There can't be a Harvest Moon in the RimWorld.

With its beak stuffed full of food, the jay tried to explain the situation in a serious tone, "We're redrawing the tribe's totem! The original symbol of the Brownpool tribe wasn't attractive enough, and that must be why the tribe hasn't been able to recruit any new members!"

"May I ask why you have such a strange perception?"

The jay said with distress, "Then why is it that even with such high conditions offered by the tribe, they still can't find anyone willing to join?"

I stroked my chin and pondered for a moment, thinking that if I changed the conditions to include food, lodging, and a wife, I could find sons-in-law who would live with the family.

Then I suddenly sensed a murderous aura emanating from someone. I turned around and saw Bertholdt, who had just been pretending to be drunk and unable to hold his liquor, staring at me with his silver eyebrows raised.

...Found it!

Just as Conan said, the culprit is among us!

"...I think this pattern, which connects six-sided flowers into a hexagon, is the most unique! Who could resist becoming a hexagon warrior?!"

I pointed to one of them and casually asked, "Who painted this?"

Mei, with her hair in a ponytail, immediately raised her left hand excitedly.

"it's me!"

I patted her head. "You're such a good student! Come on, sing with me, we are the champions!"

But as soon as he finished singing that line, he aroused the girls' anger.

This kind of simple line drawing style is clearly the work of a child. It seems that my attempt to deliberately make Mei's painting the best to deflect criticism is no longer going to work.

As the most mature member, Ellie narrowed her almond-shaped eyes and sighed first: "Marcus, don't always run away from problems. There are some things that always need to be thought about."

What does that mean? This sounds like a serious matter.

I quickly said, "Ellie, please don't make things difficult for me. Even I had to ask you to design the logo, how could I possibly decide the winner between you two..."

Ellie giggled and said reproachfully, "But I've never seen you use the logo I designed."

...Oh dear, the entire foundation has been censored by unforeseen external forces, so don't blame me.

But since I've already said all that, I have no choice but to honestly look at the paintings again and at least choose a more reliable winner.

Looking at the remaining drawings, the one with the hexagons covered in lace and cursive lettering is definitely Popuri; while incorporating a hexagonal flower into an icy snowflake is Ellie's style; and the one who meticulously redraws the shape with fluid lines is probably Lynn...

Hey, who drew a woodblock print? Are they confident they're going to publish it right away?

I frowned and thought, and sure enough, I spotted a sneaky figure. It was wearing the same sweet little dress as Poppy, but it was so transparent that it looked like a watermark on the side of a TV program.

Akarin blushed: "I haven't studied painting, I've only drawn illustrations in books..."

Oh, I recognize this one: Uchiha Du Fu, Pirates of the Caribbean Ouyang Xiu, and Yowamushi Pedal Guan Hanqing.

As I continued reading, I discovered an even more outrageous picture.

The hexagonal flower shape has been magnified several times, its sharp edges enhanced by shading to create a sense of weight. Six evenly distributed rhombuses surround it, encircling blazing flame patterns. At its center are two blurry eyes, as if ready to incinerate the entire world with their fury…

"What is this? The style has suddenly changed? Is it from the competition in the next region? Did they get the theme wrong?"

I looked at everyone, a little confused. "Who drew this?"

Karen Teng suddenly stood up, expertly tucking me under her armpits and pulling my hair hard, saying with a mix of embarrassment and anger, "Is my drawing bad? My father taught me to draw since I was little!"

"No...nothing's wrong...blood, the blood's starting to flow...let go..."

I can't breathe...

Karen persisted, "The reason Jay and her tribe can't recruit anyone is because there are only women and children left in the tribe, and no force to deter them! How can any warriors come to join them?"

"Therefore, the hexagon I drew has an iron-clad body, symbolizing unshakeable majesty; the six flame-shaped squares surrounding it represent overwhelming power. The core, mouthless and eyeless pattern signifies that the tribe's enemies have all perished in the flames, leaving only their reverent gazes!"

"This picture is called 'Six Fire Souls,' isn't it the best tribal totem?!"

Karen spoke with conviction, instantly earning admiring glances from the girls around her, who all expressed surprise that this seemingly unreliable submission actually had such a purpose!

...But has anyone told you that this tribe, which you say your enemies fear so much, is neither the Eastern Depot nor the Western Depot, but just a garment and textile factory?

"I hereby declare... Kallen the winner of this round..."

After I finished speaking, Karen reluctantly let go of my hand, and before she did, she pulled my hair one last time, still wanting more.

My gaze was firm, indicating that my judgment was fair, just, open, reasonable, and legal, and that I was absolutely not blinded by anything—I wiped the blood from my nose and thought to myself.

"Then it's decided! I'll announce the tribe's totem update tomorrow!"

The jay proudly put the scroll away and announced it to everyone.

Bertholdt was quite uninhibited about this kind of thing; he had already withdrawn his gaze and turned back to continue drinking.

Hey, is it really okay to be so casual?!

Since it's all six, right? Believe me or not, I'll draw a picture of Liu Xiao Ling Tong (the actor who played the Monkey King) on ​​it and make your lives a golden road!

…………

I stood at the entrance of the tavern, watching the long night and the bleak autumn wind. A bright moon hung high in the sky, so clear and pure that not a speck of dust could be seen, casting its serene light upon the mountains and seas.

The Maders Mountains stand silently in the distance, their forests covered in frost under the moonlight, like a desolate and serene old man whose every breath radiates to all living beings. Even though he is indifferent to our joys and sorrows, he remains detached and indifferent.

On the other side, the vast ocean surges and undulates, forever stirring the inner strength. The waves can even drive the sea breeze. The countless floating shadows shattered after the bright moon is reflected drift into a boundless sea of ​​light, where fish and dragons leap and dive, eternally persisting in their unwavering courage.

I suddenly felt a little lost, like anyone standing at a crossroads, unsure whether to stand firm like Mount Marcus or surge forward like the ocean. No matter which way I go, time keeps rolling forward, never giving me a chance to hesitate or retreat. How could I not feel lost and confused?

"Marcus, what are you thinking?"

Ellie noticed my absent-mindedness and secretly came to my side. Together we looked at the desolate night view in the distance, and we were also captivated by the scenery.

I said quietly, "I'm thinking... I can never let Karen drink again."

Ellie covered her mouth and chuckled, "I'll be more careful next time. We only found out later that she secretly replaced the grape juice with wine. Nobody expected that she could drink it like it was juice..."

Okay, anyway, there can't be a next time.

Otherwise, given her drinking habits, I wouldn't be surprised if she got drunk and killed a tiger, crashed into a mountain gate, or even kidnapped a wife from Gao Lao Zhuang.

Ellie leaned against the doorway, her flowing white dress seemingly imbued with a touch of ethereal beauty under the moonlight, exuding a quality more transparent than the cold wind and more flawless than the bright moon.

“Marcus, I heard from Jay that you’ve done quite a bit over there?” Ellie said softly, her voice as gentle as the night breeze.

I scratched my head: "It's nothing, just a coincidence."

"Aren't you going to tell me more? Karen is really excited about it and keeps saying she wants to go to the jay tribe and experience that exciting life."

I was instantly overwhelmed with anxiety.

"Hopefully she'll forget about it when she wakes up tomorrow. They're not kidding. And after all this time, who knows how things have changed?"

Karen covered her mouth and smiled at me, then after a long while turned her gaze to the bright moon in the misty sky, seemingly lamenting its unattainability.

"I really envy you guys, having the courage and ability to just pack up and go. Sometimes, when you keep your head down for too long, you even forget what you still yearn for."

Upon hearing this, I couldn't help but fall silent. My already complicated and conflicted feelings were suddenly mixed with something else.

Just like Ellie said, she was the same age as us, but she carried more burdens. Her sick grandmother and young brother were always problems she couldn't escape.

But this strong girl did not become dejected or discouraged. Instead, she bravely took on the responsibility and filled the void with her actions.

She certainly envied my and Karen's whimsical ideas, and must have longed for the family care of Lynn and Poppy, but everyone's life is not a choice. Just as the moonlight shines on our hometown, and our feet tread on our lives.

But I also know that this thoughtful girl wasn't wallowing in self-pity, but rather wanted to tell me something.

For example, I am now at a critical juncture, and what I do should not be based entirely on my mood. Instead, I should look into my own heart and see if, like Ellie, I cherish the family members who accompany me more than unrestrained freedom.

For the sake of Mineral Town, for the sake of protecting the peaceful and warm daily life here, I should continue, unlike the mountains or the sea.

Like a down-to-earth, capital-like person.

"Thank you, Ellie."

I exhaled a breath of stale air, letting the cold wind hit my face, but when I looked back, I saw the brilliant lights inside the house and the sincere smiles on people's faces.

"Don't worry, Ellie. Whether it's Karen's aspirations or your desire for freedom, they're all part of the town. I'll definitely find a way to change everything!"

I smiled confidently and said, "By then, everyone will be able to go anywhere, whether it's the jay's home or any corner of the universe!"

"Then it's a promise. I'll wait for the day you keep your word."

Ellie smiled faintly, slowly turned around and walked away from me.

"Yes, it's a deal."

Chapter 676 Harvest Festival in Mineral Town (Extended Battle)

The boundless sea is calm and peaceful today.

Today is the second day of the Harvest Festival. The market is still open, but I'm not patrolling Rose Square anymore.

The buoy swayed freely with the waves, as comfortable as if it were lying in a cradle, with only a slight disturbance every now and then, a tentative yet cunning movement.

I sat cross-legged on Zach's dock, squinting at the dazzling sunlight in the distance, my mind remaining peaceful and serene, like a speck of dust floating in clear air.

"Marcus, what are you doing hiding here?"

Kay emerged sleepily from the room behind Zach, clearly not expecting my presence.

I didn't turn my head, but focused on watching the movements on the water. I patted the bamboo basket next to me, which was already full of the harvest.

Shh, I'm here to fish.

Kai chuckled, "You really know how to enjoy life. Don't they still need you at the Harvest Festival? Are you sure you're okay hiding away by yourself?"

With my hands perfectly steady, I cast my line at the right moment, and the lively skipjack tuna fell into the basket. I decided to put the line away for the time being.

"I picked a keyboard when I was born, is it wrong to like fishing? The harvest festival is already running on its own, and there are fewer people looking at the goods today, so it doesn't matter whether I'm here or not."

I thought about it for a moment, "Besides, I always feel that something's missing if we don't go fishing at the beach during these kinds of holidays. It must be caused by some mysterious force. Have you ever heard the legend of Father Time...?"

Kay's young face was full of doubt. He opened his mouth but didn't say anything. Finally, he washed his face on the beach and sat down next to me.

Then he stared blankly into space, his eyes vacant.

I kept casting until a rough, hoarse meowing sound came from behind me.

Two large, patterned cats approached me from the left and right, nudging me with their colorful heads.

I listened carefully to two meows: "Okay... everything's normal at Rose Square, right... umm... I understand..."

I threw two fish out of the bamboo basket, and they immediately snatched them up in mid-air, one after the other, and devoured them in two bites. Then they began to rub against me affectionately.

"Investigate further, report back."