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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Kawaii]
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Chapter 107: The Celebration (1)
***
“Honey, the guests are here.”
Countess Haksen said, looking out the window. At her words, the other family members also gathered around the window.
Carriages carrying the guests were slowly entering Spring Castle.
The expressions of the family watching them were quite dark.
“Will we be able to do it well today?”
“That’s an obvious thing to say. You know too well how hard we prepared for this.”
Count Haksen comforted his wife. But his voice was shaking just as much.
The Haksen family had never hosted or attended such a large banquet before.
And now they were supposed to be the hosts of the banquet and welcome the guests?
It was a situation that could only be burdensome as more time passed.
“But Hoooww…”
“Hubby, don’t worry. I’ll help you.”
Abel was also nervous. Olivia, who was more familiar with such things, encouraged Abel.
“My heart is pounding.”
Even Louise, who was always gentle, had a hardened expression today.
Then, suddenly, Louise found Damien sitting with a relaxed, almost languid face.
“Damien, you don’t seem nervous?”
“Is there any need to be nervous? I’m just going to look at people’s faces.”
Damien said nonchalantly.
“The reputation of our family depends on the opinions of those guests.”
“If that’s the case, you don’t have to worry.”
“Oh? Why is that?”
“If there are any who speak ill of our family, I will personally straighten them out on the spot.”
“Ahaha, you’re joking.”
Louise laughed out loud and waved her hand.
But she stopped laughing when she saw the seriousness in Damien’s eyes.
“…Are you serious?”
“Of course. So please don’t worry and enjoy yourself, sister.”
Louise looked at Damien with a dumbfounded expression. Then she burst out laughing.
“Alright, I’ll trust my little brother.”
***
The nobles of the West gathered in the Gargari Plain.
Some came in their own carriages, while others who had close relationships rode together in the same carriage.
“Finally, the day has come. I can’t wait to see how pathetic Viscount Haksen will look.”
“Isn’t that obvious? Viscount Haksen’s abilities are nothing to talk about.”
These men belonged to a group called the “Highlanders.”
The Highlanders was a social club for nobles of the West who were known for their culture and knowledge.
Even though the Haksen family had become a count family, they still called them a Viscount.
It was their way of showing that they would never recognize the Haksen family as a Count family.
“But why did they ask us to come to the Gargari Plain instead of the Haksen territory?”
“That’s right. I thought they would hold the celebration there.”
“What is there in the Gargari Plain that they would hold the celebration here?”
The nobles were all puzzled. One of them pondered for a moment and muttered.
“Surely… No, it can’t be.”
“Hmm? Sir Southoden, do you know something?”
“I heard that there is a castle built by the royal family near the Gargari Plain… No, it can’t be.”
While the members of the Highlanders were chatting, the carriage crossed the Gargari Plain.
The nobles who looked out over the plain could not help but admire it.
“I’ve heard a lot about it, but I didn’t know it would be this big.”
“A river flows through the middle of the plain. We won’t have to worry about irrigation.”
“I hear the land is so fertile here. They say it’s a bumper harvest no matter what you plant.”
Looking at the Gargari Plain, the members of the Highlanders could not help but feel envious.
This was the land known for having the best agriculture in the West.
Everyone was drooling, but it was a place that they could not even dream of coveting because it was the land of the royal family.
They had no idea that the Haksen family would get all of this land.
“Viscount Haksen has received such a good land that it is beyond his means.”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
The members tried to hide their envy and were busy ridiculing them on the outside.
They thought that today would be the day they would no longer have to envy the Haksen family.
However, when they arrived at Spring Castle, the nobles had no choice but to change their minds.
“Oh my… This is such a beautiful castle.”
“Are you saying that they are holding the celebration here?”
The nobles could not help but exclaim in admiration.
The Gargari Plain was located in a remote area even in the West.
Therefore, most of the nobles had never seen Spring Castle before.
The walls and towers were all made of white bricks. It seemed to be white marble, which was very expensive.
The roof was in contrast black. The black stone is said to be made by firing rare clay and is known to be as expensive as white marble.
It was a castle that was literally beautiful like a picture.
“How did Viscount Haksen… ”
The nobles could not stop admiring themselves as they got out of the carriage.
Spring Castle was magnificent even when viewed from the outside, but its beauty was truly breathtaking once inside.
The two stone statues guarding the gate were particularly artistic, possessing a beauty that could be designated as a national treasure.
The nobles who got out of the carriage headed to the banquet hall under the guidance of the attendant.
“So this is the place they chose to hold the celebration.”
“Of course, no one in their right mind would choose the old mansion as the venue for the banquet.”
The members of the Highlanders continued to make disparaging remarks about the Haksen family.
It was their way of not showing their envy.
“What matters is not the place, but the food and music, right?”
“I wonder if these country bumpkins hired decent people.”
The members laughed and entered the banquet hall. And once again, they could not help but be stunned.
As soon as they entered the banquet hall, they were greeted by magnificent music. An orchestra of over twenty people was playing.
Despite the large number of people playing, there were no mistakes, the tone was very smooth, and it was even appropriate for the occasion. It was proof that they were a skilled orchestra.
“Ahem… They seem to have hired a pretty decent orchestra.”
“Y-yeah, that’s right.”
Just then, the attendants entered the banquet hall and began to set down the food in a flurry.
They were finger foods made for easy eating at a banquet.
The smell of delicious food wafted from all the dishes as if they had just been made.
Sniff! sniff!
The moment they smelled it, the nobles felt a pang of hunger.
The smell was so good that it seemed to be more than just stimulating their appetite, it was almost like the best food they even smelled.
Similar to the music, the food could tell the skill of the person who made it just by the smell.
It was clear that all the food in the banquet hall was made by a top chef.
“Ugh, ugh…”
“Ahem! Cough cough!”
The members of the Highlanders suddenly became quiet. No one was badmouthing the Haksen family.
In their own way, they had experienced many banquets as nobles, so they could tell.
That the level of the banquet prepared today was extraordinary.
It was clear that a lot of money and the best people had been gathered to prepare it.
“The guests have arrived.”
Just then, a voice came. The nobles raised their heads. The Haksen family was approaching from the front.
“Hmph…”
“This can’t be…”
The moment they saw them, the nobles could not help but be amazed.
They had already investigated the Haksen family. So they knew that the Haksens were all good-looking.
However, they thought it was a bit of an exaggeration. Even if it wasn’t, they thought it couldn’t be that great.
But the Haksens they saw in person surpassed their expectations.
“I heard the eldest daughter was the prettiest, but… how come she hasn’t been known until now?”
“That young man must be the second son, Abel. I heard he’s the most handsome among the Haksens.”
“That lady is Olivia copperhead… no, now she’s Olivia Haksen. She was called the Flower of the West. She’s really something.”
Even though they were all good-looking, the clothes they were wearing were also extraordinary.
The members muttered to themselves.
Among them, the most eye-catching person was Damien Haksen.
As befitting a member of the Haksen family, Damien Haksen was also a considerable beauty.
However, the nobles were not overwhelmed by his appearance alone.
A languid expression.
But an indefinable sense of oppression was felt.
It was to the extent that they felt they were facing an absolute being.
“I am Paul Haksen. Thank you for coming to the celebration.”
Saying so, Count Haksen shook hands with each of the nobles of the Highlanders.
“It’s a humble banquet, but I hope you all enjoy yourselves.”
***
The guests kept arriving even after that.
“…”
“…”
The noble members of the Highlanders could not enjoy the banquet at all. They just sat in a corner without saying a word.
Their plan to ridicule the Haksen family for not being able to prepare a proper celebration had gone awry from the start.
The celebration was perfect, beyond perfection. There was no room for criticism.
The Haksen family, whom they had despised as country bumpkins, was already a great count family.
“…Does everyone intend to stay here like this?”
One of the members spoke. Everyone’s attention focused on him.
“Do you mean to acknowledge the Haksen family just like this?”
The noble spoke in a strong tone. But the members of the Highlanders just avoided his gaze.
They had all lost their will to fight.
“…It’s too early to give up hope.”
The member who had spoken first made a grim expression.
“Is there a plan?”
“I don’t have a plan, but… I heard something beforehand.”
At that, the nobles gathered around. They pricked up their ears and waited for the next words.
“I heard that His Excellency is attending this banquet.”
“His Excellency?”
“Who is he?”
“It’s Viscount Topikan.”
The moment the name was mentioned, the nobles’ faces lit up instantly.
Viscount Topikan.
He was the head of the Topikan family, which had exercised great influence in the West for generations.
Although the Topikan family was a viscount family, they owned a vast territory. With such a large fortune and even vassals, it was a public fact that they were a family with more influence than their status suggested.
“Viscount Topikan is determined not to leave the Haksen family alone.”
Despite possessing such a powerful force, the Topikan family was not called a great noble.
This was because of the Copperhead family.
The Copperhead family had been standing firm, so the Topikan family had not been able to obtain the status of a great noble, let alone the title of count.
Then, a great upheaval occurred in the Copperhead family, and their power was greatly weakened.
It was an opportunity that Viscount Topikan could not miss. He was planning to seize this opportunity to suppress the Copperhead family and become a great noble.
At that moment, the Haksen family suddenly rose to the rank of count.
This was a situation that Viscount Topikan could not help but be angry about.
“Once His Excellency arrives, the Haksen family will no longer be able to afford to be calm anymore!”
Just then.
Suddenly, a loud noise began to spread through the banquet hall.
The Highlanders turned their gazes towards the source of the sound. Soon, the expressions of all the members brightened.
A man was walking into the banquet hall with several nobles in tow.
Deeply furrowed brows.
Eyes that were torn open. A tightly shut mouth. Half-shaved head.
It was Viscount Topikan, known as the eternal second-in-command of the West.
“Where is Viscount Haksen?”
Viscount Topikan, who had entered the banquet hall, raised his voice and spoke. At that, Count Haksen walked over from a distance.
“Viscount Topikan, welcome.”
Viscount Topikan twisted the corner of his mouth at Count Haksen’s words.
“You have the audacity to establish yourself in my territory.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know when you do. It’s annoying.”
At Viscount Topikan’s arrogant attitude, the nobles of the Highlanders cheered inwardly.
The sight of him cornering Count Haksen was exactly what they had been hoping for.
“I didn’t come here to enjoy the banquet. I came here to warn these bastards.”
Viscount Topikan shouted, looking around at the nobles in the banquet hall.
“You’d better think carefully. Who you’ll side with, me or Viscount Haksen!”
***
Abel could not help but be angry at Viscount Topikan’s attitude.
He had come all the way here to ruin the atmosphere, and what he was saying was just…
He didn’t like the way he kept calling his father “Viscount Haksen” either.
It sounded like he didn’t like the fact that the Haksen family had become a count family.
However, Abel decided to suppress his anger for now. He had to control his anger right now.
“Brother! You shouldn’t send an invitation to him! Viscount Topikan is very influential in the West…”
But Abel soon realized that Damien was wearing a very calm expression.
“Brother?”
“Why?”
“Aren’t you angry?”
“You’re asking the obvious. I want to smash that bastard’s face right now and then destroy the Topikan family.”
His face was very peaceful, but his words were murderous.
“B-but why are you just sitting here…”
“There’s no need for me to come out. It’s almost time for him to arrive.”
“Yes?”
Just then, Abel asked back. Viscount Topikan raised his voice again.
“I don’t make empty threats! Engrave this in your mind! I will not hesitate to go to war with the Haksen family…”
“Count Haksen! Sorry, I’m late!”
Just then, someone interrupted Viscount Topikan and approached Count Haksen, shaking both his hands.
“This is the first time I’ve seen you in person! Congratulations on being promoted to count!”
Viscount Topikan frowned. He grabbed the man’s shoulder and shouted.
“Can’t you see I’m talking here!”
Viscount Topikan pulled the man’s shoulder hard. And the moment he saw the man’s face, Viscount Topikan froze on the spot.
“H-h-h-h-h-h-h!”
He couldn’t speak for a moment. Viscount Topikan swallowed his dry saliva before he could finally speak properly.
“Your Grace!”
***
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HEL SCANS
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Kawaii]
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