At the banquet, Gelontan, Baron Gevidas's second son, seemed somewhat distracted. Every so often, he would sneak a glance at Russell, who had already become the center of attention.
His father's attitude toward Russell was vastly different from last time.
His eldest brother Gelongge and eldest brother Roland acted as though they had met too late, their enthusiasm almost excessive as they reminisced about their service in the Dragon Blood Knights. His sister Gewen repeatedly looked toward eldest brother Roland and eldest brother Russell, her gaze soft as water.
Even his increasingly proud sister-in-law, Kunila Sunflower, had no choice but to force a somewhat fake smile and join her husband Gelongge in enthusiastically flattering Roland and Russell.
All of this.
Stemmed from Russell arriving atop an imposing, powerful Wyvern.
"Gelontan, what are you spacing out for?" His mother Joanna noticed her second son's distraction. Tilting her head toward him, she whispered, "Your eldest brother Russell thinks highly of you and is willing to teach you swordsmanship. Why don't you offer him a toast?"
"Oh, all right, Mother," Gelontan replied quietly.
He waited until Russell had finished the food in his mouth before raising his glass. "Eldest Brother Russell, congratulations on successfully riding a dragon!"
Russell gladly raised his glass. "Thank you."
Then he took a small sip of red wine, smiled at Gelontan, and drained the entire glass.
The enormous rise in his status meant that he no longer needed to drink an entire glass whenever someone toasted him. A small taste was enough to convey the sentiment. This was basically how all High Nobles handled round after round of toasts.
After mounting a Wyvern, Russell was unquestionably a High Noble.
"Lord Russell, let me offer you another toast." Gelongge also raised his glass toward Russell. "Having successfully ridden a