Chapter 30: Gathering Clash
Another day has passed.
The soldiers returning from battle have successfully completed their rituals.
There are quite a few new war merit nobles across the regions.
To celebrate this, each region hosted large parties and invited all nobles to attend.
Hughes and Sharon would naturally go as well.
Night Lan also would be there.
“Ugh~ Another upper-class party…”
For Night Lan, this was a meaningless activity.
Even though she had attended numerous tea parties with Sharon, meeting many beautiful ladies, such gatherings were still too crowded and overwhelming for her introverted nature.
But she went anyway.
There weren’t many activities suitable for someone like Night Lan to pass time, so she might as well accompany Sharon.
Besides, she wanted to observe the situation, just in case.
Even though she preferred to avoid social interactions, she could always minimize her presence and sneak away to eat when Sharon and others talked.
There was plenty of gourmet food on offer at the party.
Night Lan couldn’t miss out on these delights.
It was said that only the best chefs prepared them, and Night Lan definitely approved.
The party had begun.
Someone stepped forward to give the opening speech, presumably one of the highest-ranking war merit nobles.
Night Lan paid no attention and continued searching for delicious food to satisfy her appetite.
She didn’t know what the noble had said, but the party resumed.
Next was a free mixing session where nobles could chat and make new acquaintances.
This was common during such gatherings.
However, the party took an unusual turn without anyone realizing it.
There were now two distinct factions of nobles present.
One faction consisted of young nobles who embraced polite customs.
The other faction were the newly returned war merit nobles fresh from the battlefield.
As if there was an invisible barrier between them, neither side seemed able to communicate happily.
They tried to talk to each other, but they just couldn’t adapt to one another’s communication styles.
Some of the dapper gentlemen behaved in ways that didn’t sit well with some war merit nobles.
On the flip side, some war merit nobles’ blunt mannerisms caused discomfort among some of the more refined ladies.
Not all of the dapper men like Hughes truly lived by etiquette; many only imitated it.
No matter how good the imitation, it couldn’t change their core essence.
They thought that talking with those who weren’t dashing gentlemen or proper ladies lowered their own class and made them look less polished.
Hence, talking to rough-edged warriors wouldn’t enhance their image either.
A few female nobles even felt similarly because some war merit nobles would directly try to chat with them.
After all, after years on the battlefield, it’s natural for them to want to settle down and start a family back home.
In that case, finding someone appropriate for marriage wasn’t unreasonable.
Unfortunately…
The current aristocratic aesthetic had been skewed by Hughes.
Many ladies fantasized about finding the perfect gentleman like Hughes.
Even if not Hughes himself, they at least wanted a gentleman.
But none of these war merit nobles could be considered gentlemen, thus standing no chance with the proper ladies.
This was a disaster for the recently returned war merit nobles struggling to fit into the current aristocratic culture.
If this continued, no young nobles would likely be willing to cooperate with them.
Though many younger nobles may not hold power at the moment, they were sure to wield influence eventually.
Being ostracized was terrible for nobles.
War merit nobles were no exception.
This wasn’t a battlefield.
Violence alone wouldn’t get you far here.
Even Hughes noticed this isolation, sighing inwardly.
Ah.
So it’s just surface-level courtesy and ladylike manners?
Those influenced by him will never become like him.
Appearance and demeanor can only go so far—inner convictions can never align perfectly.
While it’s normal for gentlemen to be reluctant to talk to people they dislike,
rejecting those who aren’t of your kind goes too far.
Even if war merit nobles lack courtly charm, respect should still be given to them instead of pushing them away.
That isn’t true gentility.
What would the war merit nobles do?
Embrace the current aristocratic trends or resist change?
This mattered greatly to Hughes.
Hughes pondered, then apologized to his companions, “Excuse me for a bit.”
Moving out of the crowd, he headed straight to where the war merit nobles gathered, ready to chat with them.
Of course, some noticed him approach.
Seeing his unique demeanor, they understood something.
Another gentleman.
Saw a bespectacled noble man sneer.
“Another fine gentleman? If you don’t wish to mingle, fine, don’t come over and act so fake. Or is it that your mannerisms reveal your gentlemanliness?”
Hughes felt a chill.
Quite a bit of hostility.
“Hello everyone, I’m Hughes. I feel we could have a pleasant conversation.”
Many war merit nobles raised their eyebrows hearing his introduction:
“You’re the most sought-after gentleman? I’ve heard many ladies talk about you; they say you’re the perfect man. I beg to differ.”
Hughes remained composed.
“It’s all flattery, I’m just a regular guy skilled in politeness; nothing extraordinary.”
The war merit nobles fell silent.
Earlier, they often heard ladies mention Hughes while they tried to connect with them.
Some even compared themselves unfavorably; hence, some were quite irked.
Look at the young man before you.
Young, weak-looking, only pretty and gentle; is this why he gets the attention of ladies?
Strength and dominance are what’s desirable.
These traits work in battle, but at a noble gathering, they’re unwelcome?
Definitely abnormal.
Bad manners!
In some eyes, Hughes already faced hostility.
A sense of unfairness stirred in their hearts.
Then a few stepped closer, trying to intimidate him.
Returning from battle, they carried more gravitas, a presence ordinary folk could not handle.
Their aura quickly pressed down, and there was a stark difference between those who had killed and those who hadn’t.
Yet Hughes retained his calm facade.
“Gentlemen, this behavior is quite rude.”
“You’re Hughes, right? I challenge you,” a younger war merit noble said defiantly, glaring at Hughes.
Winning against what they see as the perfect gentleman would shatter this illusion among younger nobles.
Change this distorted beauty standard.
What gentlemanly air?!
We don’t need such pretense!
