Chapter 611 - 328: Root of Life
When Raine returned to Rapids Castle, he found the entire Royal Palace already decked out in lights and decorations. Hundreds of maids were coming and going, arms full of flowers, assorted fruits, and food, busy arranging everything.
In the palace garden, more than a hundred male servants were leveling the ground, clearing away damaged statues and fountains, and replanting flowers.
"Nominally it’s about the alliance between the Mountain Dwarf Kingdom and the Soladin Kingdom and welcoming Princess Dongni’s visit, but in truth, it’s to celebrate the slaying of the Giant-eyed Tyrant ’Hillarack’."
Noticing the curiosity in Raine’s eyes, Leonore softly explained from beside him.
"Mm, but why isn’t the alliance being kept secret?" Raine still couldn’t quite understand.
After all, this operation had been relatively covert. If they didn’t publicize it, the fact that the two Kingdoms had formed an alliance could still be concealed for a while.
"Morale."
"Morale?"
Leonore nodded, then sighed and explained, "Mm, in fact, among the Northern United Kingdom, Soladin’s situation is already one of the better ones. The other Kingdoms are in even worse shape than you imagine."
"So at a time like this, morale is crucial. Forming an alliance with the Mountain Dwarf Kingdom and slaying the Giant-eyed Tyrant ’Hillarack’—it’s a shot of adrenaline."
"Got it." Raine nodded, thoughtful.
Faced with the threat of the Black Fist Army and the Talin Association, and the dominance of the Urein Empire, a single Soladin Kingdom was never going to be a match. The difference in scale was simply too great.
A mid-sized province within the Urein Empire was already close to a duchy in scale; the Soladin Kingdom at most equaled two such provinces.
Even the entire Northern Continent Kingdom Alliance, compared to those two major powers, was still at a disadvantage.
"However, Raine, one of the main protagonists of tonight’s banquet is actually you." At this moment, Leonore smiled slightly and said.
"Me?"
"Mm. Have you forgotten that you were appointed as a royal adviser? Originally, my royal brother intended to hold your appointment ceremony at the end, but both Duke Musadi and I felt that your situation should be kept as hidden as possible."
"Including the appointment itself."
As she spoke, Leonore fixed her deep lake-blue eyes on Raine and went on, "Still, I know that at your age, you should be longing for honor and attention. So, if you..."
"No, Your Highness, I’ll follow your arrangements." Raine waved his hand with a smile.
He had wanted to keep a low profile from the start.
Previously, he’d been high-profile only because, as he saw it, there had been no way to stay low-key.
But now that the Kingdom was helping to cover for him, it was naturally all the better; why would he refuse?
Chatting as they walked, the group stepped into the palace banquet hall.
Raine looked around.
The Kingdom’s banquet hall, resplendent in gold and jade, broad and tall, its walls covered in exquisite reliefs, was unlike anything Raine had ever seen.
Dozens of dining tables of various sizes were arranged around the edges of the hall. In the center, a large open area was left as the dance floor, and directly ahead a royal band of more than twenty musicians was playing the Saraban welcome dance.
Noble ladies and young misses in all kinds of formal dress, each wearing specially tailored evening gowns or ceremonial long skirts, stood in groups of three or five. Some held wine glasses and chatted; others were comparing the rings, necklaces, or jewels on their hands.
At this moment, the liveliest spot in the hall was around Princess Dongni, where more than ten nobles of the Soladin Kingdom were clustered, chatting away.
By contrast, the Dwarf Elders’ side was much quieter. They kept to themselves, drinking fine wine and nibbling on hors d’oeuvres.
And when Raine and Leonore entered, both the Dwarf Elders and the Kingdom nobles turned to them with welcoming smiles.
Before anyone could come up to greet them, the music suddenly shifted—changing from light and lively to solemn. An elderly man, his hair slightly graying, wearing a golden crown and holding a Scepter, entered from one side, escorted by the honor guard.
A gentle smile stayed on his face the whole time, giving off an impression of kindness and approachability.
Raine glanced doubtfully at the King before him, then slightly shifted his gaze to the elegant, dignified Leonore beside him, who looked ageless. He couldn’t help thinking: They’re siblings? That age gap is way too big!
"My royal brother is seventeen years older than me." As if sensing Raine’s strange look, Leonore murmured a line under her breath.
So that was it.
Raine nodded.
With the King’s arrival, the welcome banquet officially began.
The main event of the banquet was, of course, the alliance signing ceremony between the Soladin Kingdom and the Mountain Dwarf Kingdom. Since the dwarven side was represented by Princess Dongni, the Kingdom side had Leonore, the Eldest Princess, preside over the signing.
King Galin Soladin’s presence was mostly symbolic. He smiled throughout and witnessed the signing to its conclusion, then departed shortly afterward.
Not long after the King left, a guard came to Raine, who was in the middle of a conversation with Elder Grenum, and spoke quietly: "Mr. Rein, His Majesty would like to see you."
...
Small conference room in the Royal Palace.
When Raine entered, Galin Soladin greeted him with a kindly smile and beckoned, gesturing for Raine to sit.
"Raine, I hope you don’t mind me calling you that."
"Of course not. Good day, Your Majesty the King." Raine smiled, bowed slightly, and saluted.
He looked around. Only Galin and Leonore were present—it was clearly a very private meeting.
"Sit, sit. We’re just going to chat casually today."
"Right, and as the newly appointed royal adviser, here’s a little token of my appreciation." As he spoke, a maid came forward carrying a tray, and Galin Soladin picked up from it a wooden box radiating green Magic Radiance, smiling as he handed it to Raine.