CHAPTER 51: THE AZURE CREST PAVILION

A beautiful woman in her early 20s in blue clothes greeted them. "Welcome, honored Steelheart guests. Grand Duke Valemar has notified us of your arrival. Please, enjoy the best we can offer."

They were guided to a private balcony table with a view of the ocean.

Elara’s eyes shone like stars. "It’s so beautiful!"

The server bowed and left them with elegant grace.

James pulled out the chair for Elara before sitting down and laid his cloak neatly to the side while Nyxrael silently took the seat closest to James, as if guarding his flank out of instinct. Ignis sat opposite James quietly as she enjoyed the scenery.

A moment later, the same server returned and asked with a gentle smile. "Honored guests, may I confirm your order?"

James looked up with a faint smile. "Please serve us the best dishes suitable for a normal person. Nothing with excessive mana since my little sister wouldn’t handle it well."

Elara puffed her chest proudly. "I can handle it!"

"No, you can’t." James chuckled and pinched her cheek.

"Hmmph!" Elara pouted cutely in dissatisfaction.

The server chuckled lightly before continuing to note the request. "And for the rest of you?"

James glanced at Ignis and Nyxrael, then nodded. "For us, serve the best you have, from high-level sea beasts to your signature dishes. And don’t forget to bring out your best wine."

The server’s eyes brightened. "Right away. There are only three bottles left of the Abyssal Tidewine, and they were originally reserved for Grand Duke Valemar... Shall I—"

Before she could finish her sentence, James interrupted with a chuckle. "Grand Duke Valemar will beat the shit out of me if I drink what’s his."

"Ah... about that," she smiled gracefully. "He already told us to serve one bottle to you as a welcoming gift."

James raised an eyebrow. "So generous?"

Ignis leaned slightly closer. "He must think highly of you."

"As if." James sneered, knowing that there must be something behind this.

He heard that his father once paid a high price just to get a bottle, but now he just gave it like that to him as a welcoming gift?

However, James couldn’t be careless about whatever intention he had behind this, as he just wanted to enjoy it, and in front of Ignis’ terrifying strength, all schemes were nothing.

Within ten minutes, the quiet balcony table had turned into a feast that looked more like a royal banquet than a simple lunch.

Silver-domed trays floated in on soft waves of mana, guided by attendants whose steps were so light it seemed they glided across the floor rather than walked.

Each time a lid was lifted, warm steam escaped and filled the balcony with a different kind of scent that boosted appetite.

Elara’s eyes sparkled brighter with every dish revealed. "Brother... look! It’s glowing!"

Indeed, some dishes literally glowed as soft blue light pulsed from the broths, tiny sparks skipped across the surface of a charred steak, and water droplets hovered mid-air around a salad bowl like decorative fireflies.

Nyxrael simply sat there, silent as always, his masked face reflecting the soft blue hues of the food. But even he tilted his head slightly when the attendants laid out the last dish, as he was also curious about such dishes.

The server bowed deeply. "These are the finest dishes suitable for consumption by a young lady."

Elara cheered up immediately.

Her side of the table was filled with gentleness, as there were multiple dishes. A Golden-shell Crab Soup with its warm and buttery Mist Shrimp Rolls, Crisp Tidefish Fillets sizzling lightly as if fresh from the pan, and Seafoam Rice with its fluffiness that produced a faintly sweet scent.

Elara blinked a few times as she unknowingly drooled while watching the dishes in front of her. "Brother James, can I eat first?"

"Go ahead."

She didn’t need to be told twice. Her tiny hands immediately grabbed her spoon, and the little girl began eating with the enthusiasm of someone who had waited her whole life for this exact moment.

"Mmhm! This is sooo good!" Her cheeks puffed with every bite, sparkling eyes completely focused on her food.

Ignis chuckled softly. "She really is adorable."

Meanwhile, the next dishes were far more intense.

Attendants unveiled trays containing ingredients from high-level sea beasts—rare, powerful creatures whose mana was so dense they required experts just to handle these.

The first dish, Leviathan Sashimi, shimmered like frosted glass, melting the moment it touched the tongue and releasing an icy rush of mana.

James’ eyes widened slightly. "That’s dangerously smooth."

The second dish was Crimson Octopus Steak that let out a faint spark each time a knife cut through it as the juice sizzled with deep smoky flavor.

Ignis savored a bite, raising his eyebrows in surprise. "Incredible... It’s rich with mana but controlled and not a wild one."

The third dish was Oceanic Tempest Soup that carried a faint electric tingling sensation.

Even Nyxrael paused after tasting it, his facial expression still showed the usual indifference. But, silently... he continued eating at a faster pace.

"How’s it, Nyx?" James asked with a smile.

"This is one of the best dishes I’ve ever tasted." Nyxrael smiled faintly and expressed his gratitude. "Thank you for inviting me to such a feast, My Lord."

The fourth dish was the Tidal Flame Crab. It released warm wisps of mana that curled around James’s fingers.

He ate it happily, although he could feel the burning sensation within his body. Naturally he couldn’t eat a lot of them since he was still weak, unlike Nyxrael and Ignis, who would be perfectly fine no matter how much they ate.

After finishing them all, the final item that James had been waiting for finally arrived.

Abyssal Tidewine.

The server placed it gently on the table, the ocean-blue glass glinting under the sunlight.

"We hope it suits your taste, Young Master Steelheart."

James uncorked it. A cool mist drifted upward, carrying a faint sweetness like a chilled sea breeze.

Just as James wanted to pour it into two small cups, Nyxrael stood and said. "My Lord, let me do it instead."

"It’s fine." James waved his hand casually, then poured them—one for himself and the other for Nyxrael.

Afterward, they drank happily.

A deep, cold smoothness washed down their throats, chased by a warm, mellow sweetness that bloomed slowly in their chests.

A steady pulse of mana followed with a calming and soothing... like refreshing themselves in cold water after a long day.

James let out a satisfied breath, then looked at Nyxrael. "This is... much better than yours before, Nyx."

Nyxrael responded with a bitter smile.

Ignis raised an eyebrow. "Should I be jealous that only the two of you are enjoying it?"

James laughed heartily, then poured another cup and handed it to Ignis. "I didn’t know that you enjoyed such a thing."

As the three of them happily savored the wine, Elara was in her own world.

She had switched to three desserts at once.

The first one was a shimmering pearl pudding that was soft enough to melt in seconds.

The second was a waveberry tart with a crisp crust and syrupy center.

The third was frosted mango slices that glowed faintly.

She swayed her legs happily under the table, moving her body excitedly. "Hehehe... I love this place."

James ruffled her hair affectionately. "I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself."

Elara ignored him as she continued eating.

...

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