Chapter 79: Chapter 79: The City Council Banquet (Part 1)
Early November, afternoon, 53 Amber Street, Ryan's new home, second-floor bedroom.
"Catherine, go tidy up the servant's room downstairs. You'll be living here for now. We don't have a maid yet, so you'll have to manage... ah, Ryan, a bit gentler," said a lazy voice.
"Yes, Councillor," said the Garland witch's apprentice, dressed in a red apprentice robe. She had a pretty oval face and beautiful big eyes. Her blonde hair was tied into a bun. The girl listened carefully to her mentor's instructions, her face flushing with joy.
In the Garland Mansion, the crowding was intense, and unless you were a councillor like Veronica, you didn't get your own room. Otherwise, you had to share large dormitories. Living here, with better living conditions and a clean, tidy single room, Catherine was overjoyed, especially knowing that this was Amber Street. When she returned, she would have plenty to brag about!
"Alright, Catherine, you can go now," Veronica waved her hand, dismissing her apprentice. "Don't forget to change into your dress for the banquet later."
"Yes, ma'am." The apprentice lifted her skirt and went downstairs.
Meanwhile, Ryan was gently massaging Veronica's delicate silk-clad feet. She had worn high heels all day, and her feet were sore. She lay on the bed, unwilling to move. "Ryan, what did the Lady of the Lake say?"
"The Lady said Belt is in the place closest to Chaos." After their fruitless search, Ryan had asked the Lady of the Lake about Belt's whereabouts. The Lady had said Belt was in Marienburg, in the place closest to Chaos.
"The place closest to Chaos... Ah!" Veronica gasped as her beautiful feet instinctively pulled back.
"I told you not to wear such high heels all the time," Ryan scolded gently while massaging her feet.
"I only wear high heels, Ryan, just as I always wear silk stockings. You know why," the Garland witch glared at him. "I must appear flawless. I must show everyone who I am."
Ryan fell silent.
Just like noble succession, the weaker the legitimacy of an heir, the more they need to emphasize their legitimacy, even if it requires excessive effort. The first in line doesn't need to do this because it's unnecessary.
For example, if the savior Ludwig attended the imperial court banquet in hunting attire, it would be considered fashionable and trendy. But if a baron did the same, it would be seen as sacrilegious and outrageous, and he would be dragged out by other nobles.
Veronica was not from a wizard family and had no inherent background. Her reputation wasn't as established as Ryan's. In such a situation, the strong-willed witch had to dress this way to openly proclaim her wealth and noble status as a Garland witch, emphasizing her identity.
She needed a hard shell to protect her sensitive heart.
Only Ryan could see her vulnerable, unguarded self.
"No problem. If you get tired, I can carry you, and if your feet ache, I'll massage them for you. Do what you want to do," Ryan said tenderly.
"Great, I was waiting for you to say that. You can't go back on your word!" Veronica jumped onto Ryan, laughing and making a victory sign. "It's a promise with no time limit! You can't go back on it!"
"…I've been tricked again," Ryan's eyes turned dangerous.
...
When the apprentice came to the bathroom to clean up, she was stunned by the scene. Why was the bathroom soaked everywhere after her mentor took a bath? Even the vanity and mirror were splattered with water.
In the second-floor bedroom, Veronica had changed into a purple evening gown with rose patterns. Her dark brown curly hair shone, and her face was radiant. She selected a pair of white high heels from her collection and slipped them on, then casually asked, "So, you're certain Belt docked at Marienburg?"
Ryan was already dressed in a standard black noble tailcoat, with a cravat and gold epaulets. "Yes, according to the workers at Dock Six, the Pleasure Guild booked the entire dock that day and transported a large number of luxury goods."
"And we also found the crew from Dock Eight in the canal district… Their eyes were so vile, like a pack of wolves," Veronica turned around, signaling for Ryan to help her zip up and tie her ribbon. They continued their conversation without pause.
"That's clearly a crew looking for fun. Didn't they say they just transported a batch of grain and made a huge profit?" Ryan zipped up the dress and tied the ribbon, then placed her favorite bow in her hair. "They partied in a brothel for days, each one looking exhausted but still drinking heavily, spending every copper coin they earned."
After they finished dressing, Ryan noted they had some time left, so he suggested they wait downstairs.
Because Veronica's dress was long, Ryan carried her downstairs.
"So, you think it's Dock Six?" Veronica asked curiously while they sat in the living room. "Just because the Pleasure Guild booked it for a day?"
"No, I'm certain it's the group from Dock Eight." Ryan shook his finger from side to side. "Because of their exhaustion, like they were desperately chasing after that feeling again."
"Exhaustion?"
"Yes, exhaustion, as if they had undergone tremendous mental stimulation and were now desperately seeking the next high," Ryan leaned back, thinking. "It looks like the initial recruitment by the Cult of Pleasure. Do you remember how none of them could clearly describe the passengers?"
"Indeed," Veronica nodded.
Among the four Chaos gods, most northern barbarians worship Khorne, the god of blood and slaughter, and Nurgle, the god of disease and plague, due to the harsh environment of the northern wastelands.
In the human realms, wealthy and orderly people are more likely to be corrupted by Tzeentch, the god of schemes and deceit, or Slaanesh, the god of excess and pleasure.
"So, Belt's ship definitely docked at Marienburg..." As they were still discussing, Veronica's apprentice, Catherine, came out dressed in a white embroidered dress. The girl said softly, "Councillor, I'm ready."
Though she was only fifteen or sixteen, Catherine looked like a budding flower, standing gracefully. Veronica was reminded of herself when she had just entered Garland. She had been like this too.
"Catherine, come here," Veronica beckoned her apprentice, who shyly walked over. Veronica signaled for her to sit beside her and introduced her to Ryan. "I forgot to formally introduce her. This is my apprentice, Catherine, sixteen years old. I personally selected her from the apprentices last year for her excellence."
"Hello," Ryan greeted politely.
"Catherine, this is Ryan, the person you've heard about from me and in the council. He's my partner and..." Veronica paused, then continued, "Anyway, his orders are my orders. Understand?"
"Understood." The apprentice lifted her white dress and curtsied.
"And don't touch what you shouldn't. I won't warn you twice." Veronica held Ryan's hand with a warning look.
"Veronica!" Ryan squeezed her hand. "I'm not someone who can't control himself."
"Good to hear," Veronica clapped her hands, signaling it was time to leave. "Let's go."
At night, Marienburg was as noisy as ever, bustling with traffic. People gathered at the city hall, ready to attend the grand duke's banquet.
Banquets were common in this city. Every night, banquets were an eternal theme. But tonight's event was different. It was to welcome the hero from the north, Ryan.
The city hall of Marienburg was more of a grand clubhouse than an office. It was decorated with the most luxurious items from the Old World: noble furnishings from the Empire, fine wines and delicacies from Bretonnia, exquisite crafts from the high elves, finely crafted items from the dwarfs, and famous paintings and sculptures from the southern kingdoms adorned Marienburg's center.
"The position of the Grand Duke of Marienburg is not hereditary but elected. Marienburg has an upper and lower house. The lower house consists of the heads of major guilds and the ten richest merchants. The upper house is composed of the archbishops of the Ocean Church and Wealth Church, several great nobles of Marienburg, and a high elf representative. These great nobles are not only nobles but also major merchants and landowners, controlling all the power in this city," Ryan explained to Veronica and her apprentice in the carriage. "The current Grand Duke of Marienburg, 'the Lender' Van der Kuypers-Schultz, controls several trade routes. He's the only one capable of trading with the lizardmen of Lustria, and he holds the titles of Grand Count of Marienburg and Baron of Anto."
Veronica nodded, her exquisite makeup making her glow. "Garland has always tried to establish a relationship with him, but the Wizard Alliance has never given us the chance."
The carriage came to a halt. Ryan opened the window to see the road blocked by carriages, though the city hall was in sight.
The three got out of the carriage. Ryan stepped down first and extended his hand. A delicate, gloved hand rested on his, and Veronica, looking like a stunning purple rose, lifted her dress and carefully stepped down, taking Ryan's arm.
"Mr. Ryan? Welcome. The duke is waiting inside. Allow me to lead the way," said Mueller, the duke's steward, spotting Ryan amidst the crowd.
Following Mueller into the banquet hall, the duke greeted them warmly. "Ryan, just in time. There are several people here who want to
meet you! By the way, who is this?"
The duke smiled, but his eyes showed indifference towards Veronica. His words left Catherine puzzled, unable to understand the duke's language.
Veronica's heart tightened, knowing the duke didn't like her. He believed she, as a witch, wasn't worthy of being Ryan's partner. His words were a subtle way of discouraging her.
Because the duke was speaking in High Gothic, a highly complex language used by the high nobility, which few in the Garland Council understood!
In such a setting, if Veronica, as Ryan's partner, didn't understand Schultz, it would be a great embarrassment.
Ryan signaled that it was time for her to shine.
Indeed, even Theresa didn't understand High Gothic. Otherwise, she would have been able to read the inscriptions on Ryan's sword scabbard.
But Veronica did.
Why did Veronica, a less privileged Garland witch, know High Gothic while Theresa did not?
The reason was simple: Ryan had taught her. The witch's talent was impressive, and with Ryan willing to teach, she had spent years mastering the language.
"Hello, Lord Schultz. It's an honor to introduce myself. I am Veronica Bernadotte from the Garland Council, currently Ryan's partner and companion." Veronica executed a flawless curtsy, also taught by Ryan.
The duke raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. This woman knew High Gothic?
To him, witches were unworthy of Ryan, especially since Ryan was considered one of their own.
As a man of his status, one failed attempt to embarrass Veronica was enough. He wouldn't trouble her again. The duke signaled for Ryan to follow him and meet some people.
After introductions with various guild leaders, nobles, and merchants, Ryan's eyes narrowed.
It was the Pleasure Guild's turn.
A beautiful woman stood before Ryan. She was about 1.65 meters tall, wearing a purple strapless evening gown, adorned with rare treasures from around the world—pearls, emeralds, gemstones, amber. Even her fingernails were encrusted with diamonds. Her face outshone all other women present, embodying the youth of a teenager, the beauty of a twenty-something, and the maturity of a thirty-something. To be honest, she was the most beautiful woman Ryan had ever seen, without exception.
She was like a poppy flower, attracting all male attention in the room.
"Is this the hero of mankind? The White Wolf Knight from Nord, Ryan? Hmm~ indeed extraordinary! Hello, I am Aneda Krausner, but you can call me Aneda~"
"Hello, Ms. Aneda, I am Ryan."
The president of the Pleasure Guild, Aneda Krausner, smiled seductively and extended her hand to Ryan. "Such a handsome young man! Hoho~ Tomorrow night at the Pleasure Guild, there will be a grand performance, hosted by me. Would our hero be interested in attending?"
After speaking, the guild leader's smile widened. "There will be 'rewards'!"
Nearly all the men present turned their eyes to Ryan.
What would he do?
To clarify, the newly introduced witch was not added on a whim. I always intended to portray two types of female spellcasters, illustrating the diversity in the world. A comparison between a noble academic and a commoner practical type is quite fitting. I had hinted at Veronica's presence earlier.
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