My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 540: Chapter 180: Even If a Thousand Stand in My Way, I Shall Go

”What in the world?!”

The scene was so bizarre that it made the man shout out in shock as if by reflex.

...

...

Edo, the residence area, at Bright’s mansion—

The elegant sound of the koto was continuously emanating from a corner of the hall.

A string ensemble composed of more than a dozen musicians played a dance tune that echoed through the place.

In the center of the hall, couples laughed and danced to the beautiful melody.

As one of the first foreign merchants to come to Japan for business, although Bright’s wealth was not the greatest among all foreign merchants in Japan at the time, it was still considerable.

This dance party, organized to celebrate Bright’s 60th birthday and inviting half of the Edo residence’s inhabitants, was something he wouldn’t spare any expense on, both in feeling and in reason.

If one were to describe Bright’s party with a simple and direct phrase...it would be that even the most inconspicuous details exuded luxury.

Three chandeliers hung low above the hall where the party was held. Delicate green ferns were draped over the chandeliers, naturally hanging down to add a warm touch to the hall.

On both sides of the hall, long tables were set up, with the light from the chandeliers reflecting off each crystal glass on the tables, sparkling brightly.

All the tableware on the long tables was made of silver, including the bottles containing condiments and the boxes holding forks and knives.

The white tablecloths covering each long table were so dazzlingly white that they almost blinded the onlooker, all adorned with red roses, which were exceedingly difficult to find in Japan at the time.

As for the dining, there was little else to say—even the current Shogunate, Tokugawa Iemochi, might have been dumbfounded by the dizzying menu, seeing what the guests at the party were eating.

Baked white bread, smoked fish, crispy biscuits, Welsh lamb, caviar from Tsarist Russia, French foie gras terrine and foie gras steak...

The tables also featured purple grapes, apples, and seasonal watermelons, among other fruits.

These delicacies were accompanied by Lafite’s dry red wine, Andalusian sherry, French champagne, and other beverages.

The wine was fragrant and delicious, with the drinks accompanying the food down the throat as if swallowing gold.

Of course, the feast at this party would naturally not lack Bright’s favorite Japanese sake.

The precious sake he ordered from his old business partner, Nakamura Chouhachirou, was delivered punctually today.

However, among all the attendees, only Bright enjoyed Japanese sake, so the batch he ordered was mostly consumed by him alone.

There was no worry about whether Bright could finish so much sake.

This old man’s stomach seemed like a bottomless pit; no matter how much sake, he could easily ingest it.

Bottle after bottle of his beloved sake, Bright had already drunk 9 bottles, each holding 180 milliliters, yet he remained energetic, with just a slight blush on his cheeks.

”Oh, these grapes are really sweet.” As he savored the grape he just sent into his mouth, Anthony’s eyes gleamed. ”Elodie, do you want to try these grapes?”

”Haah...”

Anthony turned to look at Elodie, who was beside him, only to see her yawning widely.

At the moment when her mouth gaped open from the yawn, Elodie quickly raised her white, tender right hand to cover it, to avoid exposing an overly unbecoming manner.

Yawning in public was quite ungraceful, and for Elodie, who had been strictly educated from a young age, she wouldn’t usually do such a thing unless she was extremely tired.

”Elodie, are you very tired?”

A hint of hesitation appeared between Elodie’s brows.

Perhaps knowing that in her current state it would be difficult to lie, after a brief hesitation, Elodie looked up and gave a helpless smile to her grandfather.

”Hmm... I’m a bit sleepy...”

With that, Elodie blinked hard, trying to clear the sleepiness swirling in her eyes.

Anthony took out his pocket watch and opened it — just after 11:30 PM.

By this time, it was long past Elodie’s usual bedtime, so it was normal for her to be sleepy.

”Elodie, perhaps we should go home now?”

Out of concern for Elodie’s health, Anthony made this suggestion.

After all, Elodie was still just a 12-year-old child, and staying up late was not good for the growth and development of a child like her.

This suggestion to ”go home” was made out of care for Elodie’s well-being.

But Elodie didn’t seem to be very appreciative of it.

As soon as Anthony finished speaking, a color of hesitation emerged and tugged repeatedly within Elodie’s pupils.

”Grandpa, I... I want to play a little longer...”

After quietly expressing her plea, Elodie reached out with her little hand, picked off a grape from the front table that Anthony had just recommended, and popped it into her mouth.

Anthony was briefly stunned, then quickly figured out the reason and revealed a relieved, understanding smile.

Tonight... to be precise, after the party started, Anthony hadn’t seen Elodie this excited and joyful for a long time.

Rare lively activities, the sound of conversations and laughter around... All these made Elodie, who often missed playmates and had to stay home alone, feel a sense of freshness and delight.

Occasionally, acquaintances of Anthony’s would politely come and invite her, this little lady, to dance. Although she wasn’t good at dancing herself, and those who came to dance with her generally didn’t take it too seriously, Elodie still found it quite enjoyable.