It's Maximus again... The pirate chiefs exchanged surprised glances: the mark of this divinely blessed leader was everywhere in the Nix Tribe!

However, Karsipengpas's words did indeed spark their interest in the rugby match.

The carriage continued to race along the southern bank of the Kupa River, quickly crossing a wooden bridge and entering a forest path.

No, the forest path today can no longer be called a "path"; it was actually transformed into an avenue: paved with stone slabs, cemented together, a wide and solid carriageway, deep drainage ditches on both sides, and, outside the ditches, a compacted earthen pedestrian walkway... all these were no different from the previous roads.

Outside the road, dense trees flourished, like a canopy shielding the scorching sun from the sky, allowing only sunlight to filter through the layers of green leaves, casting dappled shadows so travelers no longer felt the intense heat. Instead, the earthy aroma and the fresh scent of grass and trees filled the air, lifting spirits, with birds hopping and chirping in the forest, herds of deer running and playfully calling, while the leaves rustled in the gentle breeze... making for a walk in the forest not a suffering but an enjoyment.

Of course, the road improvements greatly increased the speed of the carriage; by the afternoon, Karsipengpas and his party had reached Linkouka.

If it weren't for the invitation letter he carried, he might have been delayed waiting for the sentry's inspection.

As they entered the western plain of the Sava River, there were many more vehicles and pedestrians on the avenue, mostly heading towards Ophelia City.

By dusk, the carriage arrived at Ophelia Western Fortress.

Compared to four years ago when Ophelia was first occupied, the appearance of this village hasn't changed much; mainly because there are enough settlements on both banks of Ophelia to accommodate tribesmen, and presently no hostile forces can threaten the safety of Ophelia. Thus, Maximus did not order it to be rebuilt, instead focusing human and material resources on road and levee construction.

Yet, the current Ophelia Western Fortress is similar to Todleduo, with the majority of foreign auxiliaries, after years of disciplined labor, becoming reserve tribe members.

Some were reassigned to villages to allocate rooms and land, while others, due to the tribe having no more fertile land, temporarily resided in the fortress. This freed up a lot of residences. Coincidentally, as Nix expanded its territory and population increased, departmental personnel and functions also expanded, and the originally used residences in the East Village were no longer sufficient. Consequently, some officials moved to the Western Fortress, establishing new offices there.

For instance, the Commerce Department, besides managing trade and conducting diplomacy, also had the responsibility of hosting distinguished guests. When the tribe was newly established, the demand in this aspect was minimal; though the Alde Tribe occasionally sent envoys, due to the close distance between the two tribes, they often returned immediately after business, without staying longer. But now the situation is vastly different. As the Nix Tribe's territory expanded, visiting Alde envoys could no longer come and go on the same day. Besides Alde, the Yabod people and the Norik Tribe, who had friendly relations with the Nix Tribe, also had diplomatic needs.

Thus, how to properly host foreign envoys became a concern for both Pigeris and Maximus.

After careful consideration, Pigeris suggested during a Political Affairs Hall meeting that "Nix's House," under the jurisdiction of the Commerce Department, should serve as the venue for hosting foreign envoys. Not only should it provide them with better rest along the way, but it should also establish its headquarters in Ophelia City, the tribe's center, especially to offer comfortable accommodations and delicious meals to deepen their fond impressions of the Nix Tribe, thus aiding subsequent negotiations and interactions...

His proposal was approved, and the tribe allocated five residences in the Ophelia Western Fortress as places for the Commerce Department to host foreign envoys.

However, Maximus found the name "Nix's House" too vulgar and personally named the area "Embassy."

Karsipengpas had stayed in the Embassy last year; he politely declined the offer of the City Guards officer to personally lead him and, accompanied by Agatakus and others, easily found their way to the Embassy's entrance.

The head of the Ministry of Commerce's Protocol Division was Manas, once a slave boy, a personal student of Maximus who initially served as the Chief's Attendant, later assigned to the Commerce Department, managing the tribe's first inn. Over the years, he excelled, and Todleduo's "Nix's House" became well-known, highly praised. Hence, last year, due to his outstanding performance, he was promoted to Protocol Division Head, responsible for managing the Embassy and hosting foreign envoys.

Hearing of Karsipengpas's arrival, Manas, wearing two dragon emblems on his chest, approached with a wide smile: "Uncle Karsipengpas, you've finally arrived! Just yesterday, the chief was specially asking about you on the field!"

Manas called him "Uncle" because Karsipengpas's son Rochemnix had once studied and lived with them, and this term of endearment instantly bridged the distance between them.

"I've been busy with iron ore extraction and transportation, so I'm a bit late this time." Karsipengpas replied a bit apologetically, quickly turning around to introduce the people behind him: "Let me introduce these folks to you..."

After the introduction, Manas warmly said to the slightly reserved pirate chiefs: "Before your arrival, the Chief had already learned about you from the messenger sent by Xie Pangbo's Administrator. He repeatedly asked me to convey his welcome to you, hoping you can enjoy the summer festival here with the Nix people, and after the festival, he will meet you and make proper arrangements for you."

Karsipengpas and his companions were immediately relieved, expressing their willingness to follow the arrangements.

"Uncle, you must be exhausted from traveling all day. Your food and lodging have already been arranged; please follow me!"

Manas personally led Karsipengpas and his party to No.4 Courtyard in the Embassy District, a vacant residence prepared specifically for them. With the help of attendants, each person entered their room, washed off the sweat from their bodies, and changed into loose and smooth linen tunics specially prepared for them. By then, dinner was already laid out on the table.

As everyone entered the dining room, they noticed not only a table full of sumptuous food but also the beer they had enjoyed earlier that afternoon. Everyone was overjoyed; after a day exposed to the sun, being able to quench their thirst with delicious beer in the evening left them thoroughly satisfied with the arrangements made by the Nix people.

Just as everyone was happily eating and drinking, two people entered the dining room: "Karsipengpas, you can't enjoy good food without telling us; you can't keep it to yourself!"

Upon hearing the voice, Karsipengpas looked over and was surprised to see Budocaribas and Xisaites: "Why are you two here?"

"Like you, we also received an invitation from Leader Maximus," Budocaribas answered.

"In previous summer festivals, you never stayed in Ophelia," Karsipengpas remained perplexed, as these two leaders of the Alde Tribe lived along the banks of the Sava River. Whether by boat or by carriage, they could reach Ophelia in time for the festival. In the past, when invited by the Nix Tribe, they always made the round trip in a day, avoiding longer stays in Ophelia to prevent idle talk from leaders like Alistacas residing in the original Aldean Territory.

"We've heard that the hospitality for guests in the Nix Tribe is getting better, and the food more delicious, so we decided to come and enjoy ourselves," said Xisaites, moving next to Karsipengpas.

Karsipengpas asked others to make space and requested the server to bring two wooden chairs, inviting the two to sit down.

"We've already eaten; just two beers will do," said Xisaites, eyes wide, watching the server pour the beers. He eagerly grabbed his, taking a large gulp and letting out a contented burp: "Ah, that feels good! I never thought the Nix could make such delicious beer! But they're too stingy, limiting our drink so we can't drink freely."

Karsipengpas chuckled: "You two didn't come all the way to find me just to drink a few extra beers, did you?"

Xisaites chuckled, while Budocaribas glanced around the table and asked: "Karsipengpas, are these your tribesmen? I don't recall seeing them before."

"They're my brothers," Karsipengpas immediately introduced everyone present and briefly explained why he brought them here.

The two leaders exchanged glances, eyes showing delight.

Budocaribas said to the pirate chiefs: "You need not worry at all. From what I know of Leader Maximus, he would be glad to welcome you into the Nix Tribe.

However, the Nix Tribe differs from other tribes here; it has established many laws that, if violated by tribesmen, result in punishment. You've been at sea for years, used to the freedom; can you adapt to living in the strictly regulated Nix Tribe?"

Agatakus responded calmly: "It seems Leader Budocaribas misunderstands us pirates. Whether we're plundering at sea or resting ashore, we take tremendous risks; hence we must strictly adhere to many rules to survive. So, I believe I can fully adapt to life in the Nix Tribe!

Plus, this journey opened my eyes; the Nix Tribe is completely different from other tribes in these mountains. I think no one would refuse to live as well as the Nix tribesmen!"

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