Kael pretended not to notice, unwilling to be drawn into this bottomless vortex of politics.
Years of experience forged in life-and-death situations had given him a premonition that something significant might unfold tonight.
His solution was to remain aloof and ignore all possible things that may hinder his path.
Kael began to feast with gusto, devouring a charcoal-roasted deer leg the size of his head in just a few bites, and swallowing palm-sized black truffle cakes whole.
His uncouth table manners naturally drew attention from the civilized nobles.
Nearby nobles sneered, whispering insults like "country bumpkin" and "uncivilized Pioneer Knight."
Kael paid them no mind.
A single retort like, "I bet you're quite familiar with goblins," would be enough to shatter their noble refined composure, sending them into a furious tirade and transforming them into vulgar Duskmere hags.
As one scholar once said, nothing in this world is entirely useless—but goblins come remarkably close to proving that theory wrong.
Short, cowardly, cunning, and hideous, they perpetually reek of a nauseating stench. Their only talent lies in breeding like rats, only to die in droves when food runs scarce.
In the Duskmere dialect, the word "goblin" was used to refer to anything disgusting, filthy, foul-smelling, or generally negative.
Most importantly, goblins were notorious for capturing humanoid females to use as breeding machines.
The meaning of the phrase was self-evident.
Before long, Kael had devoured all the food before him, patting his stomach to find he was only about sixty percent full.
The food was delicious, but the portions were rather meager for him.
It seemed nobles had inherited the pretentious habits of high-end restaurants, deliberately serving small portions to emphasize the food's supposed exclusivity.
Fortunately, unlike the bland and meager meals in the arena, the dishes here were all remarkably flavorful.
Man is iron, forged to feel,
Food the flame that tempers steel
Miss a meal- the hunger sings,
Even iron feels such stings.
Still hungry, Kael summoned the maid standing behind him.
"Please bring me another Pine Resin Pork Chop."
The maid smiled at the handsome knight and nodded.
"Certainly, sir. Please wait a moment."
When the second Pine Resin Pork Chop was placed before him, Kael eagerly devoured it.
The meat was tender, juicy and succulent, with a subtle hint of pine resin.
This delicacy was said to be made from a special breed of wild boar captured in the Pine Resin Forest. The ingredients were meticulously selected and extremely rare, making it a truly precious dish.
Outside the Duke's Estate, even if he could afford it, obtaining this dish would cost a fortune.
At this moment, Kael naturally couldn't be bothered with banquet etiquette or noble decorum.
What's in my mouth is mine!
Besides, among the Southern Territory's noble circles, he had long since lost any semblance of noble dignity.
The low snickers from nearby nobles made it clear they were ashamed to associate with him.
As Kael devoured his fourth serving, the castle steward materialized from nowhere, his face strained.
"My apologies, Sir, but we've run out of Pine Resin Pork Chop. Would you care for a charcoal-grilled venison leg instead?"
Kael strongly suspected the steward was simply being stingy. As for venison? Who cared about that stuff? He shrugged noncommittally.
Just then, Duke of Duskmere, seated at the head of the table, suddenly spoke.
"I've never cared for overly greasy foods. Sir Kael, if you don't mind, you may have my portion."
Though the once-mighty lion was nearing his end, his eyes still burned with a fierce light.
Kael was taken aback, but he maintained a facade of honor, bowing respectfully.
"My Lord, your generosity remains as boundless as ever. I am most grateful."
"Excellent, excellent," the old lion chuckled, revealing a smile. "A strong knight must have a hearty appetite. Take it."
As a maid prepared to step forward, Duke Silon subtly signaled to his granddaughter, Lia, who stood beside him.
Lia immediately understood. She personally lifted the Pine Resin Pork Chop from before the Duke and carried it to Kael.
She was genuinely puzzled by her grandfather's lavish treatment of Kael, but the clever young woman suppressed her doubts, seamlessly cooperating with her grandfather's attempt to win Kael over.
Kael, "overwhelmed by the honor," hastily rose to express his gratitude.
"You are a knight personally appointed by me," Lia said, placing the silver platter before him with a radiant smile, like a golden tulip in full bloom—beautiful and noble. "There's no need for such formality."
Lia wore a pink, gold-embroidered gown tonight. The figure-hugging dress accentuated every curve of her perfectly proportioned body, tracing her alluring silhouette.
Exquisite pearl earrings, a snow-white sapphire the size of a cat's eye on her chest, and a custom-made strapless gown crafted by a master artisan—every detail radiated the extravagant opulence unique to the highest echelons of nobility.
Just a glance at her evoked a profound sense of social hierarchy, leaving one feeling utterly inadequate.
Yet at this moment, the most beautiful Tulip of Duskmere was personally serving him, the "fool'' in eyes of all the nobles.
The scene left everyone at the banquet dumbfounded.
The young nobles who had hoped to court Lia were particularly irritated, their eyes burning with fury as they wished they could tear Kael apart limb from limb.
However, faced with such intimacy from this beautiful young woman, Kael felt a surge of wariness.
Seeing Kael flustered by his granddaughter's attention, Duke of Duskmere's lips curled into a faint smile. "Kael," he said, "what do you think of Lia?"
Kael froze, taken aback by the Duke's ambiguous question.
He quickly dismissed the possibility that the Duke intended to offer Lia's hand in marriage. He knew his place—aside from his handsome face and superhuman stamina, he possessed nothing else. If the question had come from a noblewoman, he might have considered whether this was his chance to avoid thirty years of hardship.
But now, he sensed a deeper meaning behind the words.
Everyone present shared this feeling, not just Kael.
Lia herself didn't believe her grandfather would betroth her to a newly appointed Pioneer Knight with no achievements to his name.
Though she knew Kael would likely flatter her, as a woman, she couldn't help but enjoy the compliments, especially from such a handsome knight.
A faint smile played on her lips as she gazed at Kael with anticipation, eager to know how he truly saw her.
It was said that fate's gifts always came with a hidden price, and these sudden displays of goodwill were certainly no exception.
The interest was already being collected.
However, having already accepted the Pine Resin Pork Chop and being on his territory, Kael had no intention of provoking a powerful duke to see what consequences might follow.
The authority represented by the title "Powerful Duke" couldn't be challenged by personal valor or reckless actions.
"Miss Lia is as beautiful as a blooming tulip, her heart as vast as Lake Serot's shores..."
Kael exhausted his vocabulary, showering her with endless praise.
After all, it wouldn't cost him anything but a little conscience.
Like that "heart as vast as Lake Serot's shores" line...
"Now, tell me do you believe she is capable of inheriting the title, becoming Lord of Duskmere, and governing the entire southern region effectively?"
"I expect an honest answer, Sir Kael!"
After such elaborate preparations, Duke of Duskmere finally revealed his true intentions.
Kael's expression stiffened momentarily before transforming into one of deep admiration.
Very well, so this is how you want to play it!