Earlier that day.
Late at night.
Bright firelight lit up the darkness. Billowing heat stirred the pale gray mist in the surrounding air, lending the currents an almost tangible shape.
It was a small camp in the forest.
Several cloth tents surrounded a central campfire, with warm blankets spread beside the flames.
"Bubble, bubble-"
Bubbles churned, and the aroma of food drifted through the camp.
An iron ladle stirred slowly through the thick, swirling broth. Chunks of potato, dried meat, and unidentified wild vegetables rose and sank with its movements, steeped in the fragrant soup.
Their supplies were limited by the rough conditions of wilderness adventuring, and unlike Xia Nan, they had no spatial equipment capable of storing large quantities of fresh provisions.
Even with ample funds, Zanfrui and his companions could not enjoy the lavish, carefully prepared meals served in taverns while out adventuring.
Fortunately, Ak had considerable travel experience and had later spent years as a steward at the Wilmot Family estate, developing
an excellent set of cooking skills.
Even an ordinary pot of stew tasted every bit as good as a dish from an average restaurant, thanks to his control of the heat and his choice and proportions of ingredients.
Although his official role was the young master's guard, Ak was the only member of their party with a profession level. As a veteran whose adventuring experience far exceeded that of the two youths combined, he had taken charge from the moment their mission began.
Seeing that the stew was nearly ready, he stepped forward, stirred the iron ladle, and served his young master a steaming bowl.
Zanfrui's expression, however, was rather tense.
He reached out to accept it and gave a slight nod without saying a word.
That was certainly not his usual nature.
He did