Floating Island - Triple S Talent

Main Hall - World Market Trade Alliance

The grand hall of the World Market Trade Alliance was filled with a serious atmosphere that hung in the air, though far from tense. Haikal Emanuel stood firmly at the podium, his commanding presence naturally drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

His sharp eyes scanned the faces before him, making each person feel acknowledged. There was an unusual silence—not born of fear, but of respect.

His posture spoke more than words. His broad shoulders, upright stance, and calm movements reflected a leader accustomed to bearing great responsibilities. When he spoke, his voice was low yet filled with authority, resonating throughout the room without the need to be raised.

"In ten minutes, visitors from afar will arrive," he announced, his tone calm but carrying a weight that was impossible to ignore.

"Master Lein has instructed us to prepare a proper banquet for them."

His words echoed in the hall like ripples, touching everyone present. Haikal paused briefly, his gaze meeting each face before him, as if gauging their responses and ensuring his message was firmly embedded in their minds.

At the front row sat the 12 core members of the alliance, including Laras, Nita, Elen, Bagus, and Dion. They listened intently, while in the back rows, senior officials responsible for the alliance's daily operations maintained their serious expressions. There was no room for uncertainty.

"Nita, has Lein contacted you about this?" Laras asked in a calm tone, though her eyes betrayed a hint of curiosity.

"Not yet," Nita replied casually.

"I only found out when Master Haikal mentioned it in the group." A faint smile appeared on her face, reflecting the confidence she had gained compared to her younger self. If it had been her past self, she might have been upset for not being informed earlier by Lein.

Laras nodded in understanding. "Perhaps it's due to the importance of this event and the sudden timing. Master Haikal is indeed the right person for this task." Her voice was gentle, almost like an older sister offering reassurance.

Laras understood Lein's regard for Nita and recognized that every decision Lein made carried its own reasoning.

Meanwhile, Elen appeared restless. She leaned slightly forward, her hands gripping her chair, her gaze directed at Laras.

"Are they attackers like before?" she asked with concern in her voice. Memories of the fierce battle alongside Ayumi, leader of the Japanese Alliance, flashed through her mind—still too fresh to forget.

Laras, seated beside her, sensed her unease. Gently, she took Elen's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"No, Elen. They are guests, not enemies," she said, her voice and gesture exuding a calming effect that was hard to resist.

Elen nodded slowly, though traces of worry lingered on her face. Laras kept holding her hand for a moment longer, ensuring that the calmness settled. As the eldest among the three, Laras always took on the role of protector—not only through her strength but also through her warmth.

Seeing that everyone appeared to have absorbed the information about the arrival of the visitors from afar, Haikal continued his speech with a firm yet calm tone.

"I want us to immediately discuss and finalize three main aspects," he said, pausing briefly to add weight to his words.

"Location, food, and artistic performances. We must ensure everything is ready before tomorrow."

Haikal was about to raise his hand to continue, but his attention shifted to an alliance official who had raised his hand first. The man's face showed a hint of confusion, though there was caution in his actions.

"Excuse me, Master Haikal," the man said, his voice slightly hesitant but clear. "Didn't you say earlier that they would arrive in ten minutes?"

Haikal nodded slightly, acknowledging the correctness of the statement. "Yes, they will arrive in ten minutes," he clarified, pausing briefly to ensure everyone's focus.

"However, that is not the time for the banquet. Today, they will stay at a hotel. The banquet will be held tomorrow."

Haikal's explanation immediately dispelled the confusion in the room. The man who had asked nodded slowly, seemingly satisfied with the clarification. Several others also showed their understanding with subtle nods.

In the front row, Laras raised her hand, drawing Haikal's attention to her. "Yes, go ahead, Laras," Haikal said warmly, a small gesture signaling her to speak.

"I propose that the banquet be held beside the Tree of Life Source," Laras suggested confidently. "The location is not only beautiful but also symbolic, reflecting the strength and harmony of our alliance."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Haikal nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered the suggestion. "A good idea," he finally said. "However, we need to ensure there is a temporary structure that can comfortably accommodate our guests. Is there anyone who can coordinate this on short notice?"

Without hesitation, Laras responded immediately. "I will take responsibility for it, Master Haikal. My father has connections with a construction company experienced in building large event venues. I will contact them right away."

"Very well, Laras. Make sure everything is completed without any issues," Haikal replied with a slight nod of approval. Then his gaze shifted to a burly man seated a few rows back. "Mr. Waruwu, assist Miss Laras in managing the venue."

The man named Waruwu stood promptly, his large frame exuding a commanding presence. He nodded respectfully and said succinctly, "I'm ready, Master Haikal."

"Good. That concludes the discussion on the location," Haikal said, his tone signaling he was ready to move on to the next topic.

Now, Haikal shifted his focus to the second point. "For food, I want us to serve dishes from various countries that once existed on Earth. This will highlight the diversity and cultural richness that we uphold in this alliance. Any suggestions?"

Nita, seated in the front row, raised her chin slightly. Her eyes sparkled with barely contained enthusiasm.

"We could serve sushi from Japan, pasta from Italy, rendang from Indonesia, and several other signature dishes," she said energetically. "I know some high-quality food suppliers who can help ensure everything is perfect."

Haikal nodded with a satisfied expression. "Excellent, Nita. Contact them immediately and make sure the ingredients are available on time."

"Perfect," said Haikal as he typed the point into the small tablet in his hand. His face showed calmness, but the quick movement of his fingers reflected intense focus.

"Next, for the artistic performances. I want something memorable. Any ideas?"

Elen, who had been quiet in her seat, finally spoke. Her voice was soft yet filled with conviction. "We could showcase traditional dances from various Earth cultures, such as flamenco from Spain, kecak from Bali, and classical opera from Europe. Additionally, I can arrange for musicians to perform a grand orchestra as the opening act."

Haikal listened intently, his eyes fixed on Elen as if weighing every word she spoke. After a brief pause, he nodded slowly. "An excellent idea," he said, his tone reflecting satisfaction.

"But this will require significant coordination. I will divide the tasks. Laras, handle the venue. Nita, manage the food. Elen, prepare the artistic performances. Bagus and Dion, ensure logistics and security run smoothly."

Bagus and Dion exchanged glances before nodding in unison. "Understood, Master Haikal," they replied firmly, their voices filling the room with confidence.