The Vastness of Magical Destiny

Chapter 117: Chapter 8: Trap Chapter 117: Chapter 8: Trap Even with Duke Zellin’s deliberate introduction, the group, already sensing something was amiss, could still perceive the cold indifference and disdain behind the others’ facades. Almost no one was willing to engage in conversation with them, and even the courteous greetings were few and hastily given, leaving the representatives feeling incredibly humiliated and embarrassed. Komer, however, seemed all too accustomed to such treatment. Luckily, he still had the title of baron and the status of lord, so occasionally some noble who was interested in the somewhat infamous land of Caucasus would ask a few questions. As for the representatives, they were like rotten cabbages discarded at the market, unwanted and even looked upon with disgust.

The appearance of the silver-haired girl in a snow-white silk dress at the banquet caused a sensation. The young men thronging around her were all noble and impressive, clearly legitimate sons of noble houses holding titles, and naturally, Knight Sart was among them. Another tall and slender young man also caught Komer’s attention.

Noticing that Komer’s gaze was circling the silver-haired girl, a knight who had been keeping an eye on Komer was plotting how to avenge the insult from earlier in the day. Their plan had already failed; in the duke’s eyes, this group was worthless. And though Komer was just a minor low-ranking noble, he was rumored to have some magic skills, so he wasn’t to be underestimated. Knight Sart’s lips curled into a sinister smile.

“Your barony, gentlemen, are you also here to attend this birthday banquet? Hehe, Princess Vero must be very happy to see you, come this way, please. Princess Vero is over here. As for guests from afar, we Galleians are always welcoming,” said Knight Sart with a beaming smile, dressed in a knight’s snow-white attire with gold embroidery that made his entire outfit look impeccable. His knight’s stiletto hung diagonally on a broad black leather belt, and his blue eyes twinkled with a cheerful light, as if overjoyed about something.

Seeing the other party approaching, Komer had a bad feeling, especially because behind the seemingly generous and hearty laughter there was always a hint of something sinister, prompting him to be on guard. His sharp words in the morning had caused the knight to lose face, and now that knight might seek an opportunity for revenge. Fortunately, this was a public event with many witnesses, and the knight was unlikely to engage in underhanded tactics. Knightly honor and demeanor, at least superficially, required respect, and Komer, of noble origin, understood these men more deeply than anyone else.

Birthday? Princess Vero’s birthday? The group, including Komer, stiffened. No wonder so many nobles were attending tonight, it was the birthday of Duke Zellin’s youngest daughter, Princess Vero, the silver-haired angel they had met in the morning. Komer was filled with surprise laced with worry, while his companions behind him were a mix of helplessness, shame, and humiliation. Indeed, as the lord had expected, inviting them was likely just an offhand, thoughtless comment from Duke Zellin. These Galle nobles had never given them a second glance. But this was the birthday banquet for his youngest daughter, and they had come uninvited, without any preparation…

While everyone was consumed with their thoughts, things were proceeding according to the young knight’s planned scenario. “Come, this way, please. You’ve already met Princess Vero earlier today. She’s not in the best of spirits today, and I hope the gifts from you all will bring her some joy. Look, Princess Vero has already spotted you,” he said.

As soon as he spoke, the others visibly stiffened, and though Komer tried to maintain his composure, the others behind him turned pale, anxious and uneasy, revealing their true thoughts.

“Princess Vero’s birthday? Today is Princess Vero’s birthday?” blurted out Melbourne, a timid man who had bought an inconsequential title of nobility with money. He was well aware of the nature of such an upper-class society gathering, especially a girl’s birthday banquet, where it is customary to present a gift to the hostess to convey good wishes. And for someone as important as Duke Zellin’s favorite youngest daughter, inevitably every gift from the guests was expected to be valuable, lest they be scorned by the nobility for their commonness.

“Yes, can it be that all of you have come to this banquet today without knowing it’s for Princess Vero’s birthday celebration?” Knight Sart feigned an expression of complete surprise, acting so convincingly that not even Komer, who was practiced at the art of deception, could deny that the knight had set a perfect trap, snaring them all. They had hurried in, thinking it was a regular banquet, and had prepared no gifts. Now, with the hostess before them, where could they find suitable gifts at the last minute?

Seeing the group frantically searching themselves for anything to offer, Sart suppressed the delight in his heart. These country bumpkins, he thought, would publicly embarrass themselves before the nobles in the grand hall and disgrace Komer, who took too much pleasure in his own sharp tongue, and would tarnish the reputation of the nobles of the Homer region before the Galleians.

Another representative from Meine City-State, Zip, was already sweating profusely with a pale complexion, stammering, “No, Sir Knight, we didn’t mean that, it’s just that…”

Before he could finish his sentence, he was rudely interrupted, “All right, gentlemen, come on, Princess Vero is over there waiting for you. We mustn’t delay any longer; there are many other guests waiting to present their gifts to Princess Vero!”

After saying this, without waiting for Komer and his party to react, Sate had already barely contained his joy. Turning his head and stifling a laugh, he walked toward the group of girls standing in the center of the Grand Hall and cleared his throat, announcing loudly, “Ladies and gentlemen, please quiet down, and allow me to introduce a few guests from afar. Upon hearing that today is the birthday of our most beautiful and beloved Princess Vero of Galle, they have specially prepared a precious and unique gift. Now let us welcome Lord Baron Komer of Caucasus and his friends, Hozer, Zip, Melbourne, Reese, and Mr. Lafayette.”

As the man bellowed through the hall to deliberately broadcast the presence of Komer and his entourage, Komer knew that they would have a hard time getting out of this situation. This Knight Sate was meticulous indeed, waiting until the last moment to play his hand, apparently keen on throwing them into the furnace for a good roasting, desiring to have them lose face in front of the etiquette-conscious Galle nobles, and it seemed the barb Komer had directed at Princess Vero earlier that morning had truly hit home, with Sate intent on tarnishing his image.

As Komer was pondering how to solve the imminent problem, a deep voice from behind him spoke, “Sir, it seems we’ve been trapped. There’s no other option now. I have a necklace here; it’s an antique passed down in my family. It’s nothing exceedingly precious, but it’s worth a thing or two. We can use this trinket as a makeshift gift. As a representation of our Caucasus, it’s at least thoughtful, better than showing up empty-handed.”

Komer’s heart was stirred. It seemed that Mr. Hozer indeed had the presence of mind to think through the situation. However, presenting anything at random in such circumstances could barely be presentable, and might even invite further humiliation. But to show up with nothing would be even more unbearable. As if he suddenly remembered something, Komer hesitated for a moment and then gritted his teeth, deciding to first get past this predicament. If the group were to make a spectacle of themselves here and it got spread around, potentially exaggerated by those with an agenda, he feared that he and his companions would become the subject of ridicule wherever they went thereafter.

“Mr. Hozer, I appreciate your kindness, but since they’ve set a stage for us, at this point, we can only bite the bullet and move forward. I just so happen to have a ring with me, not valuable either, but somewhat unique. Let’s use it as the gift,” Komer said without turning back, waving his hand slightly, his tone still carrying that nonchalant demeanor.

Hearing what Komer said, his companions, who were somewhat tense and worried, all breathed a sigh of relief. Though young, the Lord was experienced and mature in his conduct and speech, and along the way, they had come to respect this aristocratic child from the Homer region, who was notorious yet differed greatly from their expectations.

The silver-haired girl in a delicate silk dress seemed an ethereal elf from Mongola Forest, her silver eyes burning like the legendary flames of the heavenly realm. Her small, upturned nose and cherry lips were dazzling, with a tinge of excited crimson on her cheeks, making her delicate body inspire tenderness in anyone who sighted her. The sight melted even the icy and wary heart of Komer, who was so accustomed to facing women with wariness. The voluminous gown, supported by whalebone, modestly yet robustly set off her chest, which was akin to a pair of white doves yearning to take flight, wrapped in white linen. The translucent gauze added an aura of mysterious allure.

The silver-haired girl curiously observed the group of guests, whose attire clashed with the noble finery of the Grand Hall. The leading young man wore a simple, decoration-free purple-black robe, with nothing to denote his status or even indicate if he belonged to the nobility. He looked to be under twenty, with piercing grey eyes and a tall nose, his lips curved slightly downwards. His smooth black hair fell just so, and though his fair face lacked the arrogance often seen in his peers, it carried a sense of weathered experience. The rest, all clad as common people and looking neat despite their weary appearance, lacked the confident demeanor of the leader, despite trying to look nonchalant. Apart from one in the back, their restraint and anxiety were evident.

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