Just as the news of Baron Edelman Brippes' departure was spread through the streets by the professional "proclamators" in feathered hats, a high-level celebratory banquet was being held in the newly decorated banquet hall of the Lord's Palace.

Merlin Avery had imagined how lavish and dreamlike it would be for the Archon of the city-state to hold a banquet, but when he actually arrived, he realized that it was a very boring experience.

There are richly dressed and noble guests, there are rare and extravagant dishes with striking aromas, and there are solemn and solemn scenes, but when added up, they become unusually rigid and programmed banquet agendas. There wasn't even a hint of sincerity, only a cliché of official clichés clashing in mid-air, which made Avery feel like he wanted to doze off.

Looking at it with a squint, it seems that the face of His Excellency Deben Basten is not very good-looking.

The feast, called a celebration of the promotion of two pharmacists to the rank of Grandmaster, was in fact a redivision of the power system of the city-state of Coventry. The Apothecary's Guild rose to prominence, surpassing the Adventurers' Guild and the Chamber of Commerce to become the second largest force in Coventry. What's more, with the powerful auxiliary abilities of the two grandmaster-level apothecaries, coupled with the strength of the Adventurer's Guild and the Chamber of Commerce Consortium, the combination of several parties is just right to wrestle with the Thorn Flower Family.

This is a situation that has never occurred in the city-state of Coventry for nearly three decades.

The Thornflower family is the most important reason why the Coventry city-state has always maintained a semi-independent status, fully controlling all aspects of the city-state of Coventry, suppressing all forces internally, and stubbornly resisting the attack of the desert barbarians externally. Now the absolute superiority of the Thorn Flower family no longer exists, although the relationship between the several major forces is not harmonious, but at least there is the possibility of alliance and confrontation.

How should the Thornflower family deal with this situation? Merlin Avery secretly speculated in his heart, and it seemed reasonable to be more hardened or to soften his body. Everyone in this banquet hall had more or less the same idea, and the buzzing and thoughtful eye contact did not stop for a moment.

With a majestic and powerful horn sound, Baron Edelman, dressed in a gorgeous suit, slowly walked down the stairs and appeared in front of everyone, holding the beautiful and moving Lady Veronica. The Dallas butler followed them two feet behind, and as soon as his steps stopped, he puffed out his chest and announced in a loud voice.

"His Excellency Baron Edelman Bripes, Governor of the Western Frontier of the Empire, Archon of the City-State of Coventry, and Patriarch of the Thornflower Family, and his wife, Baroness Veronica Boston, came to the banquet hall. ”

Thunderous applause rang out, and everyone bowed their heads, bowed, saluted, and some even knelt down on one knee to express their allegiance. No matter what their intentions were, no one dared to show even the slightest disrespect in front of the Thornflower family, who had controlled the city-state of Coventry for decades.

Only the two Grandmaster-level Apothecaries of honorable status did not have to bow their heads, because according to the laws of the Empire, Grandmaster-level alchemists were equal to the status of city-state consuls. They stood up straight, raised their left hand, and patted themselves on the right shoulder, which was equal etiquette. However, Avery followed the two of them and saluted, and his movements were the same, attracting countless attentions.

"What are you kidding...... "a fat merchant in extraordinarily flamboyant clothes whispered to his companion, "why doesn't that imp bow, is he equal to His Excellency Baron Edelman?"

His companion was a thin man, also dressed in gorgeous clothes, and shook his palm with several gemstone rings, "Look at where he stands, do you see? Behind him, that's Mentor Cassin, and Master Robben and Master Lilgaoko, why are so many famous pharmacists standing behind a hairy boy? Even if he is a personal disciple of one of the two grandmasters, he can't enjoy such a revered status, right?"

The fat merchant looked at it again and again, still shaking his head, "Yes, I don't understand ......" Before the words fell, his head was slapped on the head by his companion, "Brother Warenko, I think you should go back to the city-state of Côte d'Ivoire, the people over there have stiff brains, and it is more suitable for you to live a mess." ”

The thin man was a little angry, and his speech sped up a little, "Can't you see that those pharmacists don't have offended expressions on their faces? Can't you see that even the baroness are smiling? You can't guess that the little imp in your mouth is the mysterious apothecary we plan to meet privately after the banquet, the Iron Master!"

Similar chatters rang out from all corners of the banquet hall, and Avery noticed that the gaze on him was not diminishing, but rather a burning sensation, but he knew very well that these eyes were not so much looking at himself, but through himself, looking at the grandmaster-level pharmacist who was hiding behind the scenes.

President Heldland and Baron Edelman exchanged two pleasantries, and Avery didn't hear anything about what he was talking about, but the greetings were not important in the first place, and most of the polite words said at the banquet were meaningless, and the real exchange of interests and power games always took place in relatively private occasions.

There seemed to be a commotion behind him, which was unusual, as the Baroness had already appeared, which meant that the celebratory feast had officially begun, and the gates of the City Lord's Mansion had been closed. Late guests should consciously stop in front of the door, no matter what the reason, trespassing on the venue is a great disrespect to the host.

Even if it is another noble, powerful nobleman, doing so will most likely win a duel white glove for himself.

A hint of anger flashed across Baron Edelman's face, perhaps a disguise, but it was also a natural expression of emotion as a master. "Dallas," he said, turning his head and instructing the butler standing behind him, "see what's going on outside, and if necessary, I allow you to mobilize the Thornflower family's personal guard......"

With a muffled sound, the carved wooden door of the banquet hall was slammed open, and two knights of the guard wearing ceremonial armor flew in, spanning a distance of more than ten meters, crashing into the long table full of exquisite food in a burst of screams, and many cups, plates, saucers and bowls rolled to the ground. A tall woman in pitch-black armor and a helmet with eagle wings then strode in, her long burgundy hair fluttering behind her like a blood-stained banner.

"Which one is the Iron Master?"

The woman's voice was a little low and hoarse, but it was seductive, in stark contrast to her tough moves.

Avery frowned slightly, his shoulders moved, and then Deben Basten pulled his sleeve. "Let Your Excellency the Baron take care of it. The old apothecary whispered, "This stupid woman is provoking the dignity of the Thornflower family, and nothing good will come of it." ”

Baron Edelman really frowned, his face was full of anger, and he suppressed his anger and said, "Dallas, this ...... Is Miss Reckless on our list of invites?"

"No, Your Excellency, thirty-five invitations have been sent, and all the guests have arrived. The Dallas butler replied calmly.

"In that case, guard, what are you waiting for?" Baron Edelman raised his voice, "and you won't invite this uninvited lady out of the room?"