Bonfire Party

Watching Colin's departing back, Nord smiled faintly. Colin's expression was just like that of parents from his previous life who hoped their children would achieve greatness—once their children accomplished something, they were happier than the children themselves. Nord had never had children in either life and had never experienced such feelings, but he understood them nonetheless. In any world, a parent's heart was full of love.

As Colin gradually walked away, Nord came back to his senses. Seeing everyone looking at him and waiting for their lord's orders, he stopped dawdling and directed them to carry the grain into Colin's courtyard first.

The grain was temporarily stored in the small warehouse at Colin's home. The hunters went back and forth across the courtyard carrying sacks, disturbing Molly and her two children inside the wooden house. When Molly came out and saw that Ryman had returned safely, she was overjoyed. But the moment she noticed his injured hands, her eyes immediately misted over. She hurried to his side and examined his wounds.

Ryman gestured that he was fine, a blissful, foolish grin spreading across his face.

Stuffed with dog food again. Looks like I was destined to be shown up wherever I went, Nord complained inwardly.

"Dad, what happened to your hands? You got hurt? Does it hurt?"

"Dad is a warrior. Warriors aren't afraid of pain. Just like when one of my teeth fell out a couple of days ago—it didn't hurt. Not one bit."

"You're lying. I saw you crying under the blanket yesterday."

"I wasn't!"

Art and Lysa also gathered around Ryman, but the two siblings quickly became distracted by something else.

Seeing Ryman's family enjoying such a happy moment together, Nord could not help feeling a mischievous urge. He stepped forward and interrupted their conversation.

"Molly, prepare the cooking utensils later. I plan to hold a Bonfire Party for the villagers who will be arriving soon. I'll have Steward Abel go with you. He'll arrange anything you need, and you can ask him if there's anything you don't understand."

Molly followed the steward toward the kitchen. When Art and Lysa saw Nord, they quieted down as well, watching him with a little shyness.

Just then, Reed came over, his hands hidden behind his back and a smile on his face. Mysteriously, he said to Art and Lysa, "Little Art, little Lysa, can you guess what gift Uncle brought you?"

Art looked as though he were thinking very hard, tilting his little head with confusion filling his eyes. Lysa, however, reacted quickly. She ran over, hugged Reed's leg, and jumped excitedly.

"Malt candy! It's malt candy, right? Little Uncle said he would buy me malt candy a couple of days ago. Little Lysa even dreamed about it yesterday."

"That's right, it's malt candy. Little Lysa is so smart!"

Reed took out a brown-paper-wrapped package from behind his back. Inside were pieces of pale yellow malt candy. Lysa cried out excitedly. After taking the candy, she began eating it together with her brother, while Reed watched the siblings squeal and chatter with a smile.

After the grain had been moved, Nord ordered some of the hunters to take the horse meat to the kitchen for preparation. He led the rest outside the courtyard to the open space that barely qualified as a square, where they carried firewood and built the bonfires.

To be honest, Nord had never attended a Bonfire Party in his previous life. But even if he had never eaten pork, he had at least seen pigs run. Well, he could not afford pork now either, since prices had gone up... But in this world, Nord had not even seen a pig run, let alone eaten pork.

Nord had everyone build a large bonfire in the center of the square, where they would roast horse meat later. They set up four smaller bonfires around the square for lighting after dark. After reminding them to be careful with fire safety and to prepare enough firewood, Nord returned to the kitchen to check on things.

Everyone in the kitchen was busy under Abel's direction. Due to the limited ingredients, the horse meat could only be briefly drained of blood and scored with cuts; there were not enough seasonings to marinate it properly. Abel was also worried there would not be enough food, so he brought out all the remaining bread.

The food for the Bonfire Party was rather simple—only roasted horse meat and saved bread. It was indeed a little shabby, unworthy of someone as high-class as a transmigrator. But given Nord's current circumstances, this was already his best effort. Although he still had quite a few Gold Thalers, even the cleverest housewife could not cook without rice. He had money but nowhere to spend it. Nord silently resolved to establish a market in Tami Village as soon as possible.

All the horse meat in the kitchen had been placed on the grills over the bonfires, and the one in charge of the barbecue was Steward Abel. That was right—Nord could not cook either. He was fine when it came to eating, but actually making food was beyond him for now. He could only throw Abel into the role and have him fill in first. Since he was a product of the system, a professional steward surely knew how to cook as well, right? Yes, that was exactly what Nord thought.

As time passed, the sky gradually darkened. The sun hid behind the mountains, and the moon hung high in the night sky. The area around the square also grew lively. Everyone chatted excitedly with one another, finding the whole scene wonderfully novel.

In an era with such low productivity, especially without an energy source like electricity, people generally did not go out after dark. With bonfires lit and villagers gathered at night beneath the bright moon, dark sky, and blazing flames, it was as if a door had opened in their hearts and a seed had been planted. So life could be lived like this.

No villager came empty-handed. Village Chief Colin had told them they were attending a Bonfire Party, where the lord would share food with them. The villagers did not know what a Bonfire Party was, but they were too embarrassed to enjoy a noble's food for free, so they each brought out dried meat they had kept stored away for a long time.

Nord felt emotional again at the sight. These villagers were so simple and endearing; he could not let them down. Yet although the villagers were curious and delighted, none dared approach him. It was as though an invisible boundary separated them. Their gazes toward Nord were mostly filled with awe and unfamiliarity. Nord knew he still had much work to do in the future, and he would begin now.

Nord walked to the center of the square and stood beside the bonfire. The horse meat on the grill sizzled as it turned golden brown. There were not many seasonings on it, just pure roasted meat, yet Abel had turned it into a delicacy. It seemed Abel had a talent for cooking as well. Nord smiled inwardly, inhaled the aroma of the roasting meat, then turned toward the surrounding villagers.

Although the villagers did not dare approach Nord, they remained extremely curious about him. They seemed to be talking with others, but they had been secretly watching him all along. The moment Nord walked to the center of the square, the villagers fell silent.

"I am Nord Isaac, viscount of Isaac Territory, and the lord of your village. I arrived here yesterday and found this place extremely poor. So I discussed with Village Chief Colin the possibility of having you help me build a manor. In return, I will pay you wages and provide grain. Some of you may already have heard part of this."

"Now let me tell you what you don't know. On our way back, we encountered a group of bandits. We were only able to stand here today because the hunters of your village fought them with their lives on the line. This Bonfire Party is being held to celebrate these warriors. The horse meat we are eating today is their trophy. Let us invite them forward to receive your cheers!"

Nord raised both hands, signaling for the villagers to cheer. Perhaps the bonfires had ignited their emotions, or perhaps the night had freed their nature. The villagers gradually stopped restraining themselves and cheered together for the approaching hunters.

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