With the cheers of countless civilians in the capital, Allen and his party slowly entered a courtyard near the palace. This was a residence specially prepared for marquises and nobles who had made significant contributions to the duchy. The specifications and decorations were second only to the palace itself. The vast garden had five independent courtyards, complete with dedicated maids and chefs. Allen and Albert were accommodated here, while their subordinates rested in a nearby barracks.
"Both of you, take a good rest for now. The celebration is tomorrow, along with the sealing ceremony. Have a restful night's sleep, and if you need anything, feel free to come to me," Lenerson advised as he left, not wanting to disturb their rest.
"Oh, by the way, before the celebration, Marquis Rose is hosting a banquet tonight at the Marquis Castle. My uncle specifically asked me to invite you. If you're interested, you can attend. I've heard that many noble ladies will be there," Lenerson added with a meaningful smile.
Allen was momentarily surprised by the invitation. After Lenerson departed, he glanced at Albert, who was nearby, and asked, "Father, do you wish to go?"
Allen was well aware of the true nature of such noble banquets. Did Albert believe they were merely elegant gatherings for conversation and dancing? In reality, these events often concealed corrupt activities, where men and women sought amorous encounters.
Most of the noble ladies attending these banquets were aware of the rendezvous they would have with noble gentlemen. Allen felt a strong aversion to such activities, but they seemed to be quite popular among the nobility in this world.
Albert, however, appeared to enjoy these activities as well, as he had often engaged in them with the young and beautiful ladies of Thorn Flower Castle.
"Oh, you can go by yourself. I'll wait for the ceremony tomorrow," Allen replied, shaking his head.
Albert shrugged and responded, "Well, Allen , you're an adult now. You should learn to relax. Allen here is quite skilled in such matters. I've never seen you attend any banquets or meet any ladies. Sometimes, I wonder if you're hiding something."
Tryant: pretty sure our boi don't swing that way lol remember to drink water
Albert cleared his throat, momentarily embarrassed, before continuing, "You know, a normal noble can't resist the allure of such pleasures. Oh well, go ahead and miss out on another thrilling night. Life needs a bit of excitement."
The once-serious Earl had become less formal in his conversations with his son, especially now that Allen had distanced himself from the Thorn Flower Family's power structure. Although Albert was still his father, he could no longer interact with Allen in a strictly paternal manner.
Afterward, Allen retired to his room to rest, while Albert left Bieyuan for the evening.
Albert returned to Bieyuan almost at the crack of dawn after a night of festivities. Despite the late night, his strong constitution allowed him to remain energetic. The next day marked the start of the celebrations and ceremonies. Around noon, Allen and Albert, dressed in splendid attire, made their way to the palace.
By this time, the entire capital had erupted into celebration, with city residents joining in the festivities. Allen rode the Silver Moon Wolf as he made his way toward the palace.
The royal capital's celebrations were divided into two parts: the festivities of the commoners outside the palace and the gatherings of the nobility within the palace. Only high-ranking nobles and those who had achieved great feats were granted entry to the palace.
Allen belonged to the latter group.
"Look who we have here! The invincible Lord of the Silver Wolf!" Marquis Lion, whom Allen was familiar with, greeted him as he entered the palace.
"Lord Marquis, I didn't expect you to arrive so early," Allen replied with respect.
"Of course, I've been looking forward to this celebration," Marquis Lion said, studying Allen with curiosity.
"Oh? Is there something you'd like to share, my lord?" Allen raised an eyebrow.
"Albert, didn't you tell him?" Marquis Lion seemed surprised as he glanced at Albert.
Allen was also taken aback and turned to his father for an explanation.
"Well, I forgot, but it's not a big deal," Albert admitted, nonchalant about the omission. "Allen, last night at Marquis Rose's banquet, aside from noble ladies, there were numerous young knights from all over the country. They expected you to attend the banquet and prepare for duels. However, when you didn't show up, they waited all night in vain. So, they've all issued challenges. At today's celebration, they'll come to challenge you."
"The reason behind this is quite apparent. You're now a national idol with a high reputation. Soon, you'll also hold a prestigious position. In these circumstances, when you entered the city yesterday, the streets were filled with commoners eager to catch a glimpse of you. Even the First Prince himself left the city to welcome you personally."
"These factors have led many to feel envious and jealous. In essence, you're so accomplished that others find it hard to believe and are envious of your achievements."
"So, there's a large group of people who want to challenge you because defeating you means glory and tremendous fame. As you know, nobles place great value on these matters," Albert explained concisely.
Allen scratched his nose and quipped, "So, my excellence has triggered a public outcry?"
Marquis Lion nodded in agreement, adding, "Yes, if I had met you when I was young, I would have wanted to challenge you."
"So that's the situation. I understand," Allen responded calmly. With his strength comparable to that of an eighth-level knight, he doubted that many older eighth-level knights would challenge him. As for younger knights, he wasn't concerned at all.
"Hahaha, I knew you wouldn't be bothered by such trivial matters. But today, we're in for quite a spectacle!" After a brief conversation, they were informed that the Duke was arriving, so they returned to their respective positions.
In the wide hall, dancers performed in the center, while nobles occupied the sides. Allen and Albert were situated in the middle, with archdukes and marquises positioned ahead of them.
Soon, Archduke Ryan entered the hall alongside several princes and princesses.