Chapter 416: The Banquet Begins

A young woman with short golden hair and a striking appearance blocked Ryan and Alfred's path, her face filled with disgust and annoyance. "Please leave immediately, gentlemen. This is a women's tailor and fashion store. Unwelcome males are not allowed. Didn't your parents teach you basic noble etiquette?"

"Oh! I almost forgot, Sir Ryan, I'm sorry, I forgot your background. Apologies, let me remind you once more: this is Bretonnia, not Nordland, where women are respected! Since this is your first offense, I won't hold it against you." The woman walked out with a look of disdain, muttering, "Really, encountering two things more disgusting than filth today."

"Who the hell are you talking about?" Alfred was furious, his face turning red as he instinctively tried to stop the woman.

"Calm down, Alfred." A silver psychic glow flashed in Ryan's eyes as he reached out to stop Alfred. "It's unwise to cause trouble in the city... Miss Fiona, my wife is inside. Why can't I go in?"

"Oh, this priest, why so agitated? Did I say you were the disgusting thing? Is this how your god teaches you? Or are you just claiming the title yourself?" The woman, wearing a beret, let out a piercing laugh, ignored the two, and strode out.

"Ryan!" Alfred felt his rationality being overwhelmed by anger. The Templar Knight pushed Ryan's arm aside forcefully. "She's insulting us!"

"Indeed, she is." Ryan's voice was cold, his blue eyes turbulent like the ocean. The Lady of the Lake's chosen champion shook his head indifferently. "But this is exactly when we shouldn't get angry. We control our anger, not the other way around."

"You're right." Alfred took several deep breaths and calmed down. The Templar Knight's endurance was strong. "So, she's the Fiona you and Lady Sulia mentioned?"

"Yes, so we definitely can't make a move." Ryan's gaze sharpened. "If Fiona is here... with the court in Brionne in such chaos, why would she attend this banquet?"

Fiona, the beloved granddaughter of Duke Theodoric of Brionne, had grown into a young woman in her twenties over the past five years. However, her arrogance and willfulness remained unchanged. Her words not only insulted Ryan and Alfred but also Ryan's adoptive parents!

It was well-known that although Ryan had the typical black-haired, blue-eyed Aachenian Empire appearance, he was raised by the bald Norman couple from Nordland. Nords were often looked down upon in the Old World, and even Ryan liked to jokingly refer to himself as a Nord country bumpkin.

Joking was one thing; being insulted was another.

Fiona's remark about Ryan's lack of etiquette was a roundabout way of saying he was uncultured.

Ryan thought if Angron had heard this, he would have chopped her with an axe. But Ryan wasn't Angron; he was much more rational. He knew that he couldn't lose his temper now. As the Lady of the Lake's chosen champion, he was a paragon of chivalry, and one of the codes of chivalry was not to harm women and children (for humans of order, that is).

Patience in small matters leads to greater strategy. A hero swallows his broken teeth with blood. In such situations, acting impulsively would only make things worse. This level of provocation couldn't affect Ryan. Instead, the earl became more vigilant. Fiona had dated Mashubard in Curona's windmill. She was already on Ryan's blacklist. However, as a member of one of the original twelve Grail Knight families, Fiona was protected by the kingdom's laws. Without substantial evidence of a major crime, Ryan couldn't even accuse her.

So why was she here?

As the earl pondered, a voice came from inside the shop. A female knight peeked out from behind a curtain, curiously asking, "Ryan? What's going on?"

"Nothing." Ryan shook his head. Seeing that Ryan didn't want to pursue the matter, Alfred's previously angry expression immediately turned into a smile. "Just ran into a noble lady we know. She seems to have finished shopping and left."

"Then come in and help me with the clothes." Sulia pulled up the curtain, signaling Ryan to enter.

Ryan patted Alfred's shoulder, handing something to the Templar Knight and whispering in his ear, "We can't be forceful, but we also can't let this go unaddressed, right, Alfred?"

Alfred looked at what Ryan handed him, and his face lit up with a mischievous grin. "Oh! I love this kind of solution. Don't worry, we're pros at this."

"Then I'll leave it to you. I'm going in." Ryan handed Alfred a slingshot, dwarf-made.

Watching Ryan go inside, Alfred shrugged. "Well, once you have a wife, you forget your brothers."

"Hmm, let's see what we have here..." Alfred glanced around and spotted a small dog relieving itself in an alley nearby. The Templar Knight's eyes lit up. "Oh, thanks, buddy. Perfect timing."

"Woof! Woof!" The little dog, feeling embarrassed under Alfred's gaze, barked a few times and ran away.

So, three minutes after Fiona left the Woodpecker store, a wrapped piece of wet dog feces flew out of nowhere and hit her head! The warm, smelly, mushy substance spread over the blonde woman's beret and dripped down her meticulously groomed hair!

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Inside the Woodpecker store, Sulia, Emilia, and Ryan all heard the woman's scream.

"What happened?" Sulia asked curiously.

"Nothing much." Ryan's face showed a pleased smile. He looked at his wife, his eyes shining with green light. "Oh, Sulia, you look...?"

Seeing his wife's attire, the earl nearly stopped breathing.

Sulia was wearing a standard Bretonnian maid outfit. The cocoa-colored maid lace skirt, paired with an ivory-embroidered silk blouse, added vitality to her already stunning appearance. The blouse's chest area was tightly stretched, the small black buttons straining under indescribable pressure, trembling with her breathing, seemingly about to burst open at any moment!

Due to Sulia's taller-than-average height, the skirt that usually reached the knees only went halfway down her thighs, showcasing her tall and slender figure. Her long, shapely legs were exposed under the skirt, with black garter stockings that she rarely wore, reflecting a faint sheen. The whole outfit accentuated her perfect curves, with her waterfall-like golden curls tied back with a white headband, highlighting her flawless beauty and a faint smile.

Sulia had chosen a maid outfit for herself!

"Emilia said you might like this." Sulia, blushing, felt shy under her husband's gaze. "It's just that the chest is too tight, and the skirt is a bit short. It might need some adjustments. What do you think, Ryan? Does it look strange?"

"Wow!" The store's customers, both men and women, young and old, all exclaimed in admiration. Many whispered among themselves, giving Sulia looks of admiration, making the noble-born woman a bit shy. Wearing such attire in the Duke of Winford's house would have earned her severe criticism.

"It's just surprising, my wife. You look stunning today." Ryan quickly shook his head, pulling Sulia behind him discreetly. "It's really beautiful. It suits you perfectly!"

"Phew." Sulia let out a sigh of relief, her face full of charming redness. She was shy, speaking softly. "Really? That's great. As long as you like it."

"You look good in anything, my wife." Ryan rarely made a playful remark. "Your beauty transcends the clothes. The clothes are beautiful, but you're even more beautiful."

"Stop it, Ryan, why are you suddenly so sweet..."

The female knight tried to adjust her collar, clearly needing some adjustments in certain areas. Ryan gently hugged his wife, enjoying a few moments of intimacy, his face showing deep affection.

"I told you, Sister Sulia, Ryan would definitely like this outfit!" The pretty maid Emilia emerged from behind Sulia. She had chosen a pomegranate red ruffled off-shoulder Muse evening dress, which looked perfectly natural on her, as if she was born to wear such attire.

"In any case, let's buy it and see if there are any other suitable clothes." Ryan noticed the increasing commotion in the store due to Sulia's appearance and decided to keep a low profile.

"Okay." Sulia went back to change, feeling uncomfortable with the tightness.

After a bit of chaos, the Marquis returned to her marquis dress, and Emilia to her maid outfit. The servants carried several boxes and bags, with some clothes needing customization, which the tailor would send to Ryan's place.

After visiting a few more shops, Ryan and his group returned to their temporary inn.

In the luxurious inn room, Ryan sat in an armchair. "I ran into Fiona earlier."

"Fiona?" Sulia put down her things, sitting opposite Ryan, thinking. "Why would Fiona come here for the banquet? Strange, Brionne is in turmoil, and Duke Theodoric is busy summoning people for penance at the monastery. He has no time for a banquet in Bordeleaux. The duke knows he's not welcome... Ryan, maybe Fiona is just out for a break?"

"Hmm." Ryan thought for a moment and decided, "We'll attend the banquet as usual, but stay alert. We know about Fiona and Mashubard..."

Sulia's heart tightened, recalling the windmill incident.

"Emilia, you'll attend the banquet with us. Sulia will look after you." Ryan said to Emilia.

"

Okay." The maid nodded.

...

The Radiance of Bordeleaux opened as scheduled at the Bordeleaux Castle. Attendees included high-ranking nobles and wizard leaders from the Old World. Nobles mingled and whispered, ostensibly congratulating Federmond on completing his Grail Quest, but secretly calculating how to gain more from the event.

Duke Aldred of Lyonesse and King's envoy Count Talbot looked displeased. Federmond's return reinforced Bordeleaux's position as Bretonnia's largest trading port, threatening their interests.

Red Dragon Duke Berthimonde was in high spirits. He didn't care much about interests; he clearly liked Federmond as his son-in-law. His granddaughter Eva was with Sulia and other high-ranking noblewomen, who were prying into Ryan's private life, making Sulia and Emilia blush.

Duke Boderic was elated, not only toasting repeatedly but also issuing a decree. "To celebrate my son Federmond's Grail Quest completion, Bordeleaux will revel tonight! Curfew is lifted, and everyone can freely drink, including serfs!"

"Long live the duke!"

"Praise the duke!"

"For Bordeleaux!"

"Praise Mannan!"

The entire city plunged into a sea of joy.

"Hello, are you Lady Elspeth and Mr. Theodore from Nuln? You may help yourself to drinks and food upon entry. If you need anything, please ask the attendants. Enjoy your evening." At the banquet entrance, Nuln's "Cemetery Rose," Death Master Elspeth, and Nuln's champion Theodore Bruckner entered the banquet.

Nuln's champion Theodore Bruckner uncomfortably adjusted his collar. "I hate these banquets."

"..." Elspeth, the Lady of Nuln, said nothing. Her sharp gaze swept the banquet, locking onto Emilia hiding behind Sulia. "Let's go in."

After Elspeth and Theodore entered, the doorman welcomed another noble couple. "Hello! Miss Fiona and Mr. Dominic! You may help yourself to drinks and food upon entry. If you need anything, please ask the attendants. Enjoy your evening."

"Hmph! If you hadn't begged me to bring you, I wouldn't attend such a disgusting banquet!" Fiona said to her male companion, her face black with anger from cleaning herself up for hours.

"Don't worry, it won't be long." The companion, actually Mashubard in disguise, gave Fiona cover to enter the banquet. "Excuse me, Fiona, I need to wash my hands."

"Really! Couldn't you clean up outside instead of at the banquet?" Fiona habitually complained but let go of Mashubard's arm.

Mashubard nodded and quickly went through the corridor to the castle garden. The Mousillon Duke began casting a communication spell in a corner of the garden, marking with black magic. "Farrah, I'm ready."

Outside, Bordeleaux had turned into a grand celebration, with people drinking, parading, and decorating the city for Federmond's return. Hired Imperial merchants were setting off fireworks for the banquet climax.

"Get ready. We'll execute the plan when the hero fights the dragon show starts!"

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