[36] Unexpected visitor

After Ash continued his journey, leaving the place he had called home for the past eight months, the Costatine Company had flourished, reaching a level comparable to the middle class on Earth. Under Raphael's stewardship, the company continued to surge forward, securing approval to establish a branch in the Purplehorse region. The future of this region seemed bright, with the potential to truly prosper and expand thanks to Costatine's contributions.

Meanwhile, Zephyr and Aurelia were engrossed in their training, both in knowledge and combat skills. Zephyr was currently visiting the Roa Fortress in the Boreas region to attend the birthday party of Philip Boreas's daughter, Eris. As usual, the journey was not without its hitches; various disturbances arose, causing Zephyr to feel bored and frustrated by the ongoing problems. Indeed, Zephyr had gained notoriety among the underworld assassins with the moniker "Assassin Killer." Despite this, he was more focused on his passion for battling strong opponents to gauge his progress and combat abilities. Unfortunately, since Ash's departure, his only sparring partner left was his own shadow.

On the other hand, Aurelia worked under Raphael as a director, utilizing her exceptional management skills. Additionally, she continued to diligently train her magic, achieving notable progress; her magic circle had now reached Tier-5—an impressive feat given her young age. Even Ash himself, who had yet to advance his magic circle further, remained at Tier-5.

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In the Fittoa region, at Roa Fortress, Zephyr was attending the birthday party of Philip Boreas's daughter, Eris. He was accompanied by Raphael and Hassan's shadow troops as the deputy chairman's guards. The journey from Ash's capital to Fittoa took two days by horse-drawn carriage, and despite several hurdles—such as ambushes that Zephyr and Hassan's shadow troops had to face—all were handled with ease.

At the party, Raphael and Zephyr presented themselves in their distinctive and classy attire. Raphael wore his finest outfit, blending modern aesthetics with elegant touches. He donned a long black coat made of high-quality material, adorned with intricate details and a belt that formed a sharp line. The coat was paired with a silver silk tie, enhancing the graceful and professional appearance. Beneath the coat, Raphael wore matching black trousers and polished black leather shoes. His appearance radiated charisma and authority, leaving a lasting impression on those around him.

Zephyr, on the other hand, wore an elegant black hakama. The subtle patterns on the hakama showcased a level of refinement and maturity unusual for his eleven years. The hakama was paired with a white kimono worn underneath, and an obi belt around his waist accentuated his skilled appearance. As he had grown to 168 cm, Zephyr looked increasingly mature and ready to face various challenges.

With such a striking appearance and an abundance of self-confidence, Raphael exuded a charisma that drew attention even from the party's guest of honour, who had yet to make an appearance.

"I offer my sincere congratulations on your daughter's tenth birthday, Mr Boreas," Raphael said with a formal smile and his characteristic polite demeanor, extending his hand for a handshake. Every movement he made displayed an elegance seemingly perfected, making a profound first impression.

Philip Boreas, a man with narrow eyes and a cunning aura surrounding him like a mysterious mist, greeted Raphael with a broad smile, revealing his neatly arranged teeth. He responded to Raphael's handshake with a friendly manner, "Ahahaha~ Thank you for coming, Mr Raphael. Feel free to call me Philip." His voice was warm, attempting to dispel the cool impression he initially gave.

Philip, with his fit physique and classy attire, looked refined in a dark suit paired with a bright silk tie. Beside him stood his wife, Hilda, elegantly dressed in a long gown that shimmered softly in the candlelight, her dark brown hair gathered in a graceful updo. Their daughter, Eris, the centre of attention that day, wore a pale pink party dress with a large bow at her waist, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Allow me to introduce my family," Philip Boreas said proudly, gesturing towards Hilda and Eris. "This is my wife, Hilda, and our daughter, Eris."

Hilda, standing gracefully beside her husband, wore an emerald-green gown with delicate lace trim around the neckline and sleeves, giving a soft yet elegant impression. Next to her, Eris, though still young, already radiated the aura of a princess despite an odd aura surrounding her, wore a pale pink gown adorned with a large bow at her waist. The bow seemed to shimmer under the light, adding to the joy on her face.

Raphael bowed gracefully to them. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. I hope this party is filled with joy and success."

Every gesture of Raphael, from his courteous demeanor to his choice of words, showcased an elegance that blended seamlessly with the grandeur of the ongoing event. His presence added charm to the occasion, captivating attention and leaving a lasting impression on every guest.

Meanwhile, Zephyr stood beside Raphael, feeling the odd looks directed at him. These stares seemed more intense and focused than those from other guests, making him feel somewhat awkward and uncomfortable.

"Ah~ Perhaps you are not familiar with this, let me introduce Ash's wards. Zephyr, please introduce yourself," Raphael said with a friendly but formal tone.

Zephyr, feeling slightly nervous, sensed sharp gazes from all directions. He took a deep breath before finally speaking. "Zephyr Ranga, congratulations on your tenth birthday," he said with a somewhat awkward tone. This was his first experience attending such an extravagant party, and his greeting was inspired by ancient Chinese aristocratic etiquette, adding a formal and respectful touch to his words.

The guests' gazes, a mix of curiosity and admiration, remained fixed on Zephyr, increasing his sense of tension in the surrounding atmosphere. The opulent party felt even more intense with the focus on the young boy who appeared somewhat awkward.

Philip Boreas, observing Zephyr's demeanor with curiosity, raised an eyebrow. "Hmm, an unusual way of greeting. Does Mr Ash come from a distant land? Even his wards adopt ways from different places?" Philip asked, gently rubbing his chin, trying to express his restrained admiration.

Raphael, maintaining his smile and eyes shining warmly, responded politely. "That's correct, Mr Philip. I apologise if our etiquette differs slightly from what you are accustomed to. We come from a background that may be somewhat different from the customs here."

Philip nodded with understanding, his smile remaining warm and wide. "Ah, that's perfectly alright. I also sense a sense of formality and respect in every gesture and word from you. It adds a unique charm to this event."

As Philip continued his conversation with Raphael, the guests' initially curious stares began to soften, and Zephyr felt a bit more at ease. The grand party started to feel more welcoming in his eyes.

While the guests, mostly from the upper echelons, gathered around Raphael with curiosity and admiration, Zephyr chose to retreat to a corner of the room. He held a glass of non-alcoholic wine, sipping it slowly while gazing at the crowd with a sense of awkwardness.

As Zephyr pondered in solitude, a boy who appeared to be about two years younger than him approached with an awkward step. The boy had light brown hair neatly styled back and bright green eyes framed by a small mole beneath his left eye. His attire reflected a young noble's style, adding a sweet touch to his appearance.

In a calm and friendly tone, Zephyr greeted the boy, "Is there anything I can help with?"

The boy looked at Zephyr with curious eyes and responded with a nervous yet polite tone, "Err... My name is Rudeus Greyrat." His voice was soft yet firm, with a slight awkwardness but a desire to socialize.

Zephyr gave a friendly smile and introduced himself respectfully. "Nice to meet you, Rudeus. My name is Zephyr Ranga. Is there anything I can help with, or perhaps you're feeling out of place here?"