NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 266: Pig Feed
The campfire's glow illuminated the campsite, casting flickering shadows on the tents and the bubbling kettle, where a bland, porridge, like sludge simmered, giving off a faint, unappealing scent of raw wheat.
Skadi tugged at Aisha's sleeve, her voice shrill as she trailed behind, her tail thrashing, while Aisha ignored her, warming her hands by the fire, her face set in a smug grin, her heart buzzing with amusement at Skadi's relentless questions.
Cassius approached, his smile soft as he glanced at the pair, but his expression soured when he noticed the kettle's contents, his heart sinking at the sight of the unappetizing meal.
Aisha looked up, her voice teasing as she caught his grimace.
"What's with that face, Cassius? You look like you're about to gag just looking at this." She said, her tone playful as she leaned back on her hands. "What, is our dinner not fancy enough for you? Did you expect a royal feast out here in the middle of nowhere?"
Cassius pointed awkwardly at the kettle, his voice laced with disbelief.
"Aisha, w-what is that? It looks like...sludge. Like something you'd feed pigs, no offense." He said, his nose wrinkling as he leaned closer, his heart recoiling at the lack of aroma. "Why're you boiling this stuff? Is this really what you all eat out here?"
Aisha's grin turned haughty, her voice dripping with mock superiority as she shrugged.
"Pig feed, huh?...Well, let me just tell that the fodder you're talking about his our dinner, Cassius." She said, her eyes glinting as she leaned forward. "We're on the road, you know. Can't exactly pack a banquet."
"And these are Feygold oats, small when raw, but soak 'em in water, boil 'em up, and they puff up big...Real filling, takes up no space. Perfect for travel." Her tone was smug, her heart amused as she gestured at the kettle. "This is what the Knights of the Holy Guard eat when we're out on missions. Keeps us going without weighing us down."
Hearing this, Cassius's eyes widened, his voice incredulous as he turned to Julie, who had just approached, her expression still dazed from earlier.
"Julie, is she serious?" He asked, his tone urgent as he gestured at the kettle. "I know I've been giving the Holy Guard plenty of funds, I'm not skimping out here! So, why're you making yourselves suffer with...with this?"
"...This looks like punishment, not dinner!"
Julie shrugged, her voice casual as she crossed her arms, her heart settling after the earlier shock.
"It's true, Cassius. We get enough funds, but out here, it's about practicality." She said, her tone matter-of-fact. "We need food that's easy to carry, easy to cook. Oats do the job. They're not fancy, but they keep us fed and don't take up space. That's just how it works when you're on the move."
Skadi chimed in, her voice bursting with indignation as she stomped closer, her tail flicking.
"Ugh, I hate this stuff, Master!" She whined, her heart recoiling at the thought of the meal. "It's so bland, no taste at all, no spices, no salt, nothing! It's like eating wet cardboard! I feel like I'm gonna puke every time I have to choke it down."
Her eyes then lit up, her voice turning hopeful as she sidled up to Cassius, her tail swishing.
"That's why I bring my own snacks! Master, you got that bag of jerky in your special ring, right? Can I have some? Pretty please?" Her hands clasped together, her heart eager as she leaned closer.
Cassius, still staring at the kettle in a daze, nodded absently, his voice quiet as he reached into his storage ring.
"Yeah, sure, puppy." He mumbled, pulling out a small bag of jerky and handing it to her, his heart still grappling with the sight of the sludge.
Skadi squealed, her tail wagging furiously as she snatched the bag, plopping down by the fire and tearing into the snacks with a happy grin, her heart content as she munched.
Cassius then shook his head, his voice firm as a determined glint sparked in his eyes.
"No, this won't do...This won't do at all."
He declared, turning to Julie and Aisha, who were checking the kettle's progress, their hands stirring the pot.
"I don't know what you did on your last trips, but I'm here now, and there's no way in hell I'm letting my precious knights eat....whatever that is."
His tone was resolute, his heart swelling with conviction as he gestured at the kettle.
"We're on a dangerous mission, and you deserve a real meal, not pig slop...I'm cooking something proper tonight, something that'll make your mouths water."
"Really, Master?" Skadi's eyes widened, her voice erupting in an excited squeal as she tossed her jerky aside, leaping to her feet and rushing to Cassius. "You're gonna cook for us?"
She chirped, her tail swishing as she rubbed against him, her heart bursting with glee.
"No more sludge? Oh, you're the best! Are you gonna make something with fresh meat?...Something juicy and yummy that'll make me drool?" Her hands clapped, her eyes sparkling as she clung to his arm.
"Of course, puppy." Cassius patted her head, his voice warm as he nodded. "No way I'm letting my favorite girl eat that mess and go to bed feeling like there's an ocean sloshing in her stomach." He said, his tone teasing but sincere.
"I'm making a real meal, fresh meat, proper spices, the works...I'm sure you'll love it." His heart warmed at her enthusiasm, his eyes glinting with determination.
Hearing that he was willing to cook for them, Julie's eyes lit up, her voice tinged with excitement as she stepped closer, her heart stirring with anticipation.
"You're serious, Cassius? Y-You're cooking?" She asked, her tone hopeful as she recalled their first encounter, when he'd prepared a lavish feast that left them all stunned. "I mean, I remember that spread you made before, it was incredible...But it's already night."
Her voice turned doubtful, her eyes scanning the dark forest.
"Getting fresh meat now? Most animals are in their burrows, sleeping. It's dangerous to hunt in the dark, and spotting prey's gonna be tough. You sure about this?"
Aisha, stirring the pot to keep the oats from burning, nodded, her voice calm but skeptical as she glanced at Cassius.
"Yeah, I appreciate the enthusiasm, Cassius, but Julie's right." She said, her tone practical as she set the spoon down. "Hunting at night's no joke. Finding an animal now would take forever, and it's not worth draining our energy when we've got a big day tomorrow. This porridge isn't great, but it'll do."
Her heart softened, her eyes lingering on him with a hint of fondness and seeing the look in her gaze, Skadi's ears twitched, her voice sharp as she hugged Cassius tighter, her eyes narrowing at Aisha.
"Oh, come on, Aisha! You'd usually send Master out to hunt and tell him not to come back without something good!" She snapped, her heart flaring with suspicion. "Why're you being so nice now? What's with you acting all sweet to him?" Her tail flicked, her voice accusing as she pointed at her. "You're up to something, aren't you? Trying to keep him happy so he'll pick you over me?"
Aisha's smile turned smug, her voice light as she leaned back, her eyes glinting with amusement.
"Oh, Skadi, relax. People can learn and grow, you know." She said, her tone teasing as she glanced at Cassius. "I've just...grown to be a bit fonder of him, that's all. No big deal."
Her heart thrilled at her own boldness, her eyes lingering on Cassius with a playful challenge.
Skadi's face reddened, her voice erupting in a frustrated whine as she turned to Cassius, tugging at his sleeve. "Master, she's bullying me!" She cried, her heart stinging with jealousy. "Aisha's being all sneaky and mean, acting like she's got you wrapped around her finger! Do something about it!"
Her eyes pleaded, her tail drooping as she leaned against him to which Cassius didn't respond, his voice silent as his gaze drifted into the distance, his eyes narrowing as if fixed on something far off.
"Master?" Skadi's whining faltered, her voice curious as she tugged at his arm again. "What're you looking at? You're all...distracted."
She said, her heart puzzled as she followed his gaze, seeing nothing but darkness to which Cassius's lips curved into a sly smile, his voice low and confident as he kept his eyes on the horizon.
"I just found our next meal." He said, his tone brimming with certainty as his heart raced with anticipation. "Don't worry, puppy. You're all gonna eat like kings tonight."