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Chapter 126: The Welcoming Banquet

Thanks to the overly prickly Lumiafia, the atmosphere became slightly awkward, but we shook it off and dove into the welcoming banquet.

In the large hall of the mansion.

A space that could easily accommodate a hundred people.

A refined crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, brightly illuminating the hall. It was so bright that it hardly felt like a gathering of dark creatures. The servers were beastmen—many of them from the White Tiger Clan. As expected from the heart of the Reiju Tribe.

I was made to sit at a long, tiered table positioned at the head of the hall with the clan leaders. It felt almost like being at a wedding reception.

‘In the sense of your reception, it’s not entirely incorrect.’

Now that you mention it, looking down at the demon race from a slightly elevated position does feel quite good.

As for the seating arrangement, in the center was the clan leader, Jijiivart. To his right, the next clan leader, Zikvart, me, and Eijivart. To the left were Platy, Zikvart’s wife, and the visibly unhappy Lumiafia, who looked like she had been dragged out of the room.

○　　●　　○　　　☆　　　●　　○　　○

Eijivart, me, Zikvart, Leader, Platy, Wife, Lumia

(*Note: Zikvart’s wife passed away long ago.)

Considering my future potential and their current standings, this seems about right. Still, Lumiafia, I get that you don’t like me, but can you not make your disdain so obvious in front of the tribe? It’s one thing if it’s a private dinner… but the leader and family aren’t saying a word… Is she spoiled?

Well… aside from that, the clan members gathered in the hall were utterly amazed when Liliana, who didn’t want to be separated from me, was whining and licking me cutely!!

That reaction is certainly typical for a girl of her age, so maybe it’s being seen sympathetically.

Having been surrounded by too many scumbags like the Night Elves and Undead Kings in the Demon Lord Castle, I was numb to it… but yeah…

I received an unexpected common sense punch from an unwelcome angle, and it was a bit tough.

I never wanted to self-reflect on something like this…!

“Then, let us toast to our Demon Lord Prince’s visit. And to the future of the Reiju Tribe—Cheers!”

“Cheers!!”

With those words from Clan Leader Jijiivart, the banquet began.

At that moment, surprisingly, music began to play.

I was utterly astonished. From the lower section of the hall, beyond the curtains, the lively and cheerful sounds of an orchestra resonated. As a demon, this was nearly a first for me. It wasn’t drums or horns; I was experiencing delicate and cultured music for the first time—

“Surprised?”

Zikvart spoke with a face as if he had successfully pulled off a prank.

“What is this?”

“This is a family of musicians we have kept alive since the Reiju Tribe took control of this place.”

As he tipped his wine cup, a faint smile appeared.

“Though they are weak human beings, their music is not too bad, I would say. It adds a delightful touch to the banquet, doesn’t it? My tribe is different from the others; we are cultured.”

There was something in his eyes that seemed to test me.

“—That said, they’re still lowly beings. If you dislike them, I can have them stop…?”

“No, not at all. I quite like it.”

I replied with a smile. Incredible. There are tribes that have survived with skill other than the upper-class slaves’ craftsmanship here…!!

“I’ve never heard such a performance even at my father’s palace.”

Upon my words, Zikvart nodded with satisfaction, and Eijivart also appeared pleased, puffing out his nose in pride. Apparently, they interpreted it as being more cultured than the Demon Lord’s palace. Though, it seems there’s probably no orchestra in the Demon Lord’s palace.

Gourmet dishes were being brought out. Roasted lamb and large pots of soup were rolled in on carts.

Fortunately for me, it seemed that demon banquets focused heavily on food. The servers were expertly dishing up plates at a furious pace, serving up the hearty style.

The clan leaders and we received the finest cuts of roasted lamb. The seasoning was unique in its use of herbs, somewhat rough yet maximizing the meat’s flavor. The soup was hearty, full of root vegetables, and tasted nourishing, filling me with strength from the depths of my belly.

They said it was a local dish from before the area was absorbed into the Reiju Territory… Zikvart explained as we ate.

The descendants of those who created this food culture are now raised as livestock rather than slaves. And the audacious demons feast as if it were all their own—

I pushed down the complex feelings bubbling up within me and tried to engage in conversation with Zikvart and Eijivart, eating and drinking heartily while wearing a smile.

As if savoring this taste.

As if trying to ensure I wouldn’t forget this taste—

Once the meal settled down, what was likely the banquet’s main purpose—the unavoidable relentless onslaught of greetings began, even for a demon.

While munching on dessert-like fruit cuts, I leaned back with an air of importance facing the clan dignitaries.

Wow, they just keep coming. Even with a head softer than from my past life, I certainly couldn’t remember all these names.

“Today, it is an honor to meet you, Prince Zilbagias—”

They were mostly all cheerful, both young and old, but it seemed that not everyone was genuinely friendly.

You could tell just by looking into their eyes. The same eyes I had seen countless times in my past life.

Noble-like—those appraising gazes—

Demons can have eyes like that too. Quite surprising.

Ironically, the Demon Lord Castle, thick with dignitaries, was filled with more straightforward individuals; I rarely had the opportunity to be subjected to this kind of gaze.

Only true power-holders, or those seeking to be strong, roam there. No time to flatter others; strength is everything, and there’s no room for petty schemes.

Even that (I forget the name) natural monument-level idiot still charged at me head-on.

Only the Night Elves or Dark Dragons might act like that, smiling and pretending while hiding their true thoughts. In the Demon Lord Castle, it’s—

Is it true that peace can even corrupt the savages? Well, I couldn’t care less how much the Reiju Tribe has become slack.

…By the way, something’s off.

‘What’s wrong? You seem to be putting on an expression of suppressed fury despite your poker face.’

Antende, who could see right through my internal struggle, teased me.

But come on, it’s infuriating!

I… feel like I’m being underestimated, don’t you think?

No one has said anything outright that could offend me, but still, it’s this gaze.

‘I suppose they think, “He looks like an easy kid to handle.”‘

I could roughly guess the reason.

The dignitaries who come to greet me—most of them have real power.

They all boast high ranks and strong magical power. There are plenty of viscounts on my level and even some counts and those who are practically marquises in terms of strength.

And then there’s me, a viscount. Without the “name,” my magical power is relatively subdued.

Considering my age, that’s quite something, but like Eijivart sitting to my right, I’m still just a kid, and they could easily twist me up if they wanted.

Also, as for my armament. Even though it’s a banquet, these savages don’t go unarmed. Most have portable magical spears or at least knives tucked into their belts, but I carried my sword openly.

As they waited for their turn to greet me, some glanced at my old sword, whispering among themselves and stifling laughter. Of course, they didn’t show any hints of it while greeting me—

‘Maybe he likes big blades?’ ‘After all, it’s a lowly human weapon, isn’t it?’—they’re probably laughing at me in their heads.

Damn it, it’s so irritating.

You think you could handle this? You want a taste of this holy sword’s blade, huh—

At that moment, the scabbard at my waist rattled.

—This is bad!! Calm down!! This situation is dangerous!!

It’s not that time!! It’s not that time yet…!

Sleep…!! Just sleep for now…!!

…Alright, good job.

Phew.

‘This is why I say bringing you along is foolish…’

Antende said, sounding a bit exasperated.

Come on… without this, I’d be defenseless, both physically and mentally…

Now I’m able to match up with Platy; I’m not ashamed of that!

Speaking of Platy, I wonder what she thinks of this greeting round.

When I glanced over, she was completely ignoring me, laughing friendly with the clan leader.

…Ah, I see, she must’ve decided to leave everything to me.

By the way, I also realized that Lumiafia’s figure had disappeared from the corner seats without me noticing.

Did she slip away while everyone was focused on me?

Well, if she’s just going to sulk in that corner, it might be better for her to return to her room anyway.

For her and everyone around her.

“Your Highness! It is an honor to meet you, I am—”

Oh, a new guest.

I can’t help but think, why am I stuck in this situation so much?

But, in order not to let my true thoughts show, I put on the mask of a lofty prince and continued exchanging greetings endlessly——

†††

“Ah, how boring.”

—Outside the hall, under the shade of a tree, a girl let out a sigh.

The one and only Lumiafia Reiju.

She had slipped out of the banquet hall while everyone was occupied with that prince.

Not wanting to be dragged back to her room, she was hiding in the garden to pass the time.

(…It feels like I’m the one being considerate here!!)

Why should I have to be mindful for a rake of a prince who hasn’t shown his face in five years, even if he is a prince? Lumiafia fumed.

Peeking in through a window at the banquet hall, she saw Demon Lord Prince Zilbagias, arrogantly leaning back with a pompous air, exchanging words with the clan’s notable figures, all lit by the chandelier.

“…Tch.”

Lumiafia grimaced and bit her thumbnail in frustration.

That arrogant and filthy demon prince didn’t sit well with her, whether through the impressions she heard or seeing his face firsthand, but what bothered her more than that was…

“Why’s my dear brother…!!”

Her beloved brother, Eijivart, was stuck off at the end of the table, looking like a mere ornament.

—

Tomorrow will be from Lumiafia’s perspective.

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