I was a lord farming, how did I become an emperor?

Chapter 296 Deep-Sea Tentacle Stew
……

……

Frosty Leaf Town.

Avril had received advance notice and was waiting for Rhodes in the open space outside the manor early in the morning.

"The courtyard is a mess, with everyone busy building our main building,"

The blinding sunlight made Avril squint. "Darling, from now on, you can only land here."

"That means we'll be able to live in the stone fort before this winter."

Rod smiled and stepped forward, giving Avril a brief hug before his eyes were filled with anticipation.

"Vivian told me that with the fluid from this giant octopus, you'll be able to attach it to Durant's hand very soon?"

"Not so fast, darling."

Avril shook her head and explained, "The main purpose of making potent life potions is to maintain the target's vitality in biological modification magic, and at the same time, it can also make them recover quickly after completion, otherwise the target will easily die."

"and then?"

Rhodes asked with some curiosity, "Just cut off a hand and attach it to Durant's severed wrist? That can't be right, can it?"

"Of course we can't do that, darling, that would cause a blood curse!"

Avril smiled and gently shook her head. "It won't be long before the new hand rots."

"Only the undead can be freely modified, because the undead only need magic power and necromantic fire to support them."

Avril explained, "It's commonly known as a Frankenstein's monster, meaning it can be sewn up however you want."

"Hmm, I don't think it would be that outrageous."

Although Rod wasn't a medical student, he knew about rejection reactions.

"Unless it was the injured person's own hand that was just cut off."

Avril quickly added, "I almost forgot, if our soldiers are injured and their severed limbs are preserved intact, and they receive timely treatment, they can be reattached using potent life-saving drugs!"

"That's good news!"

Rhodes' face lit up with joy. "This will save the lives of many soldiers and their families!"

Disabled soldiers have always been a headache, even though Rhodes got Lawrence to give them more benefits.

Some soldiers can accept their physical disabilities and continue living, but some cannot accept an incomplete life and choose to end their lives.

If we can prevent the soldiers from becoming crippled, then they won't be driven to despair.

"If that's the case, then I'm a little confused,"

Rhodes asked, "Then what is transplanted in the organ transplantation of biological modification witchcraft?"

"It's a limb of a dead person,"

Avril further explained, "You can think of it as an organ created by necromancy. It's a bit complicated, but the principle is similar to creating the undead."

"Ah, okay."

Rod nodded as if he understood, then leaned forward and whispered instructions.
"Research is research, but please don't let it affect your health!"

"A young lady as elegant and beautiful as you must never turn into a disgusting necromancer like those in legendary novels!"

"No, no, those are just rumors."

Avril waved her hands repeatedly, gently comforting her, "Unless you transform yourself into an undead and come into contact with the aura of the dead every day, you won't become like that."

"That's good."

Rod smiled and said, "Let's go, call Yulai and the others to go to the ice cellar and take stock of the materials you need."

"Uh-huh."

Avril responded softly and took Rod's arm as they headed to the ice cellar.

The giant octopus had so many spoils that Rhodes's storage badges couldn't hold them all, so he only took a portion that could be used to make potions.

It has an ink sac, eyes, brain, blood, internal organs, and a thick tentacle.

Because Avril needed it, Rod quickly sent back a portion of it, while the majority of the food and leather remained on-site for processing before being shipped back.

Yurai, along with several potion apprentices, divided the items once again, bottled them, and stored them.

To improve efficiency, Rhodes also stepped in to help, temporarily reverting to being an ordinary potion apprentice.

Just as Rhodes was busy, a system notification suddenly came through.

[Your territory has created its first magical item through alchemy, unlocking the attribute: Alchemy Enlightenment (Blue)]

[Alchemy Enlightenment (Blue): Your Spirit Strength +1. You and the alchemists in your territory will experience a breakthrough after successfully creating a magical item, lasting for one week. During this breakthrough, there is a small chance that your alchemy ability will be greatly enhanced.]

"This……"

Rhodes's face lit up with joy, and he immediately realized what was happening, thinking to himself...
"It seems that Sionda succeeded!"

He's the only one who can create magical items through alchemy; no one else has come into contact with it yet!
Making a magical accessory in just over a month—that's incredibly efficient!

Rhodes was overjoyed, but his face remained expressionless as he continued with his work.

Rhodes did not rush to the blacksmith's shop, but waited for Senda to come and report to him.

"As expected of an alchemy attribute, it's a blue attribute right away, and it even directly enhances mental power."

Without thinking twice, Rhodes activated the effect of the affix, and the coldness on the back of his neck immediately sent a chill down his spine.

After the chill subsided, the world became clearer. Even with my eyes closed and without consciously trying, I could feel the presence of the people around me.

Every day, wizard apprentices meditate for themselves, and although it's a drop in the ocean, it's still growing.

In addition to this, although Rhodes hasn't tested it yet, he feels that his mental strength should now be at fifteen points.

If you have the Spirit Amplifier Wand, your mental tentacles should be able to explore even further.

"I wonder what the next term will be..."

Thinking to himself, Rhodes looked at the system information.
[Next entry: Failed alchemy attempts in your territory reach fifty times (normal crafting of magical items), and your territory contains more than fifty types of magical materials (including magical plants and magical ores), unlocking the entry: Alchemist's Perseverance (Blue)]

"Another blue entry."

Rod smiled.

It doesn't seem too difficult; you just need to pile up the materials.

This entry is purely a test of Rhodes' financial resources.

Rhodes can afford to spend it; he can already see the next entry beckoning.

When people are happy, they feel an irrepressible excitement when doing anything.

After processing the materials from the giant octopus, Rod immediately took out half of a tentacle.

"Wow, it's so thick!"

Everyone couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

The tentacles in Rod's arms were only a little over a meter long, but thicker than the girl's waist.

“I have some that are even thicker than this one.”

Rhodes smiled and looked at Vivian, "Have the guards inform Durant and the others that I'm treating them to octopus tonight."

"Great, this sea monster must taste amazing."

Vivian's eyes lit up, and she nodded excitedly. "I'll also ask Martha to prepare some extra side dishes and spices!"

"Well, this time I'm going to make you some special food, just like those teas."

Rhodes looked at Yura beside him and said, "Prepare some more herbs to replenish my life force, both common and magical plants."

Rhodes himself wasn't sure, since the "Exotic Gourmet" tag didn't always work; he could only try to find the effect based on the outcome.

But it doesn't matter if it doesn't work; just treat it as a dinner party with your subordinates.

"Yes, sir."

Yurai nodded and immediately got to work with her companions.

Rhodes had someone bring him a flat stone slab and began to cut the tentacles.

Just then, Rhodes heard hurried footsteps outside.

When they went outside, they saw it was the short Sainda.

"Success!"

Senda was beaming with excitement.
"Haha, Lord Rhodes, my luck has been getting better and better ever since I started following you!"

Senda's unrestrained laughter immediately attracted the attention of the surrounding servants, and Rhodes immediately waved his hand to let them continue working.

"Don't be so ostentatious, Sainda."

Rod warned, "Many good things don't need to be known by others, otherwise they will arouse jealousy."

"Ah, yes!"

Senda slapped his mouth, walked to Rhodes' side, and quietly reached out his hand.

On it was a ring with an iron chain, with an earth-yellow crystal inlaid in the center.

"This is a magic necklace?!"

Rhodes had expected this, but he still looked at Sainda with a shocked expression, "You did it so quickly?!"

"Haha, I told you my luck improved after I met you!"

Sainda laughed again, but this time it was a little smaller.
"I failed nine times trying to make that ring last time!"

"But this time, I only failed twice before I finished it!"

"Ahahahaha!"

Senda was grinning from ear to ear; he was clearly even happier than Rod.

"Alright, here you go!"

She shoved the Senda necklace into Rhodes' hand and turned to leave, but Rhodes grabbed her arm.

"What's the rush? You haven't told me the specific effects yet," Rod asked.

"Ah, yes, I forgot."

Senda scratched his head and explained, "It can slightly increase the wearer's mana recovery speed, but its main function is defense."

"Energy shield, automatically triggered when attacked, twice in total."

"After it's used up, it takes half a day to recover, and it also needs to be recharged with magic."

Rhodes looked surprised after hearing the description. "Two magical effects?"

"The extraordinary crystal originally had the effect of restoring magic power; I just enhanced it."

"The energy shield is my masterpiece!" Senda explained.

"Not bad, as expected of a master."

Rod exclaimed, "Looks like you'll have to use all my materials from now on."

"Hahaha, if not me, then who else would use it!"

Sainda laughed happily, looking at Rhodes, "But following you is really the best thing that has happened to me recently, thank you for your support!"

"We cooperate for mutual benefit."

Rhodes reached out instinctively to pat Sainda's head, but stopped himself in time.

In the end, he simply patted Senda on the shoulder and said, "There's a bonfire party at the lord's manor tonight. Come along, it'll be a good opportunity to meet the other people."

"I'm not going. I need to make the most of this experience."

Sainda leaned close to Rhodes and whispered mysteriously, "I feel a tickle in my head. I might have a lot of insights this time!"

Looking at Sainda's thick, messy hair, Rhodes frowned and asked, "Is your head itchy because you haven't washed your hair in a long time?"

"Impossible! I just took a shower, less than two months ago!"

Sainda stated firmly, "It used to only itch every three months!" "..."

Rod was somewhat speechless and sighed slightly, "Let's not worry about that for now, we have some special dishes tonight."

Rhodes didn't give Senda a chance to speak, and pulled Senda closer into the cave with a little force.

"For a wizard apprentice like Lord Rhodes, your strength is rather strange... eh?"

Senda stared at the half-finished tentacle on the stone slab. "Why is there magical energy fluctuation on this? Is it just my imagination?"

"No, this is the tentacle of a giant sea monster."

Rhodes explained, "You can think of it as a low-level magical beast, but to be honest, it's not as powerful as a magical beast."

"Sea monsters... I've heard of them."

Senda curiously stepped forward, observing as he chimed in, "Those guys are all ugly and huge, but their spellcasting abilities are very weak, I don't know why."

"This guy probably has some leather and blood, right?"

Sainda stated without hesitation, "I might need it."

"Don't worry, we'll keep some for you."

Rhodes knew that Sainda was straightforward, so he didn't mind that Sainda asked for it directly.

You can't expect someone to be hardworking and diligent at work, and also smooth and shrewd in terms of emotional intelligence, can you?
"However, the potions workshop also needs the blood and other bodily fluids of the giant octopus."

“I understand, potions are important to people like us too.”

Sainda nodded. "If you need mind-focusing potions, remember to send me some."

"They are still potion apprentices, and they can't make potions with mental focus in a short time."

Rod changed the subject and asked, "Are you coming to the banquet tonight?"

"A fool wouldn't go if there's something this good!"

Sainda's eyes widened, and he waved his hand and turned to leave. "I'll go think about it first. Remember to save me a big one tonight!"

"This guy."

Rod watched the departing figure, shook his head with a smile, and then turned back to continue his work.

……

……

As dusk fell, the sky gradually darkened.

The last rays of the setting sun slowly faded behind the distant mountains.

In the spacious courtyard of the manor, a huge bonfire crackled and burned.

Tonight's banquet is quite different from any other.

There was no solemn long table, nor a strict seating arrangement.

Everyone sat around the campfire, chatting in twos and threes, creating a very relaxed atmosphere.

Servants moved among the crowd, constantly serving various delicacies.

Since it's a bonfire feast, the dishes are naturally not limited to the tentacles of a giant octopus.

Regular grilled meats, apples, and other seafood such as prawns, crabs, oysters, and scallops are all on the menu.

However, these ordinary foods were all prepared by Martha and the kitchen maids.

Rhodes stood by the solitary stove, staring at the bubbling alchemical cauldron.

"It's almost time to add the other herbs."

Rhodes looked at the herbs prepared beside him and thought about it carefully.

It seems pointless to try adding herbs with similar properties.

"Then let's have some of everything."

"Sage, plantain leaves... and some spices for flavor!"

After everything was placed in the pot, Rod closed the lid and moved most of the firewood away.

Simmer over low heat; too high a heat will easily burn it dry.

After doing all that, Rod rotated the roasted tentacle slices on the shelf next to him and sprinkled some spices on them.

"Alright, these roasted tentacle slices can be distributed to them now."

Rod looked at the curled meat slices and gave the order.

"Yes, sir."

Leah responded softly, carefully transferring the grilled tentacle slices to a plate and quickly distributing them to the others.

"such a pity."

Rhodes looked at the grilled tentacle slices being distributed and shook his head helplessly.

Rhodes didn't receive any new recipes from the eccentric gourmet, and seeing everyone tearing at the tentacle meat slices with gusto, the texture didn't seem very good.

Rhodes snapped out of his reverie and focused his attention on the alchemical cauldron.

Just as I was pondering whether to infuse some magic, a notification suddenly appeared that a peculiar delicacy had been created.

"If it doesn't appear soon, I'll think it's broken."

Rod was waiting for this, and without caring whether it was delicious or not, he simply lifted the lid.

"Lia, come on, serve them a bowl of this too, start with them..."

Rhodes turned to look at the figure beside the campfire.

Unfortunately, Gunle wasn't there, so no one tried the taste.

"Give it to Sao first."

What Rhodes made was definitely not poison; I just don't know what it tastes like.

"Yes, sir."

Lia nodded obediently, carefully ladled out a bowl, and handed it to Sao.

Sao was somewhat surprised to see Lia, but upon learning that it was a gift from Rhodes, he immediately accepted it respectfully with both hands.

"Please help me thank the Holy Lord."

After saying this, Sao suddenly put the bowl to his mouth, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp, as resolutely as if he were going to battle.

"Forehead!"

After finishing the drink, Sao frowned and looked pained, but he quickly composed himself and forced a smile, saying, "Delicious!"

But anyone with eyes can see whether it tastes good or not.

São handed the bowl back to Lia, then bowed respectfully to Rhodes from a distance before sitting down again.

Gala, looking at Sao's expression, curiously leaned closer and asked, "What did the Holy Lord give you to drink? How did it taste?"

"I don't know either, the taste..."

São stopped abruptly, his face flushed red!
"What's wrong? Tell me!" Gala pressed.

Ignoring him, Sao quickly walked to the side, assumed a posture, and began to adjust his breathing, practicing breathing techniques.

Gala stared wide-eyed at Sao's movements. "My brother, you don't need to work so hard, do you?"

Sao ignored him and continued his cultivation.

His actions quickly attracted the attention of others, especially Cavaliers players like Durant and Chris.

"Lord Durant, can you feel the life force emanating from him?"

Chris asked with a serious expression.

"It's very obvious, but it's slipping away so quickly, which is a pity."

Durant nodded, then sighed, "If we can preserve this vigorous vitality, Sao will soon become a high-ranking knight."

"Gara, what's wrong with you all of a sudden?" Durant asked, turning his head.

"I do not know!"

Gala shook his head in confusion, "But the Holy Lord gave him a big bowl of soup."

Durant and Chris exchanged a glance, then immediately looked in Rhodes' direction.

Rod smiled and waved to the two of them.

Durant and Chris immediately left the crowd and walked up to Rod.
"Your Excellency, what are your orders?"

"No orders were given."

Rhodes pointed to the soup in the alchemical cauldron, "This is what Sao drinks. Would you two like to try some?"

"Of course!"

Durant's face lit up with joy, and he immediately stepped forward, ladled out a bowl, and handed it to Chris.

"Thank you, Mr. Durant."

Chris took it with both hands, but did not drink it immediately.

After Durant served himself another bowl, they drank the soup together.

Both knights were quite composed now, showing no expression while drinking their soup.

After the soup was in their stomachs, they savored it for a long time. They looked at each other in surprise, then turned and walked to the open space, where they began to practice breathing techniques like Sao.

The other Winter Knights also sensed something was wrong and stood up one after another.

They just didn't have the guts to go directly to Rhodes and ask for it.

Rhodes knew perfectly well, and waved his hand, "Lia, give them all a bowl."

"Yes, sir."

Lia and her servants busied themselves delivering Tang Yiyi to the knights.

Everyone gulped down their drinks, then each chose a spot and assumed a breathing exercise posture.

In the blink of an eye, only a few women and Senda and others remained by the campfire.

"Sigh, how did a perfectly good party turn into a training ground?"

Rhodes shook his head with a sigh, but the smile on his face was very strong.

This continued until late at night, when Avril was so sleepy that she kept yawning, and only then did everyone gradually stop what they were doing.

Only Durant and Chriss are still training.

"Thank you for the soup, Holy Lord!"

São knelt down on one knee to express his gratitude, and the other knights followed suit.

"Alright, these were originally prepared for you."

Rhodes smiled and helped Sao up. "How are you feeling?"

"I should be able to become a mid-level knight soon!"

São exclaimed excitedly, "According to Lord Durant, this is the best knight ever!"

Rod nodded in satisfaction.

With various attribute bonuses, as well as potions and medicinal cuisine, it would be a problem if things weren't going well.

"Holy Lord, what kind of soup did you just bestow upon us?" Sao asked curiously.

"Ah, the name."

Rhodes thought for a moment,

"Let's make a thick soup with a mix of deep-sea tentacles."

(End of this chapter)