The Elf Journey In The Western Fantasy World-Chapter 43: A Treacherous Banquet and a Hasty Escape

The nobles who had been uninvolved quickly turned on the one who had tested the elf, condemning them one after another.

"You’re just a minor noble—what difference is there between you and a commoner? Flaunting your insignificant authority? That might fool the ignorant lower classes, but don’t think you have the right to represent all nobles."

"The reputation of the nobility has been tarnished by people like you. Stop disgracing us. Using such underhanded tricks... do you really think the rest of us are as foolish as you?"

"If you want to die, don’t drag us down with you. Honestly, how did someone of your low status even get into a banquet of this caliber?"

That was brutal.

It really was best to associate with people of the same kind.

The noble who had been targeted turned pale, fully realizing that, from this moment on, he had been blacklisted by the entire noble circle.

Forget advancing his status—everyone would now distance themselves from him, perhaps even stepping on him for good measure.

After all, resources were limited, and even the smallest opportunity was still valuable.

A sly glint flashed in Illiya’s eyes—he was quite satisfied with the situation he had orchestrated.

Eoryun secretly gave him a thumbs-up, just like Darius’s signature gesture.

He hadn’t expected Illiya to be a seemingly harmless but actually cunning elf.

Darius was also surprised.

He discovered that his employer wasn’t just wealthy—he was quite capable in other ways too.

As luck would have it, Illiya had made a big scene, giving Darius, as his friend, the perfect excuse to react and a valid reason to leave the banquet.

What a fortunate turn of events, all thanks to that meddlesome noble at the start.

Darius always had a knack for seizing opportunities when they presented themselves—just like how he had found a well-paying, full-coverage employer in an unfamiliar forest.

And now was no exception.

He put on an angry expression and spoke harshly: "I didn’t expect you all to look down on His Majesty so much and harbor such dissatisfaction toward him. No wonder Bearnard complains that his proposals are always rejected. I suppose you’re the ones obstructing him in secret?"

The nobles were caught completely off guard: ??? ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

Where did Bearnard suddenly come from?! Stop making baseless accusations!

Darius had just recalled Bearnard’s proposal for magic crystal lamps, so he casually dumped this blame onto the nobles.

He didn’t care how confused they were.

Not only did he plan to do this, but he was also going to pile more false charges onto these arrogant nobles—after all, it wouldn’t be his problem in the end.

"No wonder His Majesty often frowns and apologizes to those who genuinely support him. So it’s all because of you schemers tripping him up! Looks like you’ve been plotting to overthrow him for a long time! And today was a signal. From the moment you belittled my friend, you were making it clear—both openly and secretly—that you despise me and His Majesty!"

Darius put on a "I see through everything" look. "I’m going to report this to His Majesty today. You’re all suspected of treason!"

With that, Darius turned around and left the banquet with his companions.

The nobles were left standing in place, doubting their very existence.

Damn it.

Were these guys aiming to make history on the continent?!

Darius led Illiya and the others out of the banquet hall, though they didn’t leave the palace entirely—just went far away from the event venue.

After all, to make the act convincing, they needed the nobles to believe they were actually going to report to the king.

Darius glanced around, even using his spiritual energy to scan the surroundings.

Only after confirming there were no abnormalities did he finally stop.

"Where should we go next?" His gaze landed on Illiya, his tone a bit serious.

Eoryun was still caught up in the thrill of the previous moment, ready to share his excitement with his companions—only to be abruptly snapped back to reality by Darius’s question.

It was as if he had been doused with cold water.

Eoryun: ...

Why did everyone’s attitude change so fast?

Eoryun considered himself someone who was good at reading the room.

In this situation, he wisely shut his mouth and let the others take the stage.

Illiya didn’t notice Eoryun’s internal drama and instead shared the intel he had gathered from Tracker with Darius.

"Narae said that the fake king often dismisses others to visit the dungeon alone—and it happens frequently. According to him, every time the fake king goes to the dungeon, it’s like he’s sneaking off for a secret rendezvous."

Darius was speechless. "... Narae really needs to refine his way of speaking."

He wiped his face, pushed the unreliable knight out of his mind, and turned to serious matters. "If this is true, then the dungeon is most likely where Seoryun is imprisoned. I still remember the dungeon’s location—at least if the fake king hasn’t completely rearranged the palace."

"The most important thing is that we have to act fast. Those nobles know we went to the king to complain, and for the sake of their own well-being, they’ll definitely beg for mercy. If they go to the fake king and realize we’re not there, what do you think will happen?"

After delivering his words with deep meaning, Darius was even considerate enough to give his companions some time to digest them.

He wasn’t trying to scare them—this was just reality.

The fact that they made it out of the banquet safely was already a stroke of good luck, taking advantage of timing and circumstance.

They had even seized the initiative.

But were nobles really that easy to fool?

Once those nobles recovered from their shock, they’d go running to the king to cry and complain.

After all, villains always like to file complaints first.

And Darius was certain that ever since he refused to attend the banquet, the fake king had already started harboring resentment toward him—probably even thoughts of killing him.