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When Ron's greetings were over, the banquet began in earnest.
The Imperial Orchestra, personally sent by the Emperor, took their places and started playing music, filling the hall with delightful melodies. Fireworks burst in all directions, and colorful and brilliant flower petals rained down.
Various performances prepared by the Vermont Magic Troupe were also conspicuous. Inside, magic had shaped fire, ice, and lightning, decorating the venue like giant sheets of colored paper.
Among the Vermont events, Hairan's banquet was the most popular. While Runcandel's gatherings were practically battlefields for settling grudges and Zipfel's banquets were stiff and boring, Hairan's banquet lived up to its name, being lively and a beautiful social gathering.
The nobles who had been waiting in the reception room gradually made their way into the banquet hall. Dressed in their finest attire, they cast admiring glances at the martial artists who had gathered here. To those born in noble families, the martial artists present were like stars from the sky.
The most radiant figure among them is Dante Hairan, the protagonist of the banquet. At twenty-two years old, he is the young patriarch of Hairan, known for his youthful appearance and outstanding character, a supernova of Vermont.
Regardless of gender, many aspired to form a covenant with Dante, and every time he shook hands, cheers erupted among the nobles. Rumors had spread among the nobility that this banquet was hosted by Ron Hairan to find a match for his grandson.
However, in reality, Dante along with Veradin nearby only showed interest in Jin. Lata also glared fiercely at Jin with a killing intent.
"Hey, kid, just crush that guy at midnight later. Make sure to teach what happens when you mess with the wrong person," Murakan said and Gilly lowered her head in concern for Jin.
"Though he tends to be underestimated due to his youth, the Ghost Leader 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 Gaifa islands, and the Black King mercenaries' leader. Will it be all right, Young Master?"
Upon hearing Gilly's words, Jin's companions tilted their heads in unison.
"Didn't the kid just recently destroy the Garden of Swords and turned 3rd flagbearer of Runcandel into minced meat? Who's that guy to talk like that?"
"While the Ghost Leader is known as one of the Three Great Mercenaries, he's undoubtedly not on the same level as Amela or the Black King mercenaries' leader. In my opinion, Lord Jin has a good chance of winning."
"Furthermore, this duel is being held under Sir Ron's presence, so even if lord loses, he won't lose his life. In fact, his reputation will only grow even if he loses. Of course, in my view, Lord Jin is likely to win, but we'll see."
Kashmir and Alisa also expressed similar opinions.
As Alisa mentioned, at the moment, the Ghost Leader Lata had a higher reputation than Jin. Jin's recent victory over the 3rd Flagbearer had garnered attention, but it had not yet been known to the whole world. After all, it had only been less than a month since the event.
Dante, Veradin, and the other martial artists' gazes were fixed on Jin, piquing the interest of the nobles.
"Is that person Jin Runcandel?"
"His face looks just like the one on the advertisement. He doesn't need cosmetics though."
"You should try those cosmetics too; you'll never want to use anything else."
"Oh my, look over there. Isn't that Syris Endorma from the Hidden Palace? It looks like she's heading toward Jin!"
Next, Syris approached Jin.
When the two faced each other, with glamorous golden hair and shining silver hair, the nobles eagerly anticipated what would happen next.
"Jin."
"Lady Syris, it's been a while. You also came to the banquet."
"You look fine, I'm glad."
"Did you worry about me?"
Syris nodded her head in response, when Jin asked as if surprised. Jin felt somewhat perplexed. It was strange that Syris treated him as someone close to her.
"The drop of blood 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 Head Butler Heinz had brought it.
"I didn't know that. I should express my gratitude. Did Madame Talaris give that to me?"
"...Not exactly. Sir Chiron gave it to my mother a long time ago. Since my mother never told me, I've always known that it belonged to the Hidden Palace."
"Ah."
"And, as far as I've heard from my mother, Sir Chiron hasn't yet paid for that."
"If there's anything you desire, please tell me. I will take responsibility on behalf of my father."
"In that case, dance with me."
"What?"
"It seems that it's about time to tell Zipfels that Hidden Palace has a friendly relationship with you. Especially since Zipfel's next patriarch is watching. There couldn't be a better opportunity to send a message."
Syris said, extending her hand.
It was a moment that left not only the nobles but also the martial artists dumbfounded.
As far as martial artists know, Syris Endorma was not the type who showed interest in others at a public event like this.
"Very well. It is an honor to dance with you, Lady Syris."
As Jin took her hand and stood up, some of the martial artists seemed to accept it with a nod, as if they had expected it.
Four years ago, those who had attended Runcandel's banquet and 'misinterpreted' the relationship between Jin and Syris thought so.
'There was a strange vibe between the two even at the Runcandel's single-log bridge party.'
'At that time, the 4th Flagbearer of Runcandel was astonished by their bold intimacy.'
'Perhaps Runcandel wants to send the 12th Flagbearer as the son-in-laws to the Hidden Palace. It's not the right time to bring the firmly established 2nd Flagbearer down. It would be advantageous in many ways to secure Hidden Palace as a reliable ally.'
'Anyway, they make quite a pair, don't they?'
Of course, in reality, the two had secretly fought without anyone knowing, and that was still a secret known only to their comrades.
Most of the middle-aged martial artists wore satisfied smiles, while the younger generation had to suppress their inexplicable anger and jealousy.
And two years ago, the nobles who had visited the Gambling Den in Bellado felt a strange sensation.
'Oh, at that time, Jin Runcandel was active under the alias Vamel. Now that I think about it, the woman named Julia at the gambling den looks similar to Lady Syris, doesn't she?'
'No way, could it be that Jin Runcandel and Syris Endorma worked together even during his reserve flagbearer days? Was the Julia from the gambling den actually Syris Endorma?'
As each of their thoughts passed by, Jin and Syris came to the stage and began dancing gracefully.
Their dance was destined to be sung across the continent through the bards' verses from today onwards.
There were already artists who had been praising the two to the point where their voices were worn out, putting Jin and Syris on the canvas.
"Ah, I envy them, my lord...! I don't even remember the last time I danced with a lady..."
"Let's dance together!"
The lively voice belonged to Zephyrin.
Unnoticed, she had once again approached Jin's table, avoiding Murakan's gaze.
"I am so thankful for this! Oh, gods! This is..."
Just as Jet replied with joy, Cuicantelle pinched Murakan's side.
It meant, 'You go and find out about Zephyrin.'
"Did you say your name is Zephyrin? I'll have a dance with you."
"Oh, you remembered my name! Shall we?"
"No, Lord Murakan!? Are you doing this? Lord Murakan? Hey?"
Murakan had already left with Zephyrin to dance.
Having belatedly spotted Zephyrin, Murka could only sigh deeply, almost as if he wanted to bury himself, and clench his fists in frustration.
Jet, with a hawk's eye, glared at the backs of Murakan and Zephyrin. In the end, Gilly, who was watching, extended her hand towards Jet.
"Well, Jet. If you are okay with me?"
"I'm just overwhelmed, Strawberry, I mean, Gilly!"
This time, Murakan glared at Jet as if he was about to kill him. In fact, if he could kill with his eyes, he would have turned Jet into mincemeat on the spot.
Jet was simply grateful that even someone like him could dance at such a banquet.
Kashmir went out to dance with Alisa. Kuzan and Veris did the same.
At the table, only Cuicantelle and Enya remained, enjoying some refreshments. As if waiting for this moment, various martial artists and nobles came to them, asking for dances.
But in the end Enya was paired with Veradin, while Cuicantelle danced with Dante. This peculiar arrangement added another layer of enjoyment for the guests at the banquet.
Especially since Dante knew that Enya and Cuicantelle were unofficially wanted by the Empire. So, he intentionally wants 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 regret.
Margiella Ivelianos. She, too, attended the banquet as an Ivelianos. Bishkel and Bubare disguised themselves to be by her side.
Bishkel had a grim expression.
"Ah, it's not like I have been in a wheelchair for a day or two. There's no need to feel so sorry for me, brother."
"Indeed, Lord Bishkel. By the way, the croquet here is truly to die for... Lord Bishkel, do you have some connections with Hairan? If possible, could you get Croquet from here at least once a week?"
As always, Bubare was scratching at the already gloomy Bishkel's heart, irritating him.
Shut up, Bubare. Bishkel was too engulfed in sorrow to even respond like that.
"Brother?"
"Margiella. I... It's painful to think that I have to use you in situations like this."
Upon hearing this, Margiella gave a sly smile.
"That's precisely my role, brother."
"But..."
"Don't be too disheartened. And Mr. Bubare, please stop eating Croquet. You promised to lose weight, remember?"
"Hahaha. Is that so? Miss Margiella."
Night was approaching.
The banquet was scheduled to continue 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.
It was, of course, to watch the battle between Jin and Lata.
No one had ordered it, but when midnight came, the guests all took their seats and awaited the start of the duel.
"Thank you all for waiting. The knights will guide you all now, so let's move to the arena."