After leaving the palace training quarters, the rest of Hiro's day was bland, while the rest of the palace remained busy. The continent wide declaration of the fragment's demise took place and with it the honoring of fallen warriors, Hiro didn't take part in it.

  The very next day the sleepless palace was more lively than Hiro had seen so far. The preparation for the victory banquet were underway, it had two parts. The first and prioritised part was a private banquet solely for people with at least the status of noble, as for the second, it was a puplic banquet for everyone but aimed at common folk.

  And thanks to prior efforts by Akarn's rune practitioners, the banquets weren't limited to Akarn's capital. There was more than one of each taking place across all of Akarn. Further more, with the rune teleportation arrays, transportation to major towns and cities took place without a hitch. Also, with Akarn's court practitioners taking the lead, there was no fear of there being a shortage supplies.

  Reasonably so, Akarn wasn't the only kingdom to have such a banquets, other kingdoms that were not far behind it were doing the same, and some of the kingdoms still lagging behind had plans for such banquets once their economic status became stable.

  It may seem like a waste of time and resources but for ordinary individuals and citizens, not familiar with rune craft, these banquets were a necessary step to fully enter the new age, one of prosperity.

  "How generous, another set of clothes of the same quality as before no less."

  Hiro muttered while he assessed the clothes before him, on the bed. They were of a medieval style, black in color and seemed to suit an adventurous individual perhaps even a warrior. This could be seen from the pockets and belts that came along with it, and Hiro would definitely not put these additions to waste, especially the sword belt.

  All in all the outfit made for more than a descent wear for adventuring, Hiro acknowledged. However unlike the initial gift of attire these adhered to an aristocratic style or at least a basic design for someone of nobility, it was for the victory banquet after all. Although it was missing a long coat to complete the look.

  "They must have been preparing these around the same time, as the first three sets."

  B One noted, while Hiro nodded in agreement. Compared to the initial gift this one was given more thought into appearance and yet it was given to him just a day after he was made aware of it, which was still not even two days after receiving the first batch of clothes. Well there was still a possibility of someone pulling an all nighter to present the attire in time before the banquet, but considering how busy the palace was Hiro deemed this to be unlikely.

  Regardless he appreciated that they did not just give him clothes solely for appearances, which would later be useless as someone on a journey likely to be riddled with conflict.

  "Hmm, the banquet. Aleus said this would be more or less the last time he's free before we leave, so it's best I use this chance to talk to him about luggage and gear."

  Suddenly Hiro had this thought.

  Things were different now, unlike when he first left his World coming to this one, he could take anything he wanted or needed. Even something as ridiculous as a bed, if he wanted to travel with one he could, all thanks to his new found way of using Spiriton, mobile subspace.

  And in this World, Hiro could think of a few things of a considerable size to take with them, a sky ship for instance. The only cause for concern was the effect of using foreign artifacts in the World they would end up in.

  "Heh, really what is there to worry about when considering what to take, at worst some things will just remain untouched within subspace."

  Hiro concluded before going to wash up then change clothes, in preparation for the banquet.

  As the day continued to pass evening arrived, and Hiro finally left his quarters to join the Palace's victory banquet. In all honesty it had begun a few hours ago, but Hiro had no particular reason to arrive early.

  (The time is right, anyone moving about in the banquet hall with a plate or two shouldn't draw attention, right?)

  Hiro mused, slightly excited at his other reason for joining the banquet as he traveled through the corridor.

  "For someone who does not need to eat, you sure don't miss the chance to munch down on something."

  Said B One, floating ahead of Hiro, the restraining belts of his straight jacket fluttering even though there was no wind blowing.

  (What can I say, habit or perhaps an addiction.)

  Hiro chuckled silently, while thinking, is there such a thing as being addicted to food. In the first place as a high ranked swordsman who physical poisons and toxins didn't work on, was it possible for him to get an addiction.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  (Oh...)

  Suddenly Hiro's brows were raised indiscernibly as he took the final turn and saw the guards beside the banquet Hall's entrance, they were wearing dark armor. This was different from their standard of light colors and until now he hadn't seen such colors on anyone who's a regular at the palace. Even the palace guards and servants he ran into before reaching this far, this evening had retained their usual style of uniform.

  Curious, Hiro hastened his steps confident whatever the cause he would know once he entered the banquet hall.

  As he quickly approached, the doors were opened, allowing him to see what lies beyond. Everyone within was similarly wearing black, or dark clothing at least.

  (Aren't we here for a celebration, why the gloom? At least the palace itself is as bright and vibrant as ever.)

  Hiro thought briefly while his gaze moved to the Hall's exquisite chandeliers from the evening's guests then himself, realising before now he hadn't even consider wearing such a color to be gloomy for the occasion. But seeing so many people if not everyone wearing dark attire, the first thing to come to mind was a memorial service.

  As he entered the banquet hall, the doorman announced his arrival, to his surprise aside from being introduced as a prince, rune grandmaster rank level individual, he had been given a title, dark knight.

  (Dark knight, not swordsman? Is it because publically I am someone of royal birth, thus addressed as a knight instead of just a swordsman.)

  The thoughts quickly flashed in his mind before being dismissed when he noticed the Rune King and Oldomus heading his way while beckoning. His gaze swept around once more, and he saw the atmosphere had shifted upon his entry, most attention was focused on him for the time being, he could even tell some were waiting for his upcoming exchange with the Rune King to conclude for a chance to speak with him themselves.

  At this time Hiro was glad he arrived at this time and that most of the guests were those from Akarn, there wouldn't be a repeat of being surrounded by nobles and royals looking to scout him. Obviously he could deal with them, but that didn't change the fact that they were a pain.

  (Fortunately I've been acting along the lines of someone who keeps to himself. This along with my acknowledged level of strength should deter the majority of people from disturbing my evening.)

  "What a pleasant surprise to have join us this fine evening, I was afraid you wouldn't make it."

  The Rune King said warmly after exchanging pleasantries.

  "Living under your roof, for all these days, barely seeing one another but when you invite me I don't show up. How can it possible?"

  Hiro said with a neutral smile. Oldomus could feel himself starting to sweat as he thought.

  (Weren't you invited yesterday for the public declaration but didn't show up? Or was it really something that irrelevant to your eyes.)

  Despite having grown to respect Hiro, Oldomus still found him hard to read. At times Hiro appeared arrogant, at times humble and there wasn't a clear logical approach to explain it. He still remembered Hiro arriving, and the first thought he had of Hiro at the time was, an arrogant and delusional genius in rune craft.

  But all this was overturned not long after, Hiro wasn't a rune practitioner plus Hiro's strength showed him treating the Rune King as an equal was a win for Akarn.

  "Hahaha, what nonsense. You honor us with your presence, when you should be resting. Oldomus tells me, your injuries weren't something to scoff at. Who am I to disturb the continent's saviour's deserved rest, over a mere banquet."

  The Rune King declared audibly, hearing the last part the corners of Hiro's grin almost twitched.

  "Indeed, even now I don't have to do a diagnosis to determine he's far from being back to full health."

  Oldomus added in a timely manner before the Rune King even signalled at him. A feat from his own experience and understanding of the Rune King after having served the royal family for a very long time.

  "True, but there's nothing like a fine dish to replenish lost strength. Hehe, the body can't repair itself on just air."

  Hiro responded without denying their claims instead deliberately eyeing the buffet of food not too far from them.

  Hahaha! Hohoho!

  The Rune King and Oldomus didn't hold back their laughter at his response.

  "Well said, any warrior worth their salt would surely agree. We've delayed you long enough from your goal.

  There's more than enough food for everyone but it has been prepared for some time, best get a plate soon rather than later who knows when it might turn cold. If you'll excuse us."

  The Rune King said with a faint chuckle before they moved past Hiro, towards another guest that had just arrived.

  As for Hiro he didn't remain in place, instead continuing on his way to the buffet tables. His expression was as calm before but internally he had a bit of confusion and surprise.

  This all originated from, the later exchange between him and the Rune King, and the reactions he observed around them. They didn't seem to doubt his need for food or concealed it well enough that he could not see. But he was confident it wasn't the latter, he might fail to see through the Rune King and maybe Oldomus as well but not everyone present.

  (Don't they suspect that I also don't need food to sustain myself. When I first arrived at the palace I didn't have the appearance of someone who's even starved just for a day. This helped with my initial persona as a rune master, unknowingly but after the truth was revealed what did they think I lived off of, because strength doesn't translate to being free of bodily functions?)

  Immediately after having the thought, several possibilities flashed in his mind, Epsilon's display of recovering someone's health after they've starved to near death, this was likely found out after his background was looked into.

  Another was living off the life force that Epsilon could produce at times. Lastly was granting life force directly at some land, causing it to be fertile and capable of growing plants unlike the rest of the continent before his restoration of the world's life force.

  (Of course, it could be that it they just dismissed most questions using my unknown origins.)

  Hiro thought as he quickly grabbed a plate and started selecting what to have for his first meal for the evening. Most of the dishes were plant based with just enough meat on the buffet tables. As such there was a large variety of fruit and vegetable salads to pick from.

  On the the meaty side there was roasted, stewed and grilled lamb and some unidentified meat, rice dishes, bread stuffed with meat, cheese, herbs and spices. For desserts there were cakes, pies and other dough or baked pastries, filled with dates, nuts and spices but still sweet. The former was highlighted by alcoholic beverages while the latter with fruity drinks, including tea and milk. There were also dishes Hiro wasn't familiar with, like those comprising of sand worms and vegetables he'd never seen before.

  Preparing his plate, Hiro was only limited by the size of the plate, but he wasn't worried, he could return for another serving.