Ⅳ
Late at night, the banquet hall aboard the Eastern was still brightly lit.
Roast chicken and roast venison, accompanied by all kinds of fresh fruit, cream, honey, butter, black pepper, and other condiments, were brought in in an endless stream.
Of course, drinks were indispensable.
Long before the salon began, barrel after barrel of ale had been stacked into a pyramid.
A hose had been attached to the barrel at the very top.
All anyone had to do was lower the hose, and golden ale would flow out without end.
It gleamed beneath the lights.
Yet there was no music in the banquet hall.
It was not because the musicians had neglected their duties, but because the young First Mate had relayed Arthur's instructions-
"Tonight's banquet will be a banquet in the truest sense.
It is purely a celebration, nothing more.
Everyone is welcome to join.
Including our musicians and attendants."
With those instructions, the musicians left the stage after playing an opening set to warm up the crowd.
At first, they felt a little out of place.
But soon, when the Captain raised his glass, the atmosphere grew lively all at once.
Especially when the previous night's grand-prize winner, a reporter from the South Los Daily, stepped forward.
"From the moment the Eastern set sail, she was destined to be extraordinary, and we have been fortunate enough to witness the birth of a legend!"
The reporter's words struck a chord with everyone.
Indeed.
From the interception when the Eastern left port, to the conflict with the evil cult in West Berlin, to the river pirates, water monsters, and other incidents in the Einhaas Fief.
Every single incident had been astonishing.
In fact, there was no need for so many incidents. Any one of them alone would have provided