Chapter 168:The Banquet Style of the North

“Hoo…”

Yohan inhaled deeply.

As soon as he threw himself onto the makeshift chair at the outpost, cold sweat trickled down his spine.

The harsh, biting wind of the north still blew, but inside, he was burning up fiercely.

“What’s the situation?”

“The rift we just closed was the last one.”

Flap. A page turned. Elena scanned the report and continued her briefing.

“We’ve repaired all the rifts existing in the north. The fact that the entire snow mountain disappeared was huge. That was the biggest headache.”

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the work was cut in half after the snow mountain disappeared. In the first place, the other regions were, at most, Class 1.

“There was something more difficult than that… Well, it’s a relief it worked out.”

Yohan chuckled.

“Yes. Therefore, the Demon Nest purification operation is complete. All that remains is for the Ferbache Knights to deal with the remaining demonic beasts. Thank you for your hard work, Minister.”

“Hoo…”

Yohan slumped in his chair and sighed. It was finally over. There were still rifts left across the continent as a whole, but that was a story for later.

“I thought I’d have to stay in the north a little longer. It feels like I sped up the time all at once.”

Of course, he invested more time than usual. But it felt like it had passed in an instant. It must be because he was out of his mind.

“What does the Duke say?”

“He said he would hold a banquet. He asked you to please attend.”

“A banquet, huh…”

Yohan, slumped in his chair, slowly stroked his chin. Showing his face at a banquet attended by the nobles and knights of the north was a good option.

It was time to start managing his connections.

“Tell him I’ll attend.”

“Yes.”

Scribble, scribble. Elena quickly moved her quill and wrote something in her notebook.

“And what else do I need to know?”

“There’s no new news yet. I just sent a message to the Imperial Palace.”

“Then it’s rest for the time being.”

Yohan nodded with a satisfied expression.

Honestly, he had been overworked recently. He had closed the rifts after dealing with the demonic beasts of the snow mountain, taking only minimal rest.

But that didn’t mean he could proceed leisurely. Demon Nests always bring variables.

Leaving them alone could lead to anything, so solving them quickly was the best option. 

“Will you return to the inn?”

“I should. Ah, what about the Ferbache special Archmage?”

“She said she’s going to the mansion.”

Yohan pondered for a moment. If he went to the mansion with her, Francia and the Duke would be happy, but…

‘I just want to rest now.’

Annoyance washed over him. He had expended a lot in many ways, so it couldn’t be helped. His brain wanted rest. “I’ll go back to the inn.”

Yohan got up from his seat.

He was going to rest and sleep all day today.

*    *    *

Evening.

When everyone had finished their meals and was looking around the streets or enjoying their free time drinking together.

Yohan was holed up in his inn room, not moving an inch from the bed. The only time he moved was to adjust his position when he was uncomfortable.

“This is comfortable.’

However, Yohan was very satisfied. The tension that had been enveloping his whole body was easing. Sleep was constantly coming over him.

Then, knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the door.

“Wait a moment.”

Yohan quickly got up and straightened his disheveled clothes. He wasn’t in his uniform, but it was after work, so it would be fine.

“Come in.”

Only after sitting at the table and composing himself did Yohan allow the visitor in.

“It’s me, Yohan.”

The person who came was none other than Rudbeckia. She smiled awkwardly and hesitated.

“Come in. What are you doing?”

Yohan smiled gently.

“I, well, I thought it might look like we’re having a secret rendezvous…”

Rudbeckia clasped her hands together in front of the door, trailing off.

“Then you should come in quickly. Hesitating there makes it look even more like a secret rendezvous.”

“Ah, that’s true.”

Her face flushed, and she quickly came in with hurried steps and closed the door. When Yohan pointed to the seat across from him, Rudbeckia cleared her throat once and sat down.

“It’s free time now, what brings you here?”

“I have something to tell you.”

“I thought you came because you missed me?”

“Ahem, that’s also true, isn’t it? No, that’s not it.”

Before the conversation could go in a strange direction, Rudbeckia shook her head and regained her composure.

“Do you remember the day I apologized before?””

“You mean the day you suddenly came to the mansion.”

“Yes, that’s right. The reason I apologized then was…”

Rudbeckia took a breath and continued.

“It’s because the Archmage acted that way because of me. The Magical Power I used when I turned back time was the Tower Master’s Magical Power that was dissolved in the space. That must have been how he regained his memories.”

She bowed her head deeply.

“I’m really sorry. I couldn’t tell you at the time.”

“Because of the rules of that regression magic?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Hmm…”

As Yohan stroked his chin with a blank expression, Rudbeckia fidgeted with her hands. Anxiety was flowing from her actions.

“I’m sorry… Because of me, Yohan was in danger, and Francia Ferbache was also harmed.”

Rudbeckia was truly mortified. She would gladly accept it even if Yohan scolded her.

“Well, even if Rudbeckia hadn’t revived his memories, the Archmage would have drawn his sword against us. It was a bomb that was going to explode someday. Don’t worry about it.”

Yohan smiled faintly.

“But…”

Rudbeckia still hesitated, biting her lip. There were too many things weighing on her mind. She owed a debt to Francia Ferbache, and Yohan almost lost his life…

Yohan knew that she was uncomfortable. In times like these, she had to receive appropriate compensation. That was how the other person’s mind would be relieved.

“If you’re uncomfortable, I’d like you to serve me another meal next time. All the food I ate then was delicious.”

And he smiled lightly.

“Including the specialty of the Friche County, the main dish?”

“I’ll leave that to the chef’s discretion.”

“O, of course I have to give it to you…! Rather, I want to give it to you…?”

Rudbeckia blushed shyly and turned her gaze away. The main dish she was talking about here was herself.

“Ahem, then I have to prepare diligently.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“Yes, then I’ll be going…!”

As Yohan gave a faint smile, Rudbeckia hurriedly got up from her seat and bowed deeply. Her dark blonde hair fluttered in the air.

And she quickly left the room.

Yohan was left alone in the room, chuckling.

‘Rudbeckia has a cute side to her.’

Come to think of it, in Francia’s memories, she would cling to him whenever she saw him.

Is she not doing that anymore? It was a pity.

*    *    *

The next day, late at night.

A grand banquet was held at the Duke Ferbache’s mansion.

Servants replenished the wine and food with smooth movements, and the invited nobles and military officials chattered in

increasingly loud voices, telling their own stories.

“I’m telling you! When I saw the snow mountain back then…”

“Kuhaha! The Purification Office is definitely different!”

Looking at the atmosphere alone, it was no different from an inn tavern outside the northern castle. Someone was laughing while clinking glasses, and someone else was exchanging jokes in a loud voice.

But this was clearly the Duke Ferbache’s mansion. It would have been hard to believe if it weren’t for the marble pillars and portraits decorating all sides, and the luxurious crystal chandeliers.

Certainly, perhaps because it was the north, even the laughter had a fiery side. To be precise, it had a hearty and cool feeling. It wasn’t bad. Rather, this side was more comfortable.

“The north is definitely more approachable.”

Yohan said, shaking his wine glass. The purple wine in the glass rippled gently.

“Isn’t it? Unlike the center, there’s no pretense in the north. The same goes for power struggles. So it’s much easier to approach. It’s also more helpful in relationships.”

It was right to say that the north didn’t have the extra energy to engage in power struggles, unlike the center. They were busy fulfilling their respective roles. In the first place, the Ferbache ducal family had a tight grip on power.

“I like this atmosphere better. I was too tired when I was in the center.”

Yohan smiled faintly and tilted his glass.

“Huhu, it’s understandable. The center is anxious to seize vested interests.”

The nobles of the center were like hunting dogs wearing masks. They were always engaged in power struggles beneath the surface to somehow gain more prey.

The reason why the young ladies fought over him was also because of that. Gaining a trophy in high society would fill their self-

esteem. Yohan was really tired of that.

“Ah, the Duke is coming in.”

At that moment, the door to the banquet hall opened, and Duke Ferbache entered alone. He was a romantic who still hadn’t remarried even though his wife had died a long time ago.

The nobles’ gazes gathered in one place. But the main character of this banquet was not Duke Ferbache.

“Despite the hastily held banquet, thank you all for coming to this place.”

Duke Ferbache slowly continued.

The nobles smiled and listened to his words.

“Today is the day that all the Demon Nests in the north have been closed, a day so good that it cannot be compared to any other time.

There will be no more floods, and the north will be able to develop further.”

Duke Ferbache received a glass from a servant and held it up high. The fascinating color of the wine in the glass shimmered.

“Bless Minister Rahardt and the military officials who helped him for making today possible!”

-Bless them!

The nobles all raised their glasses high and shouted. And they drank the wine in one gulp. It was more like a company dinner than a banquet for nobles.

“This is the northern way of celebrating.”

Francia chuckled.

Yohan also smiled lightly and raised his glass high.

“I like that the congratulations are cool, too.”

They only say what is necessary and immediately take action.

The substance is so excessive that it reaches a lethal dose.

“Ah, Yohan, you shouldn’t drink it all at once? This wine is strong, so you’ll get drunk quickly.”

Just as Yohan was ab to tilt his glass, Francia stopped him.

“I see. I almost lost my mind again.”

“You have to be careful. Yohan loses his reason when he’s drunk.”

“Did you dislike it?”

As Yohan threw the words with playful eyes, Francia burst into a small laugh and shook her head.

“Really. I’m the one who’s in trouble every time?”

It was then that playful conversation was exchanged.

“I have good news!”

Duke Ferbache’s words continued.

“Minister Rahardt and the Ferbache Princess’s wedding is soon! Everyone, prepare gifts!”

Perhaps because he had drunk alcohol, the Duke had also become honest.

“Oh dear, our territory doesn’t have any specialties that the Princess would be satisfied with?”

“Everyone, gather wealth! Our northern saint is getting married!”

“I should prepare alcohol. Our territory is the best at making alcohol.”

The heads of the families laughed heartily and chattered.

They were not the heads of a family, but in fact, they were just middle-aged men.

“Haha.”

Yohan looked at Francia over his glass. Her red eyes sparkled in the soft light.

‘It’s almost over.’

A soft smile appeared on his lips.

—His marriage with Francia was approaching.