Chapter 147: The Feast
When the priestess heard that the lord wished to have a feast, she wasn’t satisfied with just the boar on the menu. Remembering the description of the dungeon she asked for permission to venture into the dungeon to find other items as well.
In her opinion, when there is a jungle nearby, there won’t be any limitation for the food items as well. After all, she had lived her whole life in the jungle and knew how things work there.
Dhruv didn’t have any problem with this suggestion, so he ordered that they could do that.
He didn’t send them alone and arranged for Thala and his bodyguards to accompany the tribe’s members into the dungeon to ensure no mishaps were to happen.
Although the goblins didn’t wander that much in the jungle, it was better to be prepared than sorry.
Before the group entered the dungeon, Dhruv had warned them not to eat any kind of fruit unless he checked them for any side effects. He didn’t directly tell them about the apple tree, as he had a plan for that tree.
The tribe had also brought some utensils and spices, so there wasn’t any need for that. Now, the wood was also in abundance, so there wasn’t any problem with fuel either.
While the meal was cooking, Dhruv was organizing his thoughts.
’From tomorrow, we can start the work to build houses. How should the design for the house be?’ Dhruv thought as different designs appeared in his head.
’I don’t think we need to build the houses as luxurious. The only thing needed at this moment is a roof above our heads. Bathrooms couldn’t be built as there isn’t a sewer system, and we can’t use electricity either.’
’...The prison bathroom could be used by everyone. How should we solve the problem of lighting? I should talk with the crafters to see if they have any ideas for this problem. Yes! Now I don’t have to think about everything myself,’ Dhruv thought as he smiled.
Dhruv found out that now there were many capable ones on the island and he didn’t have to worry about it that much. The only thing he needs to do is rule them.
...
Sometime later,
The entire island bathed in the silvery glow of the moonlight as night approached.
Multiple bonfires had been ignited, casting a warm, flickering ambiance around the entire Island.
Around these bonfires, groups of people were engrossed in meaningless yet beautiful conversations.
Some children, caught up in the joy of the moment, danced with carefree abandon. Meanwhile, others dived into a world of mystery, captivated by the enchanting stories passed down from their parents and grandparents.
On another corner of the island, a dedicated group of individuals was enthusiastically cooking the item which was the reason for this happiness.
The meal was nearly complete, with only a few finishing touches remaining.
"Ohhh! How delicious!" exclaimed a man who couldn’t resist the tantalizing aroma of the dishes.
"I’m going to eat twice as much as usual," chimed in a slightly fat man next to him.
"Hey, don’t you dare do that; we have to leave some for the rest of us, hehehe" the man beside him playfully teased, sparking a harmonious discussion among the men.
"Hey! I-I don’t eat that much," the poor man admitted with a hint of embarrassment.
"Yay, we know that," they all agreed with a hearty laugh.
After minutes of lively conversation, a loud voice rang out through the group,
"Everybody, the meal is ready," announced the priestess.
"Yes!"
"Finally!"
A wave of cheers erupted among the crowd as they began to wash themselves, readying for the upcoming meal.
A minute later, the whole island was filled with the tantalizing aroma of freshly grilled boar meat, rabbit meat, and the fragrant, simmering soups.
There weren’t any tables or chairs around the island as everyone was planning to eat on the ground around bonfires... together.
The first group passed as they distributed the recently created plates and bowls.
These plates, bowls, and cutlery were made with wood from the dungeon. They were created in a hurry, so they weren’t that beautiful, but they fulfilled their purpose nonetheless.
The next group came and began to serve the delicacies.
The boar meat, tender and succulent, was a culinary masterpiece, roasted to perfection over open fires. It beckoned with a smoky allure, promising savory delights to all who approached.
A hearty meal of tender rabbit meat slow-cooked with savory herbs, mushrooms, and root vegetables.
There were also soups, each a unique creation, served in earthenware bowls, their steam rising gracefully into the night air, carrying hints of herbs and spices that wafted through the crowd.
"Only if there were wine to drink with this..." A man couldn’t help but blurt out.
Everyone looked at the man with gazes that seemed to say, ’Are you serious, man...’
The man instantly became serious when reminded of the world’s conditions.
But the seriousness didn’t last long as the island once again bathed in the laughter of happiness.
...
In the morning, as the sun began to climb in the sky, the group began to get up from their mattresses. Almost all of them had slept beside their bonfires and not in the confines of their tents.
They began to pick up the mattresses and move them into their tents.
In a particular tent, a man with a muscular build, adorned with white hair came out. The man was none other than Dhruv.
’Wow! What a great sleep I had last night,’ he thought as he remembered the meal he had last night. After the feast, he had also slept outside.
But as the morning was approaching, the temperature turned colder, and he was forced to come back into the tent.
Looking in front of him, Dhruv yawned and began to walk toward the ocean. After freshening up, he began to observe everyone.
Today, he was among the first ones to wake up, so everyone was still doing their morning routines, and the sounds of work had yet to start.
Dhruv was about to turn around to have a meeting to discuss an important matter but stopped when he noticed something happening beside him.
From his shadow, a cloud of black smoke began to form. A few seconds later the smoke forms a figure of a human. The being was bowing yet Dhruv knew who he was...
Alaric had returned from his mission.
