Arcane splendor begins with the throne

Chapter 121 Banquet
The eternal bad luck is like a goshawk, hovering above the head for a long time, waiting for the most suitable time before descending.

"Who will be chosen today, and who will fall on it accurately?" the magic swordsman muttered to himself, looking at the ceiling with pale and empty eyes.

'Luck is not without fear and trouble, nor is adversity without comfort and hope. '

For some reason, Snake Eyes suddenly recalled a sentence left by 'Silver Tiger' Lixio before leaving.

Fuck comfort and hope, to hell with it all!At that time, he almost blurted out this sentence.

If there was hope, he would not have stayed in West Palace for more than ten years in order to avoid the "curse of bad luck".

Tired of killing, he just wanted to live a peaceful life, but what he got in return was only the spittle, cursing and stones thrown by ignorant children.

'I have seen the most noble orcs, and I have seen the most despicable human beings. The noble character will never change because of the race. The blood is polluted, but it does not mean that the soul will succumb. '

Thinking of the sentence that he decided to stay in the palace, the corner of the mouth of the magic swordsman Snake Eyes involuntarily evoked a bitter smile.

It's hard to imagine that it was a seven or eight-year-old girl who said those words.

As usual, Snake Eyes was wearing a well-worn gray cloak, with long, silky black hair loosely draped over his shoulders.

At this time, the pair of leather boots on his feet that were worn down to no wrinkles were silently passing through the narrow corridor, stepping on the gorgeous carpet of the banquet hall, moving forward easily and quickly.

When he came to a finely carved stone pillar, he skillfully hid in the shadow that the light could not penetrate.

Immediately, he folded his hands on his chest, leaned his slender body lazily, and looked at everything around him with interest.

In the banquet hall in the West Palace, there is a rectangular dining table enough for more than 40 people to sit around, extending from one end of the restaurant to the other.

Below the ceiling, the candles on the five sets of chandeliers radiate bright light, which complements the candlelight on the dining table and the light of the torches on the wall brackets. The lighting in the whole room is bright and not dazzling.

I have to admit that this was an extremely luxurious banquet, even more grand than the royal family and nobles that the old king invited Amastasha two years ago.

Snake Eye, who has lived in the palace for more than ten years, knows very well that every feast held by the West royal family means that a political alliance will usher in.

Two years ago, the marriage with Amastasha was still fresh in his memory.

He could clearly feel how the two parties who had a good talk were reluctantly saying goodbye amidst laughter and laughter.

Who would have thought that in the past month alone, a large-scale war broke out in the Goblin Wasteland of the Kingdom of West.

Therefore, from the perspective of Snake Eye, who is a magic swordsman, the so-called war is actually the same as his assassin's way. The kings in the war, like every list he burned, must persevere in destroying each other.

Once they stop killing and sit on the feast table, it means that they lose their power.

In short, they are powerless, they can't lift the butcher knife that represents killing, just like he can't lift the sword to kill people.

Their powerlessness means that no soldiers will kill civilians, burn their houses, kill their children, rape their women, or sell them all into slavery...

As long as the two countries start marriage or negotiations, it is at least gratifying for the common people.

Because even civilians, even at the moment of welcome, should know that politics is also war, only in a different way.

They should also understand that this kind of marriage under a feast is essentially doing business, and even the method is exactly the same. Whether the marriage is successful or not depends on how much compromise the other party makes, giving something, and then losing something.

Obviously, the happy marriage two years ago was a failure.

The failed marriage caused both parties to pay an extremely heavy price.

In fact, it is the innocent civilians of the two countries who suffer the most.

Snake Eye concentrated and tried not to let himself think about these messy things, because it had nothing to do with him.

His duty was nothing more than to protect the safety of the old king and Princess Corney, nothing more.

He hides alone in the shadows that no one notices, like a poisonous snake curled up in a dark corner, locking his vigilant pale pupils on the banquet table, examining everyone who comes in and goes out.

He saw the old king of West sitting on the tall back-back throne of the Chief.

The king in his twilight years was dressed in a beautifully tailored and richly ornamented gold-purple robe, the gold thread embroidery of which shone in the light of the torch, matching the crown on his head.

Although the old king's face is full of deep wrinkles and his temples are gray and white, his temperament, in the eyes of the snake who has lived for more than 100 years, not only has the majesty and headstrongness of a monarch, but also has the air of a griffin, the overlord of the sky. He is powerful, but also possesses that natural agility.

Ever since Princess Kearni woke up, a kind smile seemed to never leave the corner of his mouth.

Although this kind of benevolence, for a person in power who rules the kingdom, it should not be there.

But for Snake Eye, who has seen many kingdoms change, and even killed the monarch himself, the old king's kind smile is really rare in the world.

It's as if the soft radiance comes out of the five internal organs, and it becomes radiant. It's very like putting a lamp in the container of white snowflake stones, illuminating the walls with brilliance.

The banquet was about to begin, and Snake Eye saw that the guests began to arrive one after another following the loud announcement of the herald.

The old wizard Morelle sat on the right side of the old king, with a smile on his red face that made him want to punch him.

Yes, it was wizards he hated most.

Because whenever he saw a wizard, he would involuntarily recall the distant Sword Monastery, where the mutants lived and where he practiced his skills.

And he is the product of a vicious study of witchcraft and taboo.

In the eyes of the world, he has no morals, conscience, and scruples, and is a real devil-like creation. He has nothing to do except killing and being accompanied by bad luck and curses.

Sometimes he wondered why among the more than 100 children who died tragically, only four survived, and he was one of them.

Perhaps that survival made him exhaust the favor of the goddess of luck, and that's why he was cursed by bad luck.Snake Eyes couldn't help thinking.

One day, he will completely smooth that castle, sprinkle every inch of it with salt and lime, and appease the ghosts of countless babies who died tragically in the mutation.

The magic swordsman Snake Eyes looked away from the old wizard, just in time to see the Duke of Swift striding in, which reminded him of the Duke's lore plan against the Tasha people.

Once, he thought that the Duke of Silver Griffin was just a self-willed guardian of the kingdom, but after learning that the plan had been implemented two years ago, he realized how terrifying the other party was.

Even though he was a murderer, he also felt shuddering at this plan against the Tasha people.

"The Andair Mission has arrived!"

The herald's announcement caused the snake's eyes to look at the nightfall gate.

"Andair's envoys have arrived first." Prince Casper said with a smile looking at Duke Sweet across the table, but the latter's gaze was on an empty dinner plate.

Out of the corner of Snake's eye, he noticed Prince Casper's smile.

The handsome prince wore a dark blue velvet bodysuit with twelve golden griffins embroidered on it, and a gold half cape draped chicly over one shoulder, fastened with an emerald brooch.

In this regard, he curled his lips in disdain.

In his opinion.

If the richest prince in Golden Feather City were allowed to be a loyal finance minister, the king's treasury would definitely be enriched.However, this "noble and flawless" knight prince chose to do nothing but diplomacy, which made him laugh.

Then he turned his gaze to the door, looking with great interest at why the Kingdom of West, an 'always late ally', came so early today.

Andell's envoys consisted of five people. Except for the head of the luxuriously dressed young man with long red hair, the other four were all dressed in black steel chain armor, with a tail, mane and A black steed with hooves wrapped in flames.

This is a fiendish creature, Dread the Foal: Nightmare, which is the emblem and banner of the kingdom of Andair.

It is said that the first king of Andair was a dark guard, and the nightmare banner of the kingdom is the mount of the dark guard.

Although time can obliterate everything, Snake Eyes doesn't think that the Blackguard's skills will be lost because of this.

Therefore, looking at these black-armored knights, he couldn't help but raise his vigilance.

"Prince Wikiman." Prince Casper smiled and said, "Welcome to the West Palace again."

"It's my honor, Prince Casper." The well-dressed young man at the head showed his white teeth, greeted Casper, and respectfully said to the old king sitting in the first seat:
"Hello, Your Majesty, the most wise and mighty monarch in West, you still look like a golden griffin flying with wings. Praise the gods, dear Princess Corney finally woke up safe and sound. When I heard the news of the princess sleeping, I wish I could fly over directly, but unfortunately, I was fighting with Karnas at that time, I was entangled in the war, and I have only returned in triumph until now."

"I am honored for my child." The old king smiled slightly, "Seeing that such an outstanding knight and army commander as Prince Vickiman of the Kingdom of Andair, can come to my castle again, just to pursue my child, I feel so happy very happy."

"Your Majesty doesn't know anything. Ever since I saw the portrait of the princess half a year ago, I have been fascinated by the beautiful princess, and I can't sleep at night. To receive this invitation and become one of the suitors, I deeply appreciate it." It is an honor." Prince Wikiman bowed to the old king again.

"Please sit down, distinguished guests." The old king waved his hand, and Prince Casper immediately got up to greet him.

The prince of Andair sat beside Prince Casper, and his four knights sat together on the left.

All kinds of Wester knights and local nobles began to arrive.

"The Niluskan Mission has arrived!" The herald's announcement came again.

Duke Sweet, who was staring at the blank plate, frowned when he heard that it was the envoys from Niluskan.

Snake Eyes followed the footsteps and saw that they were four Niluskans wearing wolf fur cloaks and wool belts around their waists.

At the head was a burly man with a stern face and a hooked nose, and at his shoulders stood two broad-shouldered, heavily built Niluskan warriors.

Snake Eye knows that the territory of the Niluskan Kingdom is all in the northern part of the mainland, and half of the year is covered by wind and snow. The harsh terrain and climate, and the orcs in the extreme north make the mainland the strongest human race.

When he saw the black-robed man following behind the three of them, he was surprised.

Because his keen sense of smell smelled a faintly rotten smell, even though it was deliberately covered up by the rose-like fragrance, he still captured it accurately.

This made him realize that the other party is definitely a wizard, and he is also a wizard who is proficient in necromancy.

"Your Majesty, I am very happy to receive the invitation." The leader, Prince Niluskan, did not salute the king, but directly said in a simple and forceful voice.

The old king didn't care, he said some polite words to the prince of Niluskan, and arranged to sit down.

Looking at the old king's expression with snake eyes, he probably guessed the real intention of the other party.

The old king deliberately invited Tigrila's mortal enemy, who was also a cruel and bloodthirsty prince of Niluskan, and it was very likely that it was a test for the little prince.

This made him realize that the princess's marriage contract had probably been decided in advance.

So he stopped paying attention to the group of uninvited guests, but continued to cast his gaze outside the door.

"The Kanas embassy is here!" the herald shouted in an almost hoarse voice.

Prince Wikiman, who was talking to Prince Casper in a low voice, frowned and cast his eyes unkindly.

A well-dressed blond man entered the room, accompanied by four knights in silver armor and white cloaks with unicorn emblems embroidered on their shoulders.

When Snake Eye noticed the middle-aged man beside Prince Kanas, he cursed secretly: Why did this son of a bitch come here?

This person is Strickland, the paladin of Karnas.

When the prince of Karnas was talking with the old kingdom, Snake Eyes recalled the scene that made him gnash his teeth.

Twenty years ago, after completing the task of assassinating the priest of the temple, he took refuge in a tavern in the city of Karnas.

Who would have thought that he happened to meet this stunned blue paladin chasing evil creatures in a tavern.

Then the other party directly threw a "detection of evil" in the tavern, which made him expose his identity. He was noticed by the clergy of the Temple of Karnas, and he chased him all the way to the Thrane Kingdom of the dwarves before he escaped with difficulty.

This 40-year-old paladin is dressed in silver-white knight armor. Except that he is not wearing a helmet, his whole body is tightly wrapped in armor. sacred breath.

In addition to becoming more stable in character, this stunned blue holy warrior has also improved significantly in strength, Snake Eye thought.

"Tigrila's envoys have arrived!" After Kanas and his party took their seats, the voice of the herald sounded again.

The warriors of Niluskan, including the necromancer covered in black robes, all cast meaningful glances.

Hearing Tigrila, Snake Eyes narrowed his eyes slightly, his pale pupils kept changing various shapes, and then began to observe the half-elf prince.

He saw Brian, whom Lixio claimed to be the best student, was still dressed in a familiar attire, and the three people behind him were wearing black cloaks of Tigrila style.

When he saw the faces of the three people beside Brian, he was secretly surprised.

Because he found that all three of them were from the White Crow Mercenary Group from Longshou Port. Although their strength was not that high, they were the fastest growing mercenary group.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have understood it in such detail.

The white-haired man is the leader of the White Crow Mercenary Corps, Karpas known as the 'Exile', a thin man who is Karpas' right-hand man, called 'Web Weaver' Sako.

As for the silent young man who followed at the end, he was the most powerful 'Shadow Sword' Tistan.

If he expected correctly, there were two other fighters from Neluskan, namely 'Headshot' Thirteen and 'Beheader' Fourteen.

Snake Eyes was very curious about how Brian subdued these desperate mercenaries, and from the way these three looked at him, it could be seen that they were absolutely surrendering and loyal.

At this moment, Snake Eye finally realized why these mercenaries made him feel wrong.

He found that Karpas and Sacco's eyes were almost pitch black, with a faint red light shining faintly.

He frowned and thought about it, and soon remembered where he had seen this look.

Snake Eyes locked the pale pupils that kept changing shapes on Brian again.

However, to his disappointment, he didn't find the little black cat that mocked him at the beginning.

That's right, the eyes of those two mercenaries were exactly the same as Brian's pet cat.

He thought again of what old wizard Morel had told him about the oldest pact with the devil.

It made him instantly realize that the reason why these mercenaries are like this is definitely because they signed a contract with the devil.

As for why Brian looked as usual, without any change in appearance, he couldn't figure it out from the beginning to the end.

Snake Eyes withdrew its gaze, and looked calmly at Strickland, a paladin from Karnas.

Andell's people are likely to be dark guards, Niluskan has another wizard who is proficient in necromancy, and Brian is following two mercenaries who signed a contract with the devil.

Snake Eye couldn't help thinking maliciously: If this paladin throws "Detect Evil" in the banquet hall, the scene must be very spectacular.

(End of this chapter)