The epic story of green monsters

Chapter 1288

The auction was exceptionally lively, and the final tally of the proceeds set a new record for the Chamber of Commerce. The total price of just the thousand tickets to the mountaintop plaza for a close-up view of Allen cooking divine dishes was astonishing.

In addition to the auctions of magical dishes successfully cooked by various participating magic chefs over the past half month, as well as the various exquisite items prepared by the Chamber of Commerce and the release of master-level and grandmaster-level dishes, the Green Field Merchant Guild's income in just ten days has already exceeded the total turnover of an entire year. If only the profit is considered, it is even more than the sum of the merchant guild's profits over several years.

There was no other way; those thousand tickets were a completely risk-free business. Every ticket sold was practically pure profit. Due to the overwhelming demand, the price at the auction was driven up to an inflated level, allowing the Green Field Tribe to make a killing.

With the sale of the last item in the auction, the sealed-off area atop the abruptly existing hill in Green Lake City was finally opened, providing direct access.

The Green Field Tribe attached great importance to this cooking by their great leader. They not only transferred a 20,000-strong elite warrior legion from the front lines to serve as the dedicated guard for the mountaintop plaza and its surrounding area, but also mobilized the entire tribe's guard force to begin deploying defenses along all major thoroughfares in the inner and outer city areas.

Within the military defensive structures separated by the inner and outer city walls, all the soldiers of the garrison protecting Green Lake City had stopped their leave and began taking turns on duty according to their respective army tasks, giving the vast Green Lake City a somewhat solemn atmosphere.

The lives of residents in the outer city area remained largely unchanged, but in the inner city, fully armed police officers were stationed at intersections every few hundred meters, conducting random checks on the origins of passersby. If someone had no identification or whose identity was questionable, they would be immediately taken away by the police officers for a more thorough investigation until their identity was confirmed to be harmless before being released.

Faced with such harsh and unreasonable scrutiny on Greenfield's territory, even if some foreign tourists were dissatisfied, they dared not vent their dissatisfaction and instead obediently cooperated with the Greenfield tribe warriors' demands.

One thousand guests who had purchased tickets arrived at the meeting point at the agreed time, and then, led by servants arranged by Green Field, slowly made their way to the plaza at the top of the mountain.

The hilltop plaza was originally open to the public, and both members of the Green Field tribe and tourists were free to visit.

However, as the city expanded, the population grew, and the spiritual significance of Chief Allen in the hearts of the people increased, his castle naturally became a kind of holy site for the tribe. At the suggestion of a certain city lord, the hilltop square was sealed off and was no longer open to the public except during the tribal high-ranking officials or major festivals.

For the vast majority of the audience, this was their first time visiting the plaza atop the mountain. The first thing that caught their eye was a sculpture that bore a striking resemblance to Allen in appearance and build. Unlike the ecclesiastical statues of the God of Food, which depicted figures wielding frying pans and spatulas, this sculpture exuded a warrior's spirit that immediately struck the eye, especially with its massive, gleaming golden greatsword, crafted from real gold.

On either side of the sculpture stand two humanoid sculptures, slightly taller than normal goblin bears and seemingly made entirely of crystal, guarding this sculpture which is clearly modeled after Allen of the Green Field tribe.

In contrast, on the west side is the stone castle belonging to Allen, which looks rather simple and elegant. The ivy and other plants covering the castle walls have sporadic flower buds sticking out, and the colorful flowers add a touch of warmth to this solemn square.

Rows of trapezoidal viewing platforms were erected early on the north and south sides of the square, arranged in a staggered pattern. As the crowds poured in and took their seats, the entire viewing platform was quickly filled.

In the center of the square, a stove and cutting board, complete with pots, pans, knives, forks, scissors, and chopping blocks, stood alone. At this moment, more than a thousand pairs of eyes were focused on this seemingly ordinary stove, which was somewhat comical.

As the sun rose in the east, golden rays pierced through the back of the colossal statue, which stood over ten meters tall. Whether it was an illusion or not, an invisible pressure seemed to emanate from the statue, intimidating the more than one thousand spectators on the viewing platform. No one dared to act recklessly, and even whispering to the guests nearby felt somewhat abrupt.

Time passed slowly, and the spectators on the viewing platform gradually felt the agony, wondering when Allen would finally appear. Just then, the sound of a door creaking open broke the silence of the square.

"Sorry everyone, I've kept you waiting!!"

Allen was dressed exceptionally formally today. Following a scene from a ritual he witnessed in his dream, he had just summoned the purest water elemental to cleanse his body within the castle. He had also used calming and focused incense to regulate his mind. Dressed in a cream-colored chef's robe specially made for today's cooking, he slowly appeared on the third-floor terrace of the castle. With a light leap, Allen jumped directly off the terrace and flew to the stove in the center of the square.

"Today is a very important day in my life, Alan Witt. It is my honor to be able to witness this moment with all of you here today, and it is also your good fortune."

"Perhaps you really will have the opportunity to witness the birth of Feynman's first divine dish, which is also the emergence of Feynman's first divine chef."

"But before that, I need you all to witness something else."

"Albad!!"

As Allen suddenly called out the name of the tribe's current de facto leader, a powerful voice immediately responded from the front row of seats on the viewing platform: "I am here, Chieftain."

"Stand in front of me!!"

"Yes!!"

As Albad's diminutive figure strode up to Allen, Allen glanced around at the solemn faces before finally fixing his gaze on the dwarf goblin in front of him, and at the same time, a golden seal appeared in his hand.

“From today onwards, I will relinquish my position as chief of the Green Fields tribe, and you will succeed me as chief.”

"My era will eventually decline and descend into darkness. But yours, like the rising sun before us, is about to arrive."

“Take this seal; it is heavier than you know. It carries not only power, but also the breath of this land beneath our feet, the gaze of our ancestors watching over us from the stars, and the future whispered in the dreams of every member of our people.”

"I have taught you how to hunt, how to fight, and how to survive in the harshness of nature. But today, I will impart to you three things I cannot teach, things you must learn through your own experience:"

"First, there is 'weighing.' You are no longer just a warrior, but the mind of the tribe. Individual bravery is admirable, but the survival of the tribe is paramount. You must find the narrowest, most dangerous, but only right path between revenge and forbearance, war and peace, tradition and change. Sometimes, to save the pack, you must sacrifice a wounded lone wolf. This pain will be the first bitter pill you drink as the chief."

"Secondly, it is 'listening.' We must listen not only to the elders' advice and the warriors' roars, but also to the omens in the wind, the whispers of the forest, and the laughter of children. The gods we believe in and follow never proclaim aloud; they only give revelation in these subtle ways. A chieftain who cannot hear the weeping of the land will eventually lead the tribe to desolation."

"Third, and most importantly, is 'loneliness.' From this moment on, you will no longer have pure friendship. Every decision you make will push you away from the crowd until you stand alone on the mountaintop, bearing the hopes and fears of all. Do not seek to be loved, but to be respected; do not crave understanding, but to hold fast to your beliefs."

“Take good care of our people, whose lives and trust are now woven into your hands like a thousand threads. I cannot promise you a smooth road ahead—the demons of the abyss are watching, the neighboring kingdoms are scheming, and the beasts of the wilderness are roaring. But I know that your blood flows with a fire hotter than mine, and with a wisdom more resilient than mine.”

"Now, stand tall, like the mountain we have relied on for generations. Nourish the foundation of the tribe with your blood, and guide our way with your wisdom. May the tribe be sung even more loudly in the future because of your name!"

"May the great God of Cookery and Guardian of the North guide your path... and I will be your most loyal warrior, witnessing your legend."