843 – Son-in-law is a thousand-year benefactor – 7

The number of people attending the banquet was visibly increasing.

On the first day, quite a few guests wandered around the banquet hall, but as the day went by, twice that number of guests showed up at the banquet hall.

‘The effect is certain.’

And I looked at the three people who were suspected to be the cause of the increase in guests.

The leader of the western part of the empire, Wise Duke; the leader of the central part of the empire, Tricky, the great magician; and Mar, the younger sister of the leader of the eastern part of the empire and the treasure of Valenti. As the news spread that these three had appeared at the banquet hall, the number of nobles participating in the middle also increased exponentially.

This is an expected situation. Even if we assume that the wise Duke is a member of a prestigious family in the western part of the empire and that he naturally attended, Trixie, who has very little outside activity, showed up at another family’s banquet. Even the younger sister of the newly enthroned Duke showed up. This is a lineup that makes the nobles drool.

‘The reason for the banquet is also perfect.’

It was a banquet to celebrate the 90th birthday of the great lady, and for no other reason? The longevity of the elders was something that could be celebrated purely, regardless of age, gender, place of residence, or rank. Thanks to this, the nobles were able to attend the banquet naturally without worrying about what others thought.

“The wisdom and character of the Grand Lady are beautiful ideals that the nobility of the Empire should emulate. When I was young and had not yet played a role as an individual, I learned the spirit of the nobility by hearing the great name and achievements of the Grand Lady. I am truly happy that my hero is still going strong.”

And since the nobles, with very few exceptions, were people who had basic common sense and manners, they did not forget to give enthusiastic words of encouragement to the grandmother, the hostess of the banquet.

Even if you came because of Hyeonmyeonggong, Tricky, and Mar, ignoring a 90-year-old elder is an uneducated act. If a noble commits such an atrocity, he or she will be immediately ostracized from society.

“What’s a hero? He’s just an old man who’s pushed around by the young and stays in the corner. But it’s still nice to hear.”

My grandmother showed off her presence by greeting each and every one of the nobles. Even though the three dukes were involved in this banquet, she was the main character.

The word “veteran” naturally comes to mind, but I am a little worried. It is hard for even young people to deal with customers who keep coming in like crazy, and my grandmother is quite old. I can’t help but worry that she might collapse due to physical problems.

“I can’t stop saying hello.”

I let out a sigh mixed with my complicated feelings.

If the greetings that were normally continued suddenly stop, those who greeted each other will be divided into those who did not. Although everyone came to congratulate their grandmother on her longevity, the hierarchy will be divided without them knowing it. The nobles are sensitive to even such trivial things.

Moreover, it is embarrassing to show that you are lacking in physical strength at a birthday party. It is common sense that a 90-year-old person would naturally lack in physical strength, but if you stop greeting people for no reason, they will start saying things like, “It seems that the lady is also very tired.” Then, it will be no problem for rumors of your grandmother’s imminent death to start circulating.

“knife.”

“huh?”

While I was thinking while rubbing my chin, Tricky came up to me and tapped me on the shoulder.

“I can’t bite people, so I’d like to cast a small spell on you, Madam. Is that okay?”

‘ah.’

Tricky’s words made my eyes light up. It was like finding light in the fog.

That’s right. I can also strengthen my stamina with magic, and I have the best magician on the continent right next to me. Why were you worried about things like your grandmother’s stamina?

Of course, the Masalo family is one of the most prestigious families in the empire, and they probably have countless magicians under their command. They may have already applied various magics to your grandmother.

‘Magic is a blessing in disguise.’

But isn’t one Tricky more powerful than all the magicians in the Masalo family combined? If your grandmother has any strengthening magic, you can just use more and stronger strengthening magic.

If you lack stamina even with magic, you might be lacking magic. You should have that suspicion.

“I’d like to ask you a favor. But I’m afraid Your Majesty might feel burdened, so could you do it secretly?”

“Don’t worry. It’s that simple.”

Despite the additional demands, Tricky nodded willingly.

Then he turned his gaze towards his grandmother, who was still greeting the nobles, and lightly snapped his fingers.

“Okay.”

“uh?”

A foolish voice came out without me knowing.

It was a very slight movement. It was so slight that it would not be noticeable unless someone was right next to it. It was so slight that it seemed like the wind was blowing.

However, it is said that the magic was activated just by that movement. If it had been someone other than Tricky who had said that, she would have scolded her for talking nonsense.

‘and.’

When I looked at my grandmother with a bewildered heart, I saw that her complexion had actually become brighter than before. I also felt that her movements had become lighter.

Amazing. It’s so fast that it takes less than a second from activation to effect. Is this the power of the great wizard?

“I think you noticed.”

“I know.”

However, no matter how secretly the magic was cast, the person involved could not be unaware of it. Although Tricky had used the strengthening magic without any indication, Grandmother, whose condition suddenly improved, looked at me and Tricky.

After a while, Grandmother lowered her head so that she could see it only after looking closely. There was no evidence of Tricky’s magic, but the suspicion was overwhelming. She expressed her gratitude for the consideration of the Duke and the elder─

“The title of Duke is inconvenient at times like this. The Grand Lady is someone who deserves to be respected, but she bows to me. You can comfortably treat me like a subordinate.”

I lowered my eyes involuntarily at those words. Even I, as Tricky’s husband, couldn’t bear to agree with those words.

What nobleman in this world would think of a duke as his subordinate? And that too, someone who was 30 years older than him.

‘That’s not an association, is it?’

I bit my lip in panic at the blasphemous thoughts that were eating away at my head.

Although Trixie is over 120 years old in elven years, she is in her early twenties in human years. She is about 60 years younger than my grandmother, but I think she is 30 years older. What kind of rude thought is that?

Let’s reflect. Trixie’s age is 20% of the elf’s age. This is a truth of the world that Enen, Eternal Blue Sky, and Constantina would acknowledge.

It’s already the last day of the banquet.

“I don’t know what my birthday next year will be like, but I don’t think I’ll ever have a birthday more enjoyable than this year.”

Taking advantage of the lull in the greetings from the guests, my grandmother calmly opened her mouth at a gathering of family members.

“You’re being too hasty. I’m planning to prepare for my 100th birthday on a grander scale than this year.”

The father-in-law smiled and answered his grandmother’s words.

It’s a 100th birthday celebration banquet. If a 90th birthday banquet is like this, how splendid and grand would a 100th birthday banquet be?

‘Should I ask the Emperor to lend me the palace?’

The palace is a place where there is plenty of space, except for New Year’s ceremonies. Besides, wouldn’t it be right for the empire to come out and celebrate the 100th birthday of the Marquis? In a way, he is a living witness to the empire’s history. He is a witness who has been with the empire for about 30% of its 300-year history.

“It’s not just a matter of being grand or not. This is the first time I’ve seen such a strong family, so how can I surpass this year’s joy?”

After saying that, the grandmother stood up, took each of the women’s hands, and bowed her head.

“Thank you. For being a good family to our Eri.”

“Madam, don’t say that. It’s not that we became a good family for Sister Eri, it’s that Sister Eri came to us.”

“How can you speak so beautifully?”

When Marga shook her head in response, her grandmother let out a small laugh.

“But you’re my granddaughter, so I should know better than you. If it weren’t for you, Eri would still be my sore thumb. I can guarantee it.”

“Grandma, I don’t have to guarantee that…”

Eri, who was suddenly dissed, pouted and grumbled.

In the meantime, it seems that Eri’s last conscience is not denying it. Even if she thinks about it, she has caused a lot of worry to her family.

“Will I be able to find a suitable partner before I die? Will Eri, who will be left alone, be able to live well when we leave this world one by one? I worry about this several times a day.”

“Madam…”

“So, to you who relieved this old man of his resentment. I will never forget the day when my granddaughter, who had been a sore finger, brought home her cute great-grandson.”

Before I knew it, the atmosphere had become somber. It should have been a warm and touching atmosphere, but the emotions my grandmother expressed were so intense that it was difficult to feel moved.

It would have been touching if Eri’s finger had been a little less sore. But it was too sore.

“But after living with resentment for over 10 years, is it okay to be greedy?”

“Of course. Feel free to speak your mind.”

I nodded readily toward my grandmother, who turned her gaze toward me.

If you’re a grandmother, you have every right to be greedy. No matter what you ask for, she’s ready to give it to you.

“Only God knows how many years this old man will live, but I hope to see you every year on my birthday.”

“That’s difficult. You have to come on other days, not just your birthday.”

“It seems that young people are more greedy.”

At those words, the solemn atmosphere began to revive.

It’s fortunate that the banquet ended with laughter.

The emperor smiled and ruined the opportunity to finish.

“His Majesty the Emperor would like to extend his heartfelt congratulations on the 90th birthday of Victoria Massallo, the pillar of the Massallo family and a senior member of the Empire. He said that this is not just Massallo’s joy, but the Empire’s blessing.”

The emperor’s envoy came on the last day of the banquet. The envoy bowed his head respectfully and delivered the emperor’s congratulatory message to the grandmother.

“The Imperial Court will pay tribute to a hero who has experienced both the light and darkness of the Empire, its glory and its cries. This scepter is His Majesty’s gift to Victoria Massallo.”

Then he offered the scepter he was holding with both hands.

A scepter that shines brilliantly in gold. It contrasts with my grandmother’s white hair, but it is a beautiful and magnificent scepter because of that.

‘That crazy guy…’

For a moment, my eyes became dizzy.

Even if it is the 90th birthday of a national elder, where would one give a scepter as a gift?

‘The Mad Emperor…’

I still can’t figure out what’s going on in this kid’s mind.