LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 126: Welcome Banquet
Things got a little awkward due to Rumifia's prickly attitude, but everyone regained their composure immediately and moved on to the welcome banquet immediately.
The reception hall of the mansion was the venue for the welcome banquet.
This place could easily accommodate a hundred people.
The crystal chandelier with a polished design was hanging from the ceiling. It was so bright to the point that it didn't look like a banquet of the darklings. The waitress was a beastfolk―― Mostly coming from the white tiger tribe. A clear indication that this was the citadel of the Reiju clan.
I was seated with the patriarch and co at a long, raised table at the head of the hall positioned on top of a raised platform which somehow reminded me of a wedding reception.
『It can't be mistaken as anything but a welcome party for you.』
Now that you mention it. It feels pretty good to look down on those demon races from a high place.
Regarding the seating arrangement, Jijiwald was naturally sitting in the middle. To his right was Siegwald, I, and Eijewald in turn. To his left was Platy, Siegwald's wife, and sulking Rumifia who got dragged out of her room.
○ ● ○ ☆ ● ○ ○
Eije Me Sieg Patriarch Platy Wife Rumi（※↑This is the seating arrangement. And Patriarch's wife has been passed away a long time ago.）
Given my potential and status, there was nothing wrong with this seating arrangement. As for Rumifia, I know that she didn't see me in a positive light, but I had hoped that she would have at least tried to hide her disdain for me in front of so many clan members. It was one thing if this was a private dinner, but since neither the patriarch nor her family said anything… She must be quite spoiled by them.
Well, that girl aside… Even the other clan members were dumbfounded upon seeing Liliana who didn't want to leave my side was licking my hand affectionately while raising a purr!
I mean, maybe Rumifia's reaction was natural since she was a girl of marriageable age.
My common sense became paralyzed since the Demon King Castle was filled with detestable beings such as the night elf, dark dragon, and Enma, but… Yup…
I just never expected that my common sense would be challenged in this kind of place.
This is why I didn't want to see myself objectively…!
「Well then, to celebrate the visit of the Demon Prince. And for the future of the Reiju clan―― TOAST!」
「「「TOAST!!」」」
The banquet began with a signal from Patriarch Jijiwald.
At that moment, surprisingly, the music began.
I was utterly shocked. The lively and cheerful sound of the orchestra began to play from the lower part of the hall, behind the curtain. This was the first time since I was reborn as a demon race that i was hearing such delicate and cultured music instead of drums and horns――
「Are you surprised?」
Asked Siegwald with a huge grin on his face as if his prank had just succeeded.
「What is this?」
「The orchestra family that we spared ever since the Reiju clan ruled this land.」
Smiling lightly as he replied while sipping from his cup.
「The humans might be weak, but their skill in playing musical instruments is something else. This kind of amusement will enrich the banquet right? Our clan's culture is different from the other clans.」
The look in his eyes, was as if he was trying to test me.
「――nevertheless, it doesn't change the fact that they're lower beings. If it's bothering you, shall we stop their performance?」
「No worries. I'm actually enjoying their performance.」
I replied with a smile on my face. Unbelievable. Someone aside from high-ranking slaves composed of craftsmen had actually survived with their skill!!
「I've never heard this kind of musical performance even back in my father's palace.」
Siegwald nodded in satisfaction upon hearing my reply, Eijewald didn't even try to hide the proud look on his face. It seems they took my remark as this place being more cultured than the Demon King's palace as praise. In the first place, the Demon King Castle didn't even have an orchestra band.
A sumptuous feast was being carried into the hall on a cart. The cart let out a loud clanking sound as it supported the cauldron of soup and the whole roast lamb on top of it.
Fortunately for me, the focus of the demon race banquet was on their meal. The waiters skillfully scooped a hearty portion of food and placed it on the plate.
The best part of the whole roast lamb was being carried to my and the patriarch's place. Though it has some unrefined flavour due to the unique way in using the herb, it elevated the taste of the lamb to its peak. The soup was delicious and had plenty of root crops. It feels like power was welling up from the bottom of my stomach due to the taste that was filled with nourishment.
According to Siegwald, this was the local cuisine before this area was annexed as the Reiju clan's territory.
The descendants of the people who invented this dish had already been reared as slaves in the ranch. And the impudent demon race was resting on their lapel as if they owned this place――
I ate and drank courteously while conversing with Eijewald or Siegwald, all the while suppressing the complex emotion in my heart from appearing on the surface.
I savoured the taste.
I did my best to remember this taste――
Once the banquet reached a suitable time, now it was the time to get serious―― The part where not even the Demon Race was spared―― People are rushing at once toward me.
I spoke to the head of the family in the Reiji clan while leaning on my backrest, enjoying the fruit dessert.
Man, there's no end to them. Even if I'm much smarter than in my previous life, remembering all of those people is impossible.
「You seem to be in a good mood today, Your Highness Jilbagias――」
There's no way I'm not happy seeing these Demon Race, young or old trying to curry flavor with me.
I can tell by looking at their eyes. The kind of eyes that I've seen countless times in my previous life.
Their eyes were that of noble―― Trying to gauge the other party――
I was really surprised to see that even the Demon Race had those kinds of eyes.
Ironically, I rarely got exposed to this kind of environment back in the Demon King Castle, the den of VIPs of this kingdom.
Since that place was the centre of power or people who were aspiring to become one, there was no need for them to curry favour with the other party. In a world where strength was everything, they had no time for petty tricks.
Even that idiot, whose name I forgot, charged at me for a fair and square duel.
The only one who acted humbly in the demon king castle was the night elf, and the dark dragon…
It seems that even barbarians softened in the peaceful era. Well, not that I care just how much the Reiju clan had turned into foolish cowards.
Still… That was something else.
『What's the matter? You wear indifference on your face despite the boiling rage within you that is ready to explode at any moment.』
Ante who could see through my mind teased me.
Well, of course, I would be pissed off.
I mean… Aren't they kinda looking down on me?
It's not like they said offensive remarks or something like that, but the way they looked at me was annoying.
I bet they think that I'm just a 『Impudent, easy-to-handle brat.』.
Well, I can guess the reason for that.
The family head came to greet me, yet forgetting that there were many other people to greet before me. Most of them were really powerful.
Almost all of them have magical power and peerage that surpasses me. There were plenty of viscounts like me, or a count with power close to that of marquis.
As for me, I'm a viscount. My magical power was comparable to an adult even without enhancing it with 【Naming】.
Well, that was truly something else for someone of my age, but that made the others think that I'm just a brat like Eijewald beside me.
And that factored into my weapon. Since this was the banquet of barbarians, it was only natural that everyone was armed. Everyone at least carried a portable enchanted spear, or knife tucked on the belt, yet I brought a sword of all things.
Some people cast a glance at my sword, then murmured with others after they left with a mocking smile on their face. Though none of them were revealing that when they greeted me――
I can hear them mocking me by saying something like―― 『Was he pleased with such a big knife?』『The weapon of those weak human』
Dammit, this is so frustrating.
How about you guys have a taste of this holy sword then――
The moment I thought so, my sword buzzed in its scabbard.
――Oh crap!! Pipe down dude!! You can't run amok in this kind of situation!!
It's not the time yet!! Please suppress your anger…!
Sleep…! I'll wake you up when the time is right…!
… There there, good child.
Huff.
『It's your fault for stubbornly bringing it with you…』
Ante criticized me with a dumbfounded face.
I mean… I couldn't calm down physically and mentally unless I brought this fella…
Since I could already fight on par with Platy with a spear-sword at this point, I had no intention to feel ashamed!
Speaking of Platy, what did she think when she made this round of greetings?
When I sent a sidelong glance at her, Platy was chatting happily with the patriarch without even looking at me.
… I see, she left me on my own devices huh?
Rather, I've noticed this fact since a while ago, but Rumifia's figure had already vanished from her seat.
Did she by chance leave when everyone's attention was focused on me?
Well since she had that sour look on her face, returning into her room might be the best choice for her and the rest of us.
「YOUR HIGHNESS! IT'S AN HONOR TO MEET YOU, I――」
Woopsie, another person came.
Why do I have to go through this kind of suffering?
Alas, I could only suppress my feelings and greet them back with the mask of a haughty and prideful prince――
†††
「Ha~h, so bori~ng.」
――A certain girl heaved a sigh in the shade of a tree in the garden.
The girl's name was Rumifia Reiju.
She left the banquet hall when everyone's attention was focused on a certain His Highness.
Since her family might drag her out of her room if she went back into her room again, she chose to hide in the garden to kill some time.
（… It feels like I'm being a hindrance!!）
Rumifia was pissed off, she was wondering why she had to be considerate of a perverted bastard who hadn't shown himself for five years since he was born despite being a prince.
When she looked at the hall from the garden, she saw the Demon Prince Jilbagias was chatting with the big shots of the clan while leaning haughtily on his chair.
「… Tch」
Rumifia clicked her tongue in annoyance, and then bit her thumbnail.
The cheeky and perverted Demon Prince was just as hateful as she thought, but what annoyed her the most was…
「Why are you fawning on him, big bro!!」
The fact that her big brother, Eijewald, who sat beside Jilbagias was fawning on the latter.
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