Berserk: The Prophet

Chapter 304 Best Player of the Match: 13 Kings

“Your Excellency, I raise a toast to you in gratitude for your generosity.” Green smiled at the old baron and gracefully sipped his wine.

The old lord nodded in satisfaction, his favorability toward Green increased by 5 points. Hearing the system notification, Green was fully aware of his thoughts.

The baron seemed very interested in the affairs of the Grant War Zone, and it is said that he had traveled to other coastal areas of Juda in his early years, recounting the prosperity of Juda's large port cities.

Although Green was not born into a noble family, he learned a lot about the affectations of nobles in etiquette classes in Pens, and he could easily put on an act.

...He still remembered being hit on the finger with a wooden ruler by the etiquette instructor for drinking improperly. Ah, as for those complicated dance elements, it was Fertenna who practiced with him.

My rough palms and calluses have become more moisturized and less rough thanks to the care of essential oils and honey.

...A perfectly healthy boy being pampered like he's going to be a male model, is this what aristocracy is all about?

The first lesson as a squire is to be humble towards elders, respect women, and maintain gentlemanly manners. To be honest, Green didn't really like these occasions; they felt like performing in a play.

Greene and the old baron got along very well. (I think so)

“Your Excellency, I brought some local specialties from my hometown with me on this trip.” Green gestured for his knight to present a sandalwood gift box, the gilded clasp reflecting a soft glow in the candlelight.

He personally opened the box, and the unique, rich aroma of rose wine immediately filled the air.

Green held a clear stemmed glass, letting his attendants pour wine until it was about a third full. The pale pink liquid swirled gently in the clear glass, like a frozen sunset.

"This is a secret brew I brought from my hometown. It is said that the flowers are picked in the early morning when they are in full bloom and then mixed with three different kinds of morning dew."

Green handed his wine glass to the host of the banquet, speaking calmly on the surface, but in reality, he was putting on airs for the first time in his life, and was inwardly panicking. The whole thing he said was just a bunch of nonsense made up based on his experience reading novels in his previous life.

After all, when you're out in the world, your reputation depends entirely on yourself.

The old baron's eyes lit up instantly, and his wrinkled hands trembled slightly as he took the wine glass: "Such an exquisite container... I have never seen such a transparent material before!"

The surrounding nobles also gathered around, whispering and exclaiming in amazement. The aloof noble who had previously made things difficult for Green suddenly sneered: "Since you come from the war zone, why don't you show some more practical spoils of war? Such as swords, instead of these flashy but impractical things."

Green calmly swirled the clear stemmed glass, the rosy liquid leaving winding streaks on the glass: "A true warrior knows when to draw his sword and when to raise his glass."

His gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on the Baron. "I've heard that you traveled extensively in your early years, so you must understand that the value of some treasures lies not in their ability to kill enemies, but in their ability to soothe weary souls."

[Old Baron Hilt's favorability +20, currently at 25 points]

Hearing the system notification, Green smiled, it seemed he had made the right choice.

A brief silence fell over the banquet hall, broken only by the crackling of the wood in the fireplace. The old baron tilted his head back and drained his glass of wine, then suddenly burst into laughter: "Well said! Come, let's drink until we drop tonight!"

As he raised his glass, the tense atmosphere instantly dissipated, and the nobles returned to their seats. With a fragrant roasted wild boar being served, the banquet officially began, and the sounds of clinking glasses filled the air.

At the banquet, Green's near-perfect disguise and the eloquence typical of nobles silenced the noble knights who had doubted his identity; in comparison, they seemed rather vulgar.

Laughter and cheerful conversation filled the banquet hall. Green sat dignifiedly in his seat, skillfully using the silver forks and knives. He appeared relaxed and cheerful, but inwardly he dared not relax for a moment.

Damn it, he never wanted to pretend to be an aristocrat again; it was such a hassle. He was clearly starving, but he had to eat bite by bite to appear well-mannered. He couldn't eat too much of the same food, otherwise he'd be considered guilty of "gluttony" and have to buy indulgences at church. So troublesome.

Sweetie, have you ever seen anyone eat baked apples and cherries? They're awful.

Of course, Green could only complain like that in his heart; on the surface, he looked incredibly well-behaved. He hadn't cut his hair since returning to the fishing village, and had grown it long, but it was well-groomed.

Since he was born from a corpse, Green didn't know who he took after. His stiff black hair was straight even when it grew long, and when tied up, it looked like a mullet samurai's hairstyle, but it made him look more like a nobleman.

The banquet was drawing to a close, and Green could feel one or two pairs of eyes scrutinizing him. Looking up, he saw a little girl, about his age, standing next to a noblewoman who seemed to be part of the lord's family, looking him over.

Green gave the little girl a polite smile, but the little girl blushed and lowered her head shyly.

...Um. This was an unexpected turn of events, perhaps because he rarely participated in these kinds of activities at Barkley and had become accustomed to avoiding contact with women.

At this moment, the young man who had been sitting silently beside the baron saw this scene and immediately spoke up, his breath slightly tinged with alcohol: "Your Excellency is so eloquent at such a young age, and you even bring your retainers out to make your way in the world. I wonder how your swordsmanship is progressing?"

The young man's eyes were defiant, and judging from his attire, he was a novice knight's squire.

Green raised an eyebrow. After all, this was the young baron's territory. Was this a banquet hall or a fighting arena?

He was afraid of getting his dress dirty; it was a gift from Fethanas, worth several thousand dinars.

"If we have the chance, I think we should have a contest on the battlefield to see who is braver," Green said slowly, with a tone that was three parts provocation and seven parts laziness.

Green's fingertips gently caressed the silver fork. His experience in the game in his previous life told him that provocation in this situation was never a simple contest—winning would make him feared, losing would make him ridiculed. Only by keeping the topic between the blade and the wine glass could he maintain his dignity and leave room for maneuver.

If the other party insists on pestering you, it shows a lack of manners.

"Ha, no wonder the Juda Empire suffered heavy losses in the Grant war zone; it turns out there are too many cowards like you!"

"Hmph, so rude and uncouth. You should really learn a thing or two from your lord about what good manners are."

Green argued his case logically, then scoffed dismissively, remaining calm as he gently swirled his wine glass, the pale pink liquid rippling within.

"...You!! I have no right to lecture me!" The young man's eyes flashed with anger, but he was rendered speechless by the retort. [Favorability -10, Total -25 points]

Through the system's analysis, Green saw through the emotions in the young man's eyes: anger, resentment, and the jealousy he knew all too well.

Two or three years ago, a blond boy looked at me with the same eyes. Oh, I forgot his name, but I think he was the kid I accidentally killed.

Green lowered his eyes and nodded, letting out a helpless sigh. What a stupid and boring person. It seems that he won't be able to calm down unless he suffers a little.

Immediately afterward, Green raised his eyes, his sharp gaze fixed on the young man: "Your words are so unforgiving, quite unlike the image of a warrior on the battlefield. How can you and I, in this banquet hall, possibly judge the situation of the Juda Empire in the war zone with mere idle talk?" [Persuasion Skill +1, currently +5]