Chapter 109: Banquet

"Meow, I saw a lot of guests arriving earlier."

"Is it because of the banquet?"

"Meow, very likely. Are you going to go?"

"Let’s go check it out. What about you?"

"Meow, I’m going too, I heard there’s lots of delicious food at banquets."

"That does sound great."

He could use this opportunity to properly sample elven cuisine. If he found any dishes he liked, he could even ask for the recipes and ingredient details. Once he returned to the Great Forest, he could try making them himself.

Just as he was thinking this, a knock came from the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Please come in."

"Mr. Ethan, the banquet will be held tonight. Many guests are hoping to meet with you... Would you be willing to attend?"

"Of course."

"Then please make your way to the banquet hall."

"Is there any preparation I need to do?" He figured that since it was a banquet, some level of dressing up might be expected.

However, the elven guide simply shook his head. "No, you’re fine just as you are."

Since that was the case, they might as well go. Ethan and Pearl followed the elf toward the banquet hall.

"You’re here."

Inside the spacious banquet hall, a fair number of elves had already gathered. The affair didn’t seem to involve too many rigid formalities. Tables lined with elegant dishes and crystal wine glasses filled the room, and soft melodious music drifted from somewhere deeper inside.

Leon was wearing the same outfit as before, even so, his formidable status as a Count still drew eyes — quite a few elves kept stealing glances at him. Leon didn’t seem to care about any of it, though. He sat quietly off to the side, sipping the fine wine in his glass.

"Miss Elara looks quite busy."

"Can’t be helped. For a merchant, an occasion like this is a prime opportunity to expand one’s network." Although Leon ran a few businesses of his own, at heart he was more shepherd than businessman, which was why he hadn’t shown much interest in working the room.

Elara, in stark contrast, was run off her feet, she shuttled through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries, her signature hearty laugh echoing through the banquet hall from time to time.

As Ethan and Leon sipped their wine and watched her, an elf walked up to Leon’s side.

"Mr. Leon."

"Ah, if it isn’t Mr. Gurn."

"Hahaha, it’s been a while. How are your sheep doing?"

"Thanks to you, everything is well. Let me introduce you — this is Mr. Ethan, as you can see, he is a human."

"Meow~ I’m Pearl~"

"Surprising, to actually meet a human here. Could you be the one supplying all those honey sweet potatoes and sweet potatoes Mr. Leon has been purchasing..."

"That’s right. All grown by Mr. Ethan."

It seemed the news that the volume of goods Leon brought back from the Great Forest had increased had already spread among the elves, learning that Ethan was the source behind all of it, the elves who had previously only watched from afar now swarmed over.

"Hello, I am—"

"My territory—"

Everyone wanted to converse with Ethan and seek out opportunities for cooperation, faced with such overwhelming enthusiasm, Ethan felt a bit at a loss.

Right at that moment, Elara, who had been conversing with other elves, strolled over to the rescue.

"Oh hahaha, everyone, if you want to talk business with Mr. Ethan, please make an appointment with me first."

Her arrival saved Ethan from the spot, when it came to business, she was far more adept, Elara winked at Ethan and led the group of eager elves off to the side.

Pearl let out a long sigh. "Meow, never thought we’d have to rely on Elara for help."

"Yeah. Me neither."

’The produce from the Great Forest is even more popular here than I expected.’ Despite the warm hospitality, Ethan still felt a bit fatigued, he picked up a nearby beverage glass and took a gentle sip.

"Hmm? What is this?"

"What’s wrong?"

It was a refreshing drink with a uniquely invigorating flavor, Ethan couldn’t help taking a few more sips. Seeing this, Leon smiled and said, "That’s Oken tree sap."

"Oken tree sap? What is that?"

"It’s sap extracted from a tree called the Oken tree. It only grows in desert regions."

"Desert regions? You mean this tree grows in the desert?"

"That’s right! In the scorching desert, Oken tree sap is the ultimate thirst-quencher for travelers. Are you interested?"

"Yeah, if I get the chance, I’d love to get my hands on a few saplings."

"Oken trees are quite common in desert areas. We can keep an eye out for them when we head to the royal capital."

"Then I’ll take you up on that."

Aside from the Oken tree sap, Ethan also sampled various elven delicacies, mentally tallying what ingredients and recipes he should bring back with him when the time came.

Halfway through the banquet, a voice suddenly rang out.

"Head of the House, Lady Althea, has arrived!"

The name wasn’t unfamiliar to Ethan — it was the elderly elven woman he had met in the garden. Hearing the announcement, the entire hall erupted into an excited buzz.

’Is the head of the house personally attending a banquet a rare occurrence?’ Ethan looked at Leon and saw an expression of pure astonishment on his face as well.

Just then, the doors of the banquet hall swung open, and Althea walked in slowly, escorted by Eric.

"I never imagined I’d get to see Lady Althea here..."

"What a tremendous honor today is."

The elves who had just been negotiating with Elara rushed toward Althea, surrounding her in moments, Elara managed to pry herself free from the throng, came to Ethan’s side, and let out a helpless sigh.

"Phew, the situation over there is way too complicated. Good thing I’m quick-witted and found an excuse to slip away."

"Thanks for helping me out earlier."

"Oh hahaha, think nothing of it — it’s what a merchant should do, speaking of which, Lady Althea rarely attends banquets, you’re having quite a lucky day."

’So she’s difficult to meet. Running into her in the garden earlier really was fortunate.’

Althea finally finished fielding the enthusiastic crowd and, led by Eric, walked toward Ethan’s direction.

"Didn’t expect we’d meet again so soon, allow me to express my gratitude to you once more. I am Althea Ashwyn."

"Hello. I’m Ethan."

"I’ve heard that you saved my good-for-nothing heir, Eric, and even sold precious porcelain to our family..." Althea looked at him with earnest eyes.

"I truly don’t know how to repay this kindness of yours."

Behind Althea, Eric scratched his head sheepishly at hearing his grandmother describe him that way.

Ethan smiled and shook his head, indicating he had already received ample reward. He didn’t wish to accept any more gifts of gratitude. But Althea spoke first.

"If you don’t mind, I would like to pass down a secret technique inherited within our family."

"That... is too much. There’s really no need—"

Althea smiled gently. "It is a secret technique that allows one to freely control bees."

Ethan paused.

He had been involved in agriculture ever since entering the Ascendant Tower. Since then, he’d tried planting all sorts of crops, but the one thing he had never touched was beekeeping — because he knew it required special skills.