173 Gathering at The Banque (1/2)

The banquet being hosted by the Cromwell family was not a private event. Regardless of whether one arrived with an invitation letter or not, they would be welcomed all the same. All who came were guests.

As such, Bromley Cromwell, the organizer of the event did not send out many invitation letters and mainly spread the news. The few invitation letters were only sent out of respects for the influential figures in the Capital and those the Cromwell family share close business relationship with.

”Don't mind this Old man and just treat this like a normal social gathering, everyone.” Dwight said from the seat of honor, before joking, ”What is there to celebrate at this age? Becoming one step closer to the coffin?”

”Hahaha, you jest, Lord Dwight. You are still very much still lively and healthy. It shouldn't be a problem to live for another 20-30 years. Allow me to shamelessly take the first cup, wishing you live to a ripe old age.” Vigo promptly downed his wine cup after stating.

”Hahaha…” Dwight chuckled, while stroking his beard in reminisce. Only members of the Cromwell family knew why he was in such good health this following year.

Who knew that a normal stroll for fresh air would result in a chance encounter with a commoner with peerless alchemy skill? And that commoner would also become the missing prince? Fate was a mysteriously thing. Dwight shook his head and did not make a comment on the topic. A pill that could remove impurities would send waves through the Capital. If Leon didn't plan make the pill's existence public, then he wouldn't say anything.

”It is unexpected to have the presidents of all three merchant associations attend our event. It is an honor.” Bromley raised his own cup and spoke in his father's stead.

”We wouldn't dare. To be able to attend such a special occasion, the honor is ours. I wonder if the Lord Dwight is satisfied with our gifts?”

Porter Fischer and Oliver Lucretius raised their own cups in kind courteously, when they were mentioned.

”Sir Porter and Sir Oliver was meticulous in choosing the gift, knowing that my father is passionate about alchemy, you both chose unique spirit herbs. My father is definitely satisfied with the gift. Isn't that right, father?”

Dwight flashed a light smile at Bromley's question, neither admitting nor denying right away.

The gifts received by the three presidents were indeed valuable, but without the skills and right pill formula, these rare spirit herbs with unknown usage would only be as good as portraits and paintings; useless and only good for appreciating.

Only new pill formulas or actually with unique usage would move him. What was the point of gifting him something he couldn't use? A trace of unhappiness was hidden in Dwight's eyes.

Although, it seemed the three president's gift was out of good intentions, there were ulterior motives hidden underneath.

In the end, they were most likely expecting him to return the spirit herb with a request for one of the grandmaster alchemists to refine it. The three presidents wanted the Cromwell family to owe them a favor.

Of course, Dwight did not need to do this. He knew a better alchemist and that alchemist was even his grandson-in-law.

Although, Dwight understood the underlying intentions, he pretended he didn't and kept silence on the matter. It was not good to tear away all pretense. He didn't want to make trouble for his son, who had to shoulder the family business in his stead.

For the sake of etiquette, Dwight showed his appreciation for the three presidents''good intentions'.

”Thank for the great gifts. I will certainly put them to good use.” Dwight said.

His words brought a smile to the three presidents.

The number people that attended the banquet was far fewer than what the Cromwell family had anticipated. Although there was still some time until the set time to start the banquet, the number of nobles attending had stopped some time ago.

With such an open event, it should have been an opportunity for the lower ranking nobles to come seeking to establish connections and business opportunities with the higher-ranking nobles at the banquet.

Unfortunately, the reality was different to one's expectations. The ones that actually attended were all magnates of the business world, with the exclusion of the royal family and ten grandmaster alchemists.

In addition to the presence of the three presidents of the merchant associations, who arrived with 6 associated Counts, there was Earl Nicholas Fletcher of the lumber business and Earl Zachary Stanford of the stone quarry business.

Apart from Steward Sebastian, who came representing the Lancaster family, everyone else came with their wives and children.

As an Awakener with strength on par with Marquises, no one was displeased with Steward Sebastian's attendance as a representative of the Lancaster family. He was well received as their peer and equal at banquet table, regardless of his status as a servant.

Earl Nicholas Fletcher and Earl Zachary Stanford both shared a close business relationship with Cromwell family. The raw building materials for all the Cromwell's construction projects came from the Fletcher family and Stanford family.

Soon, everyone in attendance had offered some form of congratulations and gifts. Unsurprisingly, they were also alchemy-related gifts, consisting of; Awakening Pills and rare herbs.

Naturally, the Cromwell family no longer cares for the flawed Awakening Pills, now that they have the revised True Awakening Pills, but it did not need to be mention. Up to this point, it was still unconfirmed whether the faulty pill recipe was a result of the demon's machination or not.

Bromley sighed with some disappointment. It appeared that the others had been scared away by this line up of magnates, who all sat at the same table. The wives and children of the attending nobles were separated to other tables

”It still early before the set time of the banquet, but it doesn't seem like anyone else will be coming.” Bromley stated, before asking, ”Shall we start the banquet early?”

”I concur.”

Vigo's lips rose into a grin. The brat had not arrived yet, which Vigo thought was favorable to him. It would not look good to appear late.

Everyone else also nodded in agreement with Bromley's suggestion.

”Sebastian, inform the maids in the kitchen to bring out the food.” Bromley ordered without much thought. However, it brought about two different response.

”Excuse me?”