The next day at dawn.

Before the sun had risen, the entire town began to bustle.

The women lit fires and cooked, and after eating, everyone started preparing for the celebration.

Countless platters of dried fruit, nuts, and smoked meats were laid out early—these were the cold dishes.

At the same time, bonfires were lit in the alleys on both sides of the street, with grills set on top, roasting various wild hares, wild chickens, wild boars, and other game meats.

Barrels of fruit wine lined the streets, each containing one hundred and fifty pounds of wine, and Katie had prepared ten barrels.

Additionally, Katie had prepared ten large barrels of newly brewed sour apple cider—also known as wild apple wine.

Having just fermented for nearly a month, these sour apple ciders were more like beverages, suitable for women to drink.

The townsfolk and slaves had been busy all morning, and when the sun rose, the tables were filled with various delicacies.

All sorts of roasted meats, grilled fish, bread, meat soup, along with those cold platters, filled the entire table.

The residents and slaves sat orderly on either side of the food-laden wooden tables, waiting quietly.

Whether residents of the town or wildmen, in the past half year under strict management, they had learned to adhere to order.

The residents and slaves were taught order with a whip during work and when exchanging work points, while the wildmen out of reverence for the Master of the Holy Land.

Without orders, the wildmen dared not touch the food before them.

It was no longer the age of hunger, and although the roasted meats before their eyes were tantalizing, they were no longer a fatal temptation.

Only the children were eager to move, but those who attempted to reach out were strictly reprimanded by their mothers, forcing them to withdraw their hands in grievance, staring longingly at the feast on the table.

Luo De sat at the main seat on the long table set up on the plaza stage, facing everyone.

To Luo De's left were Durant and Baron Blom, while on his right were Avril Milly and Lawrence.

Luo De originally wanted Gang Le to sit at the main table, but he felt his manners were crude and chose not to be in the spotlight, ultimately opting for a seat below the stage.

Luo De did not force him, and the long tables on both sides of the plaza stage were filled with Luo De's veteran subordinates, familiar faces from the Hunting Team, and the Uss Wildmen group.

Luo De did not keep everyone waiting for long; once everyone was seated, he stood up.

Lawrence and Otto were maintaining order on the side, gesturing for everyone to quiet down.

"From the day I arrived in Frost Leaf Town, I promised you, you would not starve."

Luo De's voice rang loud across the venue: "And today, it seems I've fulfilled that promise!"

"Ow!"

Screams and cheers surged like waves, everyone responding to Luo De's voice in the most primal way.

After a moment, the cheers subsided, and Luo De's voice resounded once more.

"Today is a joyful day, and I don't want to delay you all for too long."

Luo De's gaze swept over the crowd,

"But remember everything today, because this is just the beginning, and by this time next year, you will have even more!"

"Praise the Lord! For providing us ample food and clothing in the desolate Northern Territory!"

"Praise the Lord!"

The spirited cheers echoed in the sky.

Luo De slightly raised his cup, "To the future of Frost Leaf Town, a toast!"

Everyone raised their cups in unison, watching Luo De's actions.

Upon seeing him drink it in one go, the others followed suit.

"Feast!"

At Luo De's command, joyous clamoring erupted instantly, the celebratory atmosphere reached its climax.

Under a joyful atmosphere enjoying the endless food, everyone's face was filled with smiles, cheerful laughter and sighs intertwined.

"I always said the Lord would lead us to good days!"

A middle-aged man with a reddened face loudly slapped the table, "When the Lord took the seeds away, I knew it!"

"You should shut up; back then you were the one cursing the most."

The neighbor beside him interrupted unceremoniously, eliciting a burst of laughter.

"Luckily we didn't flee Frost Leaf Town back then, or we'd have starved outside long ago."

A young man said gratefully, holding his wife, while she lowered her head, stroking her swelling belly.

"You came at a fortunate time, and your child too."

An old man sighed, tearing the meat into shreds and putting it in his mouth, "No more eating tree bark…"

...

Such sighs of emotion were endless.

Almost all those drinking were like this.

After a few cups of wine were downed, faces flushed with color, emotions greatly released under the influence of alcohol.

Then they began to talk about life, reminisce about the past, and look forward to the future.

Everyone understood in their hearts that such a wonderful day today was all brought about by that decisive Lord.

Or, as the wildmen would say, the Saint Master.

The beautiful reality made everyone regret their previous foolishness, eager to speak and make amends.

Therefore, under the effect of alcohol, many wanted to rush up and toast the Lord, to express their loyalty to him.

But most did not have such courage, only able to raise their cups from afar, filled with awe and gratitude.

Ordinary townsfolk dared not approach rashly, but Rein, familiar with Luo De, had no fear.

He was the first to stand, taking up a cup, bringing his wife Luna to stand before Luo De.

"Allow us to pay you respect, thank you for pulling us out from the Black Stone Mountain Range's stronghold and leading us to a stable and prosperous life.

At the time, we foolishly resisted your decision..."

Rein suddenly felt his words were very lacking, unable to express his excitement.

The feeling was like looking back at oneself crying over an ex when having a wonderful married life, realizing how foolish it was back then.

Luo De filled his own cup, smiling as he said: "Then you should toast yourself, after all, you made the right choice back then."

Rein chuckled sheepishly: "Yes, yes, under your guidance, I led everyone out of that stronghold."

Like many hunters, Rein's mountain stronghold isn't short on meat, but every year, he worries about the wheat.

Especially in winter, it's hard to sustain life on just meat.

But in Frost Leaf Town, Rein no longer needs to worry about those things.

"So, here's to myself."

Luo De raised his glass, and the two downed their drinks together.

With Rein taking the lead, others soon followed to make toasts.

Lawrence was the second; he walked up to Luo De and said directly, "Thank you for choosing me as your steward, allowing me to experience a different life and taste different flavors."

"Then you should taste the flavor of women next."

Luo De teased, "Just like Gang Le, you should start a family."

Lawrence was only interested in amassing wealth and had no enthusiasm for other things.

Luo De once thought he liked men, but later discovered Lawrence only liked money.

"Women cost money... but I will follow your orders."

Lawrence bowed respectfully, then drained his glass.

This time, Luo De didn't finish his drink.

He had already noticed that all his subordinates were eager to toast him.

He couldn't drink too much.

Sure enough, Otto, Gang Le, Jess, Doron... one by one, they approached Luo De to make toasts.

With more and more people toasting, Luo De could only take a small sip each time.

Avril also wanted to come forward and make a toast, but seeing Luo De had already drunk seven or eight cups, she ultimately decided against it and quietly put down her glass.

She actually had many things she wanted to say to Luo De, but in such a setting with many outsiders, Avril held back.

Avril casually called the maid Liya over and quietly instructed, "Go boil some water and make a pot of fruit-scented flower tea."

If Luo De continued like this, he would surely drink too much, so Avril thought some tea might make him feel better.

Durant noticed Avril's attentiveness and nodded slightly.

Everyone knew in their hearts that if Avril could become the Baron's wife, it would be a good thing for everyone.

Then Gray Stone, Saw Wood, and Tasa came over together with their glasses.

These three former Wilderness Chiefs were now captains of the Wild Spear Thrower team.

They came before Luo De and knelt down,

"Great Master of the Holy Land, please allow us to express our endless respect to you!"

Unlike others who simply toasted, they cut their palms and dripped blood into their glasses.

It seemed like a sacrificial act from the Wilderness Tribe.

Prophet Bai Shuang's face changed, and he quickly stood up,

"What are you doing?"

He hurried to Luo De's side and quietly explained, "They mean no offense, it's a way to show respect to the Saint Master.

If you find this blood-mixed wine offensive, I can have them leave now; you don't have to drink it at all."

"It's fine, as the Saint Master, I can accept it."

Luo De waved his hand and said, "But I can't drink too much right now, just a little bit."

"As you wish."

The three respectfully poured a small cup of the blood-mixed wine and handed it to Luo De.

Luo De took the cup and sipped a little.

"Thank you for accepting our offering."

The Wildman trio stood up and respectfully retreated.

More people wanted to come forward to toast, but saw Durant standing up.

This Lord Knight's status in Frost Leaf Town was second only to Baron Rod, so nobody dared to compete with him.

Durant picked up a glass and walked over to Luo De,

"Lord Baron, you've drunk enough already, and as your knight, I should not let you drink more.

It's just..."

Durant paused, then solemnly saluted Luo De,

"Today is your birthday; may this day bring you endless joy, health, and glory."

"May your future years shine like gold, and your glory remain as immortal as the stars."

As Durant's words faded, a silence descended over the crowd, leaving only the distant sounds of the long table's chatter.

"Today is your birthday?" Otto asked in surprise.

Luo De nodded, "I didn't intend to say, but I didn't expect you to remember, Durant."

Luo De didn't really want to celebrate his birthday.

His subordinates didn't have much to their names, and mentioning his birthday would put a lot of pressure on them.

On the Lord's birthday, as a subordinate, you can't give nothing, right?

Besides, Luo De himself didn't care much for birthdays, and with today being a harvest festival, he just wanted to skip over it.

"Sir, why didn't you mention it earlier? None of us prepared gifts for you."

Everyone looked regretful.

The most anxious was Avril; she regretted not having prepared a gift for him.

"We've prepared something!"

The Wildman trio stepped forward, "We happen to have a gift we'd like to present to you!"

Then, a voluptuous and beautiful Wildman woman slowly walked forward.

"This is a tribute to you, please accept her as your servant pet."

Luo De looked at the Wildman woman, propping his chin on the table, and said with a playful smile:

"You folks are quite interesting, giving me a gift with my own slave, right?"

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