As the scheduled banquet time quietly approached, a bell rang and the nobles gradually stopped talking.
A sturdy attendant appeared at the second-floor staircase on time. He bowed slightly, and his clear voice echoed through the quiet hall: "The banquet begins. Please welcome Duke Merlin."
After saying this, he respectfully stepped aside.
In an instant, everyone's gaze seemed to be drawn by an invisible hand and gathered on the stairs to the second floor.
I saw an old lady in a gorgeous magic robe, exuding the majesty of time, leading four young girls, and walking down the stairs slowly and gracefully.
Martin's attention was instantly attracted by one of the girls. He was shocked. Isn't this "Xiao Ba"?
The girl had obviously noticed Martin, and when their eyes met, she was startled for a moment, then lowered her head in a panic. The stairs were not long, and they quickly walked downstairs and stood in front of the small podium in the center of the hall.
Duke Merlin coughed lightly, his voice steady and powerful, "Thank you all for taking the time out of your busy schedules to attend this banquet. I'm sure everyone has heard the recent rumors about the Duke of the Southern Territory's sons and my precious granddaughters."
"Today, I solemnly clarify to everyone that I, Duke Merlin, will never marry my precious granddaughters to those brats from the Duke of the Southern Territory."
After she finished speaking, her eyes were sharp, and she looked towards Martin, and then she announced, "But I have another announcement to make. I plan to betroth Jovian Merlin to Martin White. The wedding will be held in June of next year. I hope everyone will actively participate and have a great time together."
After she finished speaking, she raised her hand slightly, motioning Martin to come on stage.
Martin looked around, his gazes fixed on him, some surprised, some delighted, and some curious. He took a deep breath and walked steadily up to the podium.
After Martin stood still, Duke Merlin smiled and gently overlapped Jovian's hand with Martin's hand.
For a moment, there was thunderous applause all around, and the warm atmosphere almost overturned the entire hall.
However, at this moment, a sudden voice suddenly rang out, instantly breaking the joy and peace.
"Your Excellency, what is so special about this boy that makes you look at him with such a different eye?"
As he spoke, a man with a gloomy face, accompanied by two burly guards, strode out from the crowd.
Immediately afterwards, a young man who looked quite similar to him walked out. The young man also had an unhappy look on his face, and his eyes shot at Martin like knives.
Duke Merlin's face darkened instantly, but the calmness and restraint cultivated from years of being in a high position made her quickly recover her composure.
Seeing this, Martin raised the corners of his mouth slightly and said with a sneer, "Where did these two come from?"
When Jovian heard this, she couldn't help but burst out laughing. She really didn't expect Martin to be so straightforward and rude.
Upon hearing this, the two men became furious and signaled the guards behind them to go forward and teach Martin a lesson.
At this moment, Duke Merlin suddenly raised his voice and shouted, "What? You want to fight on my territory?"
As she spoke, her eyes flashed like lightning as she glared coldly at the four guards. In an instant, the four guards felt a chill on their necks, as if a sharp blade was pressed tightly against them. The slightest movement would mean their lives were in danger, and they were immediately terrified and unable to move.
Duke Merlin continued, "Martin White and his family are protected by the Merlin family. Anyone who dares to harm them will be an enemy of the Merlin family!"
The two men's expressions grew uglier after hearing this, but they suppressed their anger and said with a forced smile, "Your Excellency the Duke, since you have said so, I believe no one would dare to harm anyone from the White family."
The man deliberately emphasized the word "harm", and his tone was full of provocation and unwillingness, which made it particularly harsh to the ears.
Martin narrowed his eyes and thought to himself: This is someone from the Southern Duke's family? So arrogant and domineering!
Eric was furious when he saw this and wanted to step forward, but Martin stopped him with a look. The fourth young master of the Southern Duke was sharp-eyed and immediately caught Eric's intention.
He immediately said sarcastically: "A dragon knight is a dragon knight, and he has a hot temper."
Then, he turned to look at Martin and challenged him, "Do you dare to fight? I'll send out these four guards, and you can fight as you please."
Martin was secretly alert, feeling that this was a trick, but then he thought that they probably didn't know the secret that he had a water dragon, so he nodded slightly and agreed.
But then he changed the subject: "It's fine to compete, but you have to come up with one million gold coins first. My appearance fee is not cheap."
The fourth young master seemed to have been prepared and said confidently, "No problem!"
After saying that, he took out a high-level space ring and casually threw it to Martin, adding, "Let me be frank. If anyone is killed in the competition, the body will belong to the other party, and you will not be able to use potions and props."
Before Martin could reply, he called everyone out of the castle and into a large open space.
Martin first gently comforted the worried Jovian, then apologized to Duke Merlin before following. The third young master of the Duke of the Southern Territory remained silent throughout, as if tacitly approving of his brother's actions, and followed the crowd to the open space.
At the Fourth Young Master's command, the four guards on the clearing instantly transformed. When the transformation was complete, everyone gasped—they were actually four dragon-men, all of them Sky Knights!
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