Chapter 421: It Would Be Even Better If There Were More People
The feast had reached its absolute peak. The rich aroma of roasted meats, fine vintage wines, and freshly baked pastries mingled with the bright, overlapping echoes of laughter. This joyous warmth flowed freely through the massive, newly expanded resting area provided by the Chat Group. Everyone had finally settled into their most comfortable rhythm, thoroughly immersing themselves in this hard-won gathering after so many chaotic battles.
One particular corner of the long, oak dining table could only be described as the eye of a culinary storm. Paimon and Soukaku, the two resident gluttons of their respective universes, seemed to have forged an unspoken, ultimate alliance. The porcelain plates stacked in front of them quickly formed precarious, towering hills, only to be leveled and cleared away at an absolutely terrifying speed. Crumbs flew and serving spoons clattered as the duo devoured everything in sight.
Over by the mahogany bar counter, a completely different type of battlefield had taken shape. Venti had somehow found himself locked in a drinking showdown against Burnice. Several empty glasses cluttered the countertop between them, flanked by two distinctly different bottles of alcohol.
On Venti's side sat a bottle of premium Mondstadt dandelion wine, exuding a crisp, refreshing fruity aroma that carried the very breath of freedom. Opposite to it sat a glowing, orange-red concoction brought by Burnice, proudly labeled as the Burnice Special Fuel Drink.
"Haha! Venti, your wine is pretty good, but it is just a bit too refined!" Burnice cheered, her cheeks flushed a vibrant pink as she heartily raised a sloshing glass of her signature brew. "You have to try our Outer Ring's absolute favorite Fuel Drink!"
Venti, a bard who never once backed down from a tavern challenge, accepted the glass with a bright smile. He gave the glowing liquid a careful sniff, his eyebrows raising slightly at the pungent kick, before tossing his head back and downing the entire glass in one smooth gulp.
He smacked his lips, a sudden, brilliant light flashing in his emerald eyes. "Oh? This is unexpectedly... impactful! It feels exactly like swallowing the roaring passion of a bonfire mixed with the sharp coldness of raw metal. As it slides down the throat, there is this strange, interlacing sensation of intense burning and soothing coolness... How truly interesting!"
Far from feeling sick or overwhelmed, the Anemo Archon seemed completely invigorated. "It seems every single world possesses its own unique, masterful brews. For the sake of this fiery passion, allow me to perform a song for everyone!"
With a graceful flick of his wrist, he summoned his wooden lyre and began to strum the strings. An impromptu, lively melody spilled from his fingertips. The music carried the wild, untamed atmosphere of the Outer Ring wilderness, yet perfectly blended with the breezy, soaring notes of Mondstadt's freedom, adding a magical background soundtrack to the bustling banquet.
In the relatively quiet, plush sofa area, Nicole held a delicate porcelain cup filled with a pitch-black, viscous coffee brewed personally by Himeko. She chatted amiably with the elegant Astral Express navigator, though a keen observer might notice her slight stiffness. Himeko smiled warmly, her voice smooth and captivating as she recounted the Astral Express Crew's myriad experiences across the cosmos. She spoke of strange, vibrant planets, distinct alien civilizations, and the countless fascinating individuals they had encountered during their Trailblaze. Nicole listened with genuine interest, her eyes wide as she temporarily forgot the crushing stress of her financial reports and debt collectors.
However, the hand Nicole used to hold her coffee cup trembled with a tiny, almost imperceptible quiver. Every single time she took a polite sip, she felt an unmatched, overwhelmingly rich bitterness explode across her tongue. The dark liquid felt almost heavy, coating her mouth with a mellow yet terrifyingly strong aroma that threatened to jolt her soul right out of her body.
"Ms. Himeko... is the coffee in your world always this... mellow?" Nicole forced a strained, polite smile, trying desperately to maintain a calm expression. Inwardly, she was screaming. 'I am definitely not going to be able to sleep for the next three days...'
Near a glowing, geometric Stone Stele situated at the edge of the grand hall, the atmosphere was much more calm and solemn. Anby stood perfectly straight, her clear green eyes focused as she offered a respectful, measured bow to Zhongli.
"Mr. Zhongli, thank you for lending your power in the consciousness space earlier," Anby said, her tone earnest and grounded. "That steadying force helped me maintain my clarity. It was absolutely crucial."
Zhongli rested his hands behind his back, his amber eyes reflecting a peaceful, ancient wisdom as he nodded gently. "It was a mere trifle. You need not take it to heart. Miss Anby possesses a remarkably firm will and an innate ability to cleanse filth. My external forces merely followed the natural trend of your own strength. The blade in your hand carries heavy wishes. May you always hold fast to your original intent and wield its power wisely."
Without warning, Hu Tao popped out from behind the sofa next to Zhongli, her plum blossom-shaped pupils blinking with immense curiosity. She leaned over the backrest, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
"Oh? Consciousness space? Stone Stele? My dear consultant, when exactly did you go off and do something so grand without reporting it to this Hall Master? Hurry up and tell me, did you go fight another three hundred rounds with some ancient demons and ghosts behind my back?"
She was not genuinely reprimanding him; her energetic nature simply could not suppress her burning curiosity after catching wind of an interesting tale.
Zhongli looked at his vibrant Hall Master with a look of deep, fond helplessness. "Hall Master, you joke. It was not a grand battle, merely a small, passing effort to help protect the mind of a brave traveler."
He glossed over the dangerous details with his usual understated calm. Anby tacitly understood his intention and did not elaborate further, simply offering one last respectful nod to the retired Archon.
The overall flow of the banquet, from the serving of dishes to the clearing of tables, was originally being handled in a perfectly orderly fashion by the diligent Bangboos. However, for Lycaon, the deeply ingrained occupational habits of a professional butler were ultimately impossible to suppress, especially in a banquet setting of this grand scale.
Although the wolf-man actively participated in polite conversations, his sharp crimson gaze constantly swept across the venue. He noticed a wine glass in the corner that needed refilling, calculated that the temperature maintenance for a certain roasted dish required a slight adjustment, and noted that the napkin replenishment points were running low. Even though the Bangboos handled their tasks with mechanical perfection, Lycaon simply could not help himself. He began making minor adjustments, gliding through the room to provide supplementary services with impeccable manners and terrifying efficiency. Whenever a guest reached for something, Lycaon was often one step faster, anticipating their needs before even the nearest Bangboo could react.
Wise and Belle noticed his relentless busyness. The two siblings shared a knowing look, grabbed two glasses of fresh fruit juice, and walked over to intercept him.
"Lycaon, you really do not have to be so formal and polite!" Belle advised, holding out a glass of juice to him with a bright smile. "Today you are a guest, not a staff member. Just relax and enjoy the banquet! The Bangboos will handle all these trivial matters."
"Yeah, today there is no Victoria Housekeeping butler on duty," Wise added sincerely, his tone calm and reassuring. "Today, there is only our good friend Lycaon."
Lycaon paused his swift movements. He accepted the juice and bowed elegantly to the two siblings, a remarkably gentle smile appearing on his refined features. "Thank you both for your kind understanding. However, seeing a banquet run flawlessly and become even more perfect is, for me, an immense enjoyment in itself."
He adjusted his gloves, his tone polite yet entirely unyielding. "This is not a duty, but a matter of personal habit and genuine interest. Please, allow me to retain this little pleasure of mine."
Wise and Belle looked at each other and sighed softly. They knew full well they could never overcome the sheer persistence and professional cultivation of this dedicated butler. They simply shook their heads with amused smiles and let him go about his business. With Lycaon's expert assistance, the service details of the entire banquet did indeed become noticeably more rounded and smooth. Even the mechanical Bangboos seemed to operate with a more rhythmic, joyful efficiency under his silent guidance.
Stelle leaned casually against a pillar not far from the main dining table. She held a large cup filled with a highly questionable special blend, a chaotic mixture of at least three different kinds of juice that resulted in a rather eerie, glowing purple color. Her golden eyes reflected the warm, ambient light of the grand hall and the laughing, joyous figures of her companions.
She watched Caesar and Ben enthusiastically introducing the rugged members of the Sons of Calydon to a very polite Welt. A little further away, she spotted Yuma eagerly circling Venti, bombarding the bard with endless questions about the ancient legends hidden behind his musical poems.
The corners of Stelle's mouth lifted unconsciously. A deep, deep sense of satisfaction welled up in her chest.
"It is so nice..." she sighed softly, her voice carrying a rare, quiet warmth. She seemed to be talking to herself, or perhaps to March 7th and Lumine who stood right beside her. "I have gotten to know so many amazing new friends."
She took a sip of her eerie juice, her chaotic confidence quickly returning. "I feel like my personal network is no longer just spread across the galaxy, but across entirely different universes! No matter which world I go to on business in the future, I will definitely be able to find acquaintances to mooch free meals off of, right?" She let out a dry, amused laugh at her own brilliant realization.
March 7th, who was delicately sipping a glass of beautifully colored, sparkling fruit wine, nodded vigorously upon hearing this. She leaned in and echoed Stelle's words in a highly exaggerated, teasing tone, exactly as if she were coaxing a proud toddler. "Yes, yes, yes, our dear Stelle is the absolute best! Your vast network spans across the four seas, and your mighty baseball bat suppresses all directions!"
Stelle immediately shot her a look of utter disgust, dramatically shivering and making a brushing gesture with her hands as if physically shaking off the goosebumps March's tone had caused.
March 7th puffed up her cheeks indignantly. "Hey! I am complimenting you out of the goodness of my heart! What kind of ungrateful attitude is that!"
Lumine, standing quietly nearby, could not help but chuckle softly at their usual banter. She held a warm cup of Liyue's premium Qingxin herbal tea in both hands. Her golden gaze swept softly across the lively hall, taking in the smiling faces of her brother, her floating companion, and all their new multiversal allies.
"Yes, being able to gather together like this is truly wonderful," Lumine said quietly, her voice carrying a gentle, wistful weight. "If only... there were a few more people here. It would be even livelier..." Her tone carried a distinct, lingering hint of yearning for the friends she had yet to reunite with.
As if the universe itself had decided to directly respond to the vague thoughts of more friends and a livelier atmosphere that had just flashed through the minds of these administrators...
[Ding...]
A clear, pleasant system notification sound rang out without a single shred of warning, echoing directly within the minds of every single Chat Group member present.
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