Many influential figures had arrived at the banquet hall and were already seated.
No one noticed or even paid any attention to Abium's arrival.
"Where should we sit?" Helena moved closer to Abium and asked in a solemn tone.
On the other hand, Camilla had already flapped her wings, hovered up in the air, and stared at the bright candles and the chandelier with her glittering emerald-like eyes.
'Your seats are allocated at the rear, lad. They even put your seat right next to Baron Auguinare.' Azolla scanned the whole hall in seconds and answered.
'Oh? That's a relief.'
Muttering, Abium shifted his head towards the front and noticed that the tables were split based on titles. There were five large tables placed inside the grand banquet hall. Three were in the front while the other two were in the back.
Seats for First-Tier Mages, guests, barons, and viscounts were placed on the back.
Meanwhile, the seats for Counts and Margraves were arranged near the right side table in front, while those for Dukes, Princes, and Second-Tier Magi were on the other side.
Then, they put the main table in front, a few steps higher than the rest.
'It's the table for the King.' Abium quietly moved towards the back seat and sat on the allocated seat.
On the other hand, Helana also followed him silently, sat beside his seat, and tried her best not to stand out too much.
As they sat in silence, Abium soon heard an announcement from behind.
"Baron Auguinare Foreling of Dust Gate Territory is entering the hall."
'He already came back?' Abium turned his head towards the entrance and saw him walking alone.
At that moment, Baron also noticed Abium's presence and walked in his direction.
"It seems they put some thought into the seat arrangement this time." He commented as he walked up to the table and sat on Abium's right side.
"Did something happen in the past?" Helena asked in puzzlement.
"Well, two opposite faction nobles got into a quarrel last time and almost ruined the banquet organized by Duchess Margery. They spilled all the wine and food on the floor and wrestled on it like thugs. It became an embarrassing situation."
While they were chatting, Abium activated his [Spiritual Scan] function and started searching for any abnormalities inside the hall.
'What happened, lad?' Azolla noticed his strange behavior and asked in puzzlement.
'Nothing.' He shook his head and continued to scan the nobles.
A few minutes later, a grim look appeared on his face.
'Something is strange. Where are the First-Tier Royal Mages?'
He noticed that only a few apprentice mages appeared inside the large hall, and they too came to attend the banquet under their house name!
As he was in puzzlement, announcements came one by one.
"Young master Derrick of the Count Bellman household is entering the banquet hall!"
"Baron Wido of the Jade Vale is entering the Banquet Hall!"
"Baron Nele of the Savage Sanctrum is entering the Banquet Hall!"
...
Soon, a young man in his late twenties walked toward them and waved his hand at Baron Auguinare.
He had straight black hair, brown eyes, a low nose bridge, and a broad forehead. He wore a luxurious silk robe, a silver badge on his right chest, and a monocle on his left eye.
"Greetings, Lord Baron!" He said as he adjusted the monocle and bowed his head.
Meanwhile, Baron Auguinare also widened his eyes as he recognized the young man and stood up from his seat.
"Wido? How are you?" He opened his arms wide and hugged him.
"I'm fine, Lord Baron." At the same time, Wido squeezed his body and smiled awkwardly.
"But I didn't expect that you would come and attend a royal banquet."
"Haha, surprised? Well, I came here to check on my mansion. Anyway, how is the old man? Is he still alive?" the Baron asked.
"Yes, Lord Baron. Because of his old age, he gave up the title to me a year ago and is now enjoying his old days with grandchildren." Baron Wido said solemnly and sat on the nearby chair.
At that moment, Baron Auguinare's face turned bitter.
"Grandchildren, huh? It seems I wasn't lucky enough to enjoy that kind of life." He muttered slowly and soon turned his gaze towards Abium.
"Ah, I forgot to introduce an honored guest." Saying so, he pointed his finger at Abium and spoke.
"He is the newly entitled Baron Abium of Alastall Woodland. Also, he became an Official Mage not too long ago." He paused, shifted his gaze towards Helena, and continued.
"And, this child's name is Helena. She is Baron Abium's close friend and also a trusted ally."
Meanwhile, Baron Wido gave Helena a deep look and nodded with a smile.
'Wait, she is the one who slapped Count Tibal, isn't it? You have already gained fame among the noble women, young lady."
A slight blush crept over Helena's face as she heard the compliment.
Soon, Abium and Helena looked at Baron Wido and greeted him.
After the introduction, Baron Auguinare changed the topic and asked more about Baron Wido's father and personal life.
As they were chatting, another announcement came.
"Viscount Gauvain Lawbarth of Baxbron Territory is entering the hall."
This time, Abium, Baron Auguinare, Helena, and even Baron Wido turned their heads and looked at the banquet hall's entrance.
A second later, a slightly obese man with blonde hair, a round face, and olive skin stepped into the banquet hall and looked around. He appeared to be about 45 years old, wore a silk-weaved dress, and even had diamond-embedded golden rings on all ten fingers.
He was none other than Viscount Gauvain!
A grey-robed young man and a black-haired muscular man followed behind him and scanned both sides with hawklike eyes.
'Robert and Watson!' Abium narrowed his eyes.
At that moment, Helena got tensed up, gripped her fists, and muttered.
"Watson!"
"Don't worry. Viscount isn't worth paying attention to." Abium wasn't bothered by a viscount's presence and shifted his attention towards the front table.
"I agree," Helena recalled Abium's current status and nodded. Then, she quietly lowered her head and looked at the young fairy standing on Helena's palm.
"Camilla, you shouldn't move away from me. Even if you got lost in the crowd, transform into your human form and seek help from the Knight Lady." She warned her sternly.
"Ugh, why are you so anxious, sister? I'm not a child anymore!" Camilla pouted, started walking towards the nearby plate, and picked up a grapefruit with her tiny hands.
She then took a small bite and asked.
"When will they serve chicken? I like to eat roasted chicken!"
As Baron Wido looked at the duo's conversation, he couldn't help but mutter.
"I never heard of a fairy eating non-veg food. Lord Baron, aren't fairies and elves supposed to eat only vegetables and fruits?"
Meanwhile, Baron Auguinare showed a look of realization and looked at Abium in puzzlement.
"Lad, didn't you eat a whole fried chicken a few days ago?"
"'Cough', I don't consider myself a true elf, Lord Baron. I was a human once, so this condition doesn't apply to me." Abium quickly spoke. In truth, he liked non-vegetarian foods most!
On the other hand, Camilla also seemed to have overheard their conversation, mimicked Abium's answer, and responded with a mischievous smile.
"Camilla also doesn't consider herself a fairy. I lived with Helena, mom, dad and all my friends and this condition doesn't apply to me!" She stated proudly and took another bite of the grapefruit.
"Haha, you guys are indeed a strange group." Baron Wido said with a laugh and continued chatting with Abium and others.
...
Meanwhile, Viscount Gauvain and the other two moved towards the other side table and sat on their allocated seats.
But as they started greeting the nearby guests, Watson suddenly noticed Abium and Helena seated on the other side and widened his eyes.
He hurriedly moved closer to Viscount Gauvain and whispered something in his ears.
At that moment, Robert also noticed Abium on the other side and frowned deeply.
"Father, why is he here? Didn't the Royal Family stop giving the invitation a week ago?" He knew that Abium became a Noble only this morning but didn't understand how he got the invitation badge to attend the banquet!
"He must have tagged along with Baron Auguinare." Watson said in a solemn tone.
"Can I give him some trouble?" Robert asked and soon got approval from his dad. After that, he stood up from his seat and asked in disdain.
"What are you doing in this Noble Banquet, Peasant?" Robert's voice echoed in all directions, causing everyone in the banquet hall to shift their gaze towards Abium.
Thankfully, Baron Wido noticed their petty scheme and stood up from his seat before speaking.
"He is the newly titled Baron of Alastall Woodland, Mr. Robert. Please show some courtesy. Otherwise, it will only ruin your house's reputation."
Just as Robert was about to say something, he suddenly saw a young man walking from the front and clamped his mouth shut.
That young man appeared to be around 20 years old and walked toward Abium's table with a warm smile. He had curly blonde hair, olive skin, a sharp nose, and hooded hazel eyes. He wore a decorated white tunic inside, and on top of it was a unique dark-blue cloak!
He quickly arrived near Abium's chair and opened his arms wide.
When Abium noticed his arrival, he stood up from his seat and opened his arms in greeting.
"I thought you wouldn't come to this banquet, Abium!" The young man said and hugged him, causing everyone in the hall to stop their action.
The nobles then turned their heads and looked at the young man in shock and confusion. The same went for Baron Auguinare, Baron Wido, Helena, Viscount Gauvian, and others!
Meanwhile, Abium smiled politely and responded calmly.
"How would I miss such an opportunity, Your Highness? I was eagerly waiting for this Royal Banquet to meet you and Prince Raollet."
Yes, the young man was none other than the Crown Prince, Huggin!