Chapter 40 The Grand Feast Begins

After a few hours of shopping that had been equal parts entertaining and exhausting, Goblinworth and I finally found common ground on the perfect outfit. It had taken countless wardrobe changes, several disagreements, and even a few more unintentional comedic incidents involving socks, bowties, and biting shirts but we succeded.

As we stood before the mirror, Goblinworth in his dapper tuxedo and me in my sleek suit, there was a sense of accomplishment in the air. The goblin's tiny frame was adorned with a miniature tuxedo that seemed tailor-made for his small stature. His chest puffed out with pride, and he couldn't help but admire himself from every angle.

I couldn't help but smile at the sight. Goblinworth, the goblin with a penchant for exaggerated antics, had transformed into a dashing figure of elegance and charm. His enthusiasm was infectious, and I couldn't have been happier for him.

"Goblinworth, you look fantastic!" I said, genuinely impressed by how the tuxedo suited him, even though the sight of a monster, like a goblin, wearing a tuxedo looked utterly ridiculous, to begin with.

He beamed with satisfaction, his beady eyes gleaming with glee.

 "Yes, yes! Goblinworth is the most stylish goblin in Luminecia! Ready for a big feast! Gobby looking dashing! Like a goblin prince! The gnome-made costume is good!" he declared with an exaggerated flourish.

 "You certainly do, Goblinworth. You're going to steal the show tonight!" I said jokingly.

With our shopping mission accomplished and our outfits ready for the grand feast, we eagerly anticipated the evening's festivities. As the day slowly turned to dusk, we returned to Lumi's parent's mansion, our excitement growing with every passing moment.

 The time had come for the celebration, we gathered at Lumi's parent's mansion. From there we went to the manor where the festivities will be held. Our party was a vibrant mix of characters, each with their own unique presence. 

Lumi, radiant in her elegant attire, exuded an air of accomplishment and excitement. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she looked forward to the night's festivities.

I, too, was dressed in my finest, the suit fitting comfortably and lending an air of sophistication. Alitia's enchanting presence exuded an aura of beauty and allure as she graced the gathering with her presence.

Lumi's parents, a fusion of elf and dwarf heritage, brought a sense of tradition and nobility to the occasion. Their pride in their daughter's achievement was evident in their beaming smiles and words of encouragement.

And then there was Goblinworth, the goblin butler who had become an unexpected and beloved member of our party. He stood with an air of refinement that was both charming and comically goofy, a true testament to his adaptability.

The carriage ride was a mix of excitement and anticipation. Goblinworth's goblin-sized enthusiasm seemed to be contagious, infecting the air with an aura of uncontainable energy. With each jostle and bump of the carriage, he let out an assortment of gleeful sounds that ranged from high-pitched squeals to a series of nonsensical syllables that only a goblin's vocal cords could produce.

"Whoopee-dee-doo! Choo choo, big carriage! Bouncy ride, bouncy ride! Carriage fancy! Shiny like goblin treasure! Gobbies love shiny things, yes, yes! The carriage takes us to a big feast, and I will eat everything! My belly pillow will grow! Yes, it will! big as a mountain! Well, not the biggest mountain... but a mountain!" Goblinworth cheered spewing a bunch of nonsense, his arms flailing in the air as if he were on a rollercoaster rather than a simple carriage.

Lumi giggled at his antics, her eyes sparkling with mirth. 

"Goblinworth, you're a little bucket of excitement, aren't you? And yes, there will be plenty of delicious food for you to enjoy. But be careful or you will get tummy ouchies, and we all know how you don't like tummy ouchies."

The goblin's eyes lit up like twin lanterns as he turned his attention to Lumi.

 "Excitement? Tummy ouchies? Yes, yes! Like a firecracker in a sausage! No need to fret! Feast, feast! Goblinworth loves feast! Good food, and good company, what more goblins need? Oh! Yes! The quenches too! My gobler gets parched very easily after gulping down chunks of food, need to quench down the thirst!"

Lumi giggled at Goblinworth's energy, patting him on the head affectionately.

 "You're right, Goblinworth. It's going to be a wonderful celebration! You have nothing to worry about, there will be plenty of everything for a hundred of you."

Alitia was awfully quiet and deep in thought while she gazed through the carriage window. As the carriage drew nearer to the mansion, Goblinworth's natural inquisitiveness got the better of him. He couldn't resist the temptation to lean forward, his small goblin frame stretching toward the window. His beady eyes sparkled with intrigue as he peered out, eager to catch a glimpse of the approaching surroundings. He was so high on excitement that his ears flapped so hard that it looked like he would take flight to the manor.

 "Mansion, big mansion! Goblinworth has never seen such a big place! I feel out of place! There will be so many people! The lights are on, what if we missed it? What if we are late!?" He yelped as he grabbed his meaty ears from flying away.

I nodded in agreement, sharing his awe at the grandeur of the mansion.

 "It's quite impressive, Goblinworth. But don't worry, you don't need to be so impatient. The evening just starting, we won't miss it. Besides, you look dashing, we'll fit right in! Just look at us, dressed in fashion."

 As we continued along the path, the lights of the approaching mansion grew brighter, casting a beautiful glow on the surroundings.

Goblinworth's gaze locked onto the mansion, and he let out a yelp that sounded like a mix between a battle cry and a celebratory cheer. 

"Mansion! Big and shiny! Goblinworth's ready to feast and dance like a dandelion in a hurricane! I am ready to show my dance move I have practiced so hard!"

Lumi's parents shared a bemused look, clearly amused by Goblinworth's whimsical outbursts. Her father, a dwarf with a hearty demeanor, couldn't help but find Goblinworth's antics highly entertaining. He leaned in slightly, his gruff voice carrying a warmth that was characteristic of dwarves.

"Aye, ye can say that again, ya green lad! I will be showin' ma move' ma self! Hahasha!" he rumbled, a hearty laugh rumbling from deep within his chest. 

"Our Goblinworth knows how to make a grand entrance, let me tell ya that."

Lumi's mother, equally amused by the goblin's theatrical display, chimed in with a chuckle of her own.

 "Indeed, he's brought a touch of goblin impulse to our day since Lumi picked him up, hasn't he? But you two should show some restraint and act as refined persons."

As the carriage came to a graceful halt, the mansion's entrance was adorned with twinkling lights and an air of grandeur. Goblinworth practically leaped out of the carriage, his excitement evident in every leap and skip. As we stepped out onto the grand path leading to the mansion, Goblinworth's eyes sparkled with excitement, and his goblin-sized heart beat with anticipation.

"Fancy place! Fancy people! Fancy food! Let's get this party started! I can not wait to stuff my cheeks full like a desperate squirrel on a sugar rush!"

Lumi's mother grinned at the goblin's infectious enthusiasm.

 "Goblinworth, you've certainly got the spirit, but you should show some restraint. Do not embarrass Lumi in front of all these people, or I will get mad at you. So, enjoy yourself with that in mind."

The goblin stirred as if he was struck by a leash and meekly said, "Y-yes, Master! I will find a place to feast in secret! No embarrassment for Master! Oh, no-no!" With that said he scampered off to the entrance, practically tripping over his own feet in his eagerness. 

Some other goblins, equally eccentric in their mannerisms were gathered around the entrance, and they began a rapid-fire exchange of words that was nothing short of chaotic.

Lumi and her parents left to greet the guests. Alitia stood slightly restless further away, she had a worried expression on her face as if she was waiting for someone and it never showed up. I scanned the gathering crowd in front of the mansion's entrance, and a few familiar faces caught my attention.

First, there was Bill, the imposing minotaur. His towering stature and brawny build made him stand out like a giant among the crowd. He was engaged in a conversation with a scrawny, wrinkled goblin who clung to a comically oversized walking cane. Despite the discrepancy in size, they appeared to be deep in conversation, their animated gestures making it difficult to discern whether it was a heated debate or a spirited exchange of tales.

Bill's deep, rumbling voice clashed with Hermit's high-pitched, squeaky tone, creating a cacophony of words that was as entertaining as it was bewildering.

Bill, his massive frame looming over the goblin, leaned forward with a challenging glint in his eye.

 "I'm tellin' ya, Hermit, strength and brute force are what truly matter in this world. It's the path to success, and nothing you say will change that!"

Hermit, gripping his oversized cane with surprising determination, retorted with all the gusto a goblin could muster.

 "Nonsense, Bill! It's intelligence, cunning, and strategy that lead to victory. Brawn alone is for the simpletons! For brutes such as yourself!"

 "You think all your sneaky tricks can outmatch raw power? You're dreamin', Hermit! When you're in a brawl, it's the strong that'll be left standin'."

Hermit, undeterred by Bill's fierce words, leaned forward on his cane, his beady eyes narrowing.

 "Strength without strategy is like charging into battle blindfolded, Bill! You'll be defeated by a clever opponent before you even know what hit you."

My attention then shifted to a source of infectious laughter, drawing me towards a group that was clearly enjoying each other's company. 

It was Laughing Larry, his hearty chuckles echoed through the air, creating an almost jovial melody. Helen's warm smile seemed to radiate an aura of positivity, while Olivia's energetic chatter added to the lively atmosphere. Amid them was a well-dressed man, his elegant attire marking him as someone of importance.

As I strained to listen, I caught snippets of their conversation. 

"Isaac! Remember the time we faced off against the Wyrm of the Winding Caves?" Laughing Larry's booming voice reverberated, prompting laughter from the group.

I thought to myself after hearing the name, "So, that is Isaac Van Blous, the man whose name I tried to use when I was summoned into this world."

 His presence intrigued me, and I couldn't help but eavesdrop a little more to gather any clues about his role in Luminecia.

Helen chimed in, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

 "Ah, that was quite the mess! And the way Olivia managed to find a path through that labyrinth, it was remarkable."

Olivia grinned, clearly relishing the attention. 

"Well, if it was only the two of us, I wouldn't have minded to spend a few days alone in there with you my love." She said flirtatiously as she hugged Helen. 

Isaac chuckled, his tone carrying a hint of playful sarcasm.

 "Ah! And let's not forget the time Larry mistook a harmless mushroom for a deadly potion ingredient."

Laughing Larry's boisterous laughter erupted once again, and he slapped his thigh in amusement.

 "Oh, you'll never let me live that one down, will you?"

My attention was suddenly arrested by a woman, who appeared to be somewhat ill at ease, leaning against a column of the mansion. It was clear she was maintaining a certain distance from the guests around her. Upon closer inspection, I realized I had seen her before - she was the Demon Lady from that rainy encounter on the street not too long ago. She seemed to be casting nervous glances around as if she felt somewhat out of place amidst the festivities.

With an interest in getting to know her better, given her council member status, I began to make my way towards her. As I approached, I couldn't help but admire her striking appearance. Her attire, while simple, accentuated her lavender-hued skin, revealing more of her beauty than her usual armor. Stylish ribbons adorned her elegant horns, and a dainty top hat perched atop her head along her glistening black hair fashioned in a ponytail hairstyle, giving her a distinct and captivating look that was impossible to ignore.

The closer I got, the more aware she became of my approach. Her ebony-red eyes darted away from me, but I could see her sneak furtive glances in my direction, as though she were evaluating whether or not I was heading her way. She seemed almost on the verge of bolting, her body language fraught with nervous energy.

Wanting to put her at ease, I offered a reassuring smile and gave her a friendly wave as I drew nearer.

 I finally stood before her, maintaining a respectful distance. 

"Hello," I greeted her with sincerity, my voice gentle and welcoming.

 "I hope you remember me from our encounter in the rain. It's a pleasure to see you again. I couldn't help but notice you standing here, and I thought I'd come over to say hello. I'm Kazuki, by the way. Kazuki Silvercrest."

I offered my hand for a friendly handshake, hoping to initiate a conversation that would unravel some of the mysteries surrounding this intriguing Demon Lady.