Three nights later, at Domingo Manor.
This estate, formerly a winery, is only 15 kilometers from Muxi City. Last autumn, it was bought by a group of Silver Ring nobles who had fled, and after being renovated, it became a famous "high-class entertainment venue" in the Kingdom of Muxi.
Sitting in the carriage, Todd lifted a corner of the curtain and looked at the nobles who were respectfully accompanying him on both sides of the road. He sighed with a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of deep emotion or reflection).
The scene of attending that banquet two years ago seemed as vivid as if it were still in his mind. However, the look and attitude he received back then were not as 'friendly' as they were today.
"Your Majesty, we are almost there."
Huggins' reminder brought Todd back to his senses.
Looking at the guards in full armor, riding alongside him, Todd frowned and asked, "It's just a banquet, not a battle, is such a big show really necessary?"
While observing his surroundings, Huggins answered the king's question: "There are far more blister beetles hiding in the shadows than moths gathering under the lamplight."
Todd chuckled and said, "That sounds like something an old man would say."
Huggins shrugged.
Todd lowered the curtains, recalling the old knight Cumberland's battle plan.
The Twilight Knights are preparing their troops and are expected to set off the day after tomorrow, marching towards the North Stone Fortress; as for the North Island Knights, this force composed of Valkyries and pirates has been given the mission of attacking Silver Ring City.
Initially, Todd didn't understand the attack. Silver Ring City was home to numerous barbarian tribes, and the strength of the royal guards and noble private armies was not to be underestimated. The North Island Knights numbered only 110 men; how could they possibly contend with the large army stationed in the city? For a moment, he even suspected that Cumberland was deliberately using the attack on Silver Ring City as a pretext to weaken the North Island forces, thereby consolidating the position of the Twilight Knights.
But the old Cavaliers' subsequent decision completely dispelled Todd's doubts.
Cumberland actually proposed a plan whereby he would lead his private army eastward with the Knights of the North Island, and Harkins would take his place to garrison the North Island Fortress!
The fact that the Knights' Grand Master would abandon commanding his own legion to join a group of aliens on a raid was an incomprehensible act that Todd couldn't understand at all and strongly opposed.
Cumberland ultimately convinced the king with his confidence and commitment.
Todd still remembers the conversation from that night very clearly.
"Your Majesty, I cannot explain the plan of the attack to you at this time, but if all goes well, the success rate of this operation is at least 60%."
What about the remaining 40%?
"Your Majesty, have you forgotten?"
"I know, I know! You said that nitpicking is the biggest enemy of a good plan."
"If all goes well, our war with the Silver Ring will finally come to an end."
war.
Can it really end?
Todd looked up at the ceiling of the car and sighed deeply.
The carriage slowed down and, after a slight swaying, finally came to a stop.
"Your Majesty, we have arrived."
The car door opened, and Todd stood up, stepped out onto the red carpet, and looked up at the manor house in the night without saying a word.
The three leaders who initiated the banquet were two Earls of Silver Rings and one Marquis.
The count, standing at the very front, was excited to see the king appear and tried to take a few steps closer, but was rudely stopped by the guards on the perimeter.
Todd walked down the red carpet into the mansion, looked at the brightly lit, spacious hall and the extremely luxurious decorations, and calmly said, "Not bad, really not bad..."
The owner of the manor was delighted and was about to step forward to introduce himself, but Todd's next words made him hesitate.
"It's much more impressive than the palace that's under construction in the city."
The nobles shrank back, looked at each other, and remained speechless with embarrassment.
Ignoring the expressions of the crowd, Todd, surrounded by guards, walked into the main hall of the banquet.
Fine wines and delicacies abound, and noble ladies and heiresses abound.
The king's arrival brought silence to the banquet hall. The nobles stopped talking, the musicians stopped playing, and everyone looked at the protagonist of the evening's banquet, waiting and watching with trepidation.
Todd walked to the highest seat in the hall, slowly sat down, looked at the various people in this space of over a thousand square meters, exchanged a glance with Huggins beside him, and said a word with a smile.
Welcome to the Kingdom of Twilight.
The first sound from the crowd was a relaxed sigh, followed by cheers loud enough to lift the roof off, and finally, a chorus of eager self-recommendations.
“Your Majesty, I am Marquis Howells. Last month, I donated funds to build a lighthouse in Twilight City…”
“Your Majesty! I am Baron Zakaraias, and this lady beside me is my daughter, Andreen, also known as the ‘Flower of Roya’…”
Unlike the bustling scene in front of the main hall, some people lingered in a corner of the banquet hall, choosing not to go forward.
Some of them held lower ranks and were not well-known, so they thought they would not be favored by the king; some were arrogant and looked down on this newly established kingdom; and some... were more special.
The red wine swirled gently in the glass, reflecting the faint glow of the candlelight. Viscount Zangna, dressed in a thick coat, looked at the king on the other side with a slight smile.
Beside him, a girl dressed in a princess dress was devouring a mountain of food on her plate with an almost brutal manner.
Seeing the people not far away pointing at the girl and whispering something, Viscount Zangner coughed and said, "Nancy, mind your manners."
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