Chapter 481 - 319: His Majesty Harland

The round hall was immense, easily capable of holding several thousand people.

In the center stood a round table carved from marble, its surface etched with exquisite patterns by a masterful artisan. It was encircled by many other, far plainer round tables.

This banquet was exceptionally grand. The tables were already laden with a dazzling array of dishes, and over a hundred Attendants were present to serve.

"This banquet isn’t just for the Western and Northern Territories. There are also envoys from two other kingdoms and nobles from the Eastern and Western Territories," Filo said quietly as he walked beside the Lord, explaining the key points to this newcomer to the world of fame and fortune.

"You could say that over half of Debei’s nobility is here. Some were invited by the King, while others sent requests to attend on their own initiative. But make no mistake, they are all here for you, my Lord."

"A Dragon Knight who also possesses Legendary strength... your rise is practically a certainty. The nobles are like vultures that have smelled carrion. Every one of them wants to come and build a connection, or at least become a familiar face to you, to avoid any future conflicts."

"Why only half? I thought it would be at least seventy percent." The Lord was thick-skinned. Far from feeling overwhelmed by so many people coming just for him, he was actually dissatisfied.

After all, the more people who came, the more it would reflect his own value as the Lord of High Cliff Castle.

Hearing this, Filo had no choice but to explain the intricacies to the Lord. "Some Barons from remote regions are lucky if they can even feed themselves. How would they have the money for travel expenses to the Royal Court? Besides, any noble who wasn’t invited has to pay their own way to attend this banquet, and the starting price is a Hundred Gold Coins! An ordinary Baron really can’t afford that."

"I really have no idea where you got so much money to go develop a backwater place like the Wilderness."

Faced with this question, there was no way Levi could admit it was all thanks to the support of a group of rich women. He just spoke with envy.

"Worri, isn’t this just robbery? I thought the King paid for these banquets out of his own pocket."

"How could he? The King is short on money too. How could he possibly pass up such a good opportunity to cash in?" Filo smiled and nodded at other nobles who gestured to him, while continuing in a low voice, "If you ask me, even if he charged Five Hundred Gold Coins, there would still be hordes of nobles lining up to pay."

"Damn, you people are truly rotten to the core." Levi was deeply shaken. He had thought charging fifty was pretty good, but he never expected there were masters of the craft.

’Truly, stringing up all these nobles on lampposts might result in a few wrongful deaths, but letting one go for every ten you hang would definitely mean some got away.’

Still, Levi had never heard of such a shameless money-grabbing scheme before. He silently made a mental note of it.

Filo was completely unbothered by this assessment and just shrugged. "My Lord, don’t you know where these nobles get their money? If we don’t fleece them, who else would we fleece?"

"Fair enough." Levi hadn’t expected this Prince Filo to harbor some resentment toward the rich.

"By the way, you can ignore most of the other nobles, but you might want to remember these few." Filo seemed to recall something and discreetly pointed westward.

Over there, a group of Western Border Nobles in green formal wear were gathered around an old man who stood as straight and tall as a pine tree. Although time had carved deep wrinkles into his face, it hadn’t diminished his dignified air in the slightest.

His brow bone was prominent, and the corners of his eyebrows tilted slightly upward, as if he were constantly scrutinizing everything around him. His gaze was deep and sharp.

His hair was completely white and impeccably combed. A few silver strands fluttered gently at his forehead, adding to his solemn presence.

His attire was exquisite. His dark robe was embroidered with a family crest, and a simple, antique silver brooch was pinned to his chest, symbolizing his noble status and honor.

"That is the Patriarch of the Roganes Family, the current master of the Western Territory, Old Gray. Don’t be fooled by his impartial appearance; he’s actually an old fox."

Filo gave his brief assessment, then pointed to a corner in the east, where a group of nobles in azure robes was clustered around a middle-aged man.

"That is the Patriarch of the Sea Dragon Family, the Duke of the Eastern Territory, Feiyin Augustus. He’s also the Queen’s father. The man is a Combat Qi Master and controls a powerful navy. He’s without a doubt the hegemon of the seas. In recent years, his military strength has grown ever more powerful thanks to maritime trade."

"Although he seems to be on good terms with Lady Fulina, he is an extremely calculating person who must be taken seriously."

This Duke Feiyin had a robust build, standing at least two ren tall. He had short, azure hair that made him look exceptionally sharp. His demeanor was calm and courteous, and his every movement exuded an innate authority.

His face was stern and serious, with sharp, well-defined features, giving him an imposing aura even when he wasn’t angry.

He was dressed in exquisite and solemn attire: a deep red robe embroidered with the sea dragon crest of the Augustus family, symbolizing his status and power.

"A two-faced old man and an ambitious, blue-haired middle-aged guy," the Lord commented, hitting the nail on the head.

Filo didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but he had to admit it was an accurate summary. "Yes, that’s about right."

"I was wondering if my appearance at this moment would spoil your fun." A resonant, powerful voice came from behind them.

The newcomer surely knew that an uninvited interruption would be annoying, but he knew another truth even better—for the sovereign of Debei, the King who sits upon the throne, to personally approach and converse with two of his nominal subordinates was undoubtedly a great honor.

When Filo turned, the smile on his face had already returned to the most proper noble expression. Affecting a pure Royal Capital accent, he placed a hand on his chest and bowed. "Your Majesty is too kind."

This accent was considered the most noble form of speech by the people of Gonda. Even if a barefoot farmer learned this accent, though he might show respect to a Baron on the surface, he would inwardly look down on these Barons from the countryside with their regional accents.

Outside of Gonda, these so-called outsiders even mockingly called the people of Gonda "Royal Capital Masters."

But in the Lord’s opinion, these people were just pathetic souls trapped by their own vanity.

’They really think that by learning the nobles’ accent, they become nobles themselves.’

There was a saying that fit this situation perfectly.

A farmer who has worked for a lord his entire life will instinctively straighten his back at the mere sight of his master’s magnificent castle in the distance.

Therefore, for the Lord to call them pathetic was, if anything, a compliment.

Levi followed suit, placing a hand on his chest. "Good day, Your Majesty Harland." As he did, he secretly sized him up.

This was the first time he had seen the ruler of Debei anywhere other than on the face of a Gold Coin.

Harland wore a loose, magnificent robe, but even that couldn’t hide his portly figure. However, because he stood an impressive two ren and one-tenth tall, he possessed an indescribable, oppressive presence.

He had thick black hair and a black beard. To be honest, this was the first time the Lord had seen anyone with black hair besides himself. The King’s eyes, however, were a piercing, vibrant azure blue.

The King must have been handsome in his youth, but a life of indulgence had made his features coarse and bloated, robbing him of his former charm. Still, he retained a unique, kingly air.

"Hahaha, Levi, no need to be so formal."

Harland laughed heartily, came forward, and slung an arm around the Lord’s shoulders, leading him toward the central marble table. "This banquet was held for you in the first place. For that, I should even be thanking you."

He winked his azure eyes at Levi.

"If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to make such a killing at this banquet!"

"Oh, you probably don’t know, but even as a King, I’m often troubled by money. That damn Minister of Finance has definitely embezzled some of my Gold Coins. If he weren’t still somewhat useful, I’d have him dragged out and beheaded."

Looking at the crude and boisterous King, the Lord finally understood why Queen Seres had said he was a little crazy.