Chapter 453

Chapter 453: Farewell Blessings

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Chapter 453: Farewell Blessings

Third Age, 1686 AD, the end of the Year of Flames.

The newly formed Frost Rose Coalition among the Seven Snow Nations marched northward. The New Vergha Alliance, citing the coalition’s violation of agreements without any declaration, blocked their advance and sought assistance from allies, including the雏月议会 (Chu Yue Council) and the Redberry United Kingdom.

The divine-winged bird forces crossed the Southern Ocean to reach one of the tributaries of the Sighing Mountains, where they defeated the Frost Rose’s golem army and destroyed the northern fleet at Sword Pine City. Thus, the Frost Rose’s offensive was halted momentarily, and the conflict between the two sides escalated once more.

At the same time, in the west of the New Vergha Alliance, the Falcon Kingdom, located southwest of Clancia, declared its joining with the Frost Rose Coalition. The Black Rock Duchy in the north was experiencing internal unrest, with the ‘Halberd Faction’ besieging the capital, Beacon City on Black Mountain, while the ‘Huntbow Faction’ held the city, resulting in a stalemate. Within the Holy Land, after the previous Pope’s death, the position of the new Pope remained vacant, with various factions stirring beneath the surface.

Faced with the chaos among the Seven Snow Nations, the Verdant Empire remained indifferent. The Imperial Capital began preparations for the Crown Prince’s wedding, planning the venue, with expectations of completing everything within a year.

The storms in the Endless Sea intensified, affecting the routes to the Eastern Region of the House of Plantagenet, causing a gradual decrease in traffic. Meanwhile, the House of Plantagenet ceased sending the envoy group that visited the Southern Islands every three years. The number of ships venturing out also decreased under the dynasty’s decree.

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At Emanas, the Temple Academy.

Lolan Hill’s small cottage now had a new resident, her half-elf friend, Florasia.

“How long should this simmer, Lolan?”

Florasia, wearing an apron, stood in the kitchen, stirring the white broth in the pot with a spoon. Although the flames licked the bottom of the sand pot, the potatoes, chicken pieces, and mushrooms inside continued to roll and emit a fragrant aroma.

“About twenty minutes.”

The young lady guessed, though she didn’t usually keep track of time precisely. She would judge by when it looked done and tasted good enough.

In the room beside the kitchen, Lolan wore a white winter dress and was writing tables. She seemed close to finishing the booklet she was reading.

These were matters the head needed to arrange; she would be going to Clancia next year, so these preparations had to be made in advance.

Phew, finally finished. Now I can rest properly.

Lolan Hill lifted her head, placing down the pen.

By the side, she then put away the booklet and turned around to check on how Florasia was doing with the cooking.

Recently, since the young lady of the Landsworth Family moved in to live with her, there were no other servants to assist, and as she did not want to keep troubling herself with cooking, she volunteered to learn how to cook.

Many stories often depict someone who cannot cook, producing dark, unappetizing dishes, using this as a humorous point. But Lolan Hill felt that this was surely exaggerated. Perhaps at first they couldn’t, but after a few attempts, even if they didn’t make something delicious, they could at least cook things thoroughly.

Besides, when in doubt, just boil it. She started teaching Florasia with the simplest task, making soup.

As long as you wash the food, cut it into pieces, put it in the pot, add water, and heat it up. There’s nothing simpler than that.

“Let me see.”

She lifted the lid and looked inside; the boiling soup was almost spilling out of the pot.

“Why did you put so much water?” Lolan Hill looked at the young lady of the Landsworth Family beside her; the blonde young lady seemed somewhat at a loss.

“But isn’t it better to use more water? This way, it won’t dry up, and the food will be completely submerged.”

Well, this one and Keti are at two extremes.

Keti loved heating the bottom of the pot with flames, saying it was like warming the food with her hands, which was especially fun, but the consequence was that the food would often burn to charcoal or the pot would run dry due to excessive heat.

“Your understanding is correct, but the flavor will be diluted by the excess water, lacking richness,” Lolan Hill took the spoon from Florasia’s hand, scooped out some of the extra broth, and poured it into the sink beside them, then tasted the seasoning and added some more seasonings.

Watching Lolan Hill’s proficient and serious manner, Florasia was very impressed. People are like this; if someone excels at something you’re not good at, you always feel a little respect.

“This should do, let it simmer for a while.” She covered the pot again, and the two returned to the hall beside them.

At this time, it was winter in Emanas, and snowflakes were quietly drifting outside the window. Some snow had piled up on the windowsill, lightly frozen at the corners of the lattice window.

The air was much colder than usual, and the staff or students on the streets had changed into thicker clothes.

Extraordinary beings could certainly use magic to stay warm, but it ultimately required more energy. It was better to wear thicker clothes, which was more comfortable.

After returning to the hall, Lolan Hill used pliers to pick up a few pieces of firewood and placed them in the fireplace to fuel the flames. Then, she sat down with Florasia on the chairs by the fireplace.

The winter sky was somewhat gloomy, and the light from the indoor fireplace cast a faint red glow around the room. As the flames burned, the temperature in the room slowly rose.

“How do you spend the winter at home, Florasia?” Lolan Hill asked the girl beside her.

“It seems pretty much the same as usual. Everywhere in the house is quite warm.”

Hmm, it looks like I asked a question without much value, Lolan Hill thought. Given Florasia’s family background, her growing environment should have been incredibly luxurious.

“If you don’t marry the Crown Prince, what kind of family background would generally be suitable for you?”

Florasia’s face was slightly reddened by the firelight. She pondered for a while before answering.

“According to my aunt or other elders, I would usually be married into an Earl’s family or a more promising and outstanding Viscount’s family. However, there are also aunts who haven’t married; they have considerable strength and live comfortably on their own.”

“I originally thought I would follow this path,” she said, gazing at the fire in a daze.

“If you don’t want to get married, I can think of some ways.”

Perhaps there was some reluctance in her heart. Lolan Hill didn’t want to see this friend forced into a marriage. In her previous life, society often emphasized the sanctity and freedom of marriage. Although she wasn’t always enthusiastic about it, some ideas gradually permeated everyone’s hearts, which was one of the most basic rights of choice.

“No need, involving you wouldn’t be good.” Florasia shook her head. This matter involved complicated people and circumstances, far beyond what this young lady beside her could handle. Involving her would be too dangerous.

“Then let me give you a gift.”

Lolan Hill took out a velvet box from a nearby cabinet.

Opening the box revealed a delicate light gold pendant. The pendant was transparent like crystal, containing a small amount of liquid that shimmered. Under the firelight, the liquid reflected faint rainbow starlight, very beautiful.

“If you ever want to leave someday, drink the liquid inside. It will make you extremely lucky for a day, and everything will go smoothly.”

“Consider it a farewell blessing.”

(End of Chapter)