Ming Dynasty and New Rome and Infinite Magic Machine

Chapter 1713 God of Black and White
"The heritage of Rome is truly a treasure trove."

A quick glance through the catalog reveals a plethora of treasures that the Romans longed for but ultimately failed to realize.

Moreover, there are already quite a few successful plans.

For example, although humans haven't mastered the principles of bicycles, they have completely mastered the technique of riding one. After all, while the principles of bicycles are complex to explain, riding one simply requires pedaling hard.

Currently, the only use for summoning the "Bicycle Demon" is to teach people how to ride bicycles, and Victoria is the only living person who has done so. Additionally, the demon was also summoned for self-defense last time.

The Chernobyl experiment was similar. The help from the demons was like the training wheels when learning to ride a bicycle; once you've mastered it, you can put the training wheels aside. However, the problem now is that nuclear fusion is not as simple as riding a bicycle; these training wheels simply cannot be removed by mortal strength.

After the priest left, Shangluo asked a question that he hadn't been able to ask in front of outsiders.

"So why exactly was it built in Chernobyl? You're not completely ignorant about this demon, are you?"

Phaethon nodded: "Actually, I know. These two dual gods of nuclear fission/fusion actually have a very important background—guess?"

"I won't guess."

"You'd be missing out if you didn't guess, because the answer is right there in the riddle itself—the reactor was built in Chernobyl. The Slavic 'Black God' is named Chernobyl. The 'Black God' has a counterpart, the 'White God' named Belobyl. These two are the gods who conducted experiments with us inside the reactor. That reactor is actually a temple dedicated to the Black and White Gods."

"So Chernobyl is what the Black God meant?"

"Well, not entirely. Chernobyl is black grass, but the absinthe made from black grass is an offering to the black god, so it is indeed the most suitable place to offer sacrifices to the black and white gods."

"I see." No wonder it can't be moved casually.

After all, if it's just a research facility, then of course it can operate no matter where it's moved. But if it's a temple or an altar, then it definitely has to be placed in a fixed location.

"Now that you mention it, I'm starting to think it's a bit far-fetched." Shang Luo thought for a moment, "Wouldn't it cause trouble to bring the Black and White Duo here?"

"You just thought it was a good idea."

[That's right, you thought it was pretty good when I was saying it.]

"That's because we didn't know who they were from."

"So what if we know their origins?" Phaethon tilted his head. "You've encountered gods more powerful than the Black and White Demons before, haven't you? This is just a mere Slavic racial god. What can they possibly cause, no matter how much trouble they cause?"

[Exactly, at most it'll be a nuclear explosion. Anyway, this is Victoria's territory, right?]

"Shouldn't we get Victoria's consent for this?"

“I have no objection.” Early in the morning, at breakfast time, Victoria offered her opinion. This was her palace, so she, for the first time in a long time, took the head seat at the table.

Egypt's sandstorms are endless, but this place creates a lush, green landscape. The surrounding walls block out the desert scenery, while the flowing water and greenery in the courtyard create another world.

Victoria sat facing the atrium, sipping her Bossa, a low-alcohol fermented beverage from Anatolia. It tasted like milk beer, but not as tart; its main flavor was malt.

The beige Bossa was served in a Vidurier glass, with round ice cubes inside.

Shangluo also took a cup, and it tasted really good.

"So, you're really not worried?"

“Isn’t it because of you?” Victoria said, eating a pickled olive with a spoon.

This is a small appetizer served before the meal, acting as an appetizer like a light pickle, and can also be served after the meal to aid digestion. Such pickled olives are a staple on a Roman table, followed by roast meats, bread, sausages, and bacon. Each dish must be served with some broth, not just dry slices.

As per Shangluo's instructions, breakfast here is the same as outside: bread costing a few dozen pieces for one yuan, which Egyptians call "pita bread." However, they do offer some good dishes—these ingredients, according to regulations, are stored in dry, well-ventilated cellars and are only opened when the emperor himself arrives. For example, on their table is an Italian ham, aged for seven months and then another seven months. Shangluo doesn't know why they say "seven months" twice, but he guesses it's a rhetorical device, like the two jujube trees.

"Hmm, Shangluo, are you wondering why we say 'seven months' twice when talking about ham?"

"I really don't know. So why did you say it twice?"

"Because the two processes are different. The first seven months are for initial curing. After the initial curing, this type of ham is rubbed with flour and lard to restore its texture, and then it is cured for another seven months. This results in some waste, but the flavor is also more intense—this ham is used in soup. There is also another type of low-salt ham, which is made using the favorable climate of the mountains. This is one of the few types of ham that is eaten directly, and it's right here in your bread. How does it taste?"

"It has a sweet and savory taste?"

“Yes, that’s it, a success.” Victoria introduced her family’s dishes. If Aurora cuisine is about “turning the ordinary into the extraordinary,” then Roman cuisine is about “where the magical ingredients are.” There are hardly any dishes here that are particularly noteworthy in terms of craftsmanship, but the cooking process begins before they are even served—a year or two ago. Every dish on this table has been here long before they were even served.

This table of local Egyptian dishes consisted of only three items. Aside from the pre-fermented bosa drink, only two items were made fresh: pita bread bought from outside and roasted pigeon stuffed with thick filling.

This roasted pigeon is also the main course today. The stuffing is Egyptian green wheat, which has a rich, fragrant aroma. This wheat has been roasted inside the pigeon for a long time, almost as if it were cooked in pigeon broth. Combined with the crispy skin, this is definitely the most distinctive local dish I've had since coming to Egypt.

Victoria quietly enjoyed it all. Just like she had said when she entrusted everything to Shangluo—she meant it, she meant it, leaving everything entirely to Shangluo.

"But out of courtesy, I'll still ask a little question. After all, this is a very important matter."

“Okay, go ahead and say it.” Victoria looked over.

"Is it alright if I move the God of Black and White to Cybernia?"

(End of this chapter)