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If a foreign delegation visited the capital, it was only proper to hold a banquet. Moreover, with the Catalonian delegation having just arrived a few days prior and the Aragonese delegation almost ready to depart for Asturias, it was even more necessary to host a feast. Welcoming the guests was one thing, but the banquet also served to comfort and bid farewell to their own delegation.

What made this banquet particularly noteworthy was the unusually enthusiastic attitude of King João II. Aragon, not particularly rich in resources, was not known for hosting lavish banquets. Even when they did, they were often seen as modest and frugal compared to the wealthier regions like Catalonia and Valencia. In other words, they lacked both food and entertainment.

But this banquet was different. King João II, with his newfound enthusiasm, even opened the royal family’s private storerooms to prepare for the event.

The banquet lasted for two days, which was unusually short compared to the typical three or four days. However, both the Catalonian and Aragonese delegations were in a hurry to attend the upcoming event in Bardenas Reales, so shorter banquets had become the norm.

The central hall of El Laferia Palace, designated as the banquet venue, was filled with lively yet restrained music. Maria stood in a corner, observing the surroundings. The atmosphere of the banquet in Zaragoza, the capital of Aragon, was distinctly different from that of Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia.

While Barcelona’s banquets were refined and vibrant, Zaragoza’s were more solemn yet infused with an untamed liveliness. This was likely due to the influence of the Pyrenees Mountains, where the terrain was higher and the soil less fertile compared to the prosperous southern coastal regions.

Aragon’s unique political and economic environment also played a role. Unlike the southern kingdoms where merchant power was strong, Aragon was dominated by feudal manor lords, except for a few cities near mining areas. This made the culture more conservative and rigid compared to Catalonia.

The majority of Aragon’s population consisted of herders and hunters from the Pyrenees highlands, who raised horses and sheep for a living. Although mining towns with rich mineral resources had grown, the traditionalists still held sway.

The banquet tables were laden with dishes featuring venison, goat, aurochs, wild boar, peacock, and goose, all heavily seasoned with cheese, cream, and butter. Most of the meats were roasted over a long period with honey, oil, or strong liquor, rather than boiled or steamed. While there were some agricultural products like raisins and pickled olives, they paled in comparison to the meat dishes.

The drinks served also differed from those in the southern coastal kingdoms. Unlike the fortified wines typically consumed in Catalonian banquets, Aragon’s royal court served a unique fermented milk beverage known as “Blaand,” made from goat’s milk.

“This… is this wine? No, but there’s a faint, unique flavor,” Karl wondered aloud.

“Ah, so they brew this here too?” Brantley remarked.

“Do you know about this drink, sir?” Karl asked.

“Indeed. This is a fermented whey drink called ‘Blaand’ in my homeland. It’s usually made from goat’s milk,” Brantley explained.

“Interesting. I’ve heard of similar drinks made from horse’s milk by nomadic tribes in the east. I thought it was nonsense, but it seems to be true,” Karl replied, impressed.

Another unusual aspect of the banquet was the presence of beer. In the Holy Griffin Empire, where beer culture was highly developed, beer was rarely served at official banquets. Yet here it was, and it was even imported from the Empire.

“Aragon is a kingdom of miners, after all. Many of the nobles here are descendants of those who worked in the mines. It’s only natural for miners to seek out beer,” a well-dressed dwarf noble explained, adjusting his monocle.

Karl and Brantley exchanged glances, recognizing the dwarf noble as Count José Pallafox of Sabiñánigo. Karl noted the dwarf’s muscular build and the aura of a seasoned warrior.

As the banquet continued, Maria observed the lively atmosphere. The Aragonese nobles, though seemingly stern, were clearly enjoying themselves. The music shifted to a more passionate tempo, and couples began to dance in circles, showcasing the traditional dances of the Pyrenees herders.

The Catalonian delegation, mostly young, eagerly joined in the dancing, while Maria’s group remained on the sidelines, feeling somewhat out of place.

The dances popular in Hiberia were quite different from the more structured waltzes and sarabands of the continent. Maria, Conra, Karl, and Brantley were still unfamiliar with the lively and passionate Hiberian dances.

However, they couldn’t remain aloof for long. The Aragonese noblewomen soon began to approach Conra, Karl, and Brantley, eager to dance and converse.

“Sir Hector Meyer! Would you dance with me…?”

“Sir Setanta! I’d love to hear about your adventures…”

“Sir Somz! I’ve heard so much about your esteemed name…”

Despite their attempts to politely decline, the trio found it difficult to escape the enthusiastic advances of the noblewomen. Meanwhile, Maria watched with a faint smile as the men were swept away by the tide of admirers.

The Aragonese noblemen, however, were more hesitant to approach Maria. Her status as a princess and her cool demeanor made them cautious. But one man had no such reservations—Prince Fernando of Aragon.

“How are you enjoying the banquet? If I may, could I have a moment of your time?” Fernando asked, approaching Maria with confidence.

Maria hesitated, unsure how to respond. Just then, Conra stepped in.

“Excuse me, but the princess has a prior engagement with me.”

“…And who are you?” Fernando asked, his smile tightening.

Before Conra could answer, Count Ramon Pérez de Manresa intervened.

“His father is Setanta Mac Labhada, a prince of the small kingdom of Ulla and a grand druid of Fiana Éireann. His mother is Alexandra di Kaliastra, a niece of the alchemist guild master Orzo di Kaliastra of the Tuscan Republic. He is also a squire and disciple of the paladin Sophia de Chazel, making him a sworn brother to Princess Maria Francesca.”

Fernando, realizing Conra’s significant background, reluctantly backed off.

After the banquet, the Catalonian delegation was summoned by King João II of Aragon. The king apologized for his son’s behavior, but the Catalonians assured him it was of no concern.

As they left the meeting, Count Shirdas Rampal subtly signaled to the others using a secret hand gesture developed by Catalonian diplomats.

‘This incident was likely orchestrated by the king himself.’

Maria pondered this revelation. What could the king possibly gain from such a scheme?

A few days later, as the Catalonian and Aragonese delegations departed Zaragoza for Asturias, Maria’s question was finally answered.

+++++

The plains of Gotland, recently blanketed by an abnormal blizzard, were now eerily calm. The once snow-covered fields and frozen rivers had vanished, replaced by a barren, yellow landscape and a fierce clash of powers.

The sky was filled with ionized plasma winds, twisted spacetime, and black holes emitting neutron beams. The ground trembled with seismic waves, and a corrosive mist spread across the land.

Amidst this chaos, Sophia de Chazel walked calmly, her longsword held before her. Despite the surrounding destruction, her steps were unhindered.

“Working hard, aren’t you?” she murmured.

Sophia’s every step was protected by ancient techniques and mantras, creating a safe space around her. The destructive spells swirling around her were contained within an invisible barrier, unable to escape.

Sophia’s swordsmanship was at its peak. Without even drawing her sword, she wielded countless blade strikes, each one precise and controlled. Her longsword remained unscathed, a testament to her mastery.

The spells, no matter how powerful, were ultimately just spells. Sophia didn’t need to cut through the phenomena themselves; she simply severed the magical energy and waves that composed them.

Eventually, the spells began to weaken and dissipate. Sophia’s gaze fell to the ground, where a pale, black-tinged spirit writhed beneath her foot.

“So, you’re the medium used to corrupt this land’s spirits?” she asked with a chilling smile.

The spirit froze in fear as Sophia’s icy blue eyes bore into it.

“Let’s see what secrets you hold. I hope you know a lot,” she said, baring her white fangs.

 

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