Academic gathering with Lich colleagues

“No objection,” Raymond picked up the two metal rods from the plate and weighed them in his hand. “Of course, it’s for eating. Don’t you think this place looks like a restaurant?”

"I'm starting to look forward to it."

Just as the liches were exchanging information, the Blood Nest Tree underwent a new change.

The acidic blood plasma covering the surface flowed out like juice squeezed from a broken pomegranate, revealing the honeycomb structure inside. In the room facing the liches, Lyle stood in the honeycomb laboratory and greeted the liches.

"Peace and comfort, gentlemen. I am very pleased to share with you the results of my research, Hungry Flesh and Blood."

Lyle stood on the high platform of the Blood Nest Tree and began to explain his research ideas and process to the crowd, providing a simple explanation of some of the necromancy knowledge involved. With the wholehearted assistance of several necromancy masters, Lyle's necromancy knowledge had reached a new level, leaving the liches bewildered and impressed.

"...That's it. The results of my experiment, in theory, can give you back the right to hunger and food, and allow you to taste life again."

"And this is my achievement."

With a proud smile, Lyle gave up his spot and stretched out his palm toward the shadow behind him.

A hand, as clear and ethereal as a ghost, landed inside Lyle's leather gloves. The light gauze covering her body turned crimson in the blood-red moonlight. A bewitching charm began to work on the lich's soul flames. Emerging from the hive laboratory, she was like a princess stepping onto the castle terrace, awaiting the poet's praise of her beauty.

"That's Ariana!"

"Ariana!"

Ariana's appearance caused quite a stir. Lyle was pleased with their surprise, but this was just the beginning.

"Ariana, I'm about to begin."

Hearing Lyle's voice, Ariana nodded from behind the veil. Lyle lifted the corner of the veil, stood beside her, and slowly raised his hand. Lyle could see the slight rise and fall of the veil—her breathing.

The white veil was completely lifted, and gasps of surprise rippled through the audience.

Bathed in moonlight was a face of pristine beauty. Her jet-black hair was styled in a bun, with curled sideburns clinging to her cheeks. She possessed fair skin, azure eyes, and pale pink lips. Like a figure from a painting, she exuded a saintly aura, her alluring features blending seamlessly with her ethereal grace.

Ariana rolled her eyes at Lyle, who was secretly chuckling to herself, and expressionlessly lifted the hem of her skirt to bow to the group of liches.

"Peace and comfort, everyone. I am Ariana of the Cup of Extravagance. It is a great honor to meet you all with my new look."

Lyle led Ariana to the table that had been prepared in advance, the setting exactly the same as the one in the Goblet of Extravagance. All the liches turned their gaze to Ariana, not only admiring her beauty but also marveling at her human appearance.

Lyle pushed her seat onto the table; one last step was needed.

Experiments with food.

Lyle was actually quite nervous because this part was suggested by Nia.

He wasn't sure if he had offended anyone, even though he had agreed.

With an uncertain tone, Lyle looked at the table.

"Mr. Raymond?"

Raymond jumped to his feet.

As Raymond stood up, the Dean also jumped to his feet, and the lich at the nearby table simultaneously flailed under the table, a conditioned reflex to avoid the Holy Light attack.

"Raymond, what are you doing!" The dean's cane glowed, ready to strike at any moment.

Raymond raised his arm, and a golden light appeared in his hand.

"I want to cook."

The dean stood there, stunned, and did not stop Raymond from moving.

Raymond approached Lyle and Ariana's table, the ball of holy light in his hand still burning. Then, blazing holy flames erupted from Raymond's hand, and as Raymond swayed his body like a war dancer, the ball of holy light burned in the fire.

In the end, it ended up on Ariana's plate.

It was a radiant steak, the same color as honey.

Raymond slapped his breastplate loudly.

"A luminous dish, Valkyrie Flame Steak, please enjoy."

Chapter 315 Food is the most important thing for the people

Like crystal, the steak, squeezed by the fork, released droplets of pure, fragrant holy light from its veins, and a refreshing aroma filled his mouth and nose, causing Lyle to swallow hard.

Lyle's whetted appetite reminded him that the steak was just as tempting as it looked.

What pleased Lyle even more was that Ariana also made a small swallowing motion, and when she noticed that Lyle had discovered her lapse in composure, a blush crept onto her fair cheeks.

Lyle wisely looked away.

"Mr. Raymond, why is this called Valkyrie Holy Light Steak?"

"Because I was dancing the Valkyrie the whole time I was cooking."

"what is that?"

“A story, would you like to hear it? I think it would make a good conversation starter at the dinner table.” Raymond sat down at the table, and after Ariana’s polite smile, he began to tell the story.

"When I first joined the Paladin, I had an old knight who taught me combat skills."

Raymond! Your fighting style is so chaotic, it's like a woman dancing! Do you think you can get your life by flattering the enemy on the battlefield?!

"I took his advice. In the wars that followed, whenever I was on the same battlefield as that old man, I would tear through the enemy lines with the steps of a woman's dance. Before I discovered that long-range javelins were simpler."

"I sat on the ruins of the battlefield and greeted the old knight."

"My comrades are very curious about my unique fighting style."

Lord Raymond, is that your special combat technique?

"This is how I answered."

Yes, the Valkyrie war dance, the old knight taught me.

Lyle couldn't help but chuckle, and even Ariana's chewing paused for a moment, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons. One could imagine the old knight's expression; being slapped in the face by a student must have been quite a sour feeling.

"And then what happened? The old knight accepted your war dance?"

Raymond shrugged.

"No, and it was as if he was deliberately avoiding me. He changed his profession to a priest, and eventually became a cardinal. When his life was nearing its end, he underwent a sanctification ceremony and turned into light."

It turns out that Mr. Raymond was already unscrupulous during his lifetime; the Holy Light forces are not having an easy time either.

Lyle turned his gaze back to Ariana, or more precisely, to her lips, just like the other liches at the party.

She put the piece of meat she had cut into her mouth. She chewed slowly, savoring the taste of the food.

Ariana's eyes widened in surprise, and Lyle saw in them a mixture of delight and a sense of happiness that had shattered the ethereal feeling she once possessed.

Ariana looked at Lyle, her expressive eyes filling Lyle's heart with joy.

“It’s delicious, no, it’s the most delicious food I’ve ever tasted, not even the delicacies of my distant memories. Thank you, Mr. Raymond.”

Ariana's voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough among the liches who were holding their breath.

"Delicious? Delicious! Ariana can feel the food, she can enjoy it!"

A ripple was stirred among the lich; appetite and desire, things they had never dared to hope for, reappeared before their eyes. That impulse brought back their optimism and anticipation for life.

Lyle stood up and began his final summary to the lich.

"As you can see, my friends, my experiment has succeeded! The Blood Nest Tree has recorded the entire process of creating the Hungry Flesh Disguise. Now, please wait patiently, and Mr. Scarlet will equip you with Hungry Flesh one by one."

"Please enjoy tonight's feast, as for tomorrow..."

"The life of a lich is about to undergo a welcome change."

Cheers and howls filled the night sky of Andrea, and the chaotic dance of demons almost tore the moonlight apart.

In the midst of the commotion, Ariana's skirt was tugged.

She turned her head and saw a picture of herself as a child.

"Nia wants a hug!"

Ariana smiled. She knew perfectly well what Nia's true purpose was.

Placing the petite girl on her lap, Ariana casually brought the plate containing the remaining Sacred Flame steak closer to Nia.

"Nia loves Anna the most!" Nia exclaimed joyfully. Ariana smiled and patted her little head.

Mr. Raymond sat down next to Ariana.

"I hope you enjoyed my glowing dish, Ariana."

“It’s delicious, Mr. Raymond, except it’s a little hot, a little bit scalding.”

"Oh, that's the effect of the Holy Light's judgment. You are not human after all. Even if I suppress the power of the Holy Light to the minimum, as a lich, you will still feel a little stinging."

“That’s already perfect, Mr. Raymond. I even wish I could enjoy your cooking every day.”

Raymond's tone clearly rose a few decibels.

"In fact, you really can."

"?"

Raymond looked at Lyle, who was maintaining order.

“Lyle is a Pure One, and his affinity for the Holy Light is limitless. As long as he learns the Holy Light from me, Ariana, you'll be in for a treat.”

No wonder Mr. Raymond is so enthusiastic about being a chef of holy light. It has to be said that Ariana can now hear her own heart pounding, and she is a little tempted.

“Lyle now prefers necromancy, Mr. Raymond, and I don’t want him to change his preferences for me.”

Raymond saw the last trace of struggle on Ariana's face. Once driven by desire, the lich was no longer such a resolute creature. He just needed to push a little harder.

Raymond was about to continue trying to persuade him.

"Mr. Raymond! Please give us a dish that glows!"

A sudden voice interrupted his thoughts. It was a lich who had just gained a sense of hunger and, dressed in disguise, looked just like an ordinary human.

"Damn it," Raymond cursed inwardly. He had promised to handle the catering for the entire academic gathering. Although extremely reluctant, Raymond kept his promise.

With a casual wave of his hand, a sphere of holy light appeared on his plate.

"Glowing dishes, holy light dumplings, okay, now leave me alone."

The lich looked at his food; it had no aroma, no texture, just a blindingly bright dumpling, piled alone on the plate. It was a world apart from the original steak.