"To the great Lord Villarld!"
"To... whatever, anyway, today, let's enjoy the happy times!"
Most of the people present were soldiers who had participated in today's battle at the docks, many of whom were still wrapped in bandages, but that did not stop them from indulging in drinks. There were also a few others who were invited, such as... a lady standing at the door.
"Teresa?"
"Laine! You came?" The female sorcerer seemed to instinctively dislike such occasions, so she simply leaned on her Magic Staff at the door without moving. However, Laine couldn't help but be amazed by Teresa's attire.
In every sense, Teresa was a typical beauty, especially with her attire today—a classic silk dress adorned with canary floral carvings was draped on her, a snow-white fox fur coat hung over her shoulders, and her cream-colored pointed strappy high heels had sapphire-encrusted tips that sparkled in the long hall.
The woman's calves were wrapped in sheer black stockings, and her smooth skin appeared even more beautiful through the hazy stockings.
Stockings huh~ Laine took a couple more glances at the woman's stocking-clad calves.
The female sorcerer must really be wealthy.
Stockings are an alchemical invention, an unmistakable luxury item popular among women, originally made using only the fluffy wool of Unicorns from the Fairy Holy Land near Brittania Lake or the finest spider silk from the Dark Realm for alchemical synthesis. This luxury item, able to shape the figure, protect the skin, and cover imperfections, became a high-end item crazily pursued and loved by noble women.
Only in recent years has the Empire made some breakthroughs in this field; somehow, even the Imperial Engineering Academy has acquired the ability to produce stockings in small quantities. However, Emperor Franz Friedrich ordered the technique to remain restricted, with only a few stockings entering the market each year. For instance, Laine remembers his foster mother managed to acquire a pair for twelve Gold Dinars after great difficulty, treating them as a treasure, only wearing them on significant occasions.
Laine's gaze naturally caught the sorceress's attention, and she noticed the man's eyes were focused on her calves and feet, prompting Teresa to raise her slender brows: "Are you unaware that staring at a Lady like that isn't gentlemanly, White Wolf Knight Mr. Laine?"
"No, I'm wondering why you're standing at the door, not going in to find a seat," Laine asked curiously.
For some reason, the sorceress was secretly dissatisfied when this man did not comment on her attire, this dissatisfaction soon turned into words: "After looking for so long, aren't you planning to say something?"
"Uh, forbidding me to stare, yet wanting me to stare, dear Teresa, you're making it tough for me." Laine said helplessly, taking a deep breath, his expression turned serious: "I can't find words to describe your beauty; I can only say that you look exceptionally charming today, Miss Teresa Trovik. Would you be willing to allow me the honor of guiding you to participate in this banquet?"
"Ah~ If those men could talk like you, our conversations with them would perhaps be much easier," the sorceress was finally satisfied.
"Tch~ If you Jialans could give up this bewildered way of interaction, our communications would be easier too." Laine retorted without mercy.
"I know, I know, I'm already working on it... Is there a quieter place? The smell indoors is a bit strong, and the noise is quite loud." Teresa followed the man inside: "I don't want to squeeze in with them, you arrived a bit later than I expected."
"Yes, I was unexpectedly caught up in something, follow me." Laine led Teresa inside, the long hall was deep, with row after row of tables and chairs filled with soldiers and local officials. Today's bloody battle at the docks had made most people aware of this promising newcomer. Many raised their glasses to him, and Laine raised his left hand offering a smile, indicating he heard them.
At the end, Villarld and his wife were seated at the innermost long table. Besides them, when they saw Laine approaching, the fifty-something Lord stood up: "The important guest has arrived! Let me introduce you all; this is my friend 'Bald' Norman's son, 'Great Hammer' Laine! Also the hero making today's dock battle victory possible! Cheers!"
"Cheers!" A silver goblet full of wine passed from hand to hand at the long table, each person taking a sip when they received it. When Laine and Teresa sat at one side of the long table, Guard Commander Lauritz handed the silver goblet to Laine: "Mr. Laine, please~"
"Thank you~" Laine accepted the goblet and took a small sip.
Teresa saw Laine finish drinking and might hand her the goblet, which had circulated around the table, possibly covered in numerous smelly men's saliva, prompting her to instinctively shrink back.
"Hahaha~" Laine laughed heartily, not handing the goblet to Teresa but instead passing it to the next person, even helping explain for the sorceress: "She doesn't usually drink much as it hinders concentration."