Chapter 417: 415 Banquet (Part 1)_1
The night the martial arts competition ended was destined to be a night of revelry.
Over a hundred bonfires arose by the River Crystal, skinned cows and sheep slowly rotating on the barbecue, with fat falling into the fire, sending up bursts of flames. Covered in spices and salt, the enticing aroma instantly permeated the surrounding air.
Long tables were set up next to the bonfires, heaped with vegetables, fruits, and bread.
Tens of thousands of Half-Elf folk sat around the bonfires, enjoying fine food and wine provided by Queen Isa, while discussing the events of the day’s tournament.
Some sighed in sympathy for Karl Miller, cursed the Half-Elf traitor Omar, or debated who would be awarded the martial arts champion… but Ennsfa Lute was noticeably absent from their discussions.
Despite the satisfaction garnered from the former Duke Lute’s performance in the tournament – his brutal killing of Knight Omar – the memory sent chills down the spines of the Half-Elves.
His cold indifference to life, even his own, was not unlike a devil.
This lively and noisy atmosphere was not suitable for discussing such bone-chilling affairs. They should enjoy the roast meat, drink the fine wine, and bask in the joy of the hunting festival.
Half-Elf nobles, of course, would not mingle with the commoners at an outdoor feast. Their banquet was held in the Half-Elf Palace.
Hundreds of fish oil candles illuminated the elegant and gorgeous banquet hall as bright as day. Hundreds of Half-Elf nobles and distinguished guests gathered in the hall, quietly waiting for the banquet to begin.
The fine wine and food were prepared, and their enticing aromas wafted through the air. Yet, the nobles and guests all stood by, their eyes directed towards the center of the hall.
There, Queen Isa, in a gorgeous court gown, revealed her right shoulder and a pair of well-toned, glossy arms. A purple belt highlighted her slender waist, belying the fact she had recently given birth.
Her green hair was arranged into complex and lavish styles, adorned with glittering diamonds and silver hairpins, giving off a charming glow under the candlelight.
She was holding a knight’s sword, placed on the shoulder of Knight Joseph, who was kneeling in front of her, and said loudly:
“Joseph Palon, do you swear loyalty to me?”
Knight Joseph, who had won the runner-up in the martial arts competition, couldn’t maintain his usual composure. He looked up at the dazzling Queen Isa and said aloud:
“I, Joseph Palon, today offer my unparalleled loyalty to the great Blood Thorn – Her Majesty Queen Isa Miller!
As long as I live, your will shall be my objective, and your guidance shall be my faith!
I swear on the holy name of the ancestral Palon lineage and pledge eternal loyalty to you!”
The Palon family wasn’t a prominent family in the Half-Elf Kingdom. In fact, they had even lost their nobility.
Yet, the illegitimate son of this impoverished family – Joseph Palon, miraculously became the champion of the martial arts competition.
Half-Elf nobles present at the ceremony were green with envy at Joseph’s good fortune. They opined that if the true champion – Knight Karl Miller hadn’t been tragically killed by Knight Omar, Joseph wouldn’t have had his moment of glory.
However, only a few knew that Joseph’s prowess was not inferior to Karl Miller’s.
Watching this scene, Colin suddenly thought that if Joseph hadn’t chosen to give up the championship to Karl Miller at the last moment, perhaps the one who would have died at the hands of Knight Omar would have been himself.
It seems that Knight Joseph indeed receives “good karma.”
“I, Isa Miller, lord of the Half-Elf Kingdom, grant Joseph Palon the title of Viscount Lord of the Half-Elf Kingdom in the name of the Queen. From today on, the Palon Family becomes the hereditary Viscount Family of the Half-Elf Kingdom.”
After that, Queen Isa gave the knight sword back to Viscount Palon. She then took a seal from the tray held by the attendant beside her and said:
“Viscount Joseph Palon, I appoint you as the Commander of the Silver Moon Guards in the name of the Half-Elf Queen. I hope you will shoulder the responsibility of protecting the Half-Elf Kingdom under the scrutiny of the Supreme Lord!”
This appointment was beyond the expectations of almost everyone present. They never imagined that the Half-Elf Queen would give such an important position to a man of low birth who just entered the Half-Elf nobility circle.
In contrast to this, the Queen promoting Joseph Palon straight to the rank of Viscount, skipping the rank of Baron, didn’t seem as abrupt.
Joseph Palon also seemed overwhelmed and shocked as he had not anticipated that Queen Isa would hand such a huge responsibility to him. After his initial shock, a sense of firm resolution appeared on his bronze face as he spoke solemnly:
“I, Joseph Palon, in this sacred land, under the gaze of the Supreme Lord, swear that from this day forth and until death, I will protect the Half-Elf Kingdom with my honor, my life, and everything I have.”
At this point, the clever half-elf nobles finally understood the profound meaning behind Queen Isa’s choice to appoint this rootless knight as the Commander of the Silver Moon Guards.
Undoubtedly, a dazzling star will rise in the Half-Elf Kingdom at a startling speed.
With the rise of Viscount Palon, the situation in the Half-Elf Kingdom will undergo a complete transformation.
As new power rises, old power inevitably declines.
Moreover, this is the will of Queen Isa and Count Angler, and no one can stop it.
Realizing this, many of the half-elf nobles present became timid, even when Queen Isa announced the official start of the banquet, they could no longer regain their pleasant mood.
Queen Isa obviously won’t bother about the concerns of those old nobles. After two rebellions and purges, Silver Moon City indeed needs some fresh faces.
“…the Silver Moon Guards are currently downsizing, eliminating the old, weak, sick, and disabled, and then we can add some fresh blood. Don’t rush as you just took over. Get familiar with the situation first, get to know the generals in the military. As for the future development direction of the Silver Moon Guards, I will talk to you about it later…”
Queen Isa briefly explained the affairs of the Silver Moon Guards to Viscount Palon and then walked elegantly towards Colin, taking his arm intimately.
Viscount Fein, who was talking to Colin, paused slightly, then immediately turned his gaze away, pretending not to have seen and continued:
“Her Majesty the Queen, Count Angler, after returning last time, I reported your intentions to Duke St. Prowse. After careful consideration, Duke agreed to your plan to redeem Marquis Vincent with warships. However, the quantity and tonnage of the vessels still need further discussion.”
Colin looked at Viscount Fein with a smile and said casually:
“That’s good, in that case, let’s discuss it slowly.”
Viscount Fein wanted to continue speaking, but Colin had already turned to whisper something to Queen Isa. Standing hand in hand, they turned their backs to him, seemingly ignoring Viscount Fein.
Viscount Fein had to shut his mouth. The disregard from them made him seethe with anger, but he dared not vent it out.
This trip to Silver Moon City went less smoothly than he had expected. However, Viscount Fein was not too anxious, according to Duke St. Prowse’s instructions, he still had plenty of time.