"Perhaps, maybe I really have been favored by fate?" Rhett sipped his tea with a hint of humor. "Sotis, even I get that impression."
McCoffe chuckled, shaking his head. After a pause, he said, "That Fla Lion rcenary Group you ntioned—I know their leader, Vordell, but I don’t know much about them. We didn’t have much interaction in the past. Especially six years ago, when the Coldstream Frontline erupted into a major conflict. Royal-blooded Shadow Tigers and Night Catn infiltrated the rear, causing chaos around Ice City and resulting in many casualties. After that, the rcenary groups in Ice City underwent a major reshuffle. The Fla Lion rcenary Group might have been affected; they’ve kept a low profile in recent years."
"I see..." Rhett nodded thoughtfully, understanding the situation. After pondering for a mont, he changed the topic. "So, McCoffe, what are your plans now? Will you keep wandering, or settle down here in the southwestern frontier?"
"? I’ve traveled enough and don’t want to keep moving around." McCoffe smiled. "I was born in the southwestern frontier; this place holds my roots. It’s good to stay here. Otherwise… why would I have co back?"
Rhett smiled, feeling reassured. Seizing the opportunity, he said, "In that case, McCoffe, I’d like to invite you to my territory. Of course, not as a servant—we’ll still be friends, and I won’t force you to do anything. If you’re interested in alchemy, I have an alchemist who can guide you. If you want to enjoy the scenery, we have Sun Lake, savannahs, and forests. And if you’d like to be a ntor, I’ve recently discovered a young girl with magical talent in my territory."
Rhett spoke sincerely, without exerting the pressure of his noble status. He then looked at McCoffe, awaiting his response.
McCoffe stroked his chin, gazing into his teacup. After a mont, he scratched his head and said, "Hmm, that does sound like a good option…"
The two exchanged a knowing smile.
"But I’ll pass on alchemy. I prefer a more laid-back life."
"That’s fine. You’re free to explore as you wish."
"But I also don’t want to be too idle. It would get boring after a while," McCoffe said, smacking his lips. "Maybe teaching isn’t a bad idea if you have just one student…"
"Ha! Whatever you like!"
A week later, Rhett returned to Falcon Town with his group. That day, a strong wind blew across the land, bending the sparse trees and grass along the gray stone road.
Svetta, having prepared in advance, stood wrapped in a thick fur coat, braving the cold wind as he awaited his master’s return. Suddenly, he heard the sound of rolling carriage wheels and clattering hooves.
Turning his head, Svetta saw Rhett riding on the back of Graystripe. With one hand holding the reins and the other waving, Rhett greeted him. Svetta smiled and rushed forward, enthusiastically saying, "Welco ho, my lord! It’s nearly noon—would you like sothing to eat? I can have Chef Maru prepare a hearty lunch."
"No need." Rhett shook his head, then pointed behind him. "I’d like to introduce you to my close friend, McCoffe. From now on, he’ll be living in my territory. Listen carefully—he’s staying here with us, not as a subordinate but as a friend. So, please arrange a room for him in the main castle. The fourth floor would be nice—next to Henck, so the two mages can exchange ideas."
Svetta was slightly surprised, but when he looked behind Rhett, he warmly greeted the gray-cloaked McCoffe. "My lord’s close friend is an honored guest in Falcon Town. I am Svetta, the lord’s most loyal steward. Welco!"
"Oh, thank you, Svetta." McCoffe dismounted, then turned to Rhett and said, "But… the main castle isn’t necessary. I think a room in the secondary castle would suit just fine. I’ll be teaching a student, so it’ll be more convenient to live there."
"As you wish." Rhett shrugged, then asked, "McCoffe, is there anything you’d like to eat? I can have Chef Maru prepare sothing for you. Recently, we hunted in the Darkwing Eagle territory and brought back plenty of magical beast at—everything from tender Great Horned Sheep to the tough yet chewy Flaming Rhino and Bloodhoof Boar breast at…"
Rhett listed off a variety of ats, his eyes watching McCoffe, who showed no change in expression. Instead, McCoffe shook his head and said, "I’ve tried all those magical beasts before—they’re tasty, but right now, I’m craving sothing else. Do you rember that dish you made for over ten years ago? It was boiled peanuts, but with a sour twist…"
The people around them were puzzled. Boiled peanuts? How good could that be? Only Rhett seed to understand, his thoughts drifting back a decade until realization dawned. "Ah, you must be talking about vinegar-soaked peanuts."
"Vinegar-soaked peanuts?" Tuck’s eyes lit up as he recalled sothing. "Father, it’s been so long since you made those! You made them once when I was little, and they were delicious!"
In this world, boiled and fried peanuts were already known, as both were simple to prepare—just soak the peanuts in saltwater or fry them. But vinegar-soaked peanuts were sothing Rhett had brought from his previous life, a dish that had yet to be invented here. Or perhaps soone had tried it by chance but hadn’t popularized it.
Vinegar-soaked peanuts were a mix of boiled and fried peanuts. After frying the peanuts until semi-crisp, they were soaked in vinegar, with or without their skins, but always shelled. Once the salty-sour flavor seeped in, the result was a unique taste between boiled and fried peanuts.
Rhett hadn’t made the dish in years—since joining the frontlines, he’d rarely had the chance to cook. After retiring, he’d beco accustod to having als prepared for him, nearly forgetting about this dish altogether.
"Yes, that’s it—vinegar-soaked peanuts!" McCoffe’s eyes lit up, and he jokingly added, "Rhett, if you can’t make that for , I might just leave…"
Rhett chuckled, shaking his head. "You want vinegar-soaked peanuts? Easy! I could have Chef Maru prepare them, and I’m sure she’d master the recipe quickly. But to celebrate our reunion, I’ll cook them myself."
"That’s great." McCoffe grinned. "For years, every ti I’ve eaten boiled peanuts, I’ve thought about vinegar-soaked peanuts. Finally, I get to taste them again."
Rhett raised an eyebrow. "No problem. I’ll make sure you get your fill."
With that, Svetta led McCoffe to the secondary castle to arrange his room. Rhett, anwhile, returned to the main castle and headed straight for the kitchen.
"Maru, could you prepare so peanuts for ?" Rhett asked from the doorway.
"Oh, heavens!" Chef Maru, who had been chopping vegetables, was startled by the sudden request. Clutching her chest, she exclaid, "My lord, you’re back! What a pleasant surprise. Do you want fried peanuts or boiled peanuts? Should the fried peanuts be sweet or salty?" As she spoke, Maru walked to the corner of the kitchen, opened a burlap sack, and began shelling peanuts into a small basin.
"Well… neither," Rhett replied after a mont’s thought. "I’m making vinegar-soaked peanuts. You don’t know how to prepare them, so I’ll cook this ti. You can watch and learn—I hope to see this dish on our dining table more often."
"What? My lord, you’re going to cook yourself?" Maru’s eyes widened in shock. Realizing what he’d said, she quickly shook her head, protesting, "No, no, this isn’t right. The kitchen is for us servants. You can just tell the steps from outside, and I’ll make them for you. Please trust in my cooking!"
"Maru, I do trust your cooking," Rhett smiled helplessly, explaining, "But this dish holds special significance for an old friend of mine who’s visiting. So, I’m going to make it personally. I must make it myself."
With that, Rhett stepped into the kitchen. Maru opened her mouth to protest but couldn’t find the words. She sighed in resignation and continued shelling the peanuts.
A few minutes later, Rhett began his culinary demonstration. Heating the oil, he tossed in the peanuts once the oil began to smoke lightly. His series of skilled movents impressed Chef Maru, who couldn’t help but praise, "As expected of our lord—your cooking is quite good!"
Rhett smiled. After all, in his previous life, he had learned to cook while still a teenager. Though he wasn’t a master chef, his skills were more than decent. After frying the peanuts, he imdiately soaked them in vinegar, adding so salt and other seasonings.
Watching this process, Maru’s eyes widened in surprise as she wondered what the final taste and texture would be.
As she pondered, Rhett spoke up. "Maru, now that the castle has more people than before, we need more food. Handling all the als yourself must be getting difficult…"
Maru paused, unwilling to admit it but knowing it was true. "My lord, you’ve observed well. I can barely manage for now, but if the population grows, I’ll need more assistants."
"Now’s the perfect opportunity," Rhett said, stirring the vinegar mixture. "The town and Fire Mine Village have plenty of people for you to choose from. Take the chance to start training new talent while you can still manage. If you need more hands, just let Svetta know."
"Understood, my lord!" Maru agreed, her eyes lighting up at the ntion of Svetta’s na.
When the vinegar-soaked peanuts—dark with a hint of white—were ready, Maru examined them with interest. She picked up a peanut from the dish, sniffed it, and then tasted it.
"What a surprising flavor!" Maru’s eyes sparkled as she marveled, "The combination of vinegar and peanuts is unexpectedly delicious!"
Rhett smiled and instructed, "Please take this dish to the secondary castle, to McCoffe’s room. You don’t know who McCoffe is yet, but… you can ask Svetta to guide you."
Maru bead with delight. "Right away, my lord!"
Leaving the kitchen, Rhett headed to the second floor of the castle, planning to retrieve his Firefeather Hawk egg from Tyrus. When leaving the territory, he had entrusted his son with the egg, asking him to care for and feed it with fire essence.
As Rhett ascended the stairs, his spiritual senses detected the aura of an apprentice mage emanating from Tyrus’ room. A smile crept onto his face—Tyrus had indeed broken through to apprentice mage, just as the simulation had indicated.
Knock, knock, knock.
The door opened, and Tyrus’ voice called out from within. "Who is it?"
"It’s ."
"Father? I’m coming!"
Tyrus rushed to the door, excitent evident on his face. "Father, you’re finally back! You probably don’t know this, but I broke through to apprentice mage a week ago!"
"Ha! Well done!" Rhett bead, ruffling Tyrus’ hair. "I sensed the change as I ca up the stairs. Congratulations, Tyrus—you’ve taken an important step forward. Now, you can pursue alchemy with confidence."
Tyrus smiled happily. "I’ve already started! Every day, I’ve been going to the alchemy lab to study with Henck!"
"Good." Rhett nodded, then grew slightly serious. "I support your dream, but don’t neglect your ntal training while studying alchemy. Magic and alchemy are closely linked, and only strong ntal power will allow you to reach the highest levels of alchemy."
"I understand, Father. I’ll make sure to ditate regularly!" Tyrus replied earnestly. He had already learned this principle from Henck.
With that, Tyrus suddenly slapped his forehead. "Oh, I almost forgot! Just a mont, Father!" He hurried to the windowsill and returned with the football-sized magical beast egg. Handing it to Rhett, he said, "In the past two weeks of feeding, I’ve felt the life force inside the egg grow incredibly strong. It feels like it could hatch at any mont. Soon, you’ll have a flying beast of your own!" His eyes glead with envy.
Rhett took the Firefeather Hawk egg, sensing the vibrant fire energy within. His eyes lit up with joy.
He patted Tyrus on the shoulder. "When the Firefeather Hawk grows up, I’ll take you flying!"
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