The Envoy of Abundance from Onphalus

　Russell nodded slightly, his gaze distant. "It was a gift from a very important friend a long time ago. Seeing this cake suddenly reminded me of it."

　The image of Onfaros, his fellow Golden Clan members shrouded in conspiracy, flashed through his mind.

　"When Onphalus is truly free, we will hold a grand feast, where everyone will gather together to share delicious food and joy. That feast will never end."

　He spoke in a low voice, more like an expectation for the future.

　Pam secretly observed Russell from a short distance away, took out her little notebook, and carefully wrote down with a pen held in her paw: "Passenger Russell seems to really like his chibi version. We can make more merchandise for the next event, Pam~"

　"gentlemen,"

　Jin's voice interrupted Russell's thoughts and made him put away the old doll. "The banquet is about to begin, and everyone is waiting for you."

　Russell snapped out of his reverie, smiled, and nodded, blending into the lively atmosphere. Everyone raised their drinks, laughter and well wishes filling the air.

　Himeko proposed with a bright smile, "To welcome our new family, and for our shared journey—a toast to all the nameless guests!"

　"A salute to the anonymous guest!"

　Everyone responded in unison, and the glasses clinked together crisply.

　At this moment, there were no more barriers in the carriage, only pure celebration. This grand banquet officially announced that Star, Russell, and Ember had become members of the Star Train's nameless passengers. They would embark on an unknown journey of exploration together, becoming each other's most steadfast companions.

　The banquet lasted a long time, until the dishes were scattered everywhere and the laughter was gradually replaced by satisfied exhaustion.

　After the event ended, everyone tacitly stayed behind to clean up the mess. Sweeping, putting things back in their places, wiping... After a flurry of activity, the lingering excitement was gradually replaced by weariness.

　Pam kindly led the three new passengers to their rooms.

　"Because although there are many empty rooms on the train, they are basically all in a bare-bones state,"

　As it walked, it gestured with its little paws, "The train is on its course now, so a fancy renovation is out of the question for the time being, Pshaw. We'll figure something out when we dock on the next planet."

　So for the next few days, everyone will just have to make do.

　It stopped in front of a door and handed Russell a key: "Russell, passenger; Ember, passenger, this is your room! Keep the key safe!"

　It tilted its little head up and asked earnestly, "By the way, what are your breakfast preferences? Do you like it sweet or savory? Pam, write it down."

　Russell took the brass key and skillfully opened the door. Just as Pam had said, the room was empty except for two beds, indicating that it was habitable.

　And there was only basic lighting. He looked at the short train conductor and said gently, "Thank you for your trouble, conductor. Just be the same as everyone else; there's no need for special preparations."

　"I'll eat whatever you eat, sir."

　Jin stood half a step behind Russell and immediately expressed his opinion.

　"Pa! I understand, Pa!"

　Pam noted it down, then took Star's hand. "Let's go, Star passenger, your room is up ahead, Pam! Get some rest!"

　Russell entered the empty double suite and looked around. Jin stood quietly by the door.

　"It is indeed a bit desolate."

　Russell commented.

　He raised his hand, his fingertips glowing with a soft, vibrant emerald light, which he gently brushed across the walls and floor. As if by magic, the room's appearance instantly transformed: dark wood grain covered the cold metal panels, the floor turned a warm oak color, and several potted plants with outstretched leaves, exuding a refreshing fragrance, even "grew" in the corners.

　The air was filled with the faint fragrance of grass and trees and the scent of old books—this was the style of his residence in the Sacred Tree Garden.

　"How about it?"

　Russell asked Jin with a hint of pride, "This is my hometown. Doesn't it have a touch of epic history and wisdom?"

　Jin looked around carefully and nodded: "If you find it comfortable, then that's good."

　His answer was as concise and sincere as ever.

　"You..."

　Russell smiled helplessly. "Never mind that. Go and get some rest. It's safe on the train; you don't need to stay up all night."

　Perhaps the banquet had indeed drained him of his energy, or perhaps the peaceful atmosphere on the train had finally allowed the vigilant guard to relax his tense nerves; this time, Jin did not insist.

　He nodded slightly: "Yes, sir. Please get some rest as well."

　After saying that, he walked towards his bedroom.

　Russell lay on the exceptionally soft and comfortable bed, which seemed to have grown instantly from the power of abundance. The hustle and bustle of the day finally subsided, and a wave of fatigue washed over him.

　He had just closed his eyes, preparing to drift off to sleep.

　A familiar and long-lost voice, tinged with a mischievous laugh, rang directly in his mind, as clear as a whisper:

　[Ah Su, don't go to sleep yet~ Do you know what day it is today?]

　It is a branch that will last for generations.

　Russell replied wearily, "What day... Ah Chui?"

　Oh dear, you really forgot? But it's okay!

　Chui Shizhi's voice carried a hint of mystery and anticipation: "My gift will absolutely remind you! Now, close your eyes obediently and prepare to receive the surprise!"

　Russell listened to Ah Chui's words, slowly closed his eyes, and began to look forward to the surprise.

　……

　Chapter Ninety-Two is titled "A Beautiful Dream".

　The moment Russell closed his eyes, it was as if he had fallen into a long and warm river.

　When she opened her eyes again, the dazzling sunlight gently shone down, and before her was the magnified smiling face of the girl Ophina, like the most radiant sunflower facing the blazing sun.

　"Master?"

　She tilted her head, her light blue hair fluttering in the wind, her orange eyes filled with pure joy and a hint of playful confusion.

　"Why are you spacing out? The banquet is about to start!"

　Her smile was incredibly infectious, as if it could dispel all the gloom in the world.

　Before Russell could react, Ophina had already naturally taken his hand and led him briskly into the depths of the courtyard. Her voice was clear and melodious, like a bell, as she chattered on and on:

　"You haven't seen it, but those kids in the academy are incredibly clever! If I hadn't been born hundreds of years earlier, I'd probably be miles ahead of them!"

　She chuckled, casually removing the wheat ear headdress—a symbol of harvest and wisdom—from her own hair and pinning it to Russell's slightly disheveled silver hair without a word. She stepped back to examine it closely, nodding in satisfaction: "Hmm! Master definitely looks better in it! Much better than me!"

　She kept walking, excitedly planning: "After the banquet, I'll take you to Aidiria! I've secretly planted a huge field of flowers, really!"

　"I've transplanted all the beautiful flowers I could find in each city-state. They're all different colors, and when the wind blows, they rustle and sway—it's so beautiful! I'm sure you'll love them!"

　A warm liquid welled up in Russell's eyes without warning. The scene before him was so vivid, the warmth of Ophina's palm so real, and even the scent of grass and sunshine in the air was clearly discernible.

　All of this is like a piece of glass that was carefully treasured but has now been accidentally dropped, reflecting the brightest yet most unattainable light of the past years.

　He let Ophina pull him along, his fingertips trembling slightly, his throat feeling as if something was blocking it. He was afraid that the beautiful scene before him would vanish the moment he spoke.

　The noise of the banquet gradually became clearer. The first person to come into view was Iser, whose signature light blue eyes were now scrutinizing, through his glasses, an unfinished stone sculpture in the hands of a young student—a sculpture that vaguely resembled Russell's own silhouette.

　"Those lines! That spirit!"

　Iser's voice carried the rigor and ruthlessness characteristic of a scholar as he pointed a finger at the statue's brow bone. "You say you're the one who will win the sculpture competition five times in a row three hundred years from now? This level... could it be a title you bought with money?"

　His brow was furrowed, clearly indicating his extreme dissatisfaction with the work.

　Upon glancing up and seeing Russell being pulled over by Ophina, Iser's icy expression instantly melted away, replaced by delight: "Teacher! You've finally arrived!"

　He strode forward, his tone carrying a hint of reliance on his mentor and a barely perceptible pride. He casually pushed up his glasses. "Look at them. In the years you've been gone, the skills of my juniors... sigh, it's really worrying. I should have minored in sculpture back then, so they wouldn't be at a loss now."

　He complained, but his eyes shone as he looked at Russell, as if seeking some kind of approval.

　Ophina didn't give Russell a chance to linger, pulling him along as she continued walking. Turning back, she made a face at Iser: "Alright, alright! The professor just arrived, so stop complaining! You'll have plenty of time to discuss your academic anxieties with him once the banquet starts!"

　She whispered to Russell, "Look at him, he's just like you, always studying this or thinking about that, his brain's become so hard, he has no fun at all! Don't worry, he'll be the first one to run away when the banquet starts!"

　Deep within the courtyard, beneath a lush oak tree, Hilly, with her long, flowing blue hair, knelt before a massive stone slab, her expression focused and tense.

　Holding a carving knife, she carefully sketched the banquet scene. Several upperclassmen gathered around the stone slab, pointing and commenting animatedly: "Junior Sister Hilly, here! Make the figures' movements more expressive! Look at the plating over there, the curve of their arms..."

　"Yes, and the interplay of light and shadow! Capture the moment when sunlight filters through the leaves and falls on the food—that's the key to an 'epic' feel!"

　"Don't be nervous, relax your wrist, and imagine you are using a carving knife to write the story of this joyous gathering..."

　Under the watchful eyes of so many seniors, Hilly's pale purple eyes appeared even more uneasy, and her fingers holding the carving knife turned slightly white.

　She took a deep breath, trying to suppress her nervousness, and focused even more intently on her drawing. A sharp-eyed senior student spotted Russell approaching and immediately waved excitedly, "Teacher! Look, Hillyline is recording today's grand event!"

　Russell's gaze swept across the crowd and landed in the center of the banquet hall. There, Claudius was methodically directing everything. Her posture was upright, her voice clear and penetrating, and every instruction was concise and effective, making the preparations appear well-organized.

　She was like a true battlefield commander, except that the battlefield at this moment was a feast.

　"Lord Destiny, place the freshly baked honey bread on the right side of the main table, near the drinks area."

　"Jin Zhijue, please hang those glowing crystal lamps a little higher, yes, so that the light can fall more evenly."

　The air was filled with the enticing aroma of food, originating from the makeshift open kitchen area.

　There, a silent battle is raging.

　Wearing an apron, Bai'er moved with the fluidity of a dance as she tossed various ingredients into a steaming wok and stir-fried them, brimming with confidence: "Wan Di, admit it, in the art of cooking, you can never truly surpass the Savior's skill. This is the ultimate judgment of the taste buds!"

　Wan Di snorted coldly; the pride of the Crown Prince of Xuanfeng City made him determined not to admit defeat.

　The sharp kitchen knife in his hand moved like a blur as he precisely processed the ingredients, his movements displaying the unique efficiency of a master chef.

　"Hmph, savior? The flames of Suspended Peak City will show you what true power is!"

　He placed a carefully seasoned steak into the oven and raised his eyebrows defiantly, "Just wait and see, my secret-recipe grilled steak will show you that the honor of Suspended Peak City is not to be underestimated!"

　At the long dining table not far away, Nashi Xia and Feng Jin were working together seamlessly to set out the exquisite tableware and napkins.

　Xia's movements were precise, ensuring that the spacing between each set of tableware was exactly the same, as if she were setting up a meticulous alchemical array.

　Kazemura was responsible for folding the napkins into elegant swan shapes and adorning them on the polished porcelain plates.

　She would occasionally whisper a subtle reminder about the exact angle of a certain arrangement by Xia, who would respond with a knowing nod. A tacit understanding flowed between them, unspoken yet profound.

　Like a light butterfly, Saifeier flitted between Aglaia and Hazel. She was responsible for hanging the crystal lamp, which Aglaia had adjusted and which emitted a soft glow, in the designated position.

　Then, the wreaths woven by Hazel and adorned with flowers and vines were passed on to the Tibos who were in charge of decorating.

　Aglaia was focused, adjusting the angle and brightness of each lamp as if she were adjusting a work of art, ensuring that the light perfectly complemented the color of the food and the warmth of the venue.

　Heather, on the other hand, quietly and efficiently combines a variety of exotic flowers into stunning floral arrangements.

　Saifeier was occasionally drawn to the beautiful flowers, letting out small exclamations. She carefully took them and then skipped and hopped to deliver them to where they were needed.

　The Tibbers—those tiny, energetic figures—are like industrious worker bees, lining up to carefully carry plates of freshly cooked, enticingly fragrant dishes from the kitchen and place them steadily on the long dining table covered with a clean white tablecloth.

　Golden-roasted poultry, colorful vegetable salads, delicate desserts garnished with berries, steaming soups... the long table quickly became laden with a dazzling array of dishes.

　Xia Die was like the colorist of the banquet. She carried a flower basket full of colorful flowers and moved lightly throughout the venue.

　She carefully placed dew-kissed starflowers in the center of the table, wrapped fragrant evening primroses around the pillars of the courtyard, and placed a small bouquet of flowers next to each guest's seat.

　Her movements were gentle and focused, as if she were performing a sacred ritual, adding the most natural decoration to this joyous occasion with the vitality and beauty of the flowers.

　All of this indicates that a grand banquet is about to be held, and the protagonist of this banquet, Bertrand Russell, has already arrived.

　Russell, overwhelmed by the unreality of it all, didn't know what to say. He was even more afraid that if he opened his mouth, the scene before him would vanish.

　Chapter Ninety-Three: Happy Birthday, Asu.

　Russell's gaze finally settled on the figure waiting quietly under the oak tree—his teacher, the rational Titan Serhis.

　He was surrounded by a gentle life force, as serene and peaceful as an ancient tree.

　Seeing Russell approach, Sersis's eyes shone with satisfaction and approval, and his voice was like a gentle breeze rustling through the leaves in the forest: "Son of man, the hour is coming. The path you have taken and the things you have accomplished bring me great comfort."

　Russell's throat moved slightly, a thousand words welling up in his heart, but in the end he simply nodded deeply.

　This recognition carries a heavy weight even in dreams.

　This seemed like a silent signal, and all the preparations came to a tacit conclusion at this moment.

　Krystal looked around the room, confirmed that everything was ready, and nodded slightly. Melodious music flowed out from somewhere, like a clear spring over pebbles, instantly igniting the atmosphere of the banquet.

　"Open the banquet!"

　A clear voice announced.

　The crowd cheered and surged toward the long table. Ophina quickly pulled Russell to the head seat, right next to Serhith.

　Just as Ophina had predicted, Isel quickly shook off his "academic anxiety," grabbed a wine glass, squeezed next to Russell, and eagerly began to share his latest medical discoveries, speaking rapidly with shining eyes.

　Hilly, her face flushed, hugged the stone slab she had just finished carving. Encouraged by her seniors, she approached Russell and asked him to comment on her epic record. Her pale purple eyes were full of anticipation and nervousness.