What did you do with the dice?

Rusalka: (Nonono, you don’t understand this. I, a mountain man, have my own clever plan.)

Sanita: (Friendly reminder, my health lock skill doesn't count as "escaping from near-death." Near-death resistance skills and near-death escape skills are different types of skills. As a Yu-Gi-Oh player, you wouldn't be confused about the terms, right?)

Rusalka: (Of course I did! I already got it! I put Royal Wall in the backfield, and Pearly Tears Lament laughed. [Royal Wall card effect: Cards cannot be banished.])

He seemed to be very confident about his upgrade, which made Sunita feel baffled, and he also wanted to keep it a secret so he refused to say what other incredible ideas he had.

Then Sanitieta didn't ask any more questions - there was no nitroglycerin in this world, and he was afraid that he would have a heart attack after listening to it. Even if he didn't have a heart attack, he would have to pass a sanity test, so it was better not to listen.

He didn't quite believe that this thing really had 12 "automatic resurrection from near death" abilities. After all, it was 524 points, not 1524 points.

Seeing Rusalka's full enthusiasm, Sanitieta thought that he should first look for the necromancy spells of this world and his family. It's not that he is a pessimist, but he is afraid that when he really needs to use it, he will not know how to use it, which will be embarrassing.

----

Baron Capeson's convoy had entered the vicinity of the military camp and was immediately stopped by several armored cavalrymen.

Looking at the guards around him who were facing a formidable enemy, the baron, whose palms were sweaty at this moment, signaled them not to be so nervous. He rolled his eyes and thought that if the other party really wanted to capture him, you might have a better chance of surviving if you threw down your weapons than if you took them out.

"Stop, who are you?"

It's quite sad to say that Baron Capeson couldn't help but smile bitterly. He was being questioned about his identity on his own land, on the edge of his own town.

Damn it, I’m the lord here!

"Hello, I'm Baron Capeson, and the governing noble of this town." Baron Capeson tried to sound polite. "I'd like to meet the leader of your army and offer my hospitality."

"Oh, then you guys just wait here for a moment."

The knight nodded, asked his companions to watch each other here, and then he turned his horse and galloped back into the camp.

They couldn't wait any longer. Looking at the crossbowmen around the camp who had set up simple continuous crossbows and were aiming at this side, Baron Capeson's only worry was that the other party might shake their hands and accidentally string the crossbow, and then slip and press the trigger of the mechanism.

"Captain Rusalka, Baron Capeson, who claims to be the town's governing noble, has come to see you. He's brought some guards and servants with him. Do you want him to pass freely, or should we bring him to you?"

His exact words made Rusalka react. What kind of long list of titles is this? Oh, so he's also a lord.

Rusalka looked around and saw only Sanita and Phoenix. The others were either shopping or taking care of the wounded. Caster went to the town to drink with some new knights he had just met.

I heard that the knights of Sneedi have a custom of socializing, but there's a super cool knight party here, so guess who wasn't invited? That's right, Rusalka!

Did he feel like he was being singled out, just because he was a "big" knight?

Rusalka: (Alas, cats are always good to me. They always stay by my side and never leave me.)

Sunita: (It’s the end of summer now, your puberty is a bit late, isn’t it?)

Rusalka: (I can’t help myself when I think of this. Someone, please feed the cat another portion of gold coins.)

Sanita: (Continuing from the previous chapter, your epileptic seizures are quite stable, occurring year-round.)

Since there were no outsiders here, Rusalka didn't care. If the baron insisted, she could do whatever she wanted to him once the door was closed: "Let him in."

Baron Capeson, who was waiting at the door of the tent, suddenly felt a chill.

Chapter 105: Free Food and Drink

"Your Excellency, the Respected Commander of the Legion, I am the administrator here and also a baron. You can call me Baron Capeson. What is your honorific title?"

Rusalka subconsciously said: "domo..."

Sanita: (Can we still have some shame?)

Rusalka: "I am Rusalka, Lord of Silver City, Lord of Pearl Tears, Grand Knight of the Kingdom, and newly appointed Viscount."

After looking Rusalka up and down, Capeson tapped his palm and said in sudden realization, "So you are the famous Lord of Pearl Tears! I've long admired you. I've always heard of your glorious deeds, but I never thought I'd be able to see them in person one day. What an honor!"

Rusalka joined in the laughter, then cheekily asked, "Haha, what kind of glorious deed was that?"

Although Capeson was laughing, he couldn't answer the question immediately. He was embarrassed and tried to laugh for a while longer while thinking hard.

It was indeed difficult for him. On the one hand, he had never expected that someone would be so shameless as to want to hear others brag about their glorious deeds in person. On the other hand, it would be more appropriate to say that Rusalka was notorious rather than famous.

Just half a year after taking office, he first destroyed the old rival next door and killed a veteran baron of the same level. More than a year later, he directly killed his superior viscount and even took down the other party's city. It is hard to imagine that if he develops a little more, he will have to attack Alice City?

But originally this was just some after-dinner entertainment topic among the aristocratic social circles. After all, in Zhulei Territory, a shabby place, no one would be surprised if some country bumpkins from a remote and poor place caused trouble.

But I didn't expect to see the real person today. Who wouldn't be afraid of him? Who knows whether he came here to "serve the king" or to "go on an expedition"? Whether he plans to coexist peacefully along the way or plans to incorporate all the land he has stepped on into the territory of Zhulei Territory, who can say for sure.

Those marquises and viscounts might not be so afraid, after all, they have the city as protection. Rusalka should be in his right mind after all. In such a war-torn time when everyone is in danger, it is too outrageous to run to a place near the center to attack his own city.

But he was just a baron, and even though he was easily killed by Rusalka on the pretext of wanting to make some extra money during the civil war in the kingdom, no one would come to support him afterwards.

The more chaotic the times, the bigger the fists, the harder the principles. You must know that when the Kingdom of Sinidi was prosperous, nobles who engaged in such open and life-threatening fights would be executed according to the laws of the kingdom. At the very least, they would be stripped of their noble status and demoted to commoners.

What now? You're going to demote a lord who controls an army and a border city to a commoner? He could rebel at any moment. What can you do about him? Are you going to ignore the threats posed by Alice City and the Church of the Seven Sins, abandon your own home, and turn around and send your troops to the border to attack him just to save face?

Not only can we not suppress him, we also have to coax him, because the geographical location of the Pearl Tear Territory is very delicate. If we really can't win, the kingdom still has the support of the Esdi Church State. Playing the victim and applying for international aid are also indispensable parts of the war.

By then, the Pearl Tear Territory (here referring to the original Viscount Territory) will be a major transportation hub. If Esdi wants to use transportation and logistics, he will really have to rely on Rusalka's mood.

Of course, some people now know that Rusalka had already built a teleportation array in his own base, but so far, no one has mentioned this to him, and no one has taken the initiative to spread the news, which means that everyone has tacitly accepted the rationality of this matter.

Therefore, in fact, Rusalka's current status actually has many hidden advantages - otherwise, how could it be the turn of him, an outlaw who killed two of his own people in a row at the beginning of the war, to transport logistics?

Baron Capeson smiled and changed the subject, saying, "Lord Pearl Tear, you have so many heroic deeds. I'm not very good at talking, so I'm afraid I'll diminish your majestic image. You all have come so far and are exhausted. The soldiers must need some relaxation and reward, right? How about I have the town provide some supplies for your army and some entertainment for the soldiers?"

Most of the nobles in this world were a bit sensitive. Baron Capeson thought that Rusalka's abrupt words were an excuse, so he took the lead in sliding down and kneeling, expressing his willingness to pay tribute.

But in reality, Rusalka had no intention of making things difficult for him. Sanita nodded and said, "I'll trouble you with the supplies, Baron Capeson, but there's no need for any entertainment. This is a special period, so some relaxation is fine. Excessive relaxation will affect military discipline and fighting spirit."

Baron Capeson was stunned. He didn't know Sanitta. Looking at Sanitta's appearance, first of all, he was standing in the military camp without wearing armor, and his dress was more like Rusalka's staff or butler.

But even if Rusalka was not equal to him, it did not mean that such a "servant" could interrupt or even make decisions in such aristocratic exchanges. If it were before, Baron Capeson would have pointed at Sanita's nose and asked him "Who do you think you are?"

But now, he turned his gaze to Rusalka to observe the latter's reaction first.

Rusalka had at least read the first chapter of "Noble Etiquette," "The Difference Between Nobles and Commoners," so she introduced him to Baron Capeson: "This is my aide, Sanitta. He assists me in making decisions about military affairs. He's an excellent mage."

Sanita was very happy that Rusalka could do something on her own that would relieve him of worry, and nodded: "Hello."

Oh, so he was a noble mage. Baron Capeson's frown immediately relaxed. If he was a mage, then that made perfect sense. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Forgive my ignorance. I didn't recognize you as a respected Grand Mage. If you have any requests in the future, just tell me and I'll do my best to arrange it for you."

In the army during wartime, a military wizard with some skills has a much higher status than a useless noble. After all, this is related to the lives of soldiers and the outcome of the war. So it is natural for him to be taught by Sanitieta in the barracks, and it is not considered a loss of face for the nobles.

Therefore, there is still a professional superiority chain in this world. If you say that Sanitieta is a wizard, not only the Kingdom of Snidi, but even other countries will have to be courteous to him; but if you say that he is a bard, at most they will just snort coldly, throw two copper coins in front of Sanitieta, and tell him to get out of here without saying a word.

However, if he is a sorcerer, then those passers-by who are throwing coins nearby should be the ones to leave, and the clearing effect will definitely be good enough.

As for the Paladin/Paladin, there is an evaluation that can be regarded as both an advantage and a disadvantage: an honest person.

At this point, Baron Capeson had nothing else to do. He came here just to spend money to avoid disaster and to dispel the idea of ​​Rusakka suddenly finding this town pleasing to the eye and wanting to take it over for herself.

After Baron Capeson left, Sanitieta privately chatted with Rusalka: (The swordsman guard who had just followed the baron had a faint magical fluctuation. There wasn't any at first, but some leaked out from his palm as he left. It didn't seem like the enchantment of the weapon itself, but more like the magic within his body.)

Rusalka: (What? Then I'll chase them and kill them all now!)

Sanita rolled his eyes: (No, brother, what are you thinking? Your train of thought is truly astonishing. I just said that he seemed to be doing it on purpose for me to see, but I saw that the baron didn't react much.)

Rusalka: (Oh, so he's just testing whether you're a real mage, isn't he? It's normal. A young man like that, having learned a bit of magic, would want to try out his skills everywhere. I understand. I was like that when I was his age.)

Sanitita: (Damn it, you just leveled up yesterday and I said I'd find you a few more Dragonborn to try your hand at. Aren't you the same as me?)

Rusalka didn't respond to her brother's complaints. Instead, she smiled at the void beside her and said, "Haha, Phoenix, what are we having for dinner tonight? I heard from the soldiers that there's a stall next door that makes delicious 'cat ears'. Since we're here, why not give it a try?"

Phoenix walked out of the black fog. Although there was no expression on her face, the inexplicable look in her eyes and the ears shaking continuously on her head made Sanita sigh repeatedly standing by.

Although cat ears is indeed a kind of noodle, if the Cantonese really named the dish Fujianese, what would the Fujianese feel when eating this dish?

----

20 minutes later, Sani Tieta, who was sitting at the small VIP round table that the boss had specially moved for them, was dumbfounded.

The answer is: probably similar to what Phoenix is ​​thinking as she blows on the spoon.

The boss was very welcoming. After learning the identities of Rusalka and the other two, he was quite flattered. "I am truly grateful that you, distinguished lords, have condescended to take care of my humble business. Of course, you don't need to pay for this meal. If you have any needs, please let me know."

Rusalka was not polite: "Do you have any seasoning?"

Boss: "Yes, yes, I'll bring them all to you right away."

So, this small wooden table was filled with various bottles and jars. Rusalka could recognize a few of them, but most of them gave off a suspicious smell, which made Rusalka a little unsure whether these things could be used as seasoning for her bowl of clear soup?

At this point, Sanitta felt that Rusalka was probably hopeless. He had a lot of weird ideas on a daily basis, but food and games were the only things he couldn't let go of. He really gave his dinner suggestions seriously, and extremely rarely did he think of making jokes.

Just as he was clearly sitting next to Phoenix, their arms were touching, but he was still complaining about why the seasonings in the Kingdom of Snidi only had chili peppers but no garlic.

Sanita: (No, brother, if there is garlic paste, would you really eat it?)

Rusalka was stunned: (Huh? What else? Could it be that I can use it as a side dish just by looking at it?)

Sanita: (Master.)

Rusalka: (If you can’t eat garlic, you’re still worthy of being called a man?)

Sanita: (You are indeed too masculine to tolerate even a little bit of femininity.)

Rusalka was a little confused about what he thought was abrupt complaints about the Sani Tower.

Seeing Phoenix blowing for a long time before taking the first bite, Rusalka laughed and said, "Are you a cat's tongue? That's a shame. This thing tastes best when it's slightly hot. If you blow it cold, it will solidify and become unpalatable. Don't touch it with the tip of your tongue. Try eating it hot."

Sanitieta thought that it was not because of the cat's tongue, but she was carefully observing what was so special about these "cat ears", or whether they had any characteristics similar to "the two on her head".

The only thing they have in common is that they are all quite soft, and probably quite appetizing - at least Rusalka is not a picky eater.

The soldiers weren't exaggerating; this stuff really tasted good—at least better than the army's rations, and even better than Rusalka's cooking.

Rusalka: "How is it? It's okay, right? I think the taste of this made with these ingredients is already very good. If you add a braised egg, a pot of boiled beef and mutton, and some mashed garlic and some side dishes, it will be perfect. Oh, just thinking about this makes me greedy. I really want to eat this."

Sanitieta nodded, but did not respond to him much. Instead, he asked him to say less nonsense in the private chat channel.

Phoenix took a sip of soup and asked seriously, "What are braised eggs?"

When Rusalka heard Phoenix's question, it hit the nail on the head, one of the few knowledge cacti in her cultural desert. She immediately said proudly, "It's like cooking eggs with soy sauce..."

Sanitta quickly interrupted Rusalka's reply and said, "Cook the eggs in tea leaves and salt water, then add a little lard. After they're cooked, they'll have the delicate fragrance of tea leaves, and the salt water will also flavor the eggs, absorbing the fat and making them even more fragrant. We call it 'braised eggs' over there, and it's a delicious delicacy."

Phoenix nodded, memorized the recipe, and planned to go back and try it.

This immediately made Rusalka lose confidence. Could it be that there was something wrong with the method of making braised eggs in his memory? (Right...right?)

Sani Tieta: (Xiao brother, too much talk leads to mistakes. There is no soy sauce in this world.)

Rusalka: (Okay, mine.)

When they were done eating and drinking and wiping their mouths before leaving, Rusalka left two gold coins and told the boss that all the rest of the bills would be paid for by Miss Phoenix on behalf of the soldiers.

Rusalka said this, and the soldiers around him understood what he meant. The smarter ones immediately started shouting:

"Thank you, Lord Phoenix!" "Long live Lord Phoenix." "I wish Lord Phoenix success in his career." These were the soldiers of the Shadow Legion who were the first to make a fuss.

They knew their limits. Although they talked about "career", there was no such thing as career in the army. It was nothing more than the gossip that Rusalka and Phoenix had spread around the barracks, with all kinds of versions.

According to Sanitieta, the most popular version is the one in which Phoenix was originally a member of the El Empire army who came to spy on Rusalka's intelligence, and was then captured by Rusalka and locked up, and then used various means to become one of Rusalka's own.

It seems that even in a different world, everyone has similar tastes.

The only difference may be that the same version has different sub-branch backgrounds:

A group of people supported Phoenix because she originally came alone, so it was pure love.

Another group of people supported the idea that Phoenix actually had a childhood sweetheart, and then a slightly more advanced twist, saying that in the recent war, she actually killed her childhood sweetheart with her own hands, and then gave his head or a token of love to Rusalka, so...

Then the two groups almost got into a fight over this.

After hearing this, Sanitieta was at a loss whether to laugh or cry: It seems that even in a different world, everyone has similar tastes.

Well, but it’s not a good idea to tell Rusalka this, otherwise the latter will hang all the supporters of the latter version on the military flag.

Everyone was envious of him for bringing his family to the battlefield, but when they thought about Rusalka being able to stand on the city wall and chop the enemy from beginning to end like a god of war, and that this "family member accompanying the army" was also an ace assassin of the Filin tribe, they suddenly had nothing to be jealous of.

"Thank you, Ms. Phoenix." "Thank you for your generosity, Ms. Phoenix." "May God Light bless you." After that, the knights of Esdi also followed the atmosphere and said a few words of thanks.

To be honest, everyone is no longer surprised by God Tilet, as they have all died together once. Even if the neighbors are believers in the Church of the Seven Sins, these guys from the Shaddoll Legion can come over and call them brothers.

Phoenix didn't say anything, nor did she respond to the thanks. Instead, she finished her meal and followed the two of them away.

But judging from her behavior of choosing to follow Rusalka and the others all the way back after showing off two bowls of cat ears instead of returning to the black fog, she must be in a very good mood.

To be honest, when Rusalka paid the bill in Phoenix's name, Sanita said in the private chat channel: (Brother, is that you next to me?)

Rusalka was so angry that she laughed: (It’s not me, it’s your father.)

Sunita: (You scared me! I thought your food was suddenly switched while you were eating, or maybe you were full and the glucose was providing nutrition to your brain cells?)

Rusalka was frustrated: (Damn, is that so surprising? After all, I've already spent all my gold coins on basic supplies for the army, and now I'm spending the gold coins that Phoenix gave me. So no matter what I say, I wouldn't be so shameless as to use Phoenix's money and say that I paid for it. Brother, you still have some character. Anyway, how unforgivable am I in your eyes?)