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Chapter 280 Part 1

After Dran and Christina showed up to encourage their juniors and exchange some information, they proceeded to the other purpose of their visit to Galois—the dinner banquet. This banquet was organized for the seeming purpose of deepening friendships among the neighboring noble families in the northern part of the kingdom at the end of spring, but there was more to this public reasoning fed to other nations. 

The other reason for the banquet was to share news and knowledge on tackling the demon lord’s army of Mundus Carnus with a stronghold in the Dark Wilderness, as communicated by the Arkrest royal family. 

Mundus Carnus had been repeatedly waging war against the nations in the west and north for territorial expansion, but that was not all to their efforts. They were also closing the chapter to their expansion plans to the south, namely to Arkrest Kingdom and the Romal Empire.

All that remained was for them to initiate contact and spark a war. There would probably be a formal diplomatic envoy with a proposal for surrender, so there was still time to spare…

At the dinner, Christina was in her Agrilia’s Bracelet and a gown reflecting the colors of dusk from her stepmother, Lisa. Her silvery white hair was also in a braid. Jeweled and gold accessories befitting a formal banquet adorned her neck and ears. With this appearance, no one would have guessed that she was strong enough to crush an army of a million men alone.

Dran, Christina’s only companion at the banquet, was dressed in a fitting tailcoat. It was one he had worn ever since assuming the position of aide of the Braoness of Bern. Looking unaffected, he never left the side of his lord and lover even for a moment.

The dinner banquet this time also included Nelneshia, whom they had just met, the heads of the noble families who had sent their subordinates to Christina’s inauguration ceremony, as well as Lenia, Fatima, Phenia, and their relatives. 

Let alone Nelneshia, there were some other attendees with past encounters with Dran, so it would certainly be best to greet them separately after the dinner banquet. 

Moreover, there were certain individuals in attendance who would pose a serious problem in a manner unlike the demon lord in the north. These very people would likely be tough opponents for Dran and Christina. They were Christina’s father, Dram, and her stepbrother, Eldar. Christina’s relationship with Eldar had always been tenuous. As the child of a concubine, she had no reservations about her brother, who was the child of her father’s official wife. However, she held no grievances against him. 

Christina had no uncertainties regarding Dram as she concluded, albeit only a personal opinion, that they had made peace ever since they parted ways when she had been appointed as Baroness of Bern. 

If the primary purpose of their meeting were to report on recent developments and lay the groundwork for future plans, Christina would not be as nervous. Dran, too, would have been more at ease. The reason this was not the case was due to the fact that Christina intended to introduce Dran as her fiancé

Although the engagement between Christina and Dran would not be announced publicly at the banquet, she had decided to inform her relatives, Dram and Eldar, of the matter ahead of time. After all, it was a rare opportunity for them to meet in person. 

Dran already had a similar experience of relating his engagement with Selina to her parents, but he was in no way familiar with doing this same thing twice. 

Presently, Selina and Christina were the only ones among his established lovers whom needed such formal notice of marriage. He was done with informing Selina’s parents, so this happy problem would be solved once he got through it with Christina’s family. But unlike Selina who had been brought up with simple love, Christina’s familial love was much more complicated. 

Dran was certain that his previous experience would not be much help this now. Despite being the most powerful monster in the world, he was plagued by such mediocre troubles. 

A life form originating from another celestial body that can free all life from aging, pain, disease, and suffering through assimilation to transform all into an eternal sowing bed? Very well, a gentle slap can send it back to where it came from. 

A demon lord who wants to lord over all earthly beings for invasion and expansion? Great, carefully crushing him will do the trick.

A blasphemous evil god who steals entire planets and their inhabitants to his domain for entertainment as toys, slaves, and offerings? Fabulous, wiping him out without a trace is the way to go. 

The father and stepbrother of my fiancé, Chris? Oh, yes. Please be gentle with me. 

This was Dran’s present state. It was hopelessly pathetic, but the only possible defense was that he was not an ordinary Ancient-Celestial Dragon, and his amicable nature as a human had exceeded the mere mortal as well. 

He was a transcendent being who could be disdainful of evil demons and gods from the demon realm, but he would be reduced to this plight when greeting his girlfriend’s relatives. Hence, Dran was not surprised at the astonishment of Selina and Christina 

That being said, Selina, Christina, Diadora, and even Dramina found Dran’s mortal nature endearing when compared to his incredible powers and audacious ways. They found him adorable, though love certainly dulled one’s senses.  

The Almadia clan, one of the most prominent noble families in the north and the entire kingdom, had a history dating back to the founding of the kingdom. They were given the most dignified guest room in the governor’s office, and the place was packed with Dram, Eldar, their attendants, and their guards. 

Word had been sent of Christina’s visit with Dran. That probably explained the attendants’ lack of surprise when the pair arrived. Without any delay, the attendants sought approval from Dram and Eldar for letting the two of them enter the room. 

The governor’s office was mean to function as a fortress to prevent the enemy’s southward advance in times of emergency, but this particular guest room was located in an area expanded during calmer times. All sides of the room was filled with gorgeous carvings far removed from the warlike and martial atmosphere of the region. 

Dram and Eldar were seated on a chaoise longue in the center of the room, while their butlers stood in meticulously tailored tailcoats of the finest materials for the dinner banquet. 

This was Dran’s first meeting with Christina’s family members, while the two exuded a relatively amicable attitude upon setting eyes on Christina for the first time in months. They were not surprised by the drastic deterioration of Christina’s appearance caused by the Agrilia’s Bracelet, considering that they had witnessed its effects at the festival. Moreover, Christina made sure to keep her appearance under control even with her family members. Her true nature would make sane conversation impossible even in such a setting. It would be wise for Christina to keep her Agrilia’s Bracelet on even with her own father and brother. The only exception would be in an unexpected situation. 

「It’s been a long time. Good day to you, Father, Brother. I, Christina Almadia Bern, am glad to see that you are well.」　

Christina wondered whether she should adopt the proper etiquette of a marquis’ heir toward Dram due to her appointment as a baroness. However, she chose to behave as a daughter and a sister for the reason that she had asked to meet them before the dinner banquet. 

Christina’s father had always appeared to her like an expressionless marble statue ever since their first meeting at her home. However, he seemed to have changed his attitude toward his now independent daughter and was gentler in demeanor. 

Even Christina found it rare from Dram to behave in such a manner in the presence of her brother, Dran, and the other butlers. Her father would hardly behave in this manner when they were alone. 

「You look as healthy as ever. Heh, I had feared that you might even attend the dinner dressed in your masculine attire. Eldar, I guess that worry was needless.」　

「Yes, I already mentioned that Christina isn’t as wilful as a child. That being said, even with that magic bracelet disfiguring your looks, how long has it been since I’ve seen you dressed like a lady, little sister?」　

The words of Christina’s brother intended no malice, but the shared memories that was implied in them forced Christina to ransack through her memories of her days in the Almadia clan after they had taken her in.

「I’m sure it was since I was just taken in. I had a clear objection to feminine clothing.」　

Christina had lived in poverty, leading to her general sentiment that luxurious clohtings did not fit her skin. Gender hardly played a part in this opinion, but one other reason was the limitations such clothing would have to her movement. 

For some reason, Christina had the impression that female clothing would fetch a higher price than male clothing when she left the Almadia household. Though, that was not a subject to be raised now.

「Is that so? That really takes me back, but it would be a disgrace for a man to leave his sister standing for any length of time. Father, may I?」　

「Yes, Christina. Take a seat.」　

「Certainly.」　

Christina quietly let herself be guided over to a chair separate from the couch Dram and Eldar were seated on. Dran, who had been silent thus far, followed Christina and took a spot behind her on her left. He had his hands clasped behind his hips, his mouth tightly knit in silence, and his presence entirely muffled; he was the perfect example of a subject who would never get in the way of his master’s plans. However, he was not allowed to remain in such a position of subordination today.