Karl El caressed Nightwind's neck, and the warhorse snorted but was surprisingly docile.
Among the rewards, this one was most to his liking.
Finally, Triss picked up a heavy gold chain from another velvet-lined tray.
The pendant was a perfectly cut sapphire, surrounded by dazzling diamonds.
And this was a special private gift for the champion, after the Love and Beauty prize.
"And with this humble gift, I express my admiration and blessings for the hero's fearless spirit."
Triss's voice softened as she personally placed the necklace around Karl El's neck, her fingertips brushing his neck inadvertently, causing a suppressed gasp from the noblewomen in the stands.
Karl El could feel the cool touch of the gem against his chest, and countless burning gazes.
He smiled and nodded to Triss again, and also bowed to Foltest and the audience in thanks.
Foltest laughed and walked over, personally raising Karl El's arm to salute the audience: "Cheer, for our champion today, for Karl El, the Gryphon of Temeria!"
"Karl! Karl!"
"Long live the King! Long live the King!" The cheers were like a mountain roaring and a sea raging.
Amidst the fervent crowd, Foltest lowered Karl El's arm.
He seemingly casually patted his shoulder and whispered, "An excellent performance, Mr. El. Your heritage is impressive."
"Perhaps you could stay for a moment after the banquet; I'd be very interested to hear your… thoughts on the northern border defenses."
This sentence was light, yet heavy as a thousand pounds, no longer like the public probing at the previous banquet.
Instead, it was Foltest's private invitation, carrying a certain trust and recruitment implication.
Karl El's eyes flickered, and his heart was solemn; Foltest had almost explicitly expressed his desire to recruit him, and he knew his opportunity had arrived.
He wasn't particularly interested in border defense matters, but he could guide the conversation towards Princess Adda when the time came.
He met Foltest's gaze and replied respectfully and firmly, "As you wish, Your Majesty, it is my honor."
The award ceremony concluded amidst thunderous applause, and Karl El, laden with honors and heavy prizes, was surrounded by Aitorc, Fenmier, and others, cheering and embracing him.
Aitorc and the other three were immensely grateful to Karl El; if not for Karl El, this dark horse.
They would still be an obscure, bottom-ranked team, let alone receiving so many honors and rewards… The atmosphere of the royal banquet was lively and luxurious, with crystal chandeliers reflecting brilliant light, and silver and porcelain shimmering in unison.
The air was filled with the aroma of roasted meat, the richness of wine, and the expensive perfumes used by the nobles.
Karl El was undoubtedly the focus of the banquet; people constantly came forward to toast and flatter him, or try to probe his background.
He handled himself gracefully and cautiously, responding humbly to flattery and cleverly evading those who probed.
He spent most of his time with Triss, silently declaring his affiliation and avoiding many unnecessary troubles.
Last night, the noblewomen who had shown him friendliness no longer came forward to surround him.
But they still watched him from a distance, occasionally with wistful eyes.
Their gaze seemed to be asking, "Why is this man so unromantic?"
Karl El, however, did not treat them coldly; in occasional eye contact, he would still return a smile and a slight nod.
Of course, his gaze would inevitably meet Foltest's on the high platform.
And the King seemed to be enjoying the banquet, but Karl El could catch a fleeting depth of thought and deliberation in his eyes.
He understood very well that Foltest's private summons to him, which would happen soon, was the real highlight of the evening.
Finally, as the banquet reached its climax, and the dance music played again, drawing everyone's attention.
A royal guard quietly approached Karl El and whispered, "Mr. El, His Majesty is waiting for you in the side hall."
Karl El nodded imperceptibly, gave Triss a reassuring look, and then followed the guard, leaving the bustling hall.
The royal side hall was much quieter than the banquet hall; hunting-themed tapestries hung on the oak-paneled walls, and a warm fire crackled in the fireplace.
At this moment, Foltest had removed his heavy crown and was dressed in casual clothes.
He stood before a large map of Temeria, his back to the door.
When he heard footsteps, he turned around.
"Karl, no need for formalities. Try this; this strong liquor from Redania is good for warming up when discussing serious matters."
Foltest saw Karl El bowing slightly, about to salute, and immediately raised a hand to stop him.
Then, he pointed to the two crystal glasses on the table, already filled with amber liquid.
Foltest's tone was more casual than in public, but his majesty still remained.
Karl El stepped forward and took a glass: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Foltest picked up the other glass, his gaze returning to the map, especially the areas marked Vizima and the Northern Border.
"The daytime competition was impressive, Mr. El. Your strength, your skill…"
"Especially your control over your strength, knocking down rather than killing in the melee, which is more commendable than mere brute force." He took a sip of wine.
"This reminds me of what you mentioned earlier… heritage and responsibility. To possess power without abusing it is a quality befitting a noble."
"Your Majesty is too kind. Those who taught me always emphasized that power is a tool, especially when it is used for protection," Karl El responded appropriately, guiding the topic towards protection.
"Well said. This is also why I summoned you, for protection."
"And Temeria needs people who can protect her." Foltest turned around, his grey-blue eyes looking directly at Karl El.
He walked to the map, his finger pointing to the Northern Border.
"You see here, Henselt of Kaedwen, like a greedy wild boar, constantly provokes us at the border, and there are those endless monsters…"
"Our soldiers and knights are skilled at fighting people, but against certain… extraordinary threats, they are often powerless."
Karl El's eyes flickered; he knew Foltest was probing to see if he was willing to serve the country and go to the dangerous border.
But he certainly couldn't show eagerness for northern defense; that would contradict his initial goal and be too hasty.
He frowned slightly, showing just the right amount of solemnity, but with a hint of caution in his tone: "The border threats indeed cannot be underestimated."
"A strong army is enough to deter Henselt, but… non-human monsters…"
Karl El paused, adopting an expression as if recalling something.
"I once heard that even near the Old Royal Castle, there exist some ancient and dangerous curses."
"The fear and harm they bring sometimes even exceed a small-scale border skirmish."
"Ordinary soldiers and knights, even when facing unknown magic or curses, are inevitably…"
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