Annan could no longer comfort Martin by telling him, "You're smarter than an Ogre."
The Winchester Family carriage arrived at dusk.
Lady Fine Wine was as beautiful as ever, but she seemed a little down.
When Annan asked what was wrong, she said, "Remember the last banquet? Not one of them came... I thought they were good partners."
At the time, Annan was suspected of being an impostor, and Lady Fine Wine's Family was struggling after its losses. Looking out for themselves was only natural, and nobles and wealthy merchants were especially good at it.
"This time will be different."
Then Annan found it a little strange. Lady Fine Wine should have known all that.
As though she had guessed what Annan was thinking, Lady Fine Wine's lips curved. "I feel much better now. Thank you, sweetheart."
Realizing she had been teasing him, Annan could only ask, "How are things after the winery was destroyed?"
"Thanks to you and City Lord Olmedo speaking on my behalf, the Noblin Family agreed to postpone delivery until next Spring. That gives me enough time to prepare the goods."
Before long, Michael and the others arrived one after another.
Before they set off, Annan warned the Ogre in particular, "No eating people." Then he told the Orc, "No hitting people." The three carriages carrying them headed for the Banquet Hall.
Carriages crowded the bustling roadside, and elegantly dressed nobles greeted one another as they stepped down from them.
It was a grand banquet by any measure.
As the guest of honor, Annan drew countless gazes when he arrived.
Nobles and wealthy merchants took turns greeting him with wineglasses in hand. Noblewomen and young ladies smiled and winked at him, as if they had forgotten he had been a prisoner not long ago. Gone,