Chapter 274

Chapter 274 - How Eugene Entertains Nobles

Eugene eats the same combat rations and rubs shoulders with his subordinates during external operations. However, he also knew that such frugality and unreservedness were not always virtues.

At times like this, when the castle was full of nobles, it was necessary to share a sense of privilege as members of the same high society.

Even if nobles claim noble blood flows in their veins, how would its composition differ from the blood of a serf?

Ultimately, luxury, refinement, and formality befitting their status were required. Boiling those things togAAether in one pot is the banquet of nobles.

Hosting and attending banquets was essentially a membership card to exist as a noble. There's a reason nobles go into debt to flaunt their luxury.

"It is quite tranquil here."

"The Countess mentioned this is a restricted area where only invited VIPs can enter."

The leadership of the Western Allied FOrces was invited to the VIP salon. This place overflowed with such luxury that even wealthy nobles would feel intimidated.

"Truly fitting of a place where the last king of the ancient kingdom resided."

The floors and walls were crafted by the artisans of the old era, pouring their souls into them. Handicrafts and furniture more expensive than gold of the same weight were arranged everywhere.

But the most special thing was the Orchids Valda had cultivated. Orchids several times larger than normal ones cast fresh leaves and petals everywhere.

"Welcome. Honorable and brave gentlemen. Finally, guests fitting for this salon have arrived."

Valda, beautifully dressed in the attire of the 1st Age royal family, grabbed both sides of her skirt and bowed gracefully.

"How could we dare compare to Madame's beauty?"

"The thing I envy most about His Excellency is neither the AAAether Sword nor that incredible warhorse. I envy the blessing of the wife bestowed by God the most."

The guests also responded in their own ways. Lords gave a slight bow, knights made fists and tapped their hearts, and mercenary captains gathered their hands awkwardly and bowed.

"Thank you. These children are also rejoicing at receiving such precious guests."

As Valda opened both hands, two nearby Orchid plants bowed their large flower buds in response. At that mystical sight, the nobles exclaimed in awe continuously.

"As expected, a household governed by the Forest Magician is different in every way."

"Even I have cultivated Eldora Orchids for over 30 years, but I've never seen something like this..."

Old things.

Specialness distinguishing one from others.

Craving these two things is the physiology of nobles.

'Eldora Orchids', encompassing the Orchids cultivated by the 1st Age Elven royal family. Cultivating these was considered the noblest hobby.

One must perfectly manage humidity, temperature, water, and light, and periodically replace the special potting soil. Even keeping all these conditions and cultivating them for years, seeing the flowers was only momentary.

However, in Valda's salon, hundreds of Eldora Orchids were blooming flowers like full moons.

"Do all these many flowers stay in bloom continuously?"

"As long as I stay in the castle."

"Then if you leave?"

"They become like this."

When Valda pointed to a nearby petal, it folded back into a flower bud like a lady folding her parasol. Then it bowed its head in a beautiful curve like a swan seeking sleep.

At that unbelievable sight, gasps erupted from the nobles.

"The Orchids are rejoicing to receive precious guests. It would be an honor if you gentlemen would stroke them."

"C-Can we really do that?"

"These children are special. They are strong yet sociable. They hate being touched by just anyone, but in front of noble blood, they act like puppies."

Among the tense nobles, the first to step forward was an old noble with 30 years of experience. He reached out a trembling hand toward a flower he had his eyes on from the start.

An Orchid called the Hawk Orchid because it resembles a hawk gliding. In his 30 years as an Orchid enthusiast, he had only seen its flower once, and that too for just 2 days.

Swoooosh.

"Ooh!"

Responding to the wrinkled hand, the white flower tilted its head. Every time the old noble, grinning from ear to ear, stroked the flower, the Hawk Orchid gifted a cozy yet deep fragrance.

"Let me try too."

An Orchid called the Cliff Flower because it's nearly impossible to cultivate artificially and only grows on cliffs.

An Orchid named Bride because its blooming figure resembles the profile of a woman in a bridal gown facing the wind.

Every time the lords and knights touched them, the Orchids welcomed them like shy girls.

"Uh?"

"Huh?"

However, when the mercenary captains tried to touch them, they folded their petals and ran away on their own. Like a daughter of a prestigious family avoiding the insidious touch of a barbarian.

To the mercenary captains staring with flustered faces, Valda made an awkward expression.

"Gentlemen. Didn't the Countess tell you? She said they hate it if it's not the touch of noble blood."

At that moment, an obtuse and arrogant noble voluntarily became the villain.

"Tsk."

"True blue blood really is different."

"So this is what noble lineage is..."

Having nothing to say, the mercenary captains backed down.

It was a moment where the authority the ruling class had spread across the world over a long time became even firmer.

-A noble is a being born by planting souls harvested from the gardens of the gods into human wombs.

The public's perception of nobles was akin to a different species with the same appearance. Nobles mobilized various means to further grow such perceptions.

Right now. The lords and knights who tasted the crystallization of such privilege rejoiced greatly and enjoyed the affectionate Orchids.

And this was a scam devised by Eugene and Valda.

-How is it? With a flower garden of this level, even if the royal family visited, they wouldn't be able to hold back their admiration.

-Excellent! It's truly amazing! But Lady Valda. I have one more favor to ask. Lend me your ear for a moment.

-You can just tell me, why...?

-You can just listen, why...?

-Because every time I allow my ear, you play mean pranks!

After a brief moment of flirting, Valda nodded after hearing Eugene's plan.

-With my magic, it's possible.

-Are there any bastards as steeped in vanity as nobles? It's a waste to use these wonderful Orchids just as a background. We have to land a one-two punch on the souls of the nobles.

-You mentioned this before, didn't you? That if you hadn't become a knight, you might have become a merchant.

-I did.

-It's truly a relief you didn't. How many people would have shed tears after being scammed?

-That's too harsh.

Valda's Orchids do not discriminate against noble blood. Rejecting the touch of mercenaries and acting affectionately towards nobles was all manipulated by the forest magic.

But what did it matter?

"Thank you for today's rare experience."

"It became a memory I will never forget for the rest of my life. To think the day would come when I could enjoy the Hawk Orchid to my heart's content like this."

The place was full of nobles thanking them with ecstatic faces. Everyone was intoxicated by the fact that their blood's nobility was acknowledged. A joy that no strong alcohol could reach had dyed their souls.

The show was a success.

* * *

The place where the nobles ate and drank was also special.

'You are entering the pinnacle of civilization.'

Passing the signboard written as such, a splendid banquet hall unfolded.

"Those shining glass tubes are marvelous no matter when I see them."

"It's as if they brought the sun indoors."

No matter how much money one had, one couldn't overcome the limits of technology. Even wealthy great nobles had to rely on the power of candlelight indoors.

However, no matter how many expensive candles were used in large quantities, they couldn't surpass the light of the sunset. Darkness was bound to still lurk in corners indoors.

Yet, in the Moving Castle, the only daylight color of this era existed. When the magic lamps met the luxurious chandeliers, not a single speck of darkness could survive.

Everyone's gaze focused on Eugene. Customarily, the host of the banquet had to give an opening speech to begin the meal.

'We decorated the banquet hall with such and such things for you. Isn't it amazing?'

Usually, if one made such self-praise, the guests would chime in.

However, Eugene opened the scripture he held in his hand. It was the Goddess of Justice, revered by many knights of Roman.

Eugene recited its first verse.

"The light descended into the darkness."

All the knights present opened their mouths in response.

"And the darkness has never overcome the light."

The teaching to become the vanguard that destroys the world's evil and injustice.

It's a phrase so famous that if you don't know this first verse, you can't be called a knight of Roman. It is also frequently quoted as an opening statement in trials presided over by lords.

Eugene didn't adorn his banquet with rhetorical flourishes. A single line of God's word was enough.

"To have such fresh oysters in the field."

"There's an aquaculture farm inside the castle."

The raw oysters and trout dishes on fresh green waterweeds overpowered the nobles from the start.

"We are receiving the full hospitality of the Fairy race."

A pot-bellied man looked around the banquet hall as if bewitched. Dark Elf ladies dressed in evening gowns were assisting the banquet everywhere.

Carrying rare foods and alcohol.

Some playing instruments on stage.

Supporting those whose movements were restricted due to injuries.

Carrying trays holding various tobaccos and matches.

The Dark Elves are famous for being the most prideful and vicious among heterogenous races.

Serving humans with such professional smiles was impossible through any coercion or whip.

"E-Excuse me."

A mercenary captain picked up fruit wine from a tray held by a slender waitress.

"Would you like me to add ice?"

"No. This is enough, enough!"

The mercenary captain bowed, feeling extremely honored. His tone, which had been trying to maintain some dignity, instantly reverted to polite speech.

"By the way, Your Excellency the Count. Why is everyone wearing a mask?"

"That's right. I've been continuously curious about that since earlier."

All the Dark Elf women were wearing lace masks covering the upper part of their noses.

Matching the colors of their respective evening gowns, splendid black, white, and red lace was incorporated. It was a beautiful yet alluring figure.

"It is a pledge to pour our utmost sincerity when treating guests. In communication between people, facial expressions take up a high proportion. But what if that is covered with a mask?"

When Eugene paused, the nobles fell deep into thought.

"It means they must prove their sincerity through actions that much more. It means they will pay attention to trivial hand gestures and gaits so the guests can rejoice."

"Such deep meaning!"

"This is a luxury even kings couldn't enjoy."

Eugene smiled brightly, called over a nearby waitress, and grabbed her exposed shoulders.

"Plus, doesn't it feel mystical too? Like we've come to a masquerade ball."

As if responding to Eugene's words, the corners of the mouth below the beautiful pale gray nose bridge curled up.

"It looks like viewing pOrcelain crafted in human form."

Suppressing their pounding hearts, the nobles nodded enthusiastically.

However, this too was a lie.

-I will follow the Castellan's orders.

-Thank you. Would everyone wear this mask when serving the banquet?

-It's a pretty yet somewhat provocative mask. I like it.

-If you get annoyed while serving, you can also make mocking expressions to your heart's content.

-Ahahaha!

The waitresses of the banquet hall consisted of Cassandra's subordinates. Women with strong patience, flexibility, and secular mindsets. They know the value of hosting an impressive banquet for nobles.

Eugene provided a device considerate of them so they wouldn't need to manage their facial expressions. Those were these splendid masks.

Having mingled with them for a long time, Eugene could tell. Many of the ladies currently circling the banquet hall serving with utmost devotion were looking at the guests with contempt.

"It's somewhat ironic."

Valda linked her arm with Eugene's and whispered in his ear.

"What is?"

"This is a place for the noblest people in the castle. The food, the tea sets, the sofas, everything is top-tier. But isn't everything that truly makes this place special a lie?"

"That's right. The affection of the Orchids the guests are touched by, or the smiles of the Fairy race ladies. All of them are works of art sculpted with lies."

Eugene also whispered in Valda's ear.

"But if the parties involved don't know and are satisfied, isn't that enough?"

"I feel like I'm watching a puppet show for fools."

"Your tone seems disapproving, so why are you smiling?"

"Me?"

Valda touched her lips and made a slightly surprised face. Then she sighed.

"Living with a bad man, it seems I've been tainted with bad habits."

"Well. I don't think I've tainted you that much yet."

"What does that... Ah!"

After a beat of delayed understanding, a fist of anger and embarrassment slammed into her husband's side.

* * *

The banquet Eugene prepared was strictly closer to a long vacation.

The nobles, knights, and mercenary captains were given suites where the high-ranking officials of the ancient kingdom used to stay.

At night, Eugene soaked in a bubbling spa with his precious guests.

"To create this much hot water, just how much firewood must be used..."

A knight made a dumbfounded face looking at water the size of a training ground. It was hard to believe there was a large public bath inside the castle, but warm steam coming out of it was even more so.

"My friend. What kind of ordinary place do you think this is?"

"Surely this must be the power of magic too."

The nobles leaned their bodies with faces as if the fatigue of battle was melting away.

A wasteland and a battlefield. Enjoying impossible pleasure amidst these two elements. That made the nobles' vanity burn fiercely.

Splish splash.

The sound of bare feet stepping on the wet floor. Cassandra in a dancer's outfit approached carrying a tray.

Gulp.

The knights' eyes were stolen not by her beautiful face but by her well-trained body. Because they knew how much effort went into those sturdy legs and sculpted abs.

"Castellan. I have brought what you ordered."

A dessert with syrup poured over shaved ice was presented.

"Shaved ice, you say?"

"Is there any experience as special as eating shaved ice in a hot bath or sauna?"

The nobles holding the shaved ice bowls in both hands laughed heartily.

"Of course!"

"His Excellency the Count has shown us true noble spirit. Even I prided myself on enjoying refinement, but today I am completely defeated."

Eugene clicked his tongue inwardly.

'Oh my, they're making such a fuss.'

'You must endure it.'

Eugene and Cassandra exchanged glances and maintained their good-natured smiles.

Like it or not, the ones holding power, wealth, and strength were the nobles. There was absolutely no harm in buying their hearts.

* * *

While Eugene and his guests were having a good time, the Imperial faction army felt their blood drying up day by day.

Countless requests for supplies headed to the rear from the frontlines, and the rear dispatched messengers to soothe the armies showing signs of desertion.

-When the hell are the supplies coming?! Do you know this is the 4th petition I'm submitting?

-Please hold on just a little longer. We are trying to find another supply route somehow.

-Hold on longer? Are you kidding me right now? My soldiers are at the point of boiling and eating the leather off their shields! Telling us to hold on longer here, what, do you want us to eat human flesh?

-Your words are too harsh!

-Damn it. What's harsh is our situation of starving while having achieved a great victory.

An army only moves when fed. The triumphant Imperial faction fOrces were staggering simultaneously as their supply routes were blocked.

-Why not just attack that castle instead?

-If you haven't seen that castle, keep quiet. Even if children just threw stones from the roof, the attacking army would be annihilated.

The southern nobles, who had bought time like that, joined fOrces with the western nobles and slowly began to push the frontlines up. This change in the battlefield created another variable.

"Castellan. I apologize for disturbing your rest, but it's a top-priority telegram."

"It's fine. Come in."

After finishing entertaining the nobles. Eugene, who had been lying on the wide bed resting his head on Valda's lap, got up at the witch's knock.

"Hoo."

The content of the telegram was merely one line, but it carried tremendous weight.

"Could it be about the Emperor?"

"How did you know?"

"Because it's about time. Only that would come as an urgent report at this time of night."

Eugene nodded.

"It is as Lady Valda said. The Emperor has left the capital."

With his back to the wall, the Emperor needed a way to break through the worsening war situation. In such a situation, the head of state personally leading the army could bring about a powerful reversal of the atmosphere.

On the other hand, it was also an opportunity for the allied fOrces. Because it meant the enemy's leader had come down to where their hands could reach.