CHAPTER 354: CHAPTER 233: MAXIMUS’S SECOND WIFE

Emmerich observed Maximus’s expression and cautiously said, "Florist Luscia is gentle and beautiful, and her identity is so special. She should become your wife, Leader!"

"In this way, you would become Great Chief Hamsted’s son-in-law. To the Skodisqi people, you would be seen as the rightful successor to the now-extinct Skodisqi Tribe—a true one of their own. They would feel completely assured staying in Nix and would work even harder for you!"

"Moreover, in the territory of Pannonia, the Skodisqi people would be more willing to flee here and join the Nix Tribe!"

When Emmerich mentioned Florist Luscia’s name, Maximus immediately understood what the other party intended to say.

In truth, Maximus had been paying attention to Florist Luscia for a long time—not only because of her special status but also because his wife Nexia and Florist Luscia hit it off at first sight. Nexia treated her like a younger sister, caring for her attentively and sharing a close bond, even bringing her to the main house to dine together on multiple occasions... Now that Maximus had completely transitioned into a political figure, such thoughts had indeed crossed his mind, but he had never acted on them. Now, someone had proactively brought the matter up...

Seeing that Maximus remained silent, Emmerich continued, "Leader, since the tribe was founded last year, most of the married women have already conceived, and some are even close to giving birth. Deputy Officer Nexia, however, has sought my attention several times due to her inability to conceive..."

Maximus was not surprised by this. Although Nexia had never mentioned the matter, she was discreetly addressing it herself. Nonetheless, Casius’s intelligence unit had indeed submitted reports on this issue.

"...I prescribed the most effective remedies often used by us Druids, but they had no effect... Based on my years of medical experience, she... likely sustained damage from repeated miscarriages due to mistreatment by the Romans while enslaved, leading to infertility."

Emmerich emphasized with urgency, "Leader, you are the pillar of our Nix Tribe. Only if your descendants flourish will the tribesmen feel at ease!

I believe that within another year or half a year, Volenus, Capito, Gaius, and other department heads will also notice this issue and request that you take another wife! Given that, I believe Florist Luscia is the best choice!"

Maximus hesitated for a moment, his expression conflicted: "You... your points are valid, but... if Nexia hears about this... she might be terribly hurt..."

"Leader, you needn’t worry. I have already spoken with Deputy Officer Nexia, and she does not oppose this." Emmerich lied at this moment. He hadn’t directly proposed Florist Luscia to Nexia but believed with his guidance, Nexia and Florist Luscia’s close relationship would naturally lead Nexia to consider her good friend.

Hearing this, Maximus felt immediate displeasure: This guy dares meddle in my family affairs!

But he quickly restrained the sharpness in his gaze and said helplessly, "Alright, I’ll leave this matter to you."

"Leader, rest assured, I will handle this matter well!" Emmerich promised, his face brimming with unconcealable delight, which made Maximus view him increasingly like a matchmaking busybody.

Watching Emmerich’s departing figure, Maximus lightly tapped the chair’s back, his heart stirring with complex feelings—a mixture of guilt but even more so, expectation...

.............................................

On this early September day, the sky was bright blue, the sun shone brilliantly, and a gentle breeze blew. It was the perfect season for harvesting grains.

From Slodia to Westeni, the banks of the Kupa River had transformed entirely into a golden sea. The heavy wheat heads quivered lightly in the breeze, forming undulating waves that emitted soothing "swish-swish" sounds, invigorating the Nix tribesmen working along the fields.

Each individual brimmed with excitement as they prepared to harvest the grains they had sowed on their own land!

Married tribesmen busily worked—the husbands wielding sickles, their pregnant wives carrying ropes, followed closely by several Aldean workers.

The physically strong official Nix tribesmen also heeded the Agricultural Department’s advice to hire Aldeans on harvest day. Harvesting wheat wasn’t easier than plowing fields, and timing was crucial. A sudden downpour during this period would spell great trouble.

The tribesmen from the Aldean Tribe, who had agreements with the Nix Tribe, willingly came to help because this work was paid. Those who previously missed signing long-term labor contracts with the Nix people didn’t want to miss this opportunity again.

Additionally, the agricultural department mobilized thousands of reserve tribe members, teams of hundred-person patrol units to maintain order and prevent accidents, transport teams to move wheat bundles for tribesmen, and other department leaders and staff who supported the Agricultural Department in resource allocation, coordination, and resolving issues during harvesting. Nearly the entire Nix Tribe worked together to ensure a smooth harvest.

The streets outside Snowdonia Village bustled with people preparing for the harvest, but they did not immediately rush to their fields.

"The leader is here! The leader is here! The leader is here!!..." The crowd murmured, quickly making room for a narrow pathway.

Maximus donned a long shirt and trousers, wrapped his head with a cloth towel, and carried a sickle, presenting himself as an ordinary laborer. He passed through the avenue and onto a narrow path leading into the fields, drawing everyone’s attention.

Behind Maximus was his wife, Nexia. Formerly the head nurse of the Medical Team and now Deputy Officer of the Medical Department, Nexia, unlike most of the already married women, also held a sickle in hand.

Following Nexia was Florist Luscia. The young and delicate-looking lady held a bundle of ropes in her arms, her blushing face downcast as she closely trailed behind Nexia.

The scene did not shock the tribesmen because the news that "Leader Maximus will marry Florist Luscia" had spread a month ago, with the wedding rumored to take place after the autumn harvest. Though some single tribesmen who held affections for Florist Luscia despaired at the news, the tribesmen generally supported the marriage. They hoped that Leader Maximus, favored by the Divine, would produce heirs soon so divine blessings over the tribe may persist.

Preliminary tribe members from Skodisqi were especially delighted by the development, their gazes toward Maximus not complex anymore but filled with the warmth one feels toward an elder. Yet, their discussions weren’t about Maximus’s marriage to Florist Luscia.

"Hey, did you all hear?! Leader Maximus isn’t an ordinary man—he’s a Divine Favored!"

"There have been rumors about this for ages; everyone knows already."

"But do you know which Divine blesses him?!"

"Since Leader Maximus comes from Italy, it’s surely an alien Divine. How could we possibly know?"

"It’s the Goddess Danu!"

"What?!"

"The supreme Goddess of our Celtic Clan, the Goddess Danu!"

"Impossible!"

"A few days ago, I visited Emmerich Sage for treatment, and he told me this himself!"

"I’ve heard Emmerich Sage say the same! He even claimed that Leader Maximus is the reincarnated child of the Goddess Danu! If Emmerich Sage says so, how can you doubt it?!"

"But... but... Leader Maximus is an outsider! How could he be a child of Danu, who only blesses us Celts?!"

"I heard the sage say that the Goddess Danu, upon seeing the plight of the Skodisqi people in their calamity, wished to save us. But as we were already enslaved entirely, a Divine Son born among us would find it difficult to gather enough strength to help us gain freedom. So, instead, she allowed her Divine Son to be reincarnated across the sea in Italy, where he could accumulate strength, join uprisings, and resist Rome...

If he wasn’t the child of Goddess Danu, how could he have survived the Roman Army’s encirclement? Among all the squads wiped out, only his broke through and escaped!

He could have led the team to much better places, but he followed Danu’s guidance and came here instead!

Through Danu’s blessings, he defeated the Pannonians with his small force and rescued us!—"

"Furthermore, don’t forget, the Goddess Danu governs rivers and is the Mother of All Things. Since Leader Maximus established the tribe here, the once-flooding Kupa River has quieted significantly! Look at how full the wheat here has grown—it’s all thanks to Danu’s blessings!"

"Also, all of you must have heard that the tribe is preparing to build a temple! But do you know for whom it’s being built? It’s the Goddess Danu!

The sage said this was Leader Maximus’s proposal, and despite much opposition, he insisted on proceeding! The sage even remarked that the Goddess’s statue is already being sculpted, and her likeness was personally drawn by Leader Maximus! Tell me, if Leader Maximus weren’t the Goddess’s child, would he do such a thing?!"

"When you put it that way, it must be true! No wonder each time I see Leader Maximus, I feel a unique sense of reverence! Do you think that next time I encounter him, I should bow to him in prayer?!"

"I’ve had the same thought before, but the sage specifically told me that although Leader Maximus is Danu’s child, he has been reborn as a mortal. Revering him as a Divine Son might cause harm, so it’s enough just to hold him in respect."