The adventurer at the bottom is fantasizing again.

Chapter 107 The Banquet and Viscount Hermann's Night Talk (4K)

Time flies by.

Before they knew it, the day arrived for Viscount Hermann's banquet.

In order to accumulate enough gold coins to infuse Rusty Throat as soon as possible, Lorraine has been copying scrolls in Eileen's room for the past two days, and practicing the spell for Fire Arrow whenever he has free time.

He accidentally managed to use a fire arrow yesterday evening, nearly setting Eileen's bed on fire.

Fortunately, he reacted quickly and forcibly interrupted her, thus preserving his right to enter her room to learn magic.

However, the system panel did not record this spell, which he suspected was because it could not be cast reliably at present.

However, the copying of the scrolls was already more than half completed. Since they weren't in a hurry to use them, they planned to sell them all to the Mage Association after they were all copied.

Lorraine protested, arguing that selling so many reels at once was inappropriate, only to be mercilessly mocked by Eileen.

"Do you really think the monks have the time to sell them one by one at the association? They save them up for a month and then sell them all at once!" she said.

"It's so tight..."

Looking at herself in the mirror, dressed in a formal gown, Lorraine felt extremely uncomfortable.

He tugged at the dark blue coat; the fabric felt very fine to the touch, justifying its price.

But for his opponent, who was used to loose and convenient clothing, this formal dress that tightly hugged his body was even more uncomfortable than armor.

"Stop dawdling, open the door and let me see."

Eileen heard his muttering and knocked on the door.

She specially changed into an elegant indigo evening gown today, which "coincidentally" was in the same color family as Lorraine's dark blue gown.

Her explanation was that the color was understated, not easily attracting attention, and made her skin look very fair.

It's definitely not because it's meant to match his color.

"Here it comes..."

Wearing a formal suit made movement very inconvenient, and it took Lorraine a lot of effort to get to the doorway. He didn't want the suit to get torn by those wooden crates.

Open the door.

"How is it? Is there anything I'm not wearing properly?"

"

.not bad."

Eileen swallowed back the disgust she had prepared, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up.

...This guy changed his clothes and he actually looks this handsome.

She had to admit that Felix's craftsmanship was indeed worth the price; the dress was tailored to fit him perfectly, and the dark blue color complemented his calm demeanor.

Eileen nodded in satisfaction: "You're finally starting to look like a warlock. Let's go, Piper's been waiting downstairs for ages."

"Your outfit..."

Lorraine looked at the evening gown she was wearing, then looked down at her own clothes, and a word popped into her mind.

Matching outfits?

Eileen turned back expressionlessly and asked coldly, "What, is there a problem?"

"It's beautiful and suits your temperament perfectly."

"Oh."

The two walked down the stairs one after the other.

Downstairs in the tavern lobby, Piper was standing at the entrance with his hands on his hips, tapping his toes on the ground and glancing at the stairwell every now and then.

Today he wore a brand new dark green vest, and his brown hair was slicked back and made shiny, making him look ridiculous from head to toe.

"Why are you so slow! They've already eaten the whole roasted lamb at the banquet! Piper hasn't eaten since this morning, and we'll be missing out if we don't go soon!" the short man shouted in protest.

"I've noticed you keep asking Lily for a pie to sneak a bite. I reckon you've eaten at least two plates of pies since this morning."

Lorraine smirked and ruthlessly exposed him.

"You're talking nonsense!" the short guy shouted angrily. "Pip didn't steal any food; Lily insisted on giving it to him!"

"Yes, it's all Lily's fault."

Lily sat at the bar, watching them bicker with a smile.

Good evening, Lily.

Lorraine greeted her.

Good evening, Mr. Lorraine~

Lily covered her mouth, flattered, waved at him, and winked playfully.

Lorraine suddenly felt like he was being watched by something, so he quickened his pace and pretended nothing was wrong.

"Let's go, let's go."

The three of them went out as dusk fell.

Viscount Hermann’s residence is located on the east side of the upper town. You can see the vast manor by walking to the end of the shrub-lined road behind the temple.

It was already late, but the area outside the manor was still as bright as day. Carriages lined up in front of the gate, and guests dressed in various fine clothes were everywhere.

"Are you distinguished guests here for the dinner?" The servant at the door quickly noticed them and came forward to greet them.

"Yes."

Lorraine took out three invitations and handed them to him.

"Please wait a moment."

The servant carefully checked the name on the invitation, and after confirming that it was correct, his smile became even brighter.

He waved to both sides of the doorway, then bowed to the three people, gesturing, "Distinguished guests, please follow me."

He led the three through the entrance hall, down the long corridor, and into the banquet hall deep within the manor.

Along the way, they encountered many men and women arm in arm, and even among these people, their trio still attracted a lot of attention.

A handsome young man and a beautiful young woman, accompanied by two-thirds of a comical dwarf dressed as a clown, would make anyone turn around for a second glance.

Eileen glanced at Lorraine, who was looking around, and said expressionlessly, "Take my arm."

"Huh? Oh, oh..."

Lorraine raised an eyebrow. He was having a great time grinding exploration experience and didn't immediately realize what she was talking about.

I've been to many places I've never been before these past few days, gaining a lot of exploration experience. With what I have left, I'll soon have enough to reach one hundred.

He looked at Eileen, whose expression was growing colder and colder, and gently took her arm. The fabric of her evening gown was very soft, and he couldn't help but squeeze her arm.

"Are you looking for death?"

Eileen snorted and pinched his arm hard with her other hand.

"Ouch... Be gentle, be gentle."

"Wow, that's so luxurious... Piper wants to live in a place like this someday. No, Piper wants to build a big castle in the mountains..."

""

The short guy was completely oblivious to the two people making little moves around him; his thoughts had drifted off to some other mysterious place.

Amidst their playful banter, the three quickly arrived at the entrance of the banquet hall, where they could already hear music playing inside.

The door slowly opened in front of them.

Warm light and melodious music wafted over, and the air was filled with all sorts of fragrances.

Guests gathered in twos and threes around the tall tables, chatting and laughing, while younger men and women swayed and danced to the music in the center of the dance floor.

"Wow.....

""

The short man exclaimed in admiration. He tried to stand on tiptoe and shifted his gaze from the tall tables around him to the long table against the wall, trying to see what was on those tables.

The more he looked, the more anxious and angry he became: "Where's Piper's whole roasted lamb? Such a big whole roasted lamb! Where is it?!"

"Maybe it hasn't started yet," Lorraine comforted her.

"Maybe there isn't one at all." Eileen coldly shattered his illusions.

"No whole roasted lamb... what has Paip been starving since this morning...?"

"7

The short man clutched his chest, looking utterly dejected, and took two steps back. He looked up at Lorraine with the eyes of someone who had been cruelly betrayed by their brother, and said bitterly, "You lied to Piper! You said there would be a whole roasted lamb!"

"I meant there might be..."

"No way!!!"

"There are lamb chops over there, enough for you to gnaw on for a while." Lorraine pointed to a long table against the wall, on which was set a row of exquisite little plates.

"Where? There! Piper saw it!"

The little guy quickly darted over on his short legs.

People around quickly noticed the two new faces and cast curious glances at them.

The Viscount’s mansion is never short of new guests, but the appearance of two well-dressed young men and women whose demeanor is unlike that of ordinary merchants is certainly worth taking a second look at.

In particular, the two are quite good-looking, and many guests have suspected that they are descendants of nobles who have recently moved here.

Some scheming individuals were already itching to approach and chat, hoping to find something to gain.

Good evening, my two young friends.

A noblewoman wearing a black veil hat stepped out from the crowd first. She smiled kindly at the two of them, but her eyes subtly sized them up.

The fabric is of the highest quality... the tailoring is exquisite... it looks like Felix's work, but... this cut is the style of the royal capital?

Her eyes lit up immediately.

"Please forgive my intrusion, but it's always a pleasant thing to see new faces in such an occasion."

She extended her hand and introduced herself with composure and grace: "I am Mrs. Margaret Du Bois, and Sir Vincent Du Bois is my husband. I hope I have not disturbed your enjoyment."

Lorraine felt the arm holding her tremble slightly, so she stepped forward with a bit of disdain and gave her a rather awkward hand kiss.

"Lorraine, this is my companion—Eileen. It is an honor to meet you, Mrs. Dubois," he said.

The companion...doesn't have a surname?

Madame Dubois frowned almost imperceptibly, her brow concealed by the black veil.

The clothes they wore were certainly not the best, but they were definitely not something that lower-class people without surnames could afford. Was it because they didn't want to tell him their surname?

However, the young man's hand-kissing gesture was indeed quite poor, not something a noble descendant would do. Perhaps I was just overthinking it.

Thinking about this, her enthusiasm for making friends waned.

However, since both of them were guests invited by Viscount Hermann, she maintained a semblance of politeness.

"It's a pleasure to meet you all. Being around young people makes me feel younger... Oh! Sir Keane over there seems to be beckoning to me. I'm afraid I must excuse myself."

Mrs. Dubois said regretfully to the two of them, then nodded slightly and said, "I hope you have a pleasant evening."

Lorraine watched her figure disappear into the crowd, noticing that she hadn't gone to the so-called Sir Keane, but instead went to another noblewoman and began to whisper.

"Finally, it's quiet." He breathed a sigh of relief.

"She was quite polite. We're two people who don't even have surnames, and she walked ten steps away before starting to talk to people."

Eileen took a glass of fruit wine from a passing waiter's tray, took a small sip, and raised her eyebrows at the whispering women.

"I see..."

Lorraine was completely oblivious to the intricacies of these nobles' ways. He looked around but didn't see Viscount Hermann.

"Shall we find somewhere to sit for a while?"

"Um?

Eileen glanced at him indifferently, then casually looked at the young men and women dancing gracefully on the dance floor.

"Ahem... Beautiful Ms. Eileen... may I...?"

Lorraine cleared his throat, about to invite her to dance, when he keenly sensed someone approaching them.

He turned his head and saw Marcus, the old steward he had met once before in the temple.

"Mr. Lorraine, Ms. Eileen, and..."

Marcus's gaze swept around for a moment before finally spotting the short man hidden by the skirts of the ladies, who was happily munching on a lamb chop in each hand.

"Uh... thank you all for gracing us with your presence. If there is anything we have done poorly in our hospitality, please let me know." He clearly hadn't expected the short man's preferences.

"You're too kind."

Lorraine nodded, knowing he had more to say.

"His Excellency wishes to speak with you privately for a few minutes."

Marcus leaned closer and lowered his voice: "If it's convenient for you now..."

The important matter has arrived.

The two exchanged a glance.

"Go."

Lorraine saw that she had taken her hand off his.

"Then... excuse me for a moment."

He followed Marcus through the side corridor of the banquet hall, where the candlelight gradually thinned, filtering out the noisy voices and music.

On the terrace, the night sky was clear.

Viscount Hermann stood with his back to the wall, his hands resting on the stone railing, gazing at the boundless darkness beyond the city walls.

"It is often said that the troubles of a territory can always be traced back to the lord's dinner table."

He paused for a few seconds before continuing, "A lord's duty is to ensure that his people live in peace on his land. What happened in the sewers was indeed my negligence."

Lorraine paused for a moment. This was an unexpected start to the game. He had thought that, given Lorraine's style, he would come up and try to overwhelm him with money right away.

Pity.

"My fellow mage told me it was just an accidental leak of negative energy, and you don't need to blame yourself for it," he said. "Heh... I'm partly responsible for the birth of the ghoul, am I?"

Viscount Hermann patted the stone railing beside him with his gloved hand, abandoning the topic and instead asking, "Have you read that swordsmanship notebook?"

"Hmm... I've read it many times from beginning to end, and the insights you recorded have benefited me greatly."

Lorraine stepped forward and stood beside him.

The terrace was cleverly positioned, offering a clear view of every light in the city.

Herman nodded, his tone tinged with emotion and nostalgia: "That notebook was written when I was young. My biggest ambition back then was to accumulate enough military merits as soon as possible, exchange them for a knighthood, and own a piece of land that would be enough for my family to live comfortably."

He finally turned his head and looked at Lorraine carefully. Then his face twitched, as if he wanted to laugh but couldn't quite remember how.

"At that time, I had a comrade-in-arms who was not very ambitious. Every time he received a reward, he would spend it on women and wine."

The person with the same name as me?

Lorraine had already vaguely guessed what would happen next.

"He has the same name as you, but he looks completely different. It's a pity... if he had your face, he wouldn't have to go to girls every time, and they would charge him more money."

At this point, Viscount Hermann finally laughed, his laughter was very hoarse, and he even coughed lightly at the end.

"Cough...cough cough..."

...you?"

"It's alright."

Viscount Hermann raised his hand to stop Lorraine from showing concern.