Chapter 145: 145 Dinner Party

Chapter 145: 145. The Banquet

The banquet at Ironhoof Castle was exceedingly lively.

In addition to Viscount Marvin and his family, he had also invited several vassals and knights from Horse-Breeding City.

Among them, the one who caught Ronin's attention the most was Baron Tarlen Snow.

According to Rogner's introduction, Tarlen was a silver knight whose strength ranked among the very best in Horse-Breeding City.

Tarlen had a son and a daughter; his son was the captain of Ironhoof Castle's ninth knight squad, and his daughter, Clarami, whom Ronin had met before, was Rogner's girlfriend.

Aside from these people, there were also music and dance performance troupes from Horse-Breeding City.

Having traveled to this world for so long, it was the first time Ronin had heard with his own ears the music played by otherworldly pipe organs, flutes, and other instruments, which possessed a distinct and unique charm;

it was also the first time he had seen so many beautiful women fluttering about before his eyes.

Although he did not know anyone here, as the guest of honor invited by Ironhoof Castle today, he received grand and attentive "care."

Nobles, knights, and young ladies all came up to clink glasses with him, to the point that Ronin did not even know how many cups he had drunk.

If he were not currently a bronze knight and a grand mage, he would likely have been drunk.

"Mr. Ronin, may I have the honor of inviting you to a dance?" A cheerful voice rang out beside his ear.

Ronin could not help but look over, only to see a noble young lady of about seventeen or eighteen. She wore a magnificent long dress, its hem swaying gently with her steps, resembling a lily in full bloom.

The color of the dress was deep sea blue, embroidered with exquisite patterns, and around her neck she wore a pearl necklace, each pearl as flawless and white as a bright moon.

This girl's appearance should be considered top-tier among all the noble ladies present tonight.

Although Ronin did not know her identity, facing her proactive invitation, he would not reject her and cause her to lose face.

"It is my honor, beautiful lady!"

He naturally took her small hand, held her waist, and began to dance within the dance floor.

Ronin did not know how to dance; in his twenties back on Earth, the only thing related to dancing might have been radio gymnastics?

However, his predecessor had been a master dancer, and moreover, this kind of social dance was not complex, so Ronin could recall and imitate at the same time.

The dancing partner could not help but chuckle, "Your dancing skills don't seem very good?"

Smelling the faint scent of perfume at the tip of his nose, Ronin felt a bit awkward, "I haven't danced for a long time, so my movements are a bit rusty. May I ask how I should address this beautiful lady?"

"Just call me Jenny."

The girl and Ronin held each other's waists, strolling slowly amidst the soothing music, and soon Ronin's dancing skills gradually picked up, making her believe it to be true, thinking that Ronin was indeed rusty only because he hadn't danced for a long time.

"I heard that your subordinates defeated Baron Rayson. Is that true?"

Jenny spoke with Ronin while dancing: "It's hard to imagine how an advanced knight could manage to defeat an opponent of a stronger rank."

"Has this matter spread so widely? How is it that even you know about it?"

"My father is a knight of Ironhoof Castle, and he certainly wouldn't miss such a splendid event. Can you tell me about the process of that battle? We are all very curious."

The two exchanged polite conversation, and as a dance piece concluded, Ronin courteously separated from her. He picked up his wine glass again, intending to find a quiet corner to sit for a while.

At this moment, Viscount Marvin walked over, and several noble ladies who had originally intended to come over and invite Ronin for another dance sensibly abandoned the thought upon seeing this.

"Ronin, how do you feel?"

The two clinked glasses and took a small sip of ale.

Ronin responded with a smile: "Very good, thank you for your hospitality, Uncle!"

"Come, let's go to the terrace to chat."

The terrace was very large, and by leaning against the guardrail, one could overlook most of Ironhoof Castle. Further away, Ronin saw many firelights in Horse-Breeding City.

Horse-Breeding City was still prosperous, at least countless times more prosperous than Ronin's Forest Town.

In the nights of Forest Town, only a minority of the fief's citizens could light candles; whenever Ronin looked out from the castle at night, it was a swath of pitch black.

"What do you think of Jenny?"

Marvin sized Ronin up from head to toe; in fact, throughout the entire banquet, he had been sizing Ronin up from time to time.

"Her father, Soli Hartel, is the captain of Ironhoof Castle's fourth knight squad, and his strength is considered relatively high among bronze knights."

"I heard that Jenny doesn't have a boyfriend yet. If you take a liking to her, I can introduce you, and it will certainly succeed."

Ronin laughed out loud, "Uncle Marvin, please don't joke. They say marriage is a man's cage. I am only seventeen now and don't want to enter a cage so early."

"Hahaha, where did you see such a bizarre tale? Well, but don't say, it actually makes some sense."

Viscount Marvin swirled his wine glass, "I heard that you used to like socializing with beautiful ladies very much. How is it that after becoming the Baron of Forest Town, you changed your interests and hobbies?"

"That must be your illusion. Beautiful ladies will attract people's gaze no matter where they go, and this naturally includes me."

The two chatted for quite a few sentences like this, and Marvin indeed felt that Ronin was different from the rumors.

After tonight, he would cast aside the inherent perceptions of Ronin in his mind.

"As far as I know, Baron Rayson of the Thayne Fief is a small-minded person. You caused his reputation to suffer greatly this time, so he will likely target you again in the future."

Marvin's topic finally shifted toward the territory and nobility aspect.

"The overall strength of the Thayne Fief is much stronger than your Forest Town. If he engages in a long-term war of attrition with you, you will probably be dragged down by the opponent. I wonder how you plan to deal with him?"

A long-term war of attrition?

Ronin shook his head secretly in his heart; Baron Rayson likely wouldn't have that opportunity anymore.

However, before exposing Thayne's crimes, Ronin did not intend to speak out about the information he held in his hands.

Ronin pondered slightly and said, "I have already signed an agreement with the opponent, with the midline as the boundary, and neither side is allowed to cross it."

Hearing this sentence, Marvin could not help but laugh.

In his view, although Ronin had undergone changes, in the end he was still just a child, thinking about some things too simply.

"Agreements, things like that, are sometimes just for looking at. It might work for a period of time, but as long as the opponent's ambition exists and their strength is sufficient, then it doesn't count."

Marvin took a sip of wine and patted Ronin's shoulder, "The Ironhoof family, as a vassal of Lord Rulance, will forever remain loyal to the Volcan family. If you encounter any difficulties, you can come find me."

"Then I won't be polite."

Ronin said with a smile, "I do indeed have one matter that I want to ask for your help with, Uncle."

Viscount Marvin had originally intended to leave after saying that sentence, but he did not expect Ronin to actually bring up a matter, "Whatever it is, feel free to say it."

"Forest Town has a kind of dark iron tree whose hardness is extremely high. I utilized it to craft armor and weapons. When I went to Volcan Castle last time, it was already recognized, and a batch was purchased."

Ronin spoke of this matter.

"In the future, after the scale expands and production capacity increases, I should sell them externally. But as you know, Forest Town does not have a merchant caravan, so I want to borrow Ironhoof Castle's merchant caravan."

He immediately supplemented: "Of course, I will pay a certain fee to Ironhoof Castle."

Marvin pondered slightly; he had heard of this matter, but he was not very interested in armor made of wood, feeling that it was merely a form of support from Volcan Castle for Ronin.

But since Ronin had mentioned this matter to him, he could also take the opportunity to learn more about it.

"Yes, this is completely fine!"

Marvin agreed on the spot, "When you are ready, you can find Rogner. He will arrange for Ironhoof Castle's commercial officer to discuss with you and finalize the details."

With that, he paused, then voiced his doubt: “But Luo Ning, is this ironwood armor of yours really effective? If it doesn’t perform well, I can’t guarantee sales.”

“Don’t worry!”

Luo Ning smiled. “I brought a full set with me this time. Tomorrow, I’ll show you when I get a moment.”

“Perfect!”

Marvin clinked his cup against Luo Ning’s once more, then led him back into the grand ballroom.

“Have a wonderful time, Luo Ning!” Marvin said with a grin, then excused himself from the gathering early.

The dance continued, and without the host present, the nobles seemed to relax even further.

Luo Ning caught glimpses in the dim corners—men and women entwined, kissing tenderly; on the dance floor, others clung together, whispering declarations of affection.

Still, nothing more than that.

He had just settled onto a sofa when a melodious voice brushed against his ear: “Hi, Luo Ning, would you care to dance with me again?”

It was Jenny, extending her invitation once more.

(End of Chapter)