Chapter 46

### Chapter 46: The Return of the Doom-Grade Death Knight

#### Chapter 46: The Banquet (2)

"Wow, Jackson, look at that. It's said to be a cosmetic from the Mijuchue school."

Sophia Russell couldn't help but marvel at the items the nobles were presenting to the viscount. For a small family like the Russells, these were treasures beyond their wildest dreams.

"Sophia, there's nothing to envy. I'll buy you something even better later, I promise."

"Really? I'll only trust Jackson."

Sophia Russell tightly embraced Jackson Cutter's neck at that moment.

"There you are."

A stern voice came from behind them. The two were startled and turned around.

"S, Sir!"

Jackson Cutter exclaimed in surprise. It was indeed surprising to see his master, who had been absent since the banquet began, suddenly appear.

"Where have you been?"

"I've been investigating the participants. We need a strategy to deal with Damian Hassen."

At Jacques Noire's words, Jackson Cutter's expression slightly twisted.

"There's something you need to do. Go and present this gift to the viscount and return."

Jacques Noire extended a glass vial.

Inside the vial was a liquid that glowed fluorescent.

"What is this?"

"It's a birthday gift for Lady Olivia."

"So, why do I have to present it to Lady Olivia?"

Jacques Noire's eyes turned cold.

Jackson Cutter, fearing his master's anger, quickly took the potion.

"Sir, you should at least tell me about this potion. I need to explain it to the viscount, right?"

"There's no need to worry. Everyone will recognize it without you having to say anything."

Jacques Noire's explanation left Jackson Cutter puzzled.

"Stop worrying and go. Hurry up."

Jacques Noire pushed Jackson Cutter's back. Reluctantly, Jackson moved towards where the viscount was.

"Jackson, let's go together..."

"You stay here."

Jacques Noire blocked Sophia Russell.

"What? Why...?"

Jacques Noire glared at her in silence.

Sophia Russell, who was about to ask why, had no choice but to shut her mouth.

* * *

Jackson Cutter approached Viscount Copperhead with the gift his master had given him.

"Your Excellency, I am Jackson Cutter."

Jackson Cutter knelt on one knee and spoke.

"Jackson Cutter? Does anyone know who he is?"

"I don't think so. It's the first time I've heard the name."

None of the nobles recognized Jackson Cutter's name.

Jackson bit his lip in silence.

"Jackson Cutter? Jackson Cutter...?"

The viscount also did not recognize Jackson Cutter. Jackson's face turned even redder.

"Your Excellency, please, just a moment..."

At that moment, the butler approached and whispered to the viscount. The viscount's eyes widened slightly.

"You must be the Ogre Slayer, Jackson Cutter."

"I am honored that you recognize me!"

Jackson Cutter's face brightened instantly upon hearing his title from the viscount.

"Ogre Slayer? I've never heard of that title."

"I have heard of it. There's a young knight who hunts ogres alone. That must be you."

"To have hunted that monster alone, your skills must be remarkable."

The nobles began to murmur about Jackson Cutter.

As his name was mentioned more and more, Jackson Cutter's smile grew brighter.

"Your Excellency, I present this gift to Lady Olivia."

Jackson Cutter took out the potion and extended it with both hands.

"What is that? What kind of potion is it?"

"That red fluorescence... Could it be the Vitality Concentrate potion?"

"A potion that, if you take just one sip, you won't tire for a whole day?"

"It's a product that the Alchemy School only sells to specific customers. How did you get it?"

The nobles' reactions were explosive.

If this potion was indeed the Vitality Concentrate, it was a far more valuable gift than any presented so far.

"Vitality Concentrate! How did you obtain such a precious item?"

The viscount's reaction was particularly intense.

Being in his later years, he was naturally very concerned about his health.

"Olivia, look! Isn't it a remarkable gift?"

"I suppose so."

Olivia spoke in a detached tone. She showed no particular interest in the gift, as usual.

"Good. Very good."

The viscount had a servant take the Vitality Concentrate potion.

Holding the potion, the viscount examined it with a satisfied look.

Strictly speaking, this potion was a birthday gift for Olivia Copperhead, but no one pointed this out.

Most of the gifts presented by the nobles were for the viscount anyway.

"Jackson Cutter, I will remember your name."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Jackson Cutter stood up with a satisfied expression.

Just as he was about to turn and return to his place, he hesitated.

Damian Hassen was walking out.

"Damian Hassen..."

Damian Hassen walked past Jackson Cutter, completely ignoring him.

Feeling completely ignored, Jackson Cutter clenched his fists tightly.

* * *

Damian stood before Viscount Copperhead.

"You must be Damian Hassen."

Even without introducing himself, Viscount Copperhead recognized Damian.

"Recently, there have been many rumors about you."

"It's just a minor reputation."

Damian Hassen slightly bowed his head.

"Minor? How can defeating the heir of the Duke of Ryanbloom be considered minor!"

Viscount Copperhead shook his head.

"Even if it's exaggerated to say you didn't draw your sword to subdue the duke, it's still an impressive feat. Hahaha."

The other nobles also burst into laughter at the viscount's words.

Among them, only Damian Hassen remained silent, smiling.

"I also have a gift for Lady Olivia."

Saying this, Damian Hassen looked at Olivia Copperhead.

Olivia Copperhead had her head bowed.

She seemed to have no interest in the banquet held in her honor.

'Troublesome woman.'

Even when Damian appeared, she showed no interest.

He was already starting to get a headache thinking about how to connect her with Abel.

"Here is my younger brother, Abel."

Damian first introduced Abel.

However, Lady Olivia still had her head bowed and did not see Abel's face.

"Abel, present the bow to Lady Olivia."

Abel swallowed hard and walked towards Olivia Copperhead.

"Oh, what is that? A bow?"

"I've heard Lady Olivia enjoys hunting."

"But it's a very strange-looking bow."

The nobles in the banquet hall began to murmur.

The bow Abel was holding was indeed not very impressive.

"…A bow?"

At the mention of the bow, Lady Olivia finally lifted her head.

Upon seeing the bow Abel was holding, her eyes widened.

Lady Olivia carefully took the bow and caressed the bowstaff with a gaze that seemed to be under a spell.

"…A bow made from a minotaur's horn?"

She finally spoke, commenting on the gift.

"Yes, you recognized it correctly. It's a bow made from the horn of a minotaur, specifically the leader of the minotaurs."

"Remarkable… I've heard that minotaurs are monsters even mid-class adventurers find challenging… and they are even harder to encounter."

Damian added.

"Your Excellency must know that the horns of minotaurs have excellent properties for making weapons."

"Yes, I know. They are as hard as steel but as elastic as bamboo."

"Exactly."

Indeed, the rumors about her love for hunting were not false.

"Would you like to examine the bowstaff in detail? The name of the craftsman who made it is engraved on it."

At Damian's words, Lady Olivia examined the bowstaff. As he said, a name was engraved on it.

"…August? Could it be that it was made by the great craftsman August?"

"Yes."

August.

The most famous craftsman in the Apple Kingdom.

His metallurgical skills were so outstanding that there were rumors he had learned from dwarves.

Of course, it was just a rumor, as dwarves would never teach humans their metallurgical skills.

Lady Olivia couldn't take her eyes off the bow. It was clear she was very pleased with it.

"August's work… I never thought I would see such a treasure in my lifetime."

The viscount was equally impressed by the bow.

However, he was more impressed by the value of the bow.

"I remember an old shield made by August that was auctioned and its price skyrocketed by several times."

The viscount looked at the bow with a greedy gaze, as if calculating its value.

"This is a gift my younger brother, Abel, managed to obtain for today."

In reality, it was a gift Damian Hassen had obtained through a deal with the duke, but the truth was not important.

"Really? You obtained it for me?"

Olivia Copperhead was greatly surprised and lifted her head.

Finally, Olivia Copperhead looked at Abel's face.

The moment she saw Abel's face, Lady Olivia's mouth slightly opened, and a blush appeared on her cheeks.

'What...?'

If Damian hadn't misseen, there was only one emotion Lady Olivia was feeling.

'So, she does have a soft spot for a good face?'

* * *

"We can't leave a guest who brought such a precious gift standing. Bring more chairs."

At the viscount's command, the servants brought two more chairs and placed them.

"Both of you, please sit down."

Damian sat next to the viscount. Naturally, the seat next to Lady Olivia was reserved for Abel.

"Sir Damian, I was actually hoping to speak with you."

Viscount Copperhead poured the wine himself and asked.

"I would like to hear about your duel with the Duke of Ryanbloom, if it's not too much trouble."

"Perhaps it won't be very interesting to hear."

"Still, I'm curious and would like to hear it."

Damian inwardly sighed.

Originally, Damian was not the type to boast about such things.

But now, he needed to endure it for Abel's sake.

An opportunity for Abel and Lady Olivia to get closer had come, and he couldn't let it slip away.

"If you really want to hear it…"

Damian began to recount the events of the duel slowly.

Viscount Copperhead listened with great interest.

During the storytelling, Damian kept an eye on Abel and Lady Olivia.

"Is there a forest next to the Hassen viscount's estate? Oh, it must be beautiful."

"It's not that impressive. It's small and has few animals…"

"It seems there are no dangerous animals. It must be very peaceful."

The conversation was flowing smoothly.

Lady Olivia was leading the conversation, showing a great deal of interest in Abel.

'Now I understand how they became lovers in their past life…'

Damian had found the answer to the secret.

'Maybe the bow wasn't even necessary?'

Was it a waste of effort to get the bow from the Duke of Ryanbloom?

Damian seriously considered this for a moment.