episode_0173

[173rd Episode] Banquet

The road leading up to the palace was packed with a sea of people, as dark as night.

“Wowww…!”

“Uh… Ugh…”

It felt like I had become a celebrity.

I wished there was a mouse hole nearby where I could hide and catch my breath.

“Madam…! Please shake my hand one more time…!”

“Smile at me once…!”

“Madam…!”

“Madammm…! This way! Look over here too…!”

“…Haha, hello everyone…! Hahaha…!”

But where could I possibly find a place to breathe here…

Riding in this carriage with all sides wide open.

Even if it felt awkward, I tried my best to smile as requested, turning my head this way and that, shaking hands continuously.

At first, I thought about just staying still since I’m not anyone special and it felt unnecessary to act like some high and mighty madam and campaign around… But I just couldn’t do that.

Even though it’s hard to believe, all those people gathered here just to see us,

Enduring the crowded space where we bump into each other, they came all this way to see my face, and if I were to stiffen up and walk forward with a boring expression, it would be quite disappointing.

Moreover, Sarri, who was naturally shy, and even the subtly reserved Hyangdan, who usually only opens up to close friends, were both stiffening up and turning pale, so I felt like I shouldn’t act childishly here.

I’m not sure if I can express it this way, but fan service? If I don’t do it properly, Heesun might get criticized for no reason.

However, I was a bit worried.

Shaking hands or smiling is a bit uncomfortable, but it’s not something I can’t handle…

“Madam…! Over here…! Ahh…! Don’t push me…!”

“Madammmm…! Hehe, you made eye contact with me…! Oh… I feel dizzy…”

“Oops…! Hey hey hey…! Get a grip! You can’t faint! And madam made eye contact with me, not you…!”

“….”

Someone fainted after making brief eye contact,

People falling like dominoes as they push and get pushed, collapsing one after another.

“Oh… It looks dangerous!”

That seemed very risky.

Especially since it was dark and dimly lit, which made me even more concerned.

Despite the torches lighting the path like a bustling night market, it still felt like broad daylight.

I felt like some action needed to be taken, so I approached one of the soldiers driving the carriage.

“Um… Soldier?”

“Yes, Madam! Please tell me what you need.”

“What? Where should I start…?”

“Those people are falling over there. Uh…! There…! Look at them right now! They’re bumping into each other and falling down…! Uh…! What if someone gets hurt? Are you not concerned about that?”

“Oh…! Haha! Don’t worry, Madam! That’s nothing serious.”

“….?”

People were collapsing right in front of us, yet the soldier didn’t seem to think it was a big deal. Why?

His relaxed smile and focus on driving the carriage as if nothing serious was happening left me feeling perplexed.

Could it be because of the caste system? In a society where the nobles don’t care whether the commoners get hurt or not.

Wow… The heavenly realm is a scary place, isn’t it?

I thought they had a flexible caste system based on virtue, but…

“Huh? Oh! No way? M-Madam! That’s absolutely not the case…! Haha… I almost made you disappointed by misunderstanding your intentions, didn’t I? I forgot that you look like a celestial being, Madam.”

“Hiigo…. This is quite… Originally, this was all to give a good impression to the Lord in Heaven, but because of me, it almost went awry, didn’t it? I’m sorry. Lord.”

“Ah… It was a misunderstanding..? And also… Are those people really okay?”

“Yes, that’s right! Actually, we should have controlled such behavior from the beginning so as not to make you uncomfortable, but unfortunately, we…”

If we summarize the soldier’s lengthy explanation, it was like this:

Normally, there are soldiers in control to prevent such risky situations from happening in the first place, but this time, due to more people rushing in than anticipated, it became difficult to control with the prepared manpower.

With a large crowd gathering, it would have been appropriate to deploy more soldiers, but…

Given the already high population density in the limited space, it was challenging to send out a large-scale force separately for deployment, so a small number of personnel had to divide and manage the area.

Moreover, since even the people of Heaven can handle a certain level of divine power, there shouldn’t be any harm, right?

They know they won’t get hurt, so they are using their bodies more recklessly like that…

“Ah… In that case, I can rest assured.”

“Haha, really? Phew…”

As I nodded in understanding of the soldier’s words, he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, thinking I had fully comprehended.

“Yikes..! Sir! Don’t push! You’ve fallen over…!”

“There… Will you keep showing such behavior in front of the Lord? Let’s be careful with each other!”

“Oh my…! I apologize, soldier.”

“….”

It seems they weren’t completely out of control.

Although it was still chaotic outside, with incidents happening here and there, I wasn’t as worried as before.

“For the meal, the Lord has arrived! Please open the gates quickly!”

Clang..! Creak…!

At the shout of the soldier who was driving the carriage, the massive outer gate of the palace began to slowly open.

Thud….

With a heavy sound, the gate opened completely.

Jiiing…! Kwaahhh…!

“Lord of the Unknown! You may enter…!”

“…!!!”

Oh my goodness…!

Suddenly, after a bell rang loudly once, a huge voice, reminiscent of a boiling cauldron, announced my arrival inside the palace.

Ding jing jiiing 🎶 Tadadann..! 🎵🎶

Simultaneously, grand court music began to play, spreading magnificently throughout the surroundings.

It seemed like everyone had been waiting for our arrival.

“Lord, please disembark now and follow the guides of the attendants to join the banquet.”

“Oh… A banquet? Yes..! Oh.! Soldier..! Thank you for bringing me this far.”

“Oh my…! What! What are you saying… It’s something that must be done anyway…! You just need to relax and enjoy the banquet from now on.”

“Oh.. Yes.. Then I’ll go. Hyangdan..! Sariya..! We need to get up now…! Let’s go quickly.”

“Okay… Master.. But I… I feel nervous.”

“Uh.. Me too. Kim Servant… Am I the only one feeling this way? Besides, I’m a goblin… Is it okay to be invited to the attendants’ banquet as well? I’d rather disguise myself now…”

“No, no need for disguises… It’s fine! Just follow behind me. I’ll figure something out.”

Trying to reassure the youngsters with a calm voice, I tried to put them at ease, but…

In reality, my heart was pounding and I was trembling just like them.

Even though they reassured us to relax and enjoy, knowing at least something beforehand would have been helpful…

Phew… But I was the leader.

I will endure it somehow with a sense of responsibility…!

Perhaps the reason we came to the palace was for the banquet, but is it really a gain if we found out that fact?

If we have to attend the banquet, I can understand what the court lady and the soldiers said about just enjoying it.

However, it doesn’t exactly put my mind at ease…

I don’t even know what this banquet is for, and now that we’ve arrived at the palace knowing the whole story won’t make a difference.

“We’re here. Please alight, milady.”

“…Yes!”

As soon as we got off the carriage, the attendant who had been following us on horseback since Doheedang dismounted and stood in front of us.

Without realizing it, I had already slipped inside my coat, leaving only my face peeking out, gently stroking Yomi’s small head sticking out, calming my trembling heart, and slowly followed behind the attendant.

Night fell, and darkness enveloped the surroundings,

The brightly colored lanterns hanging all around the banquet hall shone like stars, illuminating the hall brightly.

The banquet hall exuded grandeur and splendor as much as Daejeon.

If anything, it seemed even more magnificent because it was a place specifically for banquets.

One thing was certain; it was a space much larger than Daejeon, incomparable in size.

It was inevitable since the banquet hall existed within the palace and had an oriental, open feel, almost like an outdoor space upon closer inspection.

Well, to accommodate all those attendants comfortably, such grand size seemed necessary.

Moreover, with the numerous attendants,

And the large tables set individually in front of each attendant,

The various colors displayed on those tables with vibrant foods…

Even the court ladies, dressed in shimmering green silk hanboks, standing elegantly and orderly…

All of it appeared as splendid decorations adorning this banquet…

Although I, coming from a humble background as a hunter, had never participated in a feast other than when marrying Heeseon, even to me, this banquet felt incredibly grand.

The issue is…

“Milady, receive the wine poured by the king!”

“…Yes, Your Highness.”

Oh my… Soldier?

You said to just enjoy ourselves leisurely…

What kind of banquet starts with the queen receiving wine from the king?

I’m not even the protagonist of this banquet…

And teaching me how to receive wine right before entering the banquet hall is like being told how to cross a snake-infested pit…!