The following afternoon.
“Mr. Ivan, please come inside.”
The Hobson family’s estate differed from what Ivan had imagined; it was a semi-castle manor, ancient in years, resembling more of a botanical garden inside, with numerous exotic flowers and plants displaying their essence.
He could tell at a glance that some of the plants could be used as medicinal herbs.
‘This is also within Flying Fish Port, truly a world apart.’
Seeing this botanical garden, Ivan gained a new understanding of the wealth of old nobility; if one ignored the geographical location, the environment here was extremely favorable for Plant-type apprentices.
The banquet had many guests, mostly nobles who arrived by carriage, unlike Ivan who had walked.
Given the apprentice robe he wore, no one dared to look down on him. Occasionally, nobles would stop their carriages and kindly invite him to join them, but he politely declined. The event was held at a nearby small garden square, just a few steps away.
Upon arriving at the small garden, it was crowded with guests.
Ivan unexpectedly spotted a familiar figure on duty; he remembered clearly, it was the captain of the guard who had once forcefully invited him to meet Baron Karl and had even threatened him.
“Ah!”
Guard Captain Burkhart noticed a person in a sorcerer robe approaching and dared not stare directly. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in his foot, causing him to involuntarily cry out and jump, attracting quite a bit of attention.
There was nothing sharp near his foot—how could this be?
Burkhart’s face turned pale; this was an important banquet hosted by Earl Hobson, and his impolite act had embarrassed the Earl.
As his face turned beet red with urgency, Baron Karl stepped out.
“Get down there quickly.”
“Mr. Ivan, welcome, welcome.” Baron Karl had clearly seen that the young man had subtly moved his fingers, and a thorny vine had sprung from the flower bushes behind Burkhart, pricking his foot.
Young at heart, fond of holding grudges, ah!
He approached with a big smile, not intending to expose the young man’s trick.
Ivan responded, “Dear Baron Karl, long time no see, I’ve missed you.”
Hearing his words, a flicker of unease crossed Baron Karl’s face, evidently harboring some resentment, yet still mindful of him.
“Mr. Ivan, I saw the Silver Bone Ray you caught alive yesterday, truly an eye-opener. Don’t laugh, it’s my first time seeing someone catch a Silver Blade Ship Slayer alive.”
“What Baron Karl says is true, it is also my first experience, indeed the deed of this young hero.”
“Youthful and talented, unlike my sons who didn’t dare move a muscle at the sight of the Silver Bone Ray.”
Baron Karl spoke loudly enough to draw quite a few nods of agreement from other nobles, some of whom came up to praise directly.
Ivan could swear, this was the most praise he had ever heard in his two lifetimes, and it had also been an eye-opener for him.
“Ivan.”
Pearney called out from a distance, liberating Ivan, who quickly walked over to her.
At that moment, Pearney was dressed in a long white princess gown, and the way she held up her skirt sparkled before one’s eyes, like seeing an elf princess from a painting.
As Ivan approached, Pearney motioned for them to talk aside.
Seeing her walk somewhat awkwardly, Ivan teased, “Can you still fight in that get-up?”
Pearney glared at him, “Who do I need to fight in Flying Fish Port, you?”
“We could try that, cough cough—let’s talk business.”
“Hmm! This morning two sorcerers came, looking for trouble with Toyennes. They must have visited the island while we were away and are now at Flying Fish Port. There’s someone from the same academy as Toyennes there.”
Listening to her recount the origins and intentions of the two sorcerers, Ivan’s expression grew serious, unsure whether this was good news or bad news.
Pearney also revealed something; Earl Hobson had always been inviting sorcerers to deal with the Toyennes issue, one of whom had come in response to the invitation.
“Will the two sorcerers attend the banquet today?”
“Uncle will definitely invite them personally, but they might not come.”
Ivan thought for a moment and said, “If they don’t show up, the three of us will visit them together. Those who are meant to come can’t hide. How about that?”
“Okay.” Pearney agreed, intending also to inquire about the situation on the island. Finally, she added, “Uncle said he has a gift for you, hoping you will like it, Ivan.”
“What is it?”
“I won’t tell you; you refused to come with me to meet Uncle earlier, so consider it a surprise.”
Pearney, still holding a grudge about the earlier incident, rolled her eyes at him and floated away in her elaborate long gown.
The appearance of the two whispering privately did not escape the notice of many observant onlookers, prompting thoughtful expressions from many.
Soon, Ivan noticed that more nobles were showing him goodwill.
“Ivan.”
The voice of the young girl was exceptionally pleasant and surprised.
Justine was also attending the banquet and noticed the young man admiring the scenery.
Compared to Pearney, Justine’s light green long dress was not so outrageously intricate, except for one boldly designed area at the front.
“This is my father, Baron Glatton.” They were chatting merrily when a middle-aged man inconveniently approached—it was Justine’s father.
“Mr. Ivan, my daughter tells me you rescued her, giving her a chance to escape danger. On behalf of the Glatton family, I express our sincere gratitude and formally invite you to visit our home.”
Baron Glatton was a stern noble, likely due to his years serving in the government administration.
Half an hour later, Earl Hobson appeared, capturing everyone’s attention.
“I am delighted that you all could come. I sincerely hope you enjoy Hobson Manor. Just yesterday, my dear niece Pearney Hobson returned to Flying Fish Port. She is still as beautiful and lively as ever, like a butterfly princess in the garden—”
The current Earl Hobson, in his prime years, possessed the same qualities as the old earl; his speech, casual and humorous. His words were lengthy and vivid, eliciting knowing laughter from the nobles below.
Ivan felt as if he were back in his school days, standing on the grounds listening to a bespectacled headmaster speak.
The two sorcerers still hadn’t appeared, and it seemed unlikely they would attend the banquet.
Moments later, Ivan perked up slightly as he heard the earl mentioning his name.
“Ivan Marichardon, he saved my niece Pearney and captured the vicious sea beast that brought disaster to Flying Fish Port. He is our city’s young hero. To show my appreciation and respect for the hero, I’ve decided to gift him ‘Mulberry Valley’ and, in the name of the Hobson family, to bestow upon Ivan Marichardon the title of Baron.”
As Hobson made the announcement, a rush of applause and lively conversation erupted in the garden.
As the person concerned, Ivan truly hadn’t expected this. This must be the surprise Pearney mentioned.
It was the title the Marichadon family had long coveted!
True to an old noble family, even a barren territory, irrelevant to Ivan personally, was an offer he had no reason to refuse as a member of the Marichadon family.
At that moment, he could feel many envious glances directed at him, placing him momentarily in the spotlight.