Chapter 120: Viriden banquet
The banquet fell short of the opulent feasts provided by the Divine Throne, yet I found myself at home in the warm, welcoming atmosphere. The Viriden locals had poured their hearts into both the food and the entertainment, and I found myself entranced by the lively folk music played by their talented musicians. It was a gathering where Lord Griffon had opened the doors to commoners, transcending the typical exclusivity of noble events. This wasn’t just a matter of practicality, as cities seldom boasted enough high-class attendees for a banquet, but ran deeper. The genuine affection in everyone’s eyes for Lord Griffon was palpable.
As Fyren had promised, I felt rather popular with the young men. I was only partway through my fifteenth year, yet that was already past the cusp of adulthood, leaving me susceptible to all sorts of advances. Following the adventurer’s counsel, I gently rebuffed their approaches, finding their efforts almost endearing. It puzzled me how I could be both despised and admired in different parts of Enusia. The remote nature of Viriden and its distance from the Divine Throne likely played a role, and it left me wondering about the prejudices interwoven with culture in other countries. Would they be the same, united by the church, or hold their own hatreds?
As the banquet neared its end, Lord Griffon rose to his feet, drawing the attention of everyone in the hall with his noble presence. A faint smile touched his lips as he raised his glass for a toast.
"To the heroes who have given their all to safeguard our world. In celebration of our triumph over the demons, and to honor their presence among us, I declare tomorrow a citywide festivity. Soltair, the Sun Hero, has accepted the challenge of several of our most formidable knights. They’ll engage in a contest at the festival grounds beyond the city walls. It’s a rare opportunity to witness one of our world’s heroes in action, so I encourage all of you to attend."
Silence fell upon the hall as excited whispers spread. Lord Griffon resumed his seat, his gaze now filled with anticipation as he glanced at me. I nodded in response, suppressing the flutter of nerves within my stomach. Drawing a slow breath, I summoned my mana, finding solace in the familiar, seductive warmth that enveloped my soul. Regardless of what the morrow might bring, I was determined to enjoy tonight.
"What’s the challenge match all about?" Fyren inquired, his curiosity mirrored in my own thoughts. Lord Griffon hadn’t mentioned this earlier.
Soltair chuckled, leaning back and relaxing in his chair. "It’s more of an exhibition match, really. Many of the soldiers kept pestering me about my skills, begging me to teach them and whatnot. So I decided, ’Why not?’ and here we are."
"Is it dangerous for them?" I wondered aloud.
Soltair shook his head, his grin widening. "Not at all. I won’t be using spells or advanced techniques. Just enough to showcase my swordplay and entertain the audience. I’ll keep it simple so even the newest recruit can learn from my skills."
"Don’t get too overconfident," Fyren cautioned. "Honestly, your actual swordsmanship is on par with a recruit. You’ve only had a year to practice the sword, which is a fraction of the experience of any hardened veteran."
"I know, I know," Soltair lamented. "Isn’t that why we’re training?"