Chapter 396,
Chapter 119. Banquet at the Imperial Palace (1)
October 25, 1799.
Hufester, Bement, and Lutero, the families and powers of the magic federation were gathering at Hiran’s home.
The banquet in the Imperial Palace had begun.
It was spectacular to see them forming a procession. From afar, the colorful tents spread out by the attendants of each faction in all directions of the formidable Geomwangseong Fortress looked like a flower garden.
What the attendants brought were the core and main figures of each faction.
Compared to Runkandel, which was difficult to expect even once in 10 years, Hiran was a family that held banquets infrequently.
However, it was not always so many major figures from each faction attended. Depending on who the ‘organiser’ is, a person who doesn’t belong to that level will come.
In that sense, the banquet at the Emperor’s Palace this time was comparable to the Banquet at Runkandel, which was held when Jin was 15 years old. The organizer is Ron Hiran, the emperor of the sword.
It had been 22 years since Ron had held a banquet himself, and even then he had gathered people for his newborn grandson. Anyway, he was a terrible grandson fool.
“Wow, Confucius! This is my first banquet like this. Everyone look over there. I’m Sir John Cena of the Dragon King Knights! And next to him is Sir Seri, the chief magician of the imperial family, and he is…”
“Hehehe. Miss Enya, what are you looking at so strangely? Compared to our Nari, they are not very hot these days.”
“Actually, I think so too. But with so many celebrities gathered, I wonder if it makes sense to react a little violently.”
“That’s a funny story, kuh.”
Enya and Jett still got along well. Veris and Kuzan shook their heads at the sight (Julian was absent because he was looking after Kalthor), Gilly let out a small laugh, and Murakan clicked his tongue.
Alyssa and Casimir had rather hard faces.
“Casimir Alisa. Are you concerned about running into the Emperor?”
Quikantel asked. She and Enya are still unofficially wanted by Beament, but she doesn’t have to go into extreme hiding like before.
It was because Jin had become the flag bearer and was becoming a force that could no longer be ignored.
“It’s not necessarily like that, but it feels odd.”
Alyssa shrugs.
“I don’t know about the emperor, but I’m sure I’ll run into a few members of the imperial family. As long as you’re trying to upgrade Tikan to a nation anyway, you can’t just avoid it forever.”
All the members of the party were made up to be close to disguises using Golden Snow products. Just like when we carried out the operation to steal the compass in the past.
However, despite the splendid decoration, people did not pay much attention to the party. Since it was full of people with high prestige, Jin and the party were recognized as just stylish nobles who could be easily seen anywhere.
“Soon it will be our turn.”
The party had already stood in line for five hours since dawn.
“Show me the invitation.”
The gatekeeper’s eyebrows twitched as he looked at the invitation Jin held out.
“Paul Gray Mick? It’s the first name I’ve ever seen. Besides, the head of the family even left a postscript telling me not to come if possible, so you came with me?”
“If you must enter, then your companions, please leave.”
“Eh, didn’t the nobles in front let all their companions in?”
Enya asked, and the gatekeepers exchanged a puzzled glance.
“It’s customary… Anyway, no. The guest seems to be someone the head of household doesn’t welcome, so there’s nothing we can do about it. It would be better for me to enter alone.”
“Wait a minute.”
Whisper.
As Jin whispered something in his ear, the gatekeepers’ eyes widened.
“…You say you’re Gene Runkandel?”
“Since Sir Ron invited me under my pseudonym, I have come under that pseudonym. So it would be appreciated if you could lower your voice a little.”
“If you are the 12th Horseman of Runkandel, show me the proof!”
Suddenly, the gatekeeper shouted, and the eyes of the other nobles in the next row flashed.
“Are you really Gene Runkandel!?”
“what! Gene Runkandel is here? where? who? that person?”
In an instant, attention was focused on Jin and his companions. Some nobles even shouted that he was the real Gene Runcandel, saying that they had seen ‘that splendid blonde’ in the Bella kingdom.
Jin’s whereabouts have become the top concern of the world since the Garden of Swords incident, which is commonly referred to as the ‘Maknae Declaration’. It was only natural for nobles who were sensitive to the issue to make a fuss.
And as soon as the commotion began there was a wedge-driver.
“oh! Welcome, Jin!”
It was Dante Hylan, who was standing on the castle wall, looking down at the guests. Next to him, he saw Ron Hylan standing with a disapproving face.
one more person
As soon as I heard the name Gene Runkandel, there was a person who turned his head away from the VIP entrance area over there.
“jin? Jin is here? where where!”
The gray-haired young man looking around quickly like a good idiot is none other than the next head of the house.
It was the Beradin Ziple. As he stretched his neck here and there to check Jin’s appearance, the attendants held his forehead to stop him.
“Keep your body in shape, Bocchan.”
“I am the standard bearer of the enemy camp. If you act like you’re so welcome…”
Despite the attendants’ dissuades, Veradin continued to look for Jin and moved his gaze. And everyone nearby was watching it.
“Lord Belladin is here too!”
Dante waved his hand at Beradin.
At that moment, Veradin met Jin’s eyes and waved his hand, and Jin naturally avoided his gaze and moved to the inside of the Geomwangseong.
It was because of the mind that Beladin might be in trouble.
As a result, those who came to the banquet thought that Dante’s gesture was to welcome them and waved in response, and the nobles on the Beradin side waved their hands at Beradin.
Still, somehow, that thought came to my mind. In the past, a similar situation has been produced in the arena of competition in Cosmos.
‘I didn’t know that guy would attend. Are you sane today?’
On the one hand, it was also bittersweet.
The last time we met, we had a battle with Beradin. At that time, Veradin did not welcome Jin as he does now, but acted like a person eager to kill him.
I couldn’t make a decision yet. Unless we meet and talk.
‘No, even if we talk directly… Can we be sure that his mind is not manipulated?’
It was probably difficult. There is no definitive data on the level of Ziffle’s mental manipulation.
Still, the appearance of a friend who seemed fine after a long time wasn’t too bad.
Entering the castle, the reception room was full of people.
If it hadn’t been revealed that Jin was Runcandel, he would have had to wait in the parlor until dinner. After the VIPs were all seated, the general public would begin to enter.
Thanks to the commotion, Jin and the party were able to enter the banquet hall immediately.
“All of my makeup has become useless. I really wanted to see Sir Ron, knowing that I hadn’t come, be so happy and grab him by the neck.”
The news had already reached the real bastards at the banquet hall. They blatantly glanced at the party, showing curiosity.
It’s strange that Jin came to the banquet hall, but the colleagues he brought were very unfamiliar to them, except for a few people.
Hailan did not officially send an invitation to Runkandel. As Rosa was still recovering, it was Ron’s decision considering the situation. It was also because Ron didn’t want to welcome Runkandel very much.
As soon as I sat down at the table guided by the attendants, a person found the party with a courageous gait.
“Nice to meet you, Sir Gene Runcandel!”
Her skin is so fair that it’s hard to believe she’s human, and she’s got a beautiful face that even makes her look a bit startled.
She was the first woman I had ever seen. And the woman had an unsuitable huge weapon ‘axe sword’ hanging on her back.
‘Ax sword…? Has anyone other than Sister Luna used something like this as a weapon?’
His body was partially covered, but he could clearly tell that it was an ax sword.
“What are you?”
While Jin was examining the ax sword, Murakan asked in a slightly awkward tone.
“Oh, I am Zephyrin of the Dark Kingdom. I have always admired Jin-kyung, so I came here to say hello.”
“Who do you adore? this? why? Are you like this guy?”
The moment Murakan said while pointing at Enya.
“Hey Zephyrin!”
Someone called Zephyrin in an urgent voice. I saw a man running behind her, and he had a relationship with Jin.
“Oh, Captain!”
Flounder-!
As soon as Zephyrin answered, Murka, the captain of the Dark Kingdom’s 3rd Army, pressed the back of her head, making her bow down. A natural appearance, as if he was dealing with a student who usually gets into trouble. It seemed like a frequent occurrence.
“Where are you wearing this without even noticing! Hmm hmm! I’m sorry, Sir Gene Runcandel. I made an excuse for not being able to control my subordinates. He’s just recently joined, but he’s very troublesome. If the rookie is lucky enough to be here thanks to the captain, he’ll stay calm…!”
“Nothing to worry about, Sir Murka. Long time no see.”
Murka had been in charge of escorting Jin when he left the Storm Castle. At that time, the nickname ‘Little Emperor’ given by the Black Royals, who accompanied Jin, was being re-examined along with recent events.
“It looks like you’ve been promoted to captain.”
“It happened shortly after escorting the Lord.”
“It’s very late, but I still have to congratulate you.”
While talking to Murka, Jin continued to be secretly concerned about Zephyrin.
‘Is it because of the ax sword? I feel strange for some reason…’
Murka, who recognized that fact, pointed to her axe as if she understood.
“This guy’s actual equipment is a regular longsword. This ax sword can only be wielded once or twice, but I always carry it on my back out of respect for Lord Luna. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t think too badly of it.”
Murka also scolded Zephyrin whenever he had a chance during a conversation with Jin, but he was showing affection for his subordinate.
“of course.”
“I just want to thank you for understanding. hey hey! What are you doing without saying hello?”
“thank you!”
As Zephyrin lowered his waist once again (the ax sword sword blade struck the back of his head while bending down hastily), Murakan shook his head as if he was full of energy.
“Oh, I am tired. One big fan is enough. Go away.”
“Yes, see you next time. Then, have a good banquet.”
When Murka and Zephyrin left, the party exchanged glances.
“Hey, even if we just stay still, a beauty like that comes to us on its own. also!”
“That woman named Zephyrin is a bit suspicious, isn’t it?”
“I guess it feels that way because I think I will be your competitor. Suspicious, what’s suspicious? He just seems like a guy who’s lacking a bit.”
While Jet and Enya Murakan added each word.
Jin and Quikantel kept looking at Zephyrin’s back with their eyebrows narrowed.
“jin.”
“Yes, Mr. Quikantel.”
“That Zephyrin doesn’t seem human.”
