CIATB Chapter 521: Did you enjoy the play?
Chapter 521: Did you enjoy the play?
The long-dormant palace was filled with a long-awaited energy. Out of respect for the victims, excessive extravagance was avoided, but Cantares still ordered the preparation of the most lavish banquet possible under the current circumstances.They procured supplies from the Neumann and East Merchant Groups, and everyone in the palace did their best to prepare the banquet.
As a result, the victory celebration banquet that was held was comparable to the one before the war.
“The guests attending the banquet are quite dazzling.”
Duke Lancelot, who had been in his place since early on, let out an admiring remark. Henry, standing beside him, nodded.
“It’s just as you said, Father. It’s blinding.”
From the commanders of the royal families and elven warriors of the Allied Forces, including Prince Llewellyn, to the First and Second Knight Orders, and even the Third Knight Order, which can be said to have made a significant contribution in this war.
Henry asked in a low voice.
“Isn’t Lord Lexion coming?”
“I heard His Highness invited him, but he refused immediately. He said he didn’t want to be a spectacle.”
Duke Lancelot also replied in a quiet tone.
Perhaps it was a fortunate thing. If the dragon that had terrified everyone suddenly appeared, the banquet hall might have fallen into a panic.
“I heard His Majesty won’t be attending either. It seems he hasn’t returned from his refuge yet.”
Arcus quietly responded to Duke Lancelot’s words.
“It seems His Majesty wants to use this opportunity to fully empower His Highness.”
The fact that he entrusted all post-war matters to the Crown Prince and stepped completely to the back meant only one thing: he was slowly preparing for the succession.
Duke Lancelot added jokingly.
“Though it seems like His Highness wants to ignore it somehow.”
“It wouldn’t be easy to speak about it openly.”
Henry gave a wry smile.
In the first place, even before former High Priest Theodore stepped down, the Emperor had practically handed over all of his authority to the Crown Prince.
Although the main characters, the Crown Prince and Captain Laius, had not yet appeared, the atmosphere of the banquet was steadily ripening.
Those who had fled and returned, those who had survived, and those who had come to inquire about the situation in the palace were all mingling together, busily exchanging greetings with one another.
“I heard the southern territory was completely devastated by the Evil Cult.”
“I heard that the palace is sending relief supplies to areas with significant damage.”
Among them, there were those who showed interest in the post-war recovery situation.
“Could you possibly lend us a little aid?”
“I sympathize, truly… but things aren’t easy on our side either.”
There were also those who, setting aside pride, made requests to help restore the damage. Among them, the people most sought after were naturally the knights and commanders who had participated in the war themselves.
“I’ve heard your feats were extraordinary, Prince Llewellyn.”
“No, no. I hardly did anything.”
Llewellyn gave a friendly smile to the person who greeted him politely.
“It was thanks to Captain Laius’ excellent leadership. It was an honor to fight alongside the Caerleon Empire.”
“And the one beside you is Lord Salem of the Fourth Elf Kingdom? I heard you are a spirit mage.”
“Yes, yes! It’s an honor to meet you!”
Salem, who had been clinging to Llewellyn’s side, nodded in surprise. He was clearly tense, but he tried to straighten his shoulders.
But even in the midst of all this, there was another place that caught people’s curiosity.
“By the way, Sir Arendt hasn’t come out yet?”
Someone asked Arthur cautiously. Arthur smiled awkwardly and answered.
“I heard the attendants went to fetch him… but it seems he’s running a bit late.”
Even without that question, the Third Knights were already starting to feel worried. Rider, with a bandage on his face, asked Richt in a low voice.
“Why is he taking so long? You don’t think he’s causing trouble somewhere, do you?”
“Hmm…”
Richt sighed. It was a perfectly plausible story. Moreover, the audience here today wasn’t solely sympathetic to Arendt.
Even now, the ardent believers of Luce were waiting for Arendt to appear.
“I hope no one gets hurt.”
The High Priest and the other priests had declared that they would not attend, so Arendt was the only one left for them to question.
“…I don’t think Arendt’s mood is very good either.”
Richt’s gaze shifted silently to a single spot. The knights followed suit, their eyes casting a look of distaste.
There was Count Eckhart, quietly sipping champagne.
It seemed as if a cold wind was blowing only around Count Eckhart.
“Isn’t this Count Eckhart? It’s been a while.”
“It’s been a while.”
As he was the father of an apprentice knight who was always on the topic of conversation, some bravely approached him and spoke to him.
However, the Count simply responded coldly to questions about Arendt, saying that he did not know either.
Glenn muttered uneasily.
“Did Arendt say he called the Count?”
“To be exact, I think it was something like, ‘If you want to come, come here sometime.’”
Arthur also answered in a whisper.
The naive Arcus would have taken those words at face value, but the Count would have easily seen through the hidden meaning.
“Still, you’re attending in person. That’s amazing…”
Rider let out an ambiguous exclamation.
In fact, the Count was receiving quite a few unkind glances, but he didn’t even blink.
“Perhaps that venom is something Arendt inherited from the Count?”
Arthur gave Glenn a rebuke.
“Try saying that in front of Arendt. It won’t end well, will it?”
Then Glenn immediately shut his mouth.
At that time, everyone was focused on their own topic.
“His Highness the Crown Prince is entering!”
A booming voice rang out from the hall’s entrance. Everyone’s conversation ceased and their eyes turned toward the door.
The entrance opened wide, and three people, led by Cantares, appeared.
Cantares and Laius in their gorgeous attire, and…
Everyone who noticed the young man following behind was momentarily speechless.
“…”
Arendt, who already had a striking appearance, was dressed up just as extravagantly as the two men before him.
His pure white hair, neatly combed and flowing down to his shoulders, and his light-colored robes that made his pale complexion stand out even more.
And on top of that, an abundance of gorgeous jeweled ornaments.
“…Good lord.”
A phrase, perhaps admiration or disbelief, escaped Arthur’s lips. Others who witnessed the same scene shared similar sentiments.
Naturally, Arendt himself looked extremely displeased.
On the other hand, Laius, who was walking in front of him, seemed quite proud, perhaps because he had succeeded in his revenge.
“Wow… Wow…”
“It looks like Captain Laius really held a grudge.”
As Salem exclaimed in amazement, Llewellyn burst out laughing. Arendt, who had always teased Laius by calling him a male peacock, was now reaping the full consequences.
Even though he had a sullen expression, there was no helping it.
Arendt was gathering everyone’s attention, saying with his whole body, “I am the number one contributor to this war!”
“We greet Your Highness the Crown Prince!”
In an instant, the hall erupted into commotion again. The three newly arrived individuals were instantly surrounded by a crowd.
“It is truly an honor to meet you.”
“Are you Sir Arendt? I am…”
Of course, Arendt, who made a splendid appearance with the two people, was no exception.
The knights and Llewellyn couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight.
The people who had not backed down despite Arendt’s various tempers only fled the scene as if they were running away after Arendt deliberately pretended to be sick.
Arendt, completely drained of energy, collapsed into a chair in the corner.
“I will get revenge someday, seriously…”
Grinding his teeth, Arendt poured the drink Arthur had brought him into his mouth. Arthur patted his shoulder.
“You’ve worked hard, man. Rumor has it that you’re the incarnation of a self-sacrificing saint who risked your life to save even High Priest Lumiel, after saving the Hero.”
Of course, the words that came out of his mouth were just a teasing, utterly hateful remark.
“His Highness said it himself at a recent meeting. Wow, your future is going to be bright and prosperous.”
Arendt’s eyes shot open sharply.
“Senior, do you want to be treated like that too?”
“I’m just a mere knight. I’m sorry, but the ‘male peacock’ look doesn’t suit someone of my rank.”
But Arthur, already accustomed to it, was too busy laughing and teasing to notice. Arendt sighed briefly and immediately responded.
“…!”
Arthur, suddenly kicked in the shin, swallowed a scream and collapsed. Regardless, Arendt simply sipped the champagne Arthur had brought him.
The commotion subsided, and the banquet hall returned to its original state. Perhaps because Laius had warned everyone, few people seemed to approach Arendt unnecessarily.
“Phew…”
Arendt sighed deeply, sweeping his flowing hair back.
‘I didn’t plan on doing this.’
He was treated just like he had once treated Laius.
From this day forward, no one would treat him like a mere apprentice knight with no respect.
Because he was probably perceived as the enemy of God Luce and the benefactor of the Hero and the High Priest.
Clearly, that was also Laius and Cantares’ intention.
‘Crafty bastards.’
Cantares made it clear to everyone that Arendt was being treated at the level of a hero.
It wasn’t something he really liked.
Laius and Cantares instantly elevated Arendt’s social status.
‘So that no one can treat me carelessly.’
It was even guaranteed by Laius and Cantares.
Even if Arendt continued his hostile actions against God Luce in the future, no one would be able to stop him.
In reality, there must be countless members of the Luce clergy wanting to confront him right now, but not a single one of them were willing to come forward.
‘It must have been planned before I woke up.’
He let out a heavy sigh.
A familiar figure flashed in the corner of his eye. Arendt hesitated, put down his glass, and looked in that direction.
“…”
“What? What is it?”
Arthur, who had been groaning, raised his head and checked where he was looking. Then, just like Arendt had just now, he couldn’t help but flinch.
Count Eckhart was standing there.
“…”
Count Eckhart, standing alone, isolated from the crowd, silently gazed at his second son. Arthur unconsciously glanced at Arendt.
Arendt faced Count Eckhart with a blank expression.
How long did they stay like that?
The first to look away was Count Eckhart. He spun around and began walking out of the hall.
“Father!”
Arcus was seen chasing after him, calling out urgently.
“Huh? Huh?”
Arthur, flustered, looked back and forth between the Count and Arendt. But Arendt, too, remained unfazed, his gaze averted from the Count’s.
“So he really meant it when he said he only wanted to check my condition.”
“What?”
“I’m just talking to myself.”
Arendt shrugged his shoulders at Arthur’s puzzled question.
There was no one left who could forgive the Count.
Even Arendt now had no right to forgive him. It was not him who was hurt, but the real Arendt von Eckhart.
‘This is enough.’
It was best to draw the line here.
Arendt simply shook off his thoughts by pouring all the remaining alcohol into his mouth.