An earthquake proved nothing more than an interlude and did not affect Nico's promotion celebration. On the contrary, it provided a fine topic of conversation for the banquet.
"Your Excellency Nico!"
At the height of the banquet, all the guests raised their glasses together and shouted Nico's name.
Nico stood on Russell's shoulder and excitedly drank a cup of red wine Russell handed her. Two rosy blushes immediately appeared on her little cheeks.
Then she flew up and circled the entire banquet hall, shouting wildly, "Nico, Nico, Nico!"
Only after she grew tired of flying did she land on Russell's shoulder again, sitting beneath the gazes of the guests—envy, jealousy, astonishment, resentment, and all manner of other emotions.
Russell smiled faintly and raised his glass. "Everyone, cheers!"
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
The guests throughout the hall all raised their glasses and drained them with Russell.
Once the luncheon ended, many guests who had delivered their gifts and finished the feast set out for Fluorite Castle under the guidance of Baron and Madam Roman.
They would rest at Fluorite Castle for the night, making it easier to rise early and travel the next day.
As for Uncle Meijie, Baron Gevidas, Baron Dyson, and the others, along with relatives such as Old Madam Ingrid, Aunt Roby, and Uncle Rosen, they would stay at Cigar Castle for the night and make further arrangements after tomorrow.
That afternoon.
The women formed card tables, while the knights formed groups to wander around Thunder Marsh and Green Hill, admiring this newly born Warm Enclave of the Shadowflame Grand Duchy.
Russell did not accompany them.
He received Charles in the study. "How did the investigation go?"
"My lord, the entire Blackfire Land, along with the surrounding Thunder Marsh, Green Hill, and the neighboring Guangguang River Valley, all experienced