Chapter 1075 - 880: Royal Capital

The Crown City palace lit up with thousands of crystal chandeliers at dusk, with every arched high window casting a warm amber glow, illuminating the entire platform like a golden island floating in the night sky.

A long dark blue carpet was laid in front of the palace’s main entrance, extending from the edge of the plaza at the foot of the platform all the way into the banquet hall deep within the palace.

Nobles dressed in splendid clothes, arm in arm with their companions, stepped onto the carpet one by one when the attendants loudly announced their family surnames and titles, and walked through the magnificent porch supported by six marble columns, filing into the brightly lit hall.

The banquet hall’s dome reaches over ten meters high, with murals depicting the founding monarch of Osseron Kingdom riding the Golden Lion to conquer all directions, and the gold dust in the murals shimmering in the crystal lamp light.

Long tables on either side of the hall were covered with snow-white linen tablecloths, filled with gilded candlesticks and silver trays holding exquisite dishes, while whole roasted golden suckling pigs lay on silver platters adorned with rosemary. Honey-roasted fowl were neatly arranged on gold-rimmed porcelain plates, their surfaces brushed with a layer of amber honey glaze, shining with an enticing luster under candlelight.

Barrels of aged wine and locally brewed ale were brought out of the cellar by the servants, piling up on a makeshift beverage stand in the corner of the hall.

The air was filled with the charred aroma of roasting meat grease, the rich fruity scent of aged wine, and the fragrance of various expensive perfumes worn by the nobles.

The Duke wore a tailored dark green velvet jacket, lined with fine snow-white linen shirt, and at the collar was tied a dark gold silk scarf.

His face adjusted by the Life Rules looked several years younger than his actual age, with smooth and full skin, lips bearing the unique redness of youth, appearing to be merely seventeen or eighteen years old.

His deep brown short hair was neatly combed back, revealing a smooth forehead and a pair of bright, curious black eyes.

He held a high-stemmed crystal glass filled with amber wine, standing casually beside a marble column near the window in the hall, looking very much like a young noble scion seeing the world with his family’s elders.

The banquet officially began with the King’s entry.

The old King sat on the slightly raised throne at the front of the hall, a giant blue and gold lion tapestry hanging behind the throne, flanked by several royal attendants in gold-edged white robes.

Audric was seated at the most esteemed guest seat on the right side of the throne, separated from the King by only a small gilt tea table.

He was still in that dark red golden-edged robe, sporting a proud smile, casting only casual glances at each dish presented by the attendants, occasionally picking up a small piece to chew slowly, his demeanor elegant yet blatantly dismissive.

In his view, these exquisite delicacies probably held little difference from roadside crude food.

As the banquet reached mid-point, the orchestra began playing a solemn yet melodious court dance tune from the music stand under the dome, prompting a few young noble couples to lead the way into the dance floor.

The King rose from the throne, gestured for the orchestra to pause the performance, then lifted the golden cup before him, and lightly tapped the cup rim with a small silver spoon.

The crisp metallic tapping sound reverberated throughout the hall, gradually quelling the noisy chatter, as everyone’s gaze shifted towards the throne.

"Tonight’s gathering is not only to celebrate the Kingdom’s successful quelling of border rebellions but also to introduce a distinguished guest." The King turned, directing his hand to the right side where the guest seats were, "This is Lord Audric Bloodgold, from the Bloodgold Family of the Wizard Plane Golden Continent—that ancient household bearing the Golden Dragon Bloodline."

The hall fell silent for a moment, then whispers erupted from every corner like a stirred anthill.

A few elderly Earls standing in the front row exchanged glances, evidently not unfamiliar with the term "Wizard Plane."

Osseron Kingdom had cooperation agreements with the Wizard Council, and though most nobles had never seen someone from the Wizard Plane, rumors about wizards were no secret in the upper circles of Crown City.

Someone whispered to their companion that the Bloodgold Family was the top bloodline clan on Golden Continent, its power comparable to the entire combat strength of a former medium-sized kingdom.

Another elderly white-haired marquis added in a slightly hoarse voice that someone from his grandfather’s generation had once seen a big name from the Wizard Plane who turned a barren mountain into fertile soil with a single spell.

Hearing these murmurs, surrounding nobles’ gazes towards Audric shifted from indifference to awe, and from awe turned into a kind of earnest longing.

The King glanced satisfactorily at the nobles below with various expressions and continued, "Lord Audric’s visit is not only as a participant on the Path of Divine Revelation but also represents the Bloodgold Family, expressing goodwill and collaboration intentions to Osseron Kingdom.

The Bloodgold Family promises, upon the Path of Divine Revelation’s conclusion, to carry out large-scale investments and support for Osseron Kingdom, including constructing a permanent Teleportation Array network connecting major cities, providing advanced Alchemy Technology to assist in developing mineral resources, and establishing a Knight Academy directly funded by the Bloodgold Family in the Royal Capital to cultivate the extraordinary combat strength native to Osseron.