
"How dare you! Do you think you can just do what you want because are a space mage? I'm a noble! And you are just a support mage. Accept the duel and I'll show you what a real mage is!"