It had to be said that the sight was quite pleasing to the eye.
"You seem quite relaxed," Faust remarked.
Alkin swayed her head and hummed softly.
"Because I am enjoying a rare atmosphere. Have you noticed? Along the way, something has changed. How many people are immersing themselves in this grand celebration after a century of absence?"
The decree issued by the Moon Deity was merely an endorsement; the one actually implementing the preparations was the Fenrir family.
After that, Sylvia had indeed begun to act as the head of the family, digging up an abandoned tradition called the "Winter Hunt Festival" from the history books to host the grand event under its name.
But the name of the festival did not matter; what mattered was the significance of the celebration. Driven by the Great Moon and the family, all sorts of activities that were previously forbidden under the wolf pack's order were now being presented.
The focal point where all resources converged was this city under the control of the Fenrir family.
Large numbers of people flooded into the city, with over three hundred thousand gathered in one place—such free movement was unimaginable in the past.
It must be understood that the current Fog Moon Kingdom was not exactly a prosperous nation; it was prominent a long time ago, but things changed drastically after the blood moon isolated the realm.
The previous government had long since collapsed, and the rule after the wolf pack took over was simple and crude. As a result, a century later, the population had plummeted to a tenth of its original size, nearly falling behind the Qingxi Kingdom.
Vast stretches of cities had been abandoned. In today's Fog Moon Kingdom, one could count the towns on their fingers. Even if the scale of each town was not small, without the presence of the wolf-kin and the Moon Deity, the Fog Moon Kingdom would truly be nothing more than a footnote.
"I have heard more laughter this week than I have in my entire life! This is what civilization should be like. Only a civilization would deliberately squander survival resources, giving meaning to meaningless things and raising a glass to joy!"
Alkin's interest was piqued. She closed her book, picked up her wine glass, and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window to overlook the city's night view.
Everyone had taken to the streets and alleys. Citizens from all over the kingdom, whether wolf-kin or ordinary humans, blurred the distances between them in the heated atmosphere of the festival.
They lost themselves in the stirring music, throwing all sorts of wine and fireworks into the night sky as if they cost nothing.
Well... they truly did cost nothing.
During the Winter Hunt Celebration, all expenses were covered by the family. It was free—everything was free.
This was not something unbelievable. Under the rule of the wolf pack, the vast majority of the kingdom's industries were family assets. However, they occupied these assets and amassed wealth not for their own enjoyment, but to maintain a fragile order.
The problem with the Fog Moon Kingdom had never been a lack of resources or class conflict.
Those difficulties were too mediocre and heavy; they were not nearly enough to become elements of a script.
The wheel of destiny never liked such boring difficulties. Even if there were hardships, they should be more romantic, more dreamlike pains.
According to Mephistopheles, since the Golden Age, humanity had escaped the hardships of poverty. In its place, layers upon layers of destiny had woven an endless labyrinth.
One could only wonder which of the two was more burdensome.
Ding-dong—
The hotel doorbell rang, and Sylvia pushed in a dining cart. The wolf-girl, smelling the aroma, immediately bounced off the sofa.
"My order is finally here!"
The wolf-girl immediately sat at the dining table and began to feast.
Alkin's eating posture was precise and fast. Wearing disposable gloves, she held a lamb leg. Her two rows of neat white teeth were clean and beautiful, and she deliberately bared two sharp canines. With one bite, even the hardest bones were easily pierced like soft cream.
A large lamb leg was reduced to crushed bone and meat in just dozens of seconds, disappearing between the girl's beautiful red lips. Finally, with a lick of her tongue, all residue and oil stains vanished. It was a sight that would make anyone hesitate to harbor any bold ideas.
But Faust dared; such was the confidence that 【Great Thunder】 gave him!
Sylvia rested her chin on one hand and said, "Alkin, I have tried my best to do as you envisioned. Now the entire Fenrir family is preparing for this celebration, but the other families... they have likely noticed something and their response has been lackluster."
Thanks to the strict hierarchy and secrecy within the wolf pack, very few people could have an audience with the Ancestor, and the wolf-kin with that authority were all Sylvia's people.
Consequently, the Fenrir family was currently entirely under the control of Alkin and the others. However, the other families were not so easily influenced; they were extremely wary of the sudden decree from the Moon Deity.
Especially the core members of those families—the commoners might not know, but how could they not understand? Why would a wolf pack that had betrayed the Moon Deity and hidden the truth participate in a celebration?
Rather, why would the Great Moon inexplicably issue such a decree? Who had used a blessing to exchange for something so nonsensical?
Fenrir family, what on earth are you up to?!
Alkin finished her meal and elegantly wiped the corner of her mouth.
"Is that so? It doesn't matter. If they won't come to the celebration, the celebration will go to them. After all... I am quite generous and forgiving."
Sylvia's beautiful eyes widened upon hearing this. "Alkin, what are you planning to do?"
The white wolf stretched and stood up with a relaxed smile.
"Weren't you always complaining that I pushed all the responsibility onto you? Well, it is fine now. Leave the rest to me. Bring my dress; I wish to add a spark to this festive night."
Alkin then took Faust's hand, kissed the back of it, and said, "Dear Faust, before you perform your mad drama of deicide, let me warm up the stage for you!"
Faust laughed at the sight. "Is that so? Then I shall look forward to it."
Having spent quite some time with Alkin, the prince regent knew well that this girl was a complete performer by nature. Although all 【witch】 entities were romantic, one as romantic as her was truly rare.
He was quite curious about what she would do.
...
On the riverside streets, which were now brilliantly lit, the crowds were at their densest.
This was because, at this time, the cruise ships passing through the river would be putting on circus performances. After the celebration had gone on for so long, everyone had already figured out the official schedule.
And tonight, a group of family members was distributing bouquets of bright red roses to passersby.
Stella and her hunter troupe had also changed into formal attire to perform such a task.
"Why do we have to do this?"
In the beginning, they were extremely uncomfortable because it was completely at odds with the family's rules. Contact between the wolf pack and ordinary people was very limited, let alone in such a lively and festive atmosphere.
Everything felt awkward.
But personally handing bouquets of fresh flowers to strangers and hearing the sounds of laughter and joy by their ears made it seem not so bad after all.
The atmosphere of the grand celebration seemed to possess magic, infecting everyone.
Stella unconsciously immersed herself in it. Those gloomy, repressed, and lonely feelings seemed to be purified under the golden lights.
Suddenly, the spotlights of the airships in the sky stopped wandering aimlessly and all focused on one of the cruise ships.
However, what appeared on the cruise ship's float was not the performance everyone expected, but a solitary silhouette.
It was a wolf-eared girl with long silver-white hair, wearing a formal dress with a flowing cape. Her grayish-black corset top was interspersed with bright red stripes, making her look gorgeous and exquisite.
When she saw the girl's handsome and pretty face, Stella could not help but freeze.
"Al... Alkin?"
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