Build High Walls, Stockpile Grain

A month later, as the New Year drew ever closer, the festive atmosphere in Auwest grew stronger.

The Level 1 Magic Test is starting in three days.

Dugu Qing and carefully selected pork belly at the market, preparing to make braised pork belly with preserved mustard greens, steamed pork with rice flour, braised pork belly with tiger skin, crispy pork, cumin lamb...

These delicacies, which were readily available in his previous life, were soft, tender, and delicious, rich yet not greasy, with a savory and umami flavor. However, they were rarely seen here, and Dugu Qing had not tasted them for a long time.

Taking advantage of the upcoming exams, he decided to reward himself for his "diligence" and also help Fern relieve some of his stress.

An hour later, Dugu Qing had bought pork belly, dried mustard greens, ginger, scallions, star anise, cinnamon, light soy sauce, rice, eggs...

Carrying the shopping basket, I returned to my hotel bedroom and began methodically tinkering in the kitchen.

As noon approached, the steamer in the kitchen filled the air with steam, carrying a faint aroma of meat that could be smelled for miles around.

Frieren smelled it, blinked, and immediately guessed that Dugu Qing was making food. She quickly put down her book and rushed to Dugu Qing's bedroom.

Fern raised his eyes, a hint of surprise flashing in them. He put down the Grimoire and followed Frieren to Dugu Qing's room.

Needless to say, Stark was noticed by Dugu Qing when he was buying groceries. As soon as the first dish was cooked, he couldn't wait to taste it, licking his fingers several times, becoming a captive of the delicacy.

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The Continental Magic Association, the Heaven-Piercing Magic Tower, the Supreme Hall.

The vast hall, with its gilded beams and jade walls, is a magnificent sight.

On a magnificent gilded throne, a petite, fair-skinned blonde girl with delicate features leaned back leisurely, legs crossed, elegantly reviewing the list.

When she saw someone on the list, her feet swayed slightly, and her icy, proud face softened instantly.

"Da~"

Laiern pushed open the door, then closed it again, and walked up to Serie.

A strange, meaty aroma wafted through the air, a scent that Serie hadn't smelled in a thousand years.

Her taste buds awakened; she put down the list, propped her feet on the throne, and her beautiful eyes sparkled with desire.

"What is that? It looks delicious!"

"Lady Serie, has the list been checked?"

Laiern bowed slightly, looking at Serie with respect.

Serie walked down the steps, returned the registration list for the First-Class Mage Exam to Laiern, and sniffed lightly. Sure enough, she smelled a delicious aroma of meat on Laiern.

"Laiern, did you sneak some good food?"

Laiern hurriedly shook her head, about to deny it, when she suddenly remembered that she had passed by the Moonlight Hotel earlier and heard an amazing aroma of meat wafting from inside.

He was also extremely tempted at the time, but he couldn't go in because of work. Now that he thinks about it, Serie was probably referring to the food at the Moonlight Hotel.

"Lady Serie, this is a new dish at the Moonlight Hotel. Let's go there for lunch!"

"Uh-huh!"

Knowing where the delicious food was, Serie nodded happily, and even her icy heart, which had remained frozen for millennia, showed signs of melting.

"By the way, Lady Serie, a rumor has recently spread from the Sword Village that the Hero's Sword has been pulled out... What do you think about this?"

Laiern looked at Serie nervously.

It's true.

Serie raised her eyes slightly, her voice crisp and clear, her expression serene and composed.

Lyle was shocked; his hair stood on end, and he broke out in a cold sweat in the warm room.

A catastrophe that will destroy the world!

He always thought it was just a rumor, a fabrication by ambitious people, or the incompetent opinion of a country bumpkin...

Unexpectedly, he has now gained the recognition of the Mage of God.

Oh my god!

Who on earth could be so insane! To possess the power to destroy the world and want to annihilate this beautiful and prosperous world?

How many people on the mainland will perish in this catastrophe? How many will lose their homes and families? How many will be left to rot in the wilderness?

Can the hero who draws the Sacred Sword truly defeat the enemy?

What if... we fail? Wouldn't this world then... face the end of madness?!

Laiern was drenched in sweat, his face turning a deep shade of purple. He had a thousand words stuck in his throat, but he didn't know what to ask first. His thoughts were completely in disarray.

"Laiern, look, you're Level One Mage, and even you turned pale with fright upon hearing this news. Imagine how much more frightened ordinary people would be."

Serie jumped back into her seat, casually looking down at Laiern, her eyes revealing a calm wisdom.

"Please teach me, teacher, how should the Magic Association survive in this chaotic situation?"

Laiern knelt on one knee, his expression becoming even more respectful.

"Build high walls, store up plenty of grain, let nature take its course, and observe the changing times."

"Won't you broadcast the news beforehand?"

Upon hearing Serie's plan, Laiern instinctively felt something was amiss.

Isn't that incredibly irresponsible?

That would be World-Destroying Calamity! Wouldn't it be better if the news were disseminated in advance, giving ordinary people more time to prepare?

"No! If the kings and nobles of the world knew this news, they would definitely try every means to build high walls, expand their armies, seize all the food that the weak have, and desperately conscript men and plunder resources... At that time, the world will be in chaos, and humanity will be torn apart before the enemy even arrives. How can that be allowed?"

Serie, being well-informed, directly expressed her doubts about the royal families of various countries.

It's not that she's unkind or unkind, but she's seen too many well-meaning people make mistakes... pushing the situation to an even more complicated point.

After careful consideration, Laiern was impressed by Serie's insightful wisdom, his eyes filled with sincere respect, and he nodded deeply.

Yes! During droughts and floods, those nobles refuse to open their granaries and distribute grain, instead sending out grain requisition teams to plunder the farmers' food. Faced with a cataclysmic disaster, they will only care about themselves...

Lady Serie truly lives up to her Mage of God. "Build high walls, store up plenty of grain"—what's the next line again? Brilliant!

Given that the topic of saving the world was too heavy, Serie waved her hand, walked out the door, and flew towards the Moonlight Hotel.

Laiern had no interest in cooking and stood there motionless.

They are contemplating ways to deal with the impending apocalypse!

Serie flew halfway up the tower, but seeing that Laiern hadn't followed, she returned to the tower and dragged him out.

Moonlight Hotel, Dugu Qing's room.

Frieren, Fern, Stark sat obediently in their chairs.

Dugu Qing served the prepared delicacies—glossy and tempting meats, fresh and flavorful steamed vegetables, and elegantly colored side dishes—one plate after another to the table.

As one delicious dish after another passed by, everyone's eyes widened in amazement, yet they still observed proper dining etiquette and waited for Dugu Qing.

Fern took a bottle of red wine from the wine cabinet, swirled it slightly to let it breathe, poured it into a glass, and sat down in the chair.

"Come, let's thank Dugu Qing for personally cooking this delicious meal for us despite his busy schedule."

Frieren raised her glass, looking at Dugu Qing with admiration.

Dugu Qing sat down, clinked glasses with everyone, took a small sip of his drink, and announced that the meal was ready.

Hearing the commotion, everyone puffed out their cheeks and began to feast.