Knights and Magic Wand
Chapter 522 - 522 248 Wedding Banquet Discussion_2

522: Chapter 248 Wedding Banquet Discussion_2 522: Chapter 248 Wedding Banquet Discussion_2 Elena, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but feel heartache.

She gently embraced the fragile yet resilient girl.

“This isn’t your fault.

No one could have controlled the misfortunes we faced back then.

But Lokhak doesn’t care; he knows everything and is willing to accept you, soothe your pain, and bring you happiness.”

She tenderly cupped the girl’s cheek.

Watching her hesitation begin to waver, Elena continued encouraging her, “Summon the courage you had when you chastised that ‘demon’ to protect me.

Or do you prefer to let this opportunity slip by?”

The girl was wordless, caught in an inner struggle, until, at last, a surge of intense yearning welled up.

“Thank you, Elena,” she said softly.

Sally snuggled into her dear friend’s embrace.

Stroking the girl’s head, Elena smiled and said, “Go now, Lokhak will definitely bring you happiness.”

…The girl nodded, smoothed her hair and dress, steadied her composure, and turned around with renewed courage to walk toward the tall figure.

Lokhak, flustered and awkward, noticed the girl calling his name from behind the crowd.

He was instantly overwhelmed with relief, and her invitation to dance filled him with delighted surprise.

Hastily apologizing with repeated bows to the women surrounding him, Lokhak carefully squeezed through the crowd and took the hand of the girl he admired, his honest and robust face breaking into a radiant grin.

He had spent much time rehearsing for tonight’s ball, stepping on his older sister’s shoes countless times in the process.

As Lokhak escaped the encircling “wolves,”

Leon finally managed to fend off the crowds seeking his acquaintance and seized the opportunity to converse with Eriv and his wife.

“The wedding you organized for Azeryan was flawless, rivaling the celebration I held for Fedor in Farolis City back then.

I was worried you all couldn’t handle such a grand event and even considered sending people to assist.

But it seems, as Eriv remarked, I underestimated you,” Lady Adelina said with a smile.

“The credit goes to the many capable people by my side—my head housekeeper and advisory team are exceptionally skilled,” Leon explained with a gentle smile.

Eriv raised his wine glass and shook his head at his wife.

“You worry unnecessarily.

These young ones somehow attract such talent to their sides, capable of managing armies and territories efficiently.

Compared to that, organizing a wedding banquet is hardly a challenge.”

As he spoke, he turned to look at Leon, his gaze flicking between the young man and the girl beside him.

“Since you and Olivia have already established your marital bond, when do you plan to hold your wedding ceremony?”

“Once we’ve dealt with the disaster spreading from the East,” Leon replied seriously.

His purpose for coming was to discuss this imminent and critical matter with the Sealing Lord.

Hearing this, Eriv’s expression also turned solemn.

The people of the Earldom might believe the war was finally over, but the Thorny Flower Family’s upper echelons understood that the truly deadly war had just begun.

“…The situation in Kantadar’s Sobonitz Domain is dire.

Baron Shatai, named Yevan, and Count Runav of Baldim have sent letters pleading for aid, promising vast sums in exchange for reinforcements.

Their circumstances are precarious,” Eriv said, taking a sip of wine before lowering his voice to share the intelligence the family had recently gathered with Leon:

“Many nobles from the Sobonitz Domain have united to form an alliance against the undead assaults.

Their current forces number less than ten thousand, while the undead ravaging Baldim County… according to their reports, exceed a hundred thousand.”

Hearing the Thorny Flower Earl’s words, Leon’s peripheral vision swept over the joyful atmosphere of the banquet around him.

A heavy weight settled in his heart—how much longer could this scene of gaiety last?

“…Further south, my people couldn’t gather any information, but to the northeast, at the border between Mamor County and Deyatuk County, undead sightings have already been reported.

Outside Marquis Deyatuk’s Dragon Claw Fortress, there are horrifying rumors.

If the speculations are correct, the calamity has already extended to the eastern part of the Voslaylia Territory where we are,” Eriv reflected.

Deyatuk County… Leon recalled that the area marked on the map lay in the southern part of the Klonia Kingdom.

It was also where he had passed during his escape, near the easternmost end of the Garak Mountains, representing one of the Kingdom’s most critical gates in Southern Orland.

The family guarding that borderland appeared to be branches of the Drakemar Royal Family.

Leon mentally noted the information and then informed Eriv of the powerful item in his possession that could aid the army in their fight against the undead.

Eriv frowned slightly when he heard mention of the Guardian Spirit Holy Lamp.

“…I’ll take the schematics of your treasured item for now, but to be honest, I haven’t yet found a mage adviser within the family who can use them.

Even with your schematics, I can’t construct that magical artifact.

Right now, the Farolis Family has only you and that young prince from the Eastern Continent who qualify as spellcasters,” Eriv said helplessly.

The Thorny Flower Family was in the midst of its revival.

Though Eriv had spared no expense recently in recruiting spellcasters, all he’d attracted were charlatans displaying parlor tricks, hoping to swindle money from Archers.

Genuine spellcasters were nowhere to be found within the short timeframe.

Initially, he had thought to reach out to the Northern Fortress to hire people from the Warlock Society or even recruit some apprentices on apprentice travels.

However, after the debacles with Adelina and Canis, Eriv was wary of those Northern Wizards.

Left with no alternatives, he asked, “Didn’t you agree to that Old Dragon’s Court Mage appointment?

Do you currently have any spare spellcaster apprentices under your command?”

“If you require assistance, both Kovis and I can lend a hand.

However, within Avalon right now, there is only one child just beginning to study magic.

He is far from being able to undertake great responsibilities,” Leon replied honestly.

“It seems, for the time being, we can only rely on the two of you.” Faced with an acute shortage of such precious talent, Eriv was at a loss.

But a thought suddenly struck him, and he asked, “…So you’re able to identify those in the crowd who have the potential to learn magic?”

“I’ve created a magical item, similar to equipment used by Northern Wizards.

It can roughly detect individuals who possess the necessary talent,” Leon nodded, knowing there was no reason to hide his acceptance of the King’s Court Mage appointment from the Sealing Lord.

A smile spread across Eriv’s face.

“Then when you have time, why not visit Archers?

Or better yet… no, never mind… after I return, I’ll send my children and grandchildren to Avalon for you to evaluate whether they have the opportunity to study magic.

What say you?”

Though he knew the chances were slim, even the faint possibility of a family member becoming a “Court Mage” trainee from Avalon held immense promise.

Not just for the abilities a spellcaster themselves represented, but for the Thorny Flower Family’s future—it would bring them closer to the King and pave the way for integrating into the upper echelon of Orland’s political scene.

There was no doubt it would be a remarkable opportunity.

After all, taking a chance wouldn’t cost anything.

Leon, of course, had no reason to refuse the Sealing Lord’s request.

Besides, he needed to recruit apprentices anyway.

If, by chance, he discovered a talented disciple within the Thorny Flower Family, it would benefit him as well.

He nodded in agreement.