章 39: The Banquet
The Chua Business and Leisure Center extended its perimeter to the southeast and southwest of Greston Village. Covering an area of over 19 square kilometers, it encompassed almost all areas of the South Gate except for the Army Station, serving as an outpost for the South Gate guards of Greston Village.
On the 30th day of the month of Lune Satlo in the year 102550 on the continent of LigaYa in the lower immortal realm, a grand banquet was held in a palace within the Chua Business and Leisure Center within the Greston Village. Above the horizon that day, eight moons were reflecting light in the night sky.
It was situated at the center of the new large estate. Its architectural style was a blend of Oriental and modern during Sigmund's previous world.
The building was constructed with three floors. Its main hall was spacious enough to hold parties of even a thousand guests while the estate extended towards two cardinal directions. The property structure had two wings, one in the East and the other in the West. It boasted a sprawling garden lined with spirit trees and beautiful flowering shrubs.
The luxurious property was lighted with various hues of crystals, but the most notable was the gold and azure.
Fronting the building was a rotunda where the guests needed to trudge for over two hundred meters to get to the building. At the center of the rotunda was a large fountain where a circular formation of water, bursting outwards vertically, enclosed a large azure lotus.
Everything that the property spoke of was an extravagance. When Rafa Libera glimpsed at the different sights, from the flowers, trees, and fountain to the glimmering lights, he could not help but be envious of the lavish display of wealth.
"Such extravagance…" Rafa Libera simply muttered as he arrived from the palace, after stepping down from his carriage.
"Indeed." The village chief was accompanied by her wife. Two of her concubines were in other carriages with their respective entourage.
"Husband, did you see that wall covered in leaves before we arrived here? It seems to be in a box shape. It is very wide that it extends to another road. I even see a tall tree at the center of it. I ask for your permission to visit that place." Eldora was enlivened by the various sights and things they could not dream of happening in their village.
"Welcome your excellency, Chief Rafa Libera, and of course, the beautiful wife, Madame Eldora Zenia. I will be your host for this banquet. I am Harry Chua and I welcome you to our humble… abode."
"Humble is not something I cannot describe your palace," Eldora responded as she took her gaze at the host. "But I am delighted seeing the wondrous things here. They're all elegant."
"Well, thank you, Madame!" Harry smiled with an ounce of sincerity. "I hope that we can keep you entertained. Most of the guests are here. We await your gracious presence."
Harry continued, "May I escort you inside, Chief Rafa?"
"Of course, you may. My husband was awestruck by all these displays. We bring you gifts as you celebrate your opening." Eldora spoke for her husband as the Village Chief was searching for someone.
"My father was preparing inside, Chief Rafa. He has been waiting for you."
"Then please, lead the way."
Harry ignored the Chief's indifferent attitude as he ushered the power couple of the village inside after another batch of carriages arrived, revealing the concubines of the village leader.
When the Village Chief, Eldora, and their entourage graced beyond the double-door entrance, they were met with luxurious decors and lights apart from the large hall at the center. White granite tiles including jade and marble were used as materials for the flooring, columns, and walls. At the other end, a grand staircase could be seen with the floor covered in azure carpet. Two separate staircases leading to the left and the right, connected to the mezzanine area, another floor above the ground.
Beautiful chandeliers were decorated at the ceiling, where its opulence emitted rays of light that could even reach the nooks of the interior.
Eldora's delighted face was shown but it was controlled so it would not diminish her attractiveness.
Meanwhile, the Village Chief seemed to wander his eyes with indifference but slight changes in his expressions could not completely conceal his amusement and surprise.
Upon their arrival, a voice was heard announcing the coming of the village chief and his wife. It reverberated to all corners of the main hall, as the people at the center of the hall made an aisle for the esteemed guests to pass.
"Please, Chief Rafa, Madame Eldora, follow me."
As the village chief, his wife, and concubines together with their entourage passed the aisle, the people with influence in the village rose from their seats. They made acknowledgment of the arrival of their ruler as they performed a bow of greeting.
Only the influential people of Greston Village were invited to the banquet. The attendees included the Elders of the Council comprising 12 members with their entourage composed of family members. Also included in the list were the merchants and traders of the village. Representatives from the dwarves and elves were invited.
The head of Merchant Guild, Langford Berry could not be absent as he was accompanied by her secretary and receptionist named Cole.
Another notable guest was the Master of the Adventurer Guild, Carlson Brand, and his entourage. Even the number one team of adventurers of Greston did not miss attending the banquet as they received the invitation when they visited the tea shop ten days ago. The ladies were expecting new delicacies from the banquet. And as they anticipated, they tried sweet tarts and vanilla cupcakes with whipped cream on top.
However, Bryan Berry was not overjoyed in coming to the banquet as he located another team of adventurers present in the hall. He even had a brief exchange of sarcastic remarks with Jameson Nolan, who invited him to spar during the banquet as part of the night's entertainment.
After knowing the potential power of Sigmund and Chua, the middle-aged man named Bomer became more pliant yet careful when visiting the tea shop. He did not initiate any haughty moves or remarks even after meeting the new crew of the tea shop, whose level was below his.
He was even amazed that the teashop could afford to hire mages as servers. This observation was not yet unique to him as other adventurers were also dumbfounded by the set-up of the teashop as their interior space was expanded to accommodate more guests.
In this banquet, the middle-aged adventurer was more careful in offending the hosts as he indulged his eyes in the various displays of extravagance. But even before the banquet officially started, he became more daring as he downed more liquor while he watched attractive servers arriving at their table bringing different delicacies.
Despite the expansion, the teashop could still not accommodate more guests considering the population of the village was in the millions and it was expected to account for thousands of adventurers. Mortals made up more than half of the population but the number of shops that could entertain was fewer in numbers than the market demand.
Hence, Sigmund made it a point to also invite some owners of taverns and shops to the banquet as his show of solidarity with the businesses and merchants in Greston.
Langford Berry noticed the presence of different merchants and owners of shops. He was amused that Sigmund managed to make connections with them in a short span of time. But before the banquet officially started after the arrival of the Village Chief, he was met with another surprise.
Minutes before the arrival of the Village Chief and during the juncture when the host announced the banquet to have officially started, another being surprisingly entered the main hall.
It was a man with silver hair and grey eyes, standing tall but not reaching two meters, His impeccable bearing could not be mistaken for that of a noble. His handsome appearance seemed mature but could not be discounted.
Adorned in a white suit over a white elegant linen shirt with a grey tie, the man approached the hall with graceful steps as he was accompanied by two distinguished men. But their aura of submission could not be mistaken as the man's loyal subjects.
Sigmund was not utterly surprised but the Village Chief's eyes almost bugged out after sensing the presence of that man.
"I came here without an invitation, so I would like to send an apology."
Most of the guests sensed the arrival of that man with his entourage. All of the elders of the village focused on him.
"I was informed that there was a party and that I could meet the village chief here. I thought this was an open party as I saw no guards outside."
That man radiated a sardonic smile.
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