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Following Prince Khan and Prince Kilik, tonight’s protagonists――Prince Ark, who had come of age, and his Princess candidate, Lapitirica, entered the area. Prince Ark has just reached adulthood at the age of 15. He still looks like a child, probably because of the brown mushroom hair along with the Knight’s attire that is a little too big for him. A design that looks like a junior high school uniform didn’t help either.
However, he is already as good as an adult in this world. There is no sign of being frightened by the eyes of many Aristocrats and influential people. He is escorting Lapitirica with a truly dignified movement.
Lapitirica wore the same blonde short bob and white evening dress as when I was requested to escort her. A neat and clean look suitable for a bride. The Princes sat in the guest seats, and all the gazes of the dinner party participants were focused there. The music that had been playing stopped, so I thought that Prince Ark, the main character of the party, would start his greeting speech.
“Everyone, thank you from the bottom of my heart for gathering tonight at a feast to celebrate the birth of my beloved brother, Ark’s coming of age.”
The greeting was instead started by Prince Kilik, who sat in the center of the two-seat sofa lined up in the guest seats. The silver-haired half-elf stood up with a glass in his hand and first thanked the participants.
“Tonight, my brother and sister Cyril are coming, and more than anyone else, I’m glad to have her here today-Yuki Zephanel, the elder of the Zephanel family and an immortal loyal retainer.”
However, what follows is how gorgeous and majestic this banquet was, how much money was spent, the famous skill “cooking” was called, and the band that gathered the skill “playing”. Such a boastful story continued lazily. The story wasn’t too really interesting, so all I remember was the name that Prince Kilik first said. I heard Chancellor Zephanel’s name for the first time――Yuki… as in “Snow” in japanese?
The Founding King is the same as me. I don’t know exactly what kind of game ESO likes, but just like me, he’s a person who was dropped from the game world to this world. It seems that Chancellor Zephanel and the Founding King had been acting together since time immemorial――and to be named Yuki…it’s like…
“Prince Kilik should not have mentioned that name casually… The elder’s mood would get worse.”
It was Ashley who came back next to me to mutter.
“I heard the name for the first time, but does Chancellor Zephanel hate being called that way?”
“That is not really the case, Schwartz. The elder cherishes that name very much. Her name is her only remaining connection with the Founding King, so she rarely allows anyone to use that name. Only when the elder gets drunk does she mellow out and is willing to talk about it.”
Indeed, looking at Chancellor Zephanel, the hand holding the glass is quivering strangely. Although she kept a smiling expression, a frown was visibly appearing on her temples. Sharle-san, who sat next to her, was visibly angry. I don’t know what to do, my eyes are swimming completely.
And the bragging story continues… Now it’s the topic of Rafflesia, given that he is the Clan Master. With the topic of Lapitirica’s subjugation of the Green Demon Labyrinth as a side dish, he talked about Rafflesia’s labyrinth-capturing effort so far――he enthusiastically talk about how much Rafflesia played a part in the subjugation of the Green Demon Labyrinth.
Looking at the expressions of Prince Ark and Lapitirica with a slight smirk, the men and women standing near the guest seats――the Vicemaster of Rafflesia “Felix of Thunderstorm” and Princess Cyril standing next to them.
So Felix’s partner is the Fourth Princess…?
Perhaps he noticed my line of sight, Felix’s line of sight moved and overlapped――but that was only for a moment, and he immediately took off his line of sight, and was silently listening to the complaints of Princess Cyril standing beside him.
Apparently, I’m not the only one tired of Prince Kilik’s long-winded bragging. Prince Khan, who had been listening to the greetings with a smile, finally opened his mouth.
“Kilik, if you keep talking so much, your throat will soon dry up. It’s unfortunate that everyone can’t drink this mellow-scented fruit liquor before you do. Let’s have the first toast, to celebrate Ark’s coming of age.”
A powerful voice that goes through every corner of the venue, which I would never have thought could come out from a sickly slender body. In a word of Prince Khan, I heard sneaking laughter all over the venue.
“Pardon me. So everyone, let’s moisten our throats first. Then let us celebrate Ark’s coming of age grandly and thank you for your continued support――Cheers.”
A glass was hung up in the hall to match Prince Kilik.
When the dinner party started, the visitors started to move as they pleased.
Starting from the one with the highest rank, they headed to the guest seats, greeted Chancellor Zepanel and the three Princes, and congratulated them. Though the actual order was not clearly decided. Who is heading, who is not heading, can be swiftly guessed or not? That is the 《Skill》 necessary to succeed as a nobleman and a great merchant.
However, I don’t have that 《Skill》 …There are only a few Aristocrats here who I recognize. As long as I’m attending Ashley, I need to say hello at some point… what should I do?
“Schwartz, let’s head out――I don’t have a title yet, and you’re a new merchant. No matter who you go to, you’ll probably be ignored.”
Ashley standing next to me whispered softly, perhaps because I felt my hesitation.
“Let’s do that, it’s a special dinner party, do you want to eat something?”
“Yes, let’s do just that.”
Beside the line leading to the guest seats, we moved between the Aristocrats and merchants who were chatting and headed for the table where the grand meal was placed. I have participated in several buffet-style parties in my original world. There are different etiquettes from the seating style, not all of which are the same as in this world, but they should not make a big difference.
Do not eat or drink near the table where meals are served, take only the amount that can be put on one plate in one hand, and move to the table for meals where nothing is placed. There was one waiter on the table. It will be a consideration to reduce the burden on the visitors as much as possible, such as explaining the dishes and collecting the dishes.
Ashley also made a quick selection while checking the ingredients and seasoning a few times. However, I’m really worried about the others’ line of sight. The stares were not directed at Ashley, who was eating with a smile…, but to me was standing next to her.
There are three main types of guests that I noticed were watching me――One was from middle-aged Aristocrats interested in seeing a newcomer. Another gaze directed by a young aristocrat who is reluctant to look at newcomers. And finally, those who are not Aristocrats――their gaze was as if they found a money tree, directed by leading merchants near the Royal Capital.
The banquet――It’s not exactly a party for eating. One manner is to reach out to those who participate in the same meeting and act to expand the circle of exchange. It doesn’t matter what the reason for talking to you is, from the trivial recent situation, from the relationship with the organizer, the exchange starts from casually talking――yes, like this.
“Have you been here, Schwartz-san? And Ashley Zephanel-sama, we finally met for the first time. I run Marida trading company mainly in the Royal Capital. My name is Malta. This is my wife Marida. It is nice to see you “
“I’m Ashley Zephanel, the next head of the Zephanell family. Speaking of Marida Company, you must be the people who are doing various business with Schwartz――I’ve heard of you before, but it’s the first time we’ve met indeed.”
The ones who came to us were Malta-san, who was dressed as a merchant, and Marida-san, who was wearing an elegant light blue dress instead of the usual clerical dress. The first woman and first friend I met after falling into this world. It’s been a long time since then, but apparently it was their first time meeting.
With Malta-san initiating the conversation, those who were just looking at us slowly approached――the merchants.
“If it isn’t the chairman of the Marida company and his wife. How is your business? It seems that you have been attracting a lot of attention recently in collaboration with this young merchant.”
“Congratulations to Ashley Zephanel for being selected as the next head of the family.”
“Lady Marida, it’s even more beautiful today. And Ashley-sama――I’d love to hear from you about the secret of your shiny hair.”
The Malta couple approaching us successfully might’ve been seen as a chance to strike up a convo. Immediately I and Ashley were surrounded by merchants waiting to greet the three Princes, making me feel that the banquet to celebrate Prince Ark’s coming of age had really begun.
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