When Vaerik rode back to the territory with his prey, dusk was already falling.
The battle he had just participated in still excited him, and today’s good news continued to arrive.
Upon returning to his residence, he received the second batch of support from his father, Duke Tudor.
"My lord, your father has replied." Bradley respectfully handed the letter to Vaerik.
Vaerik opened the envelope and began reading quickly.
Duke Tudor provided him with 6 elite knights, 20 formal knights, and 60 knight apprentices.
This almost doubled his military strength.
Besides knights, the letter also ntioned 3 alchemical apprentices. Though few in number, they were enough to establish a stable magical marrow extraction technology.
What delighted him most was his father’s agreent to his proposed magical marrow mining and processing plan.
He even agreed to have all work on this project completed by Crimson Tide Domain, with the family only responsible for sales.
This ensured his autonomy over this project.
This was equivalent to Vaerik selling finished magical marrow products to the Tudor family, which would then distribute them.
The letter’s final sentence carried a reminder: "You will always be a mber of the Tudor family."
Though not explicit, that underlying threatening feeling made Vaerik’s heart tighten slightly.
He understood this was warning him about having too many ulterior motives.
Vaerik set the letter down, stretched, in excellent spirits: "Today truly brings double happiness."
...
Inside the feast tent, the atmosphere was lively.
Vaerik sat in the place of honor, before him a plate of golden-roasted ice-armored bear at.
For this barbecue feast, Vaerik didn’t invite ordinary subjects.
After all, ice-armored bear at was too precious—this feast was mainly prepared for the knights.
Besides Vaerik and his original knights, the feast also included newly arrived knights from the family and eight reserve knights.
It was both a celebration of successful hunting and a welco party for newly joined knights.
Plates of roasted at were brought to the table, emitting waves of fragrance.
Each piece of ice-armored bear at was roasted to perfection—surface slightly charred, at tender and fresh.
"One portion per person." Old steward Bradley commanded from the side.
Servants nimbly distributed roasted at to each knight.
The feast atmosphere imdiately beca lively, especially among the newly arrived knights who hadn’t yet had ti to adapt to this land’s cold and desolation.
They hadn’t expected to enjoy such precious delicacies upon arriving at Crimson Tide Domain.
"This is ice-armored bear at—it can nourish and strengthen the body, enhancing battle energy." Bradley specifically explained to the new knights.
"This... this is ice-armored bear at?" A young knight’s eyes nearly popped out.
The preciousness of ice-armored bear at was self-evident—in the south, only very few nobles had opportunities to taste this level of magical beast at.
"Actually giving us ice-armored bear at to eat—this is too luxurious." The new knights’ eyes were full of amazent.
"I eat ordinary magical beast at at most once or twice a year. I never expected to taste this premium magical beast at upon arrival."
Another young knight couldn’t help but whisper: "In the south, even great nobles only have opportunities to eat this high-grade magical beast at at important banquets. Such good at—ordinary knights wouldn’t dare even touch it."
"Is this the Northern Province treatnt?" a new knight asked quietly.
A nearby veteran knight heard this and replied nonchalantly with so showing off: "Actually, we don’t see this premium magical beast at often here either, but we can eat ordinary magical beast at once a month. Don’t make such a fuss."
The new knights were even more shocked—eating ordinary magical beast at once a month!
What a generous lord!
"Seems I ca to the right place." The new knights thought.
They had just arrived in the Northern Province, originally sowhat resentful, thinking they’d co to suffer. They hadn’t expected to actually co enjoy good fortune.
Their complaints vanished completely, replaced by loyalty to the generous Lord Vaerik.
Vaerik stood in the feast’s center, raising his wine cup: "Everyone has worked hard. Today’s feast is not only to celebrate our victory, but also to celebrate many new mbers joining us.
Everyone’s efforts are indispensable. From hunting grounds to battlefields, we will face many hardships together and share the fruits of victory.
Rember, no matter when—as long as I have a bite to eat, everyone has a bite."
Knights raised their cups, responding enthusiastically, shouting: "Long live the lord! Long live the lord!"
Their eyes were filled with admiration and gratitude toward Vaerik.
...
Weir was also at the feast, sitting among a group of knights, his face excited.
Being able to beco a mber of Crimson Tide Domain’s knight regint made him feel imnsely proud.
The feast atmosphere was lively—everyone had just finished praising the lord, and next ca the most anticipated at-eating segnt.
He carefully picked up knife and fork, bringing the roasted ice-armored bear at to his mouth.
The roasted at was crispy outside and tender inside, rich with juices.
The mont it entered his mouth, a blazing warm current spread from his stomach, rapidly surging into his limbs and bones.
Weir’s eyes widened as he felt his body’s blood energy being rapidly stimulated, unprecedented strength erging.
He quickly put down his knife and fork, sat cross-legged properly, and began operating breathing techniques, guiding this warm current to circulate within his body.
Warm breath moved through his ridians—he could clearly feel his body being continuously strengthened, blood energy becoming increasingly abundant, bones seeming to have been tempered anew.
Monts later, his blood energy finally broke through the critical point.
He had broken through! Middle-rank knight apprentice!!
Beside Weir, instructor Barnes witnessed this, his eyes widening in shock.
He looked at Weir, unable to help murmuring quietly: "Didn’t Weir just break through to beco a knight apprentice yesterday? His talent... is actually this powerful?"
Weir’s breakthrough attracted surrounding attention, but wasn’t unique.
In the feast, one knight after another began feeling blood energy surging within their bodies, intense energy flowing, forcing them to sit cross-legged and operate breathing techniques.
Noisy voices gradually disappeared, replaced by each knight’s deep breathing. The entire feast hall suddenly beca unusually quiet.
The air filled with a subtle atmosphere as everyone concentrated on guiding internal forces, bodies continuously strengthening.
Several minutes later, sudden cheering broke the silence.
Several knights had broken through!
Knights congratulated each other, naturally not forgetting to praise the lord’s generosity.
"Following Lord Tudor, we don’t worry about food or clothing, and we even get precious magical beast at to eat—loyalty!"
"The lord’s kindness can never be fully repaid!"
"Being able to follow the lord is truly our honor."
Vaerik couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—today’s feast effect truly exceeded expectations.
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