7 Banquet (1)

A middle-aged stern looking bulky long, messy, silver-haired man covered in white fur coat stepped past the entrance. Upon his appearance, the nobles took the initiative to greet him earnestly.

''Wow, I didn't expect this man would come.'' Chris gulped, his eyes shining with admiration.

Leto made sure to dig into politics and learn about the important characters before the banquet, so he recognized this person, even though he'd never seen him before.

'Jafra, northern castellan of Ice Fort. He's a fierce character, who's been defending the northern border for the past decade. I wonder what he's doing here, coming from that far?' He felt doubtful.

Jafra appeared to be a man of few words. Due to his fierce appearance and cold attitude he appeared arrogant. Still, the nobles didn't show any displeasure, as they didn't want to provoke him.

Having nothing better to do, the duo looked at the entrance, appraising them and discussing heatedly when important people made an appearance.

Surprisingly, quite a few significant characters appeared. Gile, as a host, personally greeted them.

''Isn't that Duke Antonio? I heard he's very arrogant. It's a surprise he showed himself.'' Chris whispered in his ear.

Antonio appeared to be an ordinary looking tall man, but he had a distant noble aura and wore exquisite white robes. Even when talking to the nobles, he was acting aloof, looking down on them. Unfortunately, Dukes' military power was second to only generals, but their words had more significant power in politics, also, they owned more lands, so small nobles didn't dare show their attitude to him.

...

''Hey look at that potbellied short meatball. Do you recognize him?''

''Ryuk, the head of merchant union, is it?'' Leto chuckled.

''Wow, you sure studied hard. I remember you weren't interested in such things.'' Chris was surprised.

''Well, that's then and now is now.'' Leto grinned.

''Oh, let's make a bet then. If you fail to recognize 3 important guests you have to lend me 50 golds.''

''Get lost. What's there in me? Besides, you never pay your debts.''

''Oh, that's true. You know me well, haha.''

...

''Hey, do you recognize the duo?'' Chris grinned at him evilly.

Leto scrutinized the bulky middle-aged man with short spiky hair and otherworldly beauty by his side. The beauty had silky black hair cascading down her shoulders like a waterfall. Her eyes held magnetic charm. Wearing the black dress, she looked like a black rose.

''Who are they?'' Leto shook his head, unable to remember the newcomers.

''Dude, you can't even recognize your fiancee? Go kill yourself.'' Chris guffawed, gazing at the girl with hot intent in his eyes.

''So she's Charlotte? She's so beautiful.'' Leto was stunned as he exclaimed. Indeed, he had never met his fiancee before, though, he knew he was engaged with someone called Charlotte Vensmonty, who was General Charles Vensmonty's daughter.

''Who's that man by her side then? Oi quit staring at my girl, little bastard.'' Leto couldn't help but knock his bald head.

''Oww, just looking, no big deal. What's wrong, were you smitten? Haha...how cute.'' Chris looked at him with disdain, mischief glimmering in his eyes.

''Quit babbling. Is that guy his father, Charles? Hmm, wrong, the description doesn't match. Ah, he must be her uncle then, Carlos.''

''Bingo...hey, bro, she's looking in our direction.''

''Hmm? She's not...it must have been your imagination.''

''No, I swear she looked at us!''

''Shut up, Chris. You're delusional. You're desperate.''

''You...''

''Hahahaha~''

...

The crowd in the vast, magnificent hall grew more bustling. The banquet was about to start. The main guest, the old physician didn't appear yet.

'The banquet is held in his name, so he must be feeling self-important.' Leto sneered in his heart. Obviously, he knew the chain of events that happened between him and his father.

'Something just doesn't feel right. Decaying worms won't just awaken for no reason. There's a high chance someone's behind this. Tian guy is the first suspect. I need to see him in order to clear my doubts first, though. Hmm, who would benefit from my death? My understanding of everyone is still shallow, as I didn't have much time to study them. That's why I have to be extra careful and observe everyone.' Leto made up his mind.

''Bro...bro, wake up!'' An anxious voice entered his ears, forcibly making him exit his absentminded state.

''Demna's here. We're screwed. Oh fuck, that bitch is reporting us. We should hide!''

Leto stared at the newcomers and grimaced.

Demna was eighteen years old ordinary looking youth, yet he led over a dozen young masters of noble families into the hall.

He was commoner at birth but became a noble later. Though he was young, he was a vicious character nobody dared to neglect.

The rumors say, when he was little, he offended the young master of certain Baron. He was chased like a dog, but he showed excellent talent and grew through overcoming adversaries. In the end, he became so strong, that he singlehandedly annihilated the Baron and his small army.

Due to showing his strength, talent and viciousness he received the second prince's backing, so he wasn't punished.

The chain of events didn't end there. Demna forcibly married the mother of the young master who chased him and became the young baron himself and that pitiful young man's stepdad. He psychologically broke the poor guy by viciously making him watch how he raped his mother. In the end, the poor guy suicided, following which Demna murdered his wife and remarried.

His character filled the kingdom with dread. Not only was he then at the 5th stage of body tempering realm, but he also had the power to skip levels and battle 8th level of body tempering realm expert. Besides, he received significant backing.

'Demna, the most prominent youth of the kingdom. He's in second prince's faction. Bad news...If he decides to thrash us, the nobles won't dare give a shit. Besides, he's a junior like us. Damn it!' Leto's heart sank as he stared at the woman who the duo previously flirted with reporting their deeds.

His hair rose as he noticed Demna's gaze full of bloodlust focused on him.

''My dad's standing over there. Let's go to him. He won't dare bully us then...Chris? Fucking Chris!'' Leto stamped his foot angrily, noticing the scoundrel was gone.

''Shh! Keep it down and roll down here.'' Chris' whisper arose from below the table. Leto's eyes shone.

''Genius.'' He crouched down and crawled under the table and went out from another side.

''Ah shit, he's coming!''

''Move your ass then.''

''Two little mice. Let's see if you can hide from this cat daddy here.'' Demna sneered as he jumped over two tables in a flash, starting his chase.

''Ah, fuck me.'' Chris' desperate voice rang as he rolled below and between the tables.

The commotion and noise grabbed everyone's attention.