In the evening, in the Sidney family's banquet hall.
In the elegantly decorated banquet hall, several rune furnaces were placed in the corners of the banquet hall, emitting heat to maintain the temperature of the banquet hall, making the entire banquet hall as warm as spring.
The surviving members of the various families were dressed in exquisite formal attire, holding crystal goblets filled with mellow wine. They gathered in groups of three to five, and the sound of glasses clinking could be heard from time to time.
They were lucky to have not died like their five companions. Not only that, but they would also receive rich rewards from the Sidney family.
Of course, the five companions who died would also receive rewards, but the rewards would belong to their families. At the same time, their families would also receive a considerable amount of compensation.
Even so, they still did not want to become one of the five companions. Aristocrats liked to enjoy life, and only when they were alive could they have the ability to do so. If they died, even if there were many rewards, they would not have the fortune to enjoy them.
"Baron Twain."
"Baron Majeri."
…
In the banquet hall, Gray, under the guidance of Viscount Fergus, greeted the aristocratic families that were on good terms with the Fergus family.
He was dressed in a black tuxedo. His posture was tall and straight, and his face was delicate and pretty. Coupled with his slightly elegant black hair and deep blue eyes, although he was not extremely handsome, he had a unique temperament.
The injuries on his body had completely healed.
The effect of the healing potion was very remarkable. After consuming it, Gray's injuries were recovering at a speed that could be seen with the naked eye.
Of course, there were some side effects. During the process of consumption, the injured areas would become very itchy. After all, the cells in the body were rapidly growing, and there would definitely be some external reactions.
In addition, although this potion was also effective for bone damage, it was not as fast as treating physical injuries. After all, bone fractures required a very long time to heal.
Naturally, Gray did not have any fractures. Even when his left arm was directly slashed by Rob Tracy, there was only a deep wound. The internal bones did not crack or shatter, which was why he was able to heal so quickly.
After the incident, he couldn't help but marvel at the power of the Iron-armed Ape's iron arms. If he had the chance to encounter a blood beast of a higher order than the Iron-armed Ape, he would definitely reserve an opportunity for it to "consume blood".
After taking a stroll around the banquet hall and accompanying Viscount Fergus to greet the nobles he was familiar with, Gray headed in a certain direction.
There was a young woman in a purple dress with her blonde hair tied up.
The long dress was adorned with gemstones, and it was strangely eye-catching. What was even more eye-catching was the young woman.
Her slender waist, long legs, and curvaceous upper body were perfectly displayed under the jewel-studded purple dress.
"Gray."
Seeing Gray walk over, the young woman smiled and greeted Gray. She was Polly.
"Very beautiful!"
Gray smiled and praised.
Seeing a woman dressed up, Gray wasn't so stunned that he pretended not to see her. He knew that he should praise her at this time, and he didn't lie at all.
"Thank you."
Polly's face was slightly flushed as she thanked him softly.
"How are your injuries?"
"They're almost healed, thanks to the healing medicine you gave me."
Gray moved his body slightly as a gesture.
"No need."
Polly shook her head slightly.
"Speaking of which, I should be the one thanking you. I heard from Granduncle that if you hadn't taken the initiative to block Rob Tracy, he would have been in danger when faced with the siege of Rob Tracy and a barbaric-level blood beast."
"I was only trying to save myself."
Greg said with a smile.
What he said was the truth. If he had the confidence to protect himself, he wouldn't have foolishly blocked Rob Tracy and faced danger head-on.
"What are you chatting about? You look so happy!"
Zaloyan walked over and joked with a smile.
"What do you mean?"
Polly rebuked unhappily.
"Is that so? In other words, you feel that chatting with Gray is very boring."
Zaloyan pretended to be surprised.
"I, I didn't say that. Gray, don't listen to his nonsense … Big Brother, if you continue to be like this, I won't talk to you in the future!"
Polly said angrily. Zaloyan's teasing made her anxious.
"I surrender, I surrender."
Zaloyan spread out his hands, looking as if he had surrendered his weapon.
"Young Master Zaloyan."
Seeing that the two siblings had stopped fooling around, Gray smiled and greeted Zaloyan.
"Lord Marquis."
"Lord Marquis."
…
At this moment, Marquis Sidney, who was wearing formal attire and exuding a dignified aura, walked into the banquet hall and stood in the center.
Gray, Polly, and Zaloyan stopped talking. They knew that Marquis Sidney was about to announce the rewards for the various families. In fact, this banquet was a disguised reward conference.
"This time, we were able to eliminate the Shadow Serpent organization and eliminate this hidden danger that has been entangling the Sidney Hill for decades. It is all thanks to the efforts and contributions of everyone here and the five who will lie down forever. The Sidney family sees this and remembers it in our hearts."
Looking around, Marquis Sidney's voice was gentle and forceful.
"In recognition of your bravery, the Sidney family has decided to give you a reward."
"Baron Quinton's family is awarded 3,000 gold coins."
"Baron Howell's family is awarded 3,200 gold coins."
…
"Earl Smalley's family is awarded 50,000 gold coins."
"Earl Ford's family is awarded 50,000 gold coins."
Except for a few families, the families whose names were mentioned could not help but be overjoyed.
A reward of at least 3,000 gold coins was already an extremely high reward for these baronial families. After all, under normal circumstances, a viscount family's annual tax income was only about 10,000 gold coins.
However, there were also some families that were suspicious because their names weren't on the list.
However, their suspicions did not last long.
"After careful examination, we have decided to promote the Carlisle, Moore, and Yvelines families from baronial families to viscount families."
"Thank you, Marquis Sidney."
The heads of the Carlisle and Moore families, as well as the Yvelines family, who were related to the Fergus family by marriage, could not help but be pleasantly surprised. They were so excited that their bodies were trembling slightly.
Just like the Fergus family wanted to be promoted to a count family, these baronial families naturally also wanted to be promoted to a viscount family.
Although the competition was not as fierce as the competition for the title of count, there was still a lot of smoke. To be able to stand out in the competition and be promoted to a viscount family, one could imagine how excited they were.
Marquis Sidney waited for the excitement to subside before continuing.
"In addition, we have decided to promote the Fergus Viscount family to a count family. Since Gray Fergus currently has no experience in managing a territory, the title of count will be temporarily replaced by Emerson Fergus."
"Thank you, Marquis Sidney. The Fergus family will definitely live up to the Sidney family's expectations!"
Viscount Fergus walked out slightly agitatedly, bowed, and said solemnly.
Even though he already knew, he could not help but feel a surge of emotion when he heard it now.
The efforts of generations, the long-cherished wish of generations, had finally been realized in his generation.
After the award, the atmosphere in the banquet hall became even more lively. The people of the various families enthusiastically clinked their wine glasses, and the crisp clinking sound of wine glasses could be heard continuously.
"Congratulations, Viscount Fergus. No, it should be Earl Fergus now."
Earl Ford walked up with a glass of red wine and clinked glasses with Earl Fergus with a smile.
"Thank you."
Earl Fergus suppressed his excessive joy and responded with a smile. Soon, he was surrounded by many nobles who came to congratulate him.
Even Gray was not spared. He was also surrounded by many nobles and forced to drink a lot of red wine.
Fortunately, his current physique was already extremely strong, and he would not get drunk easily.
"As expected, they've been promoted to a count's family!"
Earl Smalley glanced at Earl Fergus with a trace of coldness in his eyes.
He had already guessed on the way back, and now his guess had been confirmed.
With his relationship with the Fergus family, he naturally did not wish for the Fergus family to be promoted to a count's family.
Whether it was the Rychens family or the Bessemer family, no matter which family was promoted to a count's family, it would obviously be better for the Smalley family's interests than the Fergus family's.
However, this matter clearly did not change according to his will.
"The Fergus family has really become a count's family. The Rychens family really has no hope at all!"
Viscount Lychens' eyes were filled with malice as he resisted the urge to distort his face.
As the head of the six viscount families and the family closest to becoming a count, he could only watch helplessly as the Fergus family, which could only be ranked in the lower middle of the six viscount families, rose above the rest and became a count's family. One could only imagine the resentment, dissatisfaction, and jealousy in his heart.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with the other families, he left, saying that he was unwell. He did not want to stay in this banquet hall for a moment longer.
"The Fergus family has already been promoted to a count's family. The Bessemer family has no chance."
Viscount Bessemer revealed a bitter smile.
Although she was a woman, she had never believed that she would lose to a man. That was the truth. In terms of battle prowess, she was the leader of all the viscount families. Even Viscount Lychens was inferior to her in terms of battle prowess.
Moreover, her children were also extremely outstanding. Her eldest daughter, Jolie, was already a high-rank Blood Warrior. In a few years, she should be able to become a Ferocious Blood Warrior. The possibility of her becoming a Berserk Warrior was very high.
However, compared to Gray Fergus, she was far too lacking.
He was a few years younger than Jolie, but he was already a Berserk Warrior. This speed of growth was simply too exaggerated.
She could not help but feel slightly jealous. How could the Fergus family be so lucky to have such an outstanding child? Why did she not have such luck?