While others misunderstood it as a declaration of support for Raymond, the man himself understood it perfectly.
It wasn't a declaration of support; it was a declaration to become his disciple and teach him for a lifetime!
'Damn it, I didn't just get a supporter, I ended up with an obsessed stalker.'
Raymond sighed heavily.
Saving him seemed to have intensified the obsession by a hundredfold.
In addition to jealous nobles, there was Marquis Aris, who would sharpen his blade against him, and Duke Leif, the obsessed stalker!
Threats seemed to be everywhere.
He needed to be prepared.
Even messages came to mind.
[Before the banquet, a bonus quest has appeared!]
[Let Your Greatness Be Known Far and Wide!]
(Medicine Quest)
[Prerequisite: Middle Physician Rank
Difficulty: Easy
Quest Description: As a skilled healer on the battlefield, you have achieved numerous accomplishments! A bonus quest has been triggered due to your great achievements. At the banquet, imprint your greatness into as many people as possible.
Clear Condition: Impress people with your greatness.
Clear Bonus: Each time you impress someone with your greatness, receive a bonus level up.]
'What imprint of greatness!'
Raymond frowned at yet another ridiculous quest.
'Just ignore them all. I just want to receive the reward and go back. But I can't do that, right?'
In the end, Raymond pondered on a solution.
'First, let's purchase helpful skills. First, item purchase, temporary skill proficiency increase! Upgrading the 'Banquet Man of Taste' skill!"
'Banquet Man of Taste'!
A versatile skill for banquets.
It had an excessive charm bonus, but it was the most helpful social skill for dealing with people at banquets.
['Proficiency of the Banquet Man of Taste' has increased to Grade C! (Valid for 24 hours)]
[Skill points will be consumed: 25 points]
But unexpectedly, another message appeared.
[You are the protagonist of this banquet!]
[The 'Protagonist' bonus effect is applied, maximizing the effects of items!]
[Without additional points, 'Proficiency of the Banquet Man of Taste' has increased to Grade A!]
[You have mastered the social etiquette (language, etiquette, social dance, etc.) required for the banquet at the level of 'Royal'!]
'Oh, this is great!'
Once again, the untouchable elegance emanated from Raymond's body, just like in the previous banquet.
He didn't stop there; he opened the market again.
This time, he increased the proficiency of the invaluable skill 'Jerk Coping Mechanism' to Grade C, which had provided him with countless help.
'Duke Leif and Marquis Aris would probably fit into the category of 'Jerk Coping Mechanism' so increasing the proficiency of 'Jerk Coping Mechanism' will undoubtedly be helpful.'
[Purchased proficiency increase!]
[Proficiency of the skill 'Jerk Coping Mechanism' has permanently increased to Grade C!]
[This skill will cost you 100 skill points!]
[Jerk Coping Mechanism]
[Classification: Support Skill
Class: General
Skill Level: C
-You will be able to skillfully deal with jerks!
-When faced with a powerful opponent, you will be able to use the "Jerk Special Technique" depending on the situation.]
'Jerk special? What is this?'
Just as he was questioning the new effect, Hanson spoke.
"Master, it's time."
He looked at Raymond with respect and awe in his eyes.
"It's time for you to be the star."'
***
He was right.
Raymond was the star of this banquet.
"Baron Penin!"
The stares as he walked through the door proved it.
As he entered the ballroom, everyone stopped moving and turned to look at Raymond.
As if to mark the arrival of the most important person in the room, the band's music stopped.
Admiration, jealousy, envy, admiration, awe, disdain - countless emotions intertwined and flew toward Raymond.
Fortunately, Raymond was not intimidated by the stares.
The messages came to him.
[You are attending the banquet as a victorious military doctor!]
[Skill, 'Heart of Steel' manifests!]
His heart hardened, and his tension dissipated. In addition, the skill has been activated.
[Skill, "Doctor's Charisma" is unlocked!]
[The above skills work synergistically with 'Banquet Man of Taste'!]
The aura emanating from Raymond changed drastically.
The steadfastness of a heart of steel, the warm majesty of a doctor's charisma, and the dignity of a banquet man of taste were all mixed together.
The nobles swallowed hard at the sight of Raymond. They were astonished.
'A war hero.'
'You mean Baron Penin was like that?'
In truth, the nobles in the room were secretly hoping to bring Raymond down.
It was jealousy.
Raymond, the illegitimate son of the king, had accomplished a feat that even they could not, and had become a hero to the kingdom.
They tried to find a way to slander him, but he was as steadfast, dignified, and graceful as any nobleman.
How can you pick on someone like that?
It was like spitting on their own faces-a realization that left them ashamed.
Then Raymond got an unexpected message.
[People are admiring your fine form!]
[You get a quest reward! You get a bonus level up!]
'... is it really that easy to level up?'
Raymond coughed in disbelief.
It turned out to be a 'bonus quest,' a quest with a generous reward that easily granted him a level-up!
As the people stood ooh-ing and aah-ing at Raymond, Chamberlain Galman stepped forward.
"We will then begin our victory banquet, and before we begin, I would like to..."
It was a commemorative speech.
Usually, the king gives a speech and then moves on, but for some reason, it seemed like he'd decided to take over.
'Why?'
Chancellor Galman neatly arranged the commemorative speech, and the turn went on.
"Baron Penin, please come to the podium."
After the speech by the king or his representative, the person who has achieved the greatest merit is invited to give a commemorative speech.
It is a victory celebration, after all.
Raymond stepped up to the podium and glanced back at the seats behind him.
King Odin was sitting there, looking somewhat pale.
'...Is he not feeling well? Is that why he yielded the commemorative speech to Prime Minister Galman?'
Raymond tilted his head in confusion.
He had no idea that King Odin was suffering from a serious illness, as it was kept confidential from the public.
Not knowing the details, he focused on the podium ahead.
Everyone attending the event was eagerly awaiting his speech.
'Let's do this. It's not an easy opportunity for free promotion.'
He had thoroughly prepared for this speech.
It was a golden opportunity to promote his medical skills for free!
Although he had already gained considerable fame, promotion was always beneficial.
Raymond began his speech by expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to stand before everyone.
He smoothly started talking about the prosperity and well-being of the Houston Kingdom, subtly blending in promotion for the infirmary.
However, a variable arose.
The skill "Silver Tongue" interacted explosively with several other skills.
Thanks to this, all kinds of profound messages came out of Raymond's mouth.
It was no longer a simple promotion of a healing center, but a masterful speech about the prosperity of the kingdom, strong chivalry, noblesse oblige, peace, harmony, and charity!
The people were once again awestruck by the speech.
'This is great.'
'What a perfect speech.'
'I can see why the King of Droton would want Baron Penin as his teacher.'
Incidentally, it was widely rumored that King Macapell III of Droton wanted Raymond as his teacher.
The nobles of the Houstonian capital had heard the rumors and scratched their heads, but now that they heard the speech, they understood.
It was clear that Raymond had more than just battlefield prowess; he also possessed deep learning, eloquence, and a philosophy for the people.
So many nobles were impressed that they sent him a message.
[People marvel once again at your splendor!]
[Your fame is rising!]
[Your reputation is growing!]
[Your greatness is imprinted on people!]
[You get a quest reward! You get a free level up!]
Another free level up.
As he stepped down from the dais, the figure of Healer Penin surrounded him.
"That was excellent, Master."
"That was an excellent speech."
They all looked proud of him.
There was a full banquet afterward, and several nobles flocked to him.
First, nobles who had helped him before, such as Count August and Baron Smyden, came to congratulate him.
Not only that, but those who had been helped by him on the battlefield came in surprisingly large numbers.
There were many who had been healed by him on the battlefield.
As the banquet revolved around Raymond, several nobles' eyes lit up.
'This... There are more followers of Baron Penin than I thought.'
'The princes can no longer ignore Baron Penin.'
As if to back up that thought, the forces in favor of Second Prince Kairen and Third Prince Remerton were casting hostile glances at Raymond.
It was a far cry from the ignoring that had gone before.
'The princes have finally begun to recognize Baron l Penin as a competitor.'
The neutral nobles made strange faces.
'I wonder where this will lead to.'
'Baron Penin has become the eye of the storm.'
The nobles, sensitive to the whereabouts of power, had a hunch.
That the future of the country would revolve around Raymond.
'I'd better get in line'
'We'd better be careful.'
They watched Raymond closely.
Depending on what he showed them, their decision would change.
Then, the ballroom erupted.
An enormous tycoon approached Raymond.
"Baron Penin."
"...!"
An unattended man with a face as hard as a rock.
It was Duke Leif!
"Your Excellency the Duke."
"Yes, it's been a while."
Raymond frowned.
'It's only been a few days since we parted ways. What do you mean it's been a while?'
But Duke Leif seemed to be sincere.
The way he looked at Raymond was as hot as fire.
'I will definitely take you under my wing!'
With such an intense and obsessed gaze, Raymond gulped nervously.
"As I mentioned before, I have no intention of learning swordsmanship now."
"I know about that."
Duke Leif replied, nodding.
"Nevertheless, your prodigious talent is too extraordinary to be squandered. Neglecting such an exceptional gift would be an affront to the heavens!"
"...!"
"Furthermore, your innate attributes, coupled with my guidance, would assuredly elevate you beyond the realm of a mere Sword Master and elevate you to the exalted status of a Grand Sword Master-a 'Sword Owner.'"
Duke Leif's words rippled through the banquet hall, provoking a mix of astonishment and admiration.
Duke Leif's request to mentor him was noteworthy on its own, but for Raymond to ascend to the rank of a Grand Sword Master, a 'Sword Owner'?
'Nonsense.'
'Baron Penin is such a great swordsmanship genius?'
'Of course, I know that Baron Penin has a talent for swordsmanship, but it's not enough to make him a Grand Sword Master'.'
'That would surpass the qualities of Lord Elmud, who is currently considered the greatest genius in the kingdom.'
'Isn't he mistaken?'
A collective expression of incredulity swept across the faces of the onlookers.
Even for Duke Leif, the statement was a stretch too far.
However, given that Duke Leif had put forth the notion, none dared to counter his assertion, resulting in a sea of incredulous gazes fixated upon him.
In the midst of the hesitating crowd, a solitary figure stepped forward with newfound courage.
"T-this is an astonishing claim, Your Grace! Are you implying that individual possesses the potential to ascend to the rank of a Grand Sword Master?"
The speaker was a man of gaunt appearance, his demeanor gruff.
None other than Alfred, the young scion of the Duchy of Laverne!
Notably, he was Christine's sibling, and his gaze bore a resentful glare directed at Raymond.
Duke Leif's eyebrows twitched, perturbed by the audacious challenge presented by this brash individual.