Chapter 220: The Celebration Banquet
A sound of deep and utter tragedy erupted without warning from Paimon's tiny stomach. The sheer volume of the gut-wrenching growl was startlingly clear in the relative quiet of the arena.
"Waaah!" Paimon herself jumped at the noise, her small face instantly turning a ghastly white. Her body went limp, and she nearly plummeted from the air. "So… so hungry… I have no strength left… My eyes… my eyes are seeing stars…"
With a practiced sigh that was equal parts helpless and affectionate, Lumine shot a hand out and steadied her teetering companion. She promptly produced a still-steaming, fragrant Sweet Madame from her backpack.
"Eat. Quickly."
At that moment, Paimon couldn't have cared less about her image or any lingering embarrassment; primal hunger had overridden all other functions. She snatched the classic Teyvat delicacy, took a massive bite, and began to devour it with a desperate ferocity.
"Mmph… shafed…" she mumbled indistinctly, her cheeks puffed out like a hamster's.
Watching Paimon's famished state, the rest of the group couldn't help but find it a little amusing.
Phainon smiled and shook his head. "Alright, it seems our little hero truly needs to replenish her energy," he urged again. "You should all head back first! We'll be there shortly. Don't worry, Aglaea has surely prepared the most sumptuous feast to await your triumphant return. It wouldn't be the Amphorean way to make our saviors wait on an empty stomach!"
Hearing this—especially the part about a feast—both Stelle's and the furiously-eating Paimon's eyes lit up in perfect, glorious sync.
"What are we waiting for, then? Let's go, let's go!" Stelle was the first to whip out her Domain Anchor.
Lumine, supporting Paimon who was now diligently gnawing on a drumstick, gathered with the others, ready to depart.
One by one, they activated their anchors. Their figures shimmered, turning ethereal before vanishing from the ancient land that had just witnessed a battle of gods. In an instant, they were transported back to the private bathhouse prepared for them within Okhema's Cloudstone Sky Palace.
Meanwhile, Phainon, who remained behind, turned to his close friend, Mydei. A distinctly mischievous grin spread across his face.
"Alright, our friends have gone back. Now, it's our turn to return and report the good news to Aglaea and the others." Phainon said, shaking the bamboo dragonfly that Stelle had lent him. The grin on his lips widened. "Come on, Mydei, hold on tight—it's time you experienced the true feeling of 'flying'."
Mydei stared at Phainon's overtly impish smile, the painful memory of being unceremoniously carried by Stelle still fresh in his mind. A deep sense of foreboding washed over him.
But as Phainon had said, they had to get back to Okhema as quickly as possible to report on the situation—and more, to safely deliver the Spark of Conflict.
He could only steel himself, nodding reluctantly as he reached out to grasp Phainon's hand.
"You… you'd better be steady," Mydei's voice was tight with a tension he couldn't quite hide.
"Don't worry, I'm a quick learner," Phainon's smile grew even brighter as he skillfully activated the bamboo dragonfly.
A buzzing whir filled the air. The two of them wobbled off the ground, then shot forward with a sudden burst of acceleration, soaring towards Okhema. Faintly drifting on the wind were Mydei's suppressed yelps and Phainon's triumphant laughter, the sound of a prank well-played…
At the same time, inside the private bathhouse.
The group had just teleported back, but before they could even think about a long, relaxing soak to wash away their fatigue, their stomachs lodged a collective, non-negotiable protest.
"Let's go, let's go! Time to see how heroes are welcomed back!" Stelle declared, pulling open the bathhouse door. She was surprised to find someone already waiting for them just outside.
Trinnon stood there quietly, a gentle smile gracing her features.
Seeing them emerge, she performed a graceful bow. "Welcome back, heroes," she said softly. "Lady Aglaea has specially prepared a celebratory banquet for you. Everything is ready; please follow me."
It seemed Aglaea had anticipated their ravenous return and had thoughtfully arranged everything in advance.
In that case, what was there to even discuss? A free, grand meal—an official feast, no less. Who wouldn't love that? They had assumed the celebration would wait until Phainon and Mydei returned, but Aglaea's consideration in preparing a separate welcome for them, her guests from afar, meant there was no need to be polite.
"This is great! A celebration banquet!" Stelle was the first to cheer, her fatigue instantly forgotten.
Paimon spun in excited circles. "Celebration banquet! Delicious food! Paimon is coming!"
Even the usually aloof Dan Heng had a flicker of relaxation and anticipation in his eyes.
Following Trinnon, the group passed through the magnificent corridors of the Cloudstone Sky Palace and arrived at the Garden of Life. Here, lush greenery and exotic flowers emitted a refreshing fragrance. A large, open space in the center had been cleared, creating a pocket of exceptional serenity.
In the middle of the garden, several long tables were neatly arranged, their surfaces laden with a dazzling array of Amphorean specialty dishes.
There was golden-brown roasted meat, crispy-skinned and exuding the scent of exotic spices; salads made from translucent, jewel-like grains and vibrant fruits; steaming, rich soups with broths that seemed to hum with the very energy of life; and exquisitely shaped, colorful desserts and fruits piled high. There were countless other dishes they couldn't even name, but every single one looked incredibly appetizing.
Each table was surrounded by more than enough chairs, and the platters were stacked so high they were practically overflowing, as if in mortal fear that the heroes who had journeyed so far might not eat their fill.
Aglaea stood before the head table. As they arrived, her usually stern face broke into a sincere and grateful smile.
"Thank you all for your selfless assistance to Amphoreus. Okhema will never forget this kindness," she said, her words concise and devoid of lengthy pleasantries. "I will learn the specific details of what transpired from Phainon and Mydei later. For now, please, relax and enjoy this small token of our appreciation."
She gestured to the feast. "May the delicacies of Amphoreus repay even a fraction of the hardships you have endured."
Stelle found she particularly liked this direct, no-nonsense banquet style—one that skipped the formalities and went straight to the eating. It was efficient. Aglaea had handled this exceptionally well, and her impression of the stern leader improved significantly.
However, she had no time to ponder such thoughts, because her gaze was completely and utterly fixated on the food.
More … Paimon, beside her, had already transformed into a white bolt of lightning. She pounced on a table and began clearing it with the speed of a whirlwind.
Her small hands moved so fast they left afterimages. A huge roasted leg of meat was reduced to a clean bone in an instant. A plate of pastries piled high like a small mountain vanished in a few gulps. A bowl of rich soup gurgled down her throat… In the blink of an eye, half a table's worth of food had already disappeared into Paimon's bottomless little stomach.
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