Damn, I recarneted As A Judge in Fantasy World Chapter 265: The Unwelcoming Banquet

They clearly didn't like how the young ladies admired him.

Of course, Abel didn't care one bit about what they said.

'Speak your mind.'

It is said that empty carts make the most noise, and the weak only talk.

He stared straight ahead, completely ignoring their voices.

There, standing with a kind smile, was the Duke of Crawford.

That wasn't the original image of him that Abel had expected.

Paley III was a man who had great passion even in his old age, but he seed to have aged a lot in the past few years.

This must have been because of the stress he couldn't overco, even with Cordyceps sinensis pills.

It must have been due to Crawford's extrely tilted dostic situation.

"It's been a long ti, Your Majesty."

"Haha! Thank you for coming, Your Highness."

Abel exchanged greetings with Paley III.

As they entered the banquet hall, a splendidly decorated interior ca into view.

'You prepared a lot even in difficult tis?'

Perhaps because the Duke of the Empire was coming, a grand banquet had been arranged.

In one corner, a dozen or so people played instrunts, and the nobles who followed them took their places.

Finally, Paley III called Abel up to the stage and spoke in a booming voice.

"His Majesty, Duke Carriers, will be serving as the Chancellor of the Duchy for the ti being. He has decided to work hard for our country, so please welco him with all your heart."

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!

There was a brief burst of restrained applause, but the banquet hall soon fell silent.

As expected, the atmosphere was not very welcoming.

That was only natural.

These were the long-standing vested interests of the Duchy of Crawford.

How could they possibly feel good when a rolling stone threatened to turn their country upside down?

They likely hoped that Abel would simply stay put for a while and then disappear quickly.

'I see.'

Actually, Abel didn't think much of the nobles.

It was true that, up until now, he had mostly encountered people steeped in greed and malice.

That was unavoidable, given his position.

After all, those who ca to court to be tried were more likely to be evildoers.

But there were quite a few truly noble people in the world.

Baron Relbrandt, the warden of the prison, and the Patton brothers, who were strict disciplinarians—these were nobles who, while not to the extent of practicing noblesse oblige, still sufficiently fulfilled their roles.

'But here, there are only fools who are interested solely in protecting their rice bowls.'

The country was in such a state of disarray that they had to seek help from foreign experts, yet these nobles didn't seem to grasp the severity of the situation.

Well, that couldn't be helped.

All they enjoyed was the splendor and affluence of noble life.

The miserable state of the slums had been reduced to nothing more than a spectacle to them.

"Hello, Your Highness."

Suddenly, a clear voice rang out.

The banquet had begun, yet everyone rely stole glances at Abel.

Perhaps soone had finally mustered the courage to speak.

When Abel turned his head, a familiar silhouette ca into view.

"It's been a long ti, Princess Justia."

"Was this the first ti since the wedding?"

"Alice was so sorry. She was so fond of His Highness the Duke and the Royal Guard."

As Abel listened to Princess Justia's words, a terrifying mory suddenly resurfaced.

He recalled the blind date that had ended in an endless hell of night bread.

Hic!

As soon as that mory ca to mind, a hiccup sounded from behind him.

It was the violent reaction of Cordell McNeill, who had been hiding in Abel's shadow.

"Haha! I guess it wasn't ant to be. How is Soltri Alice doing?"

"She t a good spouse after that. She couldn't attend the banquet because she is pregnant at the mont."

"What a relief… No, this is sothing to celebrate."

Abel had almost let a slip of the tongue.

Cordell seed to relax upon hearing that Alice hadn't co.

So much so that his stealth skills, which he had been quietly honing, completely dissolved.

While Princess Justia stepped away for a mont, Abel whispered to Cordell McNeill.

"Why would the famous Alice do this?"

"She said she would teach about the Infinite Mussel Hell next ti we et."

"That's a proposal as terrifying as King Chestnut Bread."

"Ugh!"

As Abel watched Cordell tremble like a poplar tree, he nearly burst into laughter.

But he couldn't laugh openly.

Soon, Princess Justia returned to her seat, bringing soone familiar.

"It's been a long ti, Your Majesty."

"Hello?"

The person who greeted Abel was Izukaya Soltri.

He had married Princess Justia.

From what Abel had heard in passing, it seed that Izukaya had inherited the title.

Now, he was called the Marquis of Soltri.

Unlike before, there was now a rather mature atmosphere about him.

While exchanging greetings and chatting about various matters, Izukaya subtly lowered his voice.

"Your Highness, Duke Carriers."

"Yes."

"I heard that you will be taking on the position of Chancellor this ti. I heard that His Majesty the King will bestow upon you trendous authority."

"Yes."

"I know it may be presumptuous of to ask, but may I request a favor?"

Abel looked at Izukaya quietly.

In truth, he wasn't particularly close with him.

He had only seen him a few tis due to his engagent to Princess Justia.

Besides, Izukaya had once been nothing more than a reckless kid obsessed with playing knights.

'So I didn't think much of him, and now he's asking for a favor right from the start? I'm really disappointed.'

However, outright refusal would be impolite.

At the very least, Abel decided to listen, if only for Princess Justia's sake.

"Please, speak."

Marquis Izukaya Soltri took a mont to catch his breath.

Finally, he spoke with a solemn expression.

"Please destroy our family for sure."

…What was Abel supposed to say to that?