Chapter 444: 414 Family Banquet? A Trap!_2
He was the highest Magic Advisor at Spirler Academy, receiving a generous annual salary just for being on their roster.
He also served as a private tutor for many prestigious noble families, earning a lavish compensation for giving occasional lessons at their homes.
Moreover, he had developed various new spells, sold magic patents, authored books, established magical research labs, and engaged in numerous magic-related studies. The profits from these ventures were unimaginably high, making Nipede exceedingly wealthy.
Indeed, many wealthy nobles might not have been as rich as Nipede; if he were to offer all his wealth, even the royal family might be tempted.
With such wealth, he was certainly not short of money, at least not compared to Reiger. Paying for the accommodation and meals of two children was a breeze for him.
"How could I possibly accept this generosity?"
Fannie and Gel, of course, did not dare to accept such generosity and hastily declined.
"I’ll take care of their expenses," Reiger interjected, "It was my idea to invite them over, so it’s only right that I cover the costs."
As he spoke, Reiger switched the topic before Fannie and Gel had a chance to refuse.
"Master Jialan, you were invited by the Meipros family, right? Don’t you plan to stay with them?"
This question was met with a slight smile and bemusement from Nipede.
"Perhaps not," said Nipede, "The Meipros family is ultimately a military noble family responsible for guarding the border. Filled with military secrets, it’s perhaps better for someone like me, a free spirit, to not take up residence there."
Reiger nodded, understanding.
The group then alighted from the carriage and walked toward the gates of Peace Town.
However, as everyone had finished registering at the inn and was about to head to their rooms with their luggage, a person dressed like a butler walked in.
The man was old, possibly older than Nipede, who was in his sixties, but dressed impeccably and stood straight-backed, not showing the usual signs of age, exuding an impressive presence instead.
Upon entering Peace Town, the butler scanned the surroundings and soon fixed his gaze on Reiger and his companions.
The next second, he walked toward them, his steps firm and agile, quickly approaching Reiger and the others.
"Master Reiger Brillhaut, Master Nipede Jialan,"
The man greeted Reiger and Nipede with a bow.
Everyone immediately stopped in their tracks.
"You are...?"
Nipede asked with curiosity.
Reiger also looked at the elderly butler, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
Because the old butler turned out to be a master.
His muscles were firm, his vital energy full, and the vigor of his internal organs was exceptionally strong; he didn’t seem an old man, but rather a seasoned veteran of the battlefield.
Though not carrying any weapons, Reiger observed that the butler had concealed several specially-made short knives within his sleeves.
Hence, after scrutinizing the butler, Reiger was nearly certain.
"If this man is not a Sword Saint, he must be close to it, at the very least not inferior to the so-called first person below the Sword Saint of the Bolelei family."
Such a master appearing as they settled into the inn clearly was not just for the purpose of greeting.
"I am the butler of the Meipros family, my name is Nuo Bang."
The butler, revealing himself to be Nuo Bang, handed over two invitations to Reiger and Nipede, ignoring the slight change in expression from Liz, Antie, Fannie, and Gel.
"These are invitations from my master for the two gentlemen, please accept them."
Upon hearing this, Reiger narrowed his eyes, his face calm.
Nipede, on the other hand, became somewhat concerned.
"Your master is Marquis Revin Meipros, right?" Nipede inquired, "What is he planning?"
To Nipede, delivering an invitation seemed utterly unnecessary.
He was already invited by Revin to investigate the mysterious disappearance; there was no need to send a separate invitation.
For Reiger, it was even more redundant, considering he came uninvited and had already made an enemy of Marquis Meipros. Sending an invitation under these circumstances was blatantly indicating that there was something amiss.
Such unusual behavior made Nipede feel a touch of unease.
However, Nuo Bang did not answer Nipede’s question but spoke with due respect and solemnity.
"What the Marquis intends, I also do not fully understand."
"The master only told me to make sure that these two invitations are delivered into both of your hands."
"As for other matters, I am not aware."
Having said that, Nuo Bang bowed once again to Reiger and Nipede.
"Now that the invitations have been delivered, my mission is also complete, please allow me to take my leave."
Leaving behind these words, Nuo Bang left very suavely.
"Master..."
Liz immediately stepped forward, tugging at the hem of Reiger’s clothes, a look of worry on her face.
"Grandfather!"
Antie also seemed somewhat uneasy, pulling at Nipede’s robe, tucking her small head, appearing to want to look at the invitation in his hand.
Fannie and Gel stood still, feeling as if something big was about to happen, somewhat at a loss.
Even Nipede stared at the invitation in his hand, his expression fluctuating.
Only Reiger, in front of everyone present, directly opened the invitation and began to read the content inside.
The content inside was surprisingly simple and clear, informing Reiger that tonight the Meipros family would be holding a family banquet and that all the important members of the household would be present, hoping Reiger would also grace them with his presence.
"A family banquet?"
Reiger curled his lip with a smile.
This was probably not a family banquet, but a trap, wasn’t it?
Nipede obviously shared the same thought, his brow deeply furrowed.
"It seems, Lord Revin is indeed aware of young master Ophelit’s affair and intends to accuse you of wrongdoing, Lord Brilliant," Nipede said gravely, "Otherwise, knowing him as I do, he wouldn’t invite someone to their family banquet without cause."
Nipede and Revin were not close friends, but they were old acquaintances who had dealings with each other.
Therefore, Nipede was very clear about what kind of person the Border Guardian Sword Saint was.
"Lord Brilliant," Nipede said to Reiger, "you still have time to leave now, if you wish."
Clearly, Nipede had foreseen the outcome of this so-called family banquet and wanted to persuade Reiger to avoid an unnecessary conflict.
"Let me meet with Lord Revin first. I have an old relationship with him and he will certainly be willing to listen to my mediation," Nipede suggested.
But Reiger simply put away the invitation.
"What do you think would be a good gift to bring along?" Reiger asked indifferently, "Since they’ve invited me to their family banquet, it wouldn’t be right to go empty-handed, would it?"
"How about this, I’ll bring along the head of the eldest son from the Hadi family," he said.
"Tonight, I’ll take it with me to pay my respects to the Border Guardian Sword Saint, how does that sound?"
Despite his calm tone, Reiger’s words were filled with an ominous sense of brewing storm.
Liz, Antie, Fannie, Gel, and the others all shivered together.
"Please don’t do that!"
Nipede was startled and quickly spoke out to stop him, his face forcing a smile.
"I understand, I won’t try to stop you any longer, okay?"
He knew that Reiger was implicitly telling him not to make any more pointless admonitions.
The tense, first meeting between Reiger and Revin, the two Sword Saints of their time, was now inevitable.
Nipede watched the approaching dusk and imagined the situation that would unfold with nightfall, his heart filled with heavy concerns.
Hopefully, things would not turn out to be too disastrous.
Hopefully......