70: At the dinner

To welcome Payson's arrival and to reward everyone for their hard work during this time, Linn decided to hold a grand banquet. This was not only the first large-scale collective celebration for Star Sea Territory after arriving at Shattered Star Island, but also a comfort for past hardships and a beautiful outlook for the future.

After two days of meticulous preparation, a huge bonfire was lit at the planned location of the central square in Star Sea City, turning the night sky red.

Those invited to the banquet included respected artisan representatives among the Freemen, all officers above the rank of squad leader in the army, the Sea God Clan guests Aivi and High Priestess Sea Song, and Sebastian, the Archmage, Head of the Mage Corps. Of course, the newly joined Orcs Batu and Augus were also among them. Even the Slaves, ordinary soldiers, and Freemen who could not attend the banquet were given extra grain and rare meat to share in the joy.

Dozens of people sat around the bonfire, with golden roasted beast meat, fresh sea fish, baked bread, and crude wine brewed from wild fruits spread out before them. The atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

Linn stood up and walked to the front of the bonfire. The dancing flames cast a warm glow over his slightly pale but smiling face. He raised the wooden wine cup in his hand, his gaze slowly scanning every familiar or new face present.

Raising his cup:

"Everyone!" His gaze swept across the crowd. "First, let us raise our glasses together to welcome my best brother, Payson Lawson, to Star Sea Territory!"

Everyone raised their cups to greet the beaming Payson. Linn then introduced him to the Sea God Clan: "Payson and I have a life-and-death friendship; he can be fully trusted. Regarding the existence of the Sea God Clan, he will keep it absolutely secret."

Aivi and High Priestess Sea Song, who sat beside her, nodded slightly to Payson. High Priestess Sea Song was still dressed in a sea-blue robe, her posture upright, her face cold and extraordinarily beautiful, like an iceberg under the moonlight, carrying a majesty that brooked no desecration.

Payson was also very happy; his friendship with Linn had never changed.

"I, Linn, was once an outcast abandoned by my Family. While others treated me like a slave, Payson always supported and protected me unconditionally." Linn looked at Payson with sincere eyes: "Payson is also a member of our Star Sea Territory; you must give him enough respect."

After the introduction, Linn drained his wine in one gulp, refilled it, and turned his gaze to Aivi and the others.

"This second cup is to our closest neighbors, the Sea God Clan. In the future, we will guard this home together with them."

Everyone raised their cups toward Aivi and her companions again, and High Priestess Aivi responded. It was also their first time participating in such an activity, and Aivi was especially happy.

"This third cup of wine," Linn said loudly, "I want to toast every one of you, to everyone who has sweated and bled, and fought hard for Star Sea Territory and for our shared new home!"

His voice carried a powerful charisma: "We came from a distant homeland, crossed storms, and went through bloody battles! We lost many dear companions; their sacrifice, we shall never forget!" The atmosphere turned solemn, and many people's eyes filled with remembrance.

"But!" Linn's voice suddenly rose, full of power. "We did not fall! We have cultivated fields with our sweat, built docks with our hands, conquered powerful enemies with our courage, and laid the foundation for this rising Star Sea City with our faith!"

"Look around us!" He spread his arms. "This place was once a wilderness! But now, there are villages, fields, and thoroughfare waterways, and there will soon be a solid and glorious city built by our own hands! All of this was created by every single person in our Star Sea Territory, regardless of race, working together with one heart!"

"There may still be challenges ahead, but I believe that as long as we are united, Star Sea Territory will burn fiercely like this bonfire on this Shattered Star Archipelago, shining with thousands of beams of light! For Star Sea Territory, for our shared home, cheers!"

"For Star Sea Territory! For our home! Cheers!"

Everyone's blood was ignited; they stood up excitedly, raising their cups, their cheers shaking the heavens! The atmosphere instantly reached a climax.

Payson watched the scene before him, looking at the radiant Linn, his heart filled with emotion and pride.

The banquet continued in a heated atmosphere. Laughter and conversation never ceased. Ocean, Hogan, and the others began to compete in drinking; even Angus, who usually spoke very little, joined in.

Clay bragged about past deeds with Batu and Augus.

The two brothers, Shirei and Evan, clamored that they were invincible at drinking.

Elise also sang ancient ballads in ethereal and melodious Elvish, leaving everyone entranced.

However, an interlude broke the tranquility.

Ocean, his face flushed from drinking, stood up unsteadily and actually walked straight toward the cold and elegant High Priestess Sea Song, who was sitting beside Aivi.

He grinned widely, reeking of alcohol, and reached out a rough hand, saying something shocking: "Hi... High Priestess! You really look like a goddess from a painting! Don't just sit there. Our names are similar—I'm... I'm Ocean. Let me... invite you to a dance!"

Instantly, the whole place went silent. Everyone stared with wide eyes, looking at Ocean in disbelief. Aivi covered her mouth in shock, Sebastian almost choked on his wine, and Linn and Payson were also stunned.

High Priestess Sea Song obviously had not expected such a blunt invitation. A rare trace of bewilderment and confusion flashed in her deep-sea-like eyes, as if she couldn't process this situation that defied common sense. She maintained her cold sitting posture, looking at the reckless human brute before her for several seconds. A layer of frost seemed to congeal on her beautiful face, yet it also vaguely showed a hint of distress at not knowing how to respond.

While everyone held their breath, thinking Ocean was about to be frozen into an ice sculpture, she finally spoke slowly in a voice as cold as jade beads falling on a plate, yet carrying an imperceptible trace of helplessness:

"Battalion Commander Ocean," her voice seemed to drop the surrounding temperature by several degrees, "save your 'enthusiasm' for the waves to respond to. I... am not good at dancing."

"Pfft—"

After a brief silence, the whole place erupted into deafening roars of laughter! The tense atmosphere instantly vanished, becoming incredibly relaxed and joyful.

"Hahaha! You? Dancing?" Karl mocked drunkenly.

Ocean scratched his head, looking at the laughing crowd, and began to giggle foolishly along with them before being pulled back by Hogan to drink more.

High Priestess Sea Song turned her face slightly, casting her gaze back to the bonfire as if nothing had happened, but her fair earlobes seemed to flush with a very faint crimson under the firelight.

This unexpected and slightly comical interlude, rather than ruining the atmosphere, made the relationship between the various races even more harmonious amidst the laughter.