Chapter 9: The Dinner

As Li Ruoyi stepped into the manor, the same sensation as before surged within his heart once more.

The manor, dressed for the coronation ceremony, was so magnificent and beautiful that he simply hadn’t noticed it before.

Li Ruoyi had originally been wondering what kind of singular influence could draw magical nobles from all over the world to this manor.

Though he was greatly astonished—and his heart was even racing with anxiety—he surprisingly felt no regret about coming.

Presumably, the guests chatting merrily around him felt the same way; at this thought, Li Ruoyi’s heart gradually steadied.

To these magical nobles, the Nicolae family was an old acquaintance, yet because the family was eccentric, lived in seclusion, and possessed an abysmal, mysterious magical heritage of unknown origin, other houses were naturally cautious when dealing with them.

They knew better than to be overly flamboyant within this manor and strictly observed their etiquette.

Yet in reality, the members of other families attending the gathering had moved beyond mere caution and even disregarded whether they were being polite.

Their curiosity was irresistible; everyone wanted to see the Human King who was to rule this thousand-year-old great family.

Setting aside the indescribable decorations of the manor, every banquet table was incredibly lavish.

The Nicolae family intended to completely discard the traditional symmetry of the dining table.

The delicacies on the table were no ordinary fare; they served as part of the decoration, meant not for the guests’ appetites or to fill their stomachs, but to provoke curiosity and provide a visual feast that displayed the heritage of a thousand-year-old family.

It was actually more akin to an Eastern imperial banquet, a fact recognized by Li Ruoyi, who had grown up in China.

One should say it was more than just Eastern; these arrays of delicacies were the kind one might only see in the myths of the Arabian Nights.

“Wow, the Nicolae family really knows how to put on a show.”

Li Ruoyi gazed at everything around him with novelty, while Galena, at his side, politely shook hands with those who came forward to flatter him.

The two walked quickly, arriving at the head of the banquet, the seat reserved for the king to be crowned tonight.

Every exquisite fruit that could possibly fit into the Cornucopia of Europa was wrapped in gold thread and displayed on high-quality Chinese porcelain and Eastern fruit platters.

Unknown mythical avian species were served on large silver platters, showing their most succulent parts still attached to their wings.

Massive, delicious sea fish lay upon golden plates.

Vintage wines from the Aegean, Asia Minor, and Cape Town were contained in bottles of various shapes, as if the pleasing appearance of the glass enhanced the wine’s fragrance.

This banquet would have made the jaw of Emperor Louis of France drop; much like the feast inspected by Apicius and his guests, its value could not be estimated in money.

“Is the Nicolae family expecting me to eat pearls like Cleopatra or drink molten gold like Lorenzo?”

Li Ruoyi forced a smile as he faced this banquet, the likes of which he had never seen in his life.

“You’ve likely heard that once people reach a certain level of wealth, they no longer have ‘necessities’ and pursue only ostentation; this can be considered a show of force to the outside world,” Galena said with a smile, taking a sip of red wine from her glass.

“This family truly is amazing, at least that’s what I think.”

“Let those critics say what they want,” Li Ruoyi added, “when people are this rich, they are truly formidable.”

After several rounds of drinks, countless nobles stepped forward to shake Li Ruoyi’s hand in greeting.

Among them were Supreme Mages of the Magic Temple, bishops of the Holy Church, and even diplomats from North America wearing suits.

However, with Galena’s help, the reception remained composed; everyone acknowledged the fact that Li Ruoyi was the Reigning King, though such recognition was harbored with ulterior motives.

Li Ruoyi, who was chatting with them on the surface, had already seen through their true thoughts; the conversation was mere formality.

Li Ruoyi signaled the attendant to refill his glass, waiting for the next visitor.

After a momentary daze, a young girl approached the table.

Curiously, she had no attendants and wore only a long dress.

There wasn’t a trace of magical aura on her, and Li Ruoyi’s eyes saw no impurity in her heart; this girl had come to congratulate him with genuine sincerity.

Seeing the girl in the long dress approach, Galena bowed and stepped aside, clearly intending for Li Ruoyi to receive the girl personally.

“Congratulations, Mr. Li. I am very happy that you can become the King of the Nicolae family.”

As she spoke, the girl took the red wine offered by an attendant and walked up to Li Ruoyi.

The girl was dressed in a pale blue dress, her long hair combed neatly behind her head.

Her azure pupils were pure and stainless, and her white skin looked as delicate as if a mere touch would break it, yet her aura seemed exceptionally youthful, like a sixteen-year-old child.

“Um… hello.”

Li Ruoyi also took a step forward, but a comical scene occurred: the girl, moving to clink glasses with him, actually stepped on her own dress and began to fall.

The wine glass flew into the air as she lost her grip.

Seeing this, Li Ruoyi hurriedly tossed his own glass to Galena and reached out to support her.

The girl about to fall showed no panic; instead, a faint smile appeared on her face, and her lips seemed to mutter a spell.

In that instant, Li Ruoyi felt the world fragment—quite literally, his connection with the world became blurred.

After a brief trance, Li Ruoyi found that the girl who was about to fall into his arms had vanished, while he himself nearly lost his balance.

Looking up, he saw the girl standing in front of him, holding the glass that had been thrown into the air earlier.

“What is the matter, Lord Reigning King? It would be quite embarrassing if you fell.”

The girl laughed and placed the glass back into Li Ruoyi’s hand, clinking her glass with his warmly.

“I forgot to introduce myself; my name is Leicester Vohela Haidai.”

“You can also call me Seaweed; that’s what Rhein calls me~”

“Um… okay.”

Li Ruoyi was clearly dazed by what had just happened, but he vaguely understood it was caused by some kind of sorcery.

That speed was so fast it was as if time had stopped; even with his physical constitution as a Human King, he wouldn’t have been able to catch the glass and regain his posture so seamlessly.

“Is that Galena over there! Long time no see.”

Seeing the maid behind Li Ruoyi, Seaweed happily walked over and began exchanging pleasantries, leaving the bewildered Li Ruoyi behind.

From the beginning until now, the banquet had been quite joyful, aside from Li Ruoyi’s initial powerless rage, but how could reality ever be so kind?

“You little pretty boy over there, who gave you permission to touch the banquet meant for my Reigning King?”

It was truly a case of hearing the voice before seeing the person who would incense him.

Amber, along with her entourage and the armored man he had seen before, stepped up to the dais.

With her loud shout, the surrounding guests stopped their merry conversations, and all eyes turned toward them.

Accompanying her was the Second Elder of the Nicolae family, a sharp-featured, monkey-like old man who held his back very straight and shouted as loudly as possible:

“Drag them out! Galena, how dare you wander about with a wild king!”

As he spoke, a pair of attendants holding magical artifacts surrounded Li Ruoyi.

The surrounding guests let out gasps; after all, they had only heard that the Nicolae family was to crown a king, and the farce unfolding before them left them bewildered.

“Please watch your words, Elder; as the Reigning King personally appointed by the Saint Rhein, I believe I have the right to enjoy this banquet.”

Li Ruoyi’s eyes widened with anger, the Life and Death patterns rippling within them.

Invisible pressure swept through the entire manor; perhaps the majesty was too great, as many guests felt difficulty breathing.

“Furthermore, Amber is not the representative of this family, is she?”

“Impudence! Whether in magical achievements or diplomatic relations, I undoubtedly far surpass that decorative vase!”

Amber was furious, the numerous runes surging on her body barely resisting the King’s Might radiating from Li Ruoyi.

The armored man also drew his sword, standing between the two parties.

The atmosphere instantly became tense and hostile.

“Enough, enough. Tonight is a coronation ceremony, not a performance for petty clowns.”

From the terrace atop the Holy City came a voice, thin and clear yet audible to everyone’s ears.

It was like the whisper of a devil, possessing a unique charm that was impossible to resist.

Both sides of the confrontation and the guests looked up at the terrace, where a handsome man stood.

“As the saying goes, one mountain cannot hold two tigers. Why don’t we let the guests bear witness to who is truly fit to be the King of the Nicolae family?”

The man said with a laugh, his wicked laughter echoing through the entire manor and completely alleviating the tension of the banquet.