Diona's scheme seemed flawless, but she overlooked the most fatal point: even after adding ten times the concentrated jueyun chili powder to the wine, the mixture, transformed by her constitution blessed by the Spring Elemental, turned that seemingly dark concoction of chili mixed with alcohol into fine wine.
Duraf happily returned home, holding the gift from his daughter.
Duraf: "This rare, fine vintage must be savored slowly."
(Diona: "Meow meow meow???!!!")
When Siegfrieda and Amu finished handling the remaining orders, the sky was already growing dark, and the sun was about to set. The two drove the carriage back to Springvale Farm.
As Siegfrieda walked into the farm, she saw Ellin collapsed carelessly on a chair, completely unconcerned with her image. She was filthy and soaking wet, as if she had just been fished out of water.
Even when Siegfrieda and Amu approached, Ellin showed no reaction, looking like she had been completely burned out, leaving only ashes behind.
At that moment, Arkz walked out from inside the house and greeted them, "You're back? Have you eaten?"
Siegfrieda subconsciously shook her head, then immediately realized this wasn't the time to worry about dinner. She pointed at Ellin and asked with some panic, "Mr. Arkz, what happened to her?"
Arkz looked at Ellin on the chair, who wore an expression like she had been thoroughly played with, and helplessly rubbed his forehead, "Perhaps my training was too strenuous. Ellin must be feeling extremely exhausted."
Although Arkz trained alongside Ellin, and to empathize, he increased his training volume and intensity to several times that of Ellin's, Arkz was currently too strong. His willpower, mental maturity, and physical recovery speed far surpassed Ellin's.
Therefore, what felt like just a warm-up to Arkz had Ellin feeling like she was about to become useless.
Siegfrieda heard this, looked at Ellin whose clothes were soaked through with sweat, and immediately retreated a few steps. She certainly didn't have the courage to participate in such devilish training. Originally, she had harbored some longing to become a member of the Knights of Favonius.
But if joining the Knights of Favonius required enduring this level of exercise, she might as well stick to her small business with Amu.
Arkz looked at Ellin's clothes, which were clinging tightly and wrinkled because they were soaked with sweat, and said to Siegfrieda, "Freya, I remember you live in Springvale, right?"
Although Siegfrieda didn't know why Arkz asked, she still nodded seriously.
Arkz said, "That's good. Do you have any clothes there that you could lend Ellin? Her current state isn't suitable for walking on the streets, and I don't have any clothes that fit Ellin here either. I'll trouble you, and in return, I will cook a big meal for you."
Siegfrieda looked at Ellin, who was motionless on the chair, staring blankly at the sky, felt sympathy, and nodded.
Siegfrieda thought to herself, "Ellin's figure is similar to mine. I have so many clothes at home; any set will do."
Arkz helplessly stepped forward, pried open Ellin's mouth, and poured a large mouthful of richly flavored stamina potion into her from the cat-paw canteen. Only then did Ellin react, like a fish dying of thirst encountering a water source.
Ellin: "Where am I? I think I just saw the Anemo Archon."
Arkz smiled and asked, "The Anemo Archon you saw, did he wear a green hat, have two small braids, and look a lot like that Bard who cheats you out of pocket money?"
Ellin puffed up angrily, "Absolutely not! Mentioning the Anemo Archon together with some swindler is an insult to the Anemo Archon!"
Arkz rubbed Ellin's head to soothe her, "Alright, alright, it was my fault. I just asked Freya to help get you a set of clothes. Remember to wash them clean and return them to her tomorrow. Also, remember to bring a change of clothes tomorrow."
When Arkz pulled his hand back, he found it sticky with Ellin's sweat. He somewhat disdainfully wiped his hand on Ellin's clothes, but found his hand becoming even stickier. Just as he was about to wash his hands, he noticed Ellin looking at him resentfully.
Arkz chuckled awkwardly, put his hands behind his back, and shuffled away step by step, "Ellin, wait for Freya to bring the clothes, then you go take a bath before heading home. I've already set up a bathroom for you."
Facing Arkz's sweet talk, a gentle smile bloomed on Ellin's dirty little face, and she whispered softly, "It's too late to try to appease me now."
After saying that, Ellin hugged Arkz's thigh like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey, rubbing herself vigorously against his clean and tidy clothes.
Arkz's expression instantly became indescribable and very complicated.
After Siegfrieda rushed back with the clean clothes, Ellin eagerly dashed into the bathroom to wash herself clean.
Thanks to Siegfrieda's righteous act of lending clothes, Ellin and she buried the hatchet and instantly became good sisters. Before entering the bathroom, Ellin even asked Siegfrieda to keep an eye on Arkz and prevent him from peeping.
Arkz scoffed at this. A little girl with no chest and no hips—he wasn't interested.
However, Siegfrieda stared at him with wide eyes, refusing to leave his side, which made Arkz feel extremely speechless.
Arkz asked, "In your eyes, am I that untrustworthy? Am I that desperate?"
Siegfrieda said, "Of course not, Big Shot Arkz, I completely trust you."
"What I want to ask is, when are we eating?"
Arkz: "..."
Arkz: "Why am I always silent? Because you guys have left me speechless."
Looking at Siegfrieda's eyes full of appetite, Arkz suspected that if he offered the chance to peek at Ellin bathing in exchange for delicious food right now, she would agree without hesitation.
Arkz: "Stop following me. I'll go cook now."
Today's training was truly exhausting for Ellin; it consumed a large amount of stamina, and the activity level far exceeded normal. If she didn't get timely relaxation and stretching, Ellin would definitely suffer from full-body muscle soreness tomorrow and wouldn't even be able to get out of bed.
Since he caused it, Arkz naturally had to take full responsibility.
Therefore, he decided to prepare a nourishing medicinal diet for Ellin. This would not only quickly restore her stamina and energy but also heal the damage caused by the strenuous exercise, allowing Ellin's strength to reach a new level.
Red dates, goji berries, peanuts, lotus seeds... After careful selection by Arkz, a nutritious, healthy, and delicious Eight Treasure Porridge was made.
The aroma was tantalizing, the appearance attractive; it possessed all three qualities of color, aroma, and taste.
By this time, Ellin had also finished washing up and changed into Siegfrieda's clothes, becoming clean and fragrant.
Smelling the tempting aroma of the Eight Treasure Porridge, she walked even more swiftly. Having trained for so long, Ellin was already ravenously hungry. And Siegfrieda, who had waited a long time after a tiring day, was also extremely impatient.
Let's eat!!!!
Blah blah blah.
Siegfrieda: "Another bowl!"
Ellin: "Another bowl!"
Arkz looked at his own untouched bowl and chopsticks, stunned for a moment.
Arkz took a taste of the Eight Treasure Porridge he had cooked, then looked at the two empty bowls in front of him, and said unhurriedly, "The pot is over there. Go serve yourselves."
"Eat as much as you want, but don't waste it."
Whoosh—!!!
Whoosh—!!!
Before the words finished, Ellin and Siegfrieda turned into whirlwinds and rushed to the large pot, scrambling to refill their bowls.
Bowl after bowl, until a layer at the bottom of the pot was scraped clean, the two reluctantly put down their chopsticks.
Arkz's mouth twitched. He felt that if this happened a few more times, the bottom of his pot would disappear because it would all be scraped away.
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