Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Barbecue Feast
When Louis rode back to the territory with his prey, the sky was already growing dark.
The battle he had just participated in was still exciting, and the good news today came one after another.
Upon returning to his residence, he received the second batch of support from his father, Duke Calvin.
"Sir, your father has replied," Bradley respectfully handed the letter to Louis.
Louis opened the envelope and began reading quickly.
Duke Calvin provided him with 6 Elite Knights, 20 Official Knights, and 60 Apprentice Knights.
This nearly doubled his military power.
Besides the knights, the letter also mentioned 3 Alchemy Apprentices, although not many, they were enough to help him establish a stable Demon Marrow extraction technique.
What surprised him the most was his father’s agreement to his proposal for Demon Marrow mining and processing.
He even agreed to let the Red Tide Territory handle all the work for this project, while the family would only be responsible for sales.
It ensured his autonomy over this project.
This meant that Louis would sell the finished Demon Marrow products to the Calvin Clan, which would then distribute them.
The last line of the letter came with a reminder: "You will always be a member of the Calvin Clan."
Although it wasn’t stated explicitly, the underlying threat made Louis slightly tense.
He understood it was a warning not to have too many personal thoughts.
Louis put down the letter, stretched lazily, feeling great: "Today is truly a day of double joy."
...
Inside the banquet tent, the atmosphere was lively.
Louis sat at the head, in front of him was a plate of golden roasted Ice Armor Bear meat.
For this barbeque banquet, Louis did not invite ordinary subjects.
After all, the meat of the Ice Armor Bear was too precious, and this banquet was mainly for the knights.
Besides Louis and his original knights, the feast also included new knights brought from the family and eight reserve knights.
It was both a celebration of a successful hunt and a welcoming party for the newly joined knights.
Plates of roasted meat were served, emitting tempting aromas.
Every piece of Ice Armor Bear meat was roasted to perfection, with a slightly charred surface and tender flesh.
"One portion each," old butler Bradley commanded on the side.
Servants quickly distributed the roasted meat to each knight.
The atmosphere of the banquet instantly heated up, especially for the new knights who had yet to adapt to the coldness and bleakness of this land.
To their surprise, they could enjoy such a precious delicacy as soon as they arrived at the Red Tide Territory.
"This is the meat of an Ice Armor Bear, it can nourish and strengthen, enhancing Fighting Energy," Bradley explained to the new knights.
"This... this is Ice Armor Bear meat?" The eyes of a young knight almost popped out.
The preciousness of Ice Armor Bear meat was self-evident, in the South, only a very few nobility had the chance to taste such high-grade Magical Beast meat.
"We’re given Ice Armor Bear meat to eat, how luxurious!" The new knight’s eyes were full of amazement.
"I usually eat ordinary Magical Beast meat only once or twice a year. I never thought I would taste this premium kind right upon arrival."
Another young knight could not help but mutter softly: "In the South, even the great nobles only have the chance to eat this level of Magical Beast meat at important banquets. Such good meat, ordinary knights don’t even dare to touch."
"Is this the treatment of the Northern Territory?" a new knight asked softly.
The veteran knight next to him shrugged indifferently in a Versailles manner: "Actually, this kind of premium Magical Beast meat isn’t common even here, but you can eat ordinary Magical Beast meat once a month, so don’t make a fuss."
The new knights were even more shocked, being able to eat ordinary Magical Beast meat once a month!
What a generous lord!
"Seems like I’ve come to the right place," the new knight thought to himself.
They had originally harbored some resentment upon reaching the Northern Territory, thinking they had come to endure hardship, only to find that they had actually come to enjoy themselves.
Their grievances dissipated, replaced by loyalty to the generous Lord Louis.
Louis stood in the center of the banquet, raising his glass: "Everyone, you have worked hard, today’s banquet is not only to celebrate our victory but also to celebrate the joining of our many new members.
Everyone’s effort is indispensable; from the hunting ground to the battlefield, we will face many challenges together and share the fruits of victory.
Remember, whenever I have something to eat, so will all of you."
The knights raised their glasses, responding enthusiastically, chanting: "Long live the Lord! Long live the Lord!"
Their eyes were filled with admiration and gratitude for Louis.
...
Weir was also at the banquet, sitting among a group of knights, with an excited expression.
Being able to become a member of the Red Tide Territory Knight Order filled him with immense pride.
The atmosphere of the banquet was heated, after praising the lord together, it was time for the most anticipated part—eating meat.
He carefully picked up a knife and fork, sending the roasted Ice Armor Bear meat into his mouth.
The roast was crispy on the outside, tender inside, and full of juice.
Upon entry, a wave of warm energy spread from his stomach, quickly flowing through his limbs and bones.
Weir widened his eyes, feeling the blood in his body quickly being invigorated, an unprecedented power surging.
He hurriedly put down the knife and fork, sitting cross-legged, starting to run the breathing technique, guiding the warm flow within his body.
The warm energy shuttled between his meridians, and he could clearly feel his body being continuously strengthened, his vitality growing fuller, as if his bones had been honed again.
A moment later, his vitality finally broke through the critical point.
He broke through! Mid-tier Apprentice Knight!!
His coach Barnes next to Weir saw this, his eyes widening in shock.
He looked at Weir, unable to stop himself from muttering: "Didn’t Weir just break through to Apprentice Knight yesterday? His talent... is so remarkable?"
Weir’s breakthrough caught the attention of those around, but he wasn’t the only one.
In the banquet, one knight after another began to feel the surge of vitality within, a strong energy flow forcing them to sit cross-legged and start running the breathing technique.
The commotion gradually subsided, replaced by the deep breathing of every knight, and the entire banquet hall suddenly became unusually quiet.
The air was filled with a subtle atmosphere, everyone was concentrated on guiding their inner force, bodies constantly strengthening.
A few minutes later, a sudden cheer broke the silence.
Several knights had broken through!
The knights congratulated each other, without forgetting to praise the lord’s generosity.
"With Lord Calvin, we don’t have to worry about food and clothing, and we also get to eat precious Magical Beast meat, loyalty!"
"The lord’s kindness can never be repaid!"
"It’s our honor to follow the lord."
Louis couldn’t help but sigh in his heart; the effect of today’s banquet exceeded expectations.