CHAPTER 26: BANQUET NIGHT

Later that night, I ordered a small banquet to be prepared, and it would take place in the spacious sitting room of my chamber.

It was a way of offering a warm welcome to my new companions who had journeyed beside me back to the Duchedom.

"Make it modest. Enough to mark a return, not entirely to boast of it." I had ordered the servants who got everything ready, and they did a nice job.

The table was set at the center of the hall, and seats enough to contain the six of us were arranged around it. On the table were dishes of chicken drumsticks and soda with serving glass cups.

It was not bad...I guess.

Before this moment, however, news had reached me that there was a spreading rumor around the Duchedom.

Even the faintest gesture could be turned to gossip. Most times, what could matter is carefulness in daily actions.

The people of Seafrost only knew that I had gone with Muna to train and hone my powers, since it was general knowledge how weak I was.

Nonetheless, the gossip also states that many people had checked on us in the training arena after days of not returning, and we were nowhere to be found. They generally thought something bad had befallen us.

It wouldn’t be a problem if it were to be me alone, but since Muna was involved, several strong mages had searched even other Duchedoms for our whereabouts.

And now that we disproved them of our non-existence and disappearance, a new rumor had surfaced.

"The young master had returned. Yes, with Demons!"

"His father was right after all."

"The Leader should have heard this. Why won’t we send that little boy to the spirit lands?"

These and much more were the shits the villagers spat from their mouths. However, some of them also required an explanation and a better understanding.

Just like Linda had warned, having the demon companions stroll with me on a daily basis was risky.

So to say, I should have been invited by the acting leader for an explanation for violating the rule of the Mages of Montana, but I had yet to receive an invitation.

"Bah... let’s forget the rumors," I dropped the drumstick of chicken in my hand, and tilted my head to the right.

Vera was devouring the meal as if she had never eaten in a very long time. Lovina was enjoying the meal more as if she were used to it.

And Bonnie, she was yet to touch any of it, but continued taking Soda.

’They will get used to it soon,’ I thought to myself.

We ate and discussed what we passed through in the Spatial tear. I even mentioned how I had seen it as deceit from Muna at first, but acknowledged her since the method has improved me a lot.

For the Mana plants, we also suggested how they would be shared among us, but Muna refused to get a share. She claimed she didn’t need it as of recently, and I should use all of it.

However, the lively scene of our enjoyment was brought to an abrupt end the moment Muna asked me the question I hadn’t expected.

"Big brother," she began, lowering her cup of soda and fixing her eyes on me. "Now that we’re finally home, do you care to tell us something?"

"Like, I want to hear it from you. How did you grow stronger in such a short period?"

I collected the drumstick I was yet to finish off and made sure there was no meat on the bones, after which I took sips from my cup of soda and placed it down slowly.

"Stronger?" I answered, feigning mild confusion, though I knew what she meant.

"You will play dumb now, right? Well, do that outrightly if you will," she smiled faintly, leaning forward.

"You do know you weren’t the same in that tear. I mean, hear me out, my brother, who was mostly under my protection, became my protector within a twinkle of an eye."

"Big brother, what really happened to you?"

I folded my two hands’ fingers against each other and looked around the table.

Linda, who sat on the left side of the table, nodded in agreement with her question. Not only her, but I could also sense the curiosity of everyone else waiting at the table, especially Vera.

Taking a breath, I said carefully, "Let’s just say, I received a gift from the ancestors."

"A gift?" Muna repeated, narrowing her eyes. "What kind of gift?"

Maintaining composure, I took another sip from my cup of soda and responded. "A gift that grants me strength in proportion to the burdens I’ve become. It’s a passive gift and is also beyond understanding."

"Really?" Muna asked with furrowed brows.

"Well, I will believe the ruler of the sea if he calls it a gift from the ancestors. Master says a gift grants strength, Vera accepts such a gift," Vera said from the right end of the table, munching chicken meat in her mouth at the same time.

I nodded with a smile, sipping from my cup again.

I didn’t plan to hide my strength, ability or power from any of the members in my Harem team... whether in the present or future.

Yet, it was going to be worth a thousand strokes of foolishness eradicator if I told them about the Harem Sharing System.

I hadn’t told them a lie, nor were my words the full truth.

Muna still doubted my genuineness with the word when even Linda chipped in.

"Or we could say the Sea Sword was helping him. I mean, he wasn’t that strong before laying hands on the sword," Linda explained.

I clicked my hands at her as a way of accepting that it could also matter.

I didn’t realize it was a way of her drawing my attention.

’Young Master, are you sure it’s a good idea to leave these demons with us? They can be spies. The demon Master is too tactical.’ Linda complained about using her shadow ability.

I reached for a drumstick and replied in my thoughts.

’I understand your concern, but that’s nothing for you to worry about. Since they are demons, they would have to betray me twice to succeed.’

’Huh?’

I didn’t reply. Instead, I opened the system interface and used it to check what improvement had occurred in Linda.

«↓ Checking Status ↑»

«↓ Name: Linda Seafrost ↑»

«↓ Title: The Healer, Mobix’s Shadow [Contracted], The Silent Guardian [Bound] ↑»

«↓ Rank: Expert Lv. II ↑»

«↓ Power: Healing, Smoke of Devastation [NEW] ↑»

«↓ H.S.A: 98% ↑»

I should have been surprised when I saw her bound title, but it didn’t leave much impression compared to when I saw her rank and new power.

She didn’t even rank up by one, but by two levels.

And now, it made more sense how she could fulfill her dreams and expectations of protecting me.

Although, I didn’t know yet what her new power did or how it worked, it should be of great use.

’This girl has surely vowed to be entangled with me forever.’

And her Harem Sharing Ability, I should share it soon since she has faced a breakthrough. I did share her Power, or should I include the title as well?

I bit my lips as the thoughts stretched on. It could have led to my getting suspected, but the wind saved me.

It stirred, banging the windows of the hall against the wall. Then, from the window at the right, an envelope drifted in.

It twirled gracefully through the air before landing square on the table before me.

The room fell silent again.

I reached for it and unsealed the folded edges. A faint seal of frost and crimson marked its surface — the insignia of the Duchedom’s acting leader.

Muna leaned closer, her voice dropping. "What does it say?"

I unfolded the parchment.

The words were brief, written in elegant but firm strokes:

"Young Master Mobix, your presence is required in the great hall, right now."

I closed the letter slowly, my mind already stirring with thoughts.