Baron Hugh's opening speech was warm, gregarious and welcoming to all of the guests that arrived at the banquet and they all finished it off with a round of applause as he finished.
Lucius eyed all of the nobility and guests, and everyone seemed to like it and were most attentive to Baron Hugh's words
.
Even the ones like Baron Glintaxe and Viscountess Blackshield looked at him attentively even though the two seemed to be quite reserved people.
Baron Hugh's children, Lord Benjamin and Lady Lily were still at the circle of the youth and were paying attention gladly with a look of pride and respect to their father.
"Count Gabriel, where are you at the moment?" Baron Hugh called out as he glanced about the room and then finally located the Count still speaking with Viscount Felldan.
Nearby, one could see Sir John with baby Cia in his arms. He had luckily managed to make the young baby fall asleep and was avoiding noble women who found the child cute and tried to talk with Sir John who they noticed was alone.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtElsewhere, Alessa was still with Baron Hugh's wife, the Baroness stopping from speaking and looking impatiently at her husband who deigned to speak while she was still conversing with the owner of Dionysia Brewery.
Lucius raised a brow at that, but decided that out of everyone, it was most likely the wife who would find the words of her husband too repetitive.
Baron Hugh swept forward towards Count Gabriel and Viscount Felldan.
"Haha, there you are! Perhaps Count Inanis will be willing to share with us the events of the battle that transpired? Share a couple words with us and describe the events that everyone wishes to hear about?"
"Everyone already knows what happened, Baron Hugh." Count Gabriel pointed out with a neutral expression. "It's why we're all here tonight, is it not?"
Baron Hugh blinked and the congregation of nobles slightly shifted at those words. They became a little nervous and wondered if something happened that made Count Gabriel's temperament change slightly.
If Rancor was to show himself in the banquet tonight, Viscountess Blackshield, Baron Glintaxe and other warriors in the nobility would find themselves trying to calm down the man without any bloodshed.
Another second passed before Viscount Felldan laughed and applauded at those words. "Ah, a man of few words as always and yet his humor is always on point. I can see the beads of sweat rolling down your forehead, Baron Hugh."
"Do you wish to say something in my stead, Viscount Felldan?" Count Gabriel asked, the barest hint of a smile on his face.
"You're the one who was present during the battle against Viscount Drew, Count Gabriel. I'm afraid that you must be the one who will recount everything."
Baron Hugh was a little surprised, dabbed his forehead with a handkerchief, but quickly decided to accept that it was Count Gabriel's humor and offered him the voice-enhancing artifact.
"Thank you, Baron Hugh." Count Gabriel nodded briefly and turned towards the guests. This time, everyone was truly paying attention to him.
Everyone could easily join in and clap whenever the others started to applause, but the little play that Viscount Felldan and Count Gabriel did was enough to ensure that the attention truly were on Count Gabriel as he commenced with his speech.
Lucius couldn't help but wonder if that was intentional on their part but simply paid attention and listened to Count Gabriel.
As Lucius already knew beforehand, despite Count Gabriel's stern appearance, he was actually an apt and capable speaker and everyone paid attention to him.
There was even a flair in Count Gabriel's narration as he spoke of the beginning of the battle which didn't start out in their favor.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmLucius remembered it vividly in his head and was more or less content to observe, until he noticed Count Gabriel look in his direction.
"As for the rest of what transpired when we were at the bleakest moments and when hope was seemingly lost. I believe my son, Asher Inanis, will have a better way of introducing what changed and turned the tides of the battle."
'Ah, it seems like my deeds have finally proved some fruition.' Lucius took a step forward and smiled charismatically in front of the nobility.
It was rare for a "young" noble to be given the floor, perhaps excluding Viscount Felldan, so everyone was going to assess Asher and judge him on his capabilities based on this.
"The battle had taken a sharpest turn for the worst, we were greatly outnumbered and even the sheer capability of the soldiers and hired mercenaries on our side were overtaken by those with great and powerful ranked gifts on Viscount Drew's army."
Lucius said which drew the attention of the nobles.
"One can say that having one or two elites sometimes changes a battlefield, and their people were capable of controlling their environment. Boulders rained down from the sky like a hail of fire and brimstone, spreading and wreaking havoc among us, and the coldest of winters froze and weakened the hearts and vitality of our men and yet we all fought on with courage."
Lucius made sure to highlight the bravery and contribution of the soldiers and mercenaries who participated in the battle against Viscount Drew, but then finally decided to bring in what he wanted to say.
"However, it was not only Viscount Drew who had cards up in his sleeves. While he may have been able to gather support from unknown sources, we were also able to meet a group of mercenaries beforehand… a legion that changed the tide and allowed us victory. The Masked Legion arrived and swept in from multiple points, their gifts and strength taking the army of Viscount Drew by surprise and more importantly skill."
The words lit curiosity and intrigue among the nobles who only heard of them for the first time, but Lucius did not only mention them for the purpose of narration.
"The Masked Legion has served us well and aided us tremendously to our victory, and they are also willing and are available for hire as well. If you need of their services, I will be willing to speak with them in your behalf."