A week later ...
Marika was in the barracks. She held a wooden spoon and was concentrating on a pot of stewed soup cooking on the campfire. The soup exudes the fragrant aroma because of the various spices, and there are all kinds of meat organs and dumplings that are stewed in the soup. The soldiers and courtiers who were on the sidelines were stinged by the fragrant stew soup.
The stewed soup of the internal organs and dumplings that Marikaa came up with just now is technically the first of its kind in this world. The reason for this matter will start with after the banquet last week. Marika, in addition to spreading grace to the whole city, planted sites of grace in the city, as well as summoned 1,000 Godrick soldiers and 100 Godrick knights to monitor the construction of the warship. Through her blueprints, the craftsmen under Einar quickly learned the tricks of making Viking warships and started mass production. Soon, with the efforts of everyone, the first warship was completed, and in order to celebrate, Marika decided to create this dish in the military camp to reward the craftsmen and soldiers who worked hard to complete the warships.
The main reason for Marika's decision to make this dish is that she found that people in this world do not understand how to cook the internal organs of animals. Meat dishes are mainly just the meat of the animals. It is mainly because the internal organs are prone to smell, and ordinary people will not eat it, but discard it directly. Marika finds that even the beast organs with buff effects from the Lands Between taste absolutely awful. It was in all its intents and purpose a combat enhancement drug, nothing more. Another sad fact is the meals of the soldiers. Whether it is this world or the Lands Between, the military rations that soldiers eat can only be described as rough. Most of them only had campfire baked breads or rudimentary cooked game meat or meat soup.
This will not stand for her. Whether it is a peaceful era or in war, especially in winter, a bowl of delicious hot food can definitely double the combat effectiveness of the soldiers.
Marika looked at the dilemma of her soldiers' food, and suddenly got a bright idea of using dumplings and internal organs. Internal organs are cheap, and when purchasing food, it can be obtained at cheap prices. When hunting animals, you can use the edible parts on them to a greater extent without wasting a piece of meat.
As for dumplings, Marika did not find this dish at the banquet, and secretly observed the people's restaurants and ordinary people around him. Marika finally asked the system, and finally confirmed that there were no dumplings in this world. Therefore, Marika wasted no time and directly made dumplings by herself. She called forth Einar's maids and began to teach them how to make dumplings. The maids are surprised that the monarch of a country will stoop to cooking in person. The courtiers are also worried that this is not good for her image, but Marika manages to convince them that this is an important experiment that will bring forth the revolution of military food. After making dumplings, Marika let the mages freeze the dumplings with simple ice magic and put them in a sealed wooden box, completing a rudimentary refrigerator to preserve them. The courtiers were all amazed with such an innovative way to preserve rations. Thus bringing us to today.
"I think it's done."
Marika stopped stirring, looked at her masterpiece, nodded with satisfaction.
Marika picked up a bowl and with a wooden ladle, scooped up a spoonful of stew soup, dumplings and cooked organs, and poured it into a bowl.
"Who wants to try first?"
Marika raised the bowl towards the onlookers and courtiers. But everyone retreated. Although the scent of stewed soup was mouth watering, everyone is still resistant to eating organs and the dumplings that are unknown. When Marika saw that no one stepped forward, she turned her eyes to her daughter, Melina, thinking that her baby girl should not refuse her mother's handmade food. Unexpectedly, even Melina did not dare to step forward, standing still like a statue.
'Eh? Seriously? Are you worried that you will get food poisoning? You don't even have a physical body!'
'Do I have to start name calling to get them to eat? '
While Marika was wondering about those possibilities, someone finally came out of the crowd.
"Um… Master… may I try some?"
The person who stood up was Bedivere. Although his face was a little bit twitchy, he still tried to keep a polite smile as much as possible. He looked back, and Achilles can be seen cheering him on in the crowd, as if he was saying, "Don't worry man, I got your funeral all arranged! You got this! "
"Oh, Sir Bedivere! Very good, the honor of the first bowl is yours."
Marika gave the bowl to Bedivere with a smile. Bediverel maintained his difficult smile and took the bowl of stewed soup, and the soldiers on the side handed him a wooden spoon. The eyes of that soldier flashed with sympathy for a martyr. Bediverel looked at the bowl of brown red soup in his hand and gulped. He looked at his master helplessly, but Marika's beautiful eyes flashed with warm expectations, making Bedivere completely unable to reject her.
'For the sake of Master's smile! '
Bedivere took a deep breath and scooped up a spoonful of visceral meat with a spoon. Then with a determined look, quickly sent the spoon into his mouth.
Everyone looked at him with expectations and waited for his reaction. But Bedivere just chewed silently, and then scooped up another spoonful of stewed soup. This time, the content was dumplings. Bedivere put it in his mouth and continued to chew silently.
"B-Bedivere, how does it taste?"
Achilles was not able to bear the wait and asked in a hesitant tone.
When Bedivere heard his question, he looked up, and his eyes flashed with joy.
"It's delicious! It's so delicious!"
After speaking, Bedivere began to quickly dig into the soup ravenously.
"Hey! Don't hog it all for yourself! Give me a bite too!"
Seeing Bedivere's response, Achilles, now assured, reached out to Bedivere to try grabbed the stew soup in his hand.
"Don't worry, there is enough here for everyone!"
Marika saw them quarreling over the soup like children fighting over candy and flashed a smile. She then ordered the maids to start handing out the stewed soup. Everyone got their portion and couldn't wait to dig in, and then groaned with joy at the moment of eating. Even Melina, who was usually well-behaved, kept stuffing stewed soup in her mouth, her mouth bulging like a hamster.
Just as Marika's new food was gaining popularity...
[Recommended BGM: Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Part III-DIO's Theme song]
On the border between the Golden Dynasties and the South of the Inrud Kingdom, a well -equipped army is moving towards Stormveil city with murderous intent. The uniform of this army is dark red, and the cloth in front of their chest armor is embroidered with a marked sign of a sword with wings. Each soldier covers his face with an iron helmet or cloth, and each prays to the holy song with the token of the church of angels in hand. Everyone also exudes a fierce murderous aura. These fearsome soldiers are the personal hit squad of the Pope of the Inrud Kingdom, the notorious Judgmentor Legion.
Once they judge someone as heathens, they will hunt down and kill their targets with the most cruel means. Even women and children cannot escape their blades, and sometimes even a whole city will be slaughtered when they are branded as heathens.
And the man who led them is equally terrible and fearsome. He wears a heavy knight armor, and every part of the armor is decorated with the sign or carving of the church of angel, without restricting his movement. The dark red cloak behind him also has a large legion logo. He donned an iron-made face mask, and the mask and his helmet were integrated. The man is named Osiris Ludis, the Lord Judgmentor of the chruch of Angels, the chief commander of the Judgmentor legion, the strongest knight of the Pope, and nicknamed "the Pope's butcher".
At this time, Lord Judgmetor Osiris rode on his steed at the front end of the army, recalling his mission briefing.
About a week ago, Grand Duke Edward came to visit him. Osiris did not like Edward, who had a smooth mouth, but because of his rank as Grand Duke, he still met him reluctantly. After the two of them talked, Osiris learned that Edward had orders from the imperial court to have Osiris and his legion launch a sneak attack on Stormveil castle while Marika is distracted with Stank.
Osiris never was interested in politics between nations. In his eyes, only the Pope's order was the most lofty, and his only enemy was the heathens.
Osiris wants to reject this order, and he has the authority to do so, but Edward proposed a condition that he could not refuse.
The Grand Duke had ordered his men to intercept adventurers coming from Stormveil City. After some "convincing", he learned news that would make Osiris blood boil. Marika has established a new religion in Stonwell City, and its scale is growing rapidly.
Osiris's hatred for heathens surpasses everything, so he immediately agreed to the court's order. After asking the pope and getting his blessing, Osiris immediately rallied all the Judgementor legion who were still out on missions. Before leaving, Osiris solemnly vowed to the holy relics in front of Pope and Nicholas IV, that he would personally bring them Marika's head.
"Lord Judgmentor, I have something urgent to report."
An officer's voice woke Osiris from his memory.
"Talk."
Osiris's gravelly voice responded.
"My lord, we just learned that because of the rush of the expedition, and our army just returning from a long-term mission, there is a problem of insufficient rations."
After listening to the report of the deputy, Osiris turned coldly to the officer, and said with a low tone and indifferently:
"Are you saying that I made a mistake?"
"I dare not, my lord!"
A great sense of oppression shrouded the officer, and the scared officer quickly denied. Osiris's fierce name is well-known even among the Judgmentor legionnaires who are infamous for their brutality. It is said that he never took off his helmet. Except in front of the pope, everyone who had seen his true face was dead. On the battlefield, he was also unmatched. It is said that he could defeat three dragon knights and their dragon, single handedly. And when he caught a heathen, he would definitely torture them to death with the most cruel means that makes even the legionnaires shudder.
Osiris snorted and stopped paying heed to him. But he still mentally noted what the deputy said. Rations are indeed a big problem when marching in war. Just when he was caught in this dilemma, the sound of a galloping horse fluttered into his ears.
A scout came to him in front of him.
"Reporting to Lord Judgmentor, we spotted a village ten kilometers in front of our army."
Reported the scouts.
"Hehe ha ha ~"
After listening to the report of the scouts, a strange laughter came from underneath Osiris' helmet that made the hair on the scouts neck stand.
"Hehehe ~ Very good! Very good! Send out my order, a pagan village has been spotted and is illegally hoarding food. The creator's law demands we clear it and confiscate the food."
Osiris's eyes flashed with a trace of ruthlessness, and then ordered in a nonchalantly tone.
"Yes my lord."
Obviously this is not the first time they have done such a thing.
Back to Ligu City ...
Marika is now wearing her armor, with Bedivere, Einar, the tree sentinels and Artorias preparing to head back to Stormveil city. Based on her speculation, the time for the kingdom army to reach Stormveil city, which is two weeks, has already passed.
Marika contacted Morgott, who promptly reported that the scouts had pinpoint the enemy's whereabouts. But something in his report sank her heart. In his report, the enemy's legion along their way burned and plunder the people of the kingdom, and each village was completely slaughtered, and even the children were not spared.
"What am I doing… Those people are being slaughtered ruthlessly, and I am messing around with food experiments. If I find that the kingdom will do so, those people will not ..."
Marika fell into a deep self-blame because she couldn't save those people. Her dream is to help the people in this world, to make their lives no longer tortured by war and slavery. But now the people she should have guarded from the hands of the kingdom were slaughtered. It greatly pained her and made her doubt her ability as king. Can she really save the people in this world?
"Master, please don't blame yourself for this tragedy."
Bedivere's gentle voice interrupted her self-resentment.
"Sir Bedivere..."
Marika's voice trembled slightly. Her low mood was self-evident, and it pains Bedivere to see it. Her distraught expression was exactly the same as King Arthur who learned of her son, Modred, betraying him.
"We had no means of anticipating such a turn of event. Who knew that the army of the kingdom would be mad enough to rob their own people. What we can do now is to knock down this evil army, and bring justice for those poor people. "
Bedivere looked at Marika with sincere eyes.
"Sir Bedivere... You are right, I have to pull myself together.."
Marika patted her face, her eyes becoming determined once again from Bedivere's words of encouragement.
"Let's get rid of those scums that dare harm the people! MEN! We return to Stormveil city!"