Inside the Grand Hall—
the seats were quickly filling up.
Visitors from all across Jokun City sat at the long tables while servants carried trays of food and drinks between them.
The atmosphere buzzed with conversation.
Many guests looked around in admiration.
"…This place was built recently?"
"…The hall is beautiful."
"…Look at the ceiling work."
"…There's so much space."
"…Blue Scarf territory keeps growing."
The white walls reflected the lantern light beautifully while banners from the allied villages hung proudly throughout the hall.
At the front—
Saito stood near the stage and looked across the enormous crowd.
For a moment, even he seemed impressed.
"…Wow."
He turned toward Takeru.
"…It's really packed."
Takeru nodded.
"…Almost every seat is occupied."
Saito crossed his arms proudly.
"…Good."
"This is exactly what I wanted."
Then he glanced around the room.
"…Where are the mayors?"
Takeru looked toward the entrance.
"…They're on their way."
Almost as if on cue—
the large doors opened.
Several guests turned their heads toward the entrance while murmurs spread across the hall.
The leaders of Blue Scarf territory were beginning to arrive.
Meanwhile—
Saito remained near the stage, watching proudly as the hall he had envisioned finally came to life around him.
The conversations inside the Grand Hall gradually quieted.
The large entrance doors opened once again.
This time—
the mayors entered together.
First came Rick of Grizzly Village, dressed in formal attire and carrying himself with unusual confidence.
Beside him walked John of Bypass Village, smiling and waving casually toward several visitors who recognized him.
Takashi followed with his usual composed demeanor, documents somehow still tucked beneath one arm despite the celebration.
Gein walked proudly with a soldier's posture while Fein remained calm and unreadable beside him.
As they entered—
something else happened.
Along both sides of the hall, large banners slowly rose upward.
The crowd immediately turned to admire them.
The first banner displayed Grizzly Village.
A shrine flag proudly embroidered upon rich fabric.
The second represented Hiraki Village.
A shield standing before a sword.
A symbol of protection and strength.
The third belonged to Kor Village.
Two metal rods crossing together to form a large X.
A tribute to the village's blacksmith heritage.
The fourth banner represented Bypass Village.
An emblem of fire blazing proudly against a dark background.
The fifth banner rose last.
The symbol of Lorum Village.
A building standing behind a leaf.
Growth and civilization.
The crowd murmured in appreciation.
Many visitors had never seen the symbols gathered together in one place before.
To them—
it was a visible reminder that these villages now stood united.
Meanwhile, the five mayors continued toward the front stage.
The VIP section had been prepared specifically for them.
Elegant chairs stood beneath the banners.
One by one, they took their seats.
Rick.
John.
Takashi.
Gein.
Fein.
The leaders of Blue Scarf territory.
As they settled into their places, more guests applauded.
Even from across the hall, the sense of unity was unmistakable.
At the center of it all—
Saito watched from near the stage.
The sight brought a smile to his face.
Not long ago, these villages barely trusted one another.
Now their banners stood side by side above hundreds of people gathered beneath the same roof.
Saito remained near the entrance of the Grand Hall.
Most of the guests had already arrived.
The mayors were seated.
The villagers were gathered.
The celebration was ready to begin.
Only a few important guests remained.
After several minutes—
a guard standing by the entrance straightened his posture.
Then he announced loudly:
"Special guests arriving!"
The massive doors slowly opened.
The crowd turned their attention toward the entrance once again.
The first person to enter was Kuro.
He walked forward with his hands casually inside his coat pockets, looking completely unconcerned by the hundreds of eyes watching him.
Some visitors immediately recognized him.
Whispers spread throughout the hall.
"…That's Kuro."
"…The Claw Gang leader."
"…He's an ally of Blue Scarf?"
At that exact moment—
another banner slowly rose along the side of the hall.
The symbol upon it was unmistakable.
A claw dripping with blood.
The emblem of Kuro's territory.
Kuro glanced at it briefly.
"…Looks better than I expected."
Then he continued walking.
Moments later—
the doors opened again.
This time the whispers became even louder.
Shiro entered alongside Herion and Mina.
Unlike Kuro's intimidating presence—
Shiro appeared calm and approachable.
Yet many visitors immediately stood slightly straighter.
The reputation of White Hat traveled far beyond Morguin Town.
As he entered—
another banner slowly rose.
A sword surrounded by swirling mist.
The symbol of White Hat.
The crowd admired it quietly.
"…White Hat's leader…"
"…Shiro himself came…"
"…This celebration is bigger than I thought."
Mina walked beside Shiro while Herion followed respectfully behind them.
Near the entrance—
Saito immediately waved.
"…Shiro!"
"…Kuro!"
Shiro smiled warmly.
"…Looks like we're not late."
Kuro shrugged.
"…Barely."
Saito grinned.
"…Come on."
"The VIP seats are waiting."
Then together—
Saito walked beside his two allies toward the front stage.
As they approached, the crowd watched attentively.
The banners of the villages.
The banners of the allied territories.
The gathered leaders.
For many visitors—
it felt less like a village celebration and more like the assembly of a growing nation.
Behind the stage—
Kaito adjusted his collar for what felt like the tenth time.
He looked far more uncomfortable than he ever did during a fight.
"…Seriously?"
"I have to speak in front of all these people?"
Feina crossed her arms.
"…Yes."
Kaito sighed.
"…I'd rather fight Joshua again."
Feina immediately pointed toward the stage.
"…Too late."
"Go."
Kaito exhaled slowly.
The sound of hundreds of conversations echoed beyond the curtain.
Then—
he stepped forward.
The moment he appeared on stage, the hall gradually became quiet.
Visitors immediately recognized him.
Whispers spread through the audience.
"…That's Noctarion Kaito."
"…The Silent Killer."
"…Blue Scarf's right hand."
"…He's speaking?"
Kaito wished they would stop talking.
Standing in front of hundreds of people somehow felt more dangerous than facing an army.
He looked toward the VIP section.
Saito was grinning.
Bomb was trying not to laugh.
Kaito silently promised revenge later.
Then he turned back toward the crowd.
The entire hall waited.
Kaito cleared his throat.
"…Welcome."
His voice echoed through the Grand Hall.
"…Welcome to Lorum Village."
He paused briefly.
"…The capital territory of Blue Scarf."
The crowd applauded politely.
Kaito nodded once before continuing.
"…Today marks another year since the formation of this alliance."
His eyes swept across the banners hanging throughout the hall.
"…Many of you came from different villages."
"…Different towns."
"…Different territories."
"…Some of you are human."
"…Some are Wolfbeasts."
"…Some are Lizardbeasts."
"…Some are Catbeasts."
The audience listened quietly.
Kaito wasn't a natural speaker—
but his sincerity carried through.
"…Yet today…"
"…You all sit beneath the same roof."
He glanced toward the front stage.
Toward the mayors.
Toward Kuro.
Toward Shiro.
And finally—
toward Saito.
"…That alone is worth celebrating."
The hall erupted into applause.
Even Kaito looked slightly surprised it had worked.
From the VIP section—
Bomb leaned toward Saito.
"…Not bad."
Saito smiled proudly.
"…Of course."
"…He's my right hand."
Meanwhile on stage, Kaito silently wished the speech would end before anyone asked him to give another one.