"Are you sure?"
For the third time, Cecilion questioned the knight who had just returned from checking the supply cart.
"Yes," the knight confirmed, his voice steady. "According to the knights stationed at the supply cart, everything is accounted for. Nothing is missing."
Cecilion's jaw tightened.
Legion smirked. "So, are we done here?" His voice dripped with sarcasm. "The Empress sent these supplies to be shared among the people... especially the children, the women, and the elderly who are not fighters."
But Cecilion wasn't letting go.
"You still haven't answered my question," he snapped. "How exactly did you acquire these if they really came from the Empress?"
Legion's patience was running thin. He folded his arms across his chest and tilted his head. "And like I said before, it's none of your business how I got them. The important thing is that I didn't steal them."
Cecilion stepped closer, his temper flaring. "I am a knight, and you are a mere commoner... my rank is higher than yours. You answer me when I ask you a question!"
At that, Legion laughed.
"Rank?" he echoed, shaking his head in amusement. "I may be a commoner, but as far as rank goes, I serve directly under the Empress. That places me higher than you."
Cecilion's hands curled into fists.
Despite the Empress's political power being stripped away by the royal court, the reality remained... until Duke Aurelian officially ascended the throne, Empress Ceres Evadne Valeria still held the highest title in the land.
The fact that Legion answered only to her meant that no one... not even a noble knight... had the right to order him around.
Legion leaned in slightly, his smirk widening.
"But if you insist," he said, voice calm yet provoking, "I teleported."
The words were said so casually, as if it was the simplest thing in the world.
And then, he grinned.
Cecilion's face darkened.
Teleportation magic was nearly impossible to master. Not even his own brother... Celion Blackwater, the High Court Magician... could perform teleportation so effortlessly.
But before Cecilion could retort, Legion had already turned away.
He approached Mara, ignoring the way Cecilion and his two knights fumed behind him.
"Can you lend me a hand?" he asked her gently. "I'm not as good as Delphine when it comes to cooking, but I can show you how to use these ingredients."
Mara's hands trembled slightly, but she nodded.
She wasn't a fighter. She wasn't strong.
But at least, with this, she could be of use.
Together, Legion and Mara prepared a quarter sack of barley, adding the ingredients supplied by their team.
Legion demonstrated how to use the spices and salt the Empress had sent.
"These are limited," he warned, handing her a pinch of salt. "But you don't have to use a lot. Stir as you go... add a little at a time, and always taste after each addition."
Mara listened intently, her hands steady as she followed his instructions.
The others in the tent gathered around, watching in fascination. They had never seen salt before. Even the spices Legion used... dark and aromatic... were entirely foreign to them.
As the stew cooked, the tent slowly filled with a mouthwatering aroma.
For the first time since the expedition began, something smelled delicious.
Mara hesitated when it came time to taste. She glanced at Legion, unsure of what to expect.
So Legion took the first spoonful himself.
He tasted, considered for a moment, then nodded. "It's perfect."
Relief flashed across Mara's face.
One by one, Legion distributed small portions.
He prioritized his teammates first... excluding Cecilion and his knights, of course. Then, he called over the children, the elderly, and the women who were not fighters.
Each portion was only half the size of a normal serving.
But it was enough.
And Legion felt it.
As soon as they started eating, a warmth spread through his body. His HP and MP increased.
And judging from the looks on the people's faces... the slight widening of their eyes, the way they glanced at each other in shock... they had felt it too.
The Empress's blessing.
Legion turned slightly, eyes flickering toward Cecilion.
Despite his arrogance, Legion knew one thing... Cecilion Blackwater was not a cruel man.
He was one of the very few nobles who treated commoners fairly.
Legion had a strong suspicion that the reason Cecilion was so fixated on the idea of him deserting was because he truly cared about the people struggling to survive this expedition.
Perhaps, in his own twisted way, he thought he was protecting them.
Without a word, Legion took three bowls of steaming broth and walked toward Cecilion and his knights.
"Here," Legion said, offering them the cups. "Taste it."
Cecilion scowled, crossing his arms.
"And why should I?"
Legion smirked.
"Because the Empress herself prepared the ingredients," he said. "And I want you to see for yourself what happens when you eat food touched by her hands."
Cecilion narrowed his eyes, but curiosity got the better of him. He took the cup, as did his two knights.
The moment the broth touched their lips, they felt it.
A warmth spread through their bodies... not just from the heat of the soup, but something deeper. A surge of energy. Their exhaustion lightened, the lingering cold in their bones fading.
And then...
Their HP and MP increased.
Cecilion stiffened, his fingers tightening around the cup. His two knights exchanged startled glances, experiencing the same effect.
"How is this possible?" Cecilion muttered in disbelief. Not even the priests and priestesses who blessed the knights' meals during expeditions had ever produced such an effect.
Before Legion could answer, Hugo spoke up, his voice laced with interest.
"And what about these?" Hugo asked, picking up one of the sacks Legion had brought. "What else did the Empress send?"
"That's roasted Moondusk beans," Legion replied.
There was a pause.
Then...
"Moondusk?" One of their teammates, Conn, made a face. "You mean that useless wild plant?" Disappointment flickered across his expression.
Legion chuckled.
"You drink it," he clarified. "It's best in the morning before starting the day."
"Why not drink it now?" another teammate suggested.
Legion raised an eyebrow. "You could… but don't complain later when you can't sleep."
Hugo laughed, intrigued. "Let's try it."
"You sure, Captain?" Legion asked.
Hugo nodded.
"I warned you," Legion said with an amused grin. "Don't blame me later."
He turned to Mara. "I'll need your help again."
Mara immediately moved to assist him, heating a large kettle of water and adding a handful of roasted Moondusk beans.
As soon as the water began to boil, a strong, rich aroma filled the tent.
The men stiffened. Their skepticism wavered as the scent of the brewing drink wrapped around them, warm and deep. Even those outside the tent who had gathered to receive food lifted their heads, drawn to the unfamiliar but enticing fragrance.
Legion instructed Mara to place a cloth over the kettle's spout to filter out the ground beans before pouring the first round of steaming dark liquid into cups.
"Fair warning," Legion said as he handed out the drinks, "It's bitter at first," he warned, "but give it time. Your tongue will get used to it."
Mara refilled the kettle with water and set it to boil again.
True to Legion's words, the first sips had their faces twisting in mild disgust.
"This is awful," Conn grimaced.
Legion rolled his eyes and sipped his own cup, his expression completely at ease.
As they continued drinking, however, their expressions slowly changed.
The warmth spread through their bodies, countering the icy chill of the expedition camp.
The bitterness mellowed out, leaving behind a rich, almost addictive aftertaste.
One by one, they started to understand.
Mara brewed another batch and distributed it to the people outside, who were already drawn in by the enticing aroma.
Faelan, staring into his cup with wide eyes, muttered, "What kind of sorcery is this?"
Legion chuckled.
"It's even better with sugar," he said, watching them take cautious sips.
Immediately, heads turned toward him.
"…Sugar?" Cecilion repeated, frowning.
"It makes this drink sweet," Legion explained. "The Empress prefers hers with sugar. She calls this drink coffee."
A brief silence followed.
Then...
"You had some and didn't bring it?!" Cecilion snapped.
Legion snorted.
"Had some? Do you think sugar just grows in Aquilonis? The Empress's sugar cubes are limited... Delphine counts them carefully. You have zero chance of getting any."
Cecilion glared at his cup, disgruntled.
Hugo, on the other hand, chuckled.
"Coffee, huh?" He took another sip, letting out a satisfied hum. "I can see why the Empress likes it. This is… different."
Legion smirked as he watched the men continue drinking.
Even without sugar, they were already hooked.