The Villain's Retirement-Chapter 39: Banquet (4)

"Peace, gentlemen," Reynard then said, his warm smile not quite reaching the corners of his eyes, which were weary. Ard’s eyes followed Reynard’s gesture as he placed a hand on his shoulder.

Reynard’s eyes flashed secretly. He knew this was a gesture of public intimacy that would be discussed in every carriage ride home tonight. And it has to be. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"I apologize for throwing you to the wolves so abruptly." Reynard then said.

"I understand your intentions." Ard replied calmly.

For a brief moment, Reynard almost smiled for real.

’He does?’ he thought, his gaze softening.

"I completely understand," Ard repeated.

’Does he really?’

In truth, Ard does not even care about it. As long as the Duke does give him that support so that he can finally live in peace, it would be fine. It’s not like he has any plans in actually playing politics here anyway. He just wants to leave already and live in the countryside in peace with an ordinary life.

But for the Duke, it was different.

In the game of nobility, the truth was a secondary concern to stability. The humans in the banquet hall weren’t exactly all friends of the Duke. But he needs them. And Ard needs him too.

A gentle voice joined then.

"Baron Williams," the Duchess had stepped forward. It was the first time Ard had seen her up close. Her voice was like velvet, but there was a genuine kindness in her gaze that caught me off guard.

"Do not let my husband’s pragmatism sour your evening. What you did for Salience... for the families there... Even brother Lewis...I am sure they are all thankful."

She then smiled slightly wider.

"If you ever find the capital too stifling, the gardens of the inner manor are always open to you."

Ard smiled back and nodded.

He felt like he had to.

Nonetheless, the Duchess made a good impression.

Reynard and the Duchess moved on together, their presence drawing nobles like moths to flame. Polite laughter followed them as conversations restarted in earnest. Some even gave them gifts.

Then soon, silver lids were lifted, releasing the aroma of roasted meats and spiced sauces. Wine was poured once more. Courses were served, and for a time, the hall settled into the steady rhythm of dining.

Ard ate sparingly.

At the same time, he found himself observing the servants in the hall. They moved with remarkable precision—steps measured, turns exact, hands steady despite carrying trays heavy with food and drink. Not a single drop spilled. Not a speck of sauce stained their uniforms. Even as they wove through tightly packed nobles, their clothes remained immaculate, as though disorder simply could not touch them. They were doing all this without using mana as none of them seemed to possess it.

Then, despite walking around with food in both hands, none of them ate. They returned to their designated spots only to collect more trays. Their faces remained composed, postures straight, motions flawless.

He wondered what was making them try so hard when despite their composed expressions, their breathing, facial expressions all seemed like it was about to break in his eyes.

He had to admit—it impressed him.

’Such useless looking duties and they are trying so hard.’ Ard smiled inwardly, imagining them slipping. ’Would they cry if they mess up?’ he thought and smiled.

Regardless, these were the type of people he was fascinated the most. Fishermen who stood beneath the sun all day, lines cast into quiet rivers. Ordinary hunters who entered the woods armed with nothing but their weapons and experience. Laborers who knew only how to hammer nails into wood, day after day, just to keep their lives going.

He had loved going to the human realm because of simple ordinary things like these. It was just so unfortunate that despite how fascinating they may seem, when war comes, these kinds of ordinary people are usually the victims and couldn’t fight back as they are weak.

’I guess this is where an ordinary man should feel guilt.’ Ard thought.

Many times, in the past, he watched people like this die in front of his eyes. Sometimes, he saved them out of a whim. But now, with the Ring of Suppression on his finger, Ard smiled inwardly.

’Maybe a world where ordinary people like this could simply live in peace wouldn’t be so bad.’ Ard was a little bit excited. While he doesn’t understand why, he has been for a long time wondered what it was like to be one of these ordinary people. Would he also work as hard? Why would that be the case? He doesn’t understand. But it is curious.

It was at that moment.

Across the hall, one of the men who has been actively spreading gossip lifted his wineglass and made a subtle gesture with two fingers. Spotting him, a female servant nearby stiffened—then hurried forward in her steps.

Just as she reached Ard’s table, her foot slipped.

The tray tilted. Then in the air, the wine splashed and sauce and soup spilled. The contents of the tray crashed directly onto Ard’s chest and face.

A sharp gasp rippled through the hall.

Seeing this, Viscount Ratsworth’s eyes almost popped out, and he sneered inwardly. ’Show us your lack of etiquette and anger problems! Ruin this event for me, you barbarian! I shall be the one to end you.’

Silence followed. Then the servant fell to her knees, trembling. "I—I’m so sorry! P-Please forgive me!"

Everyone was stunned. Even for anyone, that was totally humiliating especially for the nobility. If Ard went angry and resorted to violence, many would understand, as they would have done the same.

Then—

Ard calmly stood.

’What should I do? She just slipped...’ Ard thought, looking at the girl kneeling on the ground with a cold expression. Then, he removed his coat.

However, he did so without a hint of irritation. Wine even dripped from his hair and sauce stained his shirt.

Then suddenly he knelt on one knee.

Gasps echoed again as Ard gently took the servant’s trembling hands and pressed it.

"Are you hurt?" he asked quietly.

She froze. "—Hu—h? M-My lord...?"

"Stand slowly," Ard said, steady and calm. "In these kinds of situation, it happens. It must have been really difficult trying to get all these plates all around the place, and even listening to so many requests."

He helped her to her feet with surprising gentleness, then draped his clean outer coat over her shoulders.

"You’re shaking," he added. "My Lady, you should go warm yourself. I’ll handle the rest."

As the other servants arrived, the female servant’s eyes brimmed with tears as she bowed repeatedly, caught off guard herself. He even forgot to look at the men behind the scenes similarly stunned at the show of emotion control.

Meanwhile, Viscount Ratsworth had his mouth opened so wide a plate would fit in.

"Th-Thank you... thank you so much!" the female servant stuttered, crying.

Ard turned toward the watching nobles, his expression serene. He didn’t look displeased or angry as his suddenly all-powerful gaze swept calmly across the hall.

Yet to Viscount Ratsworth, those crimson eyes seemed to linger—pinning him in place. His throat went dry, an instinctive chill crawling up his spine. ’Huh? I didn’t do it.’ His eyes went wide.

Meanwhile, several nobles were visibly taken aback and almost clapped. And more than a few, inexplicably, found themselves captivated at the person who had left to the washroom.