Chapter 1997: White Raven Island
Chapter 1997: White Raven Island
Eren then looked to the skies.
"There are six late-stage A-Rank sea wyverns in our forces," he said.
"Four will be assigned—one to each region. The remaining two will stay near White Raven Island as reserves."
The sea wvyerns Kaael, Lyra, Arion, Thalassa, Draven, and Nereida had no objections. Since even the twin dragoness had decided to support Eren, they had no other viable choice. After all, they were the vessels of Marina's dragon family.
"Same goes for the six A-Rank demon beasts," Eren said, nodding at Sifrona, who smirked back. "Four will be assigned to the regions. The other two will stay with me."
Shadowy Behemoth Nyxus, Infernal Phoenix Sifrona, Frost Wyvern Frostbane, Plague Rat Blightwing, Storm Elemental Ruinheart, and the Shadow Wyvern Gloomgaze were all excited. It was the first time they would get to act like leaders in the sea regions.
Most demon beasts were freedom-loving creatures. These six demon captains were no exceptions to that statement either.
Eren then looked at his new hybrid army as well as demonic army before adding further.
"The hybrid undead army, the demonic army, and lastly the remnant of the God Raashim's former followers will all be divided into four parts and be sent in four different directions.
All responsibilities regarding trade routes, security, and threat suppression will be divided between you all," Eren said. "Rotational shifts will be maintained. You will have time to grow."
He stepped down from the altar at last, standing among them.
"We are not just surviving anymore. We're building something new," Eren said, voice calm, gaze steady.
"You followed a selfish god who made you kneel with fear. Now, follow a simple, one-track-mind, no-nonsense demigod who asks you to rise with pride."
And as the wind carried his words across the sea, the banners of a new force began to rise from White Raven Island.
***
A few days had passed since the war between Raashim Temple and Eren's demonic army.
The bloodshed had ended. The dead had either been buried, cremated, or resurrected under Eren's unique command.
Now, something different filled the air.
Laughter.
The White Raven Island, once a battlefield soaked in divine wrath and demonic fury, was now buzzing with joy.
The streets that were lined with rubble only a few days ago were now decorated with colorful banners, floating lanterns, and magical lights that danced in the air.
The scent of roasted meats, spiced drinks, and sweet pastries carried through the breeze, blending with the salty breath of the sea.
Eren stood on the balcony of a newly restored tower at the center of the island, watching the people celebrate below. His expression was calm, but his eyes sparkled with satisfaction.
He had always known that people needed something new to believe in, something to replace the rituals that once bound them to Raashim.
So he gave them a festival.
The Foundation Celebration of White Raven Island.
A week-long event filled with life, food, contests, and music. A festival that would return every year to remind the people not of the war, but of the new beginning that followed.
A sentient mind was a beautiful thing. Although it could work like its life depended on it most times, it needed some respite in the form of leisure and fun activities.
Even the bitterest moments could be thought of fondly given enough time had passed and new and joyful memories were created to replace them. That's what the butcher wanted to do.
And so far, his plan was a success.
Down in the streets, merfolk walked side by side with humanoid demon beasts, sharing food and laughter. Mortals and low-level mana practitioners played drinking games at the makeshift taverns that had popped up all over the island.
Pirates, who once saw extortion as a profession, now tried their hand at selling grilled fish, handmade jewelry, and bottles of strong seaweed ale. They were rough around the edges, but for once, they weren't picking fights.
Some of the sea bullies—big guys with scars and reputations—were teaching the local kids how to hold a sword or chant basic spells. Many of those kids had once feared them. Now, they watched their every move with admiration.
There were food contests with long tables piled with seafood dishes, wild fruits, and foreign delicacies. Dance contests with fiery rhythms and clumsy, laughing competitors.
Even a few elegant theater performances, where artists acted out real-life scenarios and told stories of how the Eren's army defeated a god who wanted to sacrifice his followers. The cheers and applause echoed throughout the island.
Amid all the celebration, reconstruction work continued. Magic-users and builders worked side by side. Walls mended themselves with the help of earth-element spells.
Crystals for communication were getting reset. Broken defensive arrays were being re-etched with precise care. Pieces of artifact wreckage were being reforged into tools and defenses under blacksmiths' hammers.
Reen could be seen floating between vendor stalls in her slime form, playfully stealing snacks and laughing when the stall owners chased her.
Although she was a former demon beast who could devour an entire small city if she wanted to at this point, she also knew how to let loose.
Of course, staying cooped up in Eliza's palace had also made Reen cherish her freedom even more. So she enjoyed these fun activities the most.
Marina and Azurea flew above the crowd from time to time, keeping an eye on everything while enjoying the festive air. Naya was already a crowd favorite, seen drinking with the locals and sharing war stories.
En stood at the edge of the island, arms folded, eyes on the sea. The people didn't bother him. They simply respected the distance he kept and the presence he offered.
At the heart of it all, Eren continued to watch silently, away from the crowd.
He didn't need to be the center of attention. The success of the festival, the smiles on those faces, and the peaceful hum of magic working alongside joy were enough.
White Raven Island had been born from battle.
It was the first—and probably the last—large-scale organization Grimdawn would establish in Labh Salem.