“I don't like wearing these kinds of suits…” I complain as soon as I finish changing. Since this is a meeting where the future of three territories will be discussed, formal attire is required.
“You look much better than you do in your usual clothes. It highlights your good looks and makes you look like a real man.” The princess adjusts the collar of my suit before we leave.
I'm wearing a gray suit with a white dress shirt, while she's dressed in a beautiful light-blue gown. Seeing her leaves me with mixed feelings. She looks like she's on her way to a very important event, yet somehow still manages to appear a little casual.
When I ask her who designed the dress, I'm surprised to realize I've heard that name before. I just can't remember where or when.
A beautiful carriage arrives to pick us up. It's part of all the investment that has gone into developing the territory. Brendu spent a great deal of time teaching my family that first impressions are incredibly important during negotiations.
She also insisted on it because my father will soon become a baron. Many noble houses will come to visit us for trade agreements and business opportunities. We need to show our guests our prosperity and wealth. It's part of noble custom, and no one will look down on you if they can clearly see your economic power.
It seems a little foolish to me, but I understand it. Wasn't it the same in my previous life? Plenty of people judge others by appearances and look down on those who have less. In the end, I can't change the way they think. If spending a little money benefits us, then it's more than worth it.
We've already formed several alliances with other noble houses along the way. Every low-ranking noble under Uncle Camux's territory is our ally. Most of them come to vacation in our towns. My sisters-in-law's families are also part of that alliance, along with many other minor noble houses.
Everything is falling into place. If we manage to establish an alliance with these two territories—or at the very least secure a long-term business partnership—it will be the icing on the cake.
Many noble houses and even bands of outlaws have avoided us because we are backed by a marquisate, a duchy, and a kingdom. But this time will be different. Our territory will finally have a reputation of its own, one strong enough to scare off any second-rate group.
When we arrive at the venue, I notice far more decorations than usual spread throughout the garden. A soft melody plays in the background while countless servants from our household hurry from one place to another.
This looks more like a birthday celebration than a place where negotiations are supposed to take place. For a moment, I imagined we'd be locked inside a conference room for hours before reaching any conclusion.
“You look a little surprised.” Brendu's voice reaches my ears. She looks exactly as she always does, as though nothing in the world could ever surprise her.
“A little. I thought it would be something different.” I answer quickly. At the same time, I grab two glasses of juice and two sandwiches from a nearby table, using my Imra to bring them over to us. I feel a little guilty for the poor servant who noticed and immediately ran over to replace everything I had taken.
“Your grandmother wants to show the guests something essential. This isn't just business—it's an alliance meant to last. Creating a warm atmosphere that feels like a celebration tells everyone that this meeting exists only to finalize the agreement, not to spend hours in tedious negotiations.” Brendu scans the surroundings as she speaks.
“Grandmother Rita chose the best possible approach, in my opinion. She made the right decision. You already have an excellent relationship with the Lepak family, and the Sullan Territory has technically 'offended' our lands. By hosting a celebration like this, she's making it clear that there are no hard feelings and that everyone is here simply to finalize things peacefully.” Brendu nods slightly.
At that moment, the entire situation finally clicks into place, along with several other details. The princess deliberately left a few things unexplained so I could figure them out myself. Now I can see the bigger picture, and thanks to all the experience I've accumulated, even more details become obvious.
In the distance, I spot a beautifully decorated hall. Using my Personal World, I notice even more details inside. There's a massive table that looks incredibly expensive, simpler decorations throughout the room, and several bottles of alcohol neatly arranged in one corner.
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That is where we'll gather after the outdoor luncheon. Many of the most important figures in our territory will attend. We want the other territories to see exactly who is steering this ship and prove that, unlike a year ago, we are no longer lacking in military strength.
It's true that we technically don't have any Diamond-rank individuals among our forces—but that's not entirely true. There's me, someone as strong as most Diamond-rank fighters and perfectly capable of battling Grade 5 monsters. Only those standing at the absolute peak of the rank can truly pose any real danger to me.
Cokue is also in the middle of his ascension. He's already become a Diamond-rank. Grox must have realized that while watching the battle. That puts our territory at two Diamond-rank combatants, whereas even some barons command only a single Diamond-rank warrior.
I'm hoping either my father or my mother reaches Diamond Rank soon. The weight carried by a territory whose leaders themselves are Diamond Rank is far greater. Cokue is a noble, but he isn't one of the rulers, and I'm still only the son. It would make a much greater impact if my parents were the ones to ascend. Ideally, Ritmo would be next, but he's still a long way from reaching that point.
The guests arrived a few minutes later. I spent my time greeting everyone and chatting with them. I saw several people I hadn't met in quite a while. Everyone always seemed to have a busy schedule or happened to be traveling whenever I came back.
What surprised me the most was seeing the Owl group gathered together. They were all here. I spent several minutes talking with them, and they were still just as cheerful and lively as I remembered.
They were all Ruby Rank now... something that would have been unthinkable only a few months ago. I have no idea how much my family invested in healing them, but I'm sure it was worth every coin.
They were already an extremely powerful and well-known Sapphire Rank group. I'm waiting for our strongest Rank 3 dungeon to finish evolving before I leave. According to Aunt Liza's estimates, it should take another five to ten days.
That's also one of the reasons the entire Owl group is gathered here—we need them to keep the dungeon cleared and secure.
When I spotted Sers in the distance, a smile spread across my face. He had both of his arms again.
My two brothers were together, while their wives stayed home for their own safety. Both were close to giving birth and had nurses watching over them throughout the day in case labor started early.
“I'm glad the operation went well.” I gave my brother a playful punch on his restored arm.
“It feels a little strange having two arms again. I'd gotten used to fighting with only one. I'll have to adjust my fighting style all over again.” Sers swung his arm back and forth, repeatedly opening and closing his hand.
“The first thing he thinks about is fighting. You really haven't changed.” Ritmo teased him.
“You know him. Becoming a father won't change that.” I joined in as well. It was always fun teasing Sers.
I could tell he had matured. Instead of snapping back, he simply rolled his eyes at our jokes, and I could even see him trying to think of a comeback. Too late, brother, because Ritmo and I had already turned toward the person who was walking in.
Grox was dressed in an entirely black suit. Even the shirt underneath was black. He looked incredibly elegant, though he reminded me a little of those old-fashioned mobsters.
My father and mother were the first to move forward and greet him. At that moment, he locked eyes with me and gave me a wink. I answered by raising the glass of wine that had somehow appeared in my hand. I honestly had no idea when it got there.
The celebration continued for several more minutes without any interruptions or anything unusual. Then, everyone stopped what they were doing and turned toward the luxurious carriage that had just arrived. We all understood that these were the final guests we had been waiting for.
Another bald man stepped out of the carriage, and I recognized him immediately. He was the very same person who had fought shoulder to shoulder with me against that Diamond Rank bastard and the Grade 5 skeletal monster. That memory was still fresh in my mind.
Could it really be a coincidence that they were both bald? Kensein was the captain of the Lepak Territory's guard, while Grox held a similar position in the Sullan Territory. I had no idea whether there was any connection between them or if it was simply fate.
Since I was the closest one to our new guests, I stepped forward to welcome them. Brendu walked gracefully toward where I was standing.
Kensein extended his hand to help another passenger out of the carriage. Judging by the gesture, it had to be a woman—and a very important one. Had Mirtha come herself? That couldn't be possible. This meeting was important, but not important enough for her to appear in person. Another face crossed my mind—Nanly. She and I were good friends, and she was deeply involved in noble affairs.
A strand of crimson hair appeared as the passenger stepped down from the carriage. The moment I saw her, I immediately recognized who she was.
A pair of large, brilliant blue eyes quickly scanned the surroundings before locking onto mine, and a radiant smile instantly bloomed across her face. The next moment, she hurried toward me as fast as she could without sacrificing her elegance.
Before I even had the chance to greet Kensein, Lully threw herself into my arms. There was no way I could refuse the hug. At that exact moment, I felt Brendu's Imra fluctuate ever so slightly. I was suddenly afraid to turn around. Could I use my teleportation ability to disappear from this place? I was honestly a little scared.