Chapter 105 : Chapter 105

Chapter 105 : Five Morning Stars (3)

I had never imagined that Bea and I would be the main characters of the banquet.

Bea was equally surprised by the large letters on the banner, but she questioned it from a different angle.

“But why are humans celebrating the end of a racial war?”

Perhaps because I was also human.

I naturally thought it was something to celebrate, so I couldn't answer Bea, but Rodos, who had approached, whispered quietly.

“Humans naturally consider themselves the center of the world.If they believe it benefits them for elves and fairies to stop fighting, they want to get involved.Besides, Duke Polarin made a great achievement, so they have a just cause.”

Bea nodded at Rodos’s words.

Surprisingly, she accepted it immediately.

Rodos, cunningly, finished only that remark and then stepped forward before the nobles.

“My dear nobles, who strive for the peace and prosperity of the Empire, I sincerely thank you for attending the banquet I am hosting today.”

At his greeting, the nobles gathered in the banquet hall applauded in unison.

Rodos, more human and noble than anyone else, stepped forward and captivated the people.

‘The difference in power between a baron and a marquis is certainly significant.Quite a few nobles attended, even outside the Western Noble Coalition.’

Although the banquet’s purpose was to celebrate the end of the war between elves and fairies, in fact, more people probably attended hoping to catch Rodos’s eye than to actually celebrate the end of the war.

Although Rodos was the head of the Western Noble Coalition, which had less influence than other regions, he was one of the few Marquises in the Empire.

Furthermore, Rodos was a noble with strong influence in various fields, such as the Lemon Producing Region Alliance and the Hotel Tourism Industry Alliance, in addition to the Western Noble Coalition.

Even if they had no interest in the war, they would want to gain Rodos’s favor and form a close relationship.

‘Still, it doesn’t matter. Nominally, Bea and I are the main characters. If I can make even one or two people here my allies, it’s a gain.’

Rodos would also wish for that.

He would truly intend to stop the Empire’s war.

His favor towards me was probably also because he thought my gaining influence would help stop the war.

“Now, I will introduce today’s protagonists. The two heroes who stopped the war, Duke Polarin Adjak and Lady Bea Hellinger.”

A thunderous applause erupted for us as well.

I glanced at Bea.

Although I had briefed her beforehand on noble etiquette and how to behave at a banquet, I was anxious that she might do something unexpected given all the attention.

But as if there was no need to worry, Bea, dressed in an elegant gown, placed her hand gently on her chest and bowed, like a well-educated noble.

Among the elves, she might have been frowned upon as an ash-haired elf, but here, it was completely different.

“She is extremely beautiful.”

“Be careful with such remarks.That person is the Elf Commander and Lord Rodos’s guest!”

“Ahem… I had no intention of being rude.”

Some nobles’ voices were loud enough for me to hear, so Bea, whose hearing was sharper than mine, must have heard those words too.

Normally, she would have grabbed a noble by the collar, but Bea stood silently as if she hadn’t heard anything.

Rodos gestured for me to come forward.

I stepped before the nobles and surveyed them.

“First, I extend my gratitude to Marquis Rodos La Roche, who arranged this event and to all the esteemed nobles present.”

When I bowed, loud applause erupted.

“The racial war I witnessed between elves and fairies was fierce.Had the war continued, one side would have suffered devastating damage, and the victorious side would not have emerged unscathed.”

I immediately got to the point.

I was not yet used to giving speeches in front of many people.

However, such occasions would not be infrequent in the future.

I decided to consider it a practice session.

At least those gathered here would listen to my words out of respect for Rodos.

“There is no war without damage. Only after elves and fairies chose peace did their relationship solidify, but they still need time to recover from the damage.We must choose peace. We can unite through peace, not war.”

Bea said little, but she nodded in agreement with every sentence I spoke.

That was enough.

The Elf Commander sharing my resolve served as proof of my achievements.

“We must not waste our strength.We must unite and gather our forces to prepare for when the seal of Myeolji is broken. It may take a long time, but it will surely be the right path.”

I spoke with emphasis, as if hammering in a nail.

“Our enemy is not humanity.”

Not everyone present would oppose the Imperial War like Rodos.

But they would have understood that the voices opposing the war were not merely based on general morality.

Clap, clap, clap, clap!

The result was the enthusiastic applause from the nobles and the smile on Rodos's lips.

The applause was much louder than when I first appeared.

Rodos, deeming it sufficient, naturally shifted the atmosphere.

He had considered Bea, who was unaccustomed to banquets, by preventing her from having to speak in front of everyone.

“First, please enjoy your meal and engage in many conversations with these two.”

As Rodos signaled the servants, food began to be laid out on the tables.

The gold-wrought tableware and crystal glasses looked so exquisite and beautiful that each one seemed like a work of art.

But the food drew even more attention.

Appetizers that would not be overshadowed by the nobles’ opulent attire were served.

Caviar from the Caron Beach was placed on transparently thin slices of fish.

Finely chopped herbs sprinkled on top added to the fragrance.

In addition, there were salads, grilled clams, young deer steak and lobster dishes.

Fresh ingredients sourced from various regions were continuously brought out.

Not only were the ingredients rare, but the culinary skill was also excellent.

An endless array of dishes, hard to taste anywhere else, kept appearing.

Furthermore, the nobles’ glasses were constantly refilled before they could empty.

Sparkling wine, red and white wines and freshly squeezed fruit juices were curated to suit the nobles’ tastes.

One could guess how much effort Rodos had put into this event.

I devoured the food with gusto.

Bea, who usually maintained her elegant composure, seemed completely engrossed, judging by the way her brow furrowed each time she ate something.

Especially when she broke the sugar layer of the crème brûlée, she unconsciously exclaimed, ‘Oh,’ with delight.

Perhaps Bea also felt a little of humanity’s greatness.

“You’ve done better than I expected.”

Rodos approached and praised me.

His face had a faint blush, perhaps from drinking and he spoke casually as before.

He seemed to be in a good mood.

“Not at all. It’s all thanks to you, Lord Rodos, for setting the stage.”

“No, you truly did well.Soon, after dinner, people will flock to you. Among them, who you absolutely must make your allies are…”

Rodos rattled off a list of important nobles.

Then he told me not to approach the nobles first to greet them, but to wait until they came to me.

He said that at this event, I was the main character and I shouldn't yield to nobles who tried to gain an advantage even when simply greeting me.

At first, heavy-seated nobles might not move, but once one person started, things would change.

Rodos patted my shoulder and returned to his place.

Soon, even dessert was gone.

Already, a considerable number of nobles were glancing this way.

But no one had approached me yet.

Nevertheless, I decided to wait with composure.

Soon, one person approached me.

He greeted me with a friendly attitude, and I courteously responded.

“That was a brilliant speech. I was originally in favor of war, but… from today, I think I’ll change my mind.”

“Thank you for listening intently.”

After that, it was just as Rodos had said.

It took a long time for the first person to come but after that, a long line formed of people coming to greet me.

They called me a Morning Star or a hero who stopped the war, praising me.

Knowing that their goodwill was thanks to Rodos, I maintained a humble posture.

However, I didn't simply belittle myself.

I judged that I needed to show a confident attitude for them to support me in the future.

Perhaps that judgment wasn't entirely wrong, as the nobles praised me more and more.

While exchanging greetings with various nobles, there was one group I was particularly focused on.

They were the priests of the Holy Order.

Priests wearing pure white robes, in stark contrast to the splendid attire of the nobles.

They, too, attended the banquet celebrating the end of the war, but they were not mingling with the nobles and were conversing among themselves.

The Holy Order was a religion that worshipped the God of Peace and it was also the religion with the most followers on the continent.

The Holy Order belonged to no one and did not interfere in politics, but its influence was so great that no force, including the Empire, could ignore it.

Aquiris, which Maron, having undergone shape-shifting, asked to be taken to, was the sanctuary of the Holy Order and currently an island where all the main figures of the Holy Order, including the Saintess, were gathered.

Because of that, I, not being a follower of the Holy Order, could not approach it recklessly.

‘Can I not sweet-talk the priests into letting me go to Aquiris?’

Perhaps because I kept glancing at the priests while pondering, one of them stood up and approached me.

He removed the white hood from his head and greeted me.

“I am Hans, a priest of the Holy Order.I found your story about peace, Lord Polarin, very impressive.”

Hans was a man who exuded a solemn and calm atmosphere.

With serious eyes and a polite demeanor, he felt like a clergyman himself.

To ease the tense atmosphere, I subtly threw in a joke.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Father Hans. I suppose I spoke about peace in front of those who serve the God of Peace.”

“I also felt the will for peace that Lord Polarin wishes to spread. I hope the Empire will also make the right decision.”

However, Hans was not someone who responded to jokes.

It would be difficult to become close to a priest of the Holy Order, who even drew a line with nobles, all at once.

“If you ever have occasion to cross the sea, please visit the Aquiris Sanctuary, the center of the Holy Order.Lord Polarin, knowing the value of peace, will surely be welcomed.”

Hans finished his formal remarks and prepared to stand up.

But I didn't miss his polite invitation.

“I also very much wanted to visit the Aquiris Sanctuary someday.Since I’ve been invited anyway, may I accompany you on your way back?”

“Yes?”

A crack appeared in the solemn priest’s face.

He probably hadn't expected me to react immediately to a passing remark.

But I had no intention of missing this opportunity.

Maron’s request was one thing, but I had another purpose.

I wanted to establish ties with the Holy Order, which influenced the continent as much as, if not more than, the Empire.

‘One of the Twelve Swords of Adjak also belongs to the Holy Order.’

Priests who use divine power or powerful Paladin corps.

Forming ties with the Holy Order would help in conquering Myeolji in the future.

“When are you departing?I can go right away.”

Tip: Tap/click the left or right side of the screen to go to previous/next chapter.