Chapter 330 - 326: Sought After at the Banquet

Lanterns and bonfires brightly illuminated the interior and exterior of the lavish grand banquet hall.

The sounds of lively conversation, laughter, musical instruments, and singing blended together.

Tonight, the Golden Feather Palace hosted an exceptionally lively celebration for Blanche’s birthday.

Nobles gathered here not only to celebrate Her Highness Princess’s birthday, but also to use the occasion to strengthen ties and discuss collaborations with other aristocrats.

For the lesser nobles fortunate enough to attend, it was a prime opportunity to meet influential aristocrats and expand their network of contacts.

Ronin also met many people at the banquet, though most of the exchanges were purely out of courtesy. After all, he didn’t know the true backgrounds of these nobles.

"Hey, Ronin, may I have a drink with you?"

Having changed into formal attire, Franz looked even more dashing and suave. He exuded an air of elegance, making him a popular conversation partner for many of the young noble ladies tonight.

"Of course. It would be my honor!"

Ronin raised his wine glass and lightly clinked it against the other man’s.

Franz Silva was, in fact, one of the people Ronin most wanted to meet.

If he had the chance, Ronin also hoped to pay a visit to Franz’s grandfather.

The man was a living legend, a centenarian who was surely worldly and wise. Moreover, he was a Magic Master. Ronin would very likely be able to learn a great deal from him.

Franz took an elegant sip and praised with a smile, "The wine from the Gregor Highlands is the most famous. A vintage of this quality... you can only drink your fill of it at a Golden Feather Palace banquet."

The wine tonight was indeed of a much higher quality than what was available in Wushan Castle.

"You have a great fondness for wine?"

"Haha, my favorite thing to do after a session of Cultivation is to have a sip of fine wine." Franz wore an expression of blissful intoxication. "The feeling is like a traveler on the verge of dying of thirst in the desert who suddenly finds a sip of sweet spring water."

Ronin didn’t pay much attention to beverages like wine, and his earlier plan to distill white liquor had yet to be put on the agenda.

So, he discussed the world’s wine culture with Franz, getting a better understanding of his perspective on the demand for alcoholic beverages.

Although this world had wine and beer, according to Franz, many Knights felt that the available drinks weren’t strong enough after intense training or battle.

Given that Knights had considerable purchasing power, if Ronin managed to produce his white liquor, there would certainly be a market for it.

Perhaps when he returned to his territory, Ronin could summon a couple of brewers and give it a try.

After a pleasant chat, the two had become more familiar with each other, and Ronin brought up a question that had been puzzling him.

"It’s not uncommon to find people who pursue Magic and Martial Dual Cultivation, but it’s extremely rare to see someone like you who has cultivated Fighting Qi and Magic to the same Level. Why don’t you focus on one path and raise its Level as high as possible?"

Hearing this, Franz sighed helplessly. "Compared to the disadvantages a Mage faces in close combat, I much prefer the thrill of a Knight winning a victory at the edge of a sword. It’s just..."

He spread his hands. "It was my great-grandfather’s requirement. He told me to first cultivate both my Fighting Qi and Magic to the Sixth-level, and only then, based on my own preference, focus my main energy on one of them."

Ronin’s heart skipped a beat.

Franz’s great-grandfather... that meant Bellora the Magic Master. For such a figure to make this kind of demand of his great-grandson, there had to be a sound reason for it—and a significant benefit.

"Is there some kind of benefit to doing it that way?"

"I don’t know the specific benefits myself, but my great-grandfather told me that when I am fortunate enough to become a Proud Sun Knight or a Great Mage someday, the payoff will be substantial."

He wasn’t being secretive, because there were very few people in this world capable of Magic and Martial Dual Cultivation like him. Besides, it wasn’t a cultivation path that just anyone could persevere on.

Ronin couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion.

’This must be the confidence that comes with being a powerful family,’ he thought. ’Bellora’s expectations for his descendants aren’t for them to reach the Gold or Meteor ranks, but to go straight for the Ninth Level.’

Ronin even suspected that this legendary Magic Master might have already broken through to become a Great Mage without anyone knowing.

Obviously, this wasn’t an appropriate question to ask.

"Lord Bellora is one of the most preeminent Mages on the Orland Continent. Anything he says is certain to be correct."

A look of reverence flashed in Ronin’s eyes. "I wonder, will I have the opportunity to visit Amethyst County and pay my respects to him?"

"Hahaha, the Silva Clan would welcome you to visit Crystal Territory any time."

Franz extended a warm welcome. "However, my great-grandfather doesn’t see people for years at a time, so I can’t guarantee you’ll be able to meet him."

Ronin understood this completely.

An expert of that caliber, unbound by the constraints of power, had no need to give face to every noble. The only reason he had come to Wushan Territory before was because he had been drawn by Lurans’s Soul-Devouring Surge.

"Count Ronin~"

The warm greeting came from a man Ronin didn’t recognize, who was now walking over.

He responded politely, "And you are, sir?"

"This is the Kingdom’s Minister of Finance, Viscount Luther Cox," Franz said with a smile, offering a brief introduction. He then raised his glass, concluding his conversation with Ronin.

Cox. The man had the same surname as Missy Knight.

He recalled Karda mentioning that afternoon that someone would approach him. He wondered if this man was who Karda had been referring to.

"Are you Miss Missy’s father?"

Luther smiled and nodded. "That Missy... she’s a very headstrong one. For a girl, she spends all her time in the company of men. She lacks some of the beauty a young lady ought to have."

Anyone could tell these were words of false modesty.

"A gallant and heroic bearing is also a kind of beauty."