After one day…
"Multiverse Rewards: Ring of Favor (B), Sun Princess Gwen Elvia Dress Set (B), Sun Princess Ring (A)"
Riding upon Torrent, Marika checked her gacha rewards.
'Is it Dark Souls theme this time? '
After returning to this world for just one day, Marika felt that she could reintegrate into this medieval world completely naturally. It was obvious that she was in a vivid modern world not long ago, but in the blink of an eye, she was back to a familiar place. There were no light bulbs, running water, or electrical appliances, but Marika strangely didn't feel the slightest discomfort.
"Master, what's wrong?"
A gentle male voice spoke in her ear. She looked to the right, and the silver-armed knight who reassured her was beside her.
"Nothing, let's speed up a little! We are almost at the Dona River."
Marika pinched Torrent's belly and had him speed up. The knight beside the queen and her two children behind her also quickened the pace of their horses.
Marika specially took Bedivere, Morgott and Melina to inspect the Dona River in her country today. But even though it was an inspection, it was actually more like an outing. This was exactly Marika's intention. Although she went to the mission world for a week, not a single second has passed here, everything was just as she left them. In other words, everyone is still working overtime to digest the newly conquered territory. No one notices her disappearance in the frozen time. Moreover, she had been away fighting wars and never had much time to spend with her two children. Although technically they were all adults who could take care of themselves, Marika just felt bad if she didn't go out with them to relax occasionally.
So today she called Melina and Morgott for what they called an outdoor "inspection."
And looking at Morgott and Melina who were immersed in admiring the natural scenery, Marika also felt a little happy in her heart. Perhaps this is why ordinary families are so keen on outdoor outings?
'In that dungeon world, I was either beating people up or on the way to beating them up. It doesn't feel like taking a break in modern society. '
Marika suddenly thought of it, but she lowered her head and clenched her fists. Feeling the new powers flowing in her body, she felt that it was worth the price.
"Master, we are here!"
Bedivere's voice woke up Marika who was lowering her head and thinking. Marika carefully observed the surroundings, the green forest, the clear river, and the various forest animals were full of life. The water is also full of life, with edible fish, crabs and shrimps swimming around, as well as shellfish inhabiting the bottom of the river.
In Marika's opinion, this river is a paradise for fishermen. These river critters are edible at first glance. If fisheries can be developed reasonably in this river, then there will definitely be a lot of gold coins to make!
'Relax! Relax! I am thinking of work again! I'm here to play today! Just relax! '
After dispelling the thoughts of work in her mind, Marika dismounted and trotted to the river bank. Looking at the clear river water, fish are swimming leisurely in it.
'Let's have a look! '
Lifting up the hem of her skirt and gently step her naked feet into the water. A clear coolness spreads on her feet. Under her feet are soft sand, and fishes can occasionally be felt swimming by her ankles. Marika couldn't help but feel a sense of harmony with nature at this moment. Looking back on her previous life, she spent her adult life doing nothing in the city. Although every day was peaceful, it was just a meaningless back and forth between home and work.
It was her first time in a long time to experience nature like this in the mountains and forests with the people she cared about.
Marika turned back to look at her knight and children, and the water surface slightly stirred up due to her movements. The dazzling sunlight shone through the shade of the trees on her blond hair, creating a light that was like a slight reflection.
"Everyone, come on! The water is nice and cool!"
Marika invited everyone briskly, with a soft smile on her face.
Morgott and Melina looked at each other, and with a somewhat awkward smile, took off their shoes and joined their mother.
Although Bedivere also took off his boots, he just put down some tables, chairs and benches on the shore, like a responsible butler waiting for his tired owner to come and rest.
The moment Morgott's rough and hairy feet stepped into the river, the bitter fatigue he had been suffering was cured by Mother Nature at this moment. Morgott couldn't help but sigh comfortably.
'When did I gradually become accustomed to walking openly in the sun? In the past, Mohg and I lived in the underground sewers like street rats. Even after becoming the respected Grace Given King, we could not escape the days of hiding in the darkness.'
Morgott's mind drifted to his childhood, recollecting his days in the sewers.
But for all this, Morgott, who had already accepted his fate and was willing to live in darkness, was reborn at the moment he died at the hands of the Chosen Tarnished. Reborn in a new world, reborn at the hands of the mother who gave him life in the first place.
Morgott looked at his familiar yet unfamiliar mother and his sudden new sister. Marika enjoyed playing in the river, and while Melina was walking cautiously in the water, she was like a frightened little animal when a school of fish suddenly swam by, and she let out a cute "Yeep". In Morgott's eyes, all this peace was too precious to him.
The same scenery seemed even more precious in Bedivere's eyes. Marika's smile at this moment was extremely sincere and joyful. Isn't this what he has been waiting for his whole life? Let his king smile from the bottom of her heart, for herself. But in addition to the satisfaction of completing his lifelong mission, the love in his heart was also blossoming. His heartbeat accelerated involuntarily as Marika danced in the water, and her laughter made him couldn't help but put a smile on his face. This wonderful emotion was so sudden and hard to explain, but when Bedivere noticed it, he couldn't forget this feeling.
"Bedivere, come on!"
At this moment, the figure that fascinated him suddenly stretched out her hand to invite him.
"Master, is this allowed for me?"
Bedivere said hesitantly.
"No need to worry yourself, it's just us here."
But Marika didn't pay too much attention, she just kindly held his hand and led him walking into the river. The two held each other's hands, and even though there was cold water, there was a fire burning in their hearts. Marika playfully kicked the river water at Bedivere, and Bediverer also playfully dodged. The relationship between the two has no artificiality or barriers at this moment, it just becomes closer because of the most real mutuality.
Although Morgott was aware how close his mother was to her knight, he did not dislike the one-armed knight. The experience that comes with being a powerful demigod allowed Morgott to discern that Bedivere's strength and character should not be underestimated and was enough to serve as Marika's personal butler. During this period, Bedivere served Marika dutifully and loyally taking care of her every need, which was also noticed by Morgott. Even in terms of appearance alone, Bedivere's handsome and androgynous appearance is much better than this son of the Crucible who is covered in hair and horns. Whether as a knight or a steward, Bedivere's performance is impeccable. It was no surprise that such a reliable and handsome man would win Marika trust and favor. Since his mother trusts the knight enough, then let her be.
As for Melina's thoughts, it was much simpler. Melina has always been very simple. All she wants is her mother's joy and approval. That's why Melina didn't hesitate to use herself as firewood to burn down the golden tree in the past. And since her mother feels happy when she is close to Bedivere, she will not have any objection. Instead, she will be happy that her mother can feel happy.
After playing in the water for a while, the sun high in the sky also meant that it was noon. Marika asked Bediwell to set up a campfire by the river bank, and then she came to the shallow water area where the river critters were most concentrated.
"Mother, what are you...?"
Morgott couldn't help but wonder when he saw that Marika didn't bring any fishing gear.
"Of course I'm catching fish with my bare hands!"
Marika pulled up her non-existent sleeves and said eagerly.
"Catching fish with your bare hands?!"
Morgott wondered if he had heard wrongly. Wasn't catching fish with bare hands something only peasant girls would stoop to do so? Is this what his always noble mother would do?
"Don't look at me like that. When I was a kid, I was the best fish catcher in the village!"
Marika waved her arms in a warming up motion confidently and said.
It turns out that she really grew up in the village! Morgott was a little surprised by this, but after thinking about it carefully, he felt that it was not unreasonable. Marika's early life can be said to be a completely unknown mystery. Maybe she actually grew up in the village during her childhood.
While Morgott fell into confusion, Marika had already grabbed into the river with a hand speed approaching the speed of sound. An unlucky fat fish clutched in her iron grip. No matter how hard the fish struggled, Marika's hands still held it firmly like iron pincers.
Marika stood up and proudly showed off the prey in her hands to everyone, with a simple smile on her face. Bedivere looked at her innocent smile and felt that she had a cute innocent charm that he never noticed before. Morgottt shook his head helplessly and joined in the fishing. Fortunately it was a private outing. If other courtiers see their noble queen catching fish like a village girl, their beliefs will be shattered.
After an hour of fishing, Marika had caught enough food for four. Marika then prepared their lunch by the river. The internal organs are removed from the fresh fish, sprinkled with spices and salt then skewered on wooden skewers before being baked in front of the campfire. After the shellfish are removed from the shell, they are grilled on a special iron rack covered with butter. Crabs and shrimps are cooked in boiling salt water. A delicious seafood dinner was completed in front of the four people.
Although the main course were all wild catches, it gave the four of us the feeling of eating with family around the dining table at home. Morgott was found to have eaten a lot of boiled crabs, and his face turned red amidst the teasing laughter of everyone. Melina quietly gnawed on the fish, quiet as usual. Bedivere dutifully served fish soup for everyone.
Looking at the peaceful scene in front of her, Marika couldn't help but have the creeping idea of giving up conquering the world and just guarding her small and peaceful country. Her army can ensure the country's ability to protect itself, the fertile land ensures the continued production of food, and the people currently don't have many problems. Maybe it would be good to just maintain the status quo. The next step is to wait for the mission to come to her door, and then she can revive everyone worth reviving in the Lands Between one by one. They can then all live together in this little paradise she created.
"Mission trigger: Your mission is to establish a trade channel in the Dona River, so that the whole country of the Golden Dynasty can enjoy the resources of the Dona River. Mission difficulty: medium. Mission reward: Elden Ring gacha pull x1, unlock the Blackguard Big Boggart."
At this moment, the system sounded in Marika's mind at an inappropriate time.
"Really? Can't even have a proper meal with my kids."
Marika sighed helplessly in her mind.
"I'm not rushing you. There is no time limit for the task. It's up to you to do it if you like."
"You obviously know that I am the type of person who feels uncomfortable when I see unfinished work."
"That's your own problem as the host, not mine."
"Whateverl…"
After her daily squabble with the system, Marika held her nose and told Siduri to send people to inspect key points in various cities close to the Dona River to see the possibility of establishing ports and using existing ports.
Marika has embarked on the daily routine of working overtime once again, how 'joyous'...