Chapter 81 - Heavenly Banquet

One of the three main candidates felt assured that the event's progression was within his calculations.

'Most of the people didn't leave because it would be stupid not to side with the one who held this unfathomable strength. That giant armored skeleton is an obvious proof to not mess with the new director.' Then again, the sudden announcement of a heavenly banquet was out of everyone's mind.

The alluring Dryad and the playful Forest Caretaker guided the people to the outside of the wall on the Citadel's northwestern face. It was also the direction where the 57 who left and cut ties with the Ouranos Citadel completely, watching the ever stretching lines of food and fountains of drinks left them drooling on their way to the wild.

They couldn't change their mind, so they moved on with a broken heart. People who didn't want to put effort into the future of the Citadel might as well be ditched. If they couldn't think of forcing themselves through any more hurdles, then it was best to let those kinds of citizens go.

Then again, those people who left still had their soul in the grasp of Foel's slave marking. Even if they were about to rise in opposition, it would be impossible without bearing heavy losses.

1,400 people marched to the giant buffet that welcomed them with the alluring aroma and refreshing scent of the drinkable fountains.

"W-what is this? Am I dreaming?"

"Food! Water! A heck of a lot of food and water!"

"Oy, kids! Don't run too far!"

"The Lord blessed us! The Lord blessed us!"

Like a ferocious animal, some ran faster than lightning when the feast was in sight. One of the Forest Caretakers softly smacked the head of a person who ate too vigorously. It then gestured for them to eat slowly, savoring the delight with tears.

Those with their families grouped and ventured into the vast area of heavenly dishes. Many were still in denial but eventually their stomachs succumbed.

"This! This is ten thousand times better than the bread I traded!"

Jojo found himself together with Ragoni who snatched every nearby morsel into her pocket space pouch with extreme vigor while devouring some of it to bits into her full mouth like a squirrel. Meanwhile, Elon was curious about the Demon that emitted a dense aura full of energy despite not having any footprint in mana cultivation.

Jojo immediately sensed the prying eyes, he then walked up to her.

"You're a Usurper, I thought most of them were already sent to hell."

"Huh, So what? Don't you think trying to engage with a 'Usurper' would just be a waste of time? Who knows, we might have a time limit to dine on this feast, a Demon like you needs a great deal of nourishment, after all. Heh."

Jojo heavily sighed, his deep voice mumbled as he devoured a dish that looked like a pizza on the improvised-nature table beside him. "Your hostility is useless, I'm not picking a fight."

"Said the one who's more than hostile."

"Shut up! I'm eating." He then took another bite before continuing his speech. "I just hate those pretentious cultivator utterly, that's all."

"You have no place to say anything about us then."

"You two are awkward." Ragoni grabbed half of the cheesy pizza before skipping the two as she continued to plunder every dish there was. Elon stared at her for being shameless but Ragoni couldn't care less.

"How is the food?" said the vice director with a deadpan, Foel, abruptly appearing into the scene without any trace or warning. "Most of the dishes were personally magnified and cooked by the Director, her methods are cruel but she rewards anyone with potential."

Jojo flinched, he immediately gnawed the food in his hand before giving a respectful bow and martial salute. The tall and buff Demon knew who held true strength and who to respect.

Except Elon, who stared at Foel with great uncomfort. "Senior, I hope you won't be snatching my heart at any moment from now on."

Foel slightly tilted her head. "That is unnecessary, as I could just command you to take it yourself."

Jojo meanwhile, was amused with the animosity that Elon had shown to the vice director. Quite daring, he thought. The demon certainly respected bravery, but he definitely despised stupidity.

"Mingling with the other without being noticed, I would assume that your cultivation was that of a higher caliber. I didn't sense any mana being used at all," Jojo remarked.

Foel shifted her attention to the tall candidate, instead of the grumpy chimaera. Although she needed to look up to see Jojo's face, the demon didn't look down on her at all—metaphorically.

"So, a Demon could sense mana without any cultivation? I thought it was only a rumor. Then again, meeting with one of the most infamous races is a rare chance after all, even after many years of being a former excavator."

"There are only a few of us, extremely few of us left. As for our compatibility with mana, we're highly sensitive to them, I hope that you wouldn't assume that we're the same as those Calamities."

"Certainly won't, the new authority isn't that much of a fool. In fact, we're willing to have more of them for this Citadel. Demons are known for their great awareness, after all."

Ragoni, who was decently far from the other two candidates', immediately throttled back the moment she noticed the Vice Director's presence within the heavenly banquet.

Foel noticed the ingenious baker, she then threw a gentle smile. "Ragoni Cruten, isn't it? You're one of the most pleasant people to spectate in the three-day trial, how are you?"

Ragoni immediately bowed and put both of her hands together to show respect, tumbling as she tried to put her space-pocket pouch to her pants pocket.

"I-I'm having a fantastic day! I mean, I'm already accustomed to the hardships and trials, esteemed Vice Director." Ragoni looked down, trying to remember her plan when having the chance of meeting with the prominent figure from the new authority. "If I may question, what kind of other trials will we face soon??"

The small wings on her head flapped a couple of times, showing her enthusiasm and her hunger to be more prepared than anybody else.

"Silly, there won't be any more trials. The rest will be more of an integration of the new system." Foel tapped all of the three candidates on the back before leaving the vicinity, throwing no little glance as she waved.. "For now, all of you should relax and enjoy the privilege of surviving the massive filter."