Nexia immediately showed a gentle smile and persuaded, "My sweet little ones, you've been tricked by your father! Sitting next to your father isn't comfortable at all. At that time, lots of uncles will surround him and keep talking to him. Can you even watch the match peacefully? It's better to sit with Auntie. This time, Auntie promises not to scold you. Let's watch the match properly together, alright?"

Gandlicusi glanced at the kind-faced Nexia and then at the calm Maximus, hesitating before squeezing out a softly spoken, "Okay..."

"Okay!" Flermisde echoed his brother's words.

Gandlicusi put down his wooden spoon and said, "Mom, I'm done eating. I'm going to play in the yard for a while."

"Finish the porridge cleanly, and wipe your face. You can run in the yard, but no playing with the ball. If you get your clothes dirty, I won't take you to watch the match." Nexia said sternly.

"Understood." Gandlicusi replied, his head hanging low with slight disappointment before quickly drinking all the porridge in his bowl. After wiping his mouth with a cloth napkin, he pushed the wooden chair aside and skipped happily out of the room.

Flermisde followed his brother's actions and hurriedly shouted, "Brother, wait for me! Wait for me!…"

He wobbled as he chased outside but fell with a "plop" onto the ground. Maximus and the three ladies sitting nearby acted as though they hadn't seen anything and stayed still. Gandlicusi, however, ran back, helping his younger brother up while complaining, "You're so clumsy, falling even while walking!"

Maximus watched the two brothers holding hands and running out of the dining hall with evident satisfaction. He knew very well that the strong affection between these two half-brothers was mainly attributed to Nexia.

After Florist Luscia gave birth to her son, she originally intended to raise him herself. But taking care of children is an exhausting task, and her health wasn't particularly good. Very soon, weariness brought on illness, which then led to the child getting a high fever. After barely recovering, Nexia decided to lend a helping hand to assist her sister.

Whenever she had free time, Nexia would help Florist Luscia take care of the child. At first, it was purely assistance, but later, she began to take the lead. Gandlicusi, who was born relatively frail, not only rarely fell ill under her care but also grew increasingly strong.

Later, Florist Luscia became pregnant again, leaving her with no energy to spare. As a result, Gandlicusi's upbringing essentially fell into Nexia's hands from then on.

Geniandafra's situation was different. She was carefree and playful. After giving birth to Flermisde, she felt it troublesome and didn't want to care for the child. Additionally, the scene of Gandlicusi's high fever back then had left her deeply shaken. Thus, she voluntarily approached Nexia to ask for help with caregiving.

Though Nexia couldn't have children herself, she experienced maternal joy through raising other children. Caring for one child was manageable, and two were just as fine. She accepted Geniandafra's request, which also improved their relationship.

Nexia was skilled at raising children—she could be firm when necessary and loving at the right moments. The two sons were closer to her than they were to their respective mothers. Moreover, under her deliberate guidance, the children shared a deep bond and loved each other dearly.

"Ugh...ugh..." A sound beside him interrupted Maximus's drifting thoughts. He turned to see Florist Luscia frowning tightly, holding her pregnant belly, and showing signs of nausea.

"Florist, what's wrong?" He asked with evident concern.

"I...feel a little uncomfortable," Florist Luscia feebly replied.

Nexia immediately stepped to Florist Luscia's side, placing her left hand gently on her back and her right on her swollen belly.

After having helped countless pregnant women deliver their babies over the years, Nexia quickly identified the problem. "Oh, it's because the baby is moving too much."

Maximus grew tense. "Could it be time for the baby to arrive?"

"It's only seven months—how could that be?" Nexia glared at her husband before summoning a maid with a gesture. "Quick, come help me guide her back to her bedroom for some proper rest!"

"Yes, madam!"

Nexia looked at her husband again. "Leader, for safety's sake, I need to stay home and take care of Florist Luscia. I won't be able to attend the ritual."

"No, I'm fine. I can attend," Florist Luscia immediately objected.

"Listen to me!" Nexia scolded firmly, instantly silencing Florist Luscia.

"If neither of you can attend, that's fine. I believe the Danu Goddess wishes for the safety of Florist and the child," Maximus said solemnly, increasingly stepping into his role as Divine Son. "Only—Nexia, you just promised the two children you'd take them to watch the match—"

Nexia hesitated briefly before responding, "Then you and Geniandafra go first. Once Florist's situation has settled, I'll follow."

"Alright."

After Nexia escorted Florist Luscia away, Geniandafra leaned closer, whispering, "Leader, for this ritual appearance, should I wear the yellow dress or the red one?"

Under Maximus's extensive support in technology, manpower, and funds, the weaving workshop of the Nix Tribe had not only significantly increased fabric production, becoming another pillar industry for the tribe, but the artisans—driven by praise and promotions—also rigorously studied their craft. They discovered new dyes and made notable advancements in dyeing techniques.

Additionally, thanks to Maximus's advice on clothing design, the weaving workshop began producing garments not only in varied colors but also in innovative styles.

At first, the tribesmen were curious about these new garments sold by the tailoring shop, which differed from traditional clothing. Few purchases occurred, though. To counter this, Maximus and his three wives often wore these new clothes to public events, gradually changing the tribe's perception and boosting sales.

However, as the tribal leader, Maximus needed to maintain a dignified demeanor, so excessively novel outfits were unsuitable for him. Nexia frequently worked in hospital maternity wards, and Florist Luscia preferred staying indoors at the main house. Only Geniandafra often ventured outdoors and enjoyed showcasing new styles, making her the most influential "model" for the weaving workshop.

The two dresses Geniandafra mentioned were formal gowns newly crafted by the workshop, and she yearned to wear them, capturing all the attention at the event.

But Maximus frowned and said in a stern tone, "Today is the sacred day of praying to the Danu Goddess for a bountiful harvest. As the High Priest, I must wear a pure linen robe to perform the solemn sacrificial ritual. As my wife, you must do the same. Do you understand?"

"Understood!" Geniandafra pursed her lips. Though slightly discontented, she dared not argue back and obediently sat down.

........................

Since rugby started gaining popularity in the Nix Tribe, numerous makeshift stadiums were built across towns. Especially in the Ophelia Region, aside from the countless temporary grounds, there were eight formal stadiums established under tribal leadership for official matches. The most famous of these was located not far from Ophelia Western Fortress, named Iyenos (Illyrian Language, meaning 'Sacred').

Today, perhaps owing to the arrival of the sacred ritual, the weather was not only clear but the sun also less intense, with a refreshing breeze flowing from the Sava River.

Early in the morning, tribesmen from all directions came to gather, encircling the Iyenos Stadium in layer upon layer, expanding outward magnificently.

Despite the crowd, the tribesmen—young and old—sat quietly on the grass, without jumping or loudly chatting.

There were two distinct spots outside the stadium where no tribesmen were gathered. One was directly north. Here stood a multi-tiered fixed grandstand built from a mix of cement and wood. The audience was mostly fixed—Leader Maximus and his family members, key tribal officials, and invited guests (including foreign visitors and tribesmen who made outstanding contributions this year).

The other was directly south of the stadium, facing the grandstand, where a statue of the Danu Goddess stood. This statue originally belonged to the first temple of the Nix Tribe, located deep in the forest near Lin Kou Village.

The priests had carefully transported the statue from the temple early in the morning to this location. The statue had undergone changes since its original form. At Maximus's request, artisans added gold leaf to some parts, which now glistened under the sunlight, emitting dazzling brilliance and enveloping the dozens of priests surrounding it. This sacred aura was the primary reason why the tribesmen maintained such disciplined order.

Around the stadium and among the sea of people were some striking items.

These were livestock figures fashioned from hay and wood. The most eye-catching among them was a towering wooden ram several meters high. Sturdy tree trunks and branches wove together to form its muscular body, emphasizing its powerful presence. Hay was intricately crafted into fur—soft, textured, and dyed white—reflecting sunlight brilliantly.

The Nix Tribe's skilled artisans seemed to have poured all their expertise into this ram, making it another focal point of the area.

Suddenly, the quiet crowd stirred. Maximus and his family ascended the grandstand surrounded by guards.

The tribal elites—Volenus, Quintus, Flanitnus, Pigeris, Gaius, and others—along with technical giants like Spukala and Minujus, craft leaders such as Sistos, Sesret, Yulitimos, Torimias, and champions of various industries like Pro, Midosacus, and Seckblas—all rose to their feet to greet and pay respects.

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