The two sides wrestled for several months. The tribes around Gonami Lake, short on food and supplies, could no longer hold out and decided to surrender to the Nix Tribe. Of course, one significant reason was that they saw the Segestica people, who had previously surrendered, were living quite well within the Nix Tribe.

When the Gonami Lake envoys arrived at Ophelia, they were surprised to find that the Nix people refused their surrender. Maximus did not want to lose Gonami Lake as a buffer zone too soon and border Brochi Territory, thereby provoking the Brochi people into taking drastic action. Such a move could hinder the Nix Tribe's ability to consolidate and fully absorb the territories they had already occupied, turning them entirely into their strength.

Eventually, the two sides reached an agreement: Gonami Lake would appear independent on the surface but secretly establish close ties with the Nix Tribe, obeying their orders. The Nix Tribe would set up a market in the northern border of Gonami Lake to provide the Gonami lake people with cheaper food and daily necessities. Additionally, they would permit the residents of Gonami Lake to freely visit their relatives who had previously become laborers as Nix captives. Should Gonami Lake merge into the Nix Tribe, all its people would become Reserve Tribe Members of the Nix Tribe, fully adhering to their directives...

Today, Maximus's inquiry to Adatis was merely to put a period to this agreement. The reason for involving the people of Gonami Lake in the upcoming wars was simply Maximus's concern that they might waver and disrupt activities behind the frontlines while he advanced with the army. Hence, he intended to tie them to the war effort as insurance.

It wasn't long after Adatis left when Drubodamochi of the Noric Iron Core Tribe and Isidi, the leader of the Yapode Tribe, jointly requested an audience.

"Sage Bodamochi, what brings you here?"

Maximus treated Bodamochi with great respect, not merely out of courtesy. Since the Iron Core Tribe established friendly relations with the Nix Tribe, this Druid fulfilled his promises. He visited the Nix Tribe alone, touring the temple of Danu, and stayed for several months to interact with the Nix Priests, study the Divine Canon, and discuss theology.

He praised the Nix Tribe for their strong efforts in converting outsiders into devotees of Danu Goddess. Bodamochi admired the measures taken by the Nix people to protect nature—for example, replanting saplings after chopping trees and ensuring that wastewater from the iron workshop undergoes repeated filtration.

He believed the Iron Core Tribe should learn from the Nix Tribe.

Because of his growing fondness for the Nix Tribe, Bodamochi advocated for strengthened friendly relations between the Iron Core Tribe and the Nix Tribe upon his return. This led to a sharp increase in trade between the two sides, with some Noric Tribes even leaving their mountains to enter the Nix Tribe and make pilgrimages to the temple of Danu. As a result, Maximus publicly praised Bodamochi as a good friend of the Nix Tribe.

"Sphili and I wish to seek your approval for our tribe to form a football team next year and participate in your tribe's summer festival," Bodamochi stated solemnly.

Maximus was momentarily stunned. He knew that, influenced by frequent visits to Sirinos Market for trade, the Noric Tribes had taken up football. Some even purchased football and associated equipment from the Sirinos Market. The intelligence department had reported these matters, but he hadn't anticipated the Iron Core Tribe would so quickly make such a significant decision. Regardless, this was undoubtedly a favorable development for the Nix Tribe.

Suppressing his inner delight, Maximus replied seriously, "I warmly welcome your tribe to form a team for the summer festival. I believe this will not only make the festival livelier but will also win Danu Goddess's favor!"

"Thank you for your generosity, Leader Maximus. Our tribe will make meticulous preparations and ensure that next year's summer festival will not be diminished by our participation!" Bodamochi expressed his gratitude solemnly.

"Leader Maximus, my tribe also intends to form a team for next year's summer festival. I hope you will approve!" interjected Isidi, leader of the Yapode Tribe.

"Of course, that's not a problem!" Maximus readily agreed before turning his tone slightly. "However, I wonder whether your tribe alone will participate or whether it will be a team representing all of the Yapode Tribe?"

"Certainly, it will be my tribe," Isidi confidently responded. "Leader Maximus, don't worry. My tribesmen are avid football players, and they highly revere Danu Goddess. Next year, I will lead them to the summer festival, and you won't be disappointed!"

"In that case, I look forward to your tribe's performance at next year's festival!" Maximus replied with a smile.

Isidi's tribe was located near Sirinos City, and its territory had originally been occupied by the Segestica people before being returned to them by the Nix Tribe. Grateful for this, coupled with assistance from Sirinos City during rebuilding efforts, relations between the two sides became increasingly close. Consequently, Isidi's tribe was among the friendliest towards the Nix Tribe within the Yapode Tribe. This led to Isidi personally being invited to the summer festival annually by the Nix.

Perhaps sitting next to Bodamochi and overhearing their conversation had spurred him to make this sudden decision.

Although only one tribe of the Yapode Tribe was forming a team, Maximus saw this as a good start. Where there's one, there will eventually be more.

..........................................…

The football finals ended amidst the roaring cheers of countless Nix tribesmen.

The players from Tolldreto collapsed on the field, exhausted, with some even covering their faces and weeping; meanwhile, the players of Slodnia Snowdonia, though also fatigued, roared in triumph.

Indeed, the match had been thrilling and highly unpredictable.

With only a few grains of sand left in the specially-designed hourglass for the football game, Tolldreto was still ahead by two points.

At that moment, Gowes, who had been defending in the backfield throughout the match, unexpectedly received a teammate's pass and made a sudden charge forward. This move caught the opposing team off guard. The inexperienced Tolldreto players, sensing their impending victory, had let their guard down. By the time they scrambled to block Gowes's charge, it was already too late.

Expending every last ounce of energy, Gowes utilized his momentum and considerable match experience to evade multiple opponents' interceptions before finally stumbling into the touchdown area and scoring three points—defeating the Tolldreto team by a narrow margin of one point.

"Woo!!!…" The copper horn blared loudly, urging the championship-winning team players to ascend the stands for their awards.

Head Coach Torrelugo quickly rallied his players and led them onto the stands.

The spectators in the stands erupted in congratulations.

Torrelugo was the first to approach Maximus.

"Congratulations, Torrelugo! This makes it the fourth time your team has won the championship!" Maximus exclaimed, handing him the Danu Goddess Statue.

This was a bronze statue of Danu Goddess, over a foot tall, intricately crafted by Maximus himself. It closely resembled the temple's sacred statue with its dignified beauty—radiantly golden and lifelike. However, in one hand, the goddess held a football, and in the other a heavy bundle of wheat—a symbol of the close connection between the summer festival's football competition and the goddess.

According to tradition, the championship-winning team could keep the statue in their town's shrine for one year, returning it to Maximus afterward so he could present it to the next champion.

Rumors from the main hall claimed that Maximus had once confided in Lady Nexia, saying that the statue had taken him great effort to create. In a dream, the Danu Goddess herself had praised his craftsmanship, suggesting that whichever town housed the statue would gain greater favor from her...

Although Maximus never personally confirmed this rumor, the people were utterly convinced. After all, Snowdonia, which had possessed the statue for four consecutive years, had indeed grown noticeably more prosperous, and its residents increasingly affluent...

Torrelugo carefully cradled the statue and couldn't help but boast, "Leader, next year's championship will still belong to Snowdonia!"

"Do your best." Maximus offered a brief encouragement, although deep down, he didn't wish for the football championship to be monopolized by any one town. This year's championship, though still belonging to Snowdonia, had been won precariously. Thus, he believed that next year the champion might change hands. Considering Torrelugo's exuberance, he refrained from dampening his enthusiasm.

Torrelugo left in high spirits, followed closely by team captain Gowes.

When Gowes had first met Maximus, his attitude had been extremely disrespectful. Now, as he stood before the Nix leader, his heart was filled with awe.

Maximus's military triumph over Segestica and his liberation of Gowes's Skodisqi kin were significant reasons for this shift. More importantly, Maximus was regarded as the Divine Son of Danu Goddess, deeply blessed by her. Without this divine favor, the newly-established Nix Tribe couldn't have developed so rapidly nor possessed so many unprecedented innovations, including the football sport Gowes loved.

Even when Gowes's wife faced life-threatening complications during childbirth, it was Maximus's invention, inspired by Danu Goddess, that the doctors used to ensure both mother and child survived...

Leader Maximus was the Divine Son! Gowes now firmly believed this.

"Gowes, congratulations on helping Snowdonia's team claim this year's football championship!" Maximus regarded Gowes with a mixture of emotions. He was well aware of the changes that had taken place within Gowes over the years—a man once rebellious, now more disciplined and integrated into the Nix Tribe.

"This victory is the result of our entire team's united effort!" Gowes responded earnestly.

"Excellent, excellent!" Maximus nodded approvingly. Indeed, Gowes had now become a proper Nix tribesman!

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