CHAPTER 181: CROWN PRINCE’S BANQUET

A few hours had gone by, and most of the guests were promptly seated at their respective tables.

Each table was decorated in luxury, but it was still distinguishable.

The tables at the front could easily be said to be more prestigious than the tables placed at the back.

Not only were the guards heavier and numbered at the front, but even the guests themselves were of higher status and influence that could sway Velastra.

Moreover, the guests still appeared vibrant, showing that the berserk slaves outbreak didn’t affect them one bit.

"I really didn’t expect to see you here, Alger. I thought you would be busy hiding in your fabric store." A noble snickered upon spotting Alger arriving at their table.

"It’s the Crown Prince’s banquet. I’m busy making money all day, but I still have respect for the Crown Prince." Alger replied and sat down.

"At least, it’s better than a noble who inherited his title and gave zero contribution."

"You—" Infuriated, the noble’s face turned slightly red. His rank was inherited from his father, so he had always wanted to make it big to prove himself.

Thus, he sought Alger’s cooperation because his store provided luxury fabric to the wealthy and high-end nobles.

If he succeeded in establishing a cooperation, then he would no longer be underestimated.

Who could have imagined Alger not only refused cooperation, but he also didn’t give him any face?

Alger’s son, Edwin, even publicly boasted about how a noble had to wait all day for them and still ended up being ignored.

Since then, a grudge was formed between them.

"Just you wait!" The noble harrumphed and took a mouthful of the wine.

Right when the noble was about to calm down, Edwin arrived at the table with a grin on his face.

"Oh, isn’t this Baron Tyler who waited all day and night outside our doorstep?" Edwin smirked and proceeded to greet his father.

"Apologies, Father. I was busy discussing with other reputable nobles and merchants."

Alger laughed heartily in response and gestured for him to take a seat.

Seeing the father and son duo, Tyler’s eyes narrowed in a cold light.

’I want to see how much the two of you are going to laugh.’ Tyler sneered inwardly. As a noble, he naturally belonged to the Noble Faction.

Within the Noble Faction, there was a rumor going on that the Crown Prince was cleaning his sword to butcher the Merchant Guild.

In other words, these two were bound to become a target for the Crown Prince.

While this table was filled with powder kegs, the same could be said for the other table.

Each table had an equal number of people from the Merchant Guild and Noble Faction. What made the arrangement devious was that each of them had a grudge against the other.

The moment these people met, a verbal argument was bound to erupt.

These were all done on purpose to ensure they keep each other in check and are incapable of a single power to gain an advantage.

Looking at the scene from above, Leonard was satisfied with the effect.

"Master, would these people start fighting physically?" Shirley asked in concern. If a fight really broke out in the Crown Prince’s banquet, then things wouldn’t be too good for him.

That was her main concern. She had no qualms of sympathy for any of these people invited today.

All these people were vermin in the city, always leeching the blood of the innocent and filling their pockets.

"I certainly hope they will fight." Leonard mused.

"Unfortunately, they only dared to have verbal fights and not physical fights. They wouldn’t be foolish enough to cause trouble at this banquet."

Nodding, Shirley agreed with the statement. Unless one hits their head on a wall, they wouldn’t dare to become a spotlight as a troublemaker.

"Then should we head downstairs?" From behind Leonard, Sophie asked while her slender hands were massaging his back.

"The main characters haven’t arrived yet." He calmly pointed at the front table. That table was reserved for Wesley and Darius to meet.

But till now, the two people had yet to show up.

Since that was the case, it wasn’t the time for him to appear either.

"I see..." Sophie nodded and walked to the front. "Shall I offer you some service to pass the time?"

"..."

Leonard was rendered speechless by her actions. How many times did he need to tell her that he didn’t require their special services?

"Behave yourself," he scolded her. "Although you are now bound by a magic contract and recognize me as the Master, you are not forced to serve me in that manner. Keep this in mind. I advocate for equality."

Feeling disappointed, Sophie wanted to argue that she was willing and not compelled by the magic contract.

Alas, Shirley had already gestured for her to behave as well.

’If Master really needs someone to provide services, then it’ll be me first.’ Shirley thought to herself.

Sometime later, the main characters had finally arrived at the scene.

Wesley Livingstone’s presence quickly caught the attention, with his walking cane being a significant symbol to the many merchants.

"Greetings, Lord Wesley!"

Nearly all the merchants in the banquet stood up and greeted Wesley with respect.

"Haha, there’s no need for the formalities." Wesley chuckled softly and gestured for them to remain seated.

"Today is the Crown Prince’s banquet, so I’m just like the rest of you, a regular attendee."

"Yes, Lord Wesley!"

While Wesley was warmly welcomed by the merchants, the nobles gave little to no attention to the former.

Instead, they all greeted Darius, who was slightly behind Wesley.

Although Darius had been betrayed by his inner noble circle, the reality remained that there were still a large number of nobles at the banquet who feared his influence.

Of course, some of the fear was a result of Darius holding critical evidence of their crime.

Nevertheless, the reception between the two could be differentiated. Wesley’s reception was superior to Darius’s.

"I didn’t expect you to still have time to be here, Marquis Darius." Wesley smiled warmly and took his designated seat.

"Hmph, it’s the Crown Prince’s banquet. I received an invitation, so I naturally needed to make time." Darius replied and sat down as well.