Chapter 108: The Banquet

Chapter 108: Chapter 108: The Banquet

"I will be sure to convey your message to Baron Enton."

Knight Jarvis gave a slight nod.

He said nothing more. He had already completed the task Baron Enton had assigned him.

However, Knight Jarvis didn’t leave immediately. His gaze shifted to Vili.

"Vili Ferren?"

Knight Jarvis looked past Baron Kels and Bamos, asking Vili with a strange smile.

"Greetings, Knight Jarvis."

Vili’s face remained calm, betraying no emotion.

Baron Kels’s eyelids drooped imperceptibly, his expression unreadable. Bamos, standing to the side, was quite satisfied with Vili’s performance. He had been a little worried that Vili might lose his composure in front of Knight Jarvis.

After all, Knight Jarvis had been famous for years and was far stronger than Vili. He was afraid that Vili might be left with some psychological trauma after being subjected to such pressure.

"I’ve heard your name. You’re a genius. Perhaps we’ll have a chance to exchange pointers sometime."

Knight Jarvis had almost never spoken to anyone like this. His smile was thought-provoking.

Just as Baron Kels could sense that something was different about Vili, Knight Jarvis could naturally also detect his advancement.

Through Knight Jarvis’s eyes, Vili saw an indescribable emotion, like that of a bored hunter who had just found interesting prey.

"I have merely been receiving the proper guidance from the Lord Baron and Teacher Olay. I cannot compare to you, Knight Jarvis."

Vili wasn’t discomfited by Knight Jarvis’s words in the slightest. His reply was perfectly appropriate.

Upon hearing this, Knight Jarvis’s eyes narrowed slightly and the corner of his mouth tilted up, but he said nothing more.

He gave Vili a deep look, then turned to Baron Kels and said, "In that case, Lord Baron, I will take my leave."

A beaming smile returned to Baron Kels’s face. "Then I won’t see you out."

His attitude toward Knight Jarvis was completely different from his attitude toward Meira. He had personally led Meira into the reception room behind the central hall, whereas Knight Jarvis had been left standing while they spoke, not treated as a guest at all.

Knight Jarvis didn’t seem to mind. He paid his respects again, then left the central hall with his four Knight’s Squires.

Watching Knight Jarvis’s retreating back, the smile on his face slowly faded.

A deep look also entered Bamos’s eyes. His somber and uncertain expression clearly showed he was also trying to guess the purpose of Knight Jarvis’s visit.

"Father, he..."

Bamos and Vili followed Baron Kels toward the reception room.

"I can’t figure it out either. But from the looks of it, there will be follow-up actions. We just have to wait."

Baron Kels replied slowly as they entered the reception room.

He turned to Vili, a look of gratification in his eyes.

When a genius encounters a super-genius, they feel even more pressure than an ordinary person meeting a genius. Just now, Baron Kels had also been worried Vili would show fear in front of Knight Jarvis. After all, even the Baron himself felt a certain amount of pressure from Knight Jarvis’s natural aura.

But in truth, Vili seemed to have paid Knight Jarvis no mind from the very beginning, appearing exceptionally calm.

A contemplative look appeared in Baron Kels’s eyes. ’Perhaps Vili will go even further than Jarvis.’

"Right, those four gifts from earlier..." Baron Kels looked at Bamos. "Leave the Diamond Fishbone for Olay, give the Pearl to your mother, and as for that pendant, give it to your Lilith..."

Lilith was Bamos’s wife, and also the next Lady Baroness.

"And that Fishbone Short Sword..."

Baron Kels mulled it over for a moment, then looked at Vili. "Let’s give it to Vili."

Hearing this, Vili didn’t feign refusal. He knew Baron Kels’s personality well, so he simply accepted. "Thank you."

In the time that followed, guests continued to arrive one after another.

Envoys from some Viscounts and Barons, or major merchants who were close to the Baron, were all received personally by Baron Kels. As for the rest, Bamos and Vili handled them.

Over the next few hours, Vili received dozens of guests. After learning Vili’s identity, these guests all tried to get on his good side through various means. The methods were nothing more than gifts of money and women.

Vili acted with considerable experience, skillfully turning them all down without a trace.

During this time, Vili also saw some old acquaintances, the father and son Lacas and Finlay.

Finlay, Lacas’s father and the current Helmsman of the Divar Family, was getting on in years and basically no longer involved himself in family affairs or business operations. As a result, Lacas himself had control over almost the entire family.

He spoke briefly with Vili about next year’s business, then hurried off to pay his respects to Baron Kels.

Because he had to rush off to other places, he didn’t chat with Vili for long, only apologizing and arranging to meet again after the new year.

The receptions continued until evening. The Lord Baron’s banquet would begin in another hour.

When Vili found Vilia again, she had already circled the entire Baron’s Manor twice. By now, Vilia had loosened up considerably. Accompanied by maidservants and Guards as she toured the manor, many strangers showed her the utmost respect after learning her identity.

This made Vilia truly feel that the rumors about nobles being arrogant and cold were false. Not only were they warm, but they were also very friendly to her.

"At the Lord Baron’s banquet, can I eat my fill?"

Vilia had followed Vili into the banquet hall. She looked up at Vili, her eyes asking for permission.

Her mother, Mrs. Shaven, had told her to be cautious and polite, but after arriving here, Vilia discovered that she was quite free. No one would laugh at her for any breaches of etiquette.

"Of course. If you want, you can even bring some tasty food back for Wally."

Vili naturally wouldn’t restrict Vilia in any way.

A few minutes later, music began to play in the banquet hall. Baron Kels appeared with his family and, under everyone’s gaze, danced the first dance.

After Baron Kels gave his New Year’s speech, the atmosphere in the banquet hall gradually warmed up.

The men discussed politics and business, while the noblewomen and young ladies talked about jewels and accessories. In the entire hall, only Vilia was going back and forth before the buffet, a plate in her hands, selecting food. As she ate, she was also wondering to herself what Wally would like.

As for Vili, he was sitting with Bamos, Bisen, Sandoor, Dane, and others, drinking and chatting. During this time, a constant stream of unmarried young ladies came to ask Vili to dance, but he politely refused them all.

First, he genuinely didn’t know how to dance. Second, he currently had no intention of getting to know any young lady on a deeper level.

The banquet lasted for nearly five hours, only ending after midnight amid the sounds of everyone’s farewells.