Elias remained silent for several moments, his thoughts still lingering on the strange word Berlic had muttered during the inauguration.
Velghora...
He couldn’t tell whether it had been a name, a place, an ancient title, or something else entirely.
Before he could think about it any further, several guests began approaching Berlic.
One after another, they presented gifts and spoke about the resources they were willing to provide for the newly established Kilmir Relief Order.
"Honorable City Lord, my family will provide five hundred gold coins every month to support the order," one merchant said with a respectful bow.
"My company can provide healing potions and basic weapons," another merchant added. "We would be honored to contribute."
Berlic accepted each offering with a pleased smile, thanking the guests while assuring them that their support would help protect Kilmir City from the dangers caused by the spatial rifts.
A few guests also approached Elias.
"My apologies, Lord Elias," one of them said with an embarrassed smile.
"I admit that I thought poorly of you before today. After seeing how Lord Berlic speaks of your swordsmanship, I would very much like to see your abilities for myself."
Another guest nodded and added, "I feel the same way. Please forgive my earlier judgment, Lord Elias."
Elias smiled faintly and nodded.
"There is nothing to forgive. I hope you will have the opportunity to see my sword someday."
The guests thanked him before returning to the others.
Soon, the formal portion of the inauguration came to an end, and the banquet began.
Long tables had been arranged throughout the hall and across the courtyard outside, with countless dishes, fruits, drinks, and other delicacies covering their surfaces. The guests gradually separated into groups, enjoying the food while discussing the newly established order and the future of Kilmir City.
Elias, however, had no intention of staying.
Without drawing attention to himself, he turned away from the crowd and walked toward the tall doors leading outside.
Once he stepped through them, the noise from the banquet became slightly quieter.
Benjamin was standing near the entrance, speaking with one of the maids.
The moment Benjamin noticed Elias approaching, he excused himself from the conversation and turned toward his master.
"My lord?" he asked.
Elias stopped beside him and said, "Let’s eat something and then leave."
Benjamin frowned slightly.
"Leave?" he asked.
He glanced toward the banquet hall before looking back at Elias.
"My lord, shouldn’t you be eating inside with the other guests?"
Elias opened his mouth to answer, but Benjamin continued before he could speak.
"Did something happen inside, or—"
"I would not be able to eat with that man in my sight," Elias said quietly.
Benjamin fell silent.
He stared at Elias for several seconds, surprised by the coldness in his master’s voice.
Elias rarely spoke about his anger, and Benjamin had never seen him openly display such irritation toward someone.
’What happened in there?’ he wondered. Still, he didn’t press the matter.
"As you wish, my lord," Benjamin said respectfully.
The two of them descended the stairs and walked toward the banquet tables arranged throughout the courtyard.
Elias found an empty seat and sat down with Benjamin beside him before taking a plate and serving himself some food.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Elias simply ate quietly, his mind still returning to the strange events of the ceremony.
Velghora...
The word continued to bother him.
He was about to take another bite when someone approached their table.
"Excuse me," a young man said, stopping several steps away.
"Are you Lord Elias Crimson?"
Benjamin’s expression immediately hardened at the man’s casual tone.
"You should show more respect when speaking to—"
"I am," Elias said, raising a hand to stop him.
Benjamin closed his mouth and stepped back.
The young man smiled before extending his hand.
"I am Olide. My father is the head of the Honorgold Merchant Company."
Elias glanced at the offered hand, but didn’t take it.
"Is that so? That’s impressive," he said. "What about it?"
Olide’s smile faltered slightly.
He rubbed the back of his head and gave an awkward chuckle before saying, "I want to build a healthy relationship between our merchant company and the Crimson Ducal Clan."
Elias glanced toward Benjamin before chuckling softly.
"And you came to a bastard for that?" he asked.
Olide’s awkward smile returned as he asked, "How are you a bastard when you bear the name Crimson?"
A somber expression appeared on Elias’s face.
He lowered his gaze for a moment before looking back at Olide.
"A name alone isn’t enough when there are people ready to challenge and question the very blood running through my veins."
Olide’s expression became uncomfortable.
Elias stood and placed his hand against the table.
"Let’s go, Benjamin. I do not feel like eating anymore."
"As you wish," Benjamin replied.
Olide quickly stepped forward.
"Lord Elias, wait. I didn’t mean—"
Elias didn’t stop.
He and Benjamin walked away from the banquet, leaving Olide standing behind them.
The two eventually reached the front of the estate, where the carriage that had brought them earlier was still waiting.
Benjamin approached the driver.
"Take us back to our residence," he said.
The driver hesitated before nodding reluctantly.
"Yes, sir," he replied.
Elias and Benjamin boarded the carriage, and the driver climbed onto the front seat before pulling the reins.
The horses began moving, and the carriage slowly departed from the City Lord’s estate.
Inside, Elias leaned against the carriage wall and stared through the window.
His mind once again returned to the strange word.
Velghora...
He frowned slightly.
Was it the name of an old deity? A place? Or something else entirely?
He couldn’t remember ever hearing the word before, yet the way Berlic had spoken it had felt strangely significant.
Elias remained lost in thought throughout most of the journey.
Eventually, the carriage arrived at the manor.
Elias and Benjamin stepped down, and Benjamin turned toward the driver.
"You may return now," he said before narrowing his eyes slightly. "And remember, if you wish to live long, never do what you did last time."
The driver stiffened.
"Yes, sir," he replied quickly.
Benjamin turned away.
The driver pulled the reins, and the carriage soon disappeared down the road.
Elias and Benjamin entered the manor together.
The quiet atmosphere immediately surrounded them, a stark contrast to the noise and activity of the City Lord’s estate.
They walked through the entrance hall before Benjamin stopped and bowed respectfully.
"Have a great, restful night, my lord," he said.
"You too," Elias replied.
He turned toward the staircase and began climbing.
He had only taken a few steps when an orange screen suddenly appeared before his eyes.
[Ding!]
[The host’s wife: Monica Ragnar is experiencing a seizure!]