The Banquet (Part 1)

In the spacious and bright hall, a table over ten meters long was full of sumptuous food. Young girls in black maid outfits with bare shoulders moved silently and attentively, providing thoughtful and meticulous service in the magnificent banquet hall.

Bare lotus arms, towering chests, and their slightly shy expressions made people drunk without drinking.

Exquisite silver cutlery, delicately crafted vessels contained exquisite dishes, and brown beauty wine was bottled in crystal bottles.

Sitting at the head of the long table was a blond, blue-eyed, and handsome youth.

His genial smile and elegant speech showed his good upbringing.

His proper knight attire made him appear more casual and unrestrained. Even though he was now acting as the city owner, he was extremely courteous.

Mature, steady, and gentlemanly, he was a model aristocrat.

He was Hai Wentian, the eldest son of Port Kaidun's city owner, Armisa.

Originally, at the other end of his seat, there should have been a thin, blond and blue-eyed youth with a face about six or seven tenths similar to his. But when this youth saw Raymond, he seemed very cautious and timid.

For some reason, before the banquet began, this youth named Sai Che was sent away by Hai Wentian on some pretext.

"Alas, my lovely brother is very shy. He is not suitable to dine with a great wizard like you," Hai Wentian said with a bright smile, seeing Sai Che leave the banquet hall. He added regretfully, "I didn't care enough, causing his personality to become somewhat introverted. I failed in my duty as his brother."

Smiling and raising his glass in response to Hai Wentian, Raymond squinted his eyes again.

The golden hall, due to the passage of time, had some exquisite murals on the walls that were crumbling and peeling, but one could still see the luxury and extravagance of the hall in its heyday.

Twenty beautiful maids stood behind the two men, ready to serve Hai Wentian and Raymond at any time. Their devotion to duty and elegant demeanor showed that these young and beautiful girls had undergone strict training and guidance in aristocratic etiquette.

In front of Raymond was a deep saucer, in which a dark red liquid contained something vaguely writhing.

Hai Wentian, who had taken the same saucer, seeing that Raymond did not move, smiled and explained, "Respected Sir Raymond, this dish is the most famous specialty of Port Kaidun. It is a rare delicacy that can only be fished from the deep sea. The taste is extremely fresh and delicious."

Opening the lid of the saucer, Hai Wentian poured the contents into his mouth. A coquettish and shrill scream came faintly from his mouth. As Raymond watched him chewing vigorously, he also brought the saucer to his eyes to observe through the transparent sides.

About the size of pigeon eggs, the creatures writhed about in the saucer like small octopuses. The deep red liquid in the saucer made the creature's body somewhat blurred.

But for a moment, when the creature rushed against the wall of the saucer, Raymond couldn't help frowning.

A maidenly face with clear eyes, an aquiline nose, and tender red lips showed a desperate expression. The creature rushed frantically in the saucer. Even Raymond's hand holding the saucer could feel the faint vibration of the sides.

"This seafood is extremely rare and nourishing for men!" Seeing Raymond's pale face, Hai Wentian, wiping the corners of his mouth with a napkin, said with a meaningful expression that all men would understand.

Opening the lid of the saucer, Raymond quickly poured all the contents into his mouth. The octopus-like tentacles immediately began to writhe in his mouth. Unlike Hai Wentian, who chewed, Raymond swallowed the contents of his mouth directly into his stomach.

However, the maiden's shrill scream echoed from Raymond's abdomen for a full three minutes before slowly disappearing.

With a bright smile, Hai Wentian did not pay much attention to the screaming echoing in the banquet hall, showing great understanding to avoid Raymond's embarrassment.

Fortunately, there was not much of such food, so as other delicacies filled Raymond's stomach, the nauseous feeling gradually disappeared.

Attentive host, honored guest, luxurious banquet, only two people.

Displaying Hai Wentian's sincerity, the welcoming banquet continued in a harmonious atmosphere between host and guest.

"Respected Sir Raymond, because my father has been ill for many years and has been bedridden, he could not come out in person, which is really rude." Raising a crystal glass, Hai Wentian toasted Raymond: "As the current acting city owner of Port Kaidun, I salute you!"

Sipping the wine in the crystal glass, Raymond nodded slightly.

"As the most prosperous Port Kaidun in the western part of the continent, my family has a history of over two hundred years here. But young wizards like you are rarely seen." With a bright and joyful smile on his face, Hai Wentian seemed to be reminiscing: "A third-level apprentice must have trained an outstanding apprentice like you. Your teacher must be a famous person. May I have the honor of knowing your teacher's name?"

Bowing slightly, Raymond shook his head regretfully: "Because I have been following my teacher practicing in the forest, according to his wishes, I cannot reveal his name."

Rejected, Hai Wentian finished the red wine in his hand in one gulp, laughing loudly with an understanding expression: "I was rude! Sorry!"

When the main course was served, Hai Wentian introduced his family and the history of Port Kaidun.

The current city owner was Hai Wentian's father, Armisa Tolly. Because he had been ill for many years and had been unable to get out of bed since the end of last year, Hai Wentian had to receive Raymond on his behalf.

Through Hai Wentian's detailed introduction, Raymond soon learned about Port Kaidun and the story of the Tolly family, the city owner.

Port Kaidun has a very long history, and the Tolly family of Hai Wentian was granted fiefdom here by the Ogaaso Kingdom more than two hundred years ago.

Because Hai Wentian's ancestors were second-level apprentices with the blood of wizards, the Tolly family, blessed by their ancestors, had jurisdiction over Port Kaidun and three surrounding cities.

However, over the years, the whole family had now fallen into the embarrassment of scarce descendants.

According to the doctor's judgment, City Owner Armisa was unlikely to survive this winter.

When talking about City Owner Armisa Tolly, Hai Wentian, with a melancholy tone, raised his glass: "To my father's efforts for Port Kaidun over the years, cheers!"

But raising his glass from afar, Raymond found a strange light in Hai Wentian's eyes...