Way of Overlord-Chapter 452: Feasting like the Gods

Aeryon walk around the square.

He could see there were goats stuffed with wild onions and apricots, their bellies bursting with fragrant steam, and even whole camels, their humps slow-roasted for days until the meat fell apart like silk, a delicacy hauled from caravans a thousand leagues away.

The trade on the Sordkazan border is more varied.

Because it came from the north.

Merchants from the Eastern and Western Steppe and even the far north Steppe also come to the Brolgadhr tribe.

But since the Brolgadhr tribe is the farthest point from the north, when they arrive, most of the livestock product is already scarce.

Hence, camels, and some more exotic meat is pricey when they reached Brolgadhr tribe because of the scarcity

The merchants did not intentionally trying to raise the prices. But because the meat is already snatched by tribes above the Brolgadhr tribe.

When Aeryon take over Sordkazan, only then he could get more livestock with cheaper price.

Aeryon shakes his head. Even in this festive atmosphere, he could not help but think of all the governance matter of the tribe.

Aeryon is really not in the mood of enjoying the festivities. But he should not show such an attitude. His heart is anxious but he is trying to calm his heart down. His heart is already thinking about meeting Ayera.

But in front of the guest, in front of his warriors, Elders and Ashana, he smiles and he greeted them amiably, a perfect image of a welcoming host.

He takes a sniff and he smiles.

The scent alone was intoxicating

The smell of charred meat, cumin, and seared fat mingling with the tang of fermented mare’s milk and the sweetness of honeyed flatbreads piled high as dunes.

Everywhere, kumis flowed.

Servants dashed between the crowds, clay jugs sloshing, filling cups and bowls and even helmets held out by boisterous warriors.

The drink spilled freely, drenching tables and laughter-soaked faces, its sharp, tangy bite igniting shouts and songs.

A barrel of black Ayrag, fermented camel’s milk laced with blood and herbs, was rolled out to roars of approval, its contents poured into horns and skull-cups passed hand to hand

Musicians thrashed drums stretched with wolf hide, their rhythms primal and urgent, while bone flutes trilled melodies that seemed to ride the wind itself.

Dancers spun like autumn leaves, their boots stomping, their braids whipping as they circled the fires.

Warriors, still in armor, clashed blades in mock duels, sparks flying as steel met steel, their roars of laughter echoing into the night.

Elders clapped time with gnarled hands, their voices rising in ancient ballads of conquest, while children darted between legs, clutching stolen strips of meat or sticky handfuls of candied curd, their faces smeared with grease and joy.

Aeryon sat at the head of it all, a throne of furs and shields raised beneath a banner stitched with the snarling wolf of his house.

He drank deeply, kumis streaming down his chin, as warriors and chieftains knelt to present him with trophies

The tribe’s storytellers wove tales of his victories into epics on the spot, their voices rising theatrically as they pantomimed his duel with or the storming of Nurshira walls.

Each climax was met with thunderous applause, cups slammed on tables, and the ecstatic howling of the crowd.

And then, as the moon climbed, the feast became something wilder.

Firelight glinted off sweat-slicked skin and grinning teeth.

Strangers became kin, clashing cups and sharing tales.

Even the stars seemed to lean closer, their cold light drowned out by the inferno of joy below.

That night, the entire tribe feast like gods.

...

There is poets that create poems of his bravery and his deeds, there is singers that compose songs of the battle and storytellers that recite tales of his deeds.

If not for the fact that it is known that the Kan did not like dancing girls, the Elder Council probably would organize a dozen of women to dance for him.

It was at this feast, that there is the presentation of the spoils. Most of it is already given to his army when he was in Sordkazan region

But the Ashana send messages to him that said to delay some of the rewards and to give the rewards in the city

Aeryon at that time, then send some people back to the city and those who stay with him in Sordkazan was rewarded early and those who go and return to the city has to wait a little

Aeryon did not even need to say anything as the Ashana and the Elders explain to the people.

In actuality, such feast did not have such formality of presentation of spoils.

But it was Mayeux that suggested this idea to the Elder and the Ashana.

This is to make the image of the Kan to be more vivid in the eyes of the people and show the people of the tribe the bounty they could win if they fight for the Kan

Motivating the ambitious and seducing the opportunist.

The caravans shows the spoils of war from treasures, livestock, weapons and captives.

They are paraded among the people and then Aeryon simply divided them to the people who have done merit in the battle of Sordkazan.

Usually, Aeryon as the chief would receive the largest share but this time, Aeryon did not take much.

the only one that knows about this is Mayeux. It is more to shock the people with how many treasures there is to be won in a battle that is more important than him hoarding more treasures.

As the Kan, he always receive the largest share and this largest share is really enormous. So, when he included his own share into the spoils of war, the treasures all seem more numerous.

Unlike most chief, Aeryon did not care much about this kind of wealth.

Some chief cares about it because they only think about limiting themselves to their lands and to rule over the small tribe

Aeryon desire is larger, his ambition is bigger and sacrificing the small to get the large is something he could do.

As for doing all of this, it is a bit like a marketing ploy.

This is Aeryon thinking. The warriors that fight alongside him all fight alongside him without being forced.

But once they swore an oath of loyalty, they should not betray. But Aeryon never force people to fight alongside him

The owe that is forced is only conquered soldiers. But from his tribe, there is no coercion for them to join him

However, the backbone of his army is composed of the Brolgadhr people.

From the ten thousand general to the ten men unit, all of them have the people of his tribe.

While there is other tribes occupying some other powerful position, there is still many Brolgadhr tribe members in his army and many of them is in high position

This is not about nepotism.

It is about core foundation of the tribe.

Aeryon could be generous but this generosity must not shake his position and his tribe position

After the distribution of the spoils of war, Aeryon honoured the warriors. Some he praised and some he rewarded again

And some are given promotions. This kind of public ceremony is very rare especially in Brolgadhr tribe.

Mayeux has created quite the spectacle for him.

Fortunately, he has already decided other than a great victory, he would not make this kind of thing a normal thing

It took too much time.

Even right now, he wanted to go to his residence and speak to his wife but he also could not just ditch this.

There is the lighting of fire where the Elders set a large bonfire and then there is the sacred dance.

At this time, Aeryon began to meet the Elders and thanks the Elders, the Ashana and spoke to them

The celebration was festive and everyone was in a jubilant mood. Only Aeryon is the only one that is not feeling the vibe

After all, he knows that this celebration is not for him but for his people. But he is adept at hiding his feelings.

Those who spoke with Aeryon could all feel that he is cordial. Of course, with different people he uses different means.

With the people of the original Brolgadhr tribe, he was cordial and respectful.

These are the backbones of his rule and they were the ones that trusted his vision.

While some were dissatisfied in the beginning, in the end, they still follow him

At that time, their cautiousness was the right decision.

At that time, Aeryon was a chief of a small tribe, and these people are the people of the small tribe.

Aeryon if he did not have the assistance of the system, how could he created such an amazing feat of fighting the Ghar and Xewa tribe and winning?

It is understandable then why his tribe was housesitting. Not to mention, before this tribe become a large tribe, everyone was a family.

To them, Aeryon is like a son to them or a nephew.

All of them is related somewhat.

And those who did not directly related, is related indirectly from another relative.

But the concentration of blood is not that close since they are a nomadic tribes and they have many wives and sons and daughters.

And not all of this daughters and sons would remain in the tribe

It is very loose in organization.

These people is Aeryon closest relative and at the same time his most ardent supporter. With them, Aeryon is quite respectful.

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