Extraordinary Voyage-Chapter 629 - 549: The Banquet and the Uninvited Guest

Chapter 629: Chapter 549: The Banquet and the Uninvited Guest

Far Sails Territory, Orange Leaf Castle.

Tonight is evidently an extraordinary moment.

Because of Miss Olivia’s 18th coming of age ceremony, the servants spared no expense in lighting every room with alchemy lamps, bathing the entire noble castle in a dazzling light.

Footmen and maids shuttled back and forth in the castle in an orderly manner, with even a few beautiful figures of Night Spirits appearing. As part of their noble heritage, the presence of Extraordinary Servants truly impressed the guests.

Others may not see how well the business is doing, but these superficial elements are undeniable signs of the Aimoer family’s flourishing status.

Clink!

Glasses clinked as toasts were made.

Guests of notable status were holding their glasses, chatting in small groups of three or five about current hot topics domestically, internationally, and on the New and Old Continents, using this rare opportunity to engage in their social activities.

Two topics were unavoidable. The first was the recent enfeoffment of the Georgia Territory to Viscount Galliot, making it the third landowner colony on the New Continent. The second was the news brought from the Kingdom Mainland regarding Ugor Island as the autumn shipping season arrived.

It is rumored that the namer of that miraculous island "Ugor" is none other than the Aimoer Marquis family’s eldest daughter, Olivia, who is the protagonist of tonight’s banquet!

However, though these matters are significant, they are not the key focus tonight, and the atmosphere among the guests in conversation is far from being as harmonious as it appears on the surface.

Because most of them did not fail to ask the crucial question tonight: "Did your... son come today?"

The coming of age standard varies globally, from Heimar’s 13 years for boys and 12 for girls, to South Wind Country’s 20 years. Within this range, every age group corresponds to numerous countries and regions.

Coming of age signifies...

They are eligible to drink publicly, marry, vote (for the House of Commons), register business entities, and begin bearing corresponding legal responsibilities. For noble youths, it is also the beginning of their true entry into the social circle on behalf of their families.

Although the coming of age standard across the Tulip Alliance is 16, Aiven included.

Olivia, however, is an exception. The Aimoer family, being a traditional great noble in the Tulip tradition, under normal circumstances would strictly adhere to tradition. Clearly, the root of the exception comes from another side—Olivia’s maternal family.

The Marchioness Nymph wouldn’t have acquired the conditions to learn "Gem Witchcraft" only after marriage.

Moreover, black hair is a typical trait of the ancient Holy Rosar Empire race, and the Scipio Clan, from which Nymph hails, is also a noble family with a long-standing history, having even served as the Imperial Governor at its peak.

However, the Scipio Clan has dwindled over the years, gradually declining, but the tradition of the coming of age ceremony persists.

This means that in the eyes of outsiders, after today, Olivia is about to officially become a marriageable adult woman!

Therefore, to any qualified noble’s mind, the first things that come to mind are: marriage, marriage, and still marriage!

Restroom on the second floor of the banquet hall.

A group of impeccably dressed and radiant young ladies clustered around the glamorously dressed Olivia, with the "Night Spirit" Sarah and the marquis’s head maid making final touches.

As guests gradually assembled, their conversation topics inevitably shifted as well.

"Wow, look, there are so many handsome guys here today! That one is Lionel from the Dulles family. I heard he was the champion in the apprentice knight group of this year’s alliance swordsmanship competition, and he is a genius soon to be promoted to Official Knight."

"Look at him, Bailangdi from the Jelmi Clan. I heard he just led his family’s merchant ship on a triangular trade, making a significant profit."

"That one is Enoch, the son of Sir Lowell, chairman of the Royal Central Bank Executive Committee stationed on the New Continent. He is so handsome! That outfit of his could buy a war horse, don’t you think?"

"....."

As the invitations allowed for a companion, once distributed, along with the usual guests, numerous outstanding young individuals from across the Tulip Alliance flocked in.

While Olivia’s circle of girlfriends were of no less prestigious backgrounds, they couldn’t help but squeal at the sight of such talent show-like gathering.

Suddenly.

A girl in a pink dress rolled her eyes and sidled up to Olivia, giggling as she asked:

"Hesy, Hesy, isn’t there anyone among them that you fancy?"

Olivia, busy fixing her hairstyle, didn’t even lift her head:

"No, why?"

"Then... could you spare one for me? When the banquet starts, you must introduce me!"

"Spare one for me too."

"I want one too!"

Olivia eyed the group of love-struck young ladies with disbelief:

"Spare, spare, spare. Take them all then. Though there are no outsiders here, could the noble ladies exhibit a bit more poise?"

"Can poise be eaten? Hesy, you really haven’t experienced what it’s like to have too few options."

Then a tall girl in a purple dress, with arms crossed, radiating anticipation, remarked amidst the excited group:

"Well, since you all got one, can you leave General Galliot for me!"

The room fell silent instantly.

The next moment.

Biubiubiu...

Including Olivia, a dozen beautiful eyes simultaneously gave her a deathly stare.

...

Aiven, dressed in a crisp general’s uniform, sat unobtrusively in a corner of the banquet hall, while Milan and Apsuya, who had come with him, had long since disappeared to some secretive place together.

Beside him.

"This is really delicious, Annie, you have to try it."

Jasmine, who had been a pirate since birth, finally fulfilled her dream today of wearing formal attire and attending a banquet at a great noble’s castle.

Rejecting the good intentions of the girl devouring food, Anita lightly tapped her white forehead with her finger: "Eat, eat, eat, all you do is eat, you’ll turn into a little chubby girl, and then who would want you?"

Jasmine unhurriedly swallowed the spiced roast pork knuckle in her mouth, then popped in a small cake, mumbling:

"What’s there to be scared of? You can take care of me. Hmm, letting... your brother take care of me is fine too."

Time passed quickly amidst their playful banter.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome..."

After a welcome speech by the Marquis that no one cared about.

In the music of the band, with lights following and countless guests eagerly awaiting.

Tap... tap... tap...

Olivia, dressed in an elegant off-the-shoulder evening gown, descended the stairs holding up her skirt, her translucent crystal high heels shining like starlight under the lamps, beautiful and dazzling as if the Moonlight Goddess had descended to earth, leaving people in awe.

Especially the seven or eight blue sapphire butterflies with golden edges, matching Olivia’s eye color, fluttering gracefully around her, creating a scene straight out of a young girl’s dream.

There was no need to assign them any combat abilities, as Aiven’s [Activated Dead] could sustain them for a very long time.

At this moment, countless hearts, regardless of gender, were struck.

Many young people, who considered themselves qualified to compete, were eager to seize the spotlight at the coming-of-age ball following the main event.

However, when the first note of the waltz "Alice in the Moonlight" prelude sounded.

The young man in the general’s uniform had already walked up to the girl, slightly bent with one hand behind his back, inviting the most beautiful and enchanting Gem Princess of the night for a dance.

The eager group of exceptional young men immediately lowered their flags, defeated by a Vice Admiral, Viscount Galliot, Great Knight (mistaken), Sword Master, Quasi-Legendary Captain, Deputy Commander of the New Continent Guard, Mercury United Trading Company Partner...

’Referee! Damn, there’s someone breaking the rules here!’

As they danced, holding a slender waist and spinning around, a group of gemstone butterflies fluttered around them to the music, the tender emotions exchanged with their eyes could send the single ones scurrying away at once.

This silent communication spoke louder than words; even a blind person could see their closeness.

This was the first time they declared their relationship in public, but it would not be the last.

Meanwhile, Olivia’s close friends had already turned to stone, internally protesting:

"My... oh my General! Hesi is so sneaky..."

...

Just then, an uninvited guest swaggered into the banquet hall.

"Hehehehahey..."

On his shoulder, a little girl barely ten centimeters tall with horns wrapped in flames, was constantly punching and kicking, raring to go.

Yet, others did not notice anything unusual about them.

"Ephelide, we’re not here to wreck the place, suppress your violent tendencies. Strategy, strategy, understand?"

Aliyi, having changed his attire, stopped his fiery-tempered strongest servant demon on his shoulder, feeling a slight headache.

Because among the Seven Gods, "Brilliant Starry Night" probably is the most lenient towards wizards and extraordinary creatures, given his responsibilities over mysteries, stars, the Gate of Spirit Realm, prophecy... and so on.

In the Heimar Kingdom ruled by Him, demon spirits rank just below angels, and this group who command flames are the strongest among them.

Like mythical creatures such as the giant dragon, they are innately Tier 4 when they reach adulthood, and even the young Ephelide is already a powerful Tier 3 extraordinary creature.

This celestial elemental creature, capable of changing size at will, was summoned and contracted by Aliyi after sacrificing a 635-carat, priceless "Peach-colored Pillar Stone" upon advancing to Peak Official Wizard.

Both parties maintained a highly equal cooperative relationship, and Aliyi dared not command it forcibly.

"Alright, Aliyi. What’s your strategy?"

Hearing there was no need to fight, the little one, though somewhat displeased, did not make a fuss.

"Although you are Tier 3, together we can’t even beat a Great Wizard, but today is her daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony, right? As long as we capture that young lady’s heart, what gemstone won’t we be able to obtain?

Although I still don’t know which young lady here is Nymph the Great Wizard’s daughter."

Aliyi patted his chest, full of confidence as he revealed his plan.

"You? Are you sure?"

The Flame Demon Spirit crossed her arms, looking over, full of doubt.

"Romance is actually quite simple; just go over and say: Hey! Want to date me? And it’s done. I’ve never failed with this approach!"

Aliyi raised his head, his exceedingly handsome face radiating brilliance, clearly stating one thing — "living off his good looks"!