[Invitation]
A few hours later, the group arrived at the social gathering held in a castle in the Raglio District, hosted by Baranejo Bolina, a low-ranking noble.
Several sumptuous meals were laid out, while a glittering chandelier illuminated the venue. The host, Baranejo, himself was entertaining the guests with dignity and grace.
The main guest was Dudbahan Jariat, the local high-ranking noble, and the liege of the surrounding low-rank nobles, including Hazen.
Dudbahan held the title of ‘Ryuboku’, the lowest among the 20 high-rank noble titles. Despite being the lowest among high-ranking nobles, his status far surpassed Hazen’s, who held the lowest title among low-ranking nobles.
Low-ranking nobles were obligated to host large-scale social gatherings regularly. This included Hazen, and so learning the scale, budget, and priorities of such events was one of his purposes in attending.
As Hazen, Yan, and Shion entered the venue, the eyes of the assembled nobles turned toward them. Being newcomers to this regular event inevitably drew attention.
While Hazen was accustomed to attention, Yan and Shion, less so, felt a bit awkward. They instinctively hid behind Hazen, feeling bewildered by the stares fixed on them.
“S-say, Master… is it just me or is everyone staring at us?”
“You’re being too self-conscious, Yan. It’s not everyone, just 49 out of 72 of them.”
“T-that’s practically everyone.”
“If you don’t assess the situation accurately, you won’t survive on the battlefield.”
“Isn’t it uncouth to talk about battlefields at a social gathering?”
“Wise men once said, ‘always conduct yourself as if you were on a battlefield’. It is no exaggeration to call this place as a battlefield.”
“That’s overexaggeration!”
“Refrain from screaming, it’s uncouth.”
“……”
Yan glared at Hazen with her jaw agape, an inelegant expression indeed, but the surrounding people simply assumed she had been scolded and let it pass, given her young age. Hazen, too, ignored her and approached Baranejo the host.
“Thank you for inviting me today.”
“Ah, you must be Lord Hazen Heim. I should be the one to thank you for making it all the way here.”
“This is my younger sister Yan.”
“Oh… what a beautiful young lady.”
After exchanging pleasantries, they engaged in small talk. Meanwhile, Dudbahan, the high-ranking noble, glanced in their direction.
Hazen politely concluded the conversation and made his way towards Dudbahan. The man was also an imperial general. Despite being five years older than Hazen, he held the rank of second lieutenant, lower than Hazen, who had been promoted to the rank of lieutenant in just three short months since joining the imperial army.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I’m Hazen Heim, recently appointed as the lord of Krad District.”
“I’m Dudbahan Jariat. How are things looking at Krad District?”
“Everything is going well.”
“…Does that mean I can expect the next tributes to be paid in full?”
“Absolutely.”
“Color me surprised. It seems someone who has achieved promotion so unusually swift is truly different from average men.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“…Well then, I will excuse myself.”
With a sullen expression, Dudbahan headed towards another group of nobles. As he exchanged words with them, the group burst into laughter.
After that, no one approached Hazen.
“Someone is unpopular.”
“Never mind that. You have too much food on your plate, Yan.”
“I-I’ll finish all of it.”
“Have it in smaller portions. Some people might get noisy if you don’t demonstrate proper manners.”
“F-forget about me, what are you going to do?”
“What do you mean?”
“Those people over there are badmouthing you. Clearly, they don’t accept you as one of them.”
“Just let them be. I don’t intend to get along with them, either. I just need to maintain a minimal polite interaction. Their pack leader, Dudbahan, seems worthless too.”
“…You say that, but considering he’s your liege, some level of friendship is still necessary, isn’t it?”
“I’ve already got something planned for that.”
“Y-you have?”
Just as Yan made a suspicious expression, the door to the venue opened, and a robust-looking old man and a beautiful young lady made their entrance.
While everyone was transfixed by the unexpected guests, Dudbahan ran up to Baranejo, the host, drenched in sweat.
“Y-y-you! I didn’t hear about this! What are the head of House Donair, Lord Volt, and his daughter, Lady Emma, doing here?!”
“H-House Donair?”
“Didn’t you know?! They’re a great noble house holding the fifth rank of ‘Ninka’!”
“Ah, I heard they were free, so I invited them.” Hazen chimed with a wide grin.
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