Chapter 503: The Banquet at Gervas Baron's Castle!

Gervas said as much, but he didn't mind; he also knew the little tricks of Mi Gen and his crew.

Moreover, he raised his eyes toward the castle, seeing it decked out with lanterns and streamers, looking wonderfully lively.

At the same time, inside Gervas Baron's Castle.

Today, Gervas Baron's Castle was brightly lit, and the banquet hall was filled with the roar of voices.

Because today was a good day for Gervas Baron's fief.

Baron Andrew had a total of three sons.

The eldest son, Ernst; the second son, Gervas; and the third son, Laniel.

Now, the eldest son, needless to say, was the family heir, while the second son, Gervas, had also fortunately become a lord.

Although still on the border, he was still a lord, so Andrew didn't need to worry too much.

On the contrary, the third son, Laniel, being the biological son of Lady Mary, was directly spoiled by Lady Mary to such an extent that he never thought of cultivation since childhood, knowing only how to eat, drink, and play.

If it weren't for Andrew being somewhat strict when at home, Laniel would probably have truly become a real waste.

Of course, before this, even though Laniel was forced to cultivate, his progress was not fast.

Under normal circumstances, it would probably take him into his twenties before he could become a Bronze Knight.

But all this changed after Gervas sent a large quantity of monster meat and magic potions to the family.

Nourished by the magic potions and monster meat, Laniel actually felt the existence of battle qi more than ten days ago.

And this meant that Laniel had already stepped into the Great Knight realm, and becoming a Bronze Knight was now just a matter of days.

Although expectations for this third son were not too high, in a minor noble family, this still counted as a major event.

Thus, Andrew invited the surrounding noble neighbors and held this celebratory dinner.

It also carried a slight intention of showing off.

Of course, this was also standard procedure for nobles.

On ordinary days, nobles didn't have very rich entertainment programs; banquets were their greatest amusement.

At the same time, using the banquet to show off the family's achievements had become the norm.

"Haha! Congratulations to you! Andrew, now your Gervas family is truly rising; not only has your second son, Gervas, become a baron lord!"

"Now even this third son has broken through to become a Great Knight at such a young age!"

"That's right, Andrew, your Gervas family is going to rise! Don't forget us when that time comes!"

In the banquet hall, several barons raised their wine glasses and praised Baron Andrew aloud.

Although such praise was mostly just for the sake of sounding good.

After all, if this counted as rising, then the word "rising" would be far too cheap.

But since a sedan chair is lifted by people, this time they praised Andrew fiercely, and next time Andrew would naturally have to praise them fiercely in return.

This way, everyone could happily continue the banquet.

"Haha! Everyone, you are exaggerating too much!"

"Although my Gervas family does indeed have some progress now, talking about rising is still out of the question!" Andrew was also very humble, understanding that everyone was just speaking for the occasion.

"Pfft! Father, Baron Andrew does have self-knowledge! After all, that so-called Gervas, although he also became a lord, is said to be a land of death; three barons have died there within ten years!"

"Besides, this Laniel, although he can sense some battle qi, I have seen him; he is just a waste. Even with battle qi, it is useless!"

Just then, a slight snicker came through.

Of course, although it was slight, the people at the long table happened to hear it.

Instantly, the expressions of the people at the table became slightly awkward; Andrew also frowned and looked at the father and son on his right.

"Miles, what nonsense are you talking? Apologize to Baron Andrew immediately!"

And the father and son beside Andrew were exactly Viscount Pat and his second son.

As neighbors, Andrew naturally also invited Viscount Pat.

And in the past, Viscount Pat would most likely not have come to attend.

After all, he was a viscount, a person of status.

If it were not for a birthday celebration or some other important banquet, he would not condescend to come.

This time, he heard that the second son of the Gervas family had also become a lord, two barons in one family.

Although that so-called second son, Gervas, was located on the border, it still made Viscount Pat look at him with a bit more respect.

Thus, he reluctantly came, as a way of showing goodwill to the Gervas family.

After all, whether the Gervas family would rise later or not, he would not lose; it was just wasting an afternoon of time!

But he didn't expect his own second son to be so unreasonable, speaking such harsh words in front of everyone.

Speaking was one thing, but speaking so loudly was another.

This was somewhat like slapping the Gervas family in the face.

Of course, Viscount Pat was not too worried.

He was certain that Andrew would not make any extreme reaction over such a small matter.

"Father, I was just stating the facts... Alright! Baron Andrew, I spoke wrongly!"

Under his father's pressure, his second son finally reluctantly admitted his mistake.

Although his tone and demeanor showed no intention of apologizing, Andrew was indeed just as he had thought, immediately using the opportunity to save face.

His originally ugly expression also recovered; he pretended and said, "Hehe, Viscount Pat, it was just a child's words; I certainly won't take them seriously!"

The other minor nobles, although their eyes varied, all pretended to laugh loudly and joined in, continuing to toast and drink heartily.

The corner of Viscount Pat's mouth curled up into a barely perceptible arc.

This was the symbol of status.

Only after the Pat family had managed their affairs over several generations did they have the current strength and foundation.

And at this moment, the situation was the concrete manifestation of benefits earned through generations of hard work.

These barons, even if humiliated, had to endure it.

"Baron my lord, urgent report!"

And just as Viscount Pat was thinking this, a knight hurried into the banquet hall and came to Andrew's side.

The nobles exchanged glances. At a banquet like this, a knight rushing in wearing armor was extremely rude.

Although Baron Andrew frowned, he knew his subordinate would not be rude without reason.

"Knight Commander Rot, what is it?"

"my lord, the guard squad reports that outside the town has come a count's entourage, numbering over a thousand, including at least two hundred cavalry and five hundred fully armed guards! They say they wish to spend the night in Spring Town…"

"A count's entourage? Two hundred cavalry, five hundred guards? Wanting to spend the night in Spring Town?" Andrew's expression changed.

And the nobles who had overheard exchanged glances as well.

Spring Town was some distance from the Royal Highway, so under normal circumstances, no great noble's entourage would specifically pass through.

But now, this entourage had not only passed through, but actually wanted to spend the night in the town — this was absolutely trouble.

After all, it wasn't just those great nobles themselves being domineering; their subordinates were equally no easy mark.

If things went badly and those fellows committed some misdeeds in the town, would you deal with it or not?

If you dealt with it, you'd have to see what sort of character the great noble on the other side was.

The more easygoing ones might put on a show and punish them a little.

But if they were not easy to talk to, they might simply ignore you entirely — at that point, would this lord's face still be worth keeping?