The birthday banquet was held at five o'clock. By four, the guests scattered around Bluebird Castle had begun filing into the banquet hall.
Before the banquet began, there was still an important procedure to complete.
That was the presentation of birthday gifts.
Whether on Russell's old homeworld of Earth or on the Dragon Sleep Continent, gift-giving was an indispensable form of social interaction. Especially among nobles, banquets and gifts were frequent, and they enjoyed giving and receiving presents publicly.
"Count Merlin, the Grand Duke asked me to bring you a staff. It was forged by master craftsman Vinskar of the Volcanic Iron Forge using an alloy of eighteen metals, with twenty-four different gemstones embedded in it."
Lord Fishel immediately lifted the lid of the gift box and took out the splendid staff the Grand Duke had sent Count Merlin. "This staff was personally named by the Grand Duke... the Grand Duke's Staff of the Elder Dragon Riders."
A servant immediately stepped forward and laboriously carried the Grand Duke's Staff of the Elder Dragon Riders over, placing it in Count Merlin's hand.
"Good!" Count Merlin sat in the seat of honor in the hall, gripping the Grand Duke's Staff of the Elder Dragon Riders in one hand and planting it on the floor. A composed smile rested on his face. "The Grand Duke has been most thoughtful. Lord Fishel, when you return, be sure to convey my sincere gratitude to him."
"Of course. I will convey your gratitude to the Grand Duke at once." Lord Fishel bowed and withdrew.
The second guest to present a gift was Lord Orte Willow. Representing Gravel Earl Oskro Willow, he brought a fairly valuable gemstone gift, though it did not quite match the Gravel Earl's status.
Count Merlin had no interest in even looking at