The banquet for the returning expeditionary force was held both inside and outside the inner castle.
Even though the Northern military’s organization differed significantly from other nations, it was impossible to accommodate thousands of people inside the Hall of Glory alone.
Thus, many soldiers had to eat outside in the cold wind.
However, no one complained.
In fact, they preferred the relaxed atmosphere of dining outdoors.
For soldiers, entering the palace where the Grand Duke resided was more of a stomach-churning ordeal than a privilege.
Having to eat in the presence of high-ranking knights, nobles, officials, the legion commander, and especially the Grand Duke herself would have been nothing short of psychological torture.
To the soldiers, the only things that mattered were the taste and quantity of the food.
And this banquet exceeded their expectations by 200%.
“This is insane! Truly insane!”“It’s like food from heaven!”
Crunch, crunch, crunch!
The soldiers were ecstatic. Their long-anticipated banquet far surpassed their imaginations.
The taste, aroma, and portions were beyond anything they had ever experienced.
“Spices! This has to be spices!”
“To think Her Highness provided us with dishes seasoned with spices! For people like us!”
“Ahhh! Now I can die with no regrets!”
“If only my brother Hans were alive to taste this…”
These soldiers had departed on their expedition before the introduction of Arad Salt. Throughout their campaign, they had barely eaten properly.
The dishes seasoned with Arad Salt, from stews to meat and even vegetables, were a shocking revelation.
To the soldiers, this was more than just delicious food—it was a glimpse into an entirely new world.
“Who invented this thing called chicken?”
“And frying potatoes? Who knew they could taste this good!”
“How does the meat smell so amazing? No foul odor at all—how did they prepare it?”
Even Arad himself had contributed to the feast.
Of course, he hadn’t personally cooked every dish. Instead, Arad had designed the menu, shared recipes, and provided his signature Arad Sauce to the palace chefs, servants, and maids.
“What part of the chicken is this? It seems new, but it’s definitely from a chicken…”
“It’s so chewy! Especially with this sauce—delicious!”
“What kind of plant is this? Is it edible?”
“I don’t know what it is, but coat it in spices and fry it, and it’s all amazing!”
Arad’s recipes were crafted with an eye for maximizing quantity while staying budget-conscious.
Dishes made from parts of animals and plants that had previously been discarded were unveiled for the first time at this banquet.
‘They’re going wild. Well, of course—it’s the handiwork of Sir Arad, after all.’
Sir Rosie, one of the senior knights escorting Arad and Eote, roamed the outdoor banquet area with a satisfied smile.
He was reminded of the first time he tasted Arad’s stew back in Haven. Seeing the soldiers tearfully enjoying their meals, Rosie couldn’t help but empathize deeply.
“Eat to your heart’s content, drink as much as you like—but don’t cause any trouble! Especially no harassment of maids or attendants! Anyone caught doing so will face the lash!”
Rosie patrolled the outer castle grounds, repeating his warnings for the umpteenth time.
“Don’t even waste time making unnecessary conversation. Focus on eating, drinking, and resting!”
Although it was technically his day off, Rosie chose to volunteer for duty.
After all, a celebration for the returning expedition was in full swing across the High Tower.
Skipping out as a knight would have left him with lingering guilt.
Moreover, many of the knights in the expedition were familiar to him.
Thus, Rosie welcomed the soldiers in his own way—through voluntary patrols around the castle.
“If you’re lacking anything or feel uncomfortable, speak up immediately! If the servants are too busy, tell me directly! If you’re curious about something, ask me—I’ll answer!”
Wherever there was a crowd, trouble was bound to follow.
The combination of battle-weary soldiers, abundant food, and alcohol was a recipe for incidents.
Even the knights, bound by codes of chivalry, were not immune.
“Hey, you there! It’s obvious she’s uncomfortable! If you’re looking to satisfy your urges, head to the brothels later!”
Spotting a common knight bothering a serving maid, Rosie quickly intervened.
“Who are you—si—oh! My apologies! I must’ve had too much to drink!”
The knight, realizing Rosie was a senior knight by his armor, immediately quieted down and returned to his food.
High-ranking knights like Rosie were crucial for maintaining order and discipline.
“Sir Rosie!”
While on his rounds, Rosie heard someone call out to him.
“Huh? Theo…? Theo! You’re alive!”
Recognizing the knight who had called him, Rosie’s face lit up with genuine joy as he welcomed his half-brother.
Although Theo was the son of a concubine, Rosie treated him like a full sibling.
“So you’ve finally become a senior knight, Brother! That’s fantastic!”
The two brothers were thrilled to reunite after so long.
“But… your arm…”
“Haha… yeah, well, it happened.”
Rosie couldn’t keep smiling, though. Theo’s empty right sleeve tugged painfully at his heart.
Theo led his half-brother to a quiet corner of the inner castle.
This was the medical ward where the wounded were being treated.
Northern healers and witches worked tirelessly to care for the injured soldiers.
“Aaaagh!”
“Stop whining! Just endure a little longer!”
“Ahhh! The witch is trying to turn me into a rat!”
“Should I actually turn you into one?”
“Eek!”
“Just get your treatment done and then go eat some of that delicious food over there!”
“Yes! Y-yes, ma’am!”
“Quietly lift your shirt already. Healer! Are the herbs ground yet?”
“Yes, Witches!”
The scent of medicinal herbs and the screams of the injured filled the air.
Yet, in stark contrast, some of the soldiers who had just had their bandages changed sat in the corner, devouring their meals with gusto.
It seemed that Theo, who had lost his right arm, was also dining with his comrades in the medical ward.
“Let me introduce you all—this is my half-brother, Sir Rosie. He’s only five years older than me, but he’s already a senior knight of the High Tower!”
Theo proudly introduced Rosie to the soldiers around him, who appeared to be his subordinates.
“Ah… it’s an honor to meet you, sir. I’m Bill, a soldier.”
“My name’s Bjorn. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“To think Sir Theo had such connections! If we’d known, we would’ve worked harder to impress him! Haha!”
Rosie couldn’t help but feel a mix of shock and bitterness as he met Theo’s companions.
Like his half-brother, most of them were disabled soldiers, missing arms, legs, or even eyes.
“Bill, could you peel this for me? My hand’s like this, you see.”
“Of course. Could you grab some wine for me, though? My legs are like this.”
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