A banquet.
Just as commoners could not escape marriage, work, and taxes, nobles could not escape pleasure, marriage alliances, and banquets.
Men had their banquets, and women had theirs. Great nobles held lavish feasts, while lesser nobles held intimate family gatherings.
At first, Annan had hated these pointless gatherings where wealthy, powerful people clustered together. Now, he was gradually coming around to them. Or rather, he had learned to accept the parts he could tolerate.
After all, outside of banquets, there were few chances to meet nobles he did not know.
Olmedo wanted Annan to attend, whether to win over people willing to hunt down the Red Dragon Sorcerer or to expand the Commercial Street into the Dimon Kingdom. But they had to guard against certain things... such as a demonic counterattack.
To put it bluntly, tonight's banquet had gathered nearly half the Dimon Kingdom's elite. If the demons found a way to dispose of the guests, the kingdom would become their garden.
But Annan refused to bring the Skeleton King or Mr. Swaro. He felt Free City needed their protection more than he did.
Unable to change his mind, Olmedo spent ten gold coins to have Illymoyas secretly follow and protect him.
Countless important figures were attending this Kingdom Banquet. Even Grand Marshal Garkin's standing was nothing remarkable here. But just as no one could deny the grand marshal's role in their recent victory, no one could erase Annan's contribution.
In the glittering hall of High Mountain City, a grand banquet was about to begin.
Enormous crystal chandeliers blazed overhead. The Royal Family had brought furnishings from the Royal Palace, and portraits of the Dimon Kingdom's past kings hung on the walls. Their eyes seemed to watch over the festivities.
The Court Orchestra played cheerful music in one