Ascension in Mage Level

While a part of his consciousness was extended to the happening in the mezzanine area, he teleported a storage bracelet in a concealed part of the viscount, which the nobleman immediately noticed.

"Take it as a gift or compensation. Your business was entrusted to an incompetent group. We can be condescending towards merchants who project stupidity as they underestimate our capabilities to do better business." Harry smilingly remarked as he eyed each of the other party with amusement.

Lord Rainier extended his consciousness to the storage device and was left dumbfounded when he sensed a large number of spirit coins. The content was more than the sum he expected for the exchange of the captives.

"And also, I suggest you stop pursuing that matter after this. This is a warning, not a threat. But you can take it as it is for your awareness." The raven-haired clone smirked with practiced joviality as he gazed at their bewildered looks.

"I take your judgment, Lord Rainier as an invitation, to start over again. We are looking for recruiters who can provide us with manpower but not in your usual way of doing business or method to bring in people. I think you are aware of my implication seeing as you are smart people." The blue-eyed youthful-looking clone sent a tantalizing gaze, which set the other party to be cautious.

However, Lord Rainier managed to understand it as an opportunity.

"We can pay you handsomely for the recruitment fee. But I reiterate that your usual method should not be employed, otherwise, the deal will be forfeited." His jovial way of initiating business seemed to dazzle the other party, shifting their mood to being more vigilant and fearful as they witnessed the glint in their host's pair of eyes.

"We will make it certain that we can reach that agreement according to your instructions." Lord Rainier's mood began to evolve into satisfaction as his past regret was starting to dissolve.

"And also, the village chief is under our protection. Your relationship should be retained as it was before but I have sensed that it was mostly one-sided. Blackmail is something we disdain but I understand that its employment is to reach a certain benefit. But there is no equity in the sharing of benefits in that case, is there?" Harry spoke as he added," What say you, Lord Rainier?"

"We will abide by your wishes, Gentleman Harry." Lord Rainier conceded,

"Then I am looking to doing business with you, Lord Rainier!" The azure-eyed clone radiated a sincere smile. "I wish you to fully enjoy this party. But I suggest nothing underhanded to be employed as this night is progressing. We all wanted to pursue shared prosperity."

Lord Rainier and his party were stunned. Their expression did not escape Harry's line of awareness.

"Excuse me, Lord Rainier!" With another cursory salute, Harry traversed to another location in the main hall.

Lord Rainier observed the handsome young man's movement whose direction was leading to the adventurers of Greston Village.

"Master, your next plan?" Zanjie asked.

"Scrapped. We need to comply with what has been discussed just a while ago."

"As you wish, Master!" Zanjie yielded despite his emotion still leaning toward the nefarious agenda.

"Cedric, control your emotion. Do you think they are easy opponents? I admit that we are frogs in the well as we thought that this village was defenseless against us. But we thought wrong!"

Lord Rainier's mood began to shift as he planned to enjoy the party instead.

"This juice wine is really good. I may have to add another business agreement with them after this. It seems they have products here that can be sold in the city of Teyle and even in the kingdom."

The viscount looked at his side where his gaze could reach the master of the ceremony without being obstructed. He raised a toast to Sigmund with a matching smile.

The other party, aware of the gesture, reciprocated with a seemingly sincere expression.

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Elsewhere in the main hall, the party of guests was becoming wilder as they consumed glasses of wine and more as they extended their stay at the banquet.

The mage adventurers were glad when Harry approached their area, particularly Bomer, whose inebriated state could not be concealed.

"Mr. Harry! We are very happy about the invitation. You…you… yo-ur family brought those pretty dancers. Maybe my so-n can meet them. Hahaha!" Bomer's free-spirited yet drunken disposition was a disgrace to many but Harry outwardly expressed his amusement.

"Bomer, you idiot! Stop irking Mr. Harry!" Sergey, the green-eyed, brown-haired archer.

"Mr. Harry, I thank you and your father for giving me those prizes. I think I don't deserve it." Saiko, out of the blue, spoke with a hint of humility.

"Your performance tonight, Saiko, was deserving. Didn't we announce that it was for entertainment?" Harry smiled as his tantalizing gaze seemed to enchant the ladies among the adventurer teams.

"Mr. Harry, you are so handsome! Please marry me!" a lady mage blurted out suddenly, which prompted other adventurers to be speechless.

"Marissa, that's your last glass of wine!" The leader of the Golden Crows team, Shura scolded her teammate whose fair-skinned complexion became ruddier as she consumed more of the juice wine.

"You're such a prude, Shura,' the ruffian Margie, one of Shura's teammates, retorted.

"Hahaha! Don't worry about it. People here are having a good time, aren't you all?" Harry jovially asked.

"Yeah!!!" The tipsy guests yelled in response.

Harry's nonchalance made him more attractive. Even the male mages could not help but feel a sense of admiration.

______________________

While the side of the adventurers was getting rowdy, Lord Rainier rose from his chair as he motioned his subjects to follow him. He approached the area where Sigmund was sitting cozily as he was observing the party.

"Gentleman Sigmund!" Lord Rainier extended his arms in a salute. This gesture set his subjects startled. After briefly understanding it, they also heeded and copied the gesticulation.

"We apologize for the intrusion." The viscount bowed, which other guests began noticing. When the elders of the village witnessed that, their evaluation of Sigmund Chua became more startling.

"Lord Rainier, we have managed to forego that matter. Aren't you enjoying the party? You can still extend your stay in the banquet."

"I think our overstay here is unwarranted." The viscount responded whose gesture remained the same.

"I am not worthy of that gesture, Lord Rainier. We can talk as equals without the need for that manner of salutation."

Before the viscount managed to respond, he sensed a huge wave of fluctuation as the area in the mezzanine shifted to another imagery. He then noticed the village chief of Greston descending from the staircase from the upper floor.

"Old Chief Rafa!"

"Rafa!"

"Congratulations on your ascension!"