Chapter 366 – Autumn Banquet

With the greenhouse construction in the Barony of Silun completed and the Noble Leafs entrusted to Michelle, I relaxed at the baron’s residence for a while before returning to Termwills via Teleportation Magic.

Father and the others went to Count Gartner’s villa. We returned home and began preparing various things.

Personally, even though it’s my birthday, I thought it would be fine to just spend it leisurely with family… but as the head of the household and also in my position as Otherworld Ambassador, it seems I can’t avoid holding a banquet. Even without that, everyone seems quite enthusiastic about celebrating.

Well… if we’re going to have a celebration, I’d like to invite people who usually help us and make it an occasion to entertain them.

In that sense, all the invited guests are people I know, so it should be relaxed. So while maintaining our usual daily routine, we proceeded with banquet preparations—and before I knew it, my birthday had arrived.

“Where should I take this desk?”

Using a Levitation Magic Tool, Sheila brought over a large table. With Levitation, even one person can easily carry heavy objects, making various tasks more efficient.

“Let’s see. Around here, I think.”

Together with Sheila, I placed the table in a corner of the courtyard. We spread a clean-looking white tablecloth over it and arranged knives, forks, and other utensils at the seats.

As we prepared the banquet venue together with Party Members and the servants, appetizing aromas began drifting from the kitchen, creating a wonderful atmosphere.

For the food, we purchased or gathered ingredients from the labyrinth. Specifically, I went down to the Magic Light Water Vein to gather seafood. I hunted for sea urchins, mantis shrimp, turban shells, shark fins, and such. The Magic Light Water Vein is a treasure trove of ingredients, so the hunting went quite well.

Additionally, we drew water from the Fire Spirit Hot Spring to use in cooking, prepared Monster Pumpkin dishes, made fig jam, and so on.

The initial cost wasn’t particularly high, but we mobilized items that are difficult to obtain elsewhere. Grace, Cecilia, Mihaela, and the others have been preparing dishes for several days now, showing considerable dedication.

As for me, I set up a makeshift stage in a corner of the courtyard. Irmhild and the others volunteered to be musicians and play for us… so I thought I’d prepare a stage accordingly. I opened up guest rooms facing the courtyard so people could watch from the upper floors too. Of course, we plan to prepare food and drinks on the guest room side as well.

Lindwurm also flew from the Royal Castle today, but upon seeing how busy everyone was, it decided not to be a bother and quietly settled by the stage, playing with the Carbuncles using its tail.

The Carbuncles plan to move to the guest rooms once guests arrive to enjoy Irmhild’s performance and relax, so having Lindwurm play with them now is probably just right. Well, I’ll give Lindwurm some chicken later as a treat.

And so we continued with various preparations, and around noon, the invited guests began to appear one after another. I moved to the entrance hall and waited to greet them—the first to arrive were members from the Adventurer Guild and the Temple.

“Oh! Theodore. Congratulations on your birthday!”

“Good afternoon, Theodore-sama. Happy birthday to you.”

Auria, who had descended from the carriage, and Head Shrine Maiden Penelope smiled and bowed.

“Good afternoon, Auria-san, Penelope-san. Thank you for coming.”

“Yes. Marlene-sama, good afternoon.”

Penelope greeted Marlene with a gentle expression. Marlene happily went over to Penelope.

Then I exchanged greetings with the other members who had come with them. Those who came along were receptionist Heather, Vice Guild Master Oswald, Justia, Dominique, and their escorts Forestbird and the others. Tephra was also with them—I wonder why? She’s chatting familiarly with Auria… maybe they became close in the hot spring town. As expected of an Elf with high affinity for Spirits, I suppose.

After brief greetings, the servants guided them from the entrance hall to the banquet venue. Next to arrive were the workshop group.

“Ah, Al. Welcome.”

“Hello, Theo-kun. Happy birthday.”

Alfred came with his fiancée Ophelia, blacksmith Viola, Talcott and Cindy, and Labyrinth Trading Company shopkeeper Miriam. Rosetta was also present. Marquis Zilbolt’s daughter Romina and her escorts Elmer, Donovan, and Lionel were with them too.

These are also the people attending Peresford Academy. They probably coordinated their timing with Rosetta and Romina.

“Ambassador-sama, thank you very much for inviting us today. I humbly offer my congratulations.”

Saying this, Ophelia picked up the hem of her skirt and bowed.

“Yes, Ophelia-sama, thank you for taking the trouble to come here yourself.”

I bowed and responded.

“Good afternoon, everyone.”

“Ah, Ashley-sama.”

When Ashley greeted them, Ophelia and Romina returned the greeting warmly. They’re academy friends, after all. Rosetta watched over them gently in this configuration.

Next came Father and the others. Perhaps to hide their connections behind the scenes, they didn’t use the carriage with the family crest.

“Congratulations on your birthday, Theo.”

“Theodore, congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

Daryl, perhaps hearing about the gathered company, said to me with a slightly dry smile.

“…The Adventurer Guild Master and Vice Master, the Temple’s Head Shrine Maiden, two Knight Order Commanders… I hear members of the royal family are coming too…”

“Yeah. That’s right.”

“You’ll have to make the rounds of greetings, won’t you…”

“Well… wouldn’t playing it safe be the right answer?”

“Yeah… Can’t avoid it… I’ll do my best.”

He’ll probably make the rounds with Father… so it should be fine. Once he becomes lord, he’ll have more opportunities to interact with such people, and if he clears this high hurdle first, things should be easier later… or so I’d like to think.

“Well then, Theo. See you later.”

“Yes, Father.”

Father smiled wryly at Daryl’s demeanor. They were guided deeper into the house by the Arachne Claire.

Next came people from the West District. Orphanage Director Sandra, Brad and several other children. The orphanage members are familiar faces who work as theater employees.

Only a few came during the day, but in the evening, we plan to invite all the orphanage members to stay over.

Furthermore, former Thieves Guild Master’s daughter Dorothy also visited. She’s a guest through Sheila’s connection, but her guardian and Thieves Guild executive Isabella seemed to have declined due to her position.

“Good afternoon, Dorothy-san.”

“Yes. Theodore-sama, it’s been a while. Congratulations on your birthday today. Isabella-san also asked me to convey her congratulations for this occasion.”

“I see. Could you please tell her thank you?”

“Yes, of course.”

Just as I finished greeting Dorothy, Sheila arrived.

“Dorothy.”

“Sheila, good afternoon.”

“Mhm. This way.”

Dorothy seemed to be guided by Sheila and entered the house.

—Finally, the people from the Royal Castle.

Prince Josiah, Princess Stephania, Princess Adriana, and Ignatius. Also Elliot and Camilla serving as escorts, Mercedes, Chester and other members of the Demon-Slaying Knight Order, and Knight Order Commanders Mildred and Lazaro.

“My, my. What an impressive gathering. One might call it a full house,” Old Sigmund muttered with a wry smile. Absolutely.

Since it’s a good opportunity to introduce Corulis to various people, I had Corulis accompany us too. I’ll have Corulis go directly to the courtyard, but first let’s greet the Royal Castle people.

“Good afternoon, Theodore.”

“Yes, Your Highness Stephania.”

“Congratulations, Theodore-dono.”

“Yes. Thank you very much.”

And then—an unfamiliar middle-aged man also greeted me.

He’s dressed like a magician… probably someone from the Mage Corps?

But still, there’s something familiar about his aura… My eyes catch the ring on his hand holding the staff… That’s the same one Alfred and Rosemary wore. In that case…

“…Could you possibly be His Majesty Melvin?”

When I asked quietly, he grinned mischievously.

“…Indeed. You saw through me already—impressive as expected.”

King Melvin lowered his voice similarly and spoke that way.

“Are you incognito today?”

“Yes… Normally when I attend such gatherings, others can’t relax, so I usually refrain. Last year I sent a proxy, but this year I thought I should come. You can just explain to others that I’m an acquaintance from the Mage Corps.”

“Understood… Does the Knight Order Commander know about this?”

“Those who know about the ring are aware of my disguise. Of course including Mildred. I won’t cause any security troubles.”

…I see. King Melvin surprised me a bit, but with this, all the invited guests have arrived. Regarding King Melvin, as long as I instruct everyone to treat him respectfully as an important person from the Mage Corps, there shouldn’t be any problems.

“Shall we move then?”

I announced to everyone. When my eyes met Grace’s, she also nodded happily.

When we headed to the courtyard together, the preparations were completely finished. The aroma of food and cheerful music filled the space.

Lindwurm and Corulis were stationed on both sides of the stage. Both were sitting quietly.

Beside them, Floria was smiling cheerfully while accompanied by floating Noble Leafs… creating a space that was somewhat fantastical, difficult to describe. But well, the atmosphere is merry. Now then, let’s begin the banquet.

Thank you as always for reading my work!

Looking back, time flies—exactly one year has passed since starting serialization!

Being able to continue posting daily until now is thanks to everyone’s support. Thank you!

Therefore, I intend to keep doing my best from now on, so please continue your support. ＜(_ _)＞