"It's really not easy to have a drink these days!" Bardel sighed.
For the wandering centaurs, the only alcohol they could get came from trades with the nomadic prairie elves and goblins of the North, who brewed crude and murky liquor.
Otherwise, their living conditions didn't allow them to brew their own. In Middle-earth, grain was as valuable as hard currency.
Unlike wild fruits and vegetables, which spoiled easily and were difficult to carry, grain could be transported with their nomadic lifestyle.
With no fixed residences, the centaurs had no farmland. They only made porridge on grand festivals to celebrate; on ordinary days, they relied on hunting and fishing for sustenance.
Ironically, centaurs were the most gifted farmers in Middle-earth!
A fully grown centaur could plow dozens of acres in a day.
With their strong limbs and powerful muscles enhanced by battle aura or magic, they could easily turn the soil and plow the fields.
Unfortunately, they lacked a unified "sword" to protect their plows!
"To our prosperity!" Rynar raised his cup high.
"To the king!" Bardel echoed, raising his own.
Clink! The two oak cups collided, and both Rynar and Bardel downed their drinks in one go. Rynar smacked his lips after finishing, realizing that this cloudy ale tasted just like beer!
"Hey, girl, bring me some ice." Rynar lightly patted Nyx's perky rear as she curled up beside him, nibbling on snacks with Nia.
Feeling the incredibly satisfying texture, Rynar couldn't help but marvel at magic. Look at this! Creating ice out of thin air? Incredible!
"Mmm!" Nyx yelped in surprise, turning around to glare at him with playful annoyance. Her mouth was stuffed with snacks, letting out a muffled whimper.
"What? The weather isn't too hot yet; be careful not to catch a cold!" Nyx rolled her eyes at him after swallowing her food.
Her tone was full of feigned disdain, but the concern in her words was unmistakable.
"Just a little. Ice-cold beer is the best!" Rynar stroked her golden hair, coaxing her like one would a pampered cat.
"Drink too much, and you'll get an upset stomach." Nyx grumbled, but soon melted into the warmth of his hand.
With a casual motion, she gathered a handful of icy-blue magic in the air.
The moisture condensed, forming several neat, two-centimeter cubes of ice.
(Water mages control water; ice is simply the hardened form of water. So, they naturally know basic ice magic.)
Plop! Plop! As the ice cubes tumbled into the golden liquor, Rynar suddenly felt a wave of nostalgia.
He missed his days on Earth—though he didn't have the power to decide the fate of thousands, nor did he wear a crown, the peace and warmth of home were irreplaceable.
Fortunately... this world had her. He turned to glance at Nyx, who was still wrestling with a snack made from a plant's root. A gentle warmth filled his heart.
"Too bad there's no crayfish," Rynar muttered with a wry smile.
Crayfish and beer were the perfect combination, but since there was none, barbecue would have to do.
A high-grade magical beast like an Earth Frenzy Boar was a worthy pairing for this ale.
"What shrimp?" Bardel scratched his head in confusion.
"Nothing. Baron Bardel, let's get some roasted meat! Just drinking feels a bit dull." Rynar decided they needed some food to go with the alcohol.
"No problem!" Bardel pounded his chest and was about to call for someone to start grilling.
"Rynar~ I want to eat your grilled fish!" Nyx suddenly chimed in.
Unlike the simple salt-seasoned roasts of Middle-earth, Rynar's top-tier seasoning from his system made his barbecue a divine delicacy.
"Uh… Bardel, can you get a grill ready? I'll handle the cooking!" Rynar scratched his head awkwardly.
"Sure, sure! Of course! I'll have them prepare one right away!" Bardel quickly ordered two sturdy centaurs to bring over a grill.
Interestingly, this grill had actually been supplied by Riverguard since centaurs lacked metallurgy skills. Forging such a large grill was quite a challenge for them.
Rynar expertly added premium charcoal, and with a flick of his hand, a flame of divine radiance ignited in his palm.
It was rather shameful—using the Holy Flame, the Paladin's most potent weapon against evil, to light charcoal…
This would probably make the first Paladins roll in their graves. Even Bardel, who was holding a fire starter, stood frozen in disbelief.
"Cool, huh?" Rynar smirked smugly at Nyx.
"Mmm! You look super cool using the Holy Flame like that! I just hope Zaltarion's legendary Paladins don't resurrect out of anger.
I think our ancestors' coffins won't be able to stay shut!" Nyx giggled. After all, the first Duke Nyx was also a Holy Hero! (A Rank Six Paladin.) If his spirit was watching… he might just come back to life in rage.
"So... a literal case of 'rising from the dead'?" Rynar teased.
"Pfft!" Bardel's face turned red as he tried to hold back laughter but failed, bursting into chuckles.
"Ahem! Apologies, Your Highness! That was… very improper of me," Bardel wheezed, still catching his breath.
"Forget it! I forgive your insolence!" Rynar proclaimed dramatically, striking a pose reminiscent of the old Zaltarion emperors.
"Alright, drop the act! My fish is about to burn!" Nyx pinched Rynar's waist, immediately breaking his facade.
"Fish are so cute, how can we eat them?" Rynar quipped as he flipped the white fish, deliberately teasing her.
"More cumin! Less chili!" Nyx demanded, her eyes sparkling as she watched.
"…" Rynar sighed.
"Extra spicy?"
"No!"
"Triple extra spicy?"
"Just a little spice!"
"Super ultra spicy?"
"Die, you lunatic!" Nyx shrieked, flailing her tiny fists and hammering Rynar's broad back. But really… what harm could a mage's melee attacks do?
(At this moment, a passing mage named Gan scoffed at Rynar, muttering curses under his breath.)
"Mmm! Smells amazing!" The moment the cumin touched the grilled fish, a rich aroma burst forth, carried by the rising smoke.
Bardel's eyes widened. Nia's eyes widened. Nyx's eyes widened. Three pairs of hungry eyes locked onto the poor grilled fish, its fate sealed the moment it hit the table.
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle~ As a sprinkle of chili powder coated both sides of the fish, a unique fragrance wafted through the air.
"Hey, girl, grab me a wooden plate?" Rynar asked affectionately.
Thud! Before Nyx could react, Bardel had already shoved a wooden plate forward, his big face full of anticipation.
"Here you go! Eat slowly, it's hot!" Rynar reminded them before circling the Earth Frenzy Boar, searching for a good cut.
He planned to carve out a prime section for some charcoal-grilled tenderloin or pork belly.
"Mmm! This spot looks good!" Rynar eyed the beast's firm shoulder blade, deciding to take a front leg and carve some meat. The rest could be shared with the knights and centaurs.
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