Chapter 2295: The Banquet at Margaret’s Manor

Chapter 2295: Chapter 2295: The Banquet at Margaret’s Manor

Margaret’s Manor covers a vast area, and now as night falls, the gas lamps in the courtyard and mansion are lit one by one. From afar, the entire manor can be seen adorned in resplendent splendor.

Although Shard and Miss Belindel arrived somewhat early, many people actually arrived even earlier than them.

As Belindel Family’s convoy stopped at the manor gate, the crowd originally gathered at the entrance immediately dispersed. They were greeted by Margaret’s personal maid and Baroness Elmont, who is part of the princess’s entourage representing Margaret. The aforementioned Baroness Elmont is actually Margaret’s cousin.

The lively banquet thus officially commenced. The nobles of Moon Bay gathered, and the ladies’ dazzling jewels and accessories were enough to dazzle anyone’s eyes. Margaret attended the banquet today with a silver tiara on her head and wore a golden long dress. When she met Miss Belindel, she secretly winked at Shard.

The most important part of this supposed welcome banquet was Margaret reading aloud a letter written by her father, King "Lion Ryan," addressed to the citizens of Moon Bay.

This segment occurred at the official start of the banquet. At the time, Shard was still standing alongside Miss Belindel and Miss Matilda. Once the banquet officially kicked off, the Countess went off to handle the social obligations and conversations she couldn’t avoid tonight. Shard had already quietly left, changed into another suit, and then met with Mr. Benhart, who held a glass of red wine.

In truth, even without Shard, he could have managed to secure an invitation letter himself, though it would’ve been a hassle. When Shard met him, he was conversing with a middle-aged man with a mustache. Upon greeting Shard, he discreetly addressed the departing middle-aged man:

"This baron is in the wine business in Moon Bay and wants to inquire about the condition of the vineyards in Huntington City this summer, and whether they were affected by the weather."

"Was it impacted?"

Shard asked curiously, and Mr. Benhart nodded gently:

"The situation is not optimistic. Grapes thrive in warm seasons. Although Huntington is not like the coastal Moon Bay with summer snowfall, the low temperatures will certainly affect the ripening speed and quality of the grapes, significantly affecting the taste of this batch of wine from 1854."

He shook the wine glass in his hand:

"Many are already preparing to stockpile batches of red wine from 1853 and 1852 in the market. If this unusual weather persists for several years, ordinary quality goods from non-abnormal years can fetch high prices. That’s originally the business I came to discuss in Moon Bay..."

He sighed and curiously asked:

"Enough of this. Don’t you need to accompany that Countess? We can meet again later; after all, the banquet will last late into the night." 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

Shard shook his head:

"Mr. Benhart, you probably misunderstand. It’s not as though I accompanied her here; she requested me to accompany her to the banquet."

The Vampire Viscount nodded slowly:

"You’re impressive indeed."

The remaining three targets tonight also have significant backgrounds, the highest-ranking of whom, the Marquis, has yet to show up in the banquet hall. Shard plans to check whether he hasn’t arrived or if he’s conversing elsewhere.

So the two of them first went to meet the two remaining Vampire Kind, one of whom was a genuine "Vampire"—

"I’ve said it many times, I provide them with wages and compensation. I even offer them free drinking water in the factory, so why do they still oppose me?"

Shard and Mr. Benhart encountered Baron Chandler as he was complaining loudly to his friend.

This Viscount Chandler was the fattest person Shard had seen at the banquet so far, yet he wore a black suit that didn’t quite fit.

This resulted in the buttons on his chest looking as though they might pop off at any moment, desperately holding the fabric on both sides from betraying each other.

"Why don’t those workers understand? I pay them money, so they should work for me. Eight-hour workdays? Fine, then reduce the current wages until I can use the same amount of Krone to turn two shifts into three!"

He furiously gulped down champagne:

"Which factory isn’t doing this now? I dare swear, if I really increase their wages and reduce overtime, my factory would close by the end of the week, and wouldn’t they still end up begging in the streets? I’m their benefactor; I give them the chance to support their wives and children, so why do they treat me like this?"

His friend—who lacked a small bat insignia on his head—awkwardly smiled without knowing how to respond. Fortunately, he saw Shard and Mr. Benhart approaching, so he quickly said:

"Raymond, look, these two gentlemen seem to be looking for you."

The very fat Baron Chandler turned around to look at them, frowning in confusion:

"Gentlemen, do I know you? Let me be clear, I won’t casually fund anyone’s research or invention, nor invest in projects I don’t understand."

"No, no, allow me to introduce myself, I’m Armand Bernhardt, and I’ve written you a letter requesting to visit."

Mr. Bernhardt handed over his business card, Baron Chandler glanced at it and raised an eyebrow:

"Oh, a Viscount from Velindale, I remember your letter. But I don’t deal in the wine business; my factory mainly produces cotton and gauze."

After speaking, he sniffed, showing a look of sudden realization:

"Oh, it turns out we’re relatives. I didn’t know about you before. In that case... come over here with your friend and have a chat with me. It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen relatives from Velindale."

Although he had just made a brazen comment about his factory workers, Baron Raymond Chandler behaved with quite the propriety and humility toward those of the same clan, or to those with a status similar to his own.

The Baron’s friend stepped aside for the moment, and the three of them approached the table by the west wall of the banquet hall. Together, they raised new glasses from the champagne pyramid on the table. Shard turned to glance at Miss Belindel and Margaret in the banquet hall, then looked around for other familiar faces, while behind him, Baron Chandler inquired about the recent situation in Velindale from Mr. Bernhardt.

Of course, they didn’t forget to shake hands midway, and Mr. Bernhardt confirmed once again that he wasn’t in cahoots with the Vampire Kind.

As for the matter of the "Sorrow of Blood," Baron Chandler was equally unaware. In fact, when Mr. Bernhardt subtly insinuated that the sword might be in Moon Bay, Baron Chandler’s fat right hand crushed the glass, causing cracks in it:

"Is there such a thing?"

"By the way, Mr. Bernhardt, do you think Madam Jude this morning was more detestable than Baron Chandler here?"

Baron Chandler soon bade farewell to the two and walked toward his business partners. Shard, with his left hand in his pocket, asked his friend:

The Vampire Viscount paused in thought:

"No one is more detestable than the other; their actions are all wrong. Even though my abilities are limited, unable to prevent everything I deem wrong, at least I should be able to discern right from wrong."

"It seems that after you went back this morning, you did think things through... but you’re right, your ’relatives’ in Moon Bay are indeed quite a mixed bunch."

"Suspect number three" was eliminated, leaving only the last two. The Marquis still hadn’t appeared, but Shard spotted "suspect number four," Miss Angrui Laise, speaking with Margaret.

The young Miss Angrui Laise was the youngest of all Mr. Bernhardt’s suspects, actually even 8 months younger than Margaret, but she was also the highest-ranked among the current suspects. Her six-ring rank was only one ring lower than Shard and Mr. Bernhardt, making her an undisputed genius for her age.

Miss Les’s father, Earl Les, was one of the most prestigious nobles outside the Seven Great Families of Moon Bay City. As the only daughter, it was expected that she would inherit the family title in the future, making her a future Countess.

Mr. Bernhardt originally planned to wait until she finished her conversation with Princess Margaret before approaching, but Shard led him directly over.

Margaret greeted them with a smile:

"Look who it is, Viscount Bernhardt, I didn’t expect to see you here."

She knew what Shard was doing, so she took the initiative to introduce Miss Les:

"These two are friends I met last year when I visited Draleon, on my way through Huntington City. The wine Viscount Bernhardt sent me was very delicious; he has a wine business in both Huntington and Velindale."

Mr. Bernhardt then extended his hand, coming to the conclusion that Miss Les, too, was not the source of the blood.

However, as Miss Les continued her conversation with Margaret, the two who ostensibly came to greet the Princess did not linger.

After they walked away, Shard puzzledly asked:

"So, have we found our answer? Is the one collaborating with the Dragon Feast Cult the Marquis? But what is he after? He has status and position, why collaborate with cultists?"

"I’m not sure either, I originally thought he would be the least suspicious."

Mr. Bernhardt wasn’t very sure:

"We’ll see about that after we meet him, but has the Marquis really arrived?"

Shard didn’t know if the Marquis had arrived either, but he could find out by asking the manor’s butler, who was an acquaintance anyway.

The butler indeed provided an answer, confirming that the Marquis was already in attendance but was upstairs in the study, talking with Earl Edington, and would probably come down shortly. So, Shard and Mr. Bernhardt decided to wait. While chatting idly, Mr. Bernhardt also reminded Shard:

"You should be cautious of that Miss Angrui Laise."